Six-term US Congressman Tom Reed (R-Corning) is confirming that he is seriously considering launching a campaign for New York Governor in 2022. With Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) staring at a serious investigation over his handling of the COVID-related nursing home issue, the political climate might prove a bit more favorable for a statewide Republican candidate. Even so, a GOP contender winning a race in such a state must still be considered the longest of political shots.
Several names of potential 2022 gubernatorial candidates are being bandied about in Badger State Republican circles, meaning the Republicans will likely have a strong opponent for Gov. Tony Evers (D) who will presumably seek a second term next year. Among the potential entries are former Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch, ex-Republican National Committee chairman and White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus, Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-Green Bay), and former Rep. Sean Duffy.
It is also presumed, should Sen. Ron Johnson (R) decide not to seek re-election, that many of these individuals would decide to enter an open Senate campaign instead of challenging an incumbent Democratic Governor. Responding to Sen. Richard Shelby’s (R) retirement announcement, former US Ambassador to Slovenia Lynda Blanchard (R) yesterday declared her candidacy for the open Senate seat and said she is putting $5 million of her own money into her race. The Republican primary is expected to be crowded with the eventual winner becoming a clear favorite to win the seat in the November 2022 election.
In an expected political move, former Ohio Republican Party chair Jane Timken, who resigned her position just last week in anticipation of organizing a campaign, confirmed that she will enter the open US Senate race next year. This is another critical open contest that expects to draw a large field of candidates. Sen. Rob Portman (R) is retiring. Rep. Tim Ryan (D-Warren/Youngstown) said last week that he plans to officially declare his Senate candidacy next month.
Just a month into this congressional session, freshman Colorado Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Silt) has already drawn her seventh 2022 Democratic challenger. Now coming forward is state Rep. Donald Valdez (D-La Jara) who announced his candidacy yesterday complete with a congressional campaign website. The most prominent candidate in the field is state Senate President Pro Tempore Kerry Donovan (D-Gunnison). She, too, has already produced a campaign video. Legislators Donovan and Valdez are the only elected officials so far in the burgeoning congressional candidate field.
Producing a much different result from the University of California at Berkeley poll we covered last week that projected voters would reject recalling Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom from office (45-36% against) should the petition effort against him qualify for the ballot, former San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer (R) countered with his WPA Intelligence survey (2/12-14; 645 likely CA recall voters; interactive voice response system). This poll finds a 47-43% margin for ousting Mr. Newsom. The most surprising aspect portends 26% of self-identified Democrats saying they would support such a recall ballot proposition.
Illinois state Rep. Mike Madigan (D-Chicago), until earlier this month, had served 36 non-consecutive years as Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives, which is a national political record. Yesterday, he resigned his seat in the state House. Mr. Madigan, 78 years of age and also the Illinois Democratic Party chairman, leaves the elected office he first won in the 1970 election.
In the leadership organizing election for this term, Mr. Madigan fell short of obtaining the necessary support to retain the Speakership from within his own party caucus, ultimately losing the post to state Rep. Emanuel “Chris” Welch (D-Westchester) thus ending the Madigan era. He will continue in his role as state party chairman, however, along with maintaining his local ward party chairmanship. The latter post allows Mr. Madigan to appoint his successor in the state House. Illinois does not hold special elections to fill vacant state legislative seats. Alex Lasry, who is a Senior Vice President for the Milwaukee Bucks professional basketball franchise and son of the team’s billionaire co-owner is also a former White House aide to President Barack Obama. Yesterday, Mr. Lasry announced that he will enter the 2022 US Senate race.
Incumbent Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson (R), who originally pledged to serve only two terms, has not yet announced whether he will retire or seek a third term. The Wisconsin Senate race promises to be one of the most important campaigns on the 2022 election docket, and we can expect more Democrats coming forward to declare their candidacies, along with an active Republican primary should Sen. Johnson choose to retire. State Rep. Charles Graham (D-Lumberton), who claims to be one of the most conservative Democrats in the North Carolina legislature, announced earlier in the week that he will challenge Rep. Dan Bishop (R-Charlotte) next year.
Mr. Bishop won an expensive special election in 2019 when the seat was declared vacant because of voter fraud charges levied against the previous apparent winner. He then clinched a full term last November with a 56-44% victory margin. With North Carolina gaining another congressional seat in reapportionment, the 9th District, and many others in the state, could look very different come the 2022 election. Therefore, it’s conceivable that a Bishop-Graham contest will not occur even if both run for the House. |
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