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GOP Looks to Retain Control of House
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| Contributor | Gerald Farinas |
| Last Edited | Gerald Farinas Mar 21, 2004 04:39pm |
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| Category | News |
| Media | News Service - Associated Press |
| News Date | Sunday, March 21, 2004 06:00:00 AM UTC0:0 |
| Description | GOP Looks to Retain Control of House
The Honolulu Advertiser
Buoyed by the prospect of strong gains in Texas, a financial advantage and a relative shortage of competitive seats, Republicans are strongly positioned to hold control of the House in 2004, according to strategists in both parties. At the same time, Democrats point to their recent capture of a Kentucky seat, as well as national polls showing voter pessimism about the future as evidence of steadily improving prospects.
More than seven months before the election, as few as three dozen of the 435 House seats appear competitive, based on candidate recruitment, fund raising and historical voting trends. That number is likely to change as parties choose candidates in primaries, and the presidential race shapes the national political terrain. Republicans command a 228-205 majority in the current House, with one Democratic-leaning independent and one vacancy. Democrats must gain 12 seats to end a decade of Republican rule.
Democrats appear to have more opportunities for gains than Republicans in two key target groups, open seats and those held by first-term lawmakers. Democrats eye seats held by retiring Republican Reps. Scott McInnis in Colorado; Pat Toomey in Pennsylvania; W.J. Tauzin in Louisiana; and Jennifer Dunn and George Nethercutt in Washington. Strategists in both parties agree that first-term GOP incumbents likely to face the toughest challenges are Reps. Rick Renzi of Arizona; Max Burns of Georgia and Bob Beauprez of Colorado. |
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