Democrats’ hope of retaking House fades in polarized campaign
Republicans are expected to retain control of the House, in large part because there is little room left in either party for middle-of-the-road lawmakers such as Barrow. The so-called Blue Dog Democrat is running against Lee Anderson, a farmer and conservative state legislator who calls President Obama a socialist.
Democratic hopes for a takeover have faded as races tightened in the final weeks. Underlying this election is a polarized political climate, as well as newly drawn congressional boundaries. The redrawn districts shored up Republican-held seats and largely ceded cities to Democrats, which has put the party on track to have the most diverse caucus ever, the first without a white-male majority.
Tuesday’s outcome is likely to send to Washington a large freshman class that would make the House even more deeply divided ideologically. “We’re headed for the most polarized Congress in history,” said David Wasserman, the House analyst at the nonpartisan Cook Political Report. “Blue Dogs are shrinking and the tea party continues to grow.”