Politico writes there are 10 Congressional races this year that will provide clues on whether the 2018 election is referendum on President Donald Trump.
Former Kansas Rep. Paul Davis lands in the political publication’s fifth spot. Davis, a Lawrence Democrat, seeks to replace Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins. Jenkins, a Republican, announced last year that she won’t seek re-election. Politicos list includes two Republican candidates and eight Democratic candidates.
“Moderate candidates in both parties will also have to figure out how to best position themselves vis-à-vis a commander in chief loathed or loved by their respective grass roots,” the Politico article reads.
Politico suggests Davis showed moderation when he kicked off his Congressional campaign. He announced he would not support Nancy Pelosi as Speaker of the House, if elected. Politico says the announcement heralds “a new generation of Democrats that won’t be sticking by the California congresswoman.” The digital publication also called the move a “political gamble,” noting Davis’ announcement crosses the Democratic Party leaders in order to be competitive in a red district.
Davis unsuccessfully ran for governor against Sam Brownback in 2014. Though he lost that race, he carried Kansas 2nd Congressional district by 6 points. Jenkins has represented the district for a dozen years, and President Trump carried 52 percent of the vote in the district in 2016.
The Kansas 2nd District is one of 59 Congressional seats the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee intends to target in 2018. Kansas’ 3rd District, currently held by Republican Congressman Kevin Yoder, is also on the list. Yoder notched an 11-point victory in 2016, but Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton won the third district by 1 point. Democrats need to capture 24 Republican-held seats to gain a majority in the House.
Davis faces several Republican candidates, including state Sens. Steve Fitzgerald and Caryn Tyson, and state Rep. Kevin Jones. Yoder has drawn a bevy of Democratic challengers, including Tom Niermann, Jay Sidie, and Brent Welder. Presumed Democratic frontrunner Andrea Ramsey dropped out of the race after details about a sexual harassment case were published.
