Cook Political Report labels Montana Senate race as 'lean Republican' instead of toss up

The nonpartisan Cook Political Report on Thursday moved the Montana Senate race between Tim Sheehy and incumbent Democratic Sen. Jon Tester into "lean Republican" instead of a toss up.

A separate projection from Sabato's Crystal Ball made the same decision last week, in one of this year's most closely watched Senate races. Republicans are hoping to win back the Senate in November, and only need to flip two seats in order to do so. 

“Today we are making a major shift — moving the Montana Senate race from Toss Up to Lean Republican,” the Cook Political Report’s Jessica Taylor wrote in an analysis. “This means that Republicans are now an even heavier favorite to win back control of the Senate, regardless of the result at the top of the ticket.”

Senate Republicans have their eyes on three major seats this election, and are likely to flip at least Sen. Joe Manchin's West Virginia seat. West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice, a Republican, is expected to win the election. They are also looking to flip Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown's seat, but the race is labeled a "toss-up," by Cook.

Another possible pick-up is in Arizona, where candidates are vying to replace Sen. Kyrsten Sinema. However, Arizona Democratic Rep. Ruben Gallego is currently leading former GOP gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake in most polls.

Misty Severi is an evening news reporter for Just the News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.