It’s around this time that MRAA members typically ask the association to make predictions regarding “what’s next” for the coming year on the Hill. MRAA has frequent discussions year-round with Hill staff and lobbyists who get involved in the political process, and this year is no different.

The consensus for a long time has been that Republicans will gain between four and six seats in the Senate, giving the party the majority, and that the Republican Party will keep the majority in the House. This has been the viewpoint of the Cook Political Report, as well as the opinion of most major media outlets. The overwhelming expectation is that Republicans will control both houses of Congress after the upcoming mid-term elections.

With the elections a mere four weeks away, we’re seeing the races tighten up. The inside D.C. conversations now zero-in on specific races. Can Sen. Mitch McConnell be upset in Kentucky? Will former Sen. Sam Nunn’s daughter win in Georgia? Did you know Sen. Mary Landrieu is now up by 17 percent in Louisiana? Can Sen. Mark Pryor come back in Arkansas?

Charlie Cook still predicts Republicans will have a net gain of four to six seats in the Senate. MRAA thinks that the outcome will be close to Cook’s prediction; but given the partisan nature of debate, the majority for either party will be slim after November 4 and hard to govern.

MRAA is asking you, its members, to consider political viewpoints on issues important to marine retailers when you vote: Access to the water, tax reform and reducing the amount of government paperwork required to operate a business.