Due to voter distaste for Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, Democratic strategists say their party may have chances to win in up to a dozen GOP-held seats in the House, including the district held by Kevin Yoder, reports the New York Times. Yoder, a fiscal conservative who represents the suburbs of Kansas City, is a member of the House Appropriations subcommittee that oversees funding for FDA and USDA.
The political website Sabato’s Crystal Ball said three weeks ago that Yoder’s race was becoming more competitive, given Democratic gains in nationwide polling. It rates the race as “likely Republican,” compared to the earlier “Safe Republican.”
“Democrats … are hopeful that businessman Jay Sidie (D) can push Rep. Kevin Yoder (R, KS-3) in a wealthy, educated metropolitan Kansas City seat,” wrote Kyle Kondik, managing editor of the site. “Trump may under-perform in Kansas, and the Republican brand in Kansas is somewhat tarnished thanks to unpopular Gov. Sam Brownback (R) … If Democrats can truly compete in districts like these, that might be a sign that the playing field is expanding and that the GOP majority is in real jeopardy.”
Republicans hold such a large majority — 247-188 — and have structural advantages from drawing district maps that it will be difficult for Democrats to win the 30 seats needed for a majority, although some forecasts say they will gain a dozen of them.
“What may ultimately block Democrats from winning the 30 seats they need to take the House majority are their continued struggles in rural, working-class districts. And many of the suburban districts Democrats hope to contest are expensive to advertise in,” said the Times.