Leaked Memo Reveals Republican Concerns Over Key Senate Races

<figure><img alt="GOP Panic" src="https://thedailybeast-thedailybeast-prod.web.arc-cdn.net/resizer/v2/IL4BY3YFSBFK7OUFBLRUKLW5A4.jpg?auth=4bd668e422db1a3917b54f7a7179428088fe7ced2d511ea08269c9553d89d9c0&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1920&amp;height=1081" /><figcaption>Photo Illustration by Victoria Sunday/The Daily Beast/Getty Images</figcaption></figure><p>A leaked memo has revealed that Republican officials are concerned about the possibility of Democrats winning three Senate seats previously considered secure. The National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) is requesting nearly $9 million to support their candidates in Alaska, Iowa, and Ohio—states that Donald Trump won by significant margins in the 2024 election, according to a memo obtained by <a href="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/24/nrsc-republicans-alaska-iowa-ohio" rel="" target="_self" title="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/24/nrsc-republicans-alaska-iowa-ohio">Axios</a>.</p><p>The memo states, "We need $8.9 million in additional hard dollars to close the media gap and sustain that progress through Election Day." This request was made on Thursday by the NRSC.</p><p>Approximately half of the requested funds are designated for Iowa, where a recent <a href="https://maristpoll.marist.edu/polls/2026-midterm-elections-in-iowa-september-2026/" rel="" title="https://maristpoll.marist.edu/polls/2026-midterm-elections-in-iowa-september-2026/">Marist poll</a> indicated that Democratic candidate Josh Turek leads Republican nominee Rep. Ashley Hinson by eight points. The memo sets a fundraising target of $4.2 million for Iowa, where retiring Sen. Joni Ernst is leaving an open seat.</p><p>In Ohio, the NRSC is seeking $3.5 million to support Sen. Jon Husted, who is trailing former Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown by four points according to <a href="https://www.realclearpolling.com/polls/senate/special-election/2026/ohio/husted-vs-brown" rel="" target="_self" title="https://www.realclearpolling.com/polls/senate/special-election/2026/ohio/husted-vs-brown">RealClearPolling’s average of polls</a>.</p><p>Alaska is also a focus, with the NRSC setting a goal of $1.2 million as former Democratic Rep. Mary Peltola leads Sen. Dan Sullivan by two points in polling averages.</p><p>The memo encourages donors to contribute through candidates’ campaigns or joint fundraising committees, which allow for higher contribution limits, according to Axios.</p><p>The NRSC did not immediately respond to a request for comment.</p><p>Democrats need to gain four seats to take control of the Senate in the next Congress, and recent trends suggest increasing momentum for the Democratic Party. On Wednesday, the <a href="https://www.cookpolitical.com/analysis/senate/senate-overview/fight-senate-true-toss-three-races-shift-toward-democrats" rel="" title="https://www.cookpolitical.com/analysis/senate/senate-overview/fight-senate-true-toss-three-races-shift-toward-democrats">Cook Political Report</a> adjusted ratings for three Senate races—Georgia, Kansas, and South Carolina—favorably for Democrats.</p><p>Additionally, a <a href="https://maristpoll.marist.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Marist-Poll_TX-NOS-and-Tables_202609221131.pdf" rel="" title="https://maristpoll.marist.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Marist-Poll_TX-NOS-and-Tables_202609221131.pdf">Marist Poll</a> found Democrat James Talarico leading Republican Ken Paxton in Texas by 50 percent to 44 percent.</p><p>Reports indicate that Republicans are conceding ground in Senate races in Georgia and North Carolina. In Georgia, Sen. Jon Ossoff leads his Republican challenger, Rep. Mike Collins, by seven points according to a recent survey by the Trafalgar Group. Internal GOP polling in North Carolina shows former Gov. Roy Cooper with a double-digit lead over Republican candidate Michael Whatley, as reported by Politico.</p><p><a href="https://www.thedailybeast.com/leaked-memo-lays-bare-gop-panic-in-key-red-states-senate-races/">Read more at The Daily Beast.</a></p>