In a 50-50 battleground state, Republicans are close to capturing supermajorities in the State Legislature that would render the Democratic governor irrelevant even if he wins re-election.
Senate Dems and the state Party have put nearly four times the resources into state Sen. Jeff Smith's campaign since Sept. 1 as they have for their three candidates in the other most watched Senate races this fall, according to a review of campaign finance reports. Republicans need to net one seat this fall to take a two-thirds majority. To prevent that, Dems would have to hold onto Smith's western Wisconsin 31st SD seat and either defend the open 25th or pick up one of the 9th or 19th districts.