So yeah, I'm crazy. I woke up early and began thinking about the future and especially the future for woman in politics, specifically the Senate. I began to run through possible candidates for 2012, 2014, and 2016. I have now compiled a list of likely to somewhat unlikely candidates. This will hopefully be a good conversation piece about the future, I hope!
2012 Senatorial Elections
Nevada - Shelley Berkley
-Representative Berkley has already declared a campaign for the seat vacated by Ensign. When Ensign resigned, Rep. Heller, Berkley's opponent, was appointed to his seat. As it currently stands, the race is in a statistical tie, but it would seem Berkley will have the edge. It will be 2012 and President Obama will pour resources into Nevada. Also Senator Reid is working heavily to make sure Rep. Berkley is Senator Berkley in 2012. I'm looking at you Paul Ryan!
PPP - April, 26
Heller 47 - Berkley 43
Hawaii - Mazie Hirono
-Representative Hirono has also already declared a campaign for the seat currently by retiring Senator Akaka. There is another declared candidate in the Democratic Primary, former Rep. Ed Case. He has the lowest approval among Hawaiian Democrats. Rep. Hirono is the most popular among Democrats. It is extremely likely that she will win the primary and if Former Governor Linda Lingle is the Republican nominee, Hirono will start out a strong favorite.
Ward Research - May, 5-10
Hirono 57 - Lingle 35
Wisconsin - Tammy Baldwin
-On May 13, Senator Herb Kohl announced his retirement. Rumors instantly began that Representative Tammy Baldwin, the first out LGBT politician elected to Congress, was interested in running for his seat. As of yet no one has declared, but polling has been done and shows that she is in fact electable outside of her Madison based district. This would be one historic candidacy if it happens and would bring the with it millions of GAY dollars. Of course our best hope would be for one far weaker Republicans to win the nomination, though Thompson's no Juggernaut.
PPP May, 24
Thompson 45 - Baldwin 44
Baldwin 46 - Neumann 41
Baldwin 46 - Van Hollen 39
Baldwin 48 - Fitzgerald 37
Arizona - Gabby Giffords
-As of now Representative Giffords is still in intensive rehabilitation. We all hope for the best and for a bright future. Her staff and family have not stopped the Senate speculation though. They are probably waiting awhile to assess her further. If she does decide to enter the race to take retiring Senator Kyl's seat, she would be the favorite.
PPP May, 4
Giffords 48 - Flake 41
Arizona - Felecia Rotellini
-Democratic nominee for Attorney General, in 2010. Was the best performing statewide Democrat in 2010. She seems rather young and could have a lot potential.
California - Judy Chu
-Rep. Chu was elected in a 2009 Special Election to replace Labor Secretary Hilda Solis. The seat Hispanic majority. Chu has shown herself to be adapt with Hispanic issues. She could theoretically gain a lot of Asian and Hispanic support if she mounted a bid and would be the first Chinese woman in the Senate.
Maine - Chellie Pingree
-If Senator Snowe is "teabagged" or retires this seat should be ours for the taking. While Michaud would have an easier time, it would be nice to replace a woman with a woman. Representative Pingree has been a good Democrat with a good record, thus far.
2014 Senatorial Elections
Massachusetts - Sonia Chang Diaz
-State Senator Chang Diaz was elected to the Massachusetts legislature in 2008. She defeated a corrupt and entrenched incumbent in the Democratic primary. She is an exciting and inspiring woman. There is talk of her primarying Rep. Lynch after redistricting. If she can do that and serve a term in the House, she would be set up nicely for 2014 if Senator Kerry decides to retire or take a position in the Obama administration.
Minnesota - Tarryl Clark
-Last seen taking on Michelle Bachmann in the 6th CD, former Majority Leader in the Minnesota State Senate Tarryl Clark has begun a campaign to gain the nomination of the 8th CD DFL. If she can do this and beat Rep. Cravaack in 2012, she could be set up nicely for 2014. Some have said that Senator Franken might retire. If he does and Clark follows through she could be his replacement.
Michigan - Gretchen Whitmer
-Whitmer is the current State Senate Democratic leader. She was previously in the State House from 2000 to 2006. In 2009, Whitmer filed paperwork to run for Michigan Attorney General, but dropped out in January 2010. She is currently the highest ranking state level Democrat and pretty accomplished for someone in their 30's. If Senator Levin retires, she could be a possible candidate.
New Jersey - Barbara Buono
-In 2010, Buono became Majority Leader of the State Senate. She is currently the highest ranking Democratic woman in the state. There are no Democratic women representing New Jersey in Congress. She served in the State House from 1994 to 2001. Buono authored the states Anti-Bullying law and a prime sponsor of Anti-Predatory Lending law. If Senator Lautenberg retires, given his age doesn't seem unreasonable, there will be a number of congressional Democrats trying to move up, all men. With her stature in the state, she could probably make a strong showing in a primary, or maybe even win a divided primary.
Maine- Hannah Pingree
-Daughter of Rep. Chellie Pingree, Hannah is just as accomplished as her mother. Elected to the State House, Pingree would serve four terms, from 2002 to 2011. She was elected be her peers to serve as Speaker of the House from 2008 to 2011. She is now term limited and currently retired at the old age 34. If Senator Collins faces the same fate as her twin, watch for Hanna Pingree.
Kentucky - Crit Luallen
-Auditor Crit Luallen would be a great candidate to go against McConnell in 2014. She probably could have defeated him in 2008, as she was the state party's top choice.
Rhode Island - Elizabeth Roberts
-Considering Elizabeth Roberts was elected and reelected with a Republican gubernatorial candidate winning at the top seems very appealing. What cabinet position was he offered?
2016 Senatorial Elections
Wisconsin - Julie Lassa
-One of the fabled Wisconsin 14, State Senator Lassa has been in the State Senate since 2003. In 2010 she was the nominee in the 7th CD, but was defeated by current Rep. Sean Duffy, mostly because of the wave. If Democrats retake the State Senate this summer. They can probably insure that Lassa stays in the 7th CD. If she wins she only has to hold out for two terms. She would be a strong contender in a Dem primary to face rich dude Senator Johnson. Given the fact that he was elected at the same time as Walker, I would be surprised if he isn't somewhat tied to the Gov. If so any Democrat would be able to take him out in a Presidential year.
Ohio - Jennifer Brunner
-Former accomplished Ohio Secretary of State, Brunner was last seen loosing in the Democratic primary to Lee Fisher. Fisher went on to loose to Senator Portman. Like Johnson before him, it would be surprising if he's tied to the vastly unpopular Kasich. There are several Democratic women in the House, but Brunner has run a state wide campaign before and is very good on the issues. I really wouldn't be surprised if she's not done with politics.
Missouri - Robin Carnahan
-Current accomplished Missouri Secretary of State, Carnahan lost Senate election to Blunt. The loss had more to due with the climate and the wave, then her. In Missouri, if politicians loose the first time, they tend to come back a second time. Given the fact that Blunt has always been unpopular and Carnahan beloved, I would say she has a decent shot at finally taking the seat.
California - Kamala Harris
-The newly elected and beloved Attorney General of California, Kamala Harris won the toughest election last year in California. A race that most thought she would loose, but she pulled out an upset. She has been compared to President Obama many times and is said to have national ambitions. If and when Senator Boxer retires, Harris will be at the head of the pack. It also won't hurt that she will add some much needed diversity.
Maryland - Donna Edwards
-The only African American Congresswoman from the AA heavy state of Maryland. Rep. Edwards defeated an incumbent Rep. in the Democratic primary in 2008. If Senator Mikulski retires and Edwards enters the primary, she would likely be near or in the front. Again it would be a case of replacing a woman with a woman. The GE wouldn't even matter, given demographic trends.
Hawaii - Colleen Hanabusa
The second part of Daniel Inyoue's evil plan! Rep. Hanabusa will in all likelihood sit out the 2012 race and wait for her mentor Senator Inyoue to retire. Then the chosen one can ascend. Adding the second Japanese woman to the Senate and expanding the Asian caucus to 4.
North Carolina - Janet Cowell
-The first woman elected to the position of State Treasurer, in 2008. Cowell is considered a rising star and is young. A good match up to an unpopular, non present, unexciting Burr, in a Presidential cycle. Demographic changes seem to be happing fast, so hopefully that means an all female Senate delegation.
Florida - Katherine Castor
-Not much too say. She's from Tampa, that might help.
Kentucky - Alison Lundergan Grimes
-The official rising star of the Kentucky Democratic party. Lundergan Grimes just won her party's nomination for Secretary of State, against Beshear appointed Elaine Walker. At the age of 32, she will have a long and fruitful career, hopefully in the Senate. A match up of Lundergan Grimes and faux Libertarian Rand Paul would be very interesting.
New Hampshire - Ann McLane Kuster
-Progressive superhero and all around wonder woman. Kuster barely lost a race, in a state, where Democrats were absolutely crushed. Kelly Ayotte is rather too the right of New Hampshire and more moderate Republicans have lost in this state.
Indiana - Melina Kennedy
-One of only a few potential pick ups in the state of Indiana is the Mayoral seat of Indianapolis. Melina Kennedy is primed to take down the ineffectual Republican incumbent. If she can improve the city in real way, she could have a good shot at a state wide office. In all likelihood Coats, who did not want to run in 2010, will retire. Leaving a wide open race. Lets hope she has a bright future as mayor.
Iowa - Christie Vilsack
-Wife of former Iowa Governor and current Agricultural Secretary. Vilsack is running against Steve King. If she is able to defeat him and hold onto the seat, she could run in 2016. Whether Grassley retires, or not. It's probable that he would, though.
Nevada - Catherine Cortez Masto
-Elected in 2006 to the office of Attorney General, Cortez Masto is term limited in 2014. That could set her up nicely to run a full time campaign. This is of course dependent on whether or not Senator Reid retires or not, but she definitely makes an attractive candidate.
Vermont - Deb Markowitz
-Former Vermont Secretary of State. She finished 3rd in the gubernatorial primary, in 2010. Which is kind of disheartening.
Oregon - Kate Brown
-SoS Brown would make a great Senator and the first openly bisexual one at that. Is there reason to suspect a Wyden retirement?
Illinois - Michelle Obama
-I know, there goes the crazy ndrwmls10, again! Here me out. This is a Harvard Law school graduate, who had her own political career in the making in the Daley administration. She obviously has a taste for politics. Her husband made a half-hearted effort for Alexi. A sort of that's nice if he wins, but there could be a better candidate. Maybe she's the next Hillary Clinton, except not a carpetbagger. She would have all the money she would need and her own popularity. If she doesn't scare Mark Kirk into retiring, she would probably crush him. Bringing the seat back to an Obama and keeping them relevant in everyday politics.
Illinois - Lisa Madigan
-The Attorney General since 2003. She is perhaps the most liked Democrat after President Obama and Michelle. Though she probably has her eyes on the Governors seat.
New York - Yvette Clarke
-I'm under the distinct impression that a woman will be the Democratic nominee in 2016. Whether or not that woman is Hillary Clinton is besides the point right now. Senator Gillibrand has made a giant splash in Washington since moving to the Senate. She is another person that seems to have national ambitions and if Clinton isn't running, then she has even more of a chance. That brings me to Rep. Clarke. She was brought up as a potential replacement of Clinton, before Gillibrand was chosen. She would great pick for diversity points alone and has been working hard in the House so far.
Alright, now that you have seem my crazy ideas. Tell me what you think.