The shifting Senate map: From the Politics Desk

Welcome to From the Politics Desk, a daily newsletter that brings you the NBC News Politics team’s latest reporting and analysis from the White House, Capitol Hill and the campaign trail.In today’s edition, Bridget Bowman digs into a major development in the battle for the Senate.Plus, Kristen Welker examines the headwinds facing the GOP as President Donald Trump kicks off his midterm tour.

— Adam WollnerThe shifting Senate mapBy Bridget BowmanA big move today from a leading Republican super PAC underscores the increasingly tough Senate landscape the party is confronting as it tries to hang on to its majority.Senate Leadership Fund, which is aligned with Senate GOP leadership, canceled its future ad spending in the Senate race in battleground North Carolina and launched a new ad effort in deep-red Kansas.(Semafor was first to report the news.)Republicans have been pessimistic for weeks about their prospects in North Carolina, with former Democratic Gov.

Roy Cooper leading in recent polling and outspending former Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley.SLF had been heavily involved in the race: In September, it spent more than $17 million, according to the ad-tracking firm AdImpact.President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance also each traveled to the state last month to boost Whatley, whom Trump personally encouraged to run for retiring GOP Sen.Thom Tillis’ seat.

“I am worried about him.I hope he wins,” Trump told reporters of Whatley today.

“He’s a great man.”The GOP’s confidence is also dwindling in another swing state, Georgia, where Democratic Sen.Jon Ossoff has similarly established a clear polling and fundraising advantage over Republican Rep.

Mike Collins.But one person familiar with SLF’s spending noted the group has not paused its spending in that race.

Meanwhile, in solidly Republican Kansas, the race between GOP Sen.Roger Marshall and Democratic pastor Adam Hamilton has become more competitive in the homes...