Many races that could help Republicans retake the House are not paid much attention.
The Christopher Newport University Watson Center found that Virginia’s 2md Congressional District is tied.
This district should always receive attention because it’s a swing district in every sense. A purple district!
The race could help the Republicans win the House:
Democrat Rep. Elaine Luria and Republican State Sen. Jen Kiggans are deadlocked 45% to 45% among likely voters in Virginia’s 2nd District Congressional Race with 8% undecided. Voting is well underway and, consistent with national trends, Democrats are more likely to have voted early in the 2nd District race than Republicans. 12% of the voters surveyed have already cast their ballots, and among them Luria has a 56%-29% lead.Interest in the Congressional elections is fairly high among Democrats and Republicans, with 91% of both partisan groups saying they are paying either a lot or some attention to the elections. Republicans are somewhat more motivated however, with 76% saying they are paying a lot of attention compared to 60% of Democrats; 51% of Independents indicate they are paying a lot of attention and another 28% say some attention.
I repeat: It’s the economy, stupid:
Key Issues: 2nd District likely voters are asked which issue is top of mind in their vote choice. 39% say the economy, 17% say abortion, and 14% say threats to democracy. Top of mind issues vary by party with a vast majority of Republicans coalescing around inflation and the economy (61%), followed by abortion (9%), and a three-way tie for Republican’s third choice with immigration, crime, and threats to democracy all at 6%. Top issues among Democrats include abortion (31%), threats to democracy (23%), followed by inflation and the economy (16%). A majority of Independents say inflation and the economy (40%), followed by threats to democracy (14%) and abortion (13%).—On the issue of inflation, 66% say this is a major factor in their vote choice, 18% a minor factor, and 15% not a factor. Here too we see significant divisions by party with the vast majority of Republicans saying inflation is a major factor (94%) compared to 44% of Democrats and 65% of Independents. Though a majority of men and women see inflation as a major factor there is an 11-point gap (72% to 61%).
Only 47% of those polled considered abortion a significant factor when choosing their candidate.
But is it a shock?
The district favors Republicans due to redistricting, according to political experts:
The Virginia Beach-anchored district currently includes parts of Norfolk and Hampton, as well as Williamsburg, Poquoson and the state’s Eastern Shore.But redistricting has done Luria no favors as she seeks a third term in the House, taking away everything north of the James River while adding parts of Chesapeake, Suffolk and the Isle of Wight.
The Cook Political Report rated the race as “Toss Up” because of the redistricting:
After redistricting, the seat narrowed from Biden +5 to Biden +2, and in 2021 the seat voted for Republican Glenn Youngkin for governor by 11 points. In this climate, Kiggans starts as the narrow favorite against Luria, though not by so much to move the race out of the Toss Up column.
Real Clear Politics listed the race as Lean Republican.
CLICK HERE FOR FULL VERSION OF THIS STORY