Pennsylvania special election: National implications as GOP's Saccone faces Democrat Lamb

Eliza Collins | USA TODAY

Show Caption Hide Caption Stakes high in 'Trump country' PA 18th district election Voters in Western Pennsylvania's 18th congressional district head to the polls Tuesday for a hotly contested special House election. Republicans have spent nearly $10 million to save a seat that won't exist in its current form by November. (March 13)

Who is running?

The race pits Democrat Conor Lamb, a 33-year-old ex-Marine and former prosecutor against Republican Rick Saccone. Saccone, 60, is an Air Force veteran who worked in counterintelligence abroad and is a current representative in the Pennsylvania state House.

What’s the district like?

The mostly white, working class 18th District includes the Pittsburgh suburbs and rural small towns. For the last 15 years voters have elected former GOP Rep. Tim Murphy by double-digit margins and have voted overwhelmingly Republican for president in the last three elections.

Why is the race important?

Democrats are revved up following the election of President Donald Trump in 2016 and many are taking their frustrations with the president to the polls. Since Trump was inaugurated, Democrats have fought close battles in other special elections in previously reliable Republican House districts, and flipped the Alabama Senate seat, though that race was more complicated.

But national dynamics aside, elections are run between candidates, and these two have differences. Lamb has pitched himself a conservative Democrat — pro-gun and anti-abortion, though he would not vote for restrictions — and has stayed away from his national party. He’s proven to be a strong fundraiser, raising nearly $4 million. And he’s received help on the campaign trail from popular centrist Democrats such as former Vice President Joe Biden and Ohio Rep. Tim Ryan.

Republicans are aware of the symbolism of losing a House district that Trump won by 20 points, and outside groups have poured cash into the race to try and gin up support for Saccone. There’s been more than $10.5 million spent on behalf of Saccone and just under $2 million for Lamb. But those ads emphasized the importance of having another vote for Trump's policies, not Saccone's resume of public service.

Polling of the district shows a tight race that could go either way depending on turnout Tuesday.

Why is the seat open?

Murphy resigned in October after allegations that he urged the woman he had been having an extramarital affair with to get an abortion when he thought she was pregnant. Murphy had been against abortions when he served in Congress.

What time do polls close?

Polls close at 8 p.m. ET

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Republicans try to save GOP candidate in PA special election, a district Trump won by 20 points