Senate News & Analysis

2022 Senate Overview (April 1, 2021): Hawaii - North Carolina

April 1, 2021 · 2:28 PM EDT

HAWAII. Brian Schatz (D) appointed Dec. 2012, elected 2014 (70%), 2016 (74%). Though Schatz had to beat back a primary challenger in 2014, he ended 2020 with more than $3 million in the bank, and ambitious state-level Democrats are more focused on the open gubernatorial contest to succeed the term-limited…

2022 Senate Overview (April 1, 2021): North Dakota - Wisconsin

April 1, 2021 · 2:27 PM EDT

NORTH DAKOTA. John Hoeven (R) elected 2010 (76%), 2016 (78%). Hoeven had $2.1 million in the bank on Dec. 31, Trump won the state by 34 points in November, and the senator appears to still be on the good side of the former president. That looks like a recipe for…

Missouri Senate: Open Fields

by Nathan L. Gonzales March 19, 2021 · 2:26 PM EDT

Republican Sen. Roy Blunt announced he will not seek re-election in Missouri, setting off a scramble to replace him on the Republican side and leaving Democrats with only a marginally better takeover opportunity at this early stage of the cycle.

Blunt is the fifth Republican senator to announce he will…

Six Senators Who Owe Their Hill Careers to Redistricting

by Nathan L. Gonzales March 19, 2021 · 9:00 AM EDT

While redistricting can be a curse for some politicians by forcing them into uncomfortable and even unwinnable situations, new congressional lines can be launching pads for other candidates, with repercussions beyond the House. 

At least six U.S. senators can credit their initial arrival on Capitol Hill to redistricting. Each of…

Missouri Senate: Remains Solid Republican for Now

March 8, 2021 · 1:05 PM EST

Republican Sen. Roy Blunt announced he will not seek re-election in Missouri, setting off a scramble to replace him on the Republican side and leaving Democrats with only a marginally better takeover opportunity at this early stage of the cycle.

Blunt is the fifth Republican senator to announce…

Candidate Conversation: Mark Walker (R)

March 5, 2021 · 2:25 PM EST

North Carolina Senate — Rating: Battleground

Interview Date: Feb. 16, 2021 (via Zoom)

Date of Birth: May 20, 1969; Dothan, Ala.

Education: Piedmont Baptist College (1999); Trinity Baptist College (attended)

Elected Office: 6th District U.S. House Representative (former, 2015-2021)

Current Outlook: Walker is a credible candidate in an evolving race…

How the Lack of Ticket-Splitting Leads to Gridlock

by Nathan L. Gonzales March 3, 2021 · 2:22 PM EST

It’s easy to blame politicians for gridlock on Capitol Hill. It’s the voters, however, and the lack of ticket-splitting, that are key to the lack of compromise. For some reason, people act surprised that a divided country is reflected in a divided Congress.

The bottom line is that there are…

Candidate Conversation: Tom Nelson (D)

February 19, 2021 · 2:26 PM EST

Wisconsin Senate — Rating: Battleground

Interview Date: Feb. 8, 2021 (via Zoom)

Date of Birth: March 3, 1976; St. Paul, Minn.

Education: Carleton College (1998); Princeton Univ. (2004, Masters of Public Affairs)

Elected Office: Outagamie Cty. Executive (2011-present); state Assembly (2005-2011); Lt. Gov. nominee (2010); 8th Congressional District nominee (2016) 

Recent History Shows Senate Retirements Don’t Tell Us Squat

by Nathan L. Gonzales February 10, 2021 · 9:30 AM EST

Sen. Richard Shelby’s decision not to seek re-election in Alabama fueled multiple narratives: Republicans in disarray in the wake of President Donald Trump’s loss; a fatalist mentality that the GOP is destined to remain in the Senate minority. Just a quick browse through recent history, however, shows that it’s best…

Ohio Senate: Open Season

February 5, 2021 · 2:28 PM EST

It’s been less than two weeks since GOP Sen. Rob Portman announced he would not seek re-election in Ohio and the broad field of potential candidates has already narrowed to a handful of contenders from each party.

Portman’s decision gives Democrats a glimmer of hope in a state that didn’t…