Governor News & Analysis

2018 Gubernatorial Overview (April 6, 2018) Alabama - Illinois

April 6, 2018 · 2:29 PM EDT

ALABAMA. Kay Ivey (R), assumed governorship April 2017. June 5 primary. Ivey, the first female governor of Alabama since the late 1960s, is running for a full term after succeeding embattled Gov. Robert Bentley. She faces Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle, state Sen. Bill Hightower, and evangelist Scott Dawson in the…

2018 Gubernatorial Overview (April 6, 2018) Iowa - New Mexico

April 6, 2018 · 2:28 PM EDT

IOWA. Kim Reynolds (R) ascended to office May 2017. June 5 primary. Reynolds, a former state senator and lieutenant governor, is running for a full term after taking office last year when Gov. Terry Branstad became President Trump’s ambassador to China. It looks like Cedar Rapids Mayor Ron Corbett, former…

2018 Gubernatorial Overview (April 6, 2018) New York - Wyoming

April 6, 2018 · 2:27 PM EDT

NEW YORK. Andrew Cuomo (D) elected 2010 (63%), 2014 (54%). Actress Cynthia Nixon brought attention to an otherwise sleepy race with her primary challenge to Cuomo. There is some Democratic discontent with the governor but it will be at least a few weeks before it’s clear whether Nixon can get…

Candidate Conversation - Russ Fagg (R)

April 6, 2018 · 2:25 PM EDT

Montana Senate - Rating: Tilt Democratic

Interview Date: Feb. 14, 2018

Date of Birth: June 26, 1960; Billings, Mont.

Education: Whitman College (1983), Univ. of Montana Law School (1986)

Elected Office: Montana State Legislature (two terms, elected 1990); district court judge (1994)

Current Outlook: Before facing Democrat Jon Tester in…

Candidate Conversation - Ammar Campa-Najjar (D)

April 6, 2018 · 2:24 PM EDT

California’s 50th District - Rating: Likely R

Interview Date: March 27, 2018

Date of Birth: Feb. 24, 1989; San Diego, Calif. 

Education: San Diego State Univ. (2012)

Elected Office: None; First run for office

Current Outlook: Campa-Najjar hopes to unseat GOP Rep. Duncan Hunter, who is under investigation for allegedly…

Nathan’s (Mostly) Political One-Liners: Barn Jackets, HGTV and Pop Punk Music

by Nathan L. Gonzales April 5, 2018 · 3:40 PM EDT

My inclination is to write 4,000 words about everything, so I’m trying something new by limiting myself to one line of a thought or analysis per race/existential thought. Here it goes:

Arizona’s 8th District. With EMILY’s List endorsing Democrat Hiral Tipirneni and the Republican National Committee, National Republican Congressional Committee,…

How Can the GOP Turn Out Trump Voters?

by Stuart Rothenberg April 2, 2018 · 9:26 AM EDT

In my column last week, I noted that current public opinion data and recent election results point to a likely Democratic takeover of the House in the fall.

Some argue President Donald Trump’s unpopularity is already baked into the election cake, leaving Republicans little room to maneuver. But if…

Top of the Ticket Woes Could Lead to Downballot Debacle

by Nathan L. Gonzales March 23, 2018 · 2:29 PM EDT

It’s no secret that Republicans are headed for difficult midterm elections this fall, particularly in the House. It could be tough for GOP incumbents and candidates to generate enthusiasm among Donald Trump’s most loyal supporters when the President is not on the ballot. But the lack of competitive statewide races…

Illinois Primaries: Opportunities in the Land of Lincoln

by Nathan L. Gonzales March 23, 2018 · 2:28 PM EDT

Primaries can be a painful winnowing process for political parties, but they help set the stage for significant general election races in the fall. And unlike Texas, Illinois doesn’t have a runoff provision, so we know the general election match-ups in key contests that will help decide the House majority.  

Illinois Primaries: Ratings Changes in Two Races

by Nathan L. Gonzales March 21, 2018 · 9:30 AM EDT

The Illinois primaries are in the books, setting the stage for an important set of congressional elections in November. https://www.rollcall.com/news/politics/illinois-general-election-match-ups-set-november ;

Assuming Democrat Conor Lamb is certified as the winner of the special election in Pennsylvania’s 18th District, Democrats still need a net gain of 23 seats to win the…