Congressional election '82: some key races are shaping up

Abstract

The 1980 election provided Congressional incumbents with the biggest shock they had had in years. That shock is not likely to be repeated this year. Incumbents learned their lesson that year and all have been running hard for re-election ever since. Republicans probably will retain control of the Senate and even may pick up a few seats. But if the economy continues to be troubled and unemployment remains high between now and November, the working majority the Administration has enjoyed in the House, despite a 49-seat Democratic edge, may come apart. Democrats are talking about picking up six to 14 seats in the House this year, a conservative estimate. They could do much better if the public opinion polls are correct and Democrats are returning to the party they left in 1980. There are many more registered Democrats in the country than there are Republicans. There are 33 Senate races this year. The Democrats will ...