The Lehigh Valley has been a political battleground for recent federal political races, and the national Democratic Party wants to ensure Rep. Susan Wild continues to pull out victories.
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee unveiled this week its list of 32 incumbents it will assist through its Frontline Program. The program is designed to get more money to Democratic members of the House in competitive districts. Wild, of South Whitehall Township, was one of three Pennsylvanians on the list, along with Reps. Matt Cartwright, D-8th District, and Conor Lamb, D-7th District.
“The House Democrats on our frontline are strong campaigners who know what it takes to take on — and win — tough fights in swing districts,” DCCC Frontline Chairman Ami Bera said in a statement. “This cycle, we look forward to working with them to hold our majority and continue to deliver on our agenda for the American people.”
Wild said she’s focused on assisting her constituents, whether it’s by improving access to COVID-19 vaccines, ensuring students can get back in the classroom quickly and safely, or helping families and small businesses get emergency relief. She recognized she’ll have to defend her seat to keep doing that work, however.
“I take no election for granted and I remain committed as ever to fighting for the hardworking people of the 7th Congressional District. I look forward to earning their vote,” she said in a statement.
Wild first won the 7th Congressional District seat in 2018 thanks in part to the “blue wave,” a surge in Democratic support following former President Donald Trump’s surprise victory in 2016. Her margin of victory slipped from 10 percentage points in 2018 against Republican Marty Nothstein to 3.7 percentage points in 2020 against challenger Lisa Scheller.
Historically, the party that doesn’t control the White House loses seats in Congress during midterm elections. Democrats will need to break that trend if they hope to defend their narrow majority in both chambers. Democrats hold control the House by just 10 seats while the Senate is tied 50-50. Vice President Kamala Harris acts as a tie-breaking vote, giving Democrats the slimmest majority possible.
Republicans were already looking to gain ground in the Lehigh Valley. The National Republican Congressional Committee announced last month that it would emphasize defeating Wild and 46 other Democratic House members in the 2022 elections. Republicans sensed an opportunity in some of those cases because the incumbent performed poorly in their district compared to the presidential race. Others, such as Wild, Cartwright and Lamb, represent competitive districts where either Joe Biden lost or the Republicans came within 5 percentage points of winning.
All 32 members of the Democrats 2022 Frontline Program were mentioned by the NRCC in its three-page memo.
“With a proven record of strong candidate recruitment, aggressive messaging and the necessary resources, Republicans will win back the House in 2022,” the NRCC pledged.
Morning Call reporter Tom Shortell can be reached at 610-820-6168 or tshortell@mcall.com.
