Voters in Pennsylvania's 18th congressional district go to the polls Tuesday to choose between Democrat Conor Lamb, a photogenic Marine veteran and former prosecutor, and Republican state lawmaker Rick Saccone. The district went for President Trump by 20 points in 2016. Trump has campaigned with Saccone twice, and Donald Trump Jr. toured a candy factory with him on Monday. Still, a Monmouth poll released Monday had Lamb, 33, with a slight lead over Saccone, 60. The seat was vacated when former Rep. Tim Murphy (R) resigned over a scandal involving a mistress he reportedly asked to get an abortion.
Republicans have poured more than $10 million into the race, mostly on attack ads against Lamb, while Lamb has raised about $4 million, mostly from small donations. GOP operatives have openly disparaged Saccone as a lackluster campaigner and poor fundraiser, but a loss in Trump country would shake up Republicans hoping to hold on to control of the House next year. Whoever wins will serve out the rest of Murphy's term, but the district will be completely different in November's election due to a new congressional map issued by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
The week's best photosIn Pictures A sea of kites, a game of sand hockey, and more
-
G20: Viola Davis stars in 'ludicrous' but fun action thrillerThe Week Recommends The award-winning actress plays the 'swashbuckling American president' in this newly released Prime Video film
-
The Masters: Rory McIlroy finally banishes his demonsIn the Spotlight McIlroy's grand slam triumph will go down as 'one of the greatest and most courageous victories in the history of golf'
-
Judge threatens Trump team with criminal contemptSpeed Read James Boasberg attempts to hold the White House accountable for disregarding court orders over El Salvador deportation flights
-
Biden slams Trump's Social Security cutsSpeed Read In his first major public address since leaving office, Biden criticized the Trump administration's 'damage' and 'destruction'
-
El Salvador refuses to return US deporteeSpeed Read President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador said he would not send back the unlawfully deported Kilmar Ábrego García
-
Trump says electronics tariff break won't lastSpeed Read The tariff exemptions on smartphones, laptops and other electronic devices are temporary, the administration says
-
Man charged in arson attack on Pennsylvania's ShapiroSpeed Read Governor Josh Shapiro and his family were sleeping when someone set fire to his Harrisburg mansion
-
White House pushes for oversight of Columbia UniversitySpeed Read The Trump administration is considering placing the school under a consent decree
-
Supreme Court backs wrongly deported migrantSpeed Read The Trump administration must 'facilitate' the return of wrongfully deported migrant Kilmar Ábrego García from El Salvador, Supreme Court says
-
Two judges bar war-powers deportationsSpeed Read The Trump administration was blocked from using the Alien Enemies Act to deport more alleged Venezuelan gang members
