Some news on the House, Senate, and Governor races of 2006. Lots of news from Florida, for some reason.
Florida Senate - Nelson leads easily
Bill Nelson - D
Most of you know this, but a new Mason-Dixon poll (M-D is often accurate) shows Nelson surpassing the magic 50% mark, polling 53% to Rep. Katherine Harris' 36%. Given that Harris' name recognition is about equal to Nelson's, that's great. And if the Goopers defraud the machines and give this to Harris, there will be a major uproar. She'll have to tighten the polls a lot to make a victory on Election Day believable.
Florida 9 - Nepotism, how quaint
Open - R
With veteran Rep. Mike Bilirakis, who has served since 1983, retiring, his son is now running. Yes, Gus Bilirakis is vying to take his father's seat. It's a heavily Republican district on the Gulf Coast. This race will combine two of my favorite issues: gerrymandering and nepotism.
Alabama Governor - I feel the light!
Bob Riley - R
Former Alabama Supreme Court Justice and full-time fundie Roy Moore (R) is considering a primary challenge to Riley, who I suppose isn't wingnutty enough for some Alabama Republicans. Says Moore, "I'm seriously considering it ... I wouldn't want to run unless it was God's will...". Ah, I can smell the blood already.
California Governor - Ahnold becomes a girly man
Arnold Schwarzenegger - R
The once-invincible Gropenator is now shriveling up like a prune. The Field Poll (California's most accurate pollster, which hasn't made a wrong prediction since 1982) says Ahnold's approval rating is at 31%, one of the weakest in the country...ouch. I was pretty pessimistic about this race because of how star-struck a lot of people are, but it seems that we Californians have repented after 2003 and are ready to go back to some sanity (actually, I'm not a Californian anymore, but I was until December).
Nebraska Governor - Stop kidding yourselves
Dave Heineman - R
Dems are looking for a candidate...unless Bob Kerrey suddenly decides to move back from N.Y., or Jim Exon rises from the dead, dream on.
Michigan Senate - Make up your mind, Jane!
Debbie Stabenow - D
Republicans are getting impatient with Jane Abraham for not making up her mind. It really doesn't matter what she decides, Stabenow is doing really well in the polls. Stabenow led Abraham 59-30 in the last poll.
Florida 13 - The battle for rich white people
Open - R
With the dainty and charming Katherine Harris (aka Wicked Witch of the Gulf Coast) vacating her seat to challenge Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson, the battle is brewing to win the now-open 13th CD. Republican candidates include a few state reps, a businessman, and a wingnut activist. Harris actually ran behind the GOP performance of the district in 2002 and 2004, so the seat is even more likely to stay Republican without her in the running.
Florida 22 - Dems try to silence primary opponent
Clay Shaw - R
State Sen. Ron Klein (D) is widely considered the party establishment's pick to take on Shaw, who has represented this Democratic-leaning South Florida district since 1981. Yet Klein is facing some primary noise from longshot Democratic candidate Robert Watson, a professor (sound familiar???????).
Pennsylvania 4 - Possible Dem candidates
Melissa Hart - R
Businesswoman Georgia Berner and some guy called Jason Altmire, both Democrats, are both poised to challenge Hart. The sentimental favorite would have been Chris Heinz (son of Teresa), but he boughed out a while back. This western PA district is traditionally working-class, union, Rust Belt Democratic, but has become more Santorum-y over the last decade. It is still a blue collar district, however, capable of electing Dems. In fact, Ron Klink (D) held the seat until 2000 when he challenged Santorum in the Senate race. This could be one of 4 or 5 major Pennsylvania races next year.
Texas Senate - Shoo-in, sadly
Kay Bailey Hutchison - R
Hutchison defied conventional wisdom and will stay in the Senate. Therefore, Rep. Henry Bonilla (R), who said he'd run for her seat if she ran for gov, will stay put.
New York Governor - Blah blah blah
George Pataki - R
Either Pataki's about to retire or Republicans don't think he can win (which is true). They are trying to recruit Tom Golisano, who has run as an Independent for Governor twice (I think). Who cares. In the end, Democrat Eliot Spitzer's gonna win this. He's the Obama of 2006.
Idaho 1 - Why so many Larrys??????!!!
Open - R
Rep. Butch Otter is running for Gov. Former Rep. Larry LaRocco (D) announced a while back he is not running to take back his old seat, but will chair Larry Grant's (D) exploratory committee. BTW, Idaho also has a Senator named Larry Craig (R). Why are there so many goddamned Larrys in Idaho????