Senate News & Analysis

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…

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…

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).

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…

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 holding…

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 chance that…

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…

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…

Have Republicans Turned the Corner on Strategy?

by Stuart Rothenberg January 30, 2013 · 9:59 AM EST

After spending a little more than a year ramming their heads into a brick wall, congressional Republicans and their allies have taken their first positive step: They have stopped doing it.

The GOP’s decision not to fight on raising the debt ceiling next month gives the party the…

Harkin’s Retirement Puts Seat In Play for GOP

by Jessica Taylor January 26, 2013 · 1:21 PM EST

Iowa Sen. Tom Harkin’s (D) retirement announcement Saturday gives Republicans another pickup opportunity and Democrats another possible headache -- but also presents the GOP with another test in finding an electable candidate in the swing state that’s been trending blue.

While many had wondered whether the 73 year-old…