House News & Analysis

California 25: Open Seat Gets More Competitive

by Nathan L. Gonzales January 16, 2014 · 12:02 PM EST

After a flurry of surprise retirements, GOP Rep. Buck McKeon’s announcement was one of the worst kept secrets of the last year. So even though the district is competitive, Republicans weren’t caught off-guard and have two credible candidates already in the race.

The California congressman’s exit has been…

Rothenberg’s Dangerous Dozen Open House Seats

by Stuart Rothenberg January 16, 2014 · 10:05 AM EST

I wrote my first Dangerous Dozen open House seats column in this space 14 years ago, so I figured I might as well keep the streak going, though it isn’t nearly as impressive as Joe DiMaggio’s 56-game hitting streak.

As in my Jan. 17, 2000, column, the districts…

New York 21: Owens Retirement Moves Seat to Toss-Up

by Nathan L. Gonzales January 14, 2014 · 2:05 PM EST

New York Rep. Bill Owens’ retirement gives Republicans another good opportunity to take over a Democratic seat, if they don’t get in their own way. Some GOP strategists may still have nightmares over the special election in this region more than four years ago. But the 21st District might…

The Race Democrats Can’t Afford to Lose

by Stuart Rothenberg January 13, 2014 · 10:24 AM EST

It’s rare in politics that anything other than a presidential contest is viewed as a “must win” — but the special election in Florida’s 13th District falls into that category for Democrats.

A loss in the competitive March 11 contest would almost certainly be regarded by dispassionate observers…

Pay No Attention to That Title of Speaker in Front of My Name

by Nathan L. Gonzales January 11, 2014 · 9:30 AM EST

As speaker of the state House, Thom Tillis is one of the most powerful politicians in North Carolina. But you wouldn’t know it from the Republican’s first ad in the U.S. Senate race.

“In the private sector, businesses are built on accountability,” Tillis says. “But accountability is a…

Oldest and Youngest Congressional Candidates of the Cycle

by Nathan L. Gonzales January 10, 2014 · 9:17 AM EST

When it comes to running for Congress, age ain’t nothin’ but a number.

The special election for Florida’s 13th District is a good example of the broad age spectrum of candidates running for Congress this cycle. Democrat Alex Sink is positioning herself to pick up the open seat…

New York 4: Remains Safe for Democrats for Now

by Nathan L. Gonzales January 8, 2014 · 2:03 PM EST

Citing her battle with lung cancer, New York Rep. Carolyn McCarthy also announced her retirement on Wednesday. The Democratic congresswoman leaves behind a 4th District that Barack Obama won with 56 percent in 2012 and 2008 and John Kerry won in 2004, 53 percent to 46 percent.

North Carolina 7: Democratic Seat Moves from Toss-Up to Safe Republican

by Nathan L. Gonzales January 8, 2014 · 1:56 PM EST

The House handicapping whiplash continues. Just days after Pennsylvania Republican Jim Gerlach announced his retirement giving Democrats a good opportunity to win his 6th District seat, North Carolina Democrat Mike McIntyre announced his retirement, moving his 7th District from Pure Toss-Up to Safe Republican. 

McIntyre has been…

Gerlach to Retire, Pennsylvania’s 6th Moves from Safe to Lean Republican

by Nathan L. Gonzales January 6, 2014 · 2:34 PM EST

When it comes to open seat opportunities, Democrats are being handed all the right seats, but they might be coming at the wrong time.

Rep. Jim Gerlach is the latest Republican to announce his retirement in a competitive congressional seat. Democrats have coveted Pennsylvania’s 6th District along…

Republicans and Democrats Exchange Gifts this Holiday Season

by Nathan L. Gonzales December 27, 2013 · 3:01 PM EST

The two parties aren’t exactly on the best of terms these days, but that didn’t stop Republicans and Democrats from exchanging gifts over the past year — even if they didn’t intend to.

Instead of fruitcake, each party gave the other a sparkling set of potentially potent political…