Yes, it is only January, but this election analyst already has debuted their initial House 2020 ratings.
Last Thursday, Larry Sabato’s Crystal Ball released their first Congressional ratings which they believe shows the Democrats holding the edge of maintaining their majority in the House, although a GOP presidential victory “would open the door to Republicans restoring total control of Washington.”
Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Bucks) appears to be in for the toughest reelection bid in the state with the race currently being listed as a “toss-up.”
On Election Day 2018, Sabato had the race listed as “Leans Republican”, which Fitzpatrick edged out Democrat Scott Wallace by 2.6 points to capture a second term.
Reps. Matt Cartwright (D-Lackawanna), Scott Perry (R-York), and Susan Wild (D-Lehigh) are listed as favorites “leaning” towards being awarded another term in 2020.
Cartwright took down GOP challenger John Chrin by just over 9 points in the Northeast Pennsylvania district, but Sabato has this currently listed as Leaning Democratic for 2020. On Election Day 2018, the election analyst had the race listed as Likely Democratic, in a district that President Donald Trump won by nearly 10 points.
Perry narrowly fended off Democratic challenger George Scott by 2.8 points to win a fourth term in the House. Sabato has the race placed as Leans Republican today and on Election Day 2018 it held the same rating.
Wild secured her first full term in Congress by besting Republican Marty Nothstein by nearly 10 points in the race for the open seat in the Lehigh Valley. Like Election Day 2018, the race is pegged as Leans Democratic today.
Rep. Mike Kelly (R-Butler) rounds out the list of Pennsylvania House members that are either in races considered to be “toss-ups” “leans” or “likely” for their respective party. He survived a difficult reelection bid in 2018 by defeating Democrat Ron DiNicola by just over 4 points in the Trump friendly district, but is currently listed as the favorite with the seat “likely” staying in favor of the GOP. On Election Day 2018, Sabato had the race listed as “Leans Republican.”
The other 13 Congressional seats in the state are listed as “safe” for the incumbent in 2020, including Rep. Conor Lamb (D-Allegheny) who was placed in the “Likely Democratic” category on Election Day 2018, but after winning by 12 points over fellow incumbent Rep. Keith Rothfus (R-Allegheny) has moved into the safe category.
Sabato’s Crystal Ball has 79% of the House districts characterized as safe for the incumbent party, while 47 Democratic and 46 Republican held seats are listed as either “toss-ups”, “leans”, or “likely.”
7 Responses
The sixth is not that blue and Houlahans seat is far from safe.
Fitzpatrick should have gotten beat soundly but he drew a fumbling opponent who lost a winnable district. Dems in Fitzpatrick district should promote one of the more successful candidates in this district like those who won around the state. Fitzpatrick can easily be defeated but recruitment needs to be more solid than in the past. After all, in a championship game you want your best players on the field!
This will never occur because the BCDC leadership is a steaming pile of shit who operate without any foresight, intelligence, or wherewithal.
With Trump on the ballot, I think the GOP has a good shot at taking down Cartwright if they can nominate a strong candidate.
Lol
Really??? Chrin throws millions into the race in a “Trump” district and gets thumped in 2018 and you think things will be different in 2020. Well, hope springs eternal for diehards, eh??? Dream on buddy…dream on…
Mike Kelly is a PoS. When a few more Trumpsters wake up to realize they been “had”, Kelly will be a LOSER.