Two key Senate races moved in GOP's direction by noted election handicapper Cook Political Report

The nonpartisan Cook Political Report on Friday shifted its forecasts for two 2022 Senate races in the direction of Republicans.

The report moved the North Carolina Senate race to replace retiring GOP Sen. Richard Burr moved from "toss-up" to "likely Republican." And moved the Colorado Senate race, in which Democrat Sen. Michael Bennet is seeking a third term, from "solid Democrat" into the "likely Democrat" catagory. 

The North Carolina GOP primary is now a competitive race between former President Trump-endorsed Rep. Ted Budd, former Gov. Pat McCrory and former Rep. Mark Walker, with (with Budd and McCrory currently deadlocked).

Cheri Beasley, a former state Supreme Court justice, will likely win the Democratic nomination for the open seat.

In Colorado, Bennet will face off against one of a number of Republicans currently in the primary, including former El Paso County Republican official Eli Bremer, whose campaign fundraising has been the most impressive in the field.

Republicans are striving to reclaim majorities in both the House and the Senate this year. Despite the Senate map looking, to some degree, like an uphill battle for the GOP, Cook's latest report indicates that things are headed in the right direction for Republicans.