10 House Races To Watch

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House Democrats hope to expand their majority in this election.





Mark Tenally/ASSOCIATED PRESS



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Mark Tenally/ASSOCIATED PRESS



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Five top targets for Democrats:

Jeff Van Drew, R-N.J. —— Van Drew won this seat as a Democrat in 2018 only to switch parties in December 2019 in opposition to impeaching President Trump. Democrats think they can win again with the message that Van Drew put himself ahead of his constituents. His opponent Amy Kennedy, wife of former Rhode Island Rep. Patrick Kennedy, has been raising lots of money and recent polls show her ahead in the race.

Don Bacon, R-Nebraska — This is another rematch as Bacon faces Kara Eastman, a Democrat who he narrowly defeated in 2018. Eastman has benefitted from significant support from national Democrats and this district has been polling in favor of Joe Biden for President.

Mike Garcia, R-Calif. — Garcia won this seat in a special election in May to replace Democrat Katie Hill who resigned amid personal controversy last fall. Garcia won that special election but California Democrats are expected to show up in droves in this presidential year, particularly with California Sen. Kamala Harris on the ticket as Joe Biden’s vice presidential running mate.

Open Seat in Va.5, — Once purple Virginia has been on a steady march towards Democrats for several years and many see this seat as a chance for them to solidify their hold on the state. Incumbent GOP Rep. Denver Riggleman lost his primary bid to conservative challenger Bob Good, an associate athletic director at the conservative religious school Liberty University. Good is facing Democrat Cameron Webb, a political newcomer and physician who served as a White House Fellow under both Presidents Obama and Trump.

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., told reporters this week that a win for Democrats in this race, which could come from one of the states with an earlier poll closing time, is considered a sign of a potential blue wave in the country.



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Open Seat in Texas 22 — Democrats have invested big in Texas this cycle and they hope to win seats in suburban areas, like this district outside of Houston. Democrat Sri Preston Kulkarni and Republican Troy Nehls are the top-polling candidates. Kulkarni has polled narrowly ahead and has been endorsed by by the Houston Chronicle and Joe Biden. A pick up here would give hope to the long-time dream for Democrats of turning Texas blue.