Early jockeying for Senate seats foreshadows competitive 2024 elections

Clockwise: California Democratic Reps. Barbara Lee, Ro Khanna, Katie Porter and Adam Schiff are expected to battle it out for Sen. Dianne Feinstein's seat in 2024 if she retires. Porter is the only one who has formally announced a run, but Lee is expected to make an announcement soon, while Schiff and Khanna are still contemplating the 2024 race.

Jonathan Ernst; Andrew Harnik; Chip Somodevilla; Apu Gomes / Jonathan Ernst; Andrew Harnik; Chip Somodevilla; Apu Gomes

Just over two weeks into the new year and candidates are already preparing for the 2024 Senate race.

Thirty-four Senate seats will be up for grabs, 23 of which are currently occupied by Democrats and independents. Republicans can regain control of the chamber if they gain two seats or retake the presidency and pick up one seat.

In efforts to get ahead, candidates have already begun announcing their bids for Senate. In California, a handful of House reps may compete for the seat of an incumbent who is expected to retire. And in Missouri, a Marine Corps veteran aims to unseat a Republican who cheered on protesters outside the Capitol during the Jan. 6 insurrection.