WI-02

Two Major Anti-Walker Dems Declare For Baldwin's House Seat

Eric Kleefeld | September 7, 2011, 1:50PM

WI-02 Democratic candidates Mark Pocan and Kelda Roys

Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) just declared her candidacy for Wisconsin's open Senate -- and already, two prominent Democrats have declared their candidacies for her House seat representing Madison and the surrounding counties.

Two Democratic state representatives, Mark Pocan and Kelda Roys, announced their campaigns Wednesday morning, and it remains possible that other Democrats could also declare for this deep-blue seat in a district Barack Obama carried by more than two-to-one in 2008.

During the recent debates on Gov. Scott Walker's anti-public employee union legislation, both Pocan and Roys maintained high profiles in lobbing rhetorical fire against the proposals.

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2012 elections

Dem Video Blasts GOP On...Angry Town Halls (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | September 1, 2011, 11:18AM

Web video from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, "The Heat is on Republicans as Outrage Grows"

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has new web video out, going after the GOP on a topic that might seem oddly familiar to people who remember the last campaign cycle: angry constituents at congressional town halls.

Last cycle, of course, Republicans made hay against the then-Democratic majority, highlighting how Democratic members faced angry town halls mainly on the issue of health care reform. The DCCC's new video shows various local news clips from across the country, all of them of Republicans facing heat on GOP proposals to privatize Medicare and other economic issues.

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AZ-08

Potential Giffords Opponent Questions Her Fitness, Media Access: 'She Is Held To A Different Standard'

Eric Kleefeld | August 26, 2011, 11:43AM

Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ), May 17, 2011.

Arizona state Sen. Frank Antenori, a Republican who is considering a possible run for Congress against Democratic Rep. Gabrielle Giffords -- who has been undergoing medical treatment since she was shot in the head at a district event this past January -- has already laid out his first criticism of the Congresswoman: That the media have not been granted enough access for the public to determine whether she is fit to hold office.

"She is cognizant enough to read and comprehend the debt bill and cast a vote but her handlers don't feel the media should be given access to her, and I don't know why that is," Antenori told The Hill, referring to Giffords's recent return to the House to vote for the debt-ceiling increase deal.

"It's creating the legitimate question: Is she able to vigorously represent the district, or was this a one-time deal? Can she do this next term to the same degree of every member of Congress, is she able to continue that level of energy?"

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House '12

Minnesota Rep. Cravaack's Family Is Moving -- To New Hampshire

Eric Kleefeld | July 18, 2011, 10:02AM

Rep. Chip Cravaack (R-MN)

Freshman Minnesota Congressman Chip Cravaack, a Republican who defeated long-time Democratic Rep. Jim Oberstar in a massive upset during the 2010 Republican wave, will now be traveling frequently to New Hampshire. But it's not because he's running for president -- in fact, his family is moving there.

As the Star Tribune reports, Cravaack's wife Traci works as an executive at a medical company, and her job has involved frequent travel to Boston. She has just gotten a promotion and will now be moving to New England.

For his part, Cravaack is leaving their old house, but also buying another home in the district and thus maintaining residency in Minnesota as required by the Constitution. He will maintain his in-district work schedule in Minnesota, but also plans to travel to New Hampshire in order to his family on his Sundays off.

Medicare

PCCC Ad On Medicare Not Getting Pulled, Despite NRCC Complaints

Eric Kleefeld | June 3, 2011, 6:15PM

The liberal Progressive Change Campaign Committee has won a round against the National Republican Congressional Committee -- with the liberal group turning back an effort to get an ad targeting Republican proposals on Medicare pulled from broadcast.

As Greg Sargent reported, the NRCC wrote a letter to WMUR in New Hampshire and Comcast, complaining that a PCCC ad attacking Rep. Charlie Bass (R-NH) for having "voted to end Medicare" was false and demanding that it be taken down.

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MN-08

Former Bachmann Opponent Clark To Switch Districts, Challenge GOPer Cravaack

Eric Kleefeld | May 9, 2011, 10:42AM

Former state Sen. Tarryl Clark (D-MN) and U.S. Rep. Chip Cravaack (R-MN)

Former Minnesota state Sen. Tarryl Clark (D), who ran unsuccessfully against Republican star Congresswoman Michele Bachmann in 2010, is now setting her sights on Congress again -- in the neighboring district of freshman GOPer Chip Cravaack.

Cravaack won a major upset victory in the historically Democratic 8th District against a longtime Dem incumbent, Rep. Jim Oberstar, winning by a 48%-47% margin. In the more Republican 6th District, Bachmann defeated Clark by 53%-40%. In that race, Clark raised $4.6 million for her effort to unseat a GOP lightning rod.

As the Duluth News Tribune reports, Clark is buying a home in the 8th District, though in fact her current hometown is near the border and could potentially end up being drawn in there after redistricting is done. But she is taking no chances on that score:

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WI-07

Sean Duffy Gets First Opponent Of 2012 Cycle

Eric Kleefeld | April 25, 2011, 3:50PM

Rep. Sean Duffy (R-WI)

Freshman Rep. Sean Duffy (R-WI), who picked up a seat for the Republicans in the 2010 wave, now has his first declared challenger, with former Wisconsin state Sen. Pat Kreitlow launching his campaign.

Kreitlow was elected to the state Senate in the Democratic wave of 2006, after a news broadcasting career in western Wisconsin, defeating a Republican incumbent. He then lost his race for re-election in 2010.

Duffy was elected to Wisconsin's 7th District in 2010, after having served as a district attorney (and earlier starring on MTV's The Real World), winning the seat that Democratic Rep. David Obey had held for over 40 years until his retirement.

Recently, Duffy was the subject of high profile embarrassment when he publicly stated at a local event that he was "struggling" on his Congressional salary of $174,000 per year. The local Republicans then attempted to pull the video from the Internet -- which then led to Duffy's office complaining about TPM's surviving excerpt, saying it was selectively edited. Eventually, Duffy admitted that his words were "poorly chosen."

IA-04

Christie Vilsack Launches Exploratory House Bid Against Steve King

Eric Kleefeld | April 20, 2011, 1:09PM

Rep. Steve King (R-IA) and former Iowa First Lady Christie Vilsack (D)

Former Iowa First Lady Christie Vilsack, the wife of former governor and current Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, has announced that she is officially exploring a run for Congress -- against the Republican loose cannon Rep. Steve King.

The Des Moines Register reports:

"It's important to listen to Iowa families about the issues they want addressed in Congress," Christie Vilsack said in a statement. "Hearing directly from citizens about their concerns and ideas is very important to me. Too often in campaigns, it's the other way around."

Her "Christie Vilsack for Iowa's 4th Congressional District" website, with a V logo, invites people to give her a headstart on fundraising "as I consider running."

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House '12

Iowa GOPer Latham To Move Districts And Oppose Dem Boswell -- Avoiding Primary With Steve King

Eric Kleefeld | April 15, 2011, 1:56PM

Rep. Tom Latham (R-IA) and Rep. Leonard Boswell (D-IA)

Iowa's partially non-partisan redistricting process has now resulted in some musical chairs, as the state adjusts to being reduced from five House seats to four. And in the latest development, Republican Rep. Tom Latham has announced he is moving across the new lines into the district of Democratic Rep. Leonard Boswell, challenging him in the general election -- and avoiding a Republican primary with Tea Partying Congressman Steve King.

The Des Moines Register reports:

Latham, who now lives in Ames in Iowa's 4th Congressional District, would have resided in Iowa's in the same district as Rep. Steve King, a Kiron Republican, under new political boundaries approved Thursday by the Iowa Legislature. His move to the new 3rd District - which covers southwest Iowa - from Des Moines to Council Bluffs, avoids an intra-party primary battle between two GOP incumbents.

Latham sent a letter today to friends and supporters announcing he will move to the 3rd District, saying, "I have never let map boundaries block the great honor I have felt in representing the interests of all Iowans in the United States Congress."

So which one of them won't have a chair when the music stops in November 2012?

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House '12

Freshman GOPer Cravaack Buys Part Of Bachmann's Fundraising List

Eric Kleefeld | April 14, 2011, 6:16PM

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) and Rep. Chip Cravaack (R-MN)

Rep. Chip Cravaack (R-MN), a freshman Republican who won a very surprising upset victory over longtime Democratic Rep. Jim Oberstar in the 2010 GOP wave, is now tapping a potentially lucrative source of cash in his effort to hold on to his historically Democratic district: The fundraising list of none other than fellow Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann.

The Star Tribune reports:

Cravaack's first Federal Election Commission report this year shows that Cravaack purchased a direct-mail list from Rep. Michele Bachmann, the fundraising star and potential 2012 candidate who founded the House Tea Party caucus.

Cravaack's office confirmed obtaining part of Bachmann's mailing list, which he paid $441 for, FEC records show. Cravaack's filing also lists an in-kind contribution from Bachmann's committee to Cravaack for a direct-mail list at the same price.

Bachmann is, of course, a very prolific fundraiser, with a wide following among the Tea Party movement base -- having brought in over $2 million in the past quarter. The question for Cravaack, of course, is whether Bachmann's following can transfer to bring in the bucks for him over the long haul.

NV-02

Sharron Angle: Veterans PAC 'Betrayed America' By Endorsing Reid In 2010

Eric Kleefeld | March 24, 2011, 5:18PM

NV-02 House candidate Sharron Angle (R)

Sharron Angle, the former Nevada state representative and 2010 Republican Senate nominee who is now running for an open House seat, is attacking the now-defunct PAC of the Veterans of Foreign Wars -- which endorsed Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid in that crucial 2010 election -- saying that the VFW-PAC "betrayed America."

In the last election cycle, objections by some VFW members to the PAC's endorsements, which included various incumbent Democrats, ultimately led to the organization dismissing the PAC's board, and taking steps to dissolve the PAC entirely.

Now, as Jon Ralston reports, Angle e-mailed her supporter list to promote a conservative group, Veterans in Defense of Liberty, for which she serves on the advisory board.

In the letter, Angle declares that as a "proud American, I was very disappointed" when the VFW-PAC "betrayed America and American Veterans by endorsing liberal members of Congress like Harry Reid, Nancy Pelosi, Barbara Boxer and Ron Klein in the last election."

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NV-02

Sharron Angle To Self-Publish Autobiography

Eric Kleefeld | March 23, 2011, 10:50AM

NV-02 House candidate Sharron Angle (R)

Sharron Angle, the former Nevada state representative and 2010 Republican Senate nominee who is now running for an open House seat, is soon to roll out a hallmark of much larger, national campaigns: Her own autobiographical book.

The title: "Right Angle."

But unlike presidential candidates and other top-tier politicians, Angle won't be releasing the book through a major publisher -- instead, she'll be going the humble route of the self-publishing houses, in which any aspiring author can pay to have their book printed. The Associated Press reports that Angle intends to release the book in April:

An AuthorHouse spokesman told The Associated Press on Tuesday that Angle contracted the book with the leading self-publishing company this month, just days before she announced her campaign for the U.S. House.

Spokesman Kevin Gray says publishing packages can cost up to $15,000. Copies of the book would be printed by demand.

NV-02

Sharron Angle Takes Questions From The Press

Eric Kleefeld | March 22, 2011, 12:58PM

NV-02 House candidate Sharron Angle (R)

Sharron Angle, the former Nevada state representative and 2010 Republican nominee for Senate, is kicking off her campaign this cycle for an open House seat by doing something she wouldn't do last time -- taking questions from reporters.

As the Reno Gazette Journal reports, Angle did indeed take some tough questions about her prior poor relationship with the press. "I am hoping that we will have a deep regard for each other," Angle said. "That is why I wanted to do this event and invite you to have a time set aside just for us to talk and for you to ask me these questions so we can get out on the right foot."

And she said of her own determination to finally win a federal office:

"Both Ronald Reagan and Lincoln had losses," Angle said. "What would've happened to our country if they'd quit?

"A true leader leads by example, and I'm no quitter."

Regarding her past habit of referring to reporters as "the lame stream media," Angle said: "We were just playing with them."

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NV-02

She's Back! Sharron Angle Launches House Campaign (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | March 16, 2011, 1:41PM

NV-02 House candidate Sharron Angle (R)

Sharron Angle, the former Nevada state representative and 2010 Republican nominee for Senate -- who lost that race due in part to her talk about "Second Amendment remedies" and other very right-wing positions, and a refusal to speak to non-conservative media -- has now officially declared her candidacy for the open House seat in the state's Second District, which Republican Rep. Dean Heller is leaving to run for Senate.

Angle previously ran for the seat in 2006, very narrowly losing the Republican primary to Heller in the open-seat race. She then went on to great fame in 2010, ultimately losing the Senate race to Reid by a 50%-45% margin.

"The 2010 election was bittersweet," Angle says in a new YouTube video. "Conservatives had some victories, but we still face obstacles from Democrats in Congress, and in the White House.

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2012 elections

Gingrich: GOP Still Needs To Win 'Really Large Margin' In Congress In 2012

Eric Kleefeld | January 14, 2011, 10:38AM

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-GA)

Former Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-GA) made a bold pronouncement Thursday during a visit to South Carolina: That Republicans don't just have to win in 2012 -- they have to win huge majorities.

The Myrtle Beach Sun News reports:

The midterm win wasn't enough and Republicans need to aim for winning 40 more House seats and 12 or 13 more Senate seats in the next election, Gingrich said to a crowd at the Marina Inn at Grande Dunes.

"If you're going to govern in 2013, you're going to need a really large margin," he said.

Note that a gain of 13 seats in the Senate would give Republicans 60 Senate seats -- the same number that Democrats needed to enact health care reform and other major bills of the last Congress. Thus, they would be well positioned to repeal all those same laws, and go further with some of their own ambitious ideas.

(Via CNN.)

Redistricting

Kucinich To Supporters: Where Will I Run If My District Is Eliminated?

Eric Kleefeld | December 29, 2010, 4:38PM

Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH)

Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH), the staunch progressive and two-time presidential candidate, is now sounding the alarm to his supporters: He may have to run in a completely different district.

As a result of the post-Census reapportionment, Ohio has lost two House seats, going down from 18 districts to 16. And as such, it's widely believed that Kucinich's seat could be chopped up -- ironically, Kucinich's political real estate could be redistributed among his neighbors by Ohio's Republican legislators. As he writes in an e-mail to his supporters:

I will not wait until the Ohio Legislature produces a new map to start thinking of the options. The question will not be: Who is my opponent? The question will be: Where is my district? Seriously.

We are going to have to prepare for a different kind of election, possibly in a different place because my district may be eliminated. We are going to have to organize in a different way, now. The question will remain: Where?

(Via CNN.)