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Share ThisOct 27, 2009
National Journal - DCCC Cites Recruiting Successes For 20 GOP-Held Seats
Faced with the prospect of the National Republican Congressional Committee putting 80 Democratic-held seats in play, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is touting its own recruiting successes in races for 20 GOP-held seats.
A DCCC spokesman said the committee met its goal after a successful summer of recruiting and noted that when faced with losing the majority in a tough environment in 1994, Democrats had not fought back with a strong offense, but they are working to rectify that 16 years later.
"As we have said all along, the best defense this cycle is a strong offense and we have put 20 Republican seats in play," said DCCC spokesman Ryan Rudominer.
On top of the DCCC's hopes for the seat previously held by Army Secretary John McHugh in upstate New York, the committee's top targets include seats vacated by moderate Republican Reps. Michael Castle of Delaware and Mark Kirk of Illinois, who have launched Senate bids. Part of their optimism stems from last year's presidential race; President Obama won more than 60 percent of the vote in each district.
In Delaware, Democrats have recruited former Lt. Gov. John Carney to run for Castle's seat. In Illinois, the party committee will back the winner of a high-profile primary between state Rep. Julie Hamos and Dan Seals, who has been a top recruit for Democrats against Kirk in past cycles.
Democrats are also confident about taking back the Louisiana district held by Republican Rep. Anh (Joseph) Cao. Obama took 75 percent of the vote, and have state Reps. Juan LaFonta and Cedric Richmond competing in a primary.
And in Pennsylvania, where Republican Rep. Jim Gerlach is leaving his seat to run for governor, Democrats are high on recruit Doug Pike, a former editor for the Philadelphia Inquirer, and note that Obama carried 58 percent of the vote. Republicans list state Rep. Curt Schroder among several other potential candidates.
Democrats are also after several perennially targeted swing districts where they see opportunities to make Republicans devote resources. Democrats have hunted Rep. Charles Dent, R-Pa., in the past. This time, he's likely to face Bethlehem Mayor John Callahan.
In California, Democrats have recruited physician Ami Bera and Sacramento official Bill Slaton against Rep. Dan Lungren, Corona-Norco School Board President Bill Hedrick against Rep. Ken Calvert, and Palm Springs Mayor Steve Pougnet against Rep. Mary Bono Mack. Obama tied McCain at 49 percent in Lungren's district and achieved 50 percent or more in the other two.
Other recruits in Republican districts include Iraq veteran Rob Miller against Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., and businessman Jack McDonald against Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas. And Democrats continue to covet the seat held by Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn. Their candidate will be either physician Maureen Reed or state Sen. Tarryl Clark.
Democrats are also high on their chances for the Florida seats of GOP Rep. Adam Putnam, who is leaving, and Rep. C.W. (Bill) Young. State Sen. Charles Justice will challenge Young, while a primary will determine the Democratic nominee for Putnam's open seat.
Democrats are also touting recruiting successes for GOP-held seats in Ohio, Nebraska and Kansas. But NRCC spokesman Paul Lindsay scoffed at the list of Democratic prospects in those races and the others on the top 20.
"This is a laughable list of wannabes and never-will-bes that pales in comparison to the emerging field of Republican challengers taking on Washington Democrats," he said.
