Rep. Conor Lamb (D-PA) beat an onslaught of Republican misinformation to win a district that helped Trump win. |
He will have to defend his seat again in November.
Today, the Democrats celebrate the victory.
Breaking News: The Democrat Conor Lamb has an insurmountable lead in a Pennsylvania House race in Trump country. We’re calling it in his favor.https://t.co/mGgHxH6AQ2— The New York Times (@nytimes) March 14, 2018
We did it.— Conor Lamb (@ConorLambPA) March 14, 2018
From the bottom of my heart, thank you. I'm so grateful to everyone who made this possible.
I'm proud of what we accomplished last night. I'm proud to be a Western Pennsylvania Democrat. And I'm ready to get to work for the people of #PA18.
The seat once occupied by Tim Murphy flipped. The disgraced Republican Murphy abruptly resigned after he was caught up in an affair with a local coroner. The so called pro-life married lawmaker ordered his mistress to have an abortion. He also was accused of sexual harassment and berating his staff.
Murphy left the seat open and Republicans didn't expect the seat to be competitive. The 18th Congressional District of Pennsylvania was considered a Republican stronghold. The gerrymandered district went to Donald J. Trump by 20 points.
The seat was considered SAFE for Republicans.
They lined up a candidate who shares similarities with Trump. They spent $15 million to secure a seat that was held by a Republican.
State representative Rick Saccone was the choice for Republicans. He said all the things that would energize the base. He got the ringing endorsements from Trump, Mike Pence, Ivanka and Donald, Jr.
Saccone was too rigid and was considered "weak."
Failed Republican candidate Rick Saccone and wife Yong. Notice the Conor Lamb sign next to him. |
The Republicans used every trick out the book. They called Lamb a Pelosi puppet, a tax and spend godless liberal who will stop Trump's agenda.
Lamb also stuck to the message and ignored the noise. He outpaced Saccone in fundraising and had the backing of unions and suburban Republicans who saw Trump as a burden.
Trump even claimed credit for Lamb's victory. He said that Lamb is a Democrat who voted like a Republican.
It's the sign of times. If Doug Jones and Conor Lamb can win, then Democrats better start lining up candidates that can be viable winners.
Support the Democrat in Utah. Jenny Wilson can beat Mitt Romney.
Support the Democrat in Texas. Beto O'Rourke can beat Ted Cruz.
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