Senate News & Analysis

What Kind of Senate Candidates Will Do Well in 2016?

by Stuart Rothenberg May 1, 2015 · 2:30 PM EDT

The list of likely 2016 Democratic Senate challengers to GOP incumbents is starting to gel, though it’s early enough in the cycle that things could change quite dramatically.

At this point, former Rep. Joe Sestak of Pennsylvania and former Sen. Russ Feingold of Wisconsin appear headed for re-matches with…

DSCC Preferred Chairman’s Opponent in 2006 Primary

by Nathan L. Gonzales April 28, 2015 · 1:20 PM EDT

If the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee had its way a decade ago, its current chairman probably wouldn’t be in the Senate today.

In the 2006 cycle, Democratic strategists in Washington preferred state Auditor John Morrison in the Montana Senate race, hoping to avoid a primary and keep the party…

‘Big Money’ and the 2016 Elections

by Stuart Rothenberg April 24, 2015 · 9:54 AM EDT

Reporters love to write about money in politics, so I shouldn’t have been at all surprised by an April 20 Washington Post article suggesting campaign finance is becoming an issue in the presidential contest.

But a front-page story above the fold that relied on a couple of anecdotes…

Senate Overview: Retirements and Primaries Matter for Majority

by Nathan L. Gonzales April 17, 2015 · 3:04 PM EDT

A year and a half before Election Day, the battle for the Senate is well underway.

GOP strategists are spending the first part of the cycle encouraging their incumbents to run for re-election while Democratic strategists are recruiting challengers to vulnerable Republican senators running for re-election in competitive states.

In…

2016 Senate Overview (April 17, 2015) Alabama - Kansas

April 17, 2015 · 3:03 PM EDT

ALABAMA – Richard Shelby (R) elected 1986 (50%), 1992 (65%), 1998 (63%), 2004 (68%), 2010 (65%). The only mystery is what Shelby will do with the $18 million in his campaign account when he doesn’t have a serious race. Safe GOP.

ALASKA – Lisa Murkowski (R) appointed Dec. 2002, elected…

2016 Senate Overview (April 17, 2015) Kentucky - New Mexico

April 17, 2015 · 3:02 PM EDT

KENTUCKY – Rand Paul (R) elected 2010 (56%). Paul announced his presidential campaign earlier this month but is planning to simultaneously run for re-election. Paul’s allies in the Legislature have been unable to change state law, which would prohibit him from doing that. But the GOP state central committee will…

2016 Senate Overview (April 17, 2015) New York - Wyoming

April 17, 2015 · 3:01 PM EDT

NEW YORK – Chuck Schumer (D) elected 1998 (55%), 2004 (71%), 2010 (66%). It took Schumer a few hours to wrap up the leadership race after Harry Reid announced his retirement. Now, Schumer will run for re-election and be the next Democratic leader in the Senate. The only question is…

Wyden Looks Safe, but Democratic Rift Is Real

by Nathan L. Gonzales April 13, 2015 · 9:39 AM EDT

Liberal groups have targeted Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden for defeat in next year’s elections unless he sides with them on upcoming trade deals. But any talk about the four-term Democrat’s vulnerability is premature until there is a challenger.

“Secretive Trade Deal Could Pose Problems At Home For Ron Wyden,”…

Report Shorts (April 3, 2015) Florida Senate, Indiana Senate, Illinois Senate, Nevada Senate

April 3, 2015 · 2:26 PM EDT

Florida Senate. Republican Sen. Marco Rubio is expected to announce his presidential campaign on April 13 in Miami. He has previously said that he would choose a run for the White House or re-election and not switch back. Rubio would have been a formidable incumbent but the open seat creates…

How Reid Reacted When a Republican Senator Was Indicted

by Nathan L. Gonzales April 3, 2015 · 9:00 AM EDT

After New Jersey Sen. Robert Menendez was indicted on corruption charges Wednesday, Minority Leader Harry Reid’s reaction to his colleague’s situation wasn’t particularly surprising, but it’s not because Menendez is a fellow Democrat.

“I appreciate Senator Menendez’s willingness to temporarily step down as ranking member,” the Nevada Democrat said…