Inside Elections

2014 House Ratings (May 7, 2013)

May 7, 2013 · 9:32 PM EDT

South Carolina 1 Special a Photo Finish?

by Stuart Rothenberg May 6, 2013 · 11:08 PM EDT

With the special election in South Carolina just one day away, both Republicans and Democrats are unsure of the outcome.

Former Palmetto State Gov. Mark Sanford, a Republican, began with a narrow advantage over Democrat Elizabeth Colbert Busch, but even Republicans pulling for Sanford believe…

History Lessons and the 2014 Midterms

by Stuart Rothenberg May 6, 2013 · 9:18 AM EDT

Sean Trende of RealClearPolitics.com joins the growing chorus of political handicappers who have been arguing that we aren’t likely to see a partisan wave next cycle. Trende’s analysis, which also addresses the “six-year itch,” is spot on (as it usually is).

There is no evidence right now that…

Can Republicans Win Six Senate Seats and Control?

by Stuart Rothenberg May 3, 2013 · 2:00 PM EDT

It’s still very early in the 2013-2014 election cycle and plenty can change in the months ahead, but Republicans start off looking poised to make considerable Senate gains. All eight of the most vulnerable Senate seats this cycle are currently held by Democrats, and five of those seats currently…

2014 Senate Overview (May 3, 2013) Alabama - Kansas

May 3, 2013 · 1:59 PM EDT

ALABAMA -- Jeff Sessions (R), elected 1996 (52%), 2002 (59%) and 2008 (63%).
The last Democratic Senate nominee to win over 40 percent of the vote in Alabama was Roger Bedford in 1996 (45.5 percent). Sessions’ March 30 FEC report showed him with just over $2.8 million in the bank. Safe…

2014 Senate Overview (May 3, 2013) Kentucky - New Mexico

May 3, 2013 · 1:58 PM EDT

KENTUCKY -- Mitch McConnell (R), elected 1984 (50%), 1990 (52%), 1996 (55%), 2002 (65%), 2008 (53%).
McConnell started the cycle with the threat of competitive primary and general elections and his re-election campaign is well underway. His improved relationship with Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.),…

2014 Senate Overview (May 3, 2013) North Carolina - Wyoming

May 3, 2013 · 1:57 PM EDT

NORTH CAROLINA -- Kay Hagan (D), elected 2008 (53%).
Given the GOP’s recent victories in the state, Hagan is almost guaranteed a serious challenge. Mitt Romney carried the state last year, and Republican Pat McCrory won the governorship in November. In addition, the GOP now controls both houses…

2014 Senate Ratings (May 3, 2013)

May 3, 2013 · 1:56 PM EDT

Report Shorts (May 3, 2013)

May 3, 2013 · 1:55 PM EDT

California 25. Jon Fleischman of California’s FlashReport wrote about the apparent imminent retirement of Rep. Buck McKeon (R). Some Republicans in Washington believe 2012 26th District nominee Tony Strickland could move over and run in an open seat, but McKeon’s office denied the rumor and…

South Carolina 1: Parties Prepare to Spin Colbert Busch Win

by Stuart Rothenberg May 3, 2013 · 12:44 PM EDT

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and the party’s super PAC, the House Majority PAC, have spent well over half a million dollars in an effort to win a special election in South Carolina’s 1st District, a reliably Republican seat that is competitive only because Republicans nominated…