Archive
Rothenberg’s Dangerous Dozen Open House Seats
January 16, 2014 · 10:05 AM EST
I wrote my first Dangerous Dozen open House seats column in this space 14 years ago, so I figured I might as well keep the streak going, though it isn’t nearly as impressive as Joe DiMaggio’s 56-game hitting streak.
As in my Jan. 17, 2000, column, the districts are listed in order of…
New York 21: Owens Retirement Moves Seat to Toss-Up
January 14, 2014 · 2:05 PM EST
New York Rep. Bill Owens’ retirement gives Republicans another good opportunity to take over a Democratic seat, if they don’t get in their own way. Some GOP strategists may still have nightmares over the special election in this region more than four years ago. But the 21st District might be…
The Race Democrats Can’t Afford to Lose
January 13, 2014 · 10:24 AM EST
It’s rare in politics that anything other than a presidential contest is viewed as a “must win” — but the special election in Florida’s 13th District falls into that category for Democrats.
A loss in the competitive March 11 contest would almost certainly be regarded by dispassionate observers…
Pay No Attention to That Title of Speaker in Front of My Name
January 11, 2014 · 9:30 AM EST
As speaker of the state House, Thom Tillis is one of the most powerful politicians in North Carolina. But you wouldn’t know it from the Republican’s first ad in the U.S. Senate race.
“In the private sector, businesses are built on accountability,” Tillis says. “But accountability is a foreign…
Oldest and Youngest Congressional Candidates of the Cycle
January 10, 2014 · 9:17 AM EST
When it comes to running for Congress, age ain’t nothin’ but a number.
The special election for Florida’s 13th District is a good example of the broad age spectrum of candidates running for Congress this cycle. Democrat Alex Sink is positioning herself to pick up the open seat in the March…
New York 4: Remains Safe for Democrats for Now
January 8, 2014 · 2:03 PM EST
Citing her battle with lung cancer, New York Rep. Carolyn McCarthy also announced her retirement on Wednesday. The Democratic congresswoman leaves behind a 4th District that Barack Obama won with 56 percent in 2012 and 2008 and John Kerry won in 2004, 53 percent to 46 percent.
There is a chance…
North Carolina 7: Democratic Seat Moves from Toss-Up to Safe Republican
January 8, 2014 · 1:56 PM EST
The House handicapping whiplash continues. Just days after Pennsylvania Republican Jim Gerlach announced his retirement giving Democrats a good opportunity to win his 6th District seat, North Carolina Democrat Mike McIntyre announced his retirement, moving his 7th District from Pure Toss-Up to…