Washington Republicans target more House Democrat seats as polls show significant GOP advantage

The National Republican Congressional Campaign says it adding more House seats to its target list following a number of developments in the redistricting process ahead of the 2022 midterm.

The new seats the NRCC is zeroing in on include several districts in California (13th, 26th), Colorado's 8th district, Florida's 14th and 22nd districts, Michigan's 10th, as well as districts in Montana, New Mexico, Texas, two in North Carolina, one in Oregon, and one each in the swing states of Nevada and Ohio. Nine of those seats are open this midterm cycle. 

Republicans' confidence in their ability to regain control of the House this November has only been growing in recent weeks as a number of polls and surveys give the GOP position the edge on several significant voter issues.

Republicans also currently have a 7-percentage point edge on the generic ballot, according to the latest Harvard/Harris poll. 

Though more than 30 Democratic members of the House are not seeking re-election to the lower chamber this cycle, the NRCC is not limiting its aggressive targeting to open seats.

"Vulnerable Democrats who chose not to retire will be shown no mercy," said NRCC Chairman Rep. Tom Emmer (Minn.).

The updated target list consists of 72 Democrats.

Republican leaders in the House share a bullish sentiment about their chances come November. GOP Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik (N.Y.) said on Monday at an event for the most recently endorsed round of E-PAC female GOP candidates that she believes Democrats are "running for the hills."

"I didn't hear a lot of Democrats moving up to run for office in these target districts. I think most of them are playing defense," said Stefanik, who at the same event said she believes there could be 50 GOP women in the House following the 2022 cycle.