Democrats exploit GOP ethics woes in battle for the House
Source: Politico
Some longtime Republicans are dogged by ethical questions, and Democrats believe their seats are now within reach.
By ELENA SCHNEIDER and AUSTIN WRIGHT 08/27/2017 07:02 AM EDT
Duncan Hunter’s Southern California district isn’t normally a serious target for Democrats. But a criminal investigation into allegations of campaign funds for personal use — including flying his pet rabbit across the country — isn't exactly normal either.
Hunter is one of a handful of House Republicans in ethical hot water that could put their typically safe seats at risk. And the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is planning to exploit their troubles in 2018 in the hopes of notching long-shot victories that could be the difference between winning the House or falling just short. Democrats need to pick up 24 seats in 2018 to flip the chamber.
The push, which includes scrubbing GOP incumbents' legal and financial records, is part of a broader message of accountability the minority is planning for the next election, according to officials who previewed the effort for POLITICO. President Donald Trump's early woes already had House Republicans on defense, and the ethics questions only add to those woes, national Democrats argue.
"That puts these lazier and sleepier incumbents under the microscope,” said Brian Smoot, a Democratic consultant and former DCCC political director, referring to longtime officeholders who haven't had a serious challenge in years.
Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2017/08/27/congress-democrats-exploit-gop-ethics-midterms-241961
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