House News & Analysis

Kentucky 1: Comer Coming to Congress

by Nathan L. Gonzales May 19, 2016 · 2:55 PM EDT

Secretary of Agriculture James Comer narrowly missed getting elected governor in 2015 but landed on his feet after winning the recent GOP primary in Kentucky’s 1st District, which is open because of GOP Rep. Ed Whitfield’s retirement. 

A year ago, Comer finished second in the GOP primary for governor…

Candidate Conversation - Shelli Yoder (D)

May 19, 2016 · 2:54 PM EDT

Nominee for Indiana’s 9th District

Interview Date: May 12, 2016

Date of Birth: Aug. 30, 1968; Shipshewana, Indiana

Education: Indiana Univ.-Purdue Univ. Fort Wayne (1991); Indiana Univ. (Master’s, 1996); Vanderbilt Univ. (M.Div. 2002); Hanover College (attended)

Political Office: Monroe County Council; 2012 9th District nominee

Current Outlook: Yoder is…

Candidate Conversation - Fred Costello (R)

May 19, 2016 · 2:53 PM EDT

Candidate for Florida’s 6th District

Interview Date: May 3, 2016

Date of Birth: Feb. 9, 1950; Orlando Florida

Education: Graceland Univ. (1970); Univ. of Florida Dental School (1974)

Political Office: State Representative; Mayor of Ormond Beach (former)

Current Outlook: Costello is a top contender in the crowded race in…

Candidate Conversation - Drew Ferguson (R)

May 19, 2016 · 2:52 PM EDT

Candidate for Georgia’s 3rd District

Interview Date: May 3, 2016

Date of Birth: Nov. 15, 1966; Langdale, Ala.

Education: Univ. of Georgia (1988); Medical College of Georgia (1992)

Political Office: Mayor of West Point (former)

Current Outlook: Ferguson is a credible contender for the 3rd District, left open by…

Candidate Conversation - Martin Babinec (I)

May 19, 2016 · 2:51 PM EDT

Candidate for New York’s 22nd District

Interview Date: May 11, 2016

Date of Birth: March 1, 1955; Little Falls, N.Y.

Education: Shippensburg Univ. (1977); Herkimer County Community College (A.A.)

Political Office: None; First run for office

Current Outlook: Babinec is a wild card in a competitive race to replace…

Don’t Assume Paul Ryan Will be Speaker Next Year

by Nathan L. Gonzales May 19, 2016 · 9:00 AM EDT

Stu and I have been working together for nearly 15 years and any acute political instincts I’ve developed I owe to him. In many ways, we’ve morphed into the same mind, including our valuations of players in fantasy baseball. But after reading Stu’s column, “Ryan Rides to the Rescue…

Why House Democrats Need Trump to be President

by Nathan L. Gonzales May 16, 2016 · 9:00 AM EDT

Some Democrats are downright giddy about facing Donald Trump and his sizable unfavorable ratings in November. But the party may need to lose the presidential election in order to have a chance of controlling the House at some point over the next decade.  

If Hillary Clinton is elected…

Why California Members Embrace Incumbent Ballot Designation

by Nathan L. Gonzales May 10, 2016 · 10:08 AM EDT

With congressional job approval hovering in the low teens, giving incumbents the opportunity to choose three words to describe themselves, and to refer to their current office, might seem like asking them to choose the words for their tombstone. But it’s a biennial tradition for the California delegation.

In…

Donald Trump is the GOP Nominee. Now What?

by Nathan L. Gonzales May 5, 2016 · 10:00 AM EDT

Donald Trump will be the Republican nominee for president in 2016.  

Looking back for the answer to “How did we get here?” and forward to handicapping the general election, one word stands out: assumptions.

There was an assumption that once voters were reminded of any number of ways…

Fresh Primary Results, Six Fresh Faces for Next Congress

by Nathan L. Gonzales May 5, 2016 · 9:56 AM EDT

A handful of recent primaries in relatively safe districts adds a half-dozen likely new Members to the 115th Congress next year. 

Democrat Raja Krishnamoorthi was the first new Member after winning the March primary in Illinois’ 8th District, which leans Democratic. Now he’s not alone in a class of…