Endangered House candidates grapple with how closely to run with Biden and Trump

WASHINGTON (AP) — As Democratic Rep. Mary Peltola readies for a tough reelection contest in Alaska, she’s talking fish. For Rep. Mike Levin, who is trying to keep his California district blue, the big topic is sand. And as Republican Rep. Mike Garcia campaigns in another competitive California district, he’s criticizing a state-levied gas tax.

As these incumbents and others vie for reelection in the few dozen districts that are likely to determine control of the House this fall, they are leaning into local issues. It’s a time-honored political strategy, but it’s also an attempt to change the subject as candidates wrestle with how to talk about the two men at the top of the ticket this year — President Joe Biden and Donald Trump.

Both presumptive presidential nominees remain popular with their party’s core voters, yet have struggled to secure the broad approval that helps their party win down ballot, leaving many of their candidates to essentially fend for themselves.

“I am so angry and frustrated with Joe Biden right now,” said Peltola, citing disagreements with Biden’s policies on liquefied natural gas and the border.

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