In case you missed it, the nonpartisan election forecaster Cook Political Report shifted the race in Pennsylvania’s 6th Congressional District toward Democrats, moving the rating from Toss Up to Likely Democratic. Their analysis cited Congressman Ryan Costello’s retirement, Chrissy Houlahan’s strong candidacy and the far-right positions of her likely Republican opponent.
“The fact that a well-funded, multi-term incumbent Ryan Costello felt he couldn’t win in this district indicates the uphill battle Republicans now face in this district,” said DCCC Spokesman Evan Lukaske. “That being said, Democrats take nothing for granted and will work tirelessly to ensure veteran and businesswoman Chrissy Houlahan wins this seat, so that this community can finally have the representation it deserves.”
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Costello Retirement Moves PA-06 from Toss Up to Likely Democratic | Cook Political Report
By David Wasserman
March 26, 2018
http://cookpolitical.com/analysis/house/pennsylvania-house/costello-retirement-moves-pa-06-toss-likely-democratic
Over the weekend, moderate GOP Rep. Ryan Costello (PA-06) confirmed that he wouldn’t run for reelection, reversing course just days after filing petitions to put his name on the ballot. The move deprives Republicans of a well-liked incumbent with $1.3 million in the bank in a suburban Philadelphia district and puts Democrat Chrissy Houlahan in the driver’s seat to take over a very favorably redrawn seat.
[…] A second Republican, attorney Greg McCauley, filed for the May 15 primary and had been challenging Costello from the right. The former Wendy’s restaurant franchise owner is now the likely GOP nominee, but his positions on guns and immigration put him to the right of the district and he begins with a massive resource disadvantage.
[…] Houlahan, an Air Force veteran who became an executive for the AND1 athletic wear brand, ended 2017 with $950,000 and is frequently billed as one of her party’s top recruits.
[…] Without him [Costello], however, the race moves from the Toss Up column to the Likely Democratic column.