Other Elections to watch
Yesterday I mentioned some voter initiatives that will be intriguing to follow on election evening. Here are the candidate elections, I'll be following:
US Senate
Al Franken/Norm Coleman
Minnesota Senator Norm Coleman is being challenged by the celebrated host of the failed Air America Radio show, Al Franken (also a former comedian). This is a close race, currently. A victory here by Democrat Franken would give the Senate Democrats a near lock on the 60 vote (veto-proof) majority that they dream of.
Ted Stevens/Mark Begich -
Sen. Ted Stevens, longest serving Republican Senator in Congress, was just convicted of not reporting free construction work done on his home. Mayor of Anchorage, Mark Begich is neck and neck with the convicted Senator. Begich is also the son of former congressman Mark Begich who disappeared in a plane crash in the Alaskan wilderness, in 1972, during a campaign trip with House Majority Leader Hale Boggs. The two congressman were never found. Stevens loss only exacerbates the veto proof problems for the Republicans.
US Congress
John Murtha/William Russell
Incumbent Democrat John Murtha was an early opponent of the Iraq war. While celebrated by the media, his rantings have now become an embarrassment to the media and the party. (He's now relegated to the "Cindy Sheehan" table at any political function). Mr. Russel, a military veteran is giving Mr. Murtha a run for his money. Murtha's loss would be a blow to the anti-war crowd.
Illinois House
Jay Hoffman/Dwight Kay
Here in Illinois, Governor Blagojevich is widely hated. His approval numbers have just topped 13%, and that's only surveying his family! Voters can't vote the governor out of office until 2010. However, the Governor's top lieutenant in the Illinois House, Democrat Jay Hoffman, suddenly finds his race to be a referendum on the Governor's performance. Dwight Kay, a business owner is being outspent 4-1 in the race, but is showing only a two point deficit in the polling of this highly Democratic area of Southwestern Illinois (Metro East - St. Louis). The defeat of Jay Hoffman would be a devastating body blow to the Governor.
US Senate
Al Franken/Norm Coleman
Minnesota Senator Norm Coleman is being challenged by the celebrated host of the failed Air America Radio show, Al Franken (also a former comedian). This is a close race, currently. A victory here by Democrat Franken would give the Senate Democrats a near lock on the 60 vote (veto-proof) majority that they dream of.
Ted Stevens/Mark Begich -
Sen. Ted Stevens, longest serving Republican Senator in Congress, was just convicted of not reporting free construction work done on his home. Mayor of Anchorage, Mark Begich is neck and neck with the convicted Senator. Begich is also the son of former congressman Mark Begich who disappeared in a plane crash in the Alaskan wilderness, in 1972, during a campaign trip with House Majority Leader Hale Boggs. The two congressman were never found. Stevens loss only exacerbates the veto proof problems for the Republicans.
US Congress
John Murtha/William Russell
Incumbent Democrat John Murtha was an early opponent of the Iraq war. While celebrated by the media, his rantings have now become an embarrassment to the media and the party. (He's now relegated to the "Cindy Sheehan" table at any political function). Mr. Russel, a military veteran is giving Mr. Murtha a run for his money. Murtha's loss would be a blow to the anti-war crowd.
Illinois House
Jay Hoffman/Dwight Kay
Here in Illinois, Governor Blagojevich is widely hated. His approval numbers have just topped 13%, and that's only surveying his family! Voters can't vote the governor out of office until 2010. However, the Governor's top lieutenant in the Illinois House, Democrat Jay Hoffman, suddenly finds his race to be a referendum on the Governor's performance. Dwight Kay, a business owner is being outspent 4-1 in the race, but is showing only a two point deficit in the polling of this highly Democratic area of Southwestern Illinois (Metro East - St. Louis). The defeat of Jay Hoffman would be a devastating body blow to the Governor.
What about the Chambliss/Martin race?
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Bill,
That's certainly a close race as well, and one I'll be watching.
I didn't want to mention too many races, or people might think I'm overly focused on politics!
Bob
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