Down ticket: There are nervous candidates in Congress as election nears

Both Republicans and Democrats are worried about down-ticket races in the coming election. The relative unpopularity of both Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton with voters at large could have consequences for incumbents in both the House and Senate.

Democrats are, on the whole, are more convinced that they stand to gain seats in both chambers. Republicans, roiled in a controversial campaign with a controversial figure at the top of the ticket, are deeply concerned about losing majorities, especially in the House.

With only several dozen of the House's 435 seats competitive, Democrats need a 30-seat gain to take over. But with Trump lagging in the polls and Election Day barely two weeks off, Democrats believe and Republicans fear he will take some congressional Republicans down with him.

Much of the country is in a "throw the bums out" mood, as evidenced by outsider Trump's rise to prominence. But which "bums" you are referring to depends on who you are talking to.

Published in Editorials on October 24, 2016 9:50 AM