Battle lines shift in House races as Republicans retreat from front-line districts

With about three weeks left before the midterms, House Republicans are pulling money out of some battleground contests while Democrats scramble to finance a push into districts once thought out of reach. The shift suggests a defensive stance for the GOP, which has already scaled back its ambitions for Senate races, and fresh aggressiveness among Democrats hoping to benefit from President Donald Trump's weak approval ratings, according to ABC News.

According to three Republican campaign officials who requested anonymity, the Congressional Leadership Fund dropped four races, including Iowa's 1st District, where Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks faces Christina Bohannan, and New Jersey's 7th, where Rep. Tom Kean meets Rebecca Bennett. Those four had absorbed $13.3 million. The group is directing more money to 16 other contests. A Trump-aligned super PAC, Safety and Affordability, withdrew nearly $1 million from Marty O'Donnell's Nevada bid against Rep. Susie Lee. Club For Growth president David McIntosh blamed the economy and dissatisfied voters.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee began a $17 million drive ending Oct. 22, saying at least a dozen more seats could be competitive. Targets include Rep. Mike Turner's Ohio district. Separately, Senate Republicans are spending heavily in Nebraska to protect Sen. Pete Ricketts against independent Dan Osborn.

Summarized by PolitiKool from ABC News’s reporting. Read the full story at ABC News →