ELECTION/GOP/MIKE PENCE/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/TRUMP PEOPLE: “President Trump is heading to central Ohio Saturday [8-4018] to shore up support for a Republican House candidate who has struggled to raise money and is failing to motivate GOP voters. The Tuesday {7-31-18] special election between Republican Troy Balderson and Democrat Danny O’Connor offers a preview of dozens of midterm races across the country: a reliably Republican district that harbors a supercharged Democratic base and a core of suburban voters who polls show are frustrated with the president’s leadership. Both sides now view the contest, the last special election before November, as a final check on party enthusiasm, with each party claiming that the result here next week will send a signal of what is to come in November’s general elections. The nonpartisan Cook Political Report rates the special election as a toss-up. On Monday [7-30-18], Vice President Mike Pence, during his second visit to the district to help Mr. Balderson, told supporters they have a chance to launch a ‘red wave’ and favorably compared the 56-year-old state senator to Mr. Trump, who won the district by 11 percentage points in 2016.”
–Reid J. Epstein, “With GOP District in Jeopardy, Trump to Stump in Ohio Special Election,” The Wall Street Journal, August 2, 2018 5:30 am