Cook Political Report moves 5 GOP-held seats towards Dems

Five more Republican-held House seats are moving closer to the Democrats’ reach. 

The Cook Political Report, a nonpartisan election handicapper, shifted its ratings for five House races Wednesday, lifting Democrats’ chances in GOP-held districts in Colorado, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Texas.

In Colorado, Rep. Mike Coffman’s (R) race moved from the “toss-up” column to “lean Democrat,” giving his challenger, Jason Crow, a slight edge in the contest.

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Rep. Pete King’s (R-N.Y.) reelection bid in New York’s 1st District also moved over from the “solid Republican” column to “likely Republican.” It’s not yet considered a competitive race, but has the potential to become one.

King, a 13-term incumbent, is facing a challenge from Liuba Grechen Shirley, a nonprofit consultant who’s running as a political outsider. 

In North Carolina, Rep. Ted Budd’s (R) race in the 13th District has been moved into the “toss-up” from “lean Republican,” signaling that his bid against Democratic philanthropist Kathy Manning is as competitive as can be.

Likewise, Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) has found himself in a “toss-up” race, according to Cook. His race against former lobbyist Scott Wallace was among those moved over from the “lean Republican” column on Wednesday.

And in Texas’s 31st District, Democrat MJ Hegar appears to be gaining on Rep. John Carter (R). That race moved from the “likely Republican” column to the “lean Republican” column on Wednesday. 

Cook’s latest moves are good news for Democrats, who have mounted an aggressive bid to retake control of the House in November. They’re banking on deep dissatisfaction with President Trump among Democratic-leaning and independent voters to hand them the majority.

Democrats need to pick up at least 23 seats in November to win control of the lower chamber.

FiveThirtyEight, an elections analysis website, currently gives Democrats a 79.6 percent chance of flipping the House this year.