The House Democrats’ campaign arm is pulling its resources from a competitive Northern Virginia congressional race to boost a freshman incumbent in Northern California, signifying a major change in the dynamic of one of Democrats’ precious few pickup opportunities this year.
The cancellation of TV advertising in Virginia’s 10th congressional district totaled $2.8 million, a source tracking ad buys confirmed. The DCCC is now directing at least $2 million to California’s 7th congressional district, where freshman Rep. Ami Bera is fending off a challenge from Republican Doug Ose.
In Virginia, Democrat John Foust is running against GOP state Delegate Barbara Comstock in a race to succeed Rep. Frank Wolf, a Republican who is retiring at the end of this year after 17 terms in Congress. The district covers the northern tip of Virginia ranging from the inner suburbs to the West Virginia line, and Democrats hoped Mr. Wolf’s retirement would offer them one of their best chances to pick up a GOP-held seat.
But the shift in resources, first reported by Roll Call, indicates national Democrats believe their resources would be better served outside of the GOP-leaning district, even as Mr. Foust recently reported raising more than $1 million in the third quarter and had held his own in the money department against Mrs. Comstock, who is known as a formidable fundraiser and has deep ties to major figures within the GOP.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.
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