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Tags: pennsylvania primaries | democrats | house seats

Pa. Primaries Kick Off Dems' Quest to Pick Up 6 House Seats

Pa. Primaries Kick Off Dems' Quest to Pick Up 6 House Seats
Rep. Ryan Costello (CQ Roll Call via AP Images)

By    |   Tuesday, 15 May 2018 10:06 AM EDT

Pennsylvania has emerged as ground zero for the left's hopes to regain the majority in the House after a confluence of events that could pave the way for Democrats to flip six seats in November, The Washington Post reports.

It's Primary Day in PA, where Democrats hoping to repeat the fortunes of Rep. Conor Lamb three months ago first must battle it out amongst themselves.

Whichever Democrat candidate emerges Tuesday, two Philadelphia-area districts have been all but ceded by Republicans in the aftermath of a court-ordered redrawn map and the retirement and resignation of Republicans incumbents, Reps. Ryan Costello and Patrick Meehan.

"All roads lead through Pennsylvania, even more so this cycle with redistricting," Chrissy Houlahan, a Democratic candidate running for Costello's seat, told Politico. "Many of these races will be indicators as to whether the House flips."

Republican Congressman Ryan Fitzpatrick is also in the crosshairs of Democrats in a swing district, the Post reports.

Lamb, fresh off his special election victory in District 18, will take on Republican Keith Rothfus in the less conservative and redrawn 17th district in a race where both are incumbents.

Redistricting has resulted in the lack of an incumbent in seven of Pennsylvania’s 18 congressional districts. The result: 21 contested primaries — the most since 1984 — featuring 84 candidates, according to FiveThirtyEight.com.

Wave or not, Democrats are going to pick up seats here, but their success depends a lot on the kind of candidates they pick on Tuesday,” Republican consultant Mike DeVanney said. "Pennsylvania is going to be ground zero in terms of spending for both parties."

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Politics
Pennsylvania has emerged as ground zero for the left's hopes to regain the majority in the House after a confluence of events that could pave the way for Democrats to flip six seats in November, The Washington Post reports.
pennsylvania primaries, democrats, house seats
267
2018-06-15
Tuesday, 15 May 2018 10:06 AM
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