At this point (Oct 8, 24 days before the election), it looks like 1) the Democrats have control of the house pretty much locked down, 2) the Presidential race is swinging towards Biden / Harris, in part because of Trump spectacular meltdowns and 3) the control of the Senate is still very much up from grabs.
There are a number of ways you can help the Democrats take control of the Senate. A number of groups out there are focused the critical races: for example, the DSCC, ForceMultiplier or Swing Left. There are also a bunch of good analyses of the best races to contribute to, based on how far your money will go, and and close the race is. For example this, or this (which has links to donate as well as to volunteer).
If you don’t want to follow the links, here is a ranked list I put together from reading a few of those analyses. The first six of these candidates are either slightly behind or even with their Republican opponents in the latest polls. (All of them have between a 25-50% chance of winning their races, according to election analysis sites such as fivethirtyeight.com, you can see more about the state of the races by following the link in the middle column.)
| Democrat | Race | Opponent | |
| 1 | Steve Bullock: Donate or Volunteer | MT | Daines |
| 2 | Jon Ossoff: Donate or Volunteer | GA | Perdue |
| 3 | Jamie Harrison: Donate or Volunteer | SC | Graham |
| 4 | Theresa Greenfield: Donate or Volunteer | IA | Ernst |
| 5 | Raphael Warnock: Donate or Volunteer | GA | Loefller |
| 6 | Barbara Bollier: Donate or Volunteer | KS | OPEN |
| 7 | Al Gross: Donate or Volunteer | AK | Sullivan |
| 8 | Mike Espy: Donate or Volunteer | MS | Hyde-Smith |
| 9 | Cal Cunningham: Donate or Volunteer | NC | Tillis |
| 10 | Sara Gideon: Donate or Volunteer | ME | Collins |
| 11 | Mark Kelly: Donate or Volunteer | AZ | McSally |
| 12 | John Hickenlooper: Donate or Volunteer | CO | Gardner |
Once you’ve picked some races and donated or volunteered for the Democrat, let me encourage you to use the links in the right hand column to let their Republican opponents know that they pissed you off so much that you went and got some skin in the game.
Example Note
Here is an example note to Senator Jodi Ernst of Iowa, it is maybe a bit on the contemptuous side, but it is civil and make the case that being spineless is a very bad political move.
Dear Senator Ernst:
I am not one of your constituents, but I am writing to let you know that I have donated $200 to your opponent Theresa Greenfield. I have also spent 2 hours phone-banking for her campaign, and have convinced 3 friends to do the same.
I did this because I am disappointed at your inaction in the face of the damaging policies of the Trump administration and the appalling behavior of President Trump. Your refusal to stand up for the best interests of the country and to defend the Constitution have prompted me to support your opponent in every way that I am able.
I hope that if nothing else, President Trump’s crashing polling numbers convince you that your career would be better served acting in the interest of your constituents and this country instead of supporting the whim’s of a thoroughly selfish President.
There is still time to step away from the President’s foolishness and convince people like myself that you can act in the country’s best interests, but at this point that that will require strong and unequivocal condemnation of President Trump’s actions and divisive behavior.
Nastygram
Here is a another version of the note. This one is on the brutal side. This is mainly just a really heavy dose of therapeutic scorn. I wouldn’t actually send it; I just wrote it to let off some steam.
Dear Senator Ernst:
I am not one of your constituents, but I am writing to let you know that I have donated $200 to your opponent Theresa Greenfield. I have also spent 2 hours phone-banking for her campaign, and have convinced 3 friends to do the same.
I did this because your inaction in the face of the ruinous policies of the Trump administration and the appalling behavior of President Trump has made it clear that this country would be better off without you in public office.
I’m afraid you simply have not shown the character to serve our great country. Instead, on numerous occasions you have failed to condemn Trump’s racism, his sexism, his contempt for his oath of office and his assaults on the Constitution. You have taken no substantive action as Trump has encouraged white supremacy, repeatedly engaged in misogynistic and xenophobic bullying, refused to commit to accepting the results of the election, and used his office to enrich himself at the expense of his fellow Americans.
As I’m sure you know, fewer than 2000 people have had the honor of serving as United States Senators. At this time, only one American in 3 million serves as a US Senator. You were given a tremendous opportunity to do good for the world, and instead you have allowed an out of control President to do significant damage to our country and stood by as contempt for science and short term political calculations have led to tens of thousands of needless deaths.
If nothing else, I hope that President Trump’s dismal polling numbers convince you of the foolishness of your choices and the price of your cowardice.
Finally, I hope that after your well-deserved defeat you find something useful and meaningful to do with your remaining time and make amends for how poorly you spent your time as a US Senator.