We have seen quite a few recent US Senate moves that help set the picture for a very competitive 2022 election cycle that will almost certainly break the current 50-50 chamber tie. Below is a recap of the action:

Alabama

Katie Britt (R), the former president and CEO of the Alabama Business Council joined the race and immediately secured the endorsement of her former boss, retiring Sen. Richard Shelby (R). Before joining the Business Council, Ms. Britt was the Senator’s chief of staff. She joins Rep. Mo Brooks (R-Huntsville) and former US Ambassador Lynda Blanchard in the GOP field. No Democrat has yet announced.

Arizona

Two-term Attorney General Mark Brnovich (R) announced his candidacy in the past week, giving the GOP a candidate who has won statewide to face freshman Senator Mark Kelly (D) who stands for a full six-year term in 2022 after winning the 2020 special election. Also in the Republican field are retired Air Force Major General Mick McGuire and solar energy company executive Jim Lamon. Venture capitalist Blake Masters and US Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Gilbert) remain as possible candidates.

Florida

US Rep. Val Demings (D-Orlando), the former police chief whose husband is Mayor of Orange County and the former county Sheriff, formally announced her US Senate challenge to Sen. Marco Rubio* (R). Former Congressman Alan Grayson and Miami City Commissioner Ken Russell are also Democratic US Senate candidates, among others.

Georgia

Former University of Georgia football star and NFL player Herschel Walker (R) is re-locating back to his home state from Texas ostensibly to soon announce a challenge to freshman Sen. Raphael Warnock (D) who, like Sen. Kelly in Arizona, must stand for a full six-year term in 2022 after winning a 2020 special election. Also in the GOP nomination race are state Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black, construction company owner Kelvin King, and financial executive and former Trump White House staff member Latham Saddler.

Iowa

Sen. Chuck Grassley (R), who will be 89 years of age at the next election, appears poised to seek an eighth term. At this point, state Sen. Jim Carlin (R-Sioux City) is an announced Republican primary challenger, and ex-Crawford County Supervisor Dave Muhlbauer (D) is the lone Democratic announced candidate. Former one-term US Rep. Abby Finkenauer is a potential candidate along with current US Rep. Cindy Axne (D-Des Moines), and Waterloo Mayor Quentin Hart.

Missouri

Six-term US Rep. Vicky Hartzler (R-Harrisonville/Columbia) is the latest Republican to join the open field with Sen. Roy Blunt (R) retiring. She will oppose former Governor Eric Greitens, Attorney General Eric Schmitt, and St. Louis attorney Mark McCloskey, with US Reps. Ann Wagner (R-Ballwin), Billy Long (R-Springfield), and Jason Smith (R-Salem) remaining as possible candidates.

Former St. Louis area state Sen. Scott Sifton is the lone prominent announced Democrat. Ex-Governor Jay Nixon and Kansas City Mayor Quentin Lucas are potential Democratic candidates.

Nevada

The Republican leadership believes that former Attorney General and 2018 gubernatorial nominee Adam Laxalt, grandson of the late former Sen. Paul Laxalt (R), will soon announce his Senate candidacy to oppose first-term Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D).

New Hampshire

Republicans await the decision of whether three-term Gov. Chris Sununu (R) will challenge first-term Sen. Maggie Hassan (D). This past week the Governor said he will decide whether to run for the Senate “months from now” and certainly beyond the summer. If Gov. Sununu runs, the New Hampshire race would likely become the Republicans’ top conversion opportunity of the 2022 election cycle.

Ohio

With former US Representative and 2018 US Senate nominee Jim Renacci announcing that he will challenge Gov. Mike DeWine in the Republican primary and former US Rep. Steve Stivers (R) resigning from the House, it appears that former state Treasurer and 2012 US Senate nominee Josh Mandel and ex-Ohio Republican Party chair Jane Timken are the leading GOP candidates. Author J.D. Vance appears set to announce his candidacy next month. Businessmen Michael Gibbons and Bernie Moreno are also declared candidates.

State Senator and Cleveland Indians baseball club minority owner Matt Dolan and US Rep. Mike Turner (R-Dayton) remain as possible candidates. US Rep. Tim Ryan (D-Warren/Youngstown) is becoming the Democratic consensus candidate. Incumbent Sen. Rob Portman (R) is retiring after two terms.

Pennsylvania

Much uncertainty still surrounds this critical open seat race to succeed retiring Sen. Pat Toomey (R). Lt. Gov. John Fetterman appears to be the leading Democratic candidate. State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta (D-Philadelphia) and Montgomery County Commissioner Val Arkoosh are announced candidates. US Rep. Conor Lamb (D-Pittsburgh) and state Sen. Sharif Street (D-Philadelphia) remain as possible candidates. Both US Reps. Chrissy Houlahan (D-Devon) and Madeleine Dean (D-Jenkintown) announced two weeks ago that they will not run for the Senate.

Businessman and former Lt. Governor nominee Jeff Bartos and former congressional candidate and Afghan War veteran Sean Parnell appear as the strongest Republican contenders to date.

Utah

Ex-state Representative Becky Edwards has announced a Republican primary challenge to Sen. Mike Lee (R) claiming he is too close to former President Donald Trump.

Vermont

Three-term Gov. Phil Scott (R) announced that he will not challenge Sen. Patrick Leahy (D).

Wisconsin

Speculation still surrounds Sen. Ron Johnson (R) as to whether he will seek re-election. Originally, when he ran in 2010, he took a two-term pledge but is now unclear as to whether he will break that promise. The Democratic field includes state Treasurer Sarah Godlewski, former state Senate Minority Leader Chris Larson (D-Milwaukee), Outagamie County Executive Tom Nelson, and Milwaukee Bucks senior Vice President and former Obama White House aide Alex Lasry, among others. With an August 2022 primary, it may be the Autumn or later before Sen. Johnson makes his re-election plans known.