Latest headlines from the Cook Political Report

PA-12: Murtha's Passing Moves Seat To Toss Up

bnaylor — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 16:57:49 -0600

Today, western Pennsylvanians mourn the passing of one of their most influential representatives to Congress ever. But once constituents come to terms with the loss of Democratic Rep. John Murtha and his towering seniority, their attention will turn to a special election to choose their first new House member since 1974. Read on

NJ & VA GOVERNORS: The Meaning of It All

bnaylor — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 16:03:18 -0600

Republicans swept yesterday’s gubernatorial contests in New Jersey and Virginia, breathing new hope into a party that had suffered devastating losses over the last two cycles at almost every level of government. Read on

Indiana Senate Update

bnaylor — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 15:39:35 -0600

Until Tuesday night, Democratic Sen. Evan Bayh’s bid for a third term wasn’t on anyone’s radar. Republicans had a string of recruiting disappointments as Gov. Mitch Daniels and Rep. Mike Pence said they weren’t interested in challenging Bayh. Republicans’ fortunes changed, though, when word leaked that former Republican Sen. Dan Coats would announce his candidacy. Read on

Connecticut Senate Update

bnaylor — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 15:39:01 -0600

Democratic Sen. Chris Dodd’s decision not to seek re-election was an answer to Democrats’ prayers. As much as Dodd is well liked and respected by his colleagues and strategists, it was very difficult to see how he was going to win re-election. With Dodd out of the race, Democrats ended up with a much stronger candidate in Attorney General Richard Blumenthal. Read on

California Senate Update

bnaylor — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 15:38:24 -0600

Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer has never gotten a firm hold on this seat, though she tends to win re-election easily, largely because Republicans nominate opponents who are either too conservative for the state or can’t raise the money to compete. Read on

Pennsylvania Senate Update

bnaylor — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 15:37:42 -0600

Sen. Arlen Specter must be wondering whether his decision to switch parties last spring was the right one. Not only have the GOP’s prospects improved, but he finds himself locked in a nasty primary with Rep. Joe Sestak. And, even if he secures the nomination, Specter’s prospects in the general election have dimmed in recent weeks. Read on

Nevada Senate Update

bnaylor — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 15:36:58 -0600

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s problems are well-documented. The state’s economy is suffering greatly. Unemployment is at 13 percent, tourism is way down, and Nevada ranks among the states with the highest percentage of foreclosures. Read on

Illinois Senate Update

bnaylor — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 15:36:08 -0600

Tuesday’s primary produced a general election match-up between Democratic state Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias and GOP Rep. Mark Kirk. Read on

Colorado Senate Update

bnaylor — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 15:35:17 -0600

Democrat Michael Bennet was appointed to fulfill the remainder of incumbent Sen. Ken Salazar’s Senate term. Salazar resigned to join President Obama’s Cabinet of Secretary of the Interior. Bennet was Superintendant of Denver Public Schools before being tapped for the Senate and has never run for office. Read on

Arkansas Senate Update

bnaylor — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 15:34:32 -0600

Democratic Sen. Blanche Lincoln has become increasingly vulnerable as the cycle has progressed. Voters here seem especially alarmed about increased government intervention and angry about the direction that the health care reform debate has taken. Read on