Texas and Illinois were the first two states where candidate filing was due to close. Then the US Supreme Court gave Texas one extra day.
But nonetheless wander down below the fold to see how both parties are going at filling the slate in the first two cabs off the rank in the 2012 cycle.
Oh yeh and take a look at the 2012 Race Tracker Wiki just because you can.
Firstly Texas. Owing to the current shenanigans regarding proposed boundaries I won't try and handicap any districts. Texas filing reopens and closes on February 1st.
Texas has 36 Districts owing to redistricting; 4 of which are new. On 2010 Election Night the results were 23R/9D! Ouch
For those who are curious about the details of these Districts here is the linky goodness to each.
TX-01, TX-02, TX-03, TX-04, TX-05, TX-06, TX-07, TX-08, TX-09, TX-10, TX-11, TX-12, TX-13, TX-14, TX-15, TX-16, TX-17, TX-18, TX-19, TX-20, TX-21, TX-22, TX-23, TX-24, TX-25, TX-26, TX-27, TX-28, TX-29, TX-30, TX-31, TX-32, TX-33, TX-34, TX-35, TX-36
Team Blue, not surprisingly, has more than a few holes in the Congressional slate. In fact no less than 7 Districts are currently without a Democratic Candidate!
TX-02,
TX-03,
TX-04,
TX-13,
TX-17,
TX-19,
TX-26,
None of these Districts even have rumoured candidates. We had one in TX-03, but he withdrew to run for Dem County Chair. In 2010 Team Blue left 6 Texas Districts uncontested and I suspect 2012 will be much the same. For those of us, including me, who like to see Democratic candidates in all 435 Districts this is more than a little depressing.
The GOP, having contested all 32 in 2010 also have some gaps; both of them.
TX-16,
TX-29,
And it looks like the GOP have not one but two candidates who have filed with the FEC for TX-16.
Alas as always the GOP are better at filling the slate in Texas than us Democrats.
So from Texas onto Illinois.
Illinois has 18 Districts, down one from 2010.
On 2010 Election Night the results were 11R/8D! Ouch
Filing closes on December 27th! Yes that soon.
More linky goodness for those so inclined:
IL-01, IL-02, IL-03, IL-04, IL-05, IL-06, IL-07, IL-08, IL-09, IL-10, IL-11, IL-12, IL-13, IL-14, IL-15, IL-16, IL-17, IL-18,
Having competed in all 19 Districts in 2010 Team Blue has but one vacancy now:
IL-16, With nary a rumoured candidate on the horizon.
The GOP having competed in 18/19 in 2010 have only one gap also:
IL-07, with nary a candidate on the horizon either.
It would be nice for the Texas and Illinois Dems to fill those gaps, albeit improbable in the case of Texas.
Any thoughts or rumours?
PS a party update on all 435 Districts coming soon......
6:22 PM PT: I may be (actually I think I am) wrong regarding Texas filings. Whilst the 2nd filing period will end on Feb 1 a starting date has yet to be named but it should reasonably be more than one day.
Clear as mud?
Tue Dec 27, 2011 at 3:32 AM PT: h/t to trowaman!
We apparently do have a candidate for TX-26 - David Sanchez. He hasn't filed yet but can when filing reopens sometime soon; hopefully!