House News & Analysis

House Overview: No Guts, No Glory for Democrats

by Nathan L. Gonzales January 25, 2016 · 3:00 PM EST

For the last year, House Democratic strategists have been dreaming of Republicans nominating Donald Trump or Texas Sen. Cruz for president. With less than 10 months to go before Election Day, and Trump and Cruz leading in the polls, those dreams are much closer to reality.

Democrats need a national…

2016 House Overview (January 25, 2016) Alabama - Illinois

January 25, 2016 · 2:59 PM EST

Alabama. March 1 primary. April 12 run-off.
2nd District (Roby, R). Some allies of Martha Roby, and her 1st District colleague Bradley Byrne, are concerned that Donald Trump and Ted Cruz will turnout a disproportionate number of angry conservative voters in March and hurt their renomination chances. But Roby’s…

2016 House Overview (January 25, 2016) Indiana - New Jersey

January 25, 2016 · 2:58 PM EST

Indiana. Feb. 5 filing deadline. May 3 primary.
2nd District (Walorski, R). Jackie Walorski seems to attract competitive races, but Democratic strategists aren’t talking up retired police officer Lynn Coleman. South Bend Democrats are getting more organized, but he’ll need a sizable national wave to win. The congresswoman doesn’t…

2016 House Overview (January 25, 2016) New Mexico - Wyoming

January 25, 2016 · 2:57 PM EST

New York. April 14 filing deadline. June 28 primary.
1st District (Zeldin, R). Lee Zeldin defeated Democratic Rep. Tim Bishop in 2014 and instantly became a top takeover target. Democrats are still headed for a competitive primary between Southampton Town Supervisor Anna Throne-Holst and Suffolk Planning Commission Chairman David…

Beshear Looks Back, Forward on Kentucky’s Political Landscape

by Nathan L. Gonzales January 17, 2016 · 8:58 AM EST

In 2014, Steve Beshear sat in the first lady’s box during the State of the Union as President Barack Obama applauded the Democratic governor’s work on health care in Kentucky. Just two years later, Beshear is out of office and feuding with his Republican successor, who vowed to undo…

NRCC Names Furst Johnson IE Director

by Nathan L. Gonzales January 15, 2016 · 1:32 PM EST

National Republican Congressional Committee Deputy Executive Director and General Counsel Jessica Furst Johnson will be the committee’s Independent Expenditure Director for the 2016 cycle.

“Jessica was instrumental in helping us win our historic Republican majority in 2014 and we are excited she will lead our IE unit in 2016,”…

Virginia 2: Rigell Retirement Shifts Seat Out of Safe for GOP

by Nathan L. Gonzales January 14, 2016 · 4:00 PM EST

Republican Rep. Scott Rigell is retiring from Virginia’s 2nd District, leaving a competitive open seat for his party to defend. The news, first reported by the Virginian-Pilot, was a surprise to some people who have worked closely with the congressman in the past. 

The Virginia Beach-based district is…

Ohio 8: The Quiet Fight to Succeed Boehner

by Nathan L. Gonzales January 8, 2016 · 3:30 PM EST

Anti-establishment conservatives couldn’t get one of their own elected Speaker of the House after John Boehner decided to call it quits, but can they take over his western Ohio congressional district?

Boehner was consistently challenged with keeping the House Republican conference from going completely off the rails, but he hasn’t…

New York 22: Hanna Departure Leaves Vulnerable Seat

by Nathan L. Gonzales January 8, 2016 · 3:29 PM EST

Moderate GOP Rep. Richard Hanna of New York announced his retirement shortly before Christmas, leaving his competitive 22nd District behind for Republicans to defend. 

The news shouldn’t of come as a complete surprise. He is a 64-year-old father of two kids under the age of 10 and is personally wealthy.…

New York 3: Israel Retirement Sets Up GOP Takeover Opportunity

by Nathan L. Gonzales January 8, 2016 · 3:27 PM EST

Former Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee chairman Steve Israel spent years defending competitive open seats, but now his retirement leaves one behind.

Israel announced Tuesday he would not seek re-election in November after 16 years in the House. His retirement wasn’t a complete surprise, considering there isn’t an empty rung on…