House Dems scaling back on top target to save incumbents

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is scaling back on one of its largest campaign buys of the cycle, targeting Rep. Mike Coffman (R-Colo.), in order to try to save its Democratic incumbents.

{mosads}The move comes to save House Democrats who are facing a barrage of new outside spending from GOP-aligned groups. American Action Network and the Congressional Leadership Fund dumped more than $4 million in additional spending against Democratic incumbents on Friday.

Coffman, who sits in a swing Denver-area district, has been a top Democratic target all cycle. Democrats have already spent $1.8 million on the district, more than their initial reservation there, but are moving elsewhere the $1.4 million they still had planned there.

Democrats insist that the race is winnable, and point out that former Colorado House Speaker Andrew Romanoff (D) is one of the best-funded challengers in the country. But the move indicates that their hopes of taking out Coffman have dimmed some, and that they’re increasingly worried about some of their other incumbents.

“This is still a very winnable race, and Romanoff is well-funded and in a competitive position to bring it across the finish line,” said a DCCC aide.

The DCCC has added more air coverage for Reps. Ron Barber (D-Ariz.), Ami Bera (D-Calif.), Julia Brownley (D-Calif.), John Barrow (D-Ga.), Bill Enyart (D-Ill.), Carol Shea-Porter (D-N.H.), Anne Kuster (D-N.H.) and Nick Rahall (D-W.Va.).

The move is the latest retrenchment measure for House Democrats, who face a ratcheting up of spending from GOP outside groups and a less-than-stellar national climate. House Democrats have also expressed frustration that the outside groups that normally back them haven’t been spending as heavily this election, instead focusing on keeping Senate control. House Republicans are expected to pick up seats this fall.

This post was updated at 7:15 p.m.