House Editor David Wasserman explains why three districts in the Upper Midwest have moved into top tier competitive status. In Illinois’s 11th District, Republican Jerry Weller’s recent bad press and likely retirement ensures that Democrats will make a serious play for his seat. In Michigan’s 7th District, freshman Republican Tim Walberg’s weak showing in 2006 and solidly conservative record has generated serious 2008 opposition. And in Minnesota’s 3rd District, Democrats couldn’t have asked for better news than moderate Republican Jim Ramstad’s retirement.
Ratings Changes:
IL-11 Weller – Likely Republican to Toss-Up
MI-07 Walberg – Likely Republican to Lean Republican
MN-03 OPEN (Ramstad) – Solid Republican to Toss-Up
IL-11: Weller
Following the retirement announcements of moderate Republican Reps. Deborah Pryce and Jim Ramstad from moderate suburban districts, it’s very difficult to follow the past several weeks’ events in Rep. Jerry Weller’s southwest suburban Chicago district and not conclude that things are getting very ugly for congressional Republicans.
Although Democrats had talked openly of seriously challenging Weller next year following his 55 percent showing in
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