Today, non-partisan election forecasters at Cook Political Report downgraded Rep. John Katko’s re-election chances, shifting their rating of the race from Likely to Lean Republican. David Wasserman of Cook Political Report cited Katko’s endorsed candidate, President Trump, as toxic for the vulnerable Republican’s own re-election bid.
Cook Political said, in part:
“President Trump is currently tanking in national polls, and Joe Biden — a 1968 Syracuse Law graduate whose first wife was from Skaneateles in the Finger Lakes region — is something of a favorite son here. Clinton won here 49 percent to 45 percent in 2016, but Katko could face much stronger headwinds this time.”
“Rep. John Katko is in the toughest race of his career with Dana Balter as his opponent, and the more voters hear about his record of failing to hold big drug manufacturers accountable on opioids and his failure to hold his party and Donald Trump accountable, the worse things are going to get for him.” – DCCC Spokesperson Christine Bennett
NOTE: Live polling conducted in NY-24 from 6/18-6/22, shows Dana Balter leading John Katko 48-45 with Vice President Biden leading President Trump by 18 points (54-36). Reflecting the many ways Congressman Katko has morphed into just another Washington Republican, the Congressman’s favorability ratings stand even in the district (42– 40).
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