Campaign

House Democrats targeting six more Trump districts for 2020

by Julia Manchester - 08/15/19 9:11 AM ET

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) is reportedly expanding its 2020 target list, taking aim at six more districts won by President Trump in 2016.

The districts are Florida’s 16th District, Iowa’s 2nd District, Michigan’s 3rd District, Ohio’s 12th District, Virginia’s 5th District and Montana’s at-large district.

News of the latest additions to the committee’s target list was first reported by Roll Call.

{mosads}The newest targets include the seat held by Rep. Justin Amash (I-Mich.), who formally left the GOP last month, as well as the seat held by Democratic Iowa Rep. Dave Loebsack, who is not seeking another term in 2020.

The Cook Political Report has rated both of those districts as toss-ups.

Rep. Greg Gianforte’s (R-Mont.) plans to run for governor have put the state’s at-large House district on Democrats’ radar. Despite Trump carrying the state by 21 points in 2016, Democrats are hopeful they can grab the seat after Montana Gov. Steve Bullock (D) won reelection that same year. Democratic Sen. Jon Tester won reelection in the state in 2018.

While the Cook Political Report rates Florida’s 16th Congressional District and Ohio’s 12th District as likely Republican, Democrats see an opportunity to target the suburban vote in the districts.

Democrats also see an opportunity in Virginia’s 5th Congressional District, held by Rep. Denver Riggleman (R). The Cook Political Report rates the seat as likely Republican, but Republicans poured money into defending the district in 2018.

The newest target list demonstrates Democrats’ optimism about growing their majority in the 2020 general election, especially among suburban voters potentially turned off by Trump.

Republicans have also been put on the defensive recently amid a wave of retirements.

The DCCC announced a number of ads taking aim at Reps. Rodney Davis (R-Ill.), Lee Zeldin (R-N.Y.), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) and Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.), all of whom are on the DCCC’s “retirement watch list.”