Pence planning visits to Nevada, Pennsylvania in push for Republicans in midterms

Vice President Pence is planning swings through Nevada and Pennsylvania to campaign for Republicans facing upcoming elections. 

According to The Wall Street Journal, Pence is expected to visit western Pennsylvania later this month to show support for state Rep. Rick Saccone, a Republican vying for a U.S. House seat in a March 13 special election. 

Pence is also set to travel to Nevada later this week for an appearance with Sen. Dean Heller (R-Nev.), who is facing a tough reelection bid this fall.

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Beyond that, Pence is also trying to help recruit a GOP Senate candidate to challenge Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio). Josh Mandel, a Republican who had previously launched a bid against Brown, dropped out of the race last week.

Republicans are working to hold onto their congressional majorities in 2018, as Democrats hope to capitalize on President Trump’s low popularity to make gains in GOP-held districts.

Pence acknowledged in an interview with The Wall Street Journal that the president’s party typically sees losses in the midterm elections, but said he believes the economic growth will ultimately propel Republicans to victory. 

“We have great momentum in the economy and we think we have an opportunity to not only buck that historic trend, but we think we can expand our majority in the Senate,” he said. “And we really believe that we can reelect a majority in the House. We understand it’s going to take some work.”

According to the Journal, Pence is eyeing a strategy in which he makes early visits to competitive states and districts, while helping GOP candidates raise money. 

Those early trips would be followed by larger visits from Trump, who would seek to draw voter enthusiasm with his large rallies.