DCCC’s ‘Races to Watch’ List Includes Longshots
In an effort to show they are playing offense in what is expected to be a tough year for their party, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee released a list of 26 “Races to Watch” this cycle. It highlights open-seat or challenger races, including 17 “Top Races” and nine more “Emerging Races.”
But take a closer look — compare the list the DCCC issued Thursday with the CQ Politics race ratings and count how many of those seats look like longshots at best for Democrats.
We’ve categorized three of the races as either Leans Democratic or Likely Democratic: Rep. Mike Castle’s (R-Del.) open seat, Rep. Mark Kirk’s (R-Ill) open seat, and Rep. Anh ‘Joseph’ Cao’s (R-La.) seat.
We only count two more of the DCCC’s “Races to Watch” as Tossup seats: The open seat race in Pennsylvania’s 7th district and retiring Rep. John Tanner‘s (Tenn.) seat — both of which are currently held by Democrats.