Kansas Republican Congressman Kevin Yoder could face stiff competition in his re-election bid. Based on recent election trends, Democrats think Yoder’s 3rd District seat is winnable.
Democrats made big gains in last week’s legislative elections in Virginia. University of Kansas political scientist Patrick Miller says that trend could carry over into some congressional races closer to home next year.
“Republicans lost almost every single one of the 17 Virginia Statehouse seats that Hillary Clinton carried,” Miller says.
The KC metro area’s 3rd District meets that definition, albeit barely. Clinton edged President Donald Trump there by a single percentage point.
“If you’re Kevin Yoder that should worry you,” Miller says.
Several Democrats are competing for a chance to challenge Yoder, who, so far, has done little to distance himself from Trump on high-profile issues like tax cuts and repealing Obamacare.
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Jim McLean is managing director of KMUW's Kansas News Service, a collaboration of KMUW, Kansas Public Radio and KCUR covering health, education and politics in Kansas. Follow him on Twitter @jmcleanks.
To contact KMUW News or to send in a news tip, reach us at news@kmuw.org.
