Senate
Colorado: Former Aurora City Councilman Ryan Frazier (R) announced his US Senate candidacy this week and enters the GOP primary with the goal of challenging Sen. Michael Bennet (D). Frazier has lost both a 7th District congressional campaign and a race for Mayor of Aurora during the past few years. Sen. Bennet projects as a strong favorite for re-election despite being in a highly competitive state.
House
Virginia Redistricting: The court appointed special master submitted his proposed map remedies to the three judge federal panel that declared Rep. Bobby Scott’s (D) 3rd Congressional District seat to be unconstitutional on grounds of racial gerrymandering. Since the US Supreme Court has now noted jurisdiction for the Virginia re-draw, it may be quite some time before a final map is enacted. Therefore, the Old Dominion map is in a holding pattern until the high court acts. There is a possibility that these issues will not be resolved until the 2018 election.
CA-7: Sacramento County Sheriff Scott Jones (R) announced that he will challenge two-term Rep. Ami Bera (D) next year. With Bera winning two close elections in this Sacramento suburban district, the 2016 campaign will likely become highly competitive. Sheriff Jones was first elected in 2010, and was unopposed for a second four-year term last year. The Sheriff has high name identification locally and does not have to risk his current position for his congressional challenge.
CA-20: The first candidate announcing his quest to succeed retiring twelve-term Rep. Sam Farr (D) is Monterey County Deputy District Attorney Jimmy Panetta (D). The new congressional candidate is the son of former Representative, Director of Office of Management & Budget, White House Chief of Staff, CIA Director, and Defense Secretary Leon Panetta. Democrats will likely send two candidates to the general election, as a multitude of party members are expected to compete in the state’s jungle primary. Also expected to enter the race are state Senate Majority Leader Bill Monning (D), a former congressional candidate, and Carmel Mayor Jason Burnett (D).
FL-18: Democrats have now successfully recruited wealthy businessman Randy Perkins into the race for purposes of holding the seat Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-Jupiter) is risking to run for the Senate. Perkins joins two Palm Beach Democratic County Commissioners in the congressional campaign, Melissa McKinlay and Priscilla Taylor. At least nine Republicans have announced for the seat. The 18th is a 52% Mitt Romney district, and the top Florida GOP conversion target.
IL-1: In the last election, Chicago Alderman Howard Brookins (D) circulated petition signatures in order to run for Congress had Rep. Bobby Rush (D-Chicago) decided to retire. When the incumbent announced his intention to run, Brookins dropped his plan. With the candidate filing deadline fast approaching on November 30th, Mr. Brookins is again circulating petitions in preparation for a congressional campaign should Mr. Rush opt not to run. Late his week, however, the twelve-term Representative confirmed that he will indeed seek re-election next year. Therefore, Mr. Brookins is again expected to cease his petition gathering effort.
NY-22: State Assemblywoman Claudia Tenney, who scored 46% of the vote against Rep. Richard Hanna in the 2014 Republican primary, is back to seek a re-match in 2016. Raising and spending only $190,000 last year, Ms. Tenney will likely be able to wage a much more formidable campaign this coming year. The June 28th primary will very likely become a race to watch.
OH-8: With the replacement election for former Speaker John Boehner’s (R) open seat scheduled for a March 8th primary and June 7th general election, West Chester Township Trustee Lee Wong (R), who was beginning to actively campaign, has decided not to proceed further and withdrew from the race. Wong’s departure leaves nine Republicans and no Democrats vying for the seat.
TX-8: Former one-term state Rep. Steve Toth announced a Republican primary challenge to newly elected House Ways & Means Committee chairman Kevin Brady (R-The Woodlands). Brady’s strong electoral history since he first won the office in 1996 makes him an overwhelming favorite to win the March 1st primary election.
AAN Staff
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