For almost two years, endangered House Republicans have had to answer non-stop questions over their relationship with former President Donald Trump and the chaos unfolding in their own conference.
Ever since President Joe Biden’s disastrous debate, however, that’s all started to change. As Democrats go on the defensive, GOP lawmakers in tough districts are seizing on the moment.
In Arizona’s toss-up 6th District, Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-Ariz.) has started running ads tying his likely Democratic opponent Kirsten Engel to Biden.
“[Engel] needs to answer the question, is she with Joe Biden or not? Joe or no Joe?” Ciscomani told us.
The dynamic is also playing out in a fascinating manner in New York. In districts Biden won in 2020, Republicans are tying themselves closely to Trump. And Democrats like Rep. Pat Ryan (D-N.Y.) and Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado have called on Biden to withdraw.
“My opponent, who has an opinion on just about anything, has been silent for 10 days,” Rep. Marc Molinaro (R-N.Y.) said about his Democratic challenger Josh Riley. “My opponent, who was with Joe Biden 100% of the time, doesn’t have anything to say.”
We’ll note that Riley said this in a statement following the debate: “Most of the voters I talk to wish they had different options, and they want new leadership. They’re not wrong.”
“There’s absolutely zero enthusiasm in places like the tough districts that the Democrats are trying to flip seats back for President Biden, and there’s even less enthusiasm for our opponents,” Rep. Anthony D’Esposito (R-N.Y.) said.
The Biden-district Republicans, who for so long have had to parry questions on whether their party is moving too far to the right, can now enjoy turning the heat on Democrats.
It’s a role reversal from the recent pattern of Democrats seeking to tie Republicans to Trump. In a turnaround, the vast majority of Republicans in swing seats are embracing Trump. Exhibit A: Our reporting from southern California swing seats.
All this is despite Trump’s conviction in New York on 34 felony charges, repeated vows to pardon Jan. 6 rioters and a deluge of incendiary comments.
“For the last eight years, Democrats believed that all they have to say is, ‘Trump, Trump, Trump Trump,’ and that absolves them of anything. And now they have to answer for their own nominee,” Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) said.
It’s worth noting that many down-ballot Democrats have consistently outperformed the top of the ticket in recent races. But there’s an increasing fear among Frontliners that this phenomenon won’t last as voters sour on Biden.
— Max Cohen and Mica Soellner
