For 31 years, Ted Rausch has been spreading positive energy at the self checkout aisle at Smith’s grocery store in the Avenues.

He has had two ex-wives, two heart surgeries, mild dyslexia, type I diabetes, an insulin pump on his chest, two prosthetic legs and thousands of dollars in medical bills.

“People say to me, ‘You should be the negative guy.’ But here’s the thing, I literally have nothing to complain about. I’ve found if you’re constantly looking for positivity you’re going to find it.”  

Here are 5 of the most competitive Senate seats in 2024

Compared to the Republican-led House of Representatives, where power struggles have broken out in part because of the GOP’s narrow majority, the Democrat-controlled Senate appears tame.

But because of the election calendar, more Democrats are up for reelection this year than Republicans — and several of those Democrats are in hotly contested seats.

Here's a look at Arizona's toss up Senate competition: 

Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, a Democrat-turned-independent, hasn’t announced whether she will run for reelection next year, although reports indicate that her team is laser-focused on ways to win the race. But she faces tough competition from a possible Democratic challenger, Rep. Ruben Gallego, and failed gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake, a Republican.

According to a recent poll, Lake is in the lead in a hypothetical three-way contest, with Lake at 37%, Gallego at 33% and Sinema at 19%.

Read more about the other Senate seats Democrats are in fear of losing. 

More in Politics

• Former Vice President Mike Pence cites Bible verse to explain decision to suspend campaign (Deseret News)
• Johnson’s speakership win fails to end House GOP infighting (Politico)
  
• Youngkin calls for border security as illegal immigration has created a 'national security crisis' (Washington Examiner)
  
• Beth Akers and Joe Pitts: Colleges and universities shouldn’t be in the business of making political statements (Deseret News)

FROM UTAH BUSINESS

Are you ready to drive your business to new heights? Join us at Utah Business Forward on November 16

Designed exclusively for executives to discover cutting-edge strategies, engage with industry experts, and network with like-minded professionals. Tracks include Entrepreneurship, International Business, Marketing, People & Culture, and Strategy. Purchase tickets now at forward.utahbusiness.com.

Health

• Don’t purchase these eye drop products, FDA warns (Deseret News)
• NAMI Utah offers free classes for parents and adolescents dealing with mental illness (KSL)

Faith

• What Matthew Perry of 'Friends' said about prayer and religion (Deseret News)
• The impact of the Worldwide Day of Testimony (Church News)

Salt Lake County

• Utah advocacy group rallies for immigration reform (KSL)
• Robot named Lucy brings precision, comfort to kidney transplant surgery (KSL)

Emery and Iron Counties

• Officials investigating plane crash in Huntington (KSL)
• Video, photo gallery: Hundreds of sheep herded down Cedar City Main Street (St. George News)

The West

• Billionaire proposes massive Nevada land trade with federal government (Nevada Independent)
• Environmental Protection Agency awards $770,000 to Idaho environmental justice projects (Idaho Capital Sun)

The Nation

• Alan Hurst: The problem of liberal law schools (Deseret News)
• Maine shooting suspect found dead in cargo trailer, motive still a mystery (Reuters)

The World

• Apollo 17 astronauts collected rocks that reveal the moon’s true age (CNN)
• Calls for UN leader’s resignation intensify after 'shameful' comments about Hamas attacks on Israel (Fox News)

Sports

• What was Dwyane Wade doing at BYU last week? A lot, actually (Deseret News)
• Analysis: Here’s what 5-3 BYU needs to do to make this November a memorable one (Deseret News)
• Utes’ big showdown with the Ducks turns out to be MUSS ado about nothing (Deseret News)
• What Zach Wilson said about leading a wild comeback victory over Giants (Deseret News)
• 3 former BYU quarterbacks threw passes in wins during Sunday’s NFL action (Deseret News)
• What Utah coach Kyle Whittingham told his players after 35-6 loss to Oregon (Deseret News)