House GOP on growing majority post-Harris entrance: ‘Ominous’ – Washington Examiner
House Republicans are expressing concern about their ability to expand their majority in the House as they prepare for upcoming elections, particularly with the rising profile of Vice President Kamala Harris, who appears to be gaining support. Rep. Richard Hudson, chair of the House GOP’s campaign arm, emphasized to his colleagues that the Democrats are close to capturing the majority, needing only four more seats. He noted that the Republican National Congressional Committee has seen significant fundraising success, but party leaders like House Speaker Mike Johnson warned of a challenging political environment, highlighted by Harris’s increasing popularity in key battleground states, which could bolster Democratic candidates in close races.
In Michigan, for example, Harris has reportedly gained a slight lead in polls, potentially impacting the elections for congressional seats, including those currently held by Republicans. Political analysts are closely watching these races, indicating they may be highly competitive and crucial for both parties as they aim to control the House. In Virginia, both major parties are targeting specific districts, with Democrats needing to maintain their seats to ensure their chances of majority control. The political landscape is described as “ominous” for Republicans as they approach the election cycle.
House GOP on growing majority post-Harris entrance: ‘Ominous’
House Republicans sounded the alarm on their chances to expand their majority in the lower chamber as they seek to rev up conservatives and ward off Vice President Kamala Harris’s momentum.
Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC), who heads the House GOP’s campaign arm, told his colleagues that “the Democrats are at the gates,” according to Punchbowl News.
Democrats only need to gain four seats to capture the majority in the House this November. Hudson is the chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, which last month announced that its $37 million fundraising haul was the largest amount ever recorded in the second quarter of an election year.
His comments came as key Republican members from the lower chamber gathered for a conference call Thursday evening. Echoing Hudson’s warning was the lower chamber’s top Republican.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) said his party is facing an “ominous” political landscape as many Republicans were caught off-guard by Harris’s sudden ascension to the top of the Democratic ticket.
Harris is shrinking former President Donald Trump’s lead in several battleground states where Republican congressional candidates are in tight races.
In Michigan, former Republican state Sen. Tom Barrett is facing off against Democrat Curtis Hertel Jr. However, with Harris up by 3 percentage points in Michigan, according to some polls, Democratic momentum could shore up support for Hertel.
“We’re at a point where you have to be pretty different from your own party’s presidential candidate to distinguish the voters,” Matt Grossman, the director of the Institute for Public Policy and Social Research at Michigan State University, told WKAR Public Media earlier this year. “Most people who vote for a Republican president are going to vote Republican for Congress and the same on the Democratic side.”
Michigan’s 8th Congressional District is also up for grabs as Democratic state Sen. Kristen McDonald Rivet and Republican Paul Junge fight to succeed Rep. Dan. Kildee (D-MI). The Cook Political Report rates their race a toss-up.
Harris is also leading Trump in Virginia, a state where the GOP leader once held a slight edge over President Joe Biden. Trump-endorsed Derrick Anderson and Democratic candidate Yevgeny “Eugene” Vindman, both Army veterans, are vying to replace retiring Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA) in Virginia’s 7th District. Vindman served in the Trump administration until he was booted for testifying about a 2019 phone call between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
“I think the RNC is going to look at the 7th as the most likely pick-up in Virginia,” political analyst Bob Holsworth told the Hill last month. “I expect this to be heavily competitive, I expect a lot of money to be raised, and it’s crucial for the Democrats if they’re going to take the House to hold on to this seat.”
Johnson and Hudson agreed that fundraising was critical during the House Republican Conference call on Thursday.
“But the Democrats are … hauling in hundreds of millions of dollars in the last few weeks. If we’re going to accomplish our goal of growing our majority, I need you to want it,” Hudson told his colleagues as the NRCC leader seeks to expand the Republican footprint in Congress.
Johnson said he plans to transfer $4 million to the NRCC. House Republican Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY) announced she also would transfer $2 million to the House GOP’s campaign arm, the New York GOP, and other candidates.
“We still have a great shot to grow our majority,” Hudson encouraged his colleagues.
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