The New Hampshire-based American Research Group conducted a new statewide survey (12/12-16; 539 NH registered voters) and tested former Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski (R) against Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D). The ballot test unsurprisingly gives the Senator a commanding 58-35% lead but the more likely candidate to face her, retired Army General Don Bolduc (R), was not tested. Though Mr. Lewandowski has not specifically ruled out challenging Sen. Shaheen, there is no tangible indication that he is planning to run. Gen. Bolduc, however, is building a campaign.
The House Ethics Committee announced that it is broadening its investigation of freshman Massachusetts Rep. Lori Trahan (D-Lowell) over questionable 2018 campaign loans that totaled approximately $300,000. Her closest Democratic primary contender, former Mayoral chief of staff Dan Koh who has since been elected an Andover city Selectman, has been weighing a challenge opportunity against her in the September Democratic primary. Losing to Ms. Trahan by only 145 votes a year ago, and now seeing her under investigation by an Ethics Committee controlled by their own party, certainly gives Mr. Koh more impetus to run.
His statement yesterday saying, “[T]he voters of the Third District deserve a full, honest account of her conduct during the election and the consulting clients she claims funded her campaign,” gives the impression that Mr. Koh is more likely to run. A Trahan-Koh Democratic primary would certainly be a competitive election particularly under the current circumstances surrounding the new incumbent. Now saying that he hasn’t yet fully made up his mind to jump into the Republican Party, New Jersey freshman Congressman Jeff Van Drew (D-Dennis Township) looks to face major political trouble no matter what he ultimately decides.
Confirming that he will remain in the Republican primary is venture capitalist David Richter, who will self-fund to the tune of at least $1 million. Four Democrats have already jumped into the race, three just yesterday joining college professor Brigid Callahan Harrison in the candidate field. They are: Atlantic County Freeholder Ashley Bennett, West Cape May Commissioner John Francis, and educator Amy Kennedy, the wife of former Rhode Island US Rep. Patrick Kennedy. At this early stage of what will still likely be his party switching process, Rep. Van Drew appears to be stumbling out of the gate, and this will lead to both a highly competitive primary and general election campaign. Yet another current California Democratic presidential nomination poll finds multiple candidates fighting for a share of the state’s 416-member first ballot delegate contingent. Change Research (12/6-10; 862 CA likely Democratic primary voters) sees Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) topping the field with 26% preference. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and former Vice President Joe Biden closely follow with 23 and 19%, while South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg knocks on the door of delegate apportionment with 12% support.
A four-way split of the large Golden State block would go a long way toward ensuring that more than one vote will be taken at the Democratic National Convention for the first time since 1952. As has been the case since the turn of the century, the state of Florida is one of the nation’s bellwether political domains. Therefore, the new Mason-Dixon survey (12/11-16; 625 FL registered voters) about how Sunshine State voters feel about the impeachment process is worthy of notice. A bare majority, 50%, oppose President Trump’s impeachment according to this mid-December data cell. A total of 46% support the impeachment, which is yet another issue over which the Florida electorate splits virtually in half.
A couple of the sample segments are interesting. Voters in all geographic regions of the state generally oppose impeachment, except for those in Southeast Florida, which would support the process by a 56-38% count. Stark differences are present within the genders. Florida women support impeachment, 53-44%, but men oppose, 38-57%. It is now clear that New Jersey freshman Congressman Jeff Van Drew (D-Dennis Township) will leave the Democratic Party and join the Republicans. Mr. Van Drew’s opposition to impeaching President Trump has led to him breaking from the party with which he has been associated his entire adult life and in elective office since 2002.
The going may not be easy in his new party, however. Venture capitalist David Richter says that not only will he continue with his campaign for the Republican congressional nomination, but he will spend $1 million of his own money to deny Rep. Van Drew the party nod. Democratic college professor Brigid Callahan Harrison immediately announced her candidacy for the now open party nomination and others are expected to follow since the Congressman’s decision to change parties has been made. The 2nd District leans Republican. President Trump carried the seat 51-46%. Until Mr. Van Drew converted the district for the Democrats last year, Republican Frank LoBiondo held the congressional seat for the previous 22 years and averaged victory percentages in the high 50s. Redistricting victim Mark Walker, a three-term Republican Congressman from the Greensboro area has seen his safe seat turn into a heavily Democratic domain under the new boundaries that will be in effect for the 2020 election. He had reportedly been deciding between challenging Sen. Thom Tillis in the Republican primary or possibly neighboring Congressman Ted Budd (R-Advance) in the neighboring, and now safe Republican, 13th District. Instead, Mr. Walker announced he will not be on the North Carolina ballot in 2020 but will likely return as a US Senate candidate in 2022 when incumbent Richard Burr (R) has pledged to retire.
The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee has taken a position in the Texas Senate primary as six credible contenders are vying for the nomination. The official party endorsement is awarded to retired Army helicopter pilot and 2018 congressional candidate M.J. Hegar, who the committee believes would be the party’s strongest challenger to Sen. John Cornyn (R).
The other candidates are former Houston Congressman and 2014 gubernatorial nominee Chris Bell, state Sen. Royce West (D-Dallas), Houston City Councilwoman Amanda Edwards, non-profit group executive Cristina Tzintzun Ramirez, and businesswoman Sema Hernandez. Polling has shown a close race. The eventual nominee will be a heavy underdog against Sen. Cornyn. The Texas primary is March 3rd with a run-off scheduled for May 26th if no candidate receives majority support in the original vote. A new Republican gubernatorial poll has been released, the first since former Gov. Jon Huntsman (R) left his position as US Ambassador to Russia and entered the 2020 campaign to re-claim his past position. The polling results indicate he has some work ahead of him.
According to the Utah Policy organization poll (11/19-12/7; 911 UT likely Republican primary voters), Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox, armed with an endorsement from retiring Gov. Gary Herbert (R), leads with 41% followed by Mr. Huntsman who has 29% support. Rep. Rob Bishop (R-Brigham City), who is not an announced gubernatorial candidate, polls 9%. A Research America survey for the local Metro News (12/4-9; 500 WV likely Republican primary voters) finds Gov. Jim Justice holding a strong lead over his GOP nomination challengers. The totals find Mr. Justice capturing 56% preference with former state Commerce Secretary Woody Thrasher well behind with 21% even after running several waves of television advertising. Former state Delegate Mike Folk touches double digits with 11% support.
Gov. Justice was elected as a Democrat in 2016 but switched parties less than a year later. Therefore, this is his first venture as a candidate in a Republican primary. |
The Rundown BlogLearn more about the candidates running in key elections across the United States. Archives
March 2024
Categories
All
|
|
BIPAC© 2022 BIPAC. All rights reserved
|