House News & Analysis

Colorado 7: The No-Longer-Perlmutter District

by Leah Askarinam July 21, 2017 · 2:28 PM EDT

What happens when Ed Perlmutter doesn’t run in the “Perlmutter District?”

When the lines were revealed for Colorado’s new 7th District ahead of the 2002 elections, the seat was casually referred to as the “Perlmutter District” because it seemed tailor-made for the Democratic state senator.

But Perlmutter decided not to…

New York 22: Taking on Tenney

by Leah Askarinam July 21, 2017 · 2:27 PM EDT

It’s been only a few weeks since the Democrats secured Assemblyman Anthony Brindisi as an opponent to GOP Rep. Claudia Tenney in New York’s 22nd District, and the family members of the contenders are already fair play in this race.

As a member of the New York Assembly, Tenney…

Candidate Conversation - Clayton Hinchman (R)

July 21, 2017 · 2:26 PM EDT

Candidate for Alabama’s 5th District

Interview Date: July 12, 2017

Date of Birth: Oct. 3, 1982; San Benito, Texas

Education: West Point Military Academy (2005); Georgetown Univ. (Master’s, 2010)

Political Office: None; First run for office

Current Outlook: While GOP Rep. Mo Brooks challenges appointed-Sen. Luther Strange (R) in this…

A Bipartisan Health Care Bill Will Be Tougher to Pass than a Partisan One

by Stuart Rothenberg July 19, 2017 · 7:18 PM EDT

The calls from Democrats and many in the media for a bipartisan health care bill are understandable. But a bipartisan plan is a very heavy lift for Congress – probably even heavier than a partisan one.

Almost everyone likes the sound of a “bipartisan approach.” It comes with connotations of…

Open Seat Gives Democrats a Takeover Opportunity in New Mexico

by Nathan L. Gonzales July 17, 2017 · 8:59 AM EDT

With re-election rates often hovering above 90 percent, open seats are critical factor in Democrats’ quest for a House majority. New Mexico’s 2nd District has been an elusive target for years, as long as Rep. Steve Pearce has been on the ballot. But the Republican congressman’s decision to…

Ratings Change: Illinois 12

July 7, 2017 · 2:56 PM EDT

Democrats have been trying to get St. Clair County State’s Attorney Brendan Kelly to run in Illinois’ 12th District for five years. He finally took the plunge this week and announced his challenge to GOP Rep. Mike Bost. 

One big question is whether Democrats missed their window of opportunity. Heading…

For GOP, Health Care Bill Looks Riskier by the Day

by Stuart Rothenberg July 5, 2017 · 4:01 PM EDT

The new Republican National Committee web video “Where’s Their Plan?” purports to place the onus for the nation’s health care crisis on Democrats, but instead shows how far off base the RNC is in understanding how the issue is likely to play next year if the party can’t pass a…

How Divided Parties Survive and Thrive

by Nathan L. Gonzales June 23, 2017 · 3:00 PM EDT

Democrats were divided before the special election in Georgia, and Jon Ossoff’s loss certainly didn’t help heal any internal wounds. The party went “all in” to win the suburban Atlanta seat and came up short in the type of district the party needs to win to get to a majority…

Virginia 10: Democrats Not Giving Up on the Suburbs

by Leah Askarinam June 23, 2017 · 2:59 PM EDT

This week’s Republican victory in Georgia’s 6th District offered the first evidence that highly educated suburban districts aren’t fleeing the party with President Donald Trump in the White House. 

Karen Handel’s win should be encouraging to Members such as Virginia Rep. Barbara Comstock, whose 10th District is another highly educated,…

House Battleground Breakdown: Diving Into Demographics

by Leah Askarinam June 23, 2017 · 2:58 PM EDT

We’ve learned from 2016 that demographics aren’t exactly destiny. But while the relationship between demography and voting behavior doesn’t amount to a perfect science, it can be useful to compare localities from across the country based on demography rather than purely on geography. For example, it can be more useful…