Chuck Todd is calling the Kansas 3rd district race between Republican incumbent Congressman Kevin Yoder and Democratic challenger Jay Sidie a “canary in the coal mine,” an indicator of whether Democrats will complete a “wave election” and take back control of both the House and the Senate.
“For this truly to be a wave election, Democrats are going to have to score some upsets in places Republicans normally win,” said Todd, the Meet the Press moderator.
Todd explained during his data download segment on Sunday’s show that Democrats would have to win 30 seats to retake control of the House. He referenced a Cook political report that identified 19 House districts as toss-up races, 17 of which are currently held by Republicans.
Todd predicted if a wave election were to happen Democrats would win the majority of those races along with several others due to redistricting, but need to also take some races that are traditionally Republican-safe.
“There are three that I’m going to pay special attention to on Election Night,” said Todd, referring to races in Des Moines, Iowa, Indiana’s 9th district and the Kansas 3rd district.
Courtesy Meet the Press
Yoder is seeking his 4th term in Congress against political newcomer and businessman Sidie.
In recent history, a wave election happened in 2006 when Democrats took back both the House and the Senate.
Republicans flipped back the House in 2010.
“History is not on the side of Democrats,” said Todd. “The last time the House of Representatives changed hands in a presidential election year: 1952.”
That year should have meaning to Kansans. Dwight Eisenhower became the 34th president of the United States.
“So ask yourself, is this an Eisenhower wave that’s coming?” said Todd.
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Brian Abel can be reached at brian.abel@kshb.com.
