New Print Edition: WV Senate & TX 22
The new February 24, 2006 print edition of the Rothenberg Political Report is on its way to subscribers. (Click here for subscription information.)
West Virginia Senate: Generations
By Nathan L. Gonzales
It was almost smooth sailing to a record ninth term for the longest-serving member of the U.S Senate, West Virginia’s Robert C. Byrd (D). After nearly a year of speculation, Cong. Shelley Moore Capito (R) announced in October that she would not challenge Byrd and instead seek reelection.
But late last year, Republicans were successful in recruiting wealthy businessman John Raese into the race. He has run twice statewide before and is willing to invest his own personal money into his upset bid.
Making the case for West Virginians to fire Byrd after half a century will be difficult for the GOP nominee. But Republicans have successfully ensured that the 88-year old senator will have to work to get reelected.
For the rest of the story including the lay of the land, candidate bios, anaylsis of the GOP primary and general election, as well as the Bottom Line..subscribe now.
Texas 22: The Big One
If you weren’t paying attention, you might think former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay was running for Congress in all of the 232 Republican-held districts across the country.
Democrats are relentless in their attempts to couple the indicted congressman with any and all members of the But while Democrats hope voters have DeLay on their minds as they enter voting booths nationwide on November 7, the Republican congressman will only be on the ballot in Texas’s 22nd Congressional District.
DeLay is a fighter who hasn’t won a round in a while. From his indictments thanks to Travis County District Attorney Ronnie Earle (D) to having to step down from his leadership post, the road ahead is only going to get tougher.
Rumors of more judicial trouble continue to swirl around the GOP congressman and his aides regarding their relationships with indicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff, who pleaded guilty in January to tax evasion, fraud, and conspiracy to bribe public officials.
But before he can fend off any more charges, DeLay must get renominated and reelected to Congress.
A January 10-12 Houston Chronicle poll, conducted by Rice University and the University of Houston, showed former Cong. Nick Lampson (D) leading in a general election with 30%, to 22% for DeLay and 11% for former GOP Cong. Steve Stockman (who is running as an Independent).
No one can foresee with certainty what will happen with the current charges leveled against DeLay or what may be down the line with potentially new charges. But obviously, new charges would simply throw gasoline on an already volatile race.
For the rest of the story, including information on DeLay's primary challengers, how the GOP primary plays out, the general election battle, and the Bottom Line... subscribe now.
