Cook Report Shifts 3 Races to Democrats, 2 to GOP

The Cook Political Report has moved three House of Representatives races in favor of Democrats and two in favor of Republicans, The Hill reported.

The races where the Democrats are favored are open-seat contests where the Republican Congress member is retiring, the report said.

Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., was moved from "toss-up" to "lean Democrat," as was the seat held by Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen, R-N.J. The seat held by Rep. Frank LoBiondo, R-N.J., was lean Democrat but is now "likely Democrat," the Cook report said.

Environmental attorney Mike Levin will face Republican Diane Harkey for Issa's seat.

For LoBiondo's position, state Sen. Jeff Van Drew, a Democrat, will take on Republican attorney Seth Grossman. Navy pilot Mikie Sherrill will face Republican state assemblyman Jay Webber for Frelinghuysen's House seat, the report said.

The two seats that are now in favor of Republicans are those held by Reps. David Hunter, R-Calif., and David Valadao, R-Calif.

Valadao moved from "lean Republican" to "likely Republican" after he won his primary race by a wide margin over Democratic businessman Mike Cox, The Hill reported.

Hunter is running for reelection against former Obama administration official Ammar Campa-Najjar. In the open primary Tuesday, Hunter won 40 percent of the vote compared to Campa-Najjar, the report said.

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