Special election in Pennsylvania's 18th congressional district: Democratic pickup is a long shot

Republican Tim Murphy had a pretty easy time of it in his 8 elections to the House.

Source:  Ballotpedia

So it begins? National groups investing in Pa-18 special election.  (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 1/7/2018) 

But with a 'stable genius' in the White House, conservatives aren't taking any chances  With a March 13 special election over two months away, two national conservative groups are preparing to fight in the air and on the ground in the 18th Congressional District. And given the potential national implications for the race between Democrat Conor Lamb and Republican Rick Saccone, they may be harbingers of more to come.

The art of the Pennsylvania gerrymander

"Frankenstein eats his way through southwestern PA, eyeing the Maryland panhandle"

Source:  govtrack

Trump won this district, which is 92% white, with 57.9% of the vote, Romney in 2012 with 57.9%.  The district is also well above the national average of residents who are 65 and older:  20% vs. 13%.

Related Congressional retirement/resignation posts:

After 18 years in the U.S. House, Pennsylvania Republican Bill Shuster is retiring.   (1/3/2018)
Freedom Caucus crazy Trent Franks bypasses 2018 retirement announcement, goes directly to resignation.  (12/7/2017)
Sexting scandal forces Texas GOP congressman Joe Barton to announce retirement in his 32nd year of service.  (12/4/2017)
After 26 years in Congress, Virginia Republican Bob Goodlatte is retiring but don't expect Democrats to flip this House seat.  (11/10/2017)
After 14 years in Congress, Texas Republican Ted Poe is retiring but don't expect Democrats to flip this House seat.  (11/9/2017)
After 24 years in the U.S. House, New Jersey Republican Frank LoBiondo is retiring.  (11/9/2017)
Tennessee Republican Diane Black is retiring from Congress but there'll be no pickup for Democrats in this deep red district.  (11/6/2017) 
Kansas Republican Lynn Jenkins is retiring from Congress but don't expect Democrats to flip this seat.  (11/6/2017) 
Actually, I wouldn't put too much stock in Lamar Smith's retirement announcement.  (11/3/2017)
Texas Republican Jeb Hensarling is retiring from the House but there'll be no pickup for Democrats here.  (10/31/2017)
Florida Republican Ileana Ros-Lehtinen is retiring from Congress and maybe there's a glimmer of hope for Democrats.  (10/27/2017)
Pennsylvania Republican Charlie Dent is retiring from Congress but don't expect Democrats to flip this seat.  (10/24/2017)
Michigan Republican Dave Trott is retiring from Congress but don't expect Democrats to flip this seat.  (10/23/2017)
Ohio Republican Patrick Tiberi is retiring from Congress but don't expect Democrats to flip this seat.  (10/22/2017)