At the Races
Krikorian Joins Democratic Party to Challenge Schmidt
February 28, 2009
David Krikorian, who sought Ohio’s 2nd district seat as an Independent in 2008, announced Friday he will make another bid in 2010 – but as a Democrat.
CPAC Highlights GOP’s Struggle With Diversity
February 28, 2009
On Thursday afternoon, about 80 attendees of the 2009 Conservative Political Action Conference sat in on a panel called “Building the Conservative Hispanic Coalition” — and what was scheduled to be an hourlong panel stretched into nearly three hours.
DCCC Announces New Political Director, Head of Recruiting
February 27, 2009
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has named Rep. Steve Israel (N.Y.) to serve as chairman of the recruiting committee for the 2010 election cycle.
Americans United Launches Latest Ad Hitting GOP
February 26, 2009
Americans United for Change, a liberal issue-advocacy group, is launching a new TV ad Friday hitting national Republicans on their opposition to the recently passed economic stimulus plan.
Third Democrat Further Clouds Ohio Senate Field
February 26, 2009
Democrats now appear to have at least a three-way primary for the party’s Senate nod in Ohio, where Sen. George Voinovich (R) is retiring in 2010 and leaving a wide-open race for his seat.
New York: Independent Poll Shows Tedisco Ahead by 12 Points
February 26, 2009
The first independent poll in the special House election to replace now-Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) shows that Republicans have a strong chance of taking back Gillibrand’s upstate seat.
Nevada: Immigration Foes Join GOP Assault on Reid
February 26, 2009
It appears that conservative interest groups are following the lead of national Republicans by attacking Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D) early and often this cycle.
Minnesota: Coleman Camp May Wrap Up Case Soon
February 26, 2009
After five weeks in the courtroom in an attempt to upend his 225-vote deficit, the legal team of former Sen. Norm Coleman (R) is tentatively expected to rest its case early next week, according to sources familiar with the trial.
New Hampshire: Bradley May Run for Senate — State Senate
February 26, 2009
Former Rep. Jeb Bradley (R) is looking at running for the New Hampshire Senate — state Senate, that is. After a freshman state lawmaker from the Wolfeboro area resigned following a DUI incident this weekend, Bradley’s name was floated as one of a few potential Republicans to run in an upcoming election to fill the state Senate seat.
Washington: Former Microsoft Exec Seeking Reichert’s Seat
February 26, 2009
Rep. Dave Reichert (R) has his first opponent of the cycle. Former Microsoft executive Suzan DelBene (D) announced via a campaign Web site that she will challenge him in 2010.
California: Candidate, in Absentia, Holds D.C. Fundraiser
February 26, 2009
Emanuel Pleitez, one of three Democrats vying to replace Labor Secretary Hilda Solis in the House, held a fundraiser in Washington, D.C., Wednesday night — but did not appear there himself.
New York: Democratic Leaders Host Event for Murphy
February 26, 2009
House Democratic leaders, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D) and the entire New York Democratic Congressional delegation are teaming up for a fundraiser to benefit Scott Murphy, the party’s nominee in the special election to succeed Gillibrand in the House.
North Carolina: Moore Is Less in 2010 Race for Burr’s Seat
February 26, 2009
Former state Treasurer Richard Moore (D) said this week that he has no plans to mount a challenge against Sen. Richard Burr (R) in what should be another lively Senate race in the Tar Heel State this cycle.
Kentucky: Bunning — ‘I Don’t Believe Anything John Cornyn Says’
February 24, 2009
In what can only be described as an escalating war between Sen. Jim Bunning and his own party’s leadership, the Kentucky Republican threatened to sue the GOP’s campaign arm if it recruits someone to run against him in a primary next year.
GOP Leaders Unveil New Fundraising Program
February 24, 2009
House Republican leaders had a clear message Tuesday morning for Members wanting help from the National Republican Congressional Committee this cycle: If they do not pony up their dues, they will get no help for their re-election campaigns.
New York: Ex-President to Raise Cash for New Senator
February 24, 2009
Former President Bill Clinton will headline a fundraiser for the woman who succeeded his wife in the Senate.
California: Open Primary Proposal Vexes Political Parties
February 24, 2009
Golden State voters will decide whether to adopt an open primary system for the 2010 elections and beyond in a statewide vote on May 19.
Kentucky: State Senate President Has Met With NRSC
February 24, 2009
State Senate President David Williams (R) met last week with National Republican Senatorial Committee officials about a 2010 Senate bid, in the most public sign yet that GOP leaders could be looking for someone other than Sen. Jim Bunning (R) to carry the party banner next year.
Romney Writes Checks to Targets of DCCC
February 24, 2009
Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney (R) announced Monday that he is cutting $1,000 checks from his political action committee to help a group of House Republicans being targeted for their vote against the stimulus bill.
DCCC Announces Frontline Members
February 23, 2009
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee announced Monday that 40 potentially vulnerable Members have been named to the committee’s “Frontline” program for the 2010 election cycle.
Romney PAC Aids Targeted Republicans
February 23, 2009
Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney (R) announced Monday that he is cutting $1,000 checks from his political action committee to help a group of House Republicans being targeted for their vote against the stimulus bill.
DSCC Outraised NRSC in January but Has More Debt
February 20, 2009
Just like its counterpart in the House, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee outraised its GOP equivalent in January, and both Senate committees ended last month carrying debt leftover from the 2008 election cycle.
DCCC, NRCC End January With Big Debts
February 20, 2009
With both parties expected to compete aggressively in the special election in New York’s 20th district, January fundraising numbers for the two House campaign committees show both have modest financial means to do battle in the March 31 contest.
New York: Steele, Pataki to Headline Tedisco Fundraiser
February 19, 2009
Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele, who has vowed to make the special election in New York’s 20th district the first step on the GOP’s road to recovery, will headline a March 4 fundraiser for the party’s nominee, state Assembly Minority Leader James Tedisco.
Appointed Senators Hit the Campaign Trail Over Recess
February 19, 2009
As Sen. Roland Burris (D-Ill.) fights back a storm of controversy back home over his questionable ascent to the seat vacated by President Barack Obama, two of the three other Senators appointed to fill vacancies earlier this year are spending the Congressional recess pounding the pavement and gearing up for their statewide bids in 2010.
Missouri: Blunt Kicks Off Senate Bid
February 19, 2009
Rep. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) kicked off his Senate campaign today in St. Louis, touching off what is expected to be a competitive open-seat contest in the Show Me State in 2010.
Missouri: Blunt to Run for Senate
February 18, 2009
Rep. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) is set to announce Thursday that he will run to succeed retiring Sen. Kit Bond (R-Mo.) next year.
New York: Hoyer to Campaign for Murphy
February 17, 2009
House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) will be the latest Capitol Hill celebrity to visit upstate New York in recent days to boost the special election bid of venture capitalist Scott Murphy (D).
Minnesota: Recount Judges Deliver Blow to Coleman Campaign
February 13, 2009
Republican Norm Coleman was dealt a blow Friday evening in his legal fight in the ongoing Minnesota Senate recount saga.
New York: Ball Raising Money to Take on Hall in 2010
February 17, 2009
State Assemblyman Greg Ball (R), who announced last week that he is setting up an exploratory committee as a prelude to a possible challenge to Rep. John Hall (D), said in an interview that he’ll take “a few months” before making a final decision on the race.
Illinois: Feigenholtz Now Up on TV in 5th District
February 17, 2009
State Rep. Sara Feigenholtz last week became the second Democrat to hit the TV airwaves in the Chicagoland special election to succeed White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel. She follows economist Charlie Wheelan, who has put up two television advertisements so far in the special Democratic primary slated for March 3.
North Dakota: Poll Shows Dorgan Would Win Re-Election
February 17, 2009
Sen. Byron Dorgan (D) appears to be well-positioned for re-election in 2010, according to recent poll results sponsored by the liberal Web site DailyKos.com.
Oregon: Smith Is Floated as Wyden Challenger
February 17, 2009
The new chairman of the state Republican Party was telling Beaver State reporters and political bloggers last week that he had just met with former Sen. Gordon Smith (R) and that Smith may challenge Sen. Ron Wyden (D) in 2010.
Colorado: Perlmutter to Hit the Slopes for Fundraiser
February 17, 2009
Rep. Ed Perlmutter is hitting the slopes to raise campaign cash. The two-term Democrat will host a ski weekend Thursday through Sunday in Vail to raise funds for his re-election campaign.
Rogers Hosts GOP Event for Freshmen and PACs
February 12, 2009
Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Mich.) is kicking off his tenure as incumbent retention chairman for the National Republican Congressional Committee by hosting a “meet and greet” Thursday night for freshman GOP Members and more than 150 political action committees, according to a source familiar with the event.
New Jersey: Menendez Says 2010 Will Be Another Good Cycle for Democrats
February 12, 2009
At his first press conference of the 2010 election cycle, Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Chairman Bob Menendez (N.J.) said he’d heard just about enough talk from Republicans about their ability to recover from back to back dismal showings at the polls and play offense next year.
Former Top DCCC Operative Moves to Polling Firm
February 12, 2009
After being a key player in House Democrats’ 50-seat gain over the last two election cycles, Jon Vogel is moving to the consulting world. The former top Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee aide is now a partner with the polling firm Global Strategy Group.
Arizona: McCain Taps National Network for 2010 Race
February 12, 2009
Sen. John McCain (R) is still getting some traction out of his old presidential campaign e-mail list.
New York: Ball Ready to Drop Exploratory Bid Tonight
February 12, 2009
State Assemblyman Greg Ball (R) has confirmed that he will announce the formation of an exploratory committee tonight for a possible run against Rep. John Hall (D).
New York: Special Election Likely To Be Held March 31
February 12, 2009
New York Gov. David Paterson (D) said Wednesday that he will officially declare a vacancy in the Empire State’s 20th Congressional district on Feb. 23, likely setting up a special election on March 31.
Missouri: Talent’s Out; All Eyes On Blunt in Senate Race
February 12, 2009
Former Sen. Jim Talent (R-Mo.) announced he will not run for Senate again in 2010 — a move that helps clears the primary field for Rep. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) or former state Treasurer Sarah Steelman (R) to enter the race.
Florida: Senate Leader Eyes Primary Run at Boyd
February 12, 2009
State Senate Minority Leader Al Lawson (D) confirmed to Florida newspapers this week that he intends to challenge Rep. Allen Boyd (D) in the 2010 Democratic primary.
Pennsylvania: Poll: Only 40 Percent Want Specter Re-Elected
February 12, 2009
Sen. Arlen Specter (R) appears to be more popular with Democrats than with Republicans in his home state, according to poll results released this week.
Illinois: Big Labor Split in Race For Emanuel’s Seat
February 12, 2009
Organized labor appears to be splitting their support in the special election to fill the House seat of now-White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel. More than a dozen Democrats will face off March 3 in the special election primary — a contest that is expected to feature low turnout.
New Hampshire: Hodes Runs Well; Senate Race Wide Open
February 12, 2009
An early poll just released in the 2010 Senate race showed a wide-open contest, although Democrats appear to have a solid shot at capturing the open seat.
Iowa: King Weighing Run for Governor in 2010
February 12, 2009
Rep. Steve King (R) is looking at a bid for governor in 2010, according to multiple local news sources. On a weekly public TV show taping this week, King said he was not sure whether he would challenge Gov. Chet Culver (D) but was looking at his options.
Liberal Groups Knock GOP in Stimulus Ads
February 12, 2009
Two major union organizations — Americans United for Change and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees — are targeting 21 Members with radio and TV advertisements for voting against the stimulus bill in Congress.
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