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Democrats are looking to reclaim their Senate majority in two years, but after losing nine Senate seats in 2014, their path back to that majority won't be easy.

Democrats will be benefiting from a favorable landscape, with Republicans defending 24 seats (many of them in blue territory) while Democrats will be defending only 10. To leverage that advantage into control of the Senate, however, Democrats need to net at least four seats (five, if Republicans win the presidency). That requires sweeping out blue-state freshman Republicans in states such as Illinois, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin while also defeating a couple of brand-name senators, such as Rob Portman or Marco Rubio, in perennial swing states.

So to kick off the new year, here is National Journal's preview of the seven most compelling Senate races in 2016, with the most pressing question that will determine the race's outcome listed below:

Nevada: Does Governor Brian Sandoval run against Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid?

Despite sporting the worst approval ratings of any senator running for reelection in 2016, Reid is as well prepared as anyone to take on his competitionor at least to scare them away from running in the first place. The GOP's dream candidate, Governor Brian Sandoval, would probably start out ahead, thanks to his statewide political profile, moderate reputation, and Hispanic background. But he's far from a sure thing to run, knowing Reid's excellent track record in pulverizing his opposition. Giving up an influential job where he's become one of the GOP's nationally compelling politicians to wrestle in the mud with the Senate minority leader isn't exactly a no-brainer of a decision.

Reid, however, is looking vulnerable enough that Nevada political analyst Jon Ralston rates his chances as no better than 55 percent, no matter whom the Republicans run against him. But if Sandoval passes on the race, there's a greater chance that a hard-right candidate could emerge in a primaryand that's proven to be a surefire path to victory for Reid in the past. And the presidential-year electorate in 2016, with higher Hispanic turnout, should be very beneficial for Reid. That's one reason he was such an enthusiastic champion of President Obama's executive orders on immigration. It's no coincidence that Obama announced the decision, Reid by his side, in Las Vegas.

Wisconsin: If Russ Feingold runs, will he welcome the financial support of outside groups, including the DSCC?

During his time in the Senate, Feingold was the Democrats' leading campaign finance scoldand he lived up to his principles in practice. He refused any outside spending from the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee in his unsuccessful 2010 campaign, and from any other outside super PACs. But a lot has changed in the past four years, and without the assistance of outside groups, Feingold would be badly outspent. Senator Ron Johnson, who self-financed his way to a comfortable victory to win the seat, has the resources to do so again in two years.

Feingold has been coy about his future plans, but Democrats expect him to consider a comeback against Johnson. Feingold is a favorite of progressives, and his candidacy would be a reliable way to energize the grassroots base. But some Democrats would prefer a more-moderate nominee with a better relationship with party leaders, such as Representative Ron Kind.

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Democrats' Narrow Path Back to Senate Control