Presidential Primary Calendar Could Help Congressional Challengers

Rollcall ^ | Jan. 11 2016 | Eli Yokley

[mrsmith]

In more than a dozen states, House and Senate primary elections will happen on the same ballot with the presidential race - timing that could pose a challenge for incumbent candidates in intra-party battles.

Presidential candidates such as New York City real estate mogul Donald Trump and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz are hoping to lure new, anti-establishment voters to the polls, a change that would skew the kinds of voters candidates will face.

"The S.E.C. states," said Midwest-based Republican consultant James Harris, using the nickname for the group of southern states that share the March 1 primary date, "will have an uptick in their normal turnout because of the presidential primaries."

"Trump and Cruz? They could bring out new people, and they're using messaging that helps challengers," he added.

[mrsmith]

Primary challengers helped by Cruz or Trump- or both- would have an excellent chance. And then would work to help advance their issues. OTOH a re-elected RINO would be able to safely work to block them. Congress matters! (IMO Shelby isn't an appropriate example for the article)