Democrats and Republicans at the national level are starting to rally behind congressional incumbents they feel are vulnerable in 2018 with three new members of the Florida delegation getting attention.
On Monday, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) announced its first 19 members of the “Frontline” program. These congressional Democrats will get special attention from the DCCC as they look to retain their seats in 2018. Two freshman from the Sunshine State--U.S. Reps. Charlie Crist and Stephanie Murphy--were named to the program on Monday.
U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján, D-NM, the chairman of the DCCC, said his group stood ready to help these congressional Democrats and sounded an optimistic note about their chances in 2018.
“Each of these Democrats knows how to win tough races--proven by their success in a difficult national environment in 2016,” Luján said on Monday.
“The Frontline program will help these members again build strong campaigns, maximize resources and take advantage of the energy from the grassroots, so that they can continue to fight on behalf of the hardworking people in their districts,” Luján insisted.
Last month, the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) announced that ten of its congressional representatives would be in its “Patriot” program for 2018. The NRCC intends to focus its resources on defending those ten incumbents.
“Our Patriots are a group of battle-tested members who won hard-fought races in 2016 and are ready to win once again,” said U.S. Rep. Steve Stivers, R-Ohio, the chairman of the NRCC. “The NRCC stands squarely behind each of them and will work tirelessly on their behalf to ensure their important voices continue to represent their constituents,” the Ohio Republican said.
Included in the first round of Patriots is U.S. Rep. Brian Mast, R-Fla., who won an open congressional seat last year. Not on the list though is U.S. Rep. Carlos Curbelo, R-Fla., who was been a top target for Democrats last year.
On paper, Crist, Curbelo and Murphy should expect tight races in 2018. Crist beat then U.S. Rep. David Jolly, R-Fla. 52 percent to 48 percent and Jolly has opened the door to a rematch. Murphy took 51.5 percent of the vote while then U.S. Rep. John Mica, R-Fla., pulled 48.5 percent in November. Already two Republicans in the state Legislature--Sen. David Simmons and Rep. Bob Cortes--are at considering taking Murphy on in 2018. In a rematch of their 2014 matchup, Curbelo routed former U.S. Rep. Joe Garcia, D-Fla., in November taking 53 percent while the Democrat pulled 41 percent. But Curbelo represents a district which Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton carried by more than 15 percent, ensuring Democrats continue to think they can beat the congressman.
Mast looks a little safer. He won an open congressional seat by more than 10 percent while Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump carried the district by 9 percent.
Last month, the NRCC announced it was targeting 36 Democrats in Congress including Crist and Murphy. Also last month, the DCCC announced it was focusing on 20 congressional Republicans including Curbelo.
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