A lot of love for the govs on this Monday evening, as fully half of the news in the wrap-up tonight deals with 2010 gubernatorial contests.
NATIONAL: Now the Dem Governors Get Their Own 2012/2016 List
On Friday, we looked at the list that Ken Rudin over at NPR created ranking the prospects for GOP governors, from 1-22. Today, Josh Goodman over at Ballot Box counters with his list for Democrats. This list, it can be guaranteed, brings plenty of debate material to the table.
RACE FOR THE HOUSE: Lots of Movement In House Races
Crisitunity over at Swing State Project had loads of interesting news today out of the world of House races. In AL-05, the GOP might get their top-tier candidate to face freshman Democrat Parker Griffith, as Huntsville-area county commissioner Mo Brooks is looking to jump in. Meanwhile, in CA-11, the GOP LOSES their top-tier recruit, as Contra Costa County Sheriff Warren Rupf has decided not to run for Congress. Downstate in CA-24, Democrats apparently have a favored candidate, political consultant Peter Dantona, who is still on the fence in this becoming-swing district which may or may not be open depending on the somewhat erratic intentions of longtime GOP Rep. Elton Gallegly. If you hit the link, there are also retirement rumors starting for one GOP representative, another GOP Congressman completely losing it in an exchange with a passing motorist, and candidate parties gone wild. Well worth the trip!
CA-Gov: Brown Leads Newsom, According to Dem Poll
According to a new poll by J. Moore Methods, former CA Governor and state Attorney General Jerry Brown enjoys a twenty-point lead over his most likely rival, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom. This is the first poll we've seen since Antonio Villaraigosa made it clear that he was planning to demur from a 2010 bid for Governor. Before, those three leading candidates were all fairly close together, suggesting that Villaraigosa's absence might be benefitting Brown, who has better statewide name recognition than Newsom.
CT-Gov: Is Lamont Considering A Political Comeback?
It appears so, if this article by Morgan McGinley is to be believed. Lamont is not planning on making any definitive statements until early 2010 (he can afford to, unlike his chief rivals, he does not need a ton of lead time to raise cash), but McGinley says that is considering making a bid for Governor of Connecticut. Other Democrats in the field include Stamford Mayor Dan Malloy, Secretary of State Susan Bysiewicz, and former state House Speaker Jim Amann. Jodi Rell is expected to run for re-election.
MN-Gov: Is the Independence Party Recruiting A Big-Name Republican?
Buried in the middle of Paul Demko's piece in the
Minnesota Independent about third-party contenders for Governor in 2010 is this rather interesting nugget: the leader of the Independence Party, Jack Uldrich, has apparently contacted former longtime Republican Congressman Jim Ramstad about running under the banner of the IP. This would be critical to the potential success of the Democratic nominee in the race, as Ramstad would certainly siphon some votes from the eventual GOP nominee. The article does not state, however, if Ramstad was considering the offer.
NV-Gov: It Looks Like TWO Reids on the 2010 Statewide Ballot
Not a surprise, but it is inching closer to a lock:
Rory Reid, Clark County Commissioner and son of the Senate Majority Leader, is going to run for Governor. Here is a pretty direct sign of his candidacy--apparently he has had a campaign manager on board for two months. Reid is no worse than a co-frontrunner (along with Democratic Assembly Speaker Barbara Buckley) for the Democratic nod. Republican Governor Jim Gibbons is talking like he is running again, but there is virtually no chance he is going to have a cleared primary, given his travails during his first term as Governor.
NH-Sen: Sununu Should Have A Clear Primary...Says Sununu
Remember when you were in Little League, and the coach's kid always got to pitch, or bat clean-up? It was annoying when the kid was 10. But what if he is 44 years of age? John Sununu the elder, who serves as New Hampshire state party chairman, says that if his son, the former senator, gets into the 2010 Senate race, he expects the field to clear for him. Check this out:
"I will use my warmth and my charm to make sure that if it is a primary, there is a constructive primary or if a primary can be avoided, I will do that," Sununu said. When asked if he would prefer to avoid a primary between his son and Republican state Attorney General Kelly Ayotte, he responded: "I think if my son runs, there will not be a primary."
NY-Gov: Rudy Willing To Take His Sweet Time
Well, this doesn't sound like a guy with a lot of fire in the belly. Not only will Rudy Giuliani not say for sure that he is getting into the 2010 Governors race in New York, he can't even bring himself to say that he is seriously considering it. His ambivalence, of course, has frozen the field with the exception of Rick Lazio, who made it clear last week that he is jumping in.
ND-Sen: Hoeven Not Ruling Out U.S. Senate Bid
The Republicans may still get their man in the U.S. Senate race in North Dakota. Governor John Hoeven, who has just begun his third term as the state's chief executive, says he will decide by the end of the summer whether or not to challenge third-term Democratic incumbent Byron Dorgan. While a Dorgan-Hoeven showdown would be considered a top-tier match, a February Daily Kos/Research 2000 poll gave Dorgan a twenty-two point lead (57-35).
WI-Gov: Is Jim Doyle Considering A Move To Washington?
An intriguing they said/he said scenario is developing in the state of Wisconsin. Local blog Wispolitics reported that Democratic Governor Jim Doyle was being considered for the director's position at the Peace Corps. His people denied it pretty vehemently. Doyle is also contemplating re-election to a third term as governor, with conflicting polling on the nature of the race. Meanwhile, one of his chief potential rivals for that Governors race is getting a high profile assist: Scott Walker is hosting "special guest" Newt Gingrich at a fundraiser this evening. As toxic as Gingrich may be nationally, he still has a knack for getting right-wing wallets to open.