ANALYSIS — With President Donald Trump’s national job approval rating hovering near 37 percent, it’s no surprise that dozens of Republican incumbents are sweating their reelection bids. But the GOP’s struggle to hold open seats might tell the story of the midterm elections.
While Republican incumbents such as Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania’s 1st District and Mike Lawler of New York’s 17th have pre-established brands and extensive political networks to potentially withstand a political wave, GOP nominees in open seats don’t have the same profiles and are more at risk of losing, particularly when the storm gets rough.
