Archive

Nebraska Senate: Osborn Likely to Announce Candidacy Soon

by Stuart Rothenberg May 29, 2013 · 10:59 AM EDT

Former Nebraska Treasurer Shane Osborn is likely to announce his candidacy for the Senate within the next few days, according to usually reliable GOP insiders.

While in the Navy, Osborn was detained by the Chinese in 2001 after the plane he was piloting was forced to land following a collision…

Friendly Fire: Parties Slam Some of Their Own

by Stuart Rothenberg May 28, 2013 · 9:20 AM EDT

The National Republican Congressional Committee and Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee each blasted the other side after a near party-line vote on the Smarter Solutions for Students Act, which passed the House on Thursday, 221-198.

But eight House Republicans voted with the Democrats,…

Todd Akin, Virginia Style?

by Stuart Rothenberg May 23, 2013 · 2:05 PM EDT

Until Saturday night, I had never heard of E.W. Jackson, a Harvard Law School graduate and minister who served three years in the Marine Corps and attended Harvard Divinity School.

I’ve never met the man, but I already know that Republicans in the commonwealth of Virginia have a problem with…

Anchorage Mayor Not Running in Alaska Senate Race

by Nathan L. Gonzales May 23, 2013 · 8:39 AM EDT

Anchorage Mayor Dan Sullivan (R) has no interest in running for the United States Senate in Alaska, according to knowledgeable sources, even though he met with officials at the National Republican Senatorial Committee just last week.

But that doesn’t mean there won’t be a Dan Sullivan in the…

In Massachusetts Senate PPP Poll, Read the Numbers — Not the Memo

by Stuart Rothenberg May 22, 2013 · 2:31 PM EDT

Another public poll, this one from Public Policy Polling, shows a tight race for Senate in Massachusetts. But more interesting is what the Democratic firm does not discuss in its very brief memo about the June 25 special election.

The survey showed Rep. Edward J. Markey, D-Mass., leading…

Will Republicans Screw Up Again? Some Are Already Overreaching

by Stuart Rothenberg May 22, 2013 · 9:48 AM EDT

Some Republicans are so excited at the thought of multiple controversies dogging the White House over the next few months (or longer) that they are already foaming at the mouth.

For example, on his syndicated radio show late last week, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee compared reports of the…

Alaska Senate: Bridge to Victory

by Nathan L. Gonzales May 21, 2013 · 2:30 PM EDT

Democrats don’t win statewide in Alaska. At least not without some help.

Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich (D) was elected to the Senate in 2008, a great Democratic year, against an incumbent senator under indictment. Begich is unlikely to have the same positive electoral environment in 2014, but he…

Illinois 13: The Voters of Madison County

by Nathan L. Gonzales May 21, 2013 · 2:29 PM EDT

The best laid plans almost worked to perfection in Illinois, where Democrats controlled the redistricting process and gained four seats in the 2012 elections. But the 13th District was the one that got away.

Republican Rep. Tim Johnson (R) surprised both parties by announcing his retirement…

Sea Change Ahead?

by Stuart Rothenberg May 21, 2013 · 2:28 PM EDT

Can a week of bad news remake the political environment so completely that what looked like a relatively neutral political environment, or one that might even favor Democrats slightly, be transformed into one that will likely benefit the GOP?

We won’t know for many months, but it is very clear…

Report Shorts (May 21, 2013)

May 21, 2013 · 2:27 PM EDT

California 15. State Senate Majority Leader Ellen Corbett (D) announced her challenge to Rep. Eric Swalwell (D) in this Northern California district. Some Democrats such as Corbett and Ro Khanna were preparing to run for this seat when Rep. Pete Stark (D) retired. But Swalwell took a chance and…