Missouri Democrats hope Donald Trump helps them shrink Republican legislative majority

[pstokely]

"Democrats aren’t running any candidates at all in 66 House districts, leaving the GOP just 16 seats shy of a majority before any votes are cast. In the Senate, Republicans hold 14 seats that aren’t up for re-election this year and are unopposed in three that are, meaning the GOP is already assured of control of at least half the 34-member chamber.

So for Democrats, the aspirations are much more modest: Chip away at the GOP’s vetoproof majorities, which now stand at 116-45 in the Missouri House and 24-8 in the Senate.

And a big part of their strategy relies on the presidential campaign of Donald Trump.

“I think Donald Trump will affect every race across the country, to the advantage of Democrats,” said House Minority Leader Jake Hummel, a St. Louis Democrat. “If Donald Trump is at the top of the ticket, there will be significant damage done to the Republican Party.”

Missouri Republican Party Chairman John Hancock acknowledges that his party’s presidential nominee will have a major impact on races up and down the ballot.

But he’s bullish that the GOP will not only maintain their historic supermajorities, but they might just build on them.

“Our supermajorities are probably safe,” Hancock said. “A lot is going to be determined by how the top of the ticket performs in Missouri. But at this point, I do feel good about where we stand.”

To be sure, Democrats start at a huge disadvantage, with or without Donald Trump.
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Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article69042077.html#storylink=cpy