Archive

Louisiana Senate: In the Wake of David Vitter

by Nathan L. Gonzales December 4, 2015 · 2:30 PM EST

Republican Sen. David Vitter managed to lose the governorship of Louisiana for his party this year in remarkable fashion. Now the GOP is trying to hold onto his Senate seat next year. 

Vitter spared himself days, weeks, or months of questions and pressure by announcing he would not seek…

Presidential Battleground Spotlight: Wisconsin

by Nathan L. Gonzales December 4, 2015 · 2:29 PM EST

Next year will go a long way in defining Wisconsin’s political identity. And there is plenty at stake including 10 electoral votes and a U.S. Senate seat with the majority hanging in the balance.

The Republican presidential nominee hasn’t won the Badger State since President Ronald Reagan’s…

Illinois House: Filing Deadline Passes, Along with Two Democratic Takeover Opportunities

by Nathan L. Gonzales December 4, 2015 · 2:28 PM EST

It’s not even 2016 yet, but the filing deadline for candidates in Illinois came and went on Tuesday. Democrats failed to recruit top-tier candidates in two competitive districts, which means the map Democrats drew after the last census will fall short of its desired intent once again. 

In the last…

Florida House: New Lines Change Outlook in 5 Races

by Nathan L. Gonzales December 4, 2015 · 2:27 PM EST

After years of court battles, the Florida Supreme Court finally decided on a new congressional map that changes the dynamic in a handful of districts. 

The results must be bittersweet for Democrats, who have been crying for “fair districts” for quite sometime and could net as many as three seats…

Report Shorts (December 4, 2015) California Senate, Florida Senate, Maryland Senate

December 4, 2015 · 2:26 PM EST

California Senate. A recent story in The Hill highlighted some grumbling about state Attorney General Kamala Harris’ campaign. Harris is viewed as the clear frontrunner to replace retiring Sen. Barbara Boxer, but some observers believe her burn rate is too high (she’s spending too much of the money…

Who Is the Second Most Vulnerable Senate Incumbent in 2016?

by Stuart Rothenberg December 4, 2015 · 10:09 AM EST

There is little doubt about the identity of the most vulnerable senator seeking re-election next year. It’s Illinois Republican Mark S. Kirk, who hopes to win a second term in a very Democratic state in a presidential year. His prospects are bleak.

But who ranks just behind Kirk as the second most…

Obama Still Channeling George W. Bush

by Stuart Rothenberg December 3, 2015 · 2:00 PM EST

It has been almost 16 months since I wrote about the comparative positions of President Barack Obama and former President George W. Bush as they approached their second midterm elections. Since then, the two presidents, and two administrations, have continued to resemble each other increasingly.

Time to Stop Reporting on Committee Fundraising Numbers

by Nathan L. Gonzales November 30, 2015 · 9:23 AM EST

Political reporters have a fever and the only prescription appears to be fundraising numbers.

It’s a time-honored tradition: Every month, the House and Senate campaign committees release fundraising totals in a regular effort to claim momentum and financial supremacy, and political reporters can’t…