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Freshman Rep. Joe Cunningham, D-S.C., whose district is hosting the 10th debate on Tuesday, told the Post and Courier, \"South Carolinians don't want socialism. ... We want to know how you are going to get things done and how you are going to pay for them. Bernie's proposals to raise taxes on almost everyone is not something the Lowcountry wants and not something I'd ever support.\"

Earlier this month, Rep. Don Beyer, D-Va., the first House Democrat to endorse Buttigieg, sounded off on Democrats' apprehension to Sanders, telling ABC News, \"They're terrified. ...Very few people see Bernie as electable.\"

But some Democrats remain confident in their down-ticket chances, regardless of the nominee, arguing that it is too early to know the Sanders effect on House members, who will likely run on their own brands.

On Monday, a Democratic strategist who works with House Democrats told ABC News, \"I think we'll probably see more distancing if Sanders is the nominee for obvious reasons,\" before adding that on the whole, the most vulnerable members in the House are going to \"have to define themselves.\"

But the strategist added, \"It remains to be seen if he is the nominee if that upsets that 2018 model,\" which was rooted in defending the Affordable Care Act, protecting pre-existing conditions and running against Trump, and delivered House Democrats the majority.

ABC News' Benjamin Siegel and Adam Kelsey contributed reporting.

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