RATING CHANGE: Dave Brat’s Re-Election Chances Downgraded
Today, non-partisan election forecasters at Inside Elections downgraded Rep. Dave Brat’s re-election chances, shifting their rating of the race to just Lean Republican. Inside Elections specifically cites strong Democratic challengers and Brat’s weak campaign as reasons for his increasing vulnerability.
Three major election forecasters – Inside Elections, Cook Political Report, and Sabato’s Crystal Ball at UVA – now rate Brat’s district as Lean Republican, marking him as one of the most vulnerable Republicans in the country.
“Rep. Dave Brat is among the most extreme, partisan members of Congress, and no amount of help from Washington Republicans can change the fact that he is out of step with his constituents and facing a serious challenge this November.” – DCCC Spokesperson Jacob Peters
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2018 House Overview (May 16, 2018) North Carolina – Wyoming
https://www.insideelections.com/news/article/2018-house-overview-may-16-2018-north-carolina-wyoming
[…] 7th District (Dave Brat, R, re-elected 58%). Trump 51%. Democrats have two quality candidates: former CIA operative Abigail Spanberger ($476,000) and airline pilot Dan Ward ($508,000). The winner faces Brat ($700,000) in a district that includes some Richmond suburbs. Northam lost the district by 4 points, but race watchers point out that GOP nominee Ed Gillespie ran a better campaign than Brat appears to be running. Move from Likely R to Lean R.