GOP Members knocked back on their heels at home in the first district work period of the new Congress
In case you missed it, earlier today the DCCC released its 2020 Republican Retirement Watch List and it’s getting traction in districts across the country.
GOP retirements played a key role in Democrats’ successful push to win back the House and, with the retirement announcement of Rep. Rob Woodall earlier this month, the dam has already started breaking.
With the release of the list, the DCCC also launched a paid digital campaign in the Congressional Districts of all 18 members on the list.
Here’s what they’re saying:
OH-01: Cleveland Plain Dealer: Who’s to blame for Ohio’s highway funding dilemma? Capitol Letter
So long, Steve? The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is including U.S. Rep. Steve Chabot, a Cincinnati Republican, on its “2020 Retirement Watch List” with an eye on targeting the seat during the 2020 election, including targeted ads in the district launching today. Chabot, 66, has been in Congress all but two years since 1995. He most recently won a hotly contested 2018 race against upstart Democrat Aftab Pureval.
WA-03: The Columbian: Will Herrera Beutler retire in 2020?
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee assembled a list of Republicans to watch, not for future congressional bids, but for retirement.
Apparently, they think Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler, R-Battle Ground, is on her way out the door.
Herrera Beutler is the only Washington Republican included on the DCCC’s retirement watch list.
NY-27: Buffalo News: Democratic committee runs ads against Chris Collins
It seems that Washington Democrats are trying to push Rep. Chris Collins out the door before they even get another chance to beat him.
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Tuesday released its “2020 Retirement Watch List” of Republicans who may decide to retire before the 2020 election, and Collins’ name is on it. The committee, which is charged with electing more Democrats to the House, is also running digital ads in the Clarence Republican’s district to highlight his possible retirement.
“It’s tough to be a Republican in Washington right now, and frankly, we wouldn’t be at all surprised if Congressman Collins decides he’s had enough,” said Mike Gwin, DCCC spokesman.
It’s also possible that Collins could be retired, sort of. He is charged with felony fraud and conspiracy in connection with an alleged insider trading scheme, and while he denies the charges, he is scheduled to go on trial in February 2020.
CA-50: Politico: California Playbook
FIRST IN PLAYBOOK — California GOP Rep. Duncan Hunter has landed on the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s “2020 Retirement Watch list,” a new effort that the Democratic team says will be “backed by Twitter ads” and “geo-targeted to the Congressional District of each Member.”
“It’s tough to be a Republican in Washington right now, and frankly, we wouldn’t be at all surprised if Congressman Hunter decides he’s had enough,” DCCC spox Brooke Goren said of a congressman who has lost his committee posts. Hunter is already facing a second challenge from declared Democratic opponent Ammar Campa-Najjar, who lost in 2018 by a 51.7-48.3 percent margin but is betting that with Hunter still under criminal indictment over alledged abuse of campaign funds, the coming race is entirely within reach. Stay tuned.
FL- 15| 16: Tampa Bay Times: National Democrats target Ross Spano, Vern Buchanan for ‘retirement’ in 2020
Fresh off a midterm election where they won 40 Congressional seats, Democrats are plotting where they can pad their majority in the House of Representatives. And they’re eyeing two districts in Florida.
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee named U.S. Reps. Ross Spano of Dover and Vern Buchanan of Sarasota to its “2020 Retirement Watch List.” The list includes 18 Republicans in competitive districts that the DCCC says may want to reconsider running for re-election.
NJ-04: New Jersey Globe: DCCC airing digital ads targeting Chris Smith
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) will begin Twitter ads targeting Rep. Christopher Smith (R-Hamilton) with the hope that he will not seek re-election in 2020.
“It’s tough to be a Republican in Washington right now, and frankly, we wouldn’t be at all surprised if Congressman Smith decides he’s had enough,” said Mike Gwin, a spokesman for the DCCC. “Whether it’s waking up each morning to read the President’s tweets that they’ll be answering for or slowly coming to the realization that they aren’t in control any more, we expect to see a steady stream of frustrated Washington Republicans heading for the exits.”
OH-01: The Enquirer: PX column: Dems add Chabot to retirement watch list. ‘Wishful thinking,’ congressman says
House Republicans are retiring in droves, and Washington Democrats are projecting long-time Congressman Steve Chabot could join his colleagues in riding off into the sunset.
IN-05: Indy Star: Rep. Susan Brooks easily won in 2018, but Democrats are already gearing up for 2020
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee put Brooks on its “2020 Republican Retirement Watch List,” and announced Tuesday that it is purchasing Twitter digital ads targeting the congresswoman. The DCCC previously put Brooks on its list of 33 targeted seats in its 2020 strategy.
[…]
[Her last] election, however, was her closest race to date. And across the country, districts containing large suburban areas — like Brooks’ district — generally turned more blue in November, helping Democrats win the majority in the House.
NY-24: Auburn Citizen: Democrats add Katko to ‘Retirement Watch List,’ launch ad campaign
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee released its retirement watch list Tuesday. Katko, R-Camillus, landed on the list alongside fellow New York Reps. Chris Collins and Peter King.
The list’s release comes with the launch of a Twitter ad campaign targeting voters in the 24th Congressional District, which Katko represents.
The DCCC’s retirement list has 19 GOP members listed, including one — U.S. Rep. Rob Woodall — who has already announced their retirement.
GA-07: CNN: GOP Rep. Rob Woodall to retire at end of term
Republican Rep. Rob Woodall announced Thursday that he will retire at the end of the term instead of seeking re-election in 2020.
Woodall made the announcement just months after narrowly retaining his seat.
[…] Last week, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee included Georgia’s 7th District — Woodall’s suburban Atlanta district — on a list of 33 GOP-held seats to be targeted in 2020.
The Hill: House Dems release 2020 GOP ‘retirements to watch’ for
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) on Tuesday released its “retirements to watch list” of potential GOP targets ahead of the 2020 election cycle.
The House Democrats’ campaign arm is releasing customized digital ads for each of the 19 Republican incumbents’ districts — many of which saw tough reelection bids during 2018.
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