National Journal: Spectacular GOP candidates put Dems on defense
House Republicans are on offense. National Journal took a look at the “all-star” Republican House candidates running in Biden districts and how they “provide the firepower” needed to take out their incumbent Democrat opponents.
In case you missed it…
The all-star clashes that might decide the House
National Journal
James Downs
8/8/23
https://www.nationaljournal.com/s/722400/the-all-star-clashes-that-might-decide-the-house/?unlock=8XNWGCWW3OU7IHSP
Baseball’s midsummer classic gathers the league’s most talented players on opposing teams, often resulting in high-powered shows of offense. This summer, Republicans are hoping their “all-star” recruitment roster will provide the firepower to take on the strong Democratic incumbents who have proven themselves to be prime-time performers come election season.
Three top GOP candidates jumped into competitive races in recent weeks. Republicans are hoping what they call these “top recruits” will put them over the edge against battle-tested Democratic Reps. Sharice Davids of Kansas, Josh Harder of California, and Vicente Gonzalez of Texas.
Republicans are confident with their new lineup: Kevin Lincoln, the mayor of Stockton, California; former Rep. Mayra Flores, who’s looking to win back her old seat against Gonzalez; and Dr. Prasanth Reddy, a Kansas-based oncologist and a lieutenant colonel in the Air Force Reserves.
Despite protecting a slim majority next year, the recruits present an opportunity for Republicans to play offense, even if it’s only an outside chance. President Biden won California’s 9th by more than 12 points, Kansas’s 3rd by about 5 points, and Texas’s 34th by more than 15 points. Both Democratic and Republican sources agreed that it’s necessary to cast a wide net and recruit strong candidates because upsets happen every cycle. The stronger the candidate, the better the party is able to take advantage of potential surprises.
They still have to win their primaries, but Speaker Kevin McCarthy already endorsed Lincoln and Flores during their respective launches.
The candidates encapsulate a strategy the GOP has utilized to vault themselves into the majority—recruiting more women, veterans, and minority candidates. But this roster will face a number of high heaters—and maybe even a curveball or two—in these blue-leaning districts.
…
GOP sources who spoke to National Journal said the data favors Republicans in the Latino-majority district as Hispanic Americans drift away from the Democratic Party. Former President Trump lost the district by over 35 points in 2016 before cutting the margin to 16 points. Flores then cut that nearly in half last year.
…
Another House strategist said even in less favorable districts, it’s still important to field quality candidates. Upsets always occur, even if the outcome can be sometimes predetermined. And with a better candidate, the more money that candidate can raise, potentially forcing parties to spend where they otherwise would not have.
That could be the case in California, where Lincoln will have an uphill climb against Harder.
The National Republican Congressional Committee welcomed Lincoln’s challenge to Harder, saying “Republicans are putting together an All-Star roster of recruits.” But the DCCC was quick to hit back over Lincoln’s slip-up over abortion- and diversity-related questions.
If the odds don’t look great on paper, Republicans are confident they’ll remain competitive.
“Candidates with compelling backgrounds and experiences relate to voters on an emotional level and give Republicans the ability to win in any district,” NRCC National Press Secretary Will Reinert told National Journal in a statement.
…
Every August, fringe playoff teams bolster their rotation in hopes of a postseason push. The trade deadline may have come and gone, but these Republicans are still making moves to foment some magic next November. Democrats think they have the closers to strike them out.