The Susquehanna Polling and Research survey conducted for Channel 27 (ABC) in Pennsylvania's 11th District just released results Tuesday could not have been more of a shocker.
In what is considered the safest Republican House districts in the Keystone State, Lancaster-York Counties, Rep. Lloyd Smucker, R-Pa., was shown leading Democratic newcomer Jessica King by a minuscule 50-46 percent districtwide. The margin of error was plus or minus 5.6 points.
The district, home of Pennsylvania's "Amish Country," has been sending Republicans to Congress with regularity for a century. Thaddeus Stevens, a radical Republican and fierce fighter against slavery, represented the district from 1848-52 and then from 1858-68. More recently, the 11th was represented by stalwart conservative Republicans Robert Walker (1976-96), and Joe Pitts (1996-2016).
During a trip to Lancaster a week ago, this reporter was shown the political spadework of King, a community organizer and wife of a Mennonite pastor, by former GOP County Chairman Ann Womble.
"She has amassed an unbelievable grassroots organization, and she is clearly running not to place or show but to win," said Womble as she showed us the large number of yardsigns throughout Lancaster County.
"And Vice President Pence just stopped here to campaign for Congressman Smucker," she added, "for a supposedly safe Republican seat."
John Gizzi is chief political columnist and White House correspondent for Newsmax. For more of his reports, Go Here Now.
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