Archive

Montana Senate: Baucus Retirement Improves GOP Opportunity

April 23, 2013 · 11:25 AM EDT

Sen. Max Baucus (D) will not seek re-election in 2014, according to The Washington Post’s Paul Kane.

Baucus coasted to re-election in 2008 (73 percent) and discarded Republican Mike Taylor (63 percent) in 2002 with a memorable television ad. The senator’s last competitive race was in 1996, when…

Landrieu’s Gun Vote: A Possible Political Explanation

by Stuart Rothenberg April 23, 2013 · 9:30 AM EDT

Three red-state Democratic senators up for re-election next year – Alaska’s Mark Begich, Arkansas’ Mark Pryor and Montana’s Max Baucus – voted against the gun control measure offered by Sens. Joe Manchin III, D-W.Va., and Patrick J. Toomey, R-Pa., but not Louisiana Democratic Sen. Mary L.…

Pennsylvania 8: Suburban Showdown?

by Nathan L. Gonzales April 19, 2013 · 2:30 PM EDT

Not many House candidates land on the front page of The Washington Post before they officially declare, but such is life for 33 year-old Democrat Kevin Strouse.

Strouse, a former Army Ranger, is running in Pennsylvania’s 8th District against Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick (R) in a race of critical…

North Carolina 7: Tighter Than A Tick

by Jessica Taylor April 19, 2013 · 2:29 PM EDT

How do you solve a problem like Democrat Mike McIntyre? That’s the question plaguing more than one GOP strategist heading into 2014.

A smart, savvy pol who has honed his moderate image and brushed back challenges in his GOP-leaning district, McIntyre came closer than ever to being defeated in…

Oregon 5: The Toss-Up District Without a Competitive Race

by Nathan L. Gonzales April 19, 2013 · 2:28 PM EDT

It’s not often that someone in Washington, D.C. knows the difference between Dallas and The Dalles -- two small towns in Oregon over 2,800 miles away. But the Republican in charge of keeping his party in the majority in the House of Representatives is well aware of the difference.

When Dallas…

South Carolina 1: Sanford Downgraded

by Nathan L. Gonzales April 19, 2013 · 2:27 PM EDT

Since the vast majority of House districts are drawn to elect one party or the other, most of the time, candidates just need to stay out of trouble in order to win. But apparently former Gov. Mark Sanford (R) didn’t get the memo.

He survived the Republican primary and runoff in the special…

How Will Divided Attention Affect Obama, Congress?

by Stuart Rothenberg April 19, 2013 · 10:09 AM EDT

Not much going on these days, huh? There are only a few things on the president’s — and Congress’ — plate, including:

  • Guns
  • A big budget compromise
  • Immigration overhaul
  • North Korea
  • Bombs at the Boston Marathon
  • Iran’s nuclear program
  • And oh yes, jobs and the economy

Steve King’s Cash Raises Eyebrows, Doubts About Senate Bid

by Stuart Rothenberg April 18, 2013 · 11:55 AM EDT

Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, is mentioned often as a possible 2014 Senate candidate for retiring Democratic Sen. Tom Harkin’s seat. But if King’s first-quarter 2013 fundraising report is any indication, the conservative Republican isn’t headed for a statewide race.

King raised just $93,000 in total…

Bob Perry: Present at the Creation of a Political Movement

by Stuart Rothenberg April 18, 2013 · 11:53 AM EDT

Reports about the recent death of millionaire home builder and Republican donor Bob Perry, 80, have noted his financial support for George W. Bush and Rick Perry during their campaigns for governor of Texas, and his financial bankrolling of the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, which took on…