Archive

Sticks and Stones May Break My Bones ...

by Stuart Rothenberg May 11, 2012 · 9:20 AM EDT

Little did I know that what I figured was a relatively innocuous column about the Democrats’ problems in North Carolina, where the party will hold its national convention in early September, would generate such a flood of angry attacks.

“Dear Stuart,” emailed one man from Beulaville, N.C.,…

Indiana Primaries: Lugar Loses, House Races Come Into Focus

by Nathan L. Gonzales May 9, 2012 · 1:00 PM EDT

To loyal readers of the Rothenberg Political Report, Sen. Richard Lugar’s primary loss is not a surprise.

“Lugar is a highly-respected moderate conservative with a reputation of being willing to work across the partisan aisle to get things done. But in the current political environment,…

North Carolina Primaries: Republicans Narrow Their Fields

by Jessica Taylor May 9, 2012 · 12:59 PM EDT

Congressional races in the Tar Heel State were already going to be uphill for Democrats, but in a handful of races, they’re going to have to wait until July 17 to know exactly which Republican they’re up against. 

The GOP primaries in the 8th District to take on Rep. Larry Kissell (D) and in…

Gubernatorial Primaries: Four States Choose Nominees

May 9, 2012 · 12:57 PM EDT

Voters in all four states chose nominees for governor last night, but the most competitive general election will likely take place next month in Wisconsin.

Last night, Democrats in the Badger State chose Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett to be their nominee against Gov. Scott Walker (R) in the June 5…

Guarded Prospects for Southern Democrats, Northeast Republicans

by Stuart Rothenberg May 9, 2012 · 10:03 AM EDT

It looks as if there will be no rest for the weary, at least for Democratic House candidates in the South. Heading into November’s elections, except for a handful of races, Democratic opportunities in the region continue to be limited to districts that are heavily populated by minorities.

The…

California House: Shifting Landscape

by Nathan L. Gonzales May 4, 2012 · 1:30 PM EDT

California’s new citizen redistricting commission rocked the congressional delegation, leaving incumbents with tough choices, and in some cases, no natural district to run in. But that’s not the only change in the nation’s most populous state. California now has a top two jungle primary, which…

Texas 23: The Only Game in Town

by Jessica Taylor May 4, 2012 · 1:29 PM EDT

The race to knock off Rep. Quico Canseco (R) will likely be the only competitive general election contest in the Lone Star State -- but Democrats must first pick their standard bearer to take on the freshman Republican.

After a series of legal battles, a new congressional map finally emerged,…

Texas Senate: Primary Focus

by Jessica Taylor May 4, 2012 · 1:28 PM EDT

In the Texas GOP Senate primary, if you’re not second, you might as well be last.

With the Republican contest tantamount to winning retiring Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison’s seat, frontrunner Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst has been trying to top 50 percent in the May 29 primary but it now looks like a…

Texas House: Wide Open Spaces

by Jessica Taylor May 4, 2012 · 1:27 PM EDT

They say everything’s bigger in Texas -- including the field of candidates in new and open seat races this cycle.


Redistricting -- after several iterations of maps after court challenges -- created four new seats in the Lone Star State. None of these new districts is expected to be…

Texas House: Incumbents Beware?

by Jessica Taylor May 4, 2012 · 1:26 PM EDT

With terrible job approval ratings, redistricting, and outside spending, congressional incumbents are under the microscope. And after reading the headlines and seeing the anti-incumbent narrative reach a fever pitch on cable news channels, some Members of the Texas delegation are taking their…