The following are examples of April's 81 diary collection.
[MN-Sen] MN-Sen: Al Franken (D) Uses Cheetos Metaphor To Mock Climate Change Deniers by poopdogcomedy - Al's off the cuff witticisms are earning him some dedicated fans in the U.S. Senate. He stands for re-elecion in 2014. No serious Republican challengers have yet announced, but if Michele Bachmann were to throw her hat in the ring it would be a fun campaign season!
[FL-02] Taking Back The House 2014: Steve Southerland by RVKU - Diarist takes a look at the vulnerability of Republican Representative Steve Southerland. Gwen Graham, daughter of former Governor and Senator Bob Graham, has announced for the race and Alfred Lawson, the 2012 Democratic nominee is considering a run. Included in the diary are links to Gwen Graham's Facebook, Twitter and campaign site, along with a donation link.
[WI-Gov] WI-Gov: Tea Party targeting Scott Walker by DownstateDemocrat - Just when you thought that the Tea Party couldn't get crazier, they're now targeting the golden boy of the Republican Party, Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker.
Yes, There IS a Knowable Path to a House Majority: Redraw the Lines. Here's How You Can Help! byStephen Wolf - Let’s get our redistricting system changed so it’s fair.
This is the first ever monthly edition of Election Diary Rescue. It covers rescued down-ticket election diaries published in April. We hope you enjoy the following gems dug up by our dedicated team of miners.
Diaries: (81)
Senate: (35) posts, (10) states
House: (23) posts, (4) states, (4) districts
State and more: (15)
General: (8)
More diaries beneath the
Orange Squiggle of Down-Ticket Power
EDR has compiled, described and linked down ticket election related diaries since 2006.
EDR chronicles the passion, power and effectiveness of political engagement and shines a light on candidates and issues that might be otherwise missed. It gives quick access to races, hopefully inspires people to write about contests that interest them, and has become an archive for thousands of election related diaries over the years.
Archive links
Format and Tags
Diarists can help the EDR mining team by identifying the race in the diary title, for example: (FL-14) or (GA-Gov) or (NY-Sen). Using the "Elections" tag is very helpful and keep in mind that your first sentence or two can be the synopsis you would like to see in the EDR description.
This edition of EDR was made possible by the following miners and editors: Alma, eeff, Joieau, oke, randallt, Sylv and turbonerd.
Senate-35
[AK-Sen] Sen. Mark Begich: Both Courageous Hero and Cowardly Devil by TomP - To primary or not to primary?
[AK-Sen] AK-Sen: Mark Begich (D) Furloughs Staff & Gives Part Of His Salary To Treasury by poopdogcomedy - I hope the good people of Alaska remember this come next year. Especially since Begich is a top target for Republicans. You may not agree on everything with Begich but he is a true blue public servant who is serious about not wasting taxpayer money and helping out federal workers. Lets give him the resources he needs to win next year. ActBlue link.
[AK-Sen] AK-Sen: Tea Party Group Launches Campaign To Draft Sarah Palin (R) To Run For U.S. Senate by poopdogcomedy - Heh. Don't know if she's interested, but The Tea Party Leadership Fund is floating the idea.
[CO-Sen] CO-Sen: Mark Udall (D), "Background check supporters won't quit" by poopdogcomedy - Udall has a 50% approval rating with 33% of voters disapproving of him, the best numbers we've found for him so far since he took office. Most importantly for his reelection prospects, he's at a 50/31 spread with independents similar to his overall numbers.
[CO-Sen] CO-Sen: Colorado GOP Chairman Calls Mark Udalls (D) Hefty Fundraising Quarter A Sign Of Weakness by poopdogcomedy - Democratic Senator Mark Udall of Colorado raised $1.5 million in the first quarter of 2013 for his re-election campaign. So the CO Republican Chairman Ryan Call says that means Udall's weak.
[GA-Sen] GA-Sen: Could Michelle Nunn (D) Be Our Alternative To John Barrow (D)? by poopdogcomedy - Diarist looks at the possibility of Michelle Nunn, Sam's daughter, putting up a fight for the Democratic nomination. Even if she doesn't win the nomination maybe she can get Barrow to at least fight for the more progressive Georgia Democratic voters.
[GA-Sen] GA-Sen: John Barrow (D) & Michelle Nunn (D) To Meet Up & Talk About The Senate Race by poopdogcomedy - Diarist has info on Georgia's Senate race.
[GA-Sen] GA-Sen: Ron Paul (R) Endorses Paul Broun (R) For U.S. Senate & Mark Sanford (R. SC) For Congress by poopdogcomedy - Diarist has Some endorsesments on up coming Elections in Georgia & South Carolina.
[HI-Sen] HI-Sen: Brian Schatz (D) Talks About Climate Change & The Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative by poopdogcomedy - Schatz has quickly become one of my favorite candidates for the 2014 midterms. His work on environmental issues and making climate change a top priority have earned big endorsements from major unions and environmental groups. Senator Schatz also voted against chained CPI and in support of background checks and gun control. ActBlue link included.
[HI-Sen] HI-Sen: Colleen Hanabusa (D) To Challenge Brian Schatz (D) by poopdogcomedy - Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa will challenge Hawaii Senator Brian Schatz in the 2014 Democratic primary. Schatz was appointed to replace Daniel Inouye when he died, despite Inouye's personal request that Hanabusa be named.
[HI-Sen] HI-Sen: Brian Schatz (D) Raises More Than $1.1 Million In The First Fundraising Quarter by poopdogcomedy - Senator Brian Schatz (D) has been hitting the campaign trail hard, picking up a lot of endorsements and has raised over $1.1 million in the first quarter. ActBlue link included.
[HI-Sen] HI-Sen: Hawaii Building and Construction Trades Council Endorses Brian Schatz (D) by poopdogcomedy - Appointed Senator Brian Schatz (D. HI) has scored another big endorsement for his 2014 campaign. Information and ActBlue link inside the diary.
[IA-Sen] IA-Sen: Bruce Braley (D) Campaign Schedule For Wednesday, April 3rd & Thursday, April 4th by poopdogcomedy - Democrat Bruce Braley's campaign schedule. Braley is currently the representative from Iowa's 1st Congressional District, and is campaigning for retiring Senator Tom Harkin's (D) seat.
[IA-Sen] IA-Sen: Steve King (R) "GOP doesn't need rebranding to win elections" by poopdogcomedy - Popular Teabagging congresscritter Steve King of Iowa's third district will make his decision soon on whether he'll be running for Senate to replace retiring Democrat Tom Harkin next year. Congressman Bruce Braley of Iowa's first district will be running to retain the seat in Democratic hands.
[IA-Sen] IA-Sen: Steve King (R) Tries To Use The Boston Marathon Bombing As A Way To Delay Immigration Reform by poopdogcomedy - Didn't take long, did it? Congressman Steve King (R-IA) jumps the gun. He's positioning to run for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated next year by Tom Harkin. Looks hopeful that Congressman Bruce Braley (D) will also vie for Harkin's Senate seat.
[IA-Sen] IA-Sen: Tom Harkin (D) Endorses Bruce Braley (D) For U.S. Senate by poopdogcomedy - Sen. Tom Harkin threw his support behind Rep. Bruce Braley’s campaign to succeed him in the U.S. Senate and signaled to fellow Democrats Saturday that the Waterloo congressman should be the party’s 2014 nominee.
[IA-Sen] IA-Sen: CISPA Is One Of The Top Reasons Why We Need Bruce Braley (D) In The Senate by poopdogcomedy - Despite the ACLU's assurance that the controversial cybersecurity bill is dead... for now, Obama's Dept. of Justice, DOD and NSA are still pushing hard. Congressman Bruce Braley (D) is running for Tom Harkin's Senate seat and has demonstrated his opposition to CISPA.
[IA-Sen] IA-Sen: Bruce Braley (D) Stands Up For Equality In The Boy Scouts by poopdogcomedy - Nice letter from representative Bruce Braley (D), running for Tom Harkin's Senate seat in 2014.
[LA-Sen] LA-Sen: Amy Klobuchar (D. MN) Campaigns For Mary Landrieu (D) by poopdogcomedy - Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar goes on a fundraising sweep for Landrieu's 2014 re-election campaign.
[LA-Sen] LA-Sen: Bill Nelson (D. FL) Campaigns For Mary Landrieu (D. LA) by poopdogcomedy - Predicting that the LA Senate race will be a tough one in '14, Landrieu's getting a foot up in fundraising.
[MA-Sen] MA-Sen: Ed Markey (D) Wants You To Tell The TSA, "No Knives On Planes!" by poopdogcomedy - Congressman Ed Markey (D) urges opposition to a TSA rule change allowing (some) knives on planes.
[MA-Sen] MA-Sen: Lynch flip-flopping on KXL?? by AnotherMassachusettsLiberal - Diarist has info on the Massachusetts Senate primary Between Ed Markey (D) & Stephen Lynch (D).
[MA-Sen] MA-Sen: WNEU Poll, Ed Markey (D) With 10 Point Lead Over Stephen Lynch (D), 2nd Debate Set For 4/23 by poopdogcomedy - I admit I don't know how accurate Western New England University Polling Institute is but I figured I would give you their latest poll numbers for the 2013 Massachusetts Special Election to fill Secretary of State John Kerry's (D. MA) Senate seat.
[MA-Sen] MA-Sen WOMEN vote for ED MARKEY today! by 51percent - Diarist urges Massachusetts women to get out the vote on primary day.
[MI-Sen] MI-Sen: Gary Peters (D) To Hold Town Hall Meeting On Immigration Reform On April 6th by poopdogcomedy - Congressman (and as-yet undeclared Senate candidate) Gary Peters (D) will hold a Town Hall Meeting On Immigration Reform.
[MN-Sen] MN-Sen: Al Franken (D) Uses Cheetos Metaphor To Mock Climate Change Deniers by poopdogcomedy - Al's off the cuff witticisms are earning him some dedicated fans in the U.S. Senate. He stands for re-elecion in 2014. No serious Republican challengers have yet announced, but if Michele Bachmann were to throw her hat in the ring it would be a fun campaign season!
[MT-Sen] MT-Sen: PCCC Joins The Effort To Draft Brian Schweitzer (D) For Senate by poopdogcomedy - With Montana Senator Max Baucus announcing his retirement, Markos called for drafting ex-governor Brian Schweitzer for the seat. Now the Progressive Change Campaign Committee has joined the effort.
[MT-Sen] Brian Schweitzer: a bold progressive or just another fossil fueled politician? by RLMiller - Diarist strongly questions DKos editorial board decision to support drafting ex-governor Brian Schweitzer (D-King Coal) to run for Senate in 2014.
[NC-Sen] NC-Sen: Kay Hagan's (D) Support For Gay Marriage Gives Her A Boost In Fundraising by poopdogcomedy - To the other 8 Democrats who are afraid to come out for gay marriage, you're passing up a great chance to boost your re-election fundraising...
[NC-Sen] NC-Dem: Kay Hagan finally takes a stand on firearms reform by MsSpentyouth - "We're pretty close to taking off her training wheels and watching our senator ride a big person's two-wheeler." Diarist includes information on some of the whack-a-doodle Republicans considering challenging Senator Hagan.
[NH-Sen] NH-Sen: Jeanne Shaheen (D) Reintroduces The Energy Savings And Industrial Competitiveness Act by poopdogcomedy - Detailed run-down of Senator Shaheen's busy legislative life and a look at a couple of possible challengers in 2014 who don't appear to be interested in taking her on.
[NH-Sen] NH-Sen: Really? Scott Brown (R) Thinking About Running For Senate In NH? Really? by poopdogcomedy - Diarist has info on the New Hampshire Senate race with Incumbeny Jeanne Shaheen (D).
[NH-Sen] Scott Brown flirts with a carpetbagging Senate run against New Hampshire's Jeanne Shaheen by Laura Clawson - Diarist has info on the New Hampshire Senate Race with Incumbent Jeanne Shaheen (D).
[WV-Sen] WV-Sen: Shelley Moore Capito's (R) Secret Spending Requests by poopdogcomedy - The Club For Growth doesn't like Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito (R. WV-2) running for Senator Jay Rockefeller's (D. WV) seat. Diarist speculates as to which Democrats might jump into the race and take advantage of the Republican discord.
[WV-Sen] WV-Sen: Shelley Moore Capito (R), "I am going to fight like Heck for coal" by poopdogcomedy - The republicans are starting to line up. It’s time for the dems to do the same.
House-23
[CA-17] Rep. Mike Honda for Congress by Andrew C White - Diarist has a post up about Mike Honda (D) in California district 17.
[FL-02] Gwen Graham, daughter of Florida poltical legend Bob Graham will seek congressional seat FL-02 by beach babe in fl - Democrat Gwen Graham announces her candidacy for Florida's 2nd CD. The district is currently represented by Steve Southerland (R).
[FL-02] Taking Back The House 2014: Steve Southerland by RVKU - Diarist takes a look at the vulnerability of Republican Representative Steve Southerland. Gwen Graham, daughter of former Governor and Senator Bob Graham, has announced for the race and Alfred Lawson, the 2012 Democratic nominee is considering a run. Included in the diary are links to Gwen Graham's Facebook, Twitter and campaign site, along with a donation link.
[MN-06] MN-06: Jim Graves (D), "Michele Bachmann (R) Revives The Tea Party" by poopdogcomedy - Democrat Jim Graves is running a rematch against Tea Party darling Michele Bachmann in Minnesota's 6th district. Link to Act Blue donation site for Graves.
[MN-06] MN-06: Jim Graves (D) Officially Announces Rematch Against Michele Bachmann (R) by poopdogcomedy - Diarist shares an email from Democrat Jim Graves, who came within one point of defeating Bachmann (R) in 2012. ActBlue link to help him do it this time is included.
[SC-01] 'She went there': Elizabeth Colbert Busch stuns Mark Sanford in aggressive debate by Laura Clawson - Elizabeth Colbert Busch (D) met former SC governor and famed hiker Mark Sanford (R) for their only debate in next week's special election for SC's 1st District. All in all, a good night for Colbert Busch, a bad one for Sanford.
[SC-01] Do you want to point at Mark Sanford and laugh? by blue aardvark - LOL!!! an online sex hookup service in South Carolina put up a billboard on the interstate featuring Mark Sanford (R), running against Elizabeth Colbert Busch (D) in May 7th special congressional election.
[SC-01] SC-01: BWAH-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA by Brainwrap - Another diary on the online sex hookup billboard for ex-governor Mark Sanford (R). With photo!
[SC-01] SC-01: Rand Paul (R. KY) Endorses Disgraced Former Governor In Special Election by poopdogcomedy - Mark Sanford (R-Appalachian Trail) picked up Rand Paul's endorsement in the special election race against Elizabeth Colbert Busch.
[SC-01] SC-01: Senator Kristen Gillibrand (D. NY) Campaigns For Elizabeth Colbert Busch (D) by poopdogcomedy - The latest release from Public Policy Polling shows the campaigns are virtually tied right now, but Sanford has a big money advantage.
[SC-01] Let's Send Elizabeth Colbert Busch to Congress by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand - Senator Gillibrand has something to say to you.
[SC-01] With Sanford as the GOP's nominee, an upset for Colbert Busch is possible in South Carolina by David Nir - It's no joke: with disgraced former governor Mark Sanford (R) as her opponent, Elizabeth Colbert Busch (D) has a real chance to win the special election in South Carolina's 1st CD.
[SC-01] Mark Sanford Prepares to Run Against Stephen Colbert by Scarce - Mark Sanford (R) decides to run against Elizabeth Colbert Busch in SC-01 by running against comedian Stephen Colbert.
[SC-01] Lest we forget: Mark Sanford didn't just have a dalliance. "He was told...not to see her" by Eclectablog - A reprisal of the diarist's 2009 detailed explanation of why Mark Sanford is a despicable human being.
[SC-01] SC-1 'Values' include orgies, debauchery, being unfaithful? by Jamie Sanderson - Cenk Uygur descriptively breaks down the second coming of Mark Sanford (R) in SC-1 - and the twisted "values" the district embraces. Support the candidate looking to end the second coming before it's too late. ActBlue link for Democrat Elizabeth Colbert Busch included.
[SC-01] Once in a Lifetime Chance in SC-01: Elizabeth Colbert Busch by Tortmaster - A win by Elizabeth Colbert Busch would be a shock to the political system akin to what was experienced with Scott Brown's win in the Massachusetts Senate special election of 2010.
[SC-01] Update: SC-01: Something to Creep You Out by Brainwrap - Ex-governor Mark Sanford (R-Appalachian Trail) has apparently been skulking around his ex-wife's home, violating provisions of their divorce settlement. So far Elizabeth Colbert Busch, Sanford's opponent in the SC-01 congressional race in May, has not commented on this creepiness.
[SC-01 Mark Sanford: Teh Stupid Burns by miracle11 - Another look at Mark Sanford's (R) odd behavior as next month's contest with Elizabeth Colbert Busch (D) in SC-01 gets closer.
[SC-01 SC-1: How a congressional candidate should NOT conduct himself by DownstateDemocrat - This race is drawing lots of comment and coverage due to Mark Sanford's (R) very odd behavior.
[SC-01] SC-01: Mark Sanford could STILL win--how is this possible????!!? by Christian Dem in NC - Conventional wisdom would suggest that Mark Sanford's effort to retake his congressional seat should have ended with Wednesday's revelation that he'd been caught trespassing on his ex-wife Jenny's property on numerous occasions. And yet, multiple pundits have suggested that he could still win. It's all the more reason why Elizabeth Colbert-Busch needs our help. Send her some love at her donation page or at ActBlue.
[SC-01] SC=01: Claire McCaskill (D-MO) Campaigns for Elizabeth Colbert Busch (D) by poopdogcomedy - Senator Claire McCaskill of Missouri is lending her on-the-spot aid to Elizabeth Colbert Busch's campaign against ex-Governor Mark Sanford (R-Appalachian Trail). The special election will be May 7th, so keep an eye on this one.
[SC-01] Mark Sanford had a bad week by Miniaussiefan - Poor Mark Sanford (R) took out an ad attempting to explain the trespassing incident. Meanwhile, Elizabeth Colbert Busch (D) keeps gaining more support for her congressional bid.
[SC-01] SC-01: Elizabeth Colbert-Busch Is Gaining Republican Support - And From a Former Romney Voter Too! by popsorcle - Diarist has info on the South Carolina special election between Elizabeth Colbert Busch (D) and Mark Sanford (R)
State and more-15
[AZ-Sheriff Recall] Joe Arpaio Recall Boasts More Than Half Number of Signatures Required, with Nearly 2 Months to Go by NewWorldMan - Close to 1,000 people jammed the Painter's Union Hall in Phoenix Thursday to hear the news that the recall of Sheriff Joe Arpaio so far has scored more than half the signatures required to force a recall election on the octogenarian despot.
[Chicago-Village Board] Downers Grove Village Board canvassing by Frank Plamer - Diarist has election coverage of a local Village Board.
[Boise City Council] Re-Elect TJ Thomson to Boise City Council by The Book Bear - Nice bio and list of accomplishments for TJ Thomson and his work for the city of Boise during his first term, with strong endorsement and campaign link for the candidate who faces voters this coming November.
[NC-UNC-Chan] UNC elects its first woman chancellor by Christian Dem in NC - History was made on Friday at my alma mater, the University of North Carolina. Carol Folt, the provost and interim president of Dartmouth College, was elected as Carolina's first female chancellor.
[NJ-Gov] In NJ. Here comes Leader Barbra Buono. by empireport - Diarist has info on the New Jersey Governors race.
[NJ-Var] Note to big energy And Jersey City NJ Mayoral Election Tuesday May 14th 2013 ♥ Solidarity by rebel ga - Healy's; honest, tough, kind, conscientious, funny and what Jersey City New Jersey needs. Plus various voter info.
[PA-Gov] PA-Gov: Tom Corbett (R), "Most unemployed people are on drugs" by poopdogcomedy - Yep, he said that. And he wants to privatize the state's liquor business. With only a 38% approval rate, Corbett is weak for re-election in 2014 against the likely Democratic opponents.
[PA-Var] Is PA's Most Progressive State Senator Running for U.S. Congress Good or Bad for PA Progressives? by ProgressivePatriotPA - People are starting to get into the race.
[VA-AG] Virginia's Next AG, Mark Herring, Announces "Equality Agenda" for LGBT, and All, Virginians by lowkell - Diarist covers the Attorrney General race in Virginia.
[VA-AG] VA Dem AG Candidate Calls for Independent Investigation by DOJ into Cuccinelli, McDonnell Scandal by lowkell - "I just got off a conference call with Senator Mark Herring, Democratic candidate for Attorney General of Virginia, in which he discussed the ongoing scandal involving Governor Bob McDonnell, Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, and Star Scientific." Prosecutor Justin Fairfax is running against Herring in the June 11th Democratic primary.
[VA-Gov] Turn Back the Tea Party Tide in Virginia by gralax - The governor's race ad wars are heating up between DNC fundraiser Terry McAuliffe (D) and VA attorney general Ken Cuccinelli (R).
[VA-StHouse] A look at the 2013 Virginia House of Delegates Elections. by pistolSO - A district by district look at the upcoming November state house elections in Virginia.Excellent diary.
[VA--StHouse-Var] Howard Dean's DFA Dives Deeper Into Crucial 2013 Virginia Elections by lowkell - According to its press release, DFA plans to spend well over $750,000 on its five "Purple to Blue" targeted Virginia delegate races this year.
[WI-Gov] WI-Gov: Tea Party targeting Scott Walker by DownstateDemocrat - Just when you thought that the Tea Party couldn't get crazier, they're now targeting the golden boy of the Republican Party, Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker.
[WI-SD-17] Wisconsin State Sen. Dale Schultz, one of last moderate Republicans left, draws primary challenger by DownstateDemocrat - Wisconsin conservatives are now going after one of the last moderate Republicans to hold elected office in the United States, Wisconsin State Senator Dale Schultz.
General-8
Democrats need to do better with white voters part 4 by ericf - Diarist has ideas concerning why Democrats need to win more of the white vote and how they can do so.
Republican governors face decimation in 2014 by kos - Rundown of the first-term Republican governors who may be vulnerable to Democrats in 2014.
Yes, There IS a Knowable Path to a House Majority: Redraw the Lines. Here's How You Can Help! byStephen Wolf - Let’s get our redistricting system changed so it’s fair.
Felony charges DROPPED for VA GOP worker who tossed registration forms by BRog - A Republican prosecutor has decided to drop the felony charges against a Republican operative who had thrown away voter registration forms filled out illegally.
I Was Just Elected Vice Chair of my County Democratic Party by TheFatLadySings - Diarist has the story of her being elected Vice Chair of Her County Democratic Party.
Taking Back The House 2014: David Valadao by RKVU - This diarist is spotlighting vulnerable Republican seats, this diary covers David Valadao (CA-21).
Sign up today: Building voter-protection coalition in North Carolina by MsSpentyouth - Diarist has info about an effort to push back on some of the legislation coming out of the GOP controled Cambers in North Carolina.
Political Geography Part 7: Mapping the Presidential Election, Trend and House Races by CD + County by Stephen Wolf - Diarist has coverage & maps in a continuing series.