One House incumbent from the state is expected to face a serious challenge in November. At least two incumbents, one in each party, are likely to get a serious primary challenge. Then there are three open House seats, two of which are in serious jeopardy of flipping to the Republican Party. On top of all that, Tennessee will feature an open governor’s race.
Democratic Rep. Bart Gordon’s retirement announcement Monday underscored what was already becoming clear: In 2010, no state will experience more congressional election action than Tennessee.
One House incumbent from the state is expected to face a serious challenge in November. At least two incumbents, one in each party, are likely to get a serious primary challenge. Then there are three open House seats, two of which are in serious jeopardy of flipping to the Republican Party. On top of all that, Tennessee will feature an open governor’s race.
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Colorado Sen. Michael Bennet is losing to all three of his Republican challengers, according to a new Rasmussen survey, another sign that 2010 is shaping up to be a very tough year for Democratic incumbents. Bennet is now the fifth Democratic senator to be trailing Republican opposition in recent public polls, joining Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada and Sens. Chris Dodd of Connecticut, Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas and Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania. By Alex Isenstadt and Jessica Taylor Two months after Massachusetts lawmakers came under criticism for altering the state’s succession laws for partisan purposes, New Jersey Democrats have launched a similar effort designed to limit Republican Gov.-elect Chris Christie’s appointment powers in the event of a Senate vacancy. Amid concerns about 85-year-old Democratic Sen. Frank Lautenberg’s ability to serve out his full term, which expires in 2015, a Democratic state legislative leader last week introduced a bill that would require the governor to appoint a lawmaker from the same party as the departing officeholder within 30 days of the vacancy. By Josh Kraushaar and Jessica Taylor Rep. John Tanner (D-Tenn.) announced Tuesday evening that he will retire at the end of his term, a move sure to spark speculation that other veteran House Democrats facing tough re-election campaigns may instead head for the exits. Tanner becomes the second Blue Dog Democrat in two weeks to retire rather than face what could have been a contentious re-election in 2010. Last week, six-term Rep. Dennis Moore (D-Kan.) also announced his intention to retire against the backdrop of a hostile national political environment. Both districts are politically competitive and the National Republican Congressional Committee has already announced its intention to vigorously contest the seats, as well as the seats of several other veteran Democrats who have not faced serious election challenges in years. |
Jessica TaylorNon-partisan political analyst Archives
January 2013
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