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The only thing standing in the Republicans' way in the 2022 midterm elections is their own candidates.

Nowhere does that promise to be a bigger problem than in Pennsylvania.

Two polls this month have found that the Republican candidates for governor and Senate are trailing their Democratic opponents despite the favorable political environment. In the governors race, state Sen. Doug Mastriano is trailing state Attorney General Josh Shapiro by 3 points in an AARP poll and 4 points in a USA Today/Suffolk University poll. Television doctor Mehmet Oz is trailing Lt. Gov. John Fetterman in their Senate clash by 6 points in the AARP poll and by 9 points in the USA Today/Suffolk University poll.

Republican voters gave Democrats exactly what they wanted in the race for governor. Mastriano was the opponent Shapiro wanted. He even ran advertisements boosting the Republicans name recognition during the primary. Mastriano wanted to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election in Pennsylvania and supported former President Donald Trumps conspiracy theory that the election was stolen.

Its not hard to see why Shapiro thought this would be a favorable matchup.

Oz had little business becoming the GOP nominee for Senate. He was a daytime talk show host with questionable conservative credentials, a questionable history of medical advice, and questionable ties to Turkey. Yet GOP primary voters pushed him over the finish line, with encouragement from Trump. Now, he is trailing Fetterman, who hasnt been seen in public for over a month after having a stroke. Roughly 63% of Pennsylvanians view Oz unfavorably.

It is still possible that both will win their races. President Joe Biden isnt getting any more popular. But the fact that both Mastriano and Oz are trailing at this point bodes ill for their chances. Democrats have both races right where they would want them at this juncture, and the time and money needed to keep both candidates afloat would be better spent elsewhere.

Mastriano gives Democrats the best chance of maintaining control of the state, and Oz is jeopardizing the GOPs chances at retaking the Senate majority. They can both be added to the list of GOP liabilities in winnable races. If they both end up losing, Pennsylvania Republicans will have no one to blame but themselves.

Originally posted here:
Pennsylvania Republicans gave Democrats the best chance to win - Washington Examiner