House News & Analysis

Report Shorts (February 19, 2016) California Senate, Indiana Senate, Maine’s 2nd, North Carolina,

February 19, 2016 · 2:56 PM EST

California Senate. Republican Assemblyman Rocky Chavez quit the race abruptly before a recent debate and announced his bid for re-election. His exit doesn’t impact Republican chances of taking over retiring-Sen. Barbara Boxer’s seat since they didn’t have much of a chance taking over the Democrat’s seat when Chavez was running. 

Wisconsin 8: Ribble Retirement Creates Vulnerable GOP Open Seat

by Nathan L. Gonzales February 5, 2016 · 1:57 PM EST

Three-term Rep. Reid Ribble of Wisconsin announced his retirement, leaving Republicans with yet another competitive open seat to defend.

The roofing contractor talked about how he achieved his main legislative goals and expressed his desire to spend more time with his family and return to the private sector. GOP…

Tennessee 8: Fincher’s Decision Brings Congress to Historical Average Number of Retirements

by Nathan L. Gonzales February 5, 2016 · 1:56 PM EST

Not long after Wisconsin Rep. Reid Ribble announced his retirement, Tennessee Rep. Stephen Fincher followed suit. Although it may seem like an exodus, Fincher’s decision brings this Congress to recent historical average for Members calling it quits.

Unlike Ribble’s seat, Fincher’s 8th District in west Tennessee is not at…

Report Shorts (February 5, 2016) California, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, Tennessee

February 5, 2016 · 1:55 PM EST

California’s 48th District. Just two years removed from Dave Brat’s primary upset of Majority Leader Eric Cantor in Virginia, GOP Rep. Dana Rohrabacher of Orange County isn’t taking his primary challenger seriously. But what may look like movement against the congressman is more likely preparation for when he retires. 

House Overview: No Guts, No Glory for Democrats

by Nathan L. Gonzales January 25, 2016 · 3:00 PM EST

For the last year, House Democratic strategists have been dreaming of Republicans nominating Donald Trump or Texas Sen. Cruz for president. With less than 10 months to go before Election Day, and Trump and Cruz leading in the polls, those dreams are much closer to reality.

Democrats need a national…

2016 House Overview (January 25, 2016) Alabama - Illinois

January 25, 2016 · 2:59 PM EST

Alabama. March 1 primary. April 12 run-off.
2nd District (Roby, R). Some allies of Martha Roby, and her 1st District colleague Bradley Byrne, are concerned that Donald Trump and Ted Cruz will turnout a disproportionate number of angry conservative voters in March and hurt their renomination chances. But Roby’s…

2016 House Overview (January 25, 2016) Indiana - New Jersey

January 25, 2016 · 2:58 PM EST

Indiana. Feb. 5 filing deadline. May 3 primary.
2nd District (Walorski, R). Jackie Walorski seems to attract competitive races, but Democratic strategists aren’t talking up retired police officer Lynn Coleman. South Bend Democrats are getting more organized, but he’ll need a sizable national wave to win. The congresswoman doesn’t…

2016 House Overview (January 25, 2016) New Mexico - Wyoming

January 25, 2016 · 2:57 PM EST

New York. April 14 filing deadline. June 28 primary.
1st District (Zeldin, R). Lee Zeldin defeated Democratic Rep. Tim Bishop in 2014 and instantly became a top takeover target. Democrats are still headed for a competitive primary between Southampton Town Supervisor Anna Throne-Holst and Suffolk Planning Commission Chairman David…

Beshear Looks Back, Forward on Kentucky’s Political Landscape

by Nathan L. Gonzales January 17, 2016 · 8:58 AM EST

In 2014, Steve Beshear sat in the first lady’s box during the State of the Union as President Barack Obama applauded the Democratic governor’s work on health care in Kentucky. Just two years later, Beshear is out of office and feuding with his Republican successor, who vowed to undo…

NRCC Names Furst Johnson IE Director

by Nathan L. Gonzales January 15, 2016 · 1:32 PM EST

National Republican Congressional Committee Deputy Executive Director and General Counsel Jessica Furst Johnson will be the committee’s Independent Expenditure Director for the 2016 cycle.

“Jessica was instrumental in helping us win our historic Republican majority in 2014 and we are excited she will lead our IE unit in 2016,”…