Political Website Says Ryan’s House Seat May Be Competitive

A top political website has changed its rating for this fall’s election in U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan’s Wisconsin district from “safely Republican” to “likely Republican.”

Democrats are pleased.

The website, called Sabato’s Crystal Ball, comes from the University of Virginia. Managing editor Kyle Kondik said Wisconsin’s 1st Congressional District, which stretches from Janesville to Racine, usually leans Republican.

“But it’s also not so Republican that a Democrat couldn’t compete there under the right circumstances,” he said.

Kondik said rumblings continue that Ryan won’t run again, stay on as speaker or may be growing unpopular for generally supporting President Donald Trump. So, Sabato’s Crystal Ball slightly lowered the GOP’s chances for holding the seat.

Cathy Myers, one of Ryan’s Democratic challengers, said she’s hearing from district residents that “Ryan doesn’t get them anymore. He doesn’t listen to them anymore. And there is a general discontent not only with his work, but also with his support of President Trump,” Meyers said.

Randy Bryce, the other Democrat in the congressional race, said he thinks he’s well-poised to tell residents his story and will win this fall.

Ryan’s campaign said the website seems to be basing most of its change on “rumblings” that Ryan won’t run again. Ryan spokesman Jeremy Adler said the incumbent will be “comfortably re-elected because he always puts the best interests of the First District first.”