Republicans are putting new money into House races that unexpectedly look like they could fall to the GOP as the country's political mood turns increasingly against the Democrats,
The Wall Street Journal reported.
In advance of next week's midterm elections, Democratic incumbents seeking re-election are either leading in their races, running even, or behind within the margin of error. Still, of the 38 seats deemed competitive by the nonpartisan Cook Political Report, 23 are held by Democrats.
Nathan Gonzales of the nonpartisan Rothenberg Political Report said that "Republicans are finding potential opportunities in places where previously they didn't think they had much of a chance," the Journal reported.
Republicans are driving to gain 12 seats to match the 246-seat House majority they held during the Truman years. Political analysts were, anyway, forecasting that the party would solidify its House majority, picking up between two and 10 additional seats. Observers see it as likely Republicans will also win control of the Senate, according to the Journal.
With polls showing registered voters favoring the GOP by 46 to 42 points and likely voters supporting the Republicans by 11 points, the party and its supporters are throwing more money into targeted races.
Two races of increased interest are, for example, the open seat in Iowa now held by Democratic senatorial candidate Rep. Bruce Braley and the Texas race in which Will Hurd is going up against incumbent Rep. Pete Gallego. In Nevada, new money is going to Cresent Hardy against incumbent Rep. Steven Horsford, even though President Barack Obama carried the district in 2012, the Journal reported.
While Democrats wanted the campaign to focus on economic issues, Ebola and the jihadi threat have been gaining voters' attention. Some 53 percent of voters say such bad news makes them less disposed toward Democrats.
Rep. Steve Israel, D., New York, who heads the House Democrats' campaign arm, said "this convergence of international issues has admittedly made it more challenging for us to focus on economic issues," the Journal reported.
In a scattered number of races Democrats think they can overcome Republican incumbents, among them Reps. Steve Southerland in Florida and Lee Terry in Nebraska. There are also several open seats that Democrats see as competitive, including in West Virginia and Arkansas, the Journal reported.
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