House News & Analysis

Hispanics fail to win Hispanic Congressional districts

by Nathan L. Gonzales February 18, 2013 · 9:00 AM EST

One year ago, Democratic state Sen. Ruben Kihuen declared himself the best candidate to represent a newly-drawn, Hispanic-heavy congressional district in North Las Vegas. Thirteen days later, he dropped out of the race.

Even though a record number of Latinos are serving in the 113th Congress, Hispanic candidates…

Barr Prepping For Georgia House Bid

by Stuart Rothenberg February 14, 2013 · 5:48 PM EST

Former U.S. Rep. Bob Barr (R) is telling friends in Georgia that he will be running for Congress next year.

A handful of Republican congressmen are considering running for the seat of Senator Saxby Chambliss (R), who has announced that he will not seek another term, so there…

Illinois 2 Special: The Jackson 3?

by Jessica Taylor February 8, 2013 · 1:57 PM EST

The only thing that seems certain in the special election in Illinois’ 2nd District is that a woman is poised to win the seat. The bigger question remains though: which one?

A 16-candidate Democratic field solidified for the chance to succeed former Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D), who…

RPR Report Shorts (February 8, 2013)

February 8, 2013 · 1:56 PM EST

California 17. President Barack Obama doesn’t have the reputation for getting involved in too many congressional races, but he has already endorsed Rep. Mike Honda’s 2014 re-election bid in the northern California district. Potential primary challenger Ro Khanna has already raised $1.2 million but is in search of a…

Youth Vote Could Seal GOP’s Minority Status

by Stuart Rothenberg February 8, 2013 · 9:22 AM EST

We may well be at a political tipping point that could mark a dramatic change in American politics.

After decades of Democratic Party dominance that began with the formation of the New Deal coalition, Ronald Reagan ushered in an era of relative party parity. But a deep fracture…

Democrats Look to Ward to Energize 2014 Takeover From Helm of DCCC

by Nathan L. Gonzales January 31, 2013 · 9:48 AM EST

A decade ago, Kelly Ward sat around a dining room table in Tucson, Ariz., with a trio of powerful Democratic women and Gabrielle Giffords, plotting the young state legislator’s next steps. It didn’t matter that the ink was hardly dry on Ward’s college diploma — her energy quickly made…

Have Republicans Turned the Corner on Strategy?

by Stuart Rothenberg January 30, 2013 · 9:59 AM EST

After spending a little more than a year ramming their heads into a brick wall, congressional Republicans and their allies have taken their first positive step: They have stopped doing it.

The GOP’s decision not to fight on raising the debt ceiling next month gives the party the…

Can Vulnerable Democrats Defend Themselves Without Guns?

by Jessica Taylor January 23, 2013 · 2:31 PM EST

Rural House Democrats are an increasingly endangered breed. And in President Obama’s second midterm election, they’ll be squarely on notice again, particularly with gun control issues coming into the political forefront -- which could have mixed implications for their 2014 prospects.

In 2012, Blue Dog Democrats such as…

South Carolina 1:Taking the Appalachian Trail to Congress

by Jessica Taylor January 11, 2013 · 12:59 PM EST

Don’t cry for him, South Carolina: the truth is former Gov. Mark Sanford (R) never really left Palmetto State politics.

The battle to succeed newly-appointed Sen. Tim Scott (R) takes on immediate national attention with the likely political return of Sanford, now infamous for an ill-fated disappearance from…

Obama Wins First Round, With More Bouts to Come in 2013

by Stuart Rothenberg January 4, 2013 · 11:14 AM EST

We’ve just seen Round One in what amounts to a political heavyweight championship fight between Democrats and Republicans. Get ready for the next 11 rounds.

Though they were unhappy with a package that included more spending and higher taxes on the wealthy, Republican realists understood that defending tax…