Inside Elections

2015-16 Gubernatorial Ratings (June 17, 2015)

June 17, 2015 · 2:57 PM EDT

Can Marco Rubio Save the GOP in 2016?

by Stuart Rothenberg June 16, 2015 · 1:15 PM EDT

The Republican presidential field looks unusually diverse this cycle — an African-American (Ben Carson), an Indian-American (Bobby Jindal), a woman (Carly Fiorina) and a Hispanic, or, if you prefer, a Cuban (Marco Rubio). One candidate is married to a Hispanic originally from Mexico (Jeb Bush).

Race Plays Out on Congressional Baseball Game Field

by Nathan L. Gonzales June 12, 2015 · 2:27 PM EDT

Next year’s Florida Senate race is a high-stakes contest that could impact Roll Call Congressional Baseball Games for years to come. It may also decide the Senate majority in the next Congress.

Both parties are at risk of losing one of their youngest and most experienced players, since Democratic…

Party’s History of Establishment Picks Could Be Over

by Stuart Rothenberg June 8, 2015 · 1:37 PM EDT

Battles for the Republican presidential nomination almost always come down to two alternatives — an establishment-backed candidate with pragmatic instincts and an insurgent (often significantly more conservative) who tries to appeal to constituencies that feel ignored.

And except for 1964, when an…

14 Open House Seats, Few Takeover Opportunities

by Nathan L. Gonzales June 2, 2015 · 9:00 AM EDT

More than 90 percent of House incumbents routinely get re-elected, so open seats are a hot commodity. Five months into the 114th Congress, 14 House members have announced their departure, but just four of the seats they are leaving behind can be considered competitive.

At this stage in the cycle,…

Illinois Senate: The Most Vulnerable Senator in the Country

by Nathan L. Gonzales May 29, 2015 · 3:00 PM EDT

At least a handful of GOP senators are vulnerable this election cycle, but none more than Mark Kirk of Illinois. 

While Sens. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania, Rob Portman of Ohio, and Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire are headed for competitive re-election fights, Kirk looks to be…

Arizona Landscape Shifts in Two Races

by Nathan L. Gonzales May 29, 2015 · 2:59 PM EDT

Democratic Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick’s challenge to Republican Sen. John McCain impacts our ratings of two races in Arizona.

Senate
Up to this point, McCain was considered a heavy favorite for re-election to a sixth term, in part because the senator has proven to be a tough campaigner. But Kirkpatrick…

Report Shorts (May 29, 2015) Indiana Governor, Indiana Senate, Kentucky Governor, Nevada Senate

May 29, 2015 · 2:58 PM EDT

Indiana Governor. Gov. Mike Pence (R) is expected to officially announce his re-election bid on June 18. Democrats are energized by the public scrutiny the governor faced over the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. Former state Speaker John Gregg (D) is running again after losing to Pence in 2012.…

2016 Senate Ratings (May 29, 2015)

May 29, 2015 · 2:57 PM EDT

How to Fix an Unfair Presidential Debate System

by Stuart Rothenberg May 28, 2015 · 11:35 AM EDT

Fox News and CNN, which will broadcast the first two GOP presidential debates, have decided on a system for excluding candidates that could result in Donald Trump participating in those debates but current or former senators and governors being excluded.

Nice going, guys.

I certainly agree having…