IN IT TO WIN IT — Health care professionals are emerging as likely victors in competitive House races. The new crop of candidates comes as several health policy leaders and health professionals in Congress depart after this term. Those leaving include Reps. Larry Bucshon (R-Ind.), a cardiothoracic surgeon; Michael Burgess (R-Texas), an OB-GYN; and Brad Wenstrup (R-Ohio), a podiatrist. The exodus has led to fears on and around Capitol Hill that significant expertise and institutional knowledge are departing as Congress faces major health policy issues, including the implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act, which allows Medicare to negotiate drug prices, and the impending expiration of some Obamacare subsidies. Kelly Morrison, an OB-GYN and most recently a Democratic Minnesota state senator, is expected to win a Minneapolis suburban district. Maxine Dexter, recently a Democratic Oregon state representative and a pulmonologist at Kaiser Permanente, is likely to win a Portland-area seat. Here are some other health care professionals with shots at winning House seats: Sheri Biggs (R), South Carolina’s 3rd District: The psychiatric nurse practitioner is expected to win a heavily GOP and rural district bordering Georgia and North Carolina. Rep. Jeff Duncan (R-S.C.) isn’t seeking reelection. Biggs has said America is afflicted with “mental, fiscal and spiritual problems” that she hopes to treat while zeroing in on immigration, tackling wasteful spending and protecting “the sanctity of life.” Mayra Flores (R), Texas’ 34th District: The respiratory care therapist won a special election to serve the McAllen-area district for part of a term before Rep. Vicente Gonzalez (D-Texas) beat her in November 2022 by more than 8 points. Flores has struck a more moderate tone, touting her support for the PACT Act, which expands benefits to veterans exposed to toxins, and focusing on controlling health care costs. The Cook Political Report rates the race as leaning Democratic. Mike Kennedy (R), Utah’s 3rd District: The family medicine doctor and recent member of the Utah Senate is running for the seat after Rep. John Curtis (R-Utah) opted not to seek reelection. Kennedy has chaired the Utah Senate’s health committee and is pushing to expand access to telehealth and strengthen cost transparency and health savings accounts. He’s expected to win the seat, which Curtis won by about 35 points last cycle. Bob Onder (R), Missouri’s 3rd District: The allergy and asthma doctor is expected to win the deep-red seat Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-Mo.) is vacating. After leaving the Missouri Senate, Onder — who opposes abortion rights — helped pass legislation barring hormonal and surgical gender-affirming care for children. Amish Shah (D), Arizona’s 1st District: The emergency doctor is running to unseat Rep. David Schweikert (R-Ariz.), who chairs the Ways and Means Oversight Subcommittee and has been a prominent proponent of telehealth and artificial intelligence. Shah has leaned into drug pricing and reproductive rights in his campaign. The Cook Political Report rates the race as a GOP-leaning toss-up. Prasanth Reddy (R), Kansas’ 3rd District: The internist is trying to beat Rep. Sharice Davids (D-Kan.) in a Kansas City-area district. Davids beat a different GOP challenger by 12 points in 2022. Reddy has sought to find “common ground” on abortion but has largely focused on other non-health care issues, including securing the border. The Cook Political Report rates the race as likely Democratic. WELCOME TO WEDNESDAY PULSE. We want to hear about any under-the-radar health care campaign stories. Send your tips, scoops and feedback to bleonard@politico.com and ccirruzzo@politico.com and follow along @_BenLeonard_ and @ChelseaCirruzzo.
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