TO: Interested Parties
FROM: DCCC Targeting and Analytics Department
DATE: May 16, 2018
BRIAN FITZPATRICK IS IN FOR A TOUGH REELECTION IN 2018
In new general polling, Democrat Scott Wallace is statistically tied with Republican Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick, trailing by just 2 points (46% to 48%) in a DCCC survey of likely general election voters conducted in Pennsylvania’s 1st Congressional District.
The generic ballot further illustrates the challenging environment for the incumbent Congressman. Voters favor a generic Democrat by 3 points over a generic Republican (48% to 45%).
Additionally, voters are split on Fitzpatrick’s performance as Congressman. 37% approve of his job as Congressman, 35% disapprove, and 27% are unsure.
DONALD TRUMP AND THE REPUBLICAN TAX PLAN ARE UNPOPULAR
To make matters worse for Fitzpatrick, voters disapprove of Donald Trump’s job as President and oppose the Republican tax plan passed by Congress. Just 40% of voters approve of the job Donald Trump is doing as President, compared to 53% who disapprove. Additionally, 42% of likely voters support the tax plan, while 47% oppose it.
Pennsylvania’s newly-drawn 1st district is located in Bucks and Montgomery counties. This highly educated, wealthy suburban district is one of only twenty-five districts that voted for Secretary Clinton and a Republican member of Congress.
The results are based on a survey of 540 likely 2018 general election voters in PA-01 conducted by the DCCC fielded May 12th and 14th, 2018. Respondents’ information came from the voter file and this poll was conducted through a standard blend of live cell phone and automated calls. The margin of error is +/- 4.2%.