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Archive: Senate
Andrews Unfazed by N.J. 'Power Structure'
In the days since Rep. Rob Andrews announced that he would challenge Sen. Frank Lautenberg in New Jersey's Democratic Senate primary, the party establishment in the Garden State has done everything it can to make clear that the congressman should...
By Chris Cillizza | April 9, 2008; 02:39 PM ET | Comments (20)
New Jersey's Senate Race Heats Up
If you like politics -- and we LOVE it -- then the announcement by New Jersey Rep. Rob Andrews earlier this week that he will challenge Sen. Frank Lautenberg in the June Democratic primary should get your heart racing. Nowhere...
By Chris Cillizza | April 4, 2008; 12:50 PM ET | Comments (49)
How Not To Announce For Senate
The Fix has been preoccupied of late with the Democratic presidential race, the start of the Major League Baseball season (go Nats!) and the NCAA tournament. New Jersey Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg, 84, announces his candidacy for reelection Monday in...
By Chris Cillizza | March 31, 2008; 06:24 PM ET | Comments (21)
A New GOP Player in the Soft Money World
Amid the doom and gloom of the last few weeks for congressional Republicans, a ray of light poked through in the form of the American Future Fund. The group, whose existence was first reported last week by Fix friend Stu...
By Chris Cillizza | March 24, 2008; 12:21 PM ET | Comments (40)
Re-Live the Clinton Years, Hour-by-Hour
As reported by Peter Baker and Karen DeYoung in the Washington Post today, the 11,000 page schedule of Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's days and hours as first lady shows a clear change in her portfolio and responsibilities after the Clinton...
By washingtonpost.com Editors | March 20, 2008; 04:55 PM ET | Comments (72)
How Bad Is It For Senate Republicans?
In the course of 24 hours earlier this week, the 2008 Senate landscape subtly shifted. First, former South Dakota lieutenant governor Steve Kirby (R) decided against challenging incumbent Sen. Tim Johnson (D-S.D.). Then, no Republican candidate filed to challenge Sen....
By Chris Cillizza | March 13, 2008; 01:14 PM ET | Comments (40)
Senate Democrats Hire Spend-meister
Jim Jordan, a longtime party strategist, will manage Senate Democrats' independent expenditure program for the fall elections -- a position from which he will direct tens of millions of dollars of spending on television ads, phone banks and direct mail....
By Chris Cillizza | March 6, 2008; 04:43 PM ET | Comments (32)
Senate Republicans Lose Candidate in New Jersey
Remember last week's Senate Line in which we praised Republicans for finding self-funding candidates to challenge potentially vulnerable Democratic incumbents in New Jersey and South Dakota? Well, scratch that -- at least in New Jersey. Developer Anne Evans Estabrook removed...
By Chris Cillizza | March 5, 2008; 05:58 PM ET | Comments (22)
Begich Explores -- Another Senate Seat in Play?
Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich (D) announced this afternoon that he has formed an exploratory committee to consider a run against Sen. Ted Stevens (R) this fall, a decision that virtually ensures Alaska will play host to a competitive statewide race...
By Chris Cillizza | February 27, 2008; 05:20 PM ET | Comments (21)
Rep. Wicker Is Barbour's Choice
UPDATED, 12:30 p.m. ET: Mississippi Republican Rep. Roger Wicker today was named by Gov. Haley Barbour to fill Trent Lott's Senate seat. Sources inside the state's Republican Party had leaked the news earlier today. Wicker will serve until November when...
By Chris Cillizza | December 31, 2007; 10:40 AM ET | Comments (11)
Senate: Deflating Democrats' Dream of 60 Seats
For any Senate strategist, 60 seats is the proverbial Holy Grail. Control 60 seats in the Senate and your party can break filibusters -- meaning that the majority party can push through a legislative agenda as long as it can...
By Chris Cillizza | December 17, 2007; 02:35 PM ET | Comments (56)
Alaska: A Target-Rich Environment for Democrats?
New polling out of Alaska shows that the state's two iconic Republican incumbents are in real jeopardy at the ballot box next year. The survey, conducted by Research 2000 for the liberal website DailyKos and in the field from Dec....
By Chris Cillizza | December 14, 2007; 06:07 PM ET | Comments (12)
Are Mississippi Democrats Preparing to Fight?
Hours after Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour (R) issued a statement declaring next November as the date for the special election to replace resigning Sen. Trent Lott (R), the state Democratic Party appears ready to challenge Barbour's reading of election law....
By Chris Cillizza | November 27, 2007; 05:00 AM ET | Comments (131)
Update: Special Election Announced for Lott's Seat
UPDATE, 1:30 pm: Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour (R) announced moments ago that a special election to fill the remaining four years on Sen. Trent Lott's (R) term will happen next November, effectively ruling out the possibility of a 90-day special...
By Eric Pianin | November 26, 2007; 01:55 PM ET | Comments (111)
The Line: Even for Senate GOP, Every Cloud Has a Silver Lining
It would be hard to blame Republican Senate campaign strategists if they spent the first 11 months of the 2008 cycle curled up in the fetal position. The year started badly -- 22 Republican seats up for reelection compared with...
By Chris Cillizza | November 16, 2007; 01:05 PM ET | Comments (96)
Kentucky Senate: McConnell's Ads
Yesterday we reported that Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) was preparing to launch the first ads of his 2008 campaign on Friday. Today we got hold of the 60-second ads -- running in the Lexington and Louisville markets. Here's...
By Chris Cillizza | November 8, 2007; 06:05 PM ET | Comments (15)
Kentucky: Will Dems' Bandwagon Roll Over McConnell?
Kentucky Gov. Ernie Fletcher's (R) lopsided defeat at the hands of former Lt. Gov. Steve Beshear (D) last night already has the political community -- both here and in the Bluegrass State -- buzzing about what it all means for...
By Chris Cillizza | November 7, 2007; 03:00 PM ET | Comments (74)
NM-Senate: Shifting Sands
New Mexico Rep. Tom Udall (D) has taken the first steps toward running for what will be the open seat of Sen. Pete Domenici in 2008.
By Chris Cillizza | November 2, 2007; 05:00 PM ET | Comments (31)
KY-Senate: Is McConnell in Trouble?
Is Mitch McConnell the next Tom Daschle? That is, has McConnell's position as leader of Senate Republicans done him enough political harm back home that he could lose a re-election bid come next November? Sen. Mitch McConnell. Dueling poll results...
By Chris Cillizza | October 30, 2007; 04:34 PM ET | Comments (6)
Va. Senate: Rep. Davis is Out (Redux)
Virginia Republican Rep. Tom Davis this morning officially removed himself from the open-seat race to replace retiring Sen. John Warner (R), clearing the way for former Gov. Jim Gilmore to be the Republican standard-bearer. "This is just probably not the...
By Chris Cillizza | October 25, 2007; 11:16 AM ET | Comments (42)
It's Official -- Davis Won't Run
See Chris's new post on this race above....
By washingtonpost.com Editors | October 25, 2007; 10:36 AM ET | Comments (21)
Neb. Senate: Kerrey's Out, Who's Next?
New School University president and former Sen. Bob Kerrey (D-Neb.) removed himself from consideration for the open Senate seat in the Cornusker State, robbing Democrats of their first-choice candidate and handing them their first recruiting failure in recent memory. Former...
By Chris Cillizza | October 24, 2007; 12:42 PM ET | Comments (67)
Va. Senate: Davis Expected to Opt Out of Race
Several informed Republicans with ties to Virginia politics told The Fix earlier today that Rep. Tom Davis could announce as soon as this week that he will not run for the Senate seat being vacated by John Warner (R) in...
By Chris Cillizza | October 22, 2007; 10:00 PM ET | Comments (29)
The Line: 2008 Gets a Bit Tougher for Senate Republicans
The somewhat surprising retirement announcement made by Sen. Pete Domenici (R-N.M.) earlier this week took an already difficult political cycle for Republicans and turned it into something closer to a nightmare. Should he have run for a seventh term in...
By Chris Cillizza | October 19, 2007; 05:00 AM ET | Comments (127)
N.M. Senate: Pearce's Entry Sets up GOP Primary Clash
Rep. Steve Pearce (R) will run for the New Mexico Senate seat being vacated by Pete Domenici (R) and will announce his intentions in an letter to supporters tomorrow, according to sources close to the congressman. Rep. Pearce is hoping...
By Chris Cillizza | October 16, 2007; 02:59 PM ET | Comments (38)
Virginia Senate: Can Warner be Beaten (Part 2)?
Roughly a month ago, The Fix asked whether Virginia Republicans have any hope of beating Democrat Mark Warner in next year's open-seat Senate race. Why does Mark Warner look so happy? (AP File Photo) The answer then was a resounding...
By Chris Cillizza | October 16, 2007; 07:41 AM ET | Comments (61)
N.M. Senate: Another Democratic Opportunity
Sen. Pete Domenici's (R-N.M.) retirement creates another major pickup opportunity for Democrats in 2008 as the state has been trending toward their party of late and the bench of candidates is deep. Democrats could barely contain their joy at the...
By Chris Cillizza | October 4, 2007; 02:14 PM ET | Comments (57)
PostTalk: Schumer Denies Clinton Would Be a Drag
On the Democratic Ticket
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By Chris Cillizza | October 4, 2007; 10:50 AM ET | Comments (188)
Sen. Pete Domenici Expected to Retire
Veteran Sen. Pete Domenici (R-N.M.) is expected to announce tomorrow that he will retire from the Senate in 2008, according to several informed sources, a decision that further complicates an already difficult playing field for Republicans next November. Domenici has...
By Eric Pianin | October 3, 2007; 04:30 PM ET | Comments (156)
Tom Davis and the Politics of MoveOn Bashing
It's the ad that will never die. After two weeks of non-stop press coverage of this ad, Rep. Tom Davis (R-Va.) is seeking to stir the pot again -- requesting a House hearing on the fact that MoveOn.org was accidentally...
By Chris Cillizza | September 24, 2007; 03:32 PM ET | Comments (80)
N.H. Senate: Shaheen's In
Former New Hampshire Gov. Jeanne Shaheen (D) made clear today that she plans to run against Sen. John Sununu (R) in 2008. Shaheen lost to Sen. Sununu in 2002. She's seeking a rematch. (AP) "I've stepped down from my position...
By Chris Cillizza | September 14, 2007; 11:10 AM ET | Comments (72)
Can Mark Warner Be Beaten?
Today's decision by former Virginia Gov. Mark Warner to run for the seat being vacated by Sen. John Warner (R) has Democrats gleeful over the prospects of a pickup. Some are even predicting -- privately -- that the race...
By Chris Cillizza | September 13, 2007; 10:30 AM ET | Comments (97)
Nebraska Senate Race Shapes Up
Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.) made it official today: he will retire in 2008 after two terms. "I will not seek a third term in the United States Senate, nor do I intend to be a candidate for any office in...
By Chris Cillizza | September 10, 2007; 12:43 PM ET | Comments (166)
Sen. Hagel Won't Seek Reelection in 2008
The Omaha World-Herald is reporting -- and The Post's Jonathan Weisman has confirmed -- that Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.) will announce Monday that he will not seek a third term in 2008 nor run for any other national office. Sen....
By Chris Cillizza | September 8, 2007; 12:12 PM ET | Comments (137)
Tim Johnson's Good Week
While the eyes of the national media were (and remain) on the increasingly strange saga of Sen. Larry Craig (R-Idaho), something else far more meaningful to the fight for Senate control in 2008 was happening. Sen. Tim Johnson (D) returned...
By Chris Cillizza | September 5, 2007; 01:00 PM ET | Comments (109)
Craig Bows to the Inevitable
From the moment Roll Call reported that Sen. Larry Craig (R-Idaho) had pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct in an airport men's bathroom in June, it was a matter of when, not if, the GOP incumbent resigned his post. Craig announced...
By Chris Cillizza | September 1, 2007; 01:36 PM ET | Comments (90)
Va. Senate: A Golden Opportunity for Democrats
Sen. John Warner's (R-Va.) decision not to seek a sixth term in 2008 places his seat in serious peril next November, with Democrats expected to clear the way for popular former Gov. Mark Warner and Republicans headed toward an ideological...
By Chris Cillizza | August 31, 2007; 02:37 PM ET | Comments (161)
Craig Revelations Complicate Senate Picture
The allegations swirling around Sen. Larry Craig (R-Idaho) have the potential to endanger what should be a safe seat and further complicates Republicans' attempts to limit their losses in 2008. Craig was regularly mentioned as a retirement possibility before this...
By Chris Cillizza | August 28, 2007; 07:33 AM ET | Comments (170)
LA Senate: Kennedy Switches Parties
Louisiana state Treasurer John Kennedy announced earlier today that he would switch party affiliation from Democrat to Republican, the most tangible sign yet that he is preparing to challenge Louisiana Sen. Mary Landrieu (D) in 2008. "I believe that Louisiana...
By Chris Cillizza | August 27, 2007; 03:50 PM ET | Comments (42)
The Line: Where Are the GOP Senate Candidates?
Recruiting is the main task of both parties in the year before an election. It's an arduous process that involves not only trying to find the best candidate and convince him or her to run, but also navigating tricky local...
By Chris Cillizza | August 17, 2007; 05:30 AM ET | Comments (165)
Hot September for Senate Races
Laboring through the doldrums of August? Just remember, we're only three weeks away from what is shaping up as the most pivotal month of the cycle for determining the Senate playing field. Why? At least three Republican Senators are expected...
By Chris Cillizza | August 7, 2007; 11:30 AM ET | Comments (126)
At YearlyKos: Dems Set to Expand Congressional Majorities
CHICAGO -- Renowned Democratic pollster Stan Greenberg had some advice for the progressive bloggers gathered here for the second annual YearlyKos convention: Think big. As in, big gains for Democrats in both the House and the Senate in 2008. "Do...
By Chris Cillizza | August 3, 2007; 04:10 PM ET | Comments (65)
A Real Challenge for McConnell?
After adding Kentucky's Senate race to our most recent Friday Line, we were interested to see how long it took national Democrats to find a candidate with the potential to make a serious run at Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell...
By Chris Cillizza | July 24, 2007; 03:37 PM ET | Comments (20)
Friday Senate Line
The second-quarter fundraising reports provided lots of good news for Senate Democrats who are already decidedly optimistic about their chances of expanding their majority in 2008. Democratic Reps. Mark Udall (Colo.) and Tom Allen (Me.) both raised more than $1...
By Chris Cillizza | July 20, 2007; 07:30 AM ET | Comments (241)
Assessing Sen. David Vitter's Political Future
Sen. David Vitter's (R-La.) acknowledgment late Monday that his phone number was among the scores listed in the so-called D.C. Madam's phone records has set off wild speculation about whether the revelation will cripple his political career. That speculation grew...
By Chris Cillizza | July 12, 2007; 05:00 AM ET | Comments (124)
4 GOP Senators To Be Targeted by DSCC Ads
In a move certain to stoke passions in this week's Senate debate over the war in Iraq, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee will go up tomorrow with ads hitting at least four Republicans up for reelection in 2008. The commercials...
By Chris Cillizza | July 9, 2007; 04:10 PM ET | Comments (54)
Franken Impresses (Again)
Regular Fix readers know that we have long been interested in the Senate candidacy of comedian turned politician Al Franken in Minnesota. Unlike many other entertainers who have run for office as a lark, Franken seems deadly serious about his...
By Chris Cillizza | July 9, 2007; 03:09 PM ET | Comments (27)
Wyoming Senate: And Then There Were Three
The death of Sen. Craig Thomas (R-W.Y.) has set off one of the most fascinating games of inside political baseball in recent memory. In most states governors are given almost complete authority for making appointments to fill vacancies in congressional...
By Chris Cillizza | June 20, 2007; 05:12 PM ET | Comments (18)
The Line: Senate Map Is Messy for GOP
Most of the recent action in the budding 2008 Senate campaigns came in races that didn't make our last rankings. In Texas, wealthy attorney Mikal Watts (D) not only formed a campaign committee but also dropped nearly $4 million of...
By Chris Cillizza | June 15, 2007; 05:00 AM ET | Comments (226)
Latham for Senate?
Rep. Tom Latham's (R-Iowa) decision to relocate from rural northern Iowa to Ames last week raised eyebrows among those of us watching the 2008 Senate playing field closely. Latham insisted the move had nothing to do with a possible challenge...
By Chris Cillizza | June 11, 2007; 01:24 PM ET | Comments (45)
