Latest twist in Clinton email probe could affect down-ballot races

Political analysts say the latest controversy surrounding Hillary Clinton's emails could have an impact on the presidential election as well as down-ballot races. With less than two weeks until Election

News 12 Staff

Oct 30, 2016, 2:27 AM

Updated 2,906 days ago

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Political analysts say the latest controversy surrounding Hillary Clinton's emails could have an impact on the presidential election as well as down-ballot races.
With less than two weeks until Election Day, many Republicans are jumping on the "October surprise" revelations -- that the FBI is once again investigating matters related to Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server. The FBI director sent a letter to members of Congress Friday saying an unrelated investigation turned up emails that could be pertinent to the Clinton probe.
Rep. Peter King (R-Seaford), Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-Shirley), and congressional candidate Jack Martins, of Old Westbury, all say Clinton should no longer receive classified information until the investigation is closed for good.
Analysts and insiders say the news of the investigation may be a gift for down-ballot Republicans. Donald Trump was trailing Clinton in most national and local polls before the news. Polls could tighten now, and King says it can only help all of the Republican candidates.
"I would say these revelations more than even out any handicap that Donald Trump may have brought to the ticket," says Rep. King.
But political consultants says the polling numbers for both Clinton and Trump are enough to keep down ballot candidates on both sides of the aisle up at night.
"Both sides on down-ballot races have to worry about their base coming out when you have two candidates that are over 50 percent negative," says political consultant Mike Dawidziak.
In a Hofstra University/News 12/Newsday poll taken this week before the news of the FBI investigation, 27 percent of likely voters said they did not trust Clinton or Trump.