A group of once-safe House Republican seats are suddenly more competitive just seven months out from Election Day, adding to the already expansive target list for Democrats as they fight to take back the House.
The nonpartisan Cook Political Report shifted the ratings of 13 races in favor of Democrats Friday, including the district held by House GOP Conference Chairwoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers.
Cook bumped Rodgers’ Washington district from “likely Republican” to “lean Republican.” Seven other GOP districts were also moved into more competitive categories. In total, Cook puts 55 House races in the “toss up” or “lean” columns, and still gives Democrats a slight edge in taking House control in 2018.
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee cheered the ratings change.
“While Republicans have been left floundering without a coherent message, Democratic momentum is growing stronger by the day,” said DCCC spokesman Tyler Law.
On Monday, the DCCC released a memo featuring internal polling it conducted in 12 districts since January. The polling found named Democrats within striking distance of the Republican incumbents or slightly ahead in a number of the 12 districts surveyed.
Cook and fellow forecasters Larry Sabato’s Crystal Ball, and Inside Elections changed the ratings of 32 races in favor of Democrats in March alone, DCCC touted in the memo.
