Archive

Connecticut 5: Can Anyone Deny Donovan a Seat in Congress?

by Stuart Rothenberg September 26, 2011 · 9:17 AM EDT

If Connecticut Speaker Christopher Donovan has a tough time getting elected to Congress next year, it could tell us something about the attitude of the overall electorate in 2012.

That’s because Donovan, 57, looks to be an ideal political package for the Nutmeg State, at least in a “normal”…

Oregon 1 Special: Ducks & Beavers & a Tiger, Oh My!

by Nathan L. Gonzales September 23, 2011 · 4:00 PM EDT

Now that a second Republican represents part of New York City, maybe it’s worth considering that some “safe” Democratic seats aren’t so safe after all.

There are plenty of differences between New York’s 9th District and Oregon’s 1st District, but both seats were vacated by Democratic…

West Virginia 1: Second Verse, Same as the First?

by Nathan L. Gonzales September 23, 2011 · 3:59 PM EDT

Republican David McKinley and Democrat Mike Oliverio faced off in one of the closest House races in 2010. The two men will face off again next year in West Virginia’s 1st District, but some of the dynamics have changed.

Oliverio impressively knocked off long-time incumbent Alan Mollohan in last…

Texas Senate: Bigfoot Dewhurst

by Nathan L. Gonzales September 23, 2011 · 3:58 PM EDT

The race to replace Texas Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R) has been going on for two years, but it still has a long way to go.

Hutchison said she’d give up her seat in order to focus on running for governor in 2010. She ran for governor but never resigned. Instead, Hutchison went back to the…

West Virginia Governor: Down to the Wire

by Nathan L. Gonzales September 23, 2011 · 3:57 PM EDT

The special election is less than two weeks away, and the spending and the polling in the race indicate the contest could be close.

Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin (D) and businessman Bill Maloney (R) are on television with ads, and the DGA and RGA are on the air with considerable buys as well.

The…

New Hampshire Governor: Lynch Bows Out

by Nathan L. Gonzales September 23, 2011 · 3:55 PM EDT

Gov. John Lynch (D) ended the months of speculation by announcing he would not seek a fifth two-year term. His decision has significant repercussions because it takes a likely safe governorship for the Democrats and creates a very competitive race.

Former Senate candidate Ovide Lamontagne, who…

Jerry Springer Reflects on His Former Boss’s Victory

by Nathan L. Gonzales September 22, 2011 · 9:40 AM EDT

To talk-show host Jerry Springer, Rep. Bob Turner's victory hits a little too close to home.

Turner is best known as the Republican who won a New York City Congressional special election last week. But he's also the former cable television executive who brought to life Springer's infamous talk…

Should Obama Run Against Congress?

by Stuart Rothenberg September 21, 2011 · 12:10 PM EDT

Congress’ job approval stinks. Everyone agrees about that.

It really doesn’t matter whether Congress’ job approval is 12 percent (last week’s CBS News/New York Times poll), 13 percent (August’s NBC News/Wall Street Journal survey) or 15 percent (recent Gallup and CNN polling).

Running against…

Will GOP Choose John Kerry or Howard Dean?

by Stuart Rothenberg September 16, 2011 · 8:59 AM EDT

The stages at upcoming Republican presidential debates will remain crowded, at least for a while, but it has already become clear that the GOP race is a contest between Texas Gov. Rick Perry and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.

Supporters of other hopefuls will complain that this…