In the House - House Election News - Georgia On My Mind
Mar 04, 2010

UPDATE - Rep. Massa (D - NY) Quitting on March 8

BREAKING – Rep. Massa (D - NY) Retiring

In a move that took political junkies by surprise, upstate New York Democratic Rep. Eric Massa announced yesterday that he will not run for reelection.  Massa won a narrow victory over Republican incumbent Randy Kuhl in 2008, after losing narrowly in 2006.  Before Kuhl, the seat had been held for decades by the Republican Amo Houghton.  Massa was facing a tough reelection fight already, but now that he is out, this race, which nobody saw coming, immediately jumps into the “toss-up” category and will likely be a top priority for both parties.

The reason for Massa’s sudden retirement is unclear.  Initial reports cited a health issue, Massa survived a bout with cancer before running for Congress, so that is certainly plausible.  The inside-the-beltway Politico newspaper has quite a different story.  They claim, based on unnamed sources, that Massa, who is married with two children, was about to be accused of sexually harassing a male staffer.  At a press conference this afternoon, Massa acknowledged the allegations and admitted to using “salty” language, but called them “unsubstantiated” and reiterated that he was motivated by his health.

Whatever Massa’s reasons for retiring, Republicans now see New York’s 29th congressional district as a top pick–up opportunity.

In the House - House Election News - Nomination Shake 'N' Bake
Feb 26, 2010

Jockeying for the Democratic Nod in Pennsylvania

After a hectic few weeks, the crowded field for the Democratic nomination to succeed the recently deceased Rep. John Murtha (D-PA) seems to be narrowing down.   Democratic party leaders will choose a nominee on March 6th.

There was initial speculation that Murtha’s widow, Joyce Murtha, might receive the nomination.  However, she indicated earlier this week that she was not interested in filling the position and endorsed Murtha district director Mark Critz.  Another potential candidate, former Lt. Governor Mark Singel, dropped out yesterday and also endorsed Critz.  That leaves Critz and former state Treasurer Barbara Hafer as the leading candidates, although there are a few dark horse candidates remaining as well.  With the high profile endorsements of Singel and Joyce Murtha, Critz may be the favorite.

On the Republican side, party officials have failed to recruit any marquee names.  They are left to select between the ’08 nominee, William Russell, and local businessman and first-time candidate Tim Burns.  Party officials are rumored to be leaning toward Burns, but Russell has indicated a willingness to run as an Independent spoiler if he does not get the Republican nomination.  If Russell follows through on those threats, whoever the Democratic nominee is would be heavily favored to win.

In the House - House Election News - Trouble In River City
Feb 18, 2010

BREAKING: Rep. Brad Ellsworth to run for IN Senate

It is being reported theat Rep. Brad Ellsworth (D-IN) will run for the Senate seat left open by Evan Bayh’s surprise retirement. While Ellsworth will be a strong Senate candidate this decision instantly creates a competitive race for his House seat and a top Republican pick-up opportunity. The moderate Ellsworth and fit the district well with his strong law and order credentials from his days as a sheriff but it was won by both McCain and Bush in the Presidential races.  

State Rep. Trent Van Haaften is said to be considering running on the Democratic side.  There were already a number of Republicans running long-shot challenges against Ellsworth.  More prominent and viable Republicans are likely to get into the race in the coming days.

UPDATE - Ellsworth's office has called the report we linked to "inaccurate," but they have not stated that he will not run. UPDATE UPDATE - Ellsworth has confirmed that he IS a candidate.

In the House - House Election News - Retirement-a-Palooza
Feb 11, 2010

Rep. John Murtha (D-PA) Passes Away

The biggest story in politics this week was the death of Rep. John Murtha.  The story was so big that it merited its own blog post, which you can read here.

Retirement Bonanza!

The last few days have seen a slew of new retirement announcements.  There are now 18 open Republican seats and 14 open Democratic seats:

The Passing of Rep. John Murtha (D-PA)
Feb 10, 2010

The biggest news in politics this week is the death of Rep. John Murtha (D-PA).  Murtha passed after complications arose from a gall bladder operation.  Council for a Livable World extends our condolences to his family and friends.

First elected in 1974, Murtha was the longest serving member of the Pennsylvania delegation.  Murtha was the first Vietnam veteran elected to Congress.  Murtha dominated Pennsylvania politics for decades, and as the long serving Chairman of the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee he was a powerful player on Capital Hill.

In the House - Latest House Election News
Feb 03, 2010

IL & FL Primary Results

The biggest news in House elections this week are the first primaries of the 2010 elections, held yesterday in Illinois and Florida.

The most competitive general election race will be in Illinois’ 10th Congressional District, a seat left open when Rep. Mark Kirk (R) decided to run for Barack Obama’s Senate seat.  Kirk has held the seat since 2000, but the district went for John Kerry in 2004 and Barack Obama by a wide margin in 2008.  Kist won narrow victories over Democrat Dan Seals in 2006 and 2008.  Seals will get a third shot at the seat this year, as he won a narrow victory over state Rep. Julie Hamos in last night’s primary.  Seals will face conservative Republican Bob Dold, a first time candidate, in November.  This will be one of the hottest races in the country.

Two Senate candidates in deep trouble
Nov 16, 2009

Two incumbents (one Senate and one Governor) are in serious trouble in the 2010 Senate contests.

In Florida, the hard right conservatives who recently managed to throw an upstate New York Republican seat to the Democrats by supporting a third party candidate are at it again.  The popular Governor now running for Senate, Charlie Crist (R-FL), is opposed by Club for Growth and other conservative activists who think he is too moderate.  Crist’s Republican opponent, Marco Rubio (R-FL), the former House speaker, has begun closing the gap in the polls although not in fundraising.  Rubio is also winning Republican straw polls.

In Connecticut, incumbent Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT) is either running virtually even or behind any of five Republican opponents, including 11 points behind former U.S. Rep. Rob Simmons (R-CT).Ralph Nader, who managed to screw up the Al Gore for President campaign in 2000, is thinking of running for Senate in Connecticut as an independent (beware of any potential candidate who talks of all the people urging him to run).  Dodd’s main hope is that the Republicans destroy each other in a primary.

How many other incumbents will be in trouble next year, or will improved economic conditions and an enacted health care bill create a rising tide for many of these incumbents.,

Politico: 10 Senate seats most likely to flip
Nov 10, 2009

By: Alex Isenstadt

November 10, 2009 04:53 AM EST

http://dyn.politico.com/printstory.cfm?uuid=DB33EEA1-18FE-70B2-A8328A7DB0C0427D

After struggling for two consecutive cycles on the Senate battlefield, Republicans seem poised to make a comeback in 2010. With 37 seats up for grabs — and Democrats defending 19 of them — the GOP is flexing its muscles in Democratic-leaning states like Delaware, Connecticut and Illinois. Recruiting coups by National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman John Cornyn of Texas are one big reason Republicans feel a new sense of confidence. Democrats, meanwhile, are taking on an increasingly defensive crouch as the party in power, which must defend President Barack Obama’s ambitious — and expensive — agenda.

Without further ado, here is POLITICO’s list of the 10 best pickup opportunities among next year’s Senate contests.

The November 3 election results
Nov 04, 2009

Pundits and the politicians will draw numerous lessons from yesterday’s election results. Some of these lessons may even be accurate.

Off-year elections results are primarily determined by local and state concerns.  This is certainly the case in the races for governor in New Jersey and Virginia and the special election for the U.S. House of Representatives contest in upstate New York.

Yet there is little doubt that the national economic uncertainties and Obama’s difficult challenges on health care, global warming, Afghanistan and the economic stimulus package adversely affected the Democratic candidates.

Obama’s popularity remains fairly high despite these difficulties.

One thing is for sure: national security issues, whether nuclear weapons reductions, the war in Iraq or the possibility of sending additional troops to Afghanistan, played no role in yesterday’s results. Zero. Zippo. Nada.

Early Look at 2010 House Races
May 22, 2009

Democratic and Republican strategists are beginning the 2010 Election season by identifying which of their sitting Representatives are most vulnerable.  Both the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) and National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) have published their lists of incumbents that thehy feel will need help from the national party next fall.  

Is your Representative on the list?

Full list after the jump.