Larry Sabato, the director of the University of Virginia Center for Politics, pointed to both public and private polling showing former Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) recovering from his 2024 loss and having an early lead in Ohio's 2026 Senate contest. ANTONIA HYLTON, MS NOW HOST: Larry Sabato's Crystal Ball is making three Senate rating changes this week, all in favor of Democrats. North Carolina moves from toss-up to leans Democratic, while Alaska and Ohio are now toss-ups, no longer lean Republican.