House News & Analysis

Illinois 13: Someone Old, Somone New

by Nathan L. Gonzales June 1, 2012 · 11:58 AM EDT

Just because the primary is over doesn’t mean the general election matchup is set in stone. Rep. Tim Johnson won the GOP nomination on March 20 in the redrawn 13th District of Illinois but announced his retirement from Congress two weeks later.

Johnson cited family reasons, but some…

Georgia 9: Democrats Need Not Apply

by Nathan L. Gonzales June 1, 2012 · 11:55 AM EDT

Due to population gains over the last decade, Georgia was awarded a fourteenth congressional seat during reapportionment. The new 9th District covers the northeast corner of the Peach State and will be one of the most Republican seats in the entire country.

State Rep. Doug Collins (R) or…

Colorado 5: Arrested Development?

by Nathan L. Gonzales June 1, 2012 · 11:54 AM EDT

Primary challenges are a dime a dozen these days, but when a wealthy candidate starts putting resources into television ads, it’s worth taking a look to see if he will be effective, particularly with Congress’s dismal job approval ratings.

First-time candidate and businessman Robert Blaha is trying to…

How Citizens United Is Affecting Campaigns

by Stuart Rothenberg May 23, 2012 · 10:16 AM EDT

“It’s a major victory for big oil, Wall Street banks, health insurance companies and the other powerful interests that marshal their power every day in Washington to drown out the voices of everyday Americans,” President Barack Obama said in a statement after the Supreme Court’s January 2010 Citizens United…

Kentucky & Arkansas Primaries: Conservatives, Incumbents Cruise

May 23, 2012 · 10:15 AM EDT

Conservatives got their preferred candidates in open seat races in Tuesday’s primaries in Arkansas and Kentucky, but national Democrats weren’t as lucky. And results in both states demonstrate Democrats’ continued struggle to get elected in the South.

In the Bluegrass State, tea party favorite Thomas Massie cruised to…

Indiana Primaries: Lugar Loses, House Races Come Into Focus

by Nathan L. Gonzales May 9, 2012 · 1:00 PM EDT

To loyal readers of the Rothenberg Political Report, Sen. Richard Lugar’s primary loss is not a surprise.

“Lugar is a highly-respected moderate conservative with a reputation of being willing to work across the partisan aisle to get things done. But in the current political environment, experience is overrated…

North Carolina Primaries: Republicans Narrow Their Fields

by Jessica Taylor May 9, 2012 · 12:59 PM EDT

Congressional races in the Tar Heel State were already going to be uphill for Democrats, but in a handful of races, they’re going to have to wait until July 17 to know exactly which Republican they’re up against. 

The GOP primaries in the 8th District to take on…

Guarded Prospects for Southern Democrats, Northeast Republicans

by Stuart Rothenberg May 9, 2012 · 10:03 AM EDT

It looks as if there will be no rest for the weary, at least for Democratic House candidates in the South. Heading into November’s elections, except for a handful of races, Democratic opportunities in the region continue to be limited to districts that are heavily populated by minorities.

California House: Shifting Landscape

by Nathan L. Gonzales May 4, 2012 · 1:30 PM EDT

California’s new citizen redistricting commission rocked the congressional delegation, leaving incumbents with tough choices, and in some cases, no natural district to run in. But that’s not the only change in the nation’s most populous state. California now has a top two jungle primary, which throws an obstacle into…

Texas 23: The Only Game in Town

by Jessica Taylor May 4, 2012 · 1:29 PM EDT

The race to knock off Rep. Quico Canseco (R) will likely be the only competitive general election contest in the Lone Star State -- but Democrats must first pick their standard bearer to take on the freshman Republican.

After a series of legal battles, a new…