Archive

Iowa Senate: Candidates of the Corn

by Nathan L. Gonzales February 8, 2013 · 2:00 PM EST

The 2014 election cycle is just a few weeks old, but one contest jumps out as a potential bellwether of the cycle: the race for Democratic Sen. Tom Harkin’s open seat.

With a competitive general election in a traditionally swing state, Iowa could be a great state to watch to understand which…

Georgia Senate: Devil Goes Down To Details

by Jessica Taylor February 8, 2013 · 1:59 PM EST

Open season came early in Georgia, and there are plenty of takers lining up for their turn.

Sen. Saxby Chambliss’ announcement two weeks ago that he wouldn’t seek a third term spared him a possibly painful primary campaign, but his exit guarantees that the process to replace him will be even…

West Virginia Senate: Open Question

by Nathan L. Gonzales February 8, 2013 · 1:58 PM EST

Open Senate seats in West Virginia only come around every quarter of a century, so it’s not unreasonable to expect a flood of candidates. But almost a month after Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D) announced his retirement, only one candidate is in the race: Rep. Shelley Moore Capito (R).

Democrats are…

Illinois 2 Special: The Jackson 3?

by Jessica Taylor February 8, 2013 · 1:57 PM EST

The only thing that seems certain in the special election in Illinois’ 2nd District is that a woman is poised to win the seat. The bigger question remains though: which one?

A 16-candidate Democratic field solidified for the chance to succeed former Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D), who resigned in…

RPR Report Shorts (February 8, 2013)

February 8, 2013 · 1:56 PM EST

California 17. President Barack Obama doesn’t have the reputation for getting involved in too many congressional races, but he has already endorsed Rep. Mike Honda’s 2014 re-election bid in the northern California district. Potential primary challenger Ro Khanna has already raised $1.2 million…

Youth Vote Could Seal GOP’s Minority Status

by Stuart Rothenberg February 8, 2013 · 9:22 AM EST

We may well be at a political tipping point that could mark a dramatic change in American politics.

After decades of Democratic Party dominance that began with the formation of the New Deal coalition, Ronald Reagan ushered in an era of relative party parity. But a deep fracture in the GOP,…

Obama Looms Large Over Democrats’ 2014 Fight to Retain the Senate

by Stuart Rothenberg February 6, 2013 · 3:25 PM EST

The odds are against Senate Democrats this cycle. But, of course, they were against the party two years ago at this time, and Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Executive Director Guy Cecil didn’t merely beat the odds — he slaughtered them.

This time, Democrats face better prospects of…

Republicans Risk Not Fielding Any Candidate in Massachusetts

by Nathan L. Gonzales February 5, 2013 · 2:28 PM EST

Republican chances of winning their second Senate special election in Massachusetts took the most significant hit late last week when former Sen. Scott Brown (R) decided not to run. And with other potential candidates passing daily and time running out before the filing deadline, there is a…

Latham Renaming Committee Ahead of Potential Senate Run

by Nathan L. Gonzales February 4, 2013 · 4:41 PM EST

Republican Rep. Tom Latham is changing the name of his campaign committee from “Latham for Congress” to “Iowans for Latham” ahead of a potential run for the U.S. Senate. The change could be filed with the Federal Election Committee as soon as this evening, according to a source familiar with the…

Massachusetts Senate: Brown Drops Along With GOP Chances

February 1, 2013 · 2:16 PM EST

Former Sen. Scott Brown’s decision to forego the Massachusetts Senate special election dramatically changes the outlook of the race.

The popular Brown was the GOP’s only real hope to steal back a seat they lost in November, but the moderate Republican had been wavering in recent days, according…