House Editor David Wasserman explains why five more Democratic incumbents are moving into more competitive categories. Democratic Reps. Phil Hare (IL-17) and Dave Loebsack (IA-02), who represent neighboring districts, are polling less convincingly than they should be in liberal-leaning seats, in part thanks to major up-ticket problems in Illinois and Iowa. Meanwhile, President Obama and Democrats’ dismal standing in Appalachia is hurting Democratic Reps. Charlie Wilson (OH-06) and Nick Rahall (WV-03), even if GOP nominees there are flawed. With the addition of Hare to the Toss Up column, there are now 50 Toss Up races, 47 of which are in seats currently held by Democrats.
via The Cook Political Report | The insider’s choice for election analysis.
WEST VIRGINIA | District 3
OHIO | District 6
MAINE | District 1
IOWA | District 2
ILLINOIS | District 17
House: Primary Season Wrap-Up
House Editor David Wasserman takes stock of primary season in the House: Now that all but the Hawaii primary are history, the fall nominees are set and both parties can train their focus on a November election that looks every bit as chaotic as primary season. With well over 100 seats at least potentially competitive, both the DCCC and NRCC will struggle to navigate a turbulent sea of races tossing in this anti-Democratic storm. Yet if the Senate primary season went out with a bang – or two – thanks to upsets by Joe Miller in Alaska and Christine O’Donnell in Delaware, House primaries did more to highlight GOP pickup opportunities than limit them.
via The Cook Political Report | The insider’s choice for election analysis.
