Incumbent Senators Who Could Have Serious Primary Challengers

[Pollster]

Flake is the first that comes to mind. Casey could certainly be hit from the left on abortion.

[Coolface Sock #42069]

I still wouldn't rule out some moron trying to primary out one of the red-state Dems and putting one of those seats in play or further endangering one that is already in play (other than Joe Manchin, who's already getting a challenge).

[Coolface Sock #42069]

Flake is the only one I can think of, and he will win easily. No Democratic incumbent will be seriously challenged in the primary.

If McCain of all people didn't get a strong challenge last year, I can't imagine Flake will.

[Greedo punched first]

Flake is the only one I can think of, and he will win easily. No Democratic incumbent will be seriously challenged in the primary.

If McCain of all people didn't get a strong challenge last year, I can't imagine Flake will.

Yeah, it probably won't be a "serious" challenge. Maybe Hatch?

Possibly. For Democrats, I can only see Menendez getting a serious primary challenge.

[Holmes]

Flake is the only one I can think of, and he will win easily. No Democratic incumbent will be seriously challenged in the primary.

If McCain of all people didn't get a strong challenge last year, I can't imagine Flake will.

Yeah, it probably won't be a "serious" challenge. Maybe Hatch?

Possibly. For Democrats, I can only see Menendez getting a serious primry challenge.

Mm, Menendez is the one the "Justice Democrats" should be targeting, not Manchin. He's actually vulnerable and New Jersey is an easy state for a Democrat to win and is safe to be as left-wing as s/he wants to be. But what do I know?

[Beet]

Feinstein's challenge could still become serious if she draws a higher-profile opponent from the left, or even if one of the existing ones takes off. With things as they are I wouldn't be surprised if Ro Khanna jumps in. He seems extremely ambitious. However "Progressive male challenging centrist female" will just deepen old wounds and reinforce the divide. I would prefer someone like Sarah Silverman to take identity issues off the table. Although Carper and Menendez would certainly get a primary too if the Sanders wing is serious about changing things.

[Greedo punched first]

Feinstein's challenge could still become serious if she draws a higher-profile opponent from the left, or even if one of the existing ones takes off. With things as they are I wouldn't be surprised if Ro Khanna jumps in. He seems extremely ambitious. However "Progressive male challenging centrist female" will just deepen old wounds and reinforce the divide. I would prefer someone like Sarah Silverman to take identity issues off the table. Although Carper and Menendez would certainly get a primary too if the Sanders wing is serious about changing things.

Khanna won't run after just one term in the House. You think Feinstein will lose to some Berniecrat who currently doesn't have any name recognition among the general population?

[Pollster]

I'd certainly be interested in seeing somebody like Rush Holt primary Bob Menendez.

[Beet]

Feinstein's challenge could still become serious if she draws a higher-profile opponent from the left, or even if one of the existing ones takes off. With things as they are I wouldn't be surprised if Ro Khanna jumps in. He seems extremely ambitious. However "Progressive male challenging centrist female" will just deepen old wounds and reinforce the divide. I would prefer someone like Sarah Silverman to take identity issues off the table. Although Carper and Menendez would certainly get a primary too if the Sanders wing is serious about changing things.

Khanna won't run after just one term in the House. You think Feinstein will lose to some Berniecrat who currently doesn't have any name recognition among the general population?

No offense to our proud Vermonters here, but Bernie himself started off with no name recognition.

[Holmes]

Even if you're playing devil's advocate, there is no comparing California to Vermont.

[Beet]

Even if you're playing devil's advocate, there is no comparing California to Vermont.

In your mind, I am thinking of some obscure Bernie challenge to Vermont's incumbent Senator in 2006?

[Greedo punched first]

Feinstein's challenge could still become serious if she draws a higher-profile opponent from the left, or even if one of the existing ones takes off. With things as they are I wouldn't be surprised if Ro Khanna jumps in. He seems extremely ambitious. However "Progressive male challenging centrist female" will just deepen old wounds and reinforce the divide. I would prefer someone like Sarah Silverman to take identity issues off the table. Although Carper and Menendez would certainly get a primary too if the Sanders wing is serious about changing things.

Khanna won't run after just one term in the House. You think Feinstein will lose to some Berniecrat who currently doesn't have any name recognition among the general population?

No offense to our proud Vermonters here, but Bernie himself started off with no name recognition.

Bernie was mayor of the state's largest city before becoming the state's longtime congressman and later US Senator. I doubt some mayor of a major city, state legislator, or House member will launch a primary challenge against Feinstein. Bernie held office for years before winning the race to replace Jim Jeffords.

[Beet]

Uh guys, I was referring to his presidential campaign. The irony of saying "You think Feinstein will lose to some Berniecrat who currently doesn't have any name recognition among the general population?" is that Bernie himself had no name recognition among the national population before his insurgent campaign for president in 2015-2016. Hence the term Berniecrat to begin with. Anyone, elected official, celebrity, tech mogul, all of which California has in spades, still has time to jump into the race against Feinstein and win. I'm not saying it will happen, but it easily could, moreso than most people think.

[smoltchanov]

I still wouldn't rule out some moron trying to primary out one of the red-state Dems and putting one of those seats in play or further endangering one that is already in play (other than Joe Manchin, who's already getting a challenge).

+100. As i already said in another topic - moron's are not limited by Republican party membership.

[peterthlee]

Jeff Flake (obvious)
Claire McCaskill (potential, but becoming less likely now)