A top Democrat said the fact that so many races are too close to call Tuesday night is a testament to the Democrats hard work to drive grassroots supporters to the polls.
Rep. Steve Israel, chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, admitted that it is not an easy election year for Democrats, but said he didn’t expect to see the high seat losses characteristic of the president’s party in the second term.
“It’s not going to be 29,” which he said is the average number of seats lost by the president’s party. “But it is very tough terrain.”
He said the fact that so many races are so close suggests an improvement from previous elections, such as in 2010, when “it was over before it began,” he said.
“There’s not one single Democratic incumbent who is down or out,” he said. “Every single one of our incumbents is in the race.”
Democrats this cycle have contacted 41 million voters with door knocks and phone calls, as well as registered 80,000 new voters in key battleground races.
“We left nothing on the field. We knew this was going to be tough,” he said.
Looking ahead to 2016, Mr. Israel said he predicted the improved field program would make it a “very good year for us.”
“I will guarantee you that the House will be in reach in 2016,” he said.
• Jacqueline Klimas can be reached at jklimas@washingtontimes.com.
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