House News & Analysis

Federal Court to Draw Texas Map

November 18, 2011 · 4:26 PM EST

The Department of Justice failed to pre-clear the Legislature’s new Congressional map, meaning a three-judge federal panel in San Antonio will draw the new district lines for the 2012 elections. Many observers now speculate that Democrats could secure three of the four new districts due to growth in the…

Olver Retirement Makes Massachusetts Map Easier

November 18, 2011 · 4:25 PM EST

Cong. John Olver (D) announced his retirement, making it easier to fit ten Democratic Members into nine seats, a necessity since the Bay State lost a district during reapportionment. Congs. Stephen Lynch and Bill Keating were drawn into the same district, but Keating quickly announced he’d run for the…

New Colorado Map Puts Coffman in Peril

November 18, 2011 · 4:24 PM EST

 A judge chose a Democratic map that suddenly puts GOP Cong. Mike Coffman (R) in electoral jeopardy. His 6th District dipped about eight points in GOP performance -- turning from a 61% Bush district in 2004 to a 53% Bush district. McCain received nearly 45% in the newly drawn…

Cornilles, Bonamici Move to January Special General Election in Oregon’s 1st

November 18, 2011 · 4:23 PM EST

State Sen. Suzanne Bonamici (D) and businessman Rob Cornilles (R) prevailed in November 4 primaries in the special election to replace Democrat David Wu.

Neither result was a surprise, but Bonamici’s margin was particularly impressive. She received 65% against Brad Avakian (22%) and Brad Witt (8%), both of…

House Overview: What’s In Play?

by Stuart Rothenberg November 15, 2011 · 9:34 AM EST

Aside from House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi’s (Calif.) prediction to ABC News back in early June that her party had “a very good chance of winning the House,” national Democrats have been cautious about predicting a takeover next November.

That’s the way it should be, of course, given…

Is This the Ugliest Redistricting Cycle Ever?

by Stuart Rothenberg November 11, 2011 · 9:21 AM EST

Redistricting is always messy and partisan. But this redistricting cycle, which won’t be finished until sometime next year, is particularly ugly and hypocritical.

In Arizona, the governor, with the support of two-thirds of the state Senate, removed the chairman of her state’s redistricting commission. In Illinois, Ohio, North…

California 52: It’s Always Sunny in Bilbray’s District

by Nathan L. Gonzales November 4, 2011 · 11:58 AM EDT

The forecast for California’s newly drawn 52nd District next year calls for perfect weather but a hot congressional race.

It’s easy for Cong. Brian Bilbray’s colleagues to be jealous of his San Diegoarea district. But a new set of congressional lines puts the GOP congressman in the unenviable…

Do the PPP Polls Mean Anything?

by Stuart Rothenberg November 4, 2011 · 11:57 AM EDT

A recent memo by Public Policy Polling Director Tom Jensen proclaimed that the firm’s recent batch of surveys “shows Democrats can take House in 2012.”

While it is too early to know whether the party will gain the 25 seats it needs for a majority, it’s pretty clear…

Maryland House: New Map Endangers Bartlett

November 4, 2011 · 11:54 AM EDT

Democrats passed a new congressional map that puts long-time Cong. Roscoe Bartlett’s (R) electoral career on life-support.

Early on it looked like Democrats would target freshman Cong. Andy Harris (R), but his Eastern Shore district looks safe. Meanwhile, Bartlett went from having a miniscule portion of Montgomery County,…

Nevada House: Democrats Could Win Three of Four Seats

November 4, 2011 · 11:53 AM EDT

A court finally drew a map after legislators couldn’tdecide on a compromise and Democrats should be pleased.

Nevada gained a seat during reapportionment and the new lines give Democrats an opportunity to win three of the state’s four seats.

Cong. Mark Amodei (R), who just won a…