House News & Analysis

Democrats Ready to Land Recruit in Elusive California District

by Nathan L. Gonzales September 20, 2013 · 9:51 AM EDT

It’s no secret Democrats whiffed at a huge opportunity in California’s 21st District last cycle. And while it’s taken them awhile to get their footing, it looks like they have found a candidate that could run a competitive race that matches the competitive district.

In 2012, Republican…

In TX, Latinos pass on opportunity to win congressional seat

by Nathan L. Gonzales September 17, 2013 · 10:17 AM EDT

Robert “Beto” O’Rourke defeated 16-year incumbent Silvestre Reyes in last year’s Democratic primary in a West Texas congressional district. Now the Anglo congressman is running for re-election in a district that is 78 percent Hispanic, but no Latino candidates are stepping up to challenge him next year.

Why…

Is Dan Benishek Waffling on Term Limits?

by Nathan L. Gonzales September 16, 2013 · 9:22 AM EDT

When Rep. Dan Benishek, R-Mich., first ran for office, he was a strong proponent of term limits. But now, the two-term Republican congressman’s stance is much less clear.

“Career-consumed politicians in Washington got us into the mess we are in today by voting for bills they haven’t read,…

Michigan 1: Benishek, Done That

by Nathan L. Gonzales September 11, 2013 · 2:00 PM EDT

Dr. Dan Benishek was a political newcomer swept into office in the Republican wave of 2010. Now in his second term, the GOP congressman is hoping to avoid the taint of the Beltway against a Democrat making his first run for higher office.

Benishek was re-elected last cycle…

Idaho 2: Primary Problems

by Nathan L. Gonzales September 11, 2013 · 1:59 PM EDT

Being an ally of the Speaker of the House is normally an asset. But these are not normal times for the Republican Party.

GOP Rep. Mike Simpson is in his eighth term representing Idaho’s 2nd District, has a prime slot on the Appropriations Committee and has been a…

Florida’s 2nd District: When You Don’t Need to Poll

by Nathan L. Gonzales September 11, 2013 · 9:04 AM EDT

Late last week, Democrats released a poll showing Democrat Gwen Graham running neck-and-neck with GOP Rep. Steve Southerland II. They could have saved themselves a few thousand dollars because you don’t need a poll to show that Florida’s 2nd District will be competitive. But that also doesn’t mean…

The Biggest Mistake of Obama’s Presidency?

by Nathan L. Gonzales September 10, 2013 · 10:01 AM EDT

President Barack Obama could have saved himself a lot of headaches, and potentially his presidential legacy, if he had done one thing: cultivated a relationship with Congress.

It doesn’t have anything to do with courting GOP leadership or caving to tea party conservatives. Multiple congressional Democrats believe the…

3 Local Races That Could Affect the Fight for the House

by Nathan L. Gonzales September 6, 2013 · 1:49 PM EDT

Local races rarely have an impact on statewide or congressional elections, but a trio of local races this year could have an effect on three competitive House districts next year.

The most immediate example is the special election for mayor of San Diego.

Republican former City Councilman…

Are There Really Fewer Competitive House Districts Than Ever Before?

by Nathan L. Gonzales September 4, 2013 · 9:08 PM EDT

According to conventional wisdom, there are fewer competitive House races than ever before thanks to partisan gerrymandering. But a closer look at the past 10 elections shows that the 2014 batch of races isn’t far from other non-wave cycles.

There are currently 49 House seats rated as…

10 Things Losing Candidates Say

by Nathan L. Gonzales August 28, 2013 · 9:52 AM EDT

It’s August of an odd-numbered year, but the 2014 cycle is heating up. That means dozens of candidates are visiting us at The Rothenberg Political Report in anticipation of the midterm elections.

Some of them will win, but most will lose. So we’ve started taking notes on some…