If Democrats don’t retake the Senate majority this year, they face the prospect of a long winter in the minority, because the 2018 map puts them at a severe disadvantage that could leave them even further from the majority and any pick-up opportunities for the foreseeable future.

Just as this year’s Senate field offers ample opportunity for Democrats to pick up seats, the next election is stacked for the Republicans, and the one that follows has limited possibilities for Democratic gains.

Mentioning the 2018 races before the 2016 Iowa caucuses have even transpired can give political operatives some heartburn, even though political planning never really stops.

(Randy Leonard/CQ Roll Call)

“We’re totally focused on 2016 and protecting our majority, and if that makes life more difficult for Democrats in the future, that’s all the better,” said Greg Blair, deputy communications director for the National Republican Senatorial Committee.

Working in Democrats’ favor this year is a Senate map in which they are only defending 10 seats to the Republicans’ 24. Those 10 seats are all in states President Barack Obama won twice, and of the 24 GOP seats, seven are in states Obama won twice, and two are in states he won in 2008 but lost in 2012 (Indiana and North Carolina).