House News & Analysis

Minnesota Map Nice for Status Quo

by Jessica Taylor February 21, 2012 · 4:56 PM EST

One of the remaining pieces of the redistricting puzzle was revealed Tuesday, with a Minnesota judicial panel releasing a new map that only slightly changes the state’s congressional boundaries but still leaves freshman Republican Chip Cravaack as the top target in 2012.

The new lines also put GOP…

Maryland 6: Let Bartlett Be Bartlett

by Jessica Taylor February 10, 2012 · 2:59 PM EST

Sharp and feisty, even at age 85, ten-term Maryland Republican Roscoe Bartlett doesn’t seem like he’d be one of Democrats’ top targets in 2012. After all, he’s been an unassuming, if not quirky, force in the House, and he’s cruised to reelection since he was first elected in 1992.

Arizona 8: Special Occasion

by Jessica Taylor February 10, 2012 · 2:57 PM EST

The upcoming Arizona special election is one that party strategists have been afraid of for more than a year, since no one wanted to vocalize even the possibility of having to fill a vacancy for Rep. Gabrielle Giffords.

As the three-term Democratic congresswoman continued her recovery following the…

Pair of Pennsylvania Primaries (12th & 18th)

by Nathan L. Gonzales February 10, 2012 · 2:56 PM EST

The suburban districts in eastern Pennsylvania may get the most attention in November, but a pair of primaries in western Pennsylvania is worth watching this April.

Needing to eliminate one district because of the Keystone State’s loss of a congressional district after reapportionment, Republican map-makers drew two Democratic…

Indiana 5 Primary: Winner Take All

by Nathan L. Gonzales February 10, 2012 · 2:55 PM EST

It has looked for a while as if long-time Rep. Dan Burton might not be coming back to Congress next year. But instead of finally losing in a GOP primary, the long-time Republican House member has decided to retire.

Burton’s decision sets up a two-month sprint in a…

In Florida: Anger, Confusion, Musical Chairs

by Stuart Rothenberg February 8, 2012 · 9:24 AM EST

There is plenty of evidence that the political discourse in this country has degenerated into the gutter. But anger, hatred, name-calling and political musical chairs all at the same time? Welcome to the soap opera that is Southeast Florida.

Last week, freshman Republican Rep. Allen West, a favorite…

Tar Heel Blues Continue For Democrats

by Jessica Taylor February 3, 2012 · 9:51 AM EST

It’s a rough time to be a North Carolina Democrat.

In the span of just a week, the party’s seen Gov. Bev Perdue choose retirement over a competitive reelection she was likely to lose, Rep. Brad Miller headed for the exits rather than face Rep. David Price in…

Oregon Escapes Notice in Voter Photo ID Battle

by Nathan L. Gonzales February 3, 2012 · 9:25 AM EST

More than 200,000 people voted in this week’s special election in Oregon’s 1st district, and none of them had to show photo identification before they cast their ballot.

As the voter ID battle rages on in states across the country, the Beaver State hardly registers within the movement,…

Florida Map Coming Into Focus

by Jessica Taylor February 1, 2012 · 4:41 PM EST

As Florida Republicans approach a compromise on redistricting, a game of musical chairs between GOP Reps. Allen West and Tom Rooney could potentially save one of the most endangered members of Congress.

With Rooney announcing he’ll run in the solidly Republican 17th District, which includes about 40 percent…

In Presidential Polling, Context Always Matters

by Stuart Rothenberg February 1, 2012 · 1:20 PM EST

It’s as predictable as night following day.

Events drive public sentiment, which then shows up in polling. Then, people who either want to make a splash or more often simply want to drive home partisan talking points use the numbers to proclaim a fundamental shift in public opinion…