In some cases, the freshmen are being pitted against each other, creating political enemies among rookies who should be spending their first term bonding with fellow home-state newbies. For example, in Illinois, Republican Joe Walsh may have to run against freshman Randy Hultgren, meaning one of them will end his career after just one term.
For now, the 87 GOP freshmen are relying on political advice from House Republican leadership and campaign offices, which have organized teams to work with the freshmen and their reelection preparation. Although party leaders are keeping their hands off potential conflicts, they might quietly take sides on behalf of a clearly superior candidate.
A House GOP source, for example, noted that Rep. Adam Kinzinger, 33, would bring “more energy, fundraising ability and a brighter future” to a showdown with the 67-year-old Don Manzullo, who hasn’t had a serious reelection challenge since he was first elected in 1992.