Inside Elections

2012 Senate Ratings (May 18, 2012)

May 18, 2012 · 1:56 PM EDT

Context Often a Casualty in ‘War on Women’

by Nathan L. Gonzales May 17, 2012 · 9:40 AM EDT

If you ask a Democratic lawmaker what she had for lunch yesterday, she’d probably tell you about the Republican “war on women.”

But, as with many partisan talking points, context is often ignored in the discussion of one of Democrats’ favorite statistics.

“There have been 1,100 bills…

Nebraska Senate: Republicans Still Favored, Just With Unexpected Nominee

by Jessica Taylor May 16, 2012 · 1:07 PM EDT

In the end, it was neither the establishment candidate nor the anti-establishment candidate who can claim victory in the GOP Senate primary in Nebraska.

State Sen. Deb Fischer took 41 percent of the vote on Tuesday to win the Republican nomination and will face former Sen. Bob Kerrey (D) in…

Is Pennsylvania In Play for November? Maybe.

by Stuart Rothenberg May 16, 2012 · 9:32 AM EDT

I never include the Keystone State in my list of presidential swing states for November. Am I making a mistake? Possibly.

There are plenty of reasons to leave the commonwealth of Pennsylvania off any list of the most competitive states that will decide the next president.

While the 2000…

Sticks and Stones May Break My Bones ...

by Stuart Rothenberg May 11, 2012 · 9:20 AM EDT

Little did I know that what I figured was a relatively innocuous column about the Democrats’ problems in North Carolina, where the party will hold its national convention in early September, would generate such a flood of angry attacks.

“Dear Stuart,” emailed one man from Beulaville, N.C.,…

Indiana Primaries: Lugar Loses, House Races Come Into Focus

by Nathan L. Gonzales May 9, 2012 · 1:00 PM EDT

To loyal readers of the Rothenberg Political Report, Sen. Richard Lugar’s primary loss is not a surprise.

“Lugar is a highly-respected moderate conservative with a reputation of being willing to work across the partisan aisle to get things done. But in the current political environment,…

North Carolina Primaries: Republicans Narrow Their Fields

by Jessica Taylor May 9, 2012 · 12:59 PM EDT

Congressional races in the Tar Heel State were already going to be uphill for Democrats, but in a handful of races, they’re going to have to wait until July 17 to know exactly which Republican they’re up against. 

The GOP primaries in the 8th District to take on Rep. Larry Kissell (D) and in…

Gubernatorial Primaries: Four States Choose Nominees

May 9, 2012 · 12:57 PM EDT

Voters in all four states chose nominees for governor last night, but the most competitive general election will likely take place next month in Wisconsin.

Last night, Democrats in the Badger State chose Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett to be their nominee against Gov. Scott Walker (R) in the June 5…

Guarded Prospects for Southern Democrats, Northeast Republicans

by Stuart Rothenberg May 9, 2012 · 10:03 AM EDT

It looks as if there will be no rest for the weary, at least for Democratic House candidates in the South. Heading into November’s elections, except for a handful of races, Democratic opportunities in the region continue to be limited to districts that are heavily populated by minorities.

The…

California House: Shifting Landscape

by Nathan L. Gonzales May 4, 2012 · 1:30 PM EDT

California’s new citizen redistricting commission rocked the congressional delegation, leaving incumbents with tough choices, and in some cases, no natural district to run in. But that’s not the only change in the nation’s most populous state. California now has a top two jungle primary, which…