The National Republican Senatorial Committee is seeking $8.9 million in additional hard-dollar contributions for Republican Senate races in Alaska, Iowa and Ohio, according to a Thursday memo obtained by Axios. The request allocates $1.2 million to Alaska, $4.2 million to Iowa and $3.5 million to Ohio, where Democratic candidates are narrowly ahead or within four percentage points in RealClearPolitics polling averages. The NRSC says the money is needed to close a media gap and sustain Republican progress through Election Day, directing donors to candidate campaigns and joint fundraising committees with higher contribution limits. The request comes as election handicappers broaden the Senate battleground: Cook Political Report moved Kansas and South Carolina toward Democrats and New Hampshire to toss-up, while RealClearPolitics also classified New Hampshire and Minnesota as toss-ups. Democrats are competitive in seven Republican-held seats and need four gains for a majority. Republicans are reducing expectations in Georgia and North Carolina but see opportunities in New Hampshire and Michigan. President Trump's low approval ratings, the Iran war and high gas prices favor Democrats overall, although candidate quality and state-level dynamics are improving Republican prospects in some races.