Archive for January, 2010
MORE BREAKING: CT-Sen: Dodd to Retire
Posted by michael in 2010 Elections on January 6th, 2010
Both the Post and Times are now reporting the embattled Connecticut Senator Chris Dodd will not seek re-election this fall. It would appear the Senator Dodd will make his announcement later today/tomorrow in his home state.
This may offer quite the twist to an already interesting campaign in a solidly Democratic state that Cook Political Index has leaning Republican. It would seem that this certainly has the potential to put a damper on Republican hopefuls Linda McMahon and Rob Simmons, who’s potential for success has largely been tied to Dodd’s unpopularity. It sounds as though this may also offer an opportunity for Richard Blumenthal, the state’s popular attorney, general to jump into the ring.
As with Sen. Dorgan’s recent moves, we’ll certainly be following this one in the coming days.
BREAKING ND-Sen: Senator Byron Dorgan Not Seeking Re-Election
Posted by jaren in 2010 Elections on January 5th, 2010
According to the Bismarck Tribune, Senator Byron Dorgan will not be seeking re-election for the United States Senate this fall. This is devastating news to Senate Democrats who are already struggling with low poll numbers for the midterms. We will have more in depth coverage in coming days.
OH Attorney General: What the…?
Posted by michael in 2010 Elections on January 4th, 2010
Last month, the state GOP over in Ohio declined to endorse a candidate in the state’s upcoming primary for State Attorney General. This wouldn’t be all that interesting if one of the two Republican candidates wasn’t Mike DeWine.
Does that name sound familiar? It probably does – DeWine is a former two-term U.S. Senator from Ohio who was unseated by Sherrod Brown back in 2006. The Ohio Republican Party chose not to endorse a former a former Senator (who also served four terms in the House and one term as Lieutenant Governor) over Delaware County Prosecutor Dave Yost (for our non-Buckeye readers, Delaware County is largely made up of fast-growing suburbs of the state capitol, Columbus.)
If you’re scratching your head you aren’t alone. It’s not as though the state party is refraining from endorsements, having made endorsements for both U.S. Senate and Ohio Secretary of State. The issue it would seem is an attempt by the party to keep the growing Tea Party wing of the GOP happy. Local Tea Party groups appear to have gone on record calling for “fresh faces,” (of which DeWine is certainly not one) and some county parties have already made the case for Yost.
Political guru Larry Sabato went so far as to say the move was “truly remarkable.” Although the GOP is not officially taking sides, this would seem to be a clear win for underdog Yost who is treating it as such. While DeWine seems to have taken the move in stride, it’s hard to imagine a lack of endorsement doing anything but harming his Nixon-like political comeback.
With so much talk about the battle for the heart and soul of the Republican Party it’s surprising this hasn’t gotten any real attention. Although the primary isn’t until May, we at the Daily Horse Race will certainly be watching this one.