New Print Edition: Florida Senate & New Mexico 2

The August 10, 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 introduction to this edition:

Florida Senate: A Political Cristening?
By Nathan L. Gonzales

For once, a Republican resignation is neither a surprise nor a source of frustration for the GOP.

Last week, Sen. Mel Martinez (R) announced his intention to resign his Senate seat, but the news isn’t earth shattering since he previously announced he would not run for reelection in 2010 and Republicans already lined up their best possible candidate to replace him: Gov. Charlie Crist (R).

The political landscape in the Sunshine State remains virtually the same as it was before Martinez’s recent announcement. Crist will likely choose a placeholder to fill the remainder of Martinez’s term so that the governor can continue his Senate campaign without the baggage of a self-appointment. And Crist still faces a primary challenger from conservative former state House speaker Marco Rubio.

Meanwhile, Cong. Kendrick Meek (D) is the likely Democratic nominee after state Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink (D) disappointed national Democrats by running for governor instead of the Senate.

Crist has maintained good job approval numbers even with rising unemployment numbers and overall economic uncertainty. And he is favored to win both the primary and general elections. There’s still over a year to go, but thus far, this is one Senate seat Republicans feel better about than they did six months ago. Subscribers get the whole story in the print edition.


New Mexico 2: Don’t Call it a Comeback

Cong. Steve Pearce wasn’t defeated for reelection like many of his Republican colleagues, but he’s trying to reclaim his 2nd District seat in New Mexico next year.

When Pearce ran for the U.S. Senate last cycle, he left behind a competitive district he had held since 2002. Former Lea County Board Chairman Harry Teague (D) got into the open seat race, won a competitive Democratic primary, and took over the seat for the Democrats.

Since Pearce’s statewide run was unsuccessful, he’s back running for Congress. But this race won’t be a rematch; it is shaping up to be one of the most competitive races in the country, as both men vie for votes against their toughest opponent yet. Subscribers get the rest of the story in the print edition.