Experts downgrade Chandler's re-election chances
Jun 21st, 2010
Respected Washington publication CQ-Roll Call revised their race rating for Kentucky’s Sixth Congressional District this weekend in GOP nominee Andy Barr’s favor. Changing the rating from “likely Democratic” to the more competitive “leans Democratic,” CQ-Roll Call pronounced Ben Chandler among those “likely to face tough re-election fights this fall.”
LEXINGTON, KY – Respected Washington publication CQ-Roll Call revised their race rating for Kentucky’s Sixth Congressional District this weekend in GOP nominee Andy Barr’s favor. Changing the rating from “likely Democratic” to the more competitive “leans Democratic,” CQ-Roll Call pronounced Ben Chandler among those “likely to face tough re-election fights this fall.”
According to CQ-Roll Call, “[t]he rating change in Chandler’s district comes just days after his opponent, attorney Andy Barr, released a new poll that showed him trailing the Congressman by just 7 points…Barr’s poll has Republicans excited and it is already being used to gin up fundraising support.”
Barr welcomed the national recognition and said it reflected what he’s hearing on the ground.
“As I talk with Republicans, Democrats and independent voters across the Sixth District, I hear the same message: Career politicians in Washington are out of touch,” Barr said. “Voters want a representative who will stop wasting taxpayer dollars and instead focus on Central Kentucky jobs.”
In addition to the anti-incumbent political environment and Barr’s surprisingly strong initial poll position, CQ-Roll Call cited the district’s cheap advertising costs and Chandler’s job-killing cap & trade vote:
“But the good news for Republicans is that Barr won’t have to match Chandler dollar for dollar. The Lexington-based 6th district, which went for Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) by 12 points in the 2008 presidential race, is entirely contained in one fairly cheap media market, which will help Barr maximize his advertising time.
“In terms of messaging, it’s a good bet that Republicans will spend their time reminding the many voters in the district with connections to the energy industry about Chandler’s vote to support the House cap-and-trade bill. Republicans and even some Democratic operatives have called that vote an indefensible one in a state where coal is king.”
Below is a link to the full CQ-Roll Call article.
