CQ Politics says Titus-Heck race now a “tossup”

The sagging economy in Nevada's 3rd District is proving a bigger challenge than health care for incumbent Democrat Rep. Dina Titus , according to CQ Politics, which has reclassified her re-election chances as a "tossup."

The race between Titus and Republican challenger Joe Heck, a doctor and former state senator, previously was "leans Democratic."  But CQ said Titus is running into strong headwinds with district job losses and foreclosures among the issues she can do little to control.

"Even critics acknowledge Titus has been working tirelessly to show constituents she feels their pain and is doing things to alleviate it,"  CQ said in its analysis.  "But so far she does not have a whole lot to show for her efforts."

The issue for Heck, in CQ's analysis is whether he can raise money to compete financially with Titus, who garnered $992,000 in contributions last year.   Heck raised only $190,800.

"Heck hasn’t been helped financially by the intense focus on Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid ’s (D-Nev.) re-election contest and the state’s gubernatorial race; both feature crowded Republican fields that have consumed funds,"  according to CQ.