Scarce targets curb Dem hopes for House gains, despite Trump

WASHINGTON (AP) — In a taste of ads to come, House Democrats have run national TV spots in which actors recount Donald Trump's derogatory remarks about immigrants, women and veterans and one asks, "How can Republican members of Congress support that?"

The commercials, by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, underscore the party's hopes for an Election Day bumper crop of new House seats, fueled by the GOP presidential candidate's disparaging verbal assaults and poor showing in most polls.

Redistricting, along with Democrats' tendency to be concentrated in urban and coastal areas, has given both parties' incumbents such sturdy protection that on Election Day 2014, just 13 of 388 lawmakers seeking re-election lost.

[...] Democrats seem certain to lose a newly redrawn district in north Florida and face challenges keeping seats around Omaha, Nebraska; Sacramento and California's central coast; and Florida's Palm Beach.

The party holds districts in New York, New Hampshire and Iowa that it will struggle to retain this presidential election year, when Democratic turnout should increase.

While 26 House Republicans were elected in 2014 in districts that backed President Barack Obama in 2012, just five Democrats serve in districts carried by 2012 GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney.

Trump's problems with crucial voters and Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton's modest but distinct advantage in most polls have emboldened Democrats to hunt for additional GOP seats.

Polls find much dislike for her, too, and Republicans are hoping for lower turnout by young liberals who preferred Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, Clinton's Democratic presidential rival, and by blacks no longer drawn to vote by Obama.