"A poor showing here would signal trouble for the midterm elections in November, in which GOP control of the House and Senate hangs in the balance. Republicans are trying to hold on to a seat being vacated by once popular Rep. Tim Murphy, who resigned after the disclosure of text messages in which the pro-life crusader pressured his mistress to seek an abortion.
The Washington GOP establishment has already spent north of $2 million propping up Rick Saccone, a low-octane state legislator whose sparring with powerful labor unions and difficulty outmaneuvering his young, inexperienced rival have unnerved conservative organizers. Vice President Mike Pence recently parachuted into the area to help. A Trump rally is planned.
"It is much more competitive than it should be," said Charlie Gerow, a veteran GOP strategist in Pennsylvania. "Republicans are concerned that this could be a canary in the coal mine."
The race here between Saccone and Democrat Conor Lamb — both military veterans, both staunchly pro-gun rights, both personally opposed to abortion — reflects a broader effort by the two parties to sharpen their message to voters as the midterms fast approach. In a district Trump carried by 20 points, and the previous two GOP presidential nominees also carried by large margins, Saccone's meager three-point lead has pushed Republicans into high gear."
http://www.latimes.com/politics/la-na-pol-rust-belt-gop-congress-20180222-story.html
The Washington GOP establishment has already spent north of $2 million propping up Rick Saccone, a low-octane state legislator whose sparring with powerful labor unions and difficulty outmaneuvering his young, inexperienced rival have unnerved conservative organizers. Vice President Mike Pence recently parachuted into the area to help. A Trump rally is planned.
"It is much more competitive than it should be," said Charlie Gerow, a veteran GOP strategist in Pennsylvania. "Republicans are concerned that this could be a canary in the coal mine."
The race here between Saccone and Democrat Conor Lamb — both military veterans, both staunchly pro-gun rights, both personally opposed to abortion — reflects a broader effort by the two parties to sharpen their message to voters as the midterms fast approach. In a district Trump carried by 20 points, and the previous two GOP presidential nominees also carried by large margins, Saccone's meager three-point lead has pushed Republicans into high gear."
http://www.latimes.com/politics/la-na-pol-rust-belt-gop-congress-20180222-story.html