The winners are — what political handicappers say about Iowa races

If you can't wait until the polls close to know the outcome of the Nov. 2 general election or if you're looking to lay a few bets before then, here is what the political odds makers are saying about races in Iowa.

First, they say Gov. Chet Culver is toast.

Charlie Cook at the Cook Political Report: Lean Republican. He had it in the “Likely Republican,” but shifted it last week. Cook said polls show the race had closed. Still, he said, former GOP Gov. Terry Branstad remains a clear favorite to unseat Culver, but the outcome may be closer than many expect.

Stuart Rothenberg of the Rothenberg Report: Republican favored.

Nate Silver, fivethirtyeight.com: Leaning Republican with a 97 percent chance of a Republican win.

National Journal Hotline: Not ranked.

In the U.S. Senate race, Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley, who faces Democrat Roxanne Conlin, is considered a slam dunk to win a sixth term. If he completes the term, he will surpass William Boyd Allison to become Iowa's longest-serving U.S. senator. Allison, a Dubuque attorney, served from 1873 to 1908.

Cook: Solid Republican.

Rothenberg: Currently Safe Republican.

Silver: Solid Republican with a 100 percent chance of a Republican win.

National Journal Hotline: Not ranked.

CQPolitics.com Safe Republican

Un U.S. House races, the incumbents are predicted to remain incumbents.

1 – U.S. Rep Bruce Braley, D-Waterloo, and Ben Lange, R-Independence

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Distinct

Cook: Lean Democrat.

Rothenberg: Democrat favored.

Silver: Leaning Democrat with a 97 percent chance of a Democratic win.

National Journal Hotline: Race ranks 86

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the in the top 100 races, down from 78.

CQPolitics.com Leans Democratic

2 – U.S. Rep. Dave Loebsack, D-Mount Vernon, and Mariannette Miller-Meeks, R-Ottumwa

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District

Cook: Lean Democrat

Rothenberg: Democrat favored.

Silver: Leaning Democrat with an 88 percent chance of a Democratic win.

National Journal Hotline: Not ranked.

CQPolitics.com Leans Democratic

3 – U.S. Rep. Leonard Boswell, D-Des Moines, and State Sen. Brad Zaun, R-Urbandale

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District

Cook: Lean Democrat

Rothenberg: Democrat favored.

Silver: Leaning Democrat with an 85 percent chance of a Democratic win

National Journal Hotline: Not ranked.

CQPolitics.com Leans Democratic

All that said, there are a few caveats in the predictions, especially in the 2

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District match-up. There, Rothenberg has Loebsack atop his list of “5 Surprises the Wave May Wash Out in November.”