Senate News & Analysis

When Activists Run for Office

by Nathan L. Gonzales February 5, 2015 · 10:03 AM EST

Spending time, energy and money on campaigns is one thing. But some political activists go a step further, contemplating whether to become a candidate themselves.

California could see two such cases in the next few years, with environmentalist Tom Steyer and Daily Kos founder Markos Moulitsas potentially finding themselves…

Why Even Democrats Love Talking About Joni Ernst

by Nathan L. Gonzales February 2, 2015 · 10:59 AM EST

Republicans and Democrats can’t agree on much of anything these days, but strategists on both sides of the aisle love to talk about Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst’s victory.

Two years ago, Ernst was a little-known GOP state senator from Southwest Iowa. She entered the national spotlight with a Continue Reading

First Look: Can Democrats Win the Senate in 2016?

by Stuart Rothenberg January 29, 2015 · 9:30 AM EST

For Republicans, the fight for control of the Senate in 2016 is all about playing defense.

Unlike 2014 (and 2018), the Senate races of 2016 offer few, if any, opportunities for the GOP as the election cycle begins. The map strongly favors Democrats and suggests the possibility of considerable…

Report Shorts (January 23, 2015) California Senate, Iowa Senate, Pennsylvania Senate

January 23, 2015 · 1:31 PM EST

California Senate. Since our last issue, state Attorney General Kamala Harris (D) announced her candidacy in the race to replace retiring-Sen. Barbara Boxer (D). Harris won’t necessarily clear the field, but she is a top contender for the seat. On Thursday wealthy environmental activist Tom Steyer declined to run, but…

Why Democrats Can’t Count on Voters Blaming a ‘Republican Congress’

by Stuart Rothenberg January 19, 2015 · 9:30 AM EST

Most emails I receive are fundraising propaganda easily ignored, since they aren’t strong on accuracy or thoughtfulness. Instead, they merely seek to incite and anger — and to get people to open their checkbooks to stop the forces of evil.

But the Monday email I received from the Progressive…

Will Improving Economy Help Obama’s Case on Keystone?

by Stuart Rothenberg January 12, 2015 · 8:30 AM EST

Events matter in politics and, for a change, they potentially seem to offer a bit of aid and comfort to President Barack Obama in his upcoming battle with the Republican-controlled Congress.

After an impressive across-the-board victory that included a new Senate majority, gains to the party’s House majority and…

2016 Senate Overview: Republicans Start on the Defensive

by Nathan L. Gonzales January 9, 2015 · 1:34 PM EST

Mitch McConnell is just getting settled into the Senate Majority Leader’s office but Democrats are determined to make sure it’s a short stay.

The GOP rushed to a nine-seat gain and the Senate majority in 2014 by ensuring that the best candidates won competitive primaries, cultivating challengers to take…

2016 Senate Overview (January 9, 2015) Alabama - Kansas

January 9, 2015 · 1:33 PM EST

ALABAMA – Richard Shelby (R) elected 1986 (50%), 1992 (65%), 1998 (63%), 2004 (68%), 2010 (65%). After five terms and 30 years in the Senate, Shelby might look like a candidate who is ripe for an anti-establishment challenger. But the senator had just short of $18 million in the bank…

2016 Senate Overview (January 9, 2015) Kentucky - New Mexico

January 9, 2015 · 1:32 PM EST

KENTUCKY – Rand Paul (R) elected 2010 (56%). After knocking off establishment favorite Trey Grayson in the 2010 GOP primary and Democrat Jack Conway in the general election, Paul is up for re-election. But the senator has his eye on a bigger prize: the presidency. 

Under Kentucky law, candidates are…

2016 Senate Overview (January 9, 2015) New York - Wyoming

January 9, 2015 · 1:31 PM EST

NEW YORK – Chuck Schumer (D) elected 1998 (55%), 2004 (71%), 2010 (66%). Some races are complicated; the one in New York is not. If Schumer runs for a fourth term, he will win. Safe for Democrats.

NORTH CAROLINA – Richard Burr (R) elected 2004 (52%), 2010 (55%). An official…