House News & Analysis

Does Voter Anger Explain the Success of Presidential Outsiders?

by Stuart Rothenberg September 29, 2015 · 10:58 AM EDT

Those of us who report on and analyze politics for a living have been talking ad nauseam about voters’ frustration and anger.

It’s the hot topic that presumably explains Donald Trump, Ben Carson and Bernard Sanders, as well as the problems that political veterans such as Hillary Rodham Clinton…

Indiana Reps Still Wrestling With Residency

by Nathan L. Gonzales September 21, 2015 · 9:00 AM EDT

For some members of Congress with young families, getting elected is the easy part; deciding whether to move your family to Washington is more difficult.

Members of the Indiana delegation have been wrestling with the decision for decades, in a state where residency consistently pops up as a campaign…

Report Shorts (September 18, 2015)

September 18, 2015 · 2:58 PM EDT

Arkansas Senate. Former U.S. Attorney Conner Eldridge announced his challenge to Sen. John Boozman. “Washington is broken,” the 37-year-old Democrat said in a boilerplate release. “I’m running for the Senate because I’m committed to doing everything I can to fix it for Arkansas and for our country.” 

“I would…

No Rating Change After Benishek’s Retirement in Michigan

by Nathan L. Gonzales September 16, 2015 · 9:05 AM EDT

Democrats need Republican incumbents to retire from competitive districts in order to expand the playing field of competitive House races. But GOP Rep. Dan Benishek’s decision not to run for re-election in Michigan barely moves the status quo of the House battlefield.

Benishek was already considered vulnerable this cycle, and…

More House Retirements Likely to Come

by Nathan L. Gonzales September 14, 2015 · 10:00 AM EDT

After spending five weeks at home in their districts with their families, how many members got homesick and are set to retire?

If history is a guide, at least a handful or more House members will announce their departure in the days, weeks and months ahead.

Earlier this month,…

Colorado 6: Can Carroll Cause Coffman to Stumble?

by Nathan L. Gonzales September 4, 2015 · 2:29 PM EDT

Targeting Rep. Mike Coffman has become a biennial tradition for Democrats. But even though Colorado’s 6th District is one of the country’s premiere swing seats, Democrats have had trouble finding the right combination of candidate and election cycle to defeat the GOP congressman. 

Earlier this cycle, Coffman considered leaving…

Report Shorts (Minnesota 2, North Dakota Governor Senate, Washington 8 Governor

September 4, 2015 · 2:28 PM EDT

Minnesota’s 2nd District. GOP Rep. John Kline announced his retirement on Thursday, leaving open a competitive district that President Barack Obama won narrowly, 49.1 percent to 49 percent, in 2012. Democrats had two credible challengers in the race already, but it will take some time as potential candidates on…

Reichert Seriously Considering Washington Governor’s Race

by Nathan L. Gonzales September 3, 2015 · 1:02 PM EDT

Republican Rep. Dave Reichert is seriously considering a gubernatorial bid in Washington state, according to multiple GOP sources.

The congressman has been the consistent source of rumors for a statewide bid over the past decade. But those rumors were often fueled by House Democrats who wanted him to leave…

Parties Play Politics With FEC Complaints

by Nathan L. Gonzales August 28, 2015 · 10:17 AM EDT

Ethics problems can be serious trouble for any politician, but party strategists often use Federal Election Committee complaints to play games with the opposition, because the allegation has a slim chance of being ruled on before Election Day.

“Everyone knows both sides file complaints to get press hits,” one campaign…

Campaign Committees Open Holes While Filling Others

by Nathan L. Gonzales August 27, 2015 · 9:03 AM EDT

Democrats want to hold the White House, take back the majorities in the Senate and the House, and gain ground in governorships. But what happens when those are conflicting goals?

In Florida, strategists at the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee are excited Rep. Patrick Murphy is running for the state’s…