Republican incumbents in swing districts try to find right distance from Trump
Republican incumbents in swing districts try to find right distance from Trump:- Rep. Mike Coffman of Colorado was the first Republican in Congress last year to cut an ad promising to “stand up” to Donald Trump — and six months into the presidency, he has tried to live up to that promise, bucking the president on immigration, health care and other issues.
As Republicans try to defend their House majority next year, lawmakers like Mr. Coffman are trying to find that elusive middle between being a Republican and being a Trump Republican.
For Mr. Coffman, who said last year that he “didn’t care for [Mr. Trump] much,” little has changed. He is vowing to keep bucking the president when he wants, including voting against the American Health Care Act and trying to chart a more lenient path for illegal immigrants.
“Mike Coffman has a long track record of independent leadership — challenging big spenders in both parties and putting the interests of his constituents first. As Mike has said before, he will stand with President Trump when he agrees with him and stand up to him when he thinks he’s wrong,” said Tyler Sandberg, campaign adviser to Mr. Coffman.
Mr. Coffman won his district by 9 percentage points last cycle — in the same region where Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton topped Mr. Trump by 9 points.
Some Republicans say that’s a good sign: Voters are willing to split their ticket and reward congressional Republicans even if they do not support Mr. Trump. One party strategist said that if incumbents such as Mr. Coffman can win swing districts when Mrs. Clinton or Barack Obama is on the ballot, then they are strong enough to win midterm elections.
Source:- http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/aug/1/support-of-donald-trump-weighs-on-republican-house/
