One Party Will Like Latest Cook Report. The Other, Not So Much

Republicans' grip on the House just got a little less comfortable, at least on paper. The Cook Political Report on Thursday shifted ratings in seven congressional races in ways that generally benefit Democrats, even as Republicans hang onto a narrow majority, reports the Hill. Six of the seven seats mentioned are currently in GOP hands. The lone Democratic-held seat on the list, out of Alabama's 2nd District, moved closer to Dem-friendly territory—from "solid" to "likely" GOP—though a redrawn map has made Rep. Shomari Figures' path tougher.

Several Republican incumbents saw their races downgraded: Seats held by Reps. Chuck Edwards (North Carolina), Brad Finstad (Minnesota), Bill Huizenga (Michigan), and Max Miller (Ohio), plus open seats in Iowa's 2nd and South Carolina's 1st, all shifted more toward Dem territory. House editor Erin Covey wrote that districts once seen as "relatively safe" for Republicans are "increasingly competitive" as the broader political climate worsens for the GOP.

The updated rankings "reflect the troubling political environment for Republicans," notes the Washington Examiner. With the GOP effectively at 220-215 in the House if they defend all current vacancies, Democrats would need a net gain of three seats to reclaim the gavel; 18 races are now rated as true toss-ups, 14 of them Republican-held.