General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsAnalysts predict 'dog fight' between Rothfus(r) and Lamb(D) for 17th Congressional District(Pa.)
With three open seats on the other side of the state to worry about, Republicans didn't want to have to sink resources into defending an incumbent in Western Pennsylvania who won his last two Congressional elections by more than 120,000 combined votes.
But as is the nature of Pennsylvania politics post-redistricting, U.S. Rep. Keith Rothfus is facing the unfortunate prospect of a "dog fight" -- as one analyst called it -- against Democratic wunderkind and newly-minted Congressman Conor Lamb, in territory that is much less red than the districts they both currently represent.
"It's less of a Republican seat than it was, and Conor has a lot of enthusiasm and energy behind him," said Sam DeMarco, a Republican state committeeman and at-large council representative in Allegheny County. "It's going to be tight and close. But I think Keith has a lot of things going for him."
http://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2018/05/17/Keith-Rothfus-Conor-Lamb-dog-fight-for-17th-Congressional-District/stories/201805170226
msongs
(67,365 posts)DeminPennswoods
(15,265 posts)I live in this district and that's my prediction. Most of the district is based in one of the oldest population age counties in the state and in the country. Lamb's message of bolstering social security, medicare, medicaid and support for unions will play well here. Lamb has already held one townhall here and well-thought out answers to why he voted one way or the other on bills since he was elected.
Rothfus has done little to nothing for his constituents during his time in office. He no longer even meets face-to-face with constituents in group settings like townhalls. This district was so heavily gerry-mandered Rothfus has hardly bothered to campaign.
Personally, I'm looking forward to having Lamb represent CD17 come Nov.
yortsed snacilbuper
(7,939 posts)don't get complacent?
DeminPennswoods
(15,265 posts)and Dems here seem to be energized. It's been a long time since our vote counted for anything more than a protest against against the GOP candidate.
Lamb is smart, young, good-looking and energeitc. Rothfus is none of those.