New Print Edition: New York 20 & Illinois 5

The February 6, 2009 print edition of the Rothenberg Political Report is on its way to subscribers.

The print edition of the Report comes out every two weeks. 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 preview of this edition:

New York 20: Do You Believe in Miracles?
By Nathan L. Gonzales

Over the last four years, Republicans have lost over 50 House seats. But they’ll have the first opportunity to takeover a competitive seat in the 2010 cycle.

New York Gov. David Paterson (D) appointed Kirsten Gillibrand (D) to fill Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton’s Senate seat, opening up the congresswoman’s Hudson-Valley based 20th Congressional District seat. Gillibrand won the seat in 2006 by defeating a tainted incumbent, but she cruised to reelection last cycle in the traditionally Republican district.

Without her incumbency, Democrats will have a tough time holding the seat. The national political environment hasn’t improved all that much for Republicans, but....

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Illinois 5: Rare, Wide-Open Affair

When Rahm Emanuel was elected to Congress in 2002, local Democrats probably thought they wouldn’t see another open seat for a few decades. That’s because Emanuel had his sights set on becoming Speaker of the House one day. Then Pres. Barack Obama asked him to become his White House chief of staff.

Now, just six years after a crowd of Democrats ran in Illinois’ 5th District open seat, a multitude of Democrats are running again. Get the rest of the story in the print edition of the newsletter.