House News & Analysis

Lessons for Trump Detractors, Members of Congress From a Loyalty Expert

by Nathan L. Gonzales May 18, 2017 · 11:40 AM EDT

You’ve probably never heard of James Kane, but elected officials, party strategists, and even some reporters could learn from his perspective as a behavioral scientist (instead of a partisan hack) about how to fracture President Donald Trump’s base and the future of the two parties. 

I rarely have time…

Should Democrats Recruit Pragmatists or Progressives?

by Stuart Rothenberg May 16, 2017 · 8:55 AM EDT

A Republican friend of mine recently argued Democrats need to run candidates like former congressman Heath Shuler if they are going to become competitive again as a national party. The Democrats, he insisted, are just too liberal, especially culturally, to win where they must.

Given the Democrats’ ongoing debate over…

Florida 27: Taking Her Talents to Retirement

by Nathan L. Gonzales May 5, 2017 · 2:29 PM EDT

Republican Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen has been in office so long that her first campaign manager served two terms as governor of Florida and his brother served two terms as president since she was first elected to Congress. But now that she’s not seeking re-election, Democrats have an opportunity to win…

It’s OK to Wait Before Jumping to Conclusions

by Nathan L. Gonzales May 5, 2017 · 2:28 PM EDT

Everyone take a deep breath. Democrats taunting Republicans on the House Floor. Republicans taking a victory lap in the White House Rose Garden. It’s all a little premature. 

First of all, the American Health Care Act isn’t even law yet and it’s not clear what it will look like if/when…

Candidate Conversation - Harley Rouda (D)

May 5, 2017 · 2:27 PM EDT

Candidate for California’s 48th District

Interview Date: April 25, 2017

Date of Birth: Dec. 10, 1961; Columbus, Ohio

Education: Univ. of Ky. (1984); Capital Univ. Law School (J.D. 1986); Ohio State Univ. (MBA 2000)

Political Office: None; First run for office

Current Outlook: Rouda is a credible challenger to long-time…

Florida 27: Ros-Lehtinen Retirement Creates Vulnerable GOP Open Seat

by Nathan L. Gonzales May 1, 2017 · 11:31 AM EDT

Long-time GOP Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen announced her decision to not seek re-election next year, leaving behind a difficult open seat for her party to defend.

The Florida congresswoman is one of 23 Republicans to represent districts where Hillary Clinton defeated Donald Trump in the most recent presidential election. 

Clinton…

Why Republicans Don’t Fear a Shutdown, But Should

by Nathan L. Gonzales April 26, 2017 · 8:55 AM EDT

For many Republicans, it’s a fairly simple calculation: There was a supposedly catastrophic government shutdown in 2013 and the GOP gained 13 House seats a year later. So what’s the big deal if the government shuts down again?

With another funding deadline on the horizon, selective memory loss could have…

Parties Continue Special Election Slog

by Nathan L. Gonzales April 21, 2017 · 2:56 PM EDT

We’ve gone from theories to reality as voters head to the polls in the first batch of special elections. While Republicans staved off disaster in the 4th District of Kansas and the initial primary in the 6th District of Georgia, it’s clear that President Donald Trump is inspiring Democrats to…

Georgia 6: Runoff a Challenge for Both Parties

by Stuart Rothenberg April 20, 2017 · 8:55 AM EDT

Once again, a special election received more attention than it deserved.

No, I’m not saying that it didn’t matter or that the results can’t tell us something about Donald Trump and the 2018 midterm elections. But the primary in Georgia’s 6th District and the subsequent special election certainly aren’t anything…

8 Things I Think I Think After the Georgia 6 Special Primary

by Nathan L. Gonzales April 19, 2017 · 12:15 PM EDT

My family sat down for dinner at a nice Amish family’s house in Lancaster County, Pa. on Tuesday night, less than two hours before the polls closed in Georgia’s 6th District, and Jon Ossoff’s name didn’t come up once. That’s not surprising, but it is what happens when special elections…