Exit poll shows health care a top issue in Pa. special election

The majority of voters in Tuesday’s special election in Pennsylvania considered health care to be one of the most important issues in deciding who to vote for, according to an exit poll released Wednesday.

For 52 percent of voters, health care was ranked as a top issue when deciding who to vote for, while 19 percent said it wasn’t at all important to them, according to Public Policy Polling, a Democratic polling firm.

{mosads}Voters who said health care was the most important issue to them favored Democrat Conor Lamb over his opponent Republican Rick Saccone 64-36 percent, according to the poll.

More voters also said Lamb was “more in step” with their views on health care than Saccone, 45-38 percent.

The poll also found that 53 percent disapprove of Republican efforts to repeal ObamaCare, while 39 percent approve.

This is leading some Democrats to think health care could be a winning issue for them in the 2018 midterms, when they hope to retake seats in Congress.

“It’s crystal clear health care is a top issue for voters,” said Brad Woodhouse, campaign director of Protect Our Care, a pro-ObamaCare group.

“If Republicans can’t win on the issue of health care in a district Donald Trump won by 20 points in 2016, where can they? It’s time to move on from their repeal and replace ObamaCare.”

Democrats, including Lamb, have highlighted Republicans’ failed attempts to repeal ObamaCare, hoping that it can lead to more victories in tight races in November.

The race in Pennsylvania hasn’t been officially called yet, but Democrats, including Lamb himself, have already claimed victory.

“In a close election, a lot of different things mattered, but we’ve consistently seen health care rising to the top of the list for voters in this country,” said Tom Jensen, director of Public Policy Polling.

“The politics have really shifted on (ObamaCare), and that is a big piece of why Conor Lamb was able to win yesterday.”