Sexual assault allegations against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh have delivered a September surprise for Senate and House candidates less than 50 days before the midterms.

That is particularly the case with Republicans, who may be forced to balance intense party pressure to send another conservative to the country's top court, without alienating the suburban women voters expected to be pivotal in this year's midterms.

Centrist Democrats defending seats in states won by President Trump Donald John TrumpBiden on Trump's refusal to commit to peaceful transfer of power: 'What country are we in?' Romney: 'Unthinkable and unacceptable' to not commit to peaceful transition of power Two Louisville police officers shot amid Breonna Taylor grand jury protests MORE in 2016 must also tread carefully, however, as the allegations enveloping Kavanaugh threaten to turn into a political firestorm.

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The Kavanaugh allegations dropped like a bomb on Sunday after Christine Blasey Ford, a college professor, came forward publicly for the first time, accusing the Supreme Court nominee of assaulting her at a party in the 1980s when both were high school students, though Kavanaugh has strongly denied it.

That claim, coming in a year where the "Me Too" movement has placed the issue of sexual misconduct front and center, landed in the midst of Kavanaugh's nomination.

Kavanaugh and Ford are both expected to testify in public next Monday, effectively postponing a vote by the Judiciary Committee scheduled for Thursday.

On top of how candidates navigate the nomination process, scrutiny on how they end up voting on Kavanaugh will likely be intense, at a time when Republicans have already seen support slip among suburban women — many of whom have traditionally voted with the party but view the president unfavorably.

Women have been front and center as candidates, too, as a record number of female candidates have won major party nominations, leading 2018 to be called the “Year of the Woman.”

For now, most Republicans were playing it safe, avoiding taking a public position on the issue.

Several high-profile GOP candidates were more upfront, saying Ford deserved a chance to be heard, while also making clear they did not think Kavanaugh's confirmation should be derailed as they accused Democrats of playing politics with the nomination.

Rep. Marsha Blackburn Marsha BlackburnTaylor Swift on National Voter Registration Day: 'We need everyone' Democrats smell blood with new DHS whistleblower complaint Hillicon Valley: Election officials prepare for new Russian interference battle | 'Markeyverse' of online fans helps take down a Kennedy | GOP senators unveil bill to update tech liability protections MORE (R-Tenn.) was one of the first GOP candidates to weigh in, saying Ford should have a chance to be heard, but also expressing confidence that Kavanaugh would ultimately be confirmed, according to an interview with Tennessean.

"I think Judge Kavanaugh is eminently qualified," she said. "I do believe he is going to be confirmed."

Blackburn is in a tight race against former Gov. Phil Bredesen (D) in Tennessee's Senate election.

Likewise, Minnesota's state Sen. Karin Housley (R), who’s challenging Sen. Tina Smith Tina Flint SmithHealth officials tell public to trust in science The Hill's Campaign Report: Trump and Biden vie for Minnesota | Early voting begins in four states | Blue state GOP governors back Susan Collins GOP Senate candidate says Trump, Republicans will surprise in Minnesota MORE (D-Minn.), said that the Judiciary Committee should hear directly from Ford, while warning against any delays.

Housley also laced into Democrats for what she called selective outrage over abuse and misconduct allegations, pointing to the party’s defense of Democratic National Committee Deputy Chairman Rep. Keith Ellison Keith Maurice EllisonOfficers in George Floyd's death appear in court, motion for separate trials Ex-Minneapolis officer involved in Floyd death asks judge to dismiss murder charge Over 50 current, former law enforcement professionals sign letter urging Congress to decriminalize marijuana MORE (D-Minn.), who’s facing domestic abuse allegations, which he's strongly denied.

“It’s complete hypocrisy,” Housley said. “When it’s convenient for them politically, the standard changes.”

Rep. Kevin Cramer Kevin John CramerMomentum growing among Republicans for Supreme Court vote before Election Day On Paycheck Protection Program, streamlined forgiveness is key McConnell shores up GOP support for coronavirus package MORE (R-N.D.), who’s challenging Sen. Heidi Heitkamp Mary (Heidi) Kathryn HeitkampHarris faces pivotal moment with Supreme Court battle Centrists, progressives rally around Harris pick for VP 70 former senators propose bipartisan caucus for incumbents MORE (D-N.D.) in a top Senate race, also believes the confirmation process should continue, saying allegations should be taken “seriously,” while noting he found it hard "not to be skeptical considering the timing and history of the allegations.”

Other key GOP candidates are calling for both Kavanaugh and Ford to testify without citing a specific timeline, including Missouri Attorney General Josh Hawley and West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey, both of whom are challenging incumbent Democratic senators in red states.

Meanwhile, Rep. Martha McSally Martha Elizabeth McSallyThe Hill's Campaign Report: Presidential polls tighten weeks out from Election Day Mark Kelly: Arizona Senate race winner should be sworn in 'promptly' New ABC/WaPost poll finds Trump edging Biden in Arizona, Florida MORE (R-Ariz.), who’s running in an unexpectedly tough race against Democratic Rep. Kyrsten Sinema (D) in Arizona's Senate race, called on both Ford and Kavanaugh to testify as “a sensible way forward.”

But beyond the nomination process, a vote on Kavanaugh's nomination also presents potential landmines.

Kavanaugh's confirmation, and the prospect of shifting the court to the right for decades, was expected to be a centerpiece of GOP campaigns.

The allegations against Kavanaugh now threaten to put those candidates in a difficult position of supporting a judge that could end up proving politically toxic.

Republican candidates can ill afford another hurdle at a time when they are already on defense, with Democrats increasingly seen as likely to take the House in November and having a realistic, but narrow, shot at the Senate.

Republican strategist Liz Mair said she expects most GOP voters to likely side “pretty strongly” with Kavanaugh, but acknowledged that Senate candidates could be placed in an uncomfortable situation ahead of the November election.

“This isn’t exactly moving things in a Republican favorable direction,” Mair told The Hill. “At best, it’s going to have no impact on the situation. At worse, it’s going to have a much more adverse impact on the situation. We just don’t know which applies at this particular juncture.”

But the allegations enveloping Kavanaugh also could put Democratic senators in a tough spot. On Monday, most Democratic incumbents and candidates in red states said the allegations should be investigated and Kavanaugh’s accuser should be able to testify.

That is especially the case for Sens. Joe Donnelly Joseph (Joe) Simon DonnellyHarris faces pivotal moment with Supreme Court battle Trump meets with potential Supreme Court pick Amy Coney Barrett at White House Names to watch as Trump picks Ginsburg replacement on Supreme Court MORE (D-Ind.), Joe Manchin Joseph (Joe) ManchinManchin defends Supreme Court candidate Barrett: 'It's awful to bring in religion' The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by Facebook - Trump, GOP allies prepare for SCOTUS nomination this week Trump meets with potential Supreme Court pick Amy Coney Barrett at White House MORE (D-W.Va.) and Heitkamp, who are also seen as key votes, with all three calling for both Kavanaugh and Ford to testify.

All three senators broke with Democrats to confirm Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch last year, and face an even tougher vote on Kavanaugh as they seek reelection in states that Trump won overwhelmingly in 2016.

Voting for Kavanaugh now threatens to put centrist Democrats in between the more conservative states they represent and a Democratic base keen not to deliver a Supreme Court victory to Trump, as well as women groups who expressed alarm at Ford's claims.

Already on Monday, groups such as EMILY's List said they expected Kavanaugh to be another motivator to turn more women to the polls.

“I think women are going to decide this election. Women voters are already riled up. I don’t think this week is going to make them any less riled up,” EMILY’s List President Stephanie Schriock told reporters at a press briefing on Monday.

“Not that they needed more, but on top of what’s going on with Kavanaugh, they’re going to be ready to go in all force.”

— Melanie Zanona contributed.