A key election watcher says the race is tightening between Republican U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis and his Democratic challenger, Betsy Dirksen Londrigan.



The Cook Political Report has changed its rating for the 13th Congressional District from “Lean Republican” to “Toss Up.” At this time two years ago—before Londrigan won a five-way Democratic primary—Cook pegged the 13th District as “Likely Republican.”

“This race is already engaged: Democrats are hammering Davis for accepting an upgrade to fly first class during the government shutdown, taking corporate PAC checks, and telling a Washington Post reporter, ‘I don't see what the big deal is, frankly,” regarding President Trump’s proposed G-7 summit at Doral,” Cook wrote, according to a summary provided by the Londrigan campaign on Friday. “Davis hopes to be able to tie Londrigan to a more liberal nominee. It’s a Toss Up.”

Davis, now in his fourth term, beat Londrigan in 2018 by just 2,000 votes in a district that Trump won by 5 percentage points in 2016. The 2020 race would be a Davis-Londrigan rematch if she wins the Democratic primary. At least one other Democrat, Stefanie Smith of Urbana, has announced a run.

The race is attracting significant money from across the country. Davis' campaign had $905,657 in cash on hand as of Sept. 30, according to FEC records. Londrigan's had $721,805.

The sprawling 13th District includes parts of Bloomington-Normal, Champaign-Urbana, and Springfield. It was drawn by Democrats to give a Democrat a chance to win.

The Cook Political Report is an independent, nonpartisan newsletter that analyzes elections and campaigns.

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