House Editor David Wasserman explains why ratings have changed in four districts. The retirements of GOP Reps. Jim Saxton (NJ-03) and Barbara Cubin (WY-AL) are a wash, as Democrats are emboldened by a newly enhanced takeover opportunity in the Garden State and Republicans are relieved one of their less popular members who is calling it quits out West. However, another unpopular GOP legislator, Rep. Jean Schmidt (OH-02) continues to make life difficult for her party in a reliably Republican district, and though heavily favored, powerful former NRCC chair Tom Reynolds (NY-26) must be wary of another Democratic challenge back home in 2008.
Ratings Changes:
NJ-03 OPEN (Saxton) Likely Republican to Toss Up
NY-26 Tom Reynolds Solid Republican to Likely Republican
OH-02 Jean Schmidt Likely Republican to Lean Republican
WY-AL OPEN (Cubin) Lean Republican to Solid Republican
NJ-03: OPEN (Saxton) Likely Republican to Toss Up
GOP Rep. Jim Saxton’s announcement that he will retire at the end of his 12th term has moved this district to the top of the Democratic open seat takeover target
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