The kids may be on summer vacation, but the political world is gearing up for one of the most consequential elections in American history.

What’s at stake

For the past three and a half years, the Senate has been where good laws go to be stalled, blockaded, and killed by the legislative calendar. While the House of Representatives has passed bills defending life, protecting women’s sports, and supporting our Israeli allies, almost none of those bills have seen floor action in the Senate. But because of the tight margins in the Senate only a few seats can have a big impact on next year’s agenda.

Every two years a third of the Senate is up for reelection. So this year, 33 of the 100 Senate seats are up, though realistically, only a handful of them are in play. Most are in districts with significant ideological roots or with popular incumbents running for reelection. That is why those few seats that are more open to non-partisan discussions could have the potential to significantly shift the balance of power in D.C.

However, it isn’t just the balance of power in Congress that’s at stake. In 2024, the Senate races will also have an outsized effect on who wins the Presidency. If voters turn out to cast their ballots for their preferred Senate candidate, they will likely vote for the man of the same party at the top of the ticket. And while control of Congress is important, in an age where the executive agencies dictate the vast majority of policymaking, the President is even more so. Regulations regarding immigration, sex and gender, foreign policy, are unfortunately almost entirely determined by the executive branch, not Congress.

That’s why Concerned Women for America is once again launching our She Prays She Votes bus tour. The tour will visit 12 states, each of them battlegrounds in the 2024 election. In a country increasingly divided by vast ideological differences, it’s critical that every Christian woman turns out to vote and focuses on fundamental principles instead of political slogans.

In some states, citizens have the opportunity to vote for candidates who are stalwart champions of truth and morality. But even in those races where neither candidate is ideal, it’s important to remember the bigger picture – voting is an opportunity not just to support a particular politician, but policy positions that support families, the sanctity of life, the integrity of men and women, and truth.

So, what are those most contested U.S. Senate races of 2024?

Critical races

Montana

Sen. Jon Tester (D-Montana) is considered to be the most vulnerable incumbent running for reelection this year. Tester has proven himself to be a savvy politician and has big name recognition, but Montana has grown exponentially more conservative since his last election, voting for President Trump in 2020 by16 points over President Biden. Tester’s opponent, Tim Sheehy, is a former Navy Seal with President Trump’s endorsement and enough wealth to finance his campaign. Sheehy and his wife have four kids, which he’s said fuels his pro-life and parental school-choice positions.

Ohio

Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) is another incumbent defending his seat in a conservative-leaning state. Once seen as a bellwether for national elections, Ohio has only elected one Democrat for statewide office since 2012 – Sherrod Brown. That is an impressive feat that tells a lot about Brown’s political skills. His Republican opponent is Bernie Moreno, a Colombian immigrant turned wealthy American businessman. Moreno has openly spoken against abortion, describing himself as “absolutely pro-life.”

Arizona

Arizona became a toss-up when incumbent Krysten Sinema, who switched her party affiliation from Democrat to Independent last year, announced she would not be running for reelection. The race is now a battle royale between Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Arizona 3^rd) and Kari Lake, who gained name recognition during the Arizona gubernatorial race in 2022. As a Congressman, Gallego co-sponsored the Women’s Health Protection Act, which would have codified legal access to abortion nationwide. He also supports the Equality Act, which would erase single-sex spaces and give men the right to play in women’s sports. Lake says she supports providing women with all the resources they need to help them choose life for their babies rather than abortion.

Michigan

Democrat incumbent Debbie Stabenow is retiring after 24 years in the Senate. The Michigan primary is not until August 6, so it’s not yet clear who the candidates will be. On the Democrat side, the favorite is Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Michigan 7^th). Slotkin represents a swing district, proving she can win over the all-important independent and moderate voters. Slotkin has voted in support of the Women’s Health Protection Act, the Equality Act, and SAFE Banking.

On the Republican side, the Trump-endorsed candidate is Mike Rogers. Rogers is a former FBI special agent and served as the Representative for Michigan’s 8^th District from 2001-2015. There’s also Justin Amash, who is running as an anti-Trump Republican. He was the 3^rd District’s Representative from 2011-2021. In 2019, he announced he was leaving the Republican Party for the Libertarians and subsequently lost his reelection but has since switched back to the R’s.

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania is no stranger to being an election year battleground, and 2024 will be no exception. Democratic Sen. Bob Casey has held the seat since 2007 and is generally viewed as a moderate who reaches across the aisle. His opponent, Dave McCormick, has tried to become a Senator from Pennsylvania once before, when he ran in the 2022 Republican primary against Mehmet Oz. As a businessman and national security expert, McCormick is focusing his campaign on the economy and immigration, contrasting his positions to those that Sen. Casey has voted for while in Congress.

Nevada

The tightest Senate race of the year may be in Nevada. The transient nature of Nevada’s population makes it a seemingly perpetual swing state with tight margins. As evidence of this, the race between Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D) and Adam Laxalt (R) was the closest in the nation in 2022.

This time around, incumbent Jacky Rosen (D-Nevada) is seeking her second term in the Senate. Her Republican challenger is Sam Brown, a retired Army veteran who suffered third-degree burns from a roadside bomb explosion in Afghanistan. Brown is running as an outsider and cultural conservative.

Virginia

Though Virginia has not had a competitive Senate race in the past few cycles, 2024 could be different. The election of conservative Governor Glenn Youngkin in 2021 proved that any political party with the right message can win a statewide race in the Commonwealth.

Incumbent Senator Tim Kaine (D) is an established and well-liked Virginia politician, having been the state’s Governor before being elected to the Senate in 2013. His challenger is Hung Cao, a Vietnam immigrant whose family escaped that nation’s communist regime just before the fall of Saigon. Cao served as a Special Operations Officer in the U.S. Navy, deployed on missions to Afghanistan, Iraq, and Somalia.

Maryland

Normally deep-blue Maryland would not be considered a battleground if not for the campaign of former Governor Larry Hogan (R). Hogan maintained high levels of popularity throughout his term in office, due to his perceived commonsense and moderate policy stances. His lukewarm stance on protecting unborn life has rankled many conservatives. Democrat Angela Alsobrooks, the executive of Prince George’s County, lists legalizing abortion at the federal level as one of her first priorities if elected.

Pray

There’s no question that there are a slew of critical issues riding on this year’s election. Some issues go way beyond mere politics. These are issues of truth and ultimate reality. The definition of what it means to be a man and woman, the beginning of life, even the question of where our rights come from are all being debated. More than ever, our nation needs the influence of those who can point it back to Biblical principles. That’s a tall order, but as Christians we believe in the power of prayer. And as Americans, we have the incredible opportunity to affect the future of the nation simply by casting a vote. Small actions can lead to powerful changes when you serve a powerful God.