New Print Edition: Nevada 3 & Ohio 2
The January 30, 2008 print edition of the Rothenberg Political Report is on its way to subscribers. The print edition comes out every two weeks and the content is not available online. Subscribers get in-depth analysis of the most competitive races in the country, as well as quarterly House and Senate ratings, and coverage of the gubernatorial races nationwide. To subscribe, simply click on the Google checkout button on the website or send a check.
Here is a brief sample of what's in this edition...
Nevada 3: One Ticket to Paradise
By Nathan L. Gonzales
Nevada Cong. Jon Porter is no stranger to Democratic target lists. Since his initial election in 2002, the Republican congressman has drawn consistent attention from Democrats looking to take over his 3rd District seat.
Democrats have yet to topple Porter, but his Clark County district was drawn to be politically competitive, and its exploding population virtually guarantees he will have another tough reelection fight.
Thus far, Porter has defeated a diverse group of Democratic candidates, including a wealthy gaming executive, a 30 year-old former Hill staffer, and a Clark County commissioner who went from Democratic rising star to a federal prison camp in Colorado after a strip club scandal.
After a number of more prominent elected officials took a pass on the race this cycle, Democratic hopes are riding on former Chief Deputy District Attorney Robert Daskas. The full story is available in the print edition.
Ohio 2: Popular Target
The only thing that changes is the year. Republican Cong. Jean Schmidt has been in Congress for less than thirty months, but she still faces critics and candidates from both sides of the aisle. Her outspoken style, comments on the House floor, and consistently poor showing in the polls makes her a consistent target in southwestern Ohio’s 2nd District.
Despite her detractors, Schmidt won four elections (primary and general elections) within a span of fifteen months, and survived the Democratic wave of 2006.
The congresswoman seemed to catch a break this cycle when former Hamilton County Commissioner Phil Heimlich dropped out of the Republican primary after mounting a spirited and well-funded challenge.
But Schmidt still faces state Rep. Tom Brinkman in the GOP primary, with Democrats Victoria Wulsin (the 2006 nominee) and attorney Steve Black vying for the right to take her on in the general election.
Under most any other circumstances, this Republican-heavy district wouldn’t be competitive, but some Republicans are concerned that Schmidt will be able to pull defeat from the jaws of victory. The full story is available in the print edition.