Mediaboss Marketing

Harry Reid on Friday became the third Senate Democrat to announce plans to retire in 2016. But notably for his party's chances of regaining the majority, his retirement is the first that clearly opens the door for a Republican pickup.

Republicans meanwhile have a number of incumbents likely to seek reelection in Democratic-leaning states, meaning control of the chamber could well flip again in 2016.

Here is an early look at what the Senate battleground map looks like.

DEMOCRATIC-HELD SEATS:

Colorado: Sen. Michael Bennet was a rare Democratic bright spot in the 2010 tea party wave, holding on to the seat he had been appointed to a year before. But with few other obvious Democratic incumbents to target, Republicans will devote significant effort to unseating Bennet, who had been the chairman of the Senate Democratic campaign committee in 2014.

Nevada: Republican Gov. Brian Sandoval's easy reelection last November helped carry his party to victory in every other statewide race. But Sandoval himself has seemed uninterested in a move to Washington despite Republican efforts to recruit him into the race. A growing Latino population had boosted Reid and President Obama to victory here in the past, but the Democratic bench appears thin. The race is considered an early toss-up until candidates on both sides emerge.

California: Sen. Barbara Boxer was the first Democrat to announce retirement plans. But the early action has been all about which Democrat will replace her, given the dearth of viable options on the Republican side. Atty. Gen. Kamala Harris is seen as the early favorite, but Southern California Democrats, including a number of House members, are considering jumping in as well.

Maryland: The retirement of Sen. Barbara Mikulski, the longest-serving woman in the history of Congress, opens the door for a number of ambitious Democrats to claim a coveted Senate seat. Republicans won the governorship in the state in November in something of an upset, but the state still leans heavily Democratic.

REPUBLICAN-HELD SEATS

New Hampshire: First-term Sen. Kelly Ayotte is a top target for Democrats but has sought to quickly establish herself as a force in the Senate. The state's popular Democratic governor, Maggie Hassan, is expected to run in what would immediately be one of the top 2016 races.

See the original post:
What Harry Reid's departure means to 2016 battle for Senate control