Senate Democrats Believe State of the Economy in 2014 Will Save Their Majority

Elections later this year

Democrats are confident that a strong economy in 2014 will help them retain their Senate majority.

"If the economy continues to improve at the rate it's improving by or more, we will hold the Senate, plain and simple," said a senior Senate Democratic aide.

Democratic senators speaking on the record are more cautious, but believe that the economy will boost their party's chances of holding the upper chamber.

Sen. Mark Pryor (Ark.), one of the Democratic Party's most vulnerable incumbents, said an improving economy "probably" will help him.

"I think the overall economy is resilient," he said. "Sometimes the gridlock and bickering up here in Washington hurts the economy, but I think the economy will continue to get a little stronger over the course of the year.