A look at some of the most closely watched of the House races:
Connecticut 2: Republican Rep. Rob Simmons is seeking a fourth term in a district that is never easy for Republicans. Democratic challenger Joe Courtney, a former state lawmaker, ran and lost in 2002, but he is better funded this year and hopes to benefit from the national political environment.
Florida 22: Democrat Ron Klein, a state senator, is challenging Rep. E. Clay Shaw in a competitive district that stretches from West Palm Beach to Fort Lauderdale. Shaw is a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee.
Iowa 1: Republican Rep. Jim Nussle’s decision to run for governor cleared the way for a highly competitive race. Democrat Bruce Braley leads Republican Mike Whalen in summertime polls.
Illinois 6: The end of Rep. Henry Hyde’s long Republican tenure in Congress means an opportunity for Democrats. Tammy Duckworth, seriously wounded in the Iraq war, is running against GOP state Sen. Peter Roskam.
Indiana 8: Both political parties began advertising weeks ago in this race, where Republican Rep. John Hostettler trails his Democratic challenger, Brad Ellsworth, in the polls.
New Mexico 1: Rep. Heather Wilson is a perennial Democratic target. Her opponent is Patricia Madrid, New Mexico’s attorney general.
Ohio 15: Rep. Deborah Pryce, a member of the House Republican leadership, is in the toughest race of her career in this district around Columbus. Democrat Mary Jo Kilroy is a Franklin County commissioner.
Pennsylvania 8: First-term Republican Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick is challenged by Patrick Murphy, an Iraq war veteran, in one of several competitive races in Pennsylvania.
Texas 22: Former Rep. Nick Lampson got into the race to challenge Tom DeLay. Then the former House majority leader resigned, and now Republicans are supporting Houston City Councilwoman Shelley Sekula-Gibbs as a write-in candidate.
– The Associated Press
