This morning the Wall Street Journal took a look at how Donald Trump’s disastrous campaign is damaging the campaigns of vulnerable California Republicans Darrell Issa, Jeff Denham, David Valadao, and Steve Knight.
ICYMI
Darrell Issa Shows Down-Ballot Test Facing the GOP [Excerpts]
By Kristina Peterson
August 18, 2016
…Mr. Trump’s inflammatory campaign style and slipping poll numbers has Democrats believing they have an opening, particularly after the party’s nominee for the seat, former Marine Col. Doug Applegate, performed well in the primary.
Democrats typically benefit from a boost in turnout of younger and more diverse voters in presidential years. That could imperil California incumbents including Mr. Issa, whose district is 26% Hispanic; Rep. Jeff Denham, whose district is 40% Hispanic; or Rep. David Valadao, whose district is 70% Hispanic.
Freshman GOP Rep. Steve Knight, who represents a district that is more than 35% Hispanic, is considered the state’s most vulnerable incumbent by the nonpartisan Cook Political Report.
…“Donald Trump’s toxic candidacy has poisoned every California Republican, and it’s only getting worse,” said Barb Solish, a spokeswoman for House Democrats’ campaign arm. “Every time Trump opens his mouth, Denham, Knight, Valadao, and Issa’s chances of re-election go down.”
…Mr. Issa has endorsed Mr. Trump after having first backed Mr. Rubio for president. The lawmaker spoke at a Trump rally in San Diego in May and backed him as a delegate at the GOP convention last month.
…Mr. Denham, in response to an editorial in the Modesto Bee criticizing him for not taking a clear stance, said he would support Mr. Trump…
…Mr. Applegate, the Democratic candidate for Mr. Issa’s seat, posted an online petition this month demanding that the incumbent condemn Mr. Trump over his criticism of the Muslim parents of a slain U.S. soldier. It quickly drew 5,000 signatures, noted Mr. Applegate, who said he was “still waiting” for Mr. Issa to rebuke Mr. Trump for his comments on the Khan family.
…Mr. Issa, whose probing of the Obama administration as House Oversight Committee Chairman made him a national figure, won June’s primary with just over 51% of the vote, versus 45% for Mr. Applegate.
Democrats are optimistic that November’s higher turnout will buoy Mr. Applegate, and they point to a poll conducted by House Democrats’ campaign arm after the primary that found the two men tied at 43% each.