With hopes of ‘wave election,’ Democrats lining up to take on Rep. Ann Wagner
But at least four
"If this is a wave election, any Republican in a suburban district is going to be wary of the possibility of losing their job," says political science professor
Wagner's
Still, it's the kind of political landscape where many experts believe this year's war for control of
Recent numbers suggests that Wagner is
Wagner won re-election last time with more than 58 percent of the vote and a 21-percentage-point margin over her nearest challenger. While those are solid numbers, they're softer than those of
While it's too early to say if the national
"The
Working in Wagner's favor is that no
If Wagner's seat was widely seen as vulnerable, the race would probably draw in sitting state legislators or others with established political credentials. But three of the four
"It is a little surprising that there's not more people with political experience in the race," says Robertson. "I think that speaks to Wagner's strength. She's going to have lots and lot of money to fend off a challenger."
That much is certain. Wagner, a long-time party establishment figure with a deep political résumé, was sitting on
"Anyone who takes her on is probably going to be outspent," said Robertson, in what might be the safest prediction of this election year.
Wagner had been viewed as a potential challenger this year to
Candidates have until
The Democratic candidates
--Haas, 73, was the Democratic nominee for the
Haas' campaign fundraising so far consists almost entirely of
"I expect a competitive primary," said Haas, who stresses that "I'm the only one who has held elective office" among the
--Messmer, 50, is a political science professor at
A south
"I've been paying attention as to what feeling I get from my students in the classroom. There is a cynicism that is deep, there's disappointment that is rock-solid," said Messmer. "There is a definitely appetite for someone to run as a reform candidate."
--Osmack, 35, of
"I don't think you should have to join the Army or go to prison to have health care," said Osmack. He is calling for more education funding and a higher minimum wage, supports abortion rights and gun control, and he intends to make a central campaign theme of "ending these damned conflicts" in
Asked whether he was concerned those issues might not play well in a generally conservative district, Osmack countered: "I'm being bold. ... The
--VanOstran, 29, of
"We think we are in a much better position to challenge
VanOstran criticized Wagner for her support of President
Previously announced Democratic candidate
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