They came close in 2020 and Republicans believe the same playbook will help them win in 2022.
House Republicans have laid out their path to winning back the chamber they came close to flipping in 2020. They plan to rely on a similar playbook: slamming the Democrats as socialists who will implement « job killing policies, » while at the same time downplaying any divisions within the GOP. Since President Biden has taken office, the National Republican Congressional Committee has honed in on the impacts of closing the Keystone XL pipeline and delays in reopening schools. « It’s going to come down to two different agendas: one is about freedom— one is about having the right to self-determine your economic freedom, your individual liberties. The other one is about big government, » National Republican Congressional Committee chair Tom Emmer said in a call with reporters on Wednesday. « Every voter is going to have a clear understanding of the Democrats’ socialist agenda and the damaging impact it’s going to have on their daily lives. » The party is targeting 47 Democrats and needs a net gain of five seats to flip the chamber. The committee has split its targets into three categories: battleground districts where Mr. Biden lost or won by less than 5%; districts where House Democrats trailed his margins or where they won by less than 10%; and districts in states expected to add or lose congressional districts. Emmer said the committee is looking for a « fair and transparent » redistricting process but hopes to « maximize » the party’s advantage with state legislatures. He noted Republican legislatures are in charge of drawing the maps in states expected to add seats, like Florida, North Carolina and Texas. The campaign committee saw success in the 2020 elections, shrinking the Democratic advantage in the House by flipping 15 seats into Republican hands, even though Democrats were able to take the White House and the Senate.
