Senate News & Analysis

Virginia Senate: Common Goal, Common Wealth

by Nathan L. Gonzales May 18, 2006 · 11:30 AM EDT

Democrats in Virginia and the nation’s capital are determined to re-take the majority in the U.S. Senate, and increasingly they are focusing on a new target: Sen. George Allen (R) of Virginia. Democrats realize that defeating Allen would not only increase their chances of getting to 51 seats on…

Tennessee Senate: Three’s Company

by Nathan L. Gonzales May 3, 2006 · 11:54 PM EDT

Senator Harold Ford. Those might be the three words Republicans fear the most on Election Night. If Democrats can successfully takeover the open Tennessee Senate seat being vacated by Majority Leader Bill Frist (R), they could well win a Senate majority in November.

Democratic hopes are riding on…

Michigan Senate: Wading Upstream

by Nathan L. Gonzales April 7, 2006 · 11:02 AM EDT

Republicans spent much of last year cycling through a list of potential candidates, but they are still taking their best shot at Democratic Sen. Debbie Stabenow. Even after names like Cong. Candice Miller, Domino’s Pizza CEO David Brandon, and Jane Abraham dropped off the board, three Republicans remain in…

Pennsylvania Senate: First One to Fall

by Nathan L. Gonzales March 24, 2006 · 9:02 PM EST

There is no presidential race this year, but Pennsylvania’s U.S. Senate Race may be the next best thing. Up to this point, the race hasn’t even been close, with state Treasurer Bob Casey Jr. (D) leading Sen. Rick Santorum (R) by ten to twelve points in public polling with…

Be Careful What You Wish For

by Stuart Rothenberg March 6, 2006 · 11:07 PM EST

Rhode Island Secretary of State Matt Brown (D) has been desperate for media attention. An underdog in the Democratic Senate race for the right to face either Senator Lincoln Chafee (R) or Cranston Mayor Steve Laffey (R) in November, Brown spent heavily on early advertising to boost his name…

West Virginia Senate: Generations

by Nathan L. Gonzales February 24, 2006 · 9:00 PM EST

It was almost smooth sailing to a record ninth term for the longest-serving member of the U.S Senate, West Virginia’s Robert C. Byrd (D). After nearly a year of speculation, Cong. Shelley Moore Capito (R) announced in October that she would not challenge Byrd and instead seek reelection.

It Won’t be a Bi-partisan Wave

by Nathan L. Gonzales February 14, 2006 · 9:46 AM EST

With a potential political wave developing, Republicans should face the reality that it likely will only break one way – toward the Democrats.

GOP leaders in Washington are trying to point out the “hypocrisy” of the Democratic attacks on ethics and corruption, but recent history shows that if…

Nevada Senate: Don’t Believe the Hype

by Nathan L. Gonzales February 11, 2006 · 12:26 PM EST

A potential challenge to Sen. John Ensign (R-NV) by Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman (D) is receiving increased attention in the media. Don’t take it too seriously.

While, DSCC Chairman Chuck Schumer (NY), Sen. Barack Obama (IL), and Minority Leader Harry Reid (Ensign’s colleague) reportedly have spoken with…

Ohio Senate: Buckeye Battle

by Nathan L. Gonzales January 27, 2006 · 10:00 AM EST

Ohio is as close to a political disaster area for Republicans than any state in the country. Out-going Gov. Bob Taft (R) pleaded no contest to four misdemeanor charges for accepting gifts for political favors, and his job approval ratings crack 20% on a good day.

It is…

Lott’s Decision Leaves Democrats Little Room

by Nathan L. Gonzales January 24, 2006 · 9:03 PM EST

Republican Sen. Trent Lott’s announcement this week that he will seek a fourth term in Mississippi leaves Democrats with little room for error if they are to have any chance of capturing the Senate in November. ‘

Party strategists on both sides of the aisle agreed that Democrats…