Republicans are scurrying to try to save a conservative House seat in Ohio in advance of Tuesday’s special election pitting GOP candidate Troy Balderson against Democrat Danny O’Connor, Politico is reporting.
The website noted the entire GOP machinery has converged on the district and it is a sign the party is worried about losing the seat in the face of a possible Democratic surge.
President Donald Trump stumped for Balderson during an Ohio rally on Saturday.
Vice President Mike Pence has also made a campaign appearance. In addition, Gov. John Kasich has endorsed Balderson in a TV ad and the president’s son, Donald Trump Jr., recorded a robocall.
Two offices have been opened in the district by the Republican National Committee, which has also launched a $500,000 get-out-the-vote effort. And more than $3.5 million has been spent on television ads by a super PAC aligned with House Speaker Paul Ryan, Politico reported.
Still, Balderson holds a razor-thin 44-43 percent lead of O’Connor to fill the open seat in the state’s 12th Congressional District, according to a recent Monmouth University poll. The seat was vacated when Republican Pat Tiberi retired from the House.
Politico reported there appears to be concern about GOP voters’ enthusiasm in the race.
“You all know, it’s a tight race,” Balderson said. “And everybody wants to know, why is it tight? Why is it tight? Because this race is all about turnout.”
And Politico pointed out that a loss, coming on the heels of Republican defeats in Pennsylvania and Alabama, would further fuel fears that Democrats are better organized.
Still, Republicans hope that Trump’s campaign appearance will help bring attention to the contest and convince GOP voters to go to the polls.
“I think what it does, perhaps most importantly, is it raises the profile of the race,” said Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio. “If you were to walk over to the Kroger here and ask people, ‘Is there a race? You know, is there a congressional race going on?’ Ninety percent of them would say, ‘What are you talking about?’”
Jay Hottinger, a friend of Balderson's, described Trump as “one of the most divisive presidents and political figures we’ve ever had,” but said the president’s visit was important for generating conservative interest in the race.
“What we are seeing in polling, both nationally and in the 12th Congressional District, is that Democrats are more motivated to go out and vote,” he said.
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