As the presidential race heats up, so too does the battle for control of the U.S. House of Representatives.

With Joe Biden out of the running, both Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are trying to paint each other as the incumbent in a bid to win over swing voters who may be looking for change after nearly two decades of political turmoil. Recent TV ads from competitive House districts reveal some key insights into how this dynamic is playing out. While abortion access dominates Democratic messaging, Republicans are hammering away at inflation and border security - issues they believe will resonate with the electorate.

Harris' campaign has also gone on offense on these latter two topics in an effort to neutralize them. The question remains: who will voters ultimately view as more 'incumbent-like'? The candidate who loses may be the one that a majority of swing voters see as part of the current problem plaguing America. Next week's debate could go a long way in establishing this perception, with both sides furiously trying to cast the other as the incumbent.

One thing is clear - after two decades of grumpiness and a desire for change among U.S. voters, the 2024 election will be defined by which candidate can most effectively portray their opponent as the status quo. The battle in the House may just be a preview of what's to come on the national on the national stage.

The Battle for 2024: Harris vs Trump in the House

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