House News & Analysis

Two Democratic House Challengers Worth Watching

by Stuart Rothenberg June 5, 2013 · 9:45 AM EDT

Democratic prospects of taking back the House in 2014 may be remote, but two Democratic congressional challengers I interviewed recently have the potential to knock off GOP incumbents next year. At the very least, their races are worth watching.

New York City Councilman Domenic Recchia is off and…

The Bachmann District: When a Retirement Changes Everything

by Stuart Rothenberg June 3, 2013 · 9:26 AM EDT

[Editor's Note: A day after this story was first published, Jim Graves dropped out of the race. Read on to see why.]

“Graves spokeswoman Julie Pearl said Bachmann’s retirement does not change the way Graves will run in the race, nor does the campaign feel…

New York 19: New Friend Request

by Nathan L. Gonzales May 31, 2013 · 2:00 PM EDT

Next year, voters in New York’s 19th District might complain about too many political ads, but they won’t be able to gripe about not having a clear choice.

Democrats are targeting Chris Gibson- a 49 year-old Republican who served 25 years in the Army before getting elected to…

West Virginia 2: Old Habits Die Hard

by Nathan L. Gonzales May 31, 2013 · 1:59 PM EDT

Once upon a time, Republican Shelley Moore Capito was a Democratic target. But after a few cycles of convincing victories in West Virginia’s 2nd District, Democrats essentially stopped trying. But now that Capito is running for the Senate and the seat is open, there is renewed optimism that the…

West Virginia 3: Cole + Coal = Victory?

by Nathan L. Gonzales May 31, 2013 · 1:58 PM EDT

Nick Rahall is in a very exclusive club. The West Virginia congressman represents one of the most Republican districts held by a Democrat. Republicans talk about knocking off the long-time member but have never been able to come up with a winning formula.

But next year, in a…

Report Shorts (May 31, 2013)

May 31, 2013 · 1:57 PM EDT

Alabama 1. Rep. Jo Bonner (R) announced he would be resigning in August to take a position with the University of Alabama system. He leaves behind a very Republican district that Mitt Romney won with 62 percent in 2012 and John McCain won with 61 percent in 2008. The…

Latino Democrats Battle Each Other in Heated California Congressional Race

by Nathan L. Gonzales May 30, 2013 · 9:17 AM EDT

What looked like an easy road to Congress for Redlands, California Mayor Pete Aguilar has turned into a complicated race among a trio of Hispanic Democrats. What is more, this has the potential to divide Latinos in California and Washington, D.C.

Aguilar is running for the Democratic nomination…

Friendly Fire: Parties Slam Some of Their Own

by Stuart Rothenberg May 28, 2013 · 9:20 AM EDT

The National Republican Congressional Committee and Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee each blasted the other side after a near party-line vote on the Smarter Solutions for Students Act, which passed the House on Thursday, 221-198.

But eight House Republicans voted with the Democrats, and four House Democrats voted with…

Illinois 13: The Voters of Madison County

by Nathan L. Gonzales May 21, 2013 · 2:29 PM EDT

The best laid plans almost worked to perfection in Illinois, where Democrats controlled the redistricting process and gained four seats in the 2012 elections. But the 13th District was the one that got away.

Republican Rep. Tim Johnson (R) surprised both parties by announcing his retirement after the…

Report Shorts (May 21, 2013)

May 21, 2013 · 2:27 PM EDT

California 15. State Senate Majority Leader Ellen Corbett (D) announced her challenge to Rep. Eric Swalwell (D) in this Northern California district. Some Democrats such as Corbett and Ro Khanna were preparing to run for this seat when Rep. Pete Stark (D) retired. But Swalwell took a chance and…