New polling shows Republicans are likely to take control of the Senate in the upcoming election, with the GOP challenger leading against a Democrat incumbent in Montana.

Republican challenger Tim Sheehy leads the incumbent Democrat, Sen. Jon Tester, in a 52% to 44% matchup, according to a New York Times/Sienna poll released Thursday. Democrats currently hold a 51-seat majority in the Senate, and Sen. Joe Manchin’s, I-W.V., decision to retire virtually guarantees a seat flipping toward the GOP.

While there are competitive races elsewhere in the Senate, Republicans appear to be holding strong, according to Marist polling. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, is leading his race with 51% support, compared to the 46% of his challenger, Collin Allred.

Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., faces a closer race in Florida, where he holds a slim 50%-48% lead over challenger Debbie Mucarsel-Powell.

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That story is reversed in Ohio, however, where Democratic incumbent Sherrod Brown holds a 50%-48% lead over Republican challenger Bernie Moreno.

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The Cook Political Report also shifted the Wisconsin Senate race from “lean Democrat” to “toss-up” this week.

Sen. Joe Manchin’s retirement presents a major opportunity for Republicans to take the Senate.

The handicapper cited changes in polling in recent days, with Republican challenger Eric Hovde appearing to close the gap with Democratic incumbent Sen. Tammy Baldwin.

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The latest Marquette Law School poll showed Baldwin winning the battle, 51% to Hovde’s 45%. The survey interviewed 882 registered voters over Sept. 18-26. The poll’s margin of error was +/-4.4 percentage points.

Republican challenger Eric Hovde and Democrat Sen. Tammy Baldwin are locked in a close race for Senate in Wisconsin. (Reuters)

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The most recent Fox News Power Rankings from last month had Wisconsin at “Leans Dem.”

Fox News’ Julia Johnson contributed to this report

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Authorities have located the body of a woman who mysteriously went missing in Montana while horseback riding last week.

Meghan Rouns, 27, disappeared after setting off with her horse along the McMaster Hills trail, about 15 miles from Downtown Helena, on Friday afternoon.

Search teams located the woman’s hat, phone and horse, which looked like it had been in the Missouri River, but did not immediately find her remains. The horse did not like being in the water and Rouns could not swim.

Lewis and Clark County Sheriff Leo C Dutton told The Independent he believed a powerful gust of wind knocked the woman off her horse as she trotted along the river, forcing her into the water.

Divers pulled the woman’s body out of the river on Tuesday.

“It is with great sadness we report that Meghan was located by our search and rescue divers around 3:40 p.m.,” a statement released by the sheriff’s office read. “She is deceased.”

Rouns’s body was found in 11 feet of water, about 100 feet from shore. Officials will take her body to a crime lab in Missoula to determine her cause and manner of death. Foul play is not suspected at this time, Dutton said.

Rouns did not suffer from any medical conditions that would’ve prompted an emergency, and deputies do not suspect she died by suicide.

“To Meghan’s family, we extend our condolences and deepest sympathy,” the statement continued.

Rouns, an experienced equestrian, was meant to return from her ride around 6 p.m. Friday. When she did not, her father reported her missing two hours later. A search began at 9 p.m. the same day that lasted until 4 a.m. Saturday. Upon locating her horse, officials discovered a GPS tracker confirming it had been in the river.

As a result, search teams focused much of their efforts on combing through the water to try and find the 27-year-old.

Hikers scoured the area for clues, while helicopters, drones and cadaver dogs were deployed to try and find her.

“It’s something that is extraordinary that happened to her that caused us to be in this search for her,” Dutton said.