NRSC's Scott eyes 55-seat GOP majority in '26

• "I'd like to be at 55," Scott told Axios' Stef W. Kight on Tuesday during Axios's 2025 What's Next Summit. Senate Republicans currently control 53 seats.
• Scott, who is taking his first turn as head of the Senate GOP's campaign arm, said he met this week with former New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu about a possible run to replace retiring Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen.
• Shaheen's decision not to seek re-election, along with the retirements of incumbent Democrats in Michigan and Minnesota, "certainly adds a little optimism," Scott said.

Yes, but: Scott acknowledged that Republicans also need to successfully defend seats in states like Maine and North Carolina, both of which he conceded are "two very hard seats for us to hold."