Senate News & Analysis

The Impact of a Supreme Court Vacancy on 2022

by Nathan L. Gonzales February 4, 2022 · 2:28 PM EST

Considering President Joe Biden is on the cusp of making a lifetime appointment to the country’s top court, Associate Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer’s retirement is big news. Yet the upcoming confirmation is most likely to have a muted impact on the 2022 elections. 

When evaluating the potential impact of…

Report Shorts (February 4, 2022)

by Jacob Rubashkin February 4, 2022 · 2:27 PM EST

Ohio Senate
Wealthy car dealer and entrepreneur Bernie Moreno has suspended his campaign for the GOP nomination. Moreno had spent $2.5 million on TV ads but couldn’t break through in the crowded field to succeed retiring Sen. Rob Portman. Even with Moreno out, there are still five candidates with…

If History’s a Guide, Biden Ain’t Getting Any Stronger

by Nathan L. Gonzales February 2, 2022 · 11:52 AM EST

President Joe Biden’s weak political standing looks like cement around the feet of the Democratic majorities in Congress. And even though the 2022 midterm elections are still more than 9 months away, history tells us Biden’s job rating isn’t likely to improve and more likely will deteriorate before Election Day.

Pennsylvania Senate: GOP Spending Spree

by Jacob Rubashkin January 21, 2022 · 2:30 PM EST

Five months ago, the Republican primary to succeed retiring Sen. Pat Toomey looked like a relatively straightforward affair. But after the frontrunner dropped out amidst scandal and with the primary fast approaching, the Republican field in Pennsylvania is as unsettled as it ever has been.

The evenly divided Senate means…

2022 Senate Overview: History Favors Republicans

January 7, 2022 · 2:30 PM EST

By Nathan L. Gonzales & Jacob Rubashkin

Democrats have a better chance of maintaining control of the Senate than the House in 2022, but that doesn’t mean the party should feel too confident about their chances. 

With a 50-50 Senate and no easy takeover opportunities, Democrats have no room for…

2022 Senate Overview (January 7, 2022): Alabama - Georgia

by Jacob Rubashkin January 7, 2022 · 2:29 PM EST

Alabama. Open; Richard Shelby (R) not seeking re-election. Jan. 28 filing deadline. May 24 primary, June 21 runoff (if necessary). The GOP field to replace Shelby has evolved over the last few months with Lynda Blanchard, former ambassador to Slovenia in the Trump administration, now running for governor against incumbent…

2022 Senate Overview (January 7, 2022): Hawaii - North Carolina

January 7, 2022 · 2:28 PM EST

Hawaii. Brian Schatz (D) appointed 2012, elected 2014 (70%), 2016 (74%). June 7 filing deadline. Aug. 13 primary. No Democrats or Republicans have filed to run against Schatz. There’s still five months for a challenger to emerge but none that would complicate Schatz’s quest for another term. The senator had…

2022 Senate Overview (January 7, 2022): North Dakota - Wisconsin

January 7, 2022 · 2:27 PM EST

North Dakota. John Hoeven (R) elected 2010 (76%), 2016 (78%). April 11 filing deadline. June 14 primary. Hoeven had $2.7 million in the bank on Sept. 30. Trump won the state by 33 points in 2020. Solid Republican.

Ohio. Open; Rob Portman (R) not seeking re-election. Feb. 2 filing deadline.…

Wisconsin Senate: Decisions, Decisions

by Jacob Rubashkin December 16, 2021 · 2:30 PM EST

Of all of the Republican senators running for re-election in 2022, perhaps none inspire more enmity from Democrats than Ron Johnson of Wisconsin.

The laundry list of complaints runs long, back to 2010 when Johnson dethroned liberal lion Russ Feingold, derailing the Democrat’s presidential ambitions and heralding a rightward turn…

The Problem with our Politics is not Partisanship

by Nathan L. Gonzales December 8, 2021 · 9:02 AM EST

Our political system is broken. Partisanship, however, is not to blame. It’s the personalization. 

In the current political environment, it’s not enough to disagree with a political foe about policy. You have to discredit, demonize and destroy that person as a human being. 

Arizona Republican Paul Gosar’s anime on Twitter…