Review: 6 Races Both Parties Viewed Completely Differently
November 11, 2014 · 9:45 AM EST
A month ago, I wrote about “6 Races Both Parties View Completely Differently.” These were a half-dozen contests where strategists generally disagreed on the shape and trajectory of the race.
Instead of averaging out the differing opinions and declaring the races too close to call, it was more likely that one party would be very right and the other very wrong. Now, with results in hand, we can see who had the better analysis. Unfortunately, the parties split the races on Election Night.
Democrats were victorious in three races.
In Minnesota’s 7th District, Rep. Collin C. Peterson of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party defeated GOP state Rep. Torrey Westrom, 54 percent to 46 percent. In Iowa’s 2nd District, Democratic Rep. Dave Loebsack defeated GOP challenger Mariannette Miller-Meeks, 52 percent to 48 percent. And in Hawaii’s 1st District, Democrat Mark Takai defeated former GOP Rep. Charles Djou 52 percent to 48 percent.
Republicans were victorious in three races.
In Arkansas’s 2nd District, Republican French Hill defeated Democrat Patrick Henry Hays’ 52 percent to 44 percent. In Maine’s 2nd District, Republican Bruce Poliquin defeated Democrat Emily Cain 47 percent to 42 percent. And in New York’s 1st District, Republican Lee Zeldin defeated Democratic Rep. Tim Bishop by a considerable 55 percent to 45 percent.