Republicans Eye House Seats in Northeast in Midterm Races – NYTimes.com

February 8, 2010

Republicans Have Eyes on House Seats in Northeast in Midterm Races

By RAYMOND HERNANDEZ

WASHINGTON — Republican candidates are showing surprising financial strength in Congressional districts held by Democrats in the Northeast that party leaders have singled out as ripe for what could be critical gains in the November election.

Some of the most competitive races are taking shape in the New York metropolitan region.

In the 19th Congressional District, north of New York, the Republican challenger, Nan Hayworth, an ophthalmologist, has amassed about $519,000, slightly more than the roughly $451,000 that the Democratic incumbent, Representative John J. Hall, has in his campaign coffers.

On eastern Long Island, the Republican candidate, Randy Altschuler, a businessman, is closing the gap with the Democratic incumbent, Representative Timothy H. Bishop, stockpiling nearly $800,000, compared with the roughly $1 million Mr. Bishop has, even though Mr. Altschuler has already embarked on an advertising campaign.

The promising financial picture for individual Republican candidates suggests that the midterm elections in the Northeast, a Democratic stronghold, may turn out to be far more competitive than expected, forcing Democrats to play defense on what is essentially their home turf.

Independent analysts say there are a dozen Democratic-held districts in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and New Hampshire where the incumbents could face strong challenges , and in many of those districts Republican candidates have amassed sizable sums of money.

via Republicans Eye House Seats in Northeast in Midterm Races – NYTimes.com.