In Pennsylvania, a ferocious Democratic campaign to paint MEHMET OZ as an out-of-touch carpetbagger has left him trailing in multiple polls. HERSCHEL WALKER may be a Georgia Bulldogs legend, but key voters appear to be doubting him after a series of gaffes and abuse allegations. The backing of Silicon Valley titan PETER THIEL hasn’t yet been enough to sell BLAKE MASTERS’ sharp-edged conservatism to Arizona voters.

And in an eyebrow-raising new survey, the respected Marquette University Law School poll finds incumbent Sen. RON JOHNSON (R-Wis.) trailing his Democratic opponent MANDELA BARNES by 7 points.

Yes, it’s still early. Yes, Democrats have been on a bit of a winning streak lately. And, yes, plenty is going to change before Nov. 8. But with only one competitive state (New Hampshire) yet to select its Senate nominee, the picture is clear: Democrats across the country are finding ways to run ahead — sometimes well ahead — of JOE BIDEN’s approval ratings.

Candidates like Barnes, JOHN FETTERMAN, RAPHAEL WARNOCK, MARK KELLY and others are being buoyed by an improving political environment for Democrats. Since May, Democrats have held a consistent generic-ballot advantage in the POLITICO/Morning Consult poll, with our latest survey pegging a four-point lead.