GOP Targets More Races

Republican Money Flows to Races Now Seen as in Play.

In a late move to bolster their advantage, Republicans and their allies are investing in additional House races that they now see as in play, a sign that the political climate is tilting toward the GOP ahead of next week’s elections.

The last-minute maneuvering has the potential, if races break their way, to bring Republicans closer to the 12-seat gain needed to match the party’s post-World War II record of holding 246 House seats. Democrats, aware of the headwind against them, have withdrawn money recently from some GOP-held districts and redirected it largely to endangered incumbents in an effort to limit GOP gains.

“The national numbers have been poor for Democrats for months, but now Republicans are finding potential opportunities in places where previously they didn’t think they had much of a chance,” said Nathan Gonzales of the nonpartisan Rothenberg Political Report.

The Republican entrance into additional districts—in Iowa, Nevada and elsewhere—adds to evidence that voters are making a late turn away from the Democratic party. A Wall Street Journal/NBC News/Annenberg survey released Sunday found Republicans with a four-point lead among registered voters on which party should control Congress, with 46% favoring the GOP and 42% preferring Democratic control.

Among likely voters, the GOP held an 11-point advantage. In both measures, the GOP lead was larger than in the prior week’s survey.

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