Inside Elections

2016 Senate Ratings (March 27, 2015)

March 27, 2015 · 11:01 AM EDT

It’s Early: Why Pundits Shouldn’t Overreact

by Stuart Rothenberg March 26, 2015 · 3:43 PM EDT

The reviews are in after the first game of spring training: Hillary Rodham Clinton struck out. Or at best, she hit a slow roller to second base and was thrown out by a mile.

She’s toast. It’s over for her. She has handled the email controversy like an amateur. The former secretary of State is old…

Lopach Leads March Toward Democratic Senate Majority

by Nathan L. Gonzales March 25, 2015 · 9:16 AM EDT

Smoke billowed out of Ted Kennedy’s living room fireplace as donors gathered in his D.C. home for a fundraiser, though the legendary senator was still on the Hill for votes.

But that wasn’t too much for Tom Lopach.

“I don’t know anyone, my house is on fire and my husband is gone,” Vicki Kennedy,…

Schilling Considering Special Election for Schock Seat

by Nathan L. Gonzales March 24, 2015 · 1:07 PM EDT

Former Illinois Rep. Bobby Schilling hasn’t closed the door on running in the special election to replace embattled Republican Rep. Aaron Schock, according to a knowledgeable GOP source.

State Sen. Darin LaHood of Peoria is the early front-runner in the forthcoming Republican primary, but…

Indiana Senate Race Moves Out of Safe

by Nathan L. Gonzales March 24, 2015 · 12:32 PM EDT

GOP Sen. Dan Coats’ retirement creates a takeover opportunity in Indiana next year. But Democrats will likely need some breaks to move the race from a potential gain to a top tier contest.

Coats would have started the race as a clear favorite for re-election, but now that he is retiring, his open…

2016 Senate Ratings (March 24, 2015)

March 24, 2015 · 12:30 PM EDT

Why Primaries Aren’t All Bad

by Nathan L. Gonzales March 23, 2015 · 10:04 AM EDT

Primaries can be expensive and divisive, but treating them like the plague — as party spokesmen are prone to do early every cycle — distorts electoral reality.

GOP strategists looking to hold the party’s newly attained majority are reveling in the potentially crowded field of Democrats for the…

Illinois 18: Who Will Replace Aaron Schock?

by Nathan L. Gonzales March 20, 2015 · 2:30 PM EDT

GOP Rep. Aaron Schock endured weeks of bad headlines about alleged misuse of office and campaign funds, but few observers thought he would resign, at least so soon. 

While media coverage, including The Washington Post and USA Today, shed light on some of Schock’s spending habits, Politico’s story…

Looking for Retirements in All the Wrong Places

by Nathan L. Gonzales March 20, 2015 · 2:29 PM EDT

Who’s going to retire? It’s usually one of the first questions at this early stage of the election cycle. The easiest thing to do is take a look at the House, pick out the oldest Members in the room, and put them on a retirement watch list. But it’s time to look for retirements in a different way.…

Iowa 1: Freshman in the City

by Nathan L. Gonzales March 20, 2015 · 2:28 PM EDT

Republican Rod Blum took over a Democratic open seat last year in a late-breaking race. But even some GOP strategists aren’t quite sure what to make of the Iowa congressman’s first few months in office. The only thing certain is that the 1st District will be a top Democratic takeover target in…