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Report Shorts (Minnesota 2, North Dakota Governor Senate, Washington 8 Governor

September 4, 2015 · 2:28 PM EDT

Minnesota’s 2nd District. GOP Rep. John Kline announced his retirement on Thursday, leaving open a competitive district that President Barack Obama won narrowly, 49.1 percent to 49 percent, in 2012. Democrats had two credible challengers in the race already, but it will take some time as potential…

2016 House Ratings (September 3, 2015)

September 3, 2015 · 2:59 PM EDT

Reichert Seriously Considering Washington Governor’s Race

by Nathan L. Gonzales September 3, 2015 · 1:02 PM EDT

Republican Rep. Dave Reichert is seriously considering a gubernatorial bid in Washington state, according to multiple GOP sources.

The congressman has been the consistent source of rumors for a statewide bid over the past decade. But those rumors were often fueled by House Democrats who wanted him…

Louisiana Governor: Does David Vitter Have Something to Worry About?

by Stuart Rothenberg September 2, 2015 · 9:57 AM EDT

Two-term Republican Sen. David Vitter started his bid for Louisiana governor as a solid, if not prohibitive, favorite. But Pelican State watchers believe that Vitter’s prospects look less certain now than they did six months ago.

Does Vitter really have something to worry about? The answer to that…

Parties Play Politics With FEC Complaints

by Nathan L. Gonzales August 28, 2015 · 10:17 AM EDT

Ethics problems can be serious trouble for any politician, but party strategists often use Federal Election Committee complaints to play games with the opposition, because the allegation has a slim chance of being ruled on before Election Day.

“Everyone knows both sides file complaints to get…

Campaign Committees Open Holes While Filling Others

by Nathan L. Gonzales August 27, 2015 · 9:03 AM EDT

Democrats want to hold the White House, take back the majorities in the Senate and the House, and gain ground in governorships. But what happens when those are conflicting goals?

In Florida, strategists at the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee are excited Rep. Patrick Murphy is running for…

Missing the Boat on the Big Political News

by Stuart Rothenberg August 26, 2015 · 9:00 AM EDT

On Aug. 21, I did something — twice — that I rarely do. I tweeted. But it wasn’t about Donald Trump’s poll numbers or Hillary Rodham Clinton’s emails. It was about the stock market’s plunge.

While Trump’s latest salvo (no matter the subject) is always entertaining and the size of Bernard Sanders’…

Crist, Culver Contemplate Humbling Transition to the House

by Nathan L. Gonzales August 25, 2015 · 8:55 AM EDT

It’s not easy to transition from governor to become one of 100 senators. But former Florida Gov. Charlie Crist and former Iowa Gov. Chet Culver are contemplating something even more humbling — jumping from chief executive to become one of 435 in the House.

Earlier this month, my Roll Call…

Donald Trump and the Fight for the Senate

by Stuart Rothenberg August 21, 2015 · 1:59 PM EDT

As Donald Trump dominates the headlines and political talk show circuit, it’s worth pondering what impact he is having – or could have – on next year’s elections.

It probably goes without saying that there is little chance that the multi-millionaire real estate mogul and self-promoter will be the…

Indiana 3: Home is Where the Heart Is

by Nathan L. Gonzales August 21, 2015 · 1:58 PM EDT

Pam Galloway has never met Alex Mooney, but she might owe him a Thank You card. 

If Mooney, a former state senator from Maryland, hadn’t been elected to West Virginia’s 2nd District last cycle, it would be easy to dismiss Galloway, a former state senator from Wisconsin running in Indiana’s 3rd…