Top Congressional Rematches Expected in 2024
2024 Election Rematches: Congress Faces Old Rivals
President Joe Biden’s second face-off with Donald Trump is not the only rematch expected in the 2024 elections, as several members of Congress will face old rivals at the polls next year.
The 2024 elections are expected to have many close races, with most attention on the likely second fight between Biden and Trump. However, Congress is also projected to face a number of rematches as House representatives in closer races are expected to face off with their competition in the next term.
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Here are some of the most notable rematches taking place in the 2024 election:
Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WA) vs. Joe Kent
Perez, a Democrat from Washington who won in a very close race in 2022, faces a high risk of defeat in the 2024 3rd District of Washington race. Perez won the initial race by receiving 50.5% of the vote over the Trump-endorsed Kent.
Kent has secured early endorsements from the state Republican Party and a number of county GOP parties. He does risk a potential primary challenger in Leslie Lewallen, although it remains unclear how she’ll hold up in the primary. Lewallen argues that Kent is “too extreme,” which led to voters either not voting in 2022 or casting a ballot for Perez. Kent’s team blames Republicans for spending money to oppose him in the 2022 election.
The district is believed to be +5 points in favor of Republicans, according to the Cook Political Report, which means Perez may have an uphill battle in retaining her seat.
Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE) vs. Tony Vargas
Bacon, a former brigadier general, is expected to face a rather competitive race in 2024 against Omaha Democrat and state Sen. Tony Vargas for the 2nd District of Nebraska. Bacon beat Vargas in 2022 with 51.3% of the vote.
Vargas announced his plans to take on the three-term representative in 2024, noting that voters appeared “excited” about his message of “cutting middle-class taxes, growing the economy, protecting women’s health care, and keeping our communities safe from gun violence.”
Vargas may have an advantage in this term’s race due to a Democratic president sitting on top of the ballot. The state’s 2nd District is considered “Even” by the Cook Political Report.
Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) vs. Ashley Ehasz
Pennsylvania congressman Fitzpatrick faces competition in the 1st District from Ehasz. Fitzpatrick had a successful run against Ehasz in 2022, receiving 54.9% of the vote over his Democratic competitor.
But that has not deterred Ehasz from seeking to run again in 2024. The proponent of abortion-rights policies and gun control announced her intent to take on Fitzpatrick again.
“Now more than ever, we are seeing unprecedented attacks on women’s reproductive rights, the LGBTQ+ community, and the American way of life — and that’s not an accident,” Ehasz said in her initial announcement email.
The 1st District is considered “even” by the Cook Political Report.
Vicente Gonzalez (D-TX) vs. Mayra Flores
Gonzalez, one of the few Texas Democrats, will have to face off with former Rep. Flores in the 2024 race to hold his role. Flores was elected in a special election in 2022 to take over the 34th District but lost to Gonzalez five months later in a general election. Gonzalez held a substantial lead with 52.7% of the vote.
The 2024 election between the two may depend on how much voters cling to the issues that drove them to the polls in 2022.
“The issues remain the same, with the exception that things have gotten worse,” Flores told NBC News, noting how inflation and border security were high-priority issues for voters in her old district.
Gonzalez and Flores will face off in a district that is 9 points in favor of Democrats.
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How will Rep. Golden’s support for progressive policies and his vote to impeach President Trump affect his chances of winning against Crafts in the 2024 election
Ngng our communities safe.” Vargas believes that Bacon’s record on healthcare, specifically his vote to repeal the Affordable Care Act, will be a disadvantage for him in the race. However, Bacon’s team insists that his record of bipartisanship and his focus on national security will resonate with voters in the district.
The race is expected to be close, as the district has a history of flipping between parties. Bacon narrowly won in 2022, but the district has voted for both Republican and Democratic representatives in recent years.
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Rep. Yvette Herrell (R-NM) vs. Xochitl Torres Small
After narrowly defeating Torres Small in 2022 with just 52.7% of the vote, Herrell is poised to face her old rival once again in the 2024 2nd District of New Mexico race. Herrell’s win in 2022 was an upset for Democrats, as the district has historically leaned more liberal.
Torres Small, who served in the U.S. House from 2019 to 2021, believes that her focus on healthcare and economic development will help her regain the seat. She has criticized Herrell for voting against the American Rescue Plan and failing to deliver on her promises to bring jobs and economic growth to the district.
While Herrell will have the advantage of incumbency, she will need to convince voters that she is the best choice to represent their interests in Washington.
Rep. Jared Golden (D-ME) vs. Dale Crafts
In Maine’s 2nd Congressional District, Golden is expected to face Crafts once again in the 2024 election. Crafts, a former state representative, lost to Golden in 2022 by a slim margin of 51.1% to 48.9%.
Crafts plans to focus on issues such as jobs and the economy, as well as border security and addressing national debt. He believes that Golden’s support for progressive policies and his vote to impeach President Trump will be factors that work against him in the race.
Golden, on the other hand, will emphasize his work on behalf of his constituents, including his focus on healthcare, veterans’ issues, and supporting small businesses.
These are just a few examples of the many rematches that will take place in the 2024 elections. As Congress faces its old rivals, the outcomes of these races will have a significant impact on the balance of power in Washington. With close races expected in many districts, both Democrats and Republicans will need to work hard to secure victory and maintain control of the House.
While the attention may be on the rematch between Biden and Trump, these congressional races should not be overlooked. They will determine the direction of legislation and policy in the coming years, and the winners will have the power to shape the future of our country.
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