Voinovich to announce retirement on Monday

Republican Senators in battleground States up for re-election in 2010 (0.00 / 0)

Arizona(McCain)
Florida(Martinez)-retiring
Iowa(Grassley)
Missouri(Bond)-retiring
New Hampshire(Gregg)
North Carolina(Burr)
Ohio(Voinovich) retiring
Pennsylvania(Specter)

3 Republican Senators in Battleground States up for re-election in 2010 has announced their retirements. I expect Specter(PA) to retire in 2010- Specter is old,in poor health and is going to face a tough re-election campaign in the primary and in the general election.

Democrats will have top tier candidates to win in FL,MO,and OH.

Alex Sink(FL),Robin Carnahan(MO),(Lee Fisher or Tim Ryan)-OH.
(+3D).

If McCain(AZ)retires- Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon will be the DSCC recruitment candidate since Janet Napolitano is Homeland Security Secretary, Terry Goddard is running for Governor-the frontrunner. Gabby Giffords represents a Competitive US House District. Republicans will have a divisive primary between Wingnut JD Hayworth and Jeff Flake.

If Grassley(IA) retires- Tom Vilsack's LT Governor Sally Pederson will be the DSCC recruitment candidate since Tom Vilsack is going to be Secretary of Agriculture. US Rep Bruce Braley is going to be Vice Chair of the DCCC. Dave Loesback(IA-2)is unlikely to give up a safe US House Seat. The Republicans will have a divisive primary between US Rep Steve King(IA)the wingnut and Tom Latham(IA)the moderate. King will get the nomination.

If Gregg(NH) retires- The DSCC will coalesce behind Paul Hodes- The Republican Nominee will be defeated US Senator John Sununu or defeated US HOuse members Jeb Bradley or Charlie Bass who lost in 2006.

If Specter(PA)retires- The DSCC will coalesce behind Allyson Schwartz- The Republicans will unite behind CFGrowther Pat Toomey.

Democrats will knock off Republican incumbents in KY(Bunning) and NC(Burr).

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by: nkpolitics1279 @ Sun Jan 11, 2009 at 18:15:52 PM CST

if there were any redeeeming qualities about the GOP... (0.00 / 0)

one might feel sorry for them, but as it is...:)

i understand the politician wanting to leave when they become less powerful, especially if they are old, sick or have been in the majority for a while, but as a partisan, i am always a little outraged when a dem, especially in a battleground retires. but when it is reversed, it brings a ray of happiness to my political soul!!!!!!

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by: UplandPoet @ Sun Jan 11, 2009 at 19:23:47 PM CST

When Democrats went in the minority in 1994. 8 Democratic US Senators decided to retire in 1996. (0.00 / 0)

Heflin(AL),Pryor(AR),Nunn(GA)and Johntson(LA) were from the Deep South. Republicans picked up AL and AR. Democrats held onto GA and LA. In 2002- Democrats won back AR but lost GA.
Simon(IL),Bradley(NJ)and Pell(RI) are from Blue States. Exon's(NE)is another 70 something year old Red State Democratic US Senator who retired- The seat is now Republican.(Mike Johanns-NE).  Heflin(AL),Simon(IL),Pell(RI),and Exon(NE)are no longer with us.

In 1998- Bumpers(AR),Ford(KY),and Glenn(OH) decided to retire. Democrats held onto Bumpers seat(AR). but lost Fords Seat(KY)-Bunning and Glenn's Seat(OH)-Voinovich- In 2010 Democrats will win back KY and OH.

In 2000- Moynihan(NY),Lautenberg(NJ),Bryan(NV),and Kerrey(NE)retired- Democrats held onto Moynihan's (NY)Seat. Caroline Kennedy will win the 2010 Special Election to replace Hillary Clinton. Lautenberg's (NJ)- is now held by current DSCC chair Bob Menendez(NJ)who replace Jon Corzine who is now Governor. Bob Kerrey's seat is now held by Ben Nelson. Republicans picked up Dick Bryan's NV seat(John Ensign.

In 2002- Torrecelli(NJ)retired because of scandals- Lautenberg(D-NJ)replaced him. Wellstone(MN)died on month before the election. Republicans picked up the Wellstone(MN)seat- Norm Coleman(R)who apparently lost in 2008 to Al Franken.

In 2004- Southern Democratic US Senators- Bob Graham(FL),Zell Miller(GA),John Breaux(LA),John Edwards(NC),and Fritz Hollings(SC) decided to retire and the Republicans won FL,GA,LA,NC,and SC. Democrats will win back Bob Grahams(FL)seat and John Edwards(NC)seat in 2010. GA,LA,and SC will remain Republican.

In 2006- Sarbanes(MD),Dayton(MN),and Jeffords(VT)retired- Corzine(NJ) elected Governor. Democrats held onto MD,MN,VT,and NJ.

In 2008 and 2010 neither Democratic US Senator is planning on retiring.

In 2012- Byrd(WV),Kennedy(MA),and Akaka(HI)will retire- Democrats will hold onto WV,MA,and HI- expect Joe Manchin(WV)to replace Byrd(WV). If the Nelson brothers retire in 2012- FL stays Dem. Republicans pick up NE. If Bingaman (NM)- NM stays Democratic.

In 2014- Begich(AK)loses re-election to Sarah Palin. Democrats will hold onto IA if Harkin retires-Chet Culver. MA if Kerry retires- MI if Levin retires(Gary Peters). MT if Baucus retires(Brian Schweitzer),Lautenberg (NJ) retires- Democratic hold. If Johnson(SD)- republican pick up if Herseth does not run. WV- Republican pickup.  

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by: nkpolitics1279 @ Sun Jan 11, 2009 at 20:25:41 PM CST

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This is a lot to swallow all at once (0.00 / 0)

for a novice like me anyway. However, it is getting me excited about the 2010 races and seeing DCW's tables about them start to form.

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by: ChadCo @ Sun Jan 11, 2009 at 22:40:48 PM CST

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Portman (0.00 / 0)

Former Republican congressman Rob Portman will announce that he is running for the Senate soon after Ohio Sen. George Voinovich's retirement announcement, according to multiple Republican sources.

Portman's official announcement is expected to take place on Wednesday.
...
Democrats have several potential candidates, though none carry the same profile as Portman. Ohio Lieutenant governor Lee Fisher, Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner and Rep. Tim Ryan head the list. -Politico

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by: Leah @ Mon Jan 12, 2009 at 17:16:24 PM CST

Rep. Meek to enter FL senate race (0.00 / 0)

Rep. Kendrick Meek (D-Fla.) is expected to announce he is running for retiring Sen. Mel Martinez's (R-Fla.) seat on Tuesday morning, making him the first Democrat in the race.

Meek, a four-term congressman, has announced a 10 a.m. EST press conference in Miami, where Democratic sources with knowledge of his plans said he is set to announce he is entering the race.

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by: Leah @ Mon Jan 12, 2009 at 18:47:14 PM CST

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