Dems seek to harness Trump rage in suburban Philly

Philadelphia has been a hotbed of protest against President Trump, and national Democrats are moving early to try to leverage the outrage in suburban U.S. House races next year.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee announced Thursday it will send a full-time organizer and launch a digital advertising campaign to build a wave of activists for campaigns against three Republican incumbents in Pennsylvania's 6^th, 7^th and 8^th districts.

They're calling it the "March into '18" project.

"The organic strength of the women's marches, Affordable Care Act rallies, and protests can already be felt," said Rep. Ben Ray Lujan of New Mexico, the chairman of the DCCC.

"A groundswell of people are looking for ways to tell their stories, channel their energy and organize for change in Pennsylvania, and this DCCC project will help do just that," he said.

Republican Rep. Ryan Costello represents the 6^th District, which includes parts of Montgomery, Chester and Berks counties. Rep. Patrick Meehan represents the Delaware County-based 7^th District. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick is just beginning his first term in the Bucks-centered 8^th District, having been elected to succeed his brother, Mike.

The three districts are considered competitive, though Republicans have managed to hold them for a long time. Democrat Hillary Clinton carried the 6^th and 7^th Districts. Trump won in the 8^th District.

The committee also is targeting 17 other GOP-held districts in California, Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska, New York, Texas and Virginia.

It's the earliest DCCC has tried to organize on the ground for the midterms, party officials said. Typically there is little activity until the first few months of the election year.

Officials said the digital campaign will target promoted Twitter ads at people who have tweeted about local women's marches and other Trump-related protests.