House News & Analysis

Can Any of These House Underdogs Survive?

by Stuart Rothenberg June 8, 2012 · 1:48 PM EDT

Remember their names: Reps. Charles Bass (R-N.H.), John Barrow (D-Ga.), Bobby Schilling (R-Ill.), Jim Matheson (D-Utah) and Robert Dold (R-Ill.).

If any of these five House incumbents survive, it will surprise most dispassionate observers (including some in their own parties). But upsets happen, and each of these candidates…

IE Strategy Borders on Art Form

by Nathan L. Gonzales June 8, 2012 · 10:32 AM EDT

Today’s “independent expenditure” isn’t as independent as you might think.

As this fall’s battle for the House and Senate comes into focus, party strategists on both sides of the aisle can, and often do, communicate, even though there is a “wall” separating the official side of the parties’…

New Mexico: Senate Race Set, Grisham Wins Three-Way Primary

by Jessica Taylor June 6, 2012 · 11:57 AM EDT

The Republican candidate that cries “conservative” the loudest doesn’t always win the primary.

Child care center owner Greg Sowards, who had the support of Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), tried to run to the right of Heather Wilson but the former congresswoman prevailed with almost 70 percent of the…

Voters Set General Election Stage in Montana, South Dakota

by Jessica Taylor June 6, 2012 · 11:56 AM EDT

The stage is set for a competitive governor’s race in Montana this fall, with both Attorney General Steve Bullock (D) and former Rep. Rick Hill (R) easily dispatching with their primary challengers. We continue to rate the race as a Pure Toss-Up as Republicans try to take the governorship…

New York House: Empire State of Mind

by Jessica Taylor June 1, 2012 · 11:59 AM EDT

After the 2010 elections, New York sent six GOP freshman to Congress -- more than any other state. But most of them won close, upset contests and after redistricting didn’t do Republicans any favors, Democrats believe their fortunes improve in a presidential year and with a new congressional map…

Illinois 13: Someone Old, Somone New

by Nathan L. Gonzales June 1, 2012 · 11:58 AM EDT

Just because the primary is over doesn’t mean the general election matchup is set in stone. Rep. Tim Johnson won the GOP nomination on March 20 in the redrawn 13th District of Illinois but announced his retirement from Congress two weeks later.

Johnson cited family reasons, but some…

Georgia 9: Democrats Need Not Apply

by Nathan L. Gonzales June 1, 2012 · 11:55 AM EDT

Due to population gains over the last decade, Georgia was awarded a fourteenth congressional seat during reapportionment. The new 9th District covers the northeast corner of the Peach State and will be one of the most Republican seats in the entire country.

State Rep. Doug Collins (R) or…

Colorado 5: Arrested Development?

by Nathan L. Gonzales June 1, 2012 · 11:54 AM EDT

Primary challenges are a dime a dozen these days, but when a wealthy candidate starts putting resources into television ads, it’s worth taking a look to see if he will be effective, particularly with Congress’s dismal job approval ratings.

First-time candidate and businessman Robert Blaha is trying to…

How Citizens United Is Affecting Campaigns

by Stuart Rothenberg May 23, 2012 · 10:16 AM EDT

“It’s a major victory for big oil, Wall Street banks, health insurance companies and the other powerful interests that marshal their power every day in Washington to drown out the voices of everyday Americans,” President Barack Obama said in a statement after the Supreme Court’s January 2010 Citizens United…

Kentucky & Arkansas Primaries: Conservatives, Incumbents Cruise

May 23, 2012 · 10:15 AM EDT

Conservatives got their preferred candidates in open seat races in Tuesday’s primaries in Arkansas and Kentucky, but national Democrats weren’t as lucky. And results in both states demonstrate Democrats’ continued struggle to get elected in the South.

In the Bluegrass State, tea party favorite Thomas Massie cruised to…