November’s midterm elections have the potential to shift the balance of power on Capitol Hill. The Republicans are in a good position to pick up at least six seats in the Senate (Wall Street Journal). This would win them the majority. They already control the House, having won many seats in 2010. If the Republicans controlled the entirety of Congress, they would likely focus on an overhaul of immigration and alternative health care laws.

A midterm election is when half of Congress is re-elected in the middle of the President’s term.

Both parties have been fundraising extensively and creatively for months in order to support candidates. The GOP, for instance, have been selling socks designed by former president George H. W. Bush. The Democrats have been receiving millions in donations from many wealthy donors, and President Obama has been encouraging donations from supporters throughout the country.

One important race happening in Kentucky. The Senate Minority Leader, Mitch McConnell, is up for re-election and is in the middle of a very close race. He only has a four point lead over Alison Lundergan Grimes, the Democratic challenger (CNN). McConnell is one of the most powerful Republicans in the Senate, yet his seat is still in contention. This demonstrates how tight the entire election season has been.

Considering his approval rate is at 40% (Gallup), the Democratic candidates have been trying to distance themselves from the President. Many Americans do not agree with the Presidents foreign policy decisions, and this is something the Republicans hope to capitalize on and the Democrats are trying to distance themselves from. The Democrats hope to appeal to moderates and independents this way.