In a Congressional district dimwit Donald "Rump" Trump won by 20+ points in 2016, Democrat Conor Lamb has declared a stunning upset victory last night over generic Republican Rump toady Rick Saccone. But, wow, it was close (Saccone hasn't conceded as of this posting)!
(click on chart to enlarge)
(Source: New York Times.com)
Of special interest was the broad scope of Lamb's apparent victory, as this precinct- level map indicates, with a vast majority of precincts' margin shifting from Republican to Democratic since 2016 (precinct- level data for Westmoreland County was not available).
(click on image to enlarge)
(Source: New York Times.com)
To be clear: this was a deep red district that has been represented by a Republican since 2002, and Republicans and their PACs poured in over $10 million to stave off defeat. Rump even campaigned and gave a bonkers 80 minute diatribe in support of the Republican, but was actually all about Rump. Due to the recent decision by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court to undo the Republican- gerrymandered districts in the state, this congressional district will be configured differently for the midterm election later this year (more to the Democrats' advantage). Apparently, Lamb will be running in the new 17th Congressional district against a different cut- out Rump stooge (Rep. Keith Rothfus) come November. Kick his ass, Conor!
Already, the spinning and finger- pointing on the right has started, with Rump's "coattails" proving to be shorter than his fingers. It's been noted that there are more than 100 Republican- held Congressional districts that are less Republican than PA-18.
So, there's a lot of flop sweat in Republican quarters this morning. A nice, cool blue wave washing over them should take care of that.
BONUS: Steve Benen has some takeaways.
BONUS II:
BONUS III: Esquire.com's Charles Pierce has a question for House Squeaker Paul "Lyin'" Ryan:No matter what happens, I'd like to thank Rick Saccone for making this picture of Donald Trump Jr. in a hair net possible pic.twitter.com/n8cqv5FJXO— Judd Legum (@JuddLegum) March 14, 2018
"...do you know what congressional district is, theoretically, anyway, more Democratic than the one Conor Lamb won on Tuesday night? Yours. Sleep well."
