Suzanne Bonamici (D) Wins Oregon House Seat in Special ElectionWednesday, February 1, 2012Former State Sen. Suzanne Bonamici (D) defeated business consultant Rob Cornilles (R) to win a special election on January 31 in Oregon's First Congressional District. Bonamici, 57, will replace Rep. David Wu (D), who resigned from the House on August 3, 2011. Cornilles had unsuccessfully challenged Wu in the same district in 2010. Bonamici's victory brings the number of House Democrats to 192, with 242 Republicans and one vacancy (Arizona Eighth District). Rep. Giffords (D AZ-8) resigns; vows returnWednesday, January 25, 2012Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D AZ-8) formally resigned her House seat on January 25, telling colleagues in a letter: "I have given all of myself to . . . represent Arizona's 8th Congressional District. However, today I know that now is not the time. I have more work to do on my recovery before I can again serve in elected office . . . I will recover and will return." Rep. Giffords has been undergoing extensive physical and rehabilitative therapy after she was critically shot at a meeting with constituents at a northwest Tucson supermarket on January 8, 2011. Rep. Giffords' district outreach director, Gabe Zimmerman, was killed, as was U.S. Judge John M. Roll of the U. S. District Court, District of Arizona. Also dead were nine year-old Christina Taylor Green; Dorothy Murray, 76; Phyllis Scheck, 79; and Dorwin Stoddard, 76. Thirteen other people were wounded by the violence. Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer (R) will schedule a special primary election and special general election to fill the remainder of Rep. Giffords' term, which expires in January 2013. Bob Turner (R) Wins New York House Seat in Special ElectionWednesday, September 14, 2011Advertising and communications entrepreneur and executive Bob Turner (R) defeated Assemblyman David Weprin (D) to win a special election on September 13 in New York's Ninth Congressional District. Turner, 70, will replace Rep. Anthony Weiner (D), who resigned from the House on June 21, citing allegations that he had e-mailed inappropriate images. Turner had unsuccessfully challenged Weiner in the same district in 2010. His victory, along with that of Mark Amodei (R) in Nevada's Second Congressional District, brings the number of House Republicans to 242, with 192 Democrats and one vacancy (Oregon First District). Mark Amodei (R) Wins Nevada House Seat in Special ElectionWednesday, September 14, 2011Former Nevada Republican State chair and State senator Mark Amodei (R) defeated Nevada State treasurer Kate Marshall (D) to win a special election on September 13 in Nevada's Second Congressional District. Amodei, 53, fills the vacancy caused when Rep. Dean Heller (R) resigned on May 9 to assume his duties as U.S. Senator. Amodei's victory, along with that of Bob Turner (R) in New York's Ninth Congressional District, brings the number of House Republicans to 242, with 192 Democrats and one vacancy (Oregon First District). Mark Prater named Deficit Reduction "Super Committee" Staff DirectorTuesday, August 30, 2011Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction co-chairs Rep. Jeb Hensarling (R TX-5) and Sen. Patty Murray (D WA) announced August 30 that Mark A. Prater will serve as the Committee’s staff director. Prater, 52, is Republican Deputy Chief of Staff and Chief Tax Counsel for the Senate Finance Committee. He has worked for the Finance Committee since 1990 and has also served as a tax associate and tax attorney in the private sector. Prater has a law degree from Willamette University and a Master of Laws in taxation from the University of Florida. Deficit Reduction "Super-Committee" taking shapeWednesday, August 10, 2011The powerful 12-member Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction authorized by the Budget Control Act of 2011 (Public Law 112-25) to report a deficit reduction package of at least 1.2 trillion is coming into form. Rep. Jeb Hensarling (R TX-5) and Sen. Patty Murray (D WA) have been named Co-Chairs of the Committee. House Speaker John Boehner has appointed Rep. Hensarling and Rep. Dave Camp (R MI-4) and Rep. Fred Upton (R MI-6) to the panel; Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has tapped Sen. Murray, Sen. Max Baucus (D MT) and Sen. John Kerry (D MA); and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has named Sen. Jon Kyl (R AZ), Sen. Pat Toomey (R PA) and Sen. Rob Portman (R OH). House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi will fill the remaining three Committee slots. The Joint Committee is scheduled to report its recommendations no later than November 23; Congress will vote accept or reject the Committee's findings no later than December 23. Rep. Wu (D OR-1) announces plans to resignTuesday, July 26, 2011Rep. David Wu of Oregon's First Congressional District announced July 26 that he would resign from the House after Congress resolved the question of whether or not to raise the nation's debt ceiling (He had previously announced that he would not seek reelection to an eighth term). Rep. Wu's announcement came after a request from House Democratic leaders that the House Ethics Committee investigate allegations that Rep. Wu had engaged in unwanted sexual contact. Two Oregon Democrats, State Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian and State Rep. Brad Witt, had already begun campaigns to challenge Rep. Wu for renomination next year. Janice Hahn (D) Wins California House Seat in Special ElectionWednesday, July 13, 2011Los Angeles Council member Janice Hahn (D) won a special election on July 12 in California's 36th Congressional District, defeating direct-mail advertising company owner Craig Huey (R) of Torrance. According to unofficial returns, Hahn received 54.6 percent of the vote to Huey's 45.4 percent. Hahn, 59, will replace Rep. Jane Harman (D), who resigned from the House in February to become President and Director of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington. Rep. Weiner (D NY-9) Resigns from HouseFriday, June 17, 2011Rep. Anthony Weiner (D NY-9) announced on June 16 that he would resign from the House of Representatives, following his admission that he had electronically transmitted inappropriate messages and images on social networking sites. Rep. Weiner, 46, was first elected to the House in 1998 and served on the Energy and Commerce Committee. His Brooklyn and Queens, New York-based district gave President Obama 55 percent of its vote in 2008. Kathy Hochul (D) Wins New York House Seat in Special ElectionWednesday, May 25, 2011Erie County Clerk Kathy Hochul (D) won a special election on May 24 in New York's 26th Congressional District. Hochul, 52, will replace Rep. Chris Lee (R), who resigned from the House on February 9, citing allegations that he had e-mailed inappropriate images. She defeated New York State Assembly member Jane Corwin (R), Tea Party candidate Jack Davis and Green Party candidate Ian Murphy. The Buffalo-area district had been represented by Republicans since 1971. Reapportionment following the 2010 Census means New York will lose two Congressional Districts, reducing its number of House Members to 27. Janice Hahn (D) and Craig Huey (R) leading in race for California 36th District runoffWednesday, May 18, 2011Los Angeles Council member Janice Hahn (D) and South Bay business consultant Craig Huey (R) are headed for a July 12 runoff to fill the House seat vacated by Jane Harman (D), who resigned in February to become President and Director of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington. Hahn captured 24.7 percent of the vote and Huey 21.9 percent, with the rest going to 14 other candidates in the May 17 all-party primary. The July 12 runoff will be held because no candidate won an outright majority. Rep. Dean Heller (R NV-2) to replace John Ensign in SenateThursday, April 28, 2011Nevada Gov. Brian E. Sandoval (R) announced April 27 that Rep. Dean Heller, a 50-year old Republican, would fill the Senate vacancy caused by the scheduled May 3 resignation of incumbent Sen. John Ensign (R). A graduate of the University of Southern California, Rep. Heller worked as a financial consultant and stockbroker before his election to the Nevada Assembly in 1991, and he also served for 11 years as Nevada's Secretary of State. He was first elected to the U.S. House in 2006, succeeding five-term Republican Jim Gibbons, who ran successfully for Nevada governor. In addition to serving the remaining months of Sen. Ensign's term, which will expire in January 2013, Rep. Heller joins Democratic Rep. Shelley Berkley and attorney Byron Georgiou as a 2012 candidate for the seat. Sen. Ensign (R NV) to Resign from SenateWednesday, April 27, 2011Nevada Sen. John Ensign (R) announced April 21 that he would resign from the Senate effective May 3. Sen. Ensign, 53, had already announced March 7 that he would not be a candidate for a third term in 2012. He had resigned June 17, 2009 as Chair of the Senate Republican Policy Committee, the Number Four post in the Senate's GOP leadership hierarchy; the resignation came a day after he publicly acknowledged involvement in a consensual extramarital affair with a member of his campaign staff. Under Nevada law, Gov. Brian Sandoval (R) will appoint a replacement to serve the remaining months of Sen. Ensign's term, which will expire in January 2013. Republican Rep. Dean Heller of Carson City, Democratic Rep. Shelley Berkley of Las Vegas and attorney Byron Georgiou of Las Vegas have already announced their candidacies for the seat in the November 6, 2012 election. Rep. Wasserman Schultz (D FL-20) to be Democratic National Committee ChairWednesday, April 6, 2011Four-term Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D FL-20) was chosen by President Obama on April 5 to chair the Democratic National Committee, succeeding former Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine, who has announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate. When Obama's selection is ratified by the full DNC, Wasserman Schultz, 44, will be the third woman to chair the DNC; the others were Jean Westwood (1972) and Debra DeLee (1994-95). Rep. Wasserman Schultz was the youngest woman ever elected to the Florida House and served there from 1993 until 2000, when she was elected to the Florida Senate. She won her U.S. House seat in 2004 and currently serves on the Budget, Judiciary and Library of Congress Committees. Rep. Lee (R NY-26) Resigns from HouseThursday, February 10, 2011Rep. Chris Lee (R NY-26) resigned from the House of Representatives on February 9, citing allegations that he had e-mailed inappropriate images. Rep. Lee, 46, was first elected to the House in 2008 and served on the Ways and Means Committee. His western New York district gave President Obama 46 percent of its vote in 2008. Rep. Harman (D CA-36) to Resign from House to Lead Wilson CenterTuesday, February 8, 2011Rep. Jane Harman, a nine-term Democrat representing southern California's 36th Congressional District, announced February 7 that she would resign from Congress within a few weeks to become President and Director of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington. Rep. Harman, the ranking Democrat on the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence, will succeed Lee Hamilton, a former 17-term Representative from Indiana who had served as the Wilson Center's president from 1999 until his retirement last November. Rep. Giffords (D AZ-8) seriously wounded; her Outreach Director, U.S. Judge, four others killed; 13 others wounded in Tucson violenceMonday, January 10, 2011Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D AZ-8) remains in critical condition after she was shot in the head at a meeting with constituents at a northwest Tucson supermarket on January 8. Rep. Giffords' district outreach director, Gabe Zimmerman, was killed, as was U.S. Judge John M. Roll of the U. S. District Court, District of Arizona. Also dead were nine year-old Christina Taylor Green; Dorothy Murray, 76; Phyllis Scheck, 79; and Dorwin Stoddard, 76. Thirteen other people were wounded by the violence. 112th Congress ConvenesWednesday, January 5, 2011The 112th Congress opened for business on January 5, with Republicans in control of the U.S. House for the first time since 2006, courtesy of the largest intake of GOP members - 63 - since 1938. Rep. John Boehner (R OH-8) was elected the 53rd Speaker in the House's 221-year history. In the Senate, Democrats retained control with a reduced majority of six (including two Independents who vote with the Democrats to organize the Senate). Party lineups are as follows: House, 242 Republicans, 193 Democrats; Senate: 51 Democrats, 47 Republicans, 2 Independents. Last Undecided 2010 House Race DeterminedWednesday, December 8, 2010Businessman Randy Altschuler (R) conceded defeat in the tightly contested U.S. House race in New York's First Congressional District on December 8. Altschuler, of St. James, had trailed three-term incumbent Tim Bishop (D) by 263 votes with 977 absentee ballots votes still to be counted, but he abandoned any effort to secure a hand recount of the total votes cast, citing the cost to taxpayers in the District. Republican House gains stand at 63 seats, for a majority of 24 when the new 112th Congress is scheduled to meet on January 5, 2011. The new House will have 242 Republicans to 193 Democrats. House Election Results in California, New York State still in doubtTuesday, November 23, 2010Three weeks after Election Day, three House races remain too close to call and await the counting of absentee and affidavit ballots by election officials. In California's 11th Congressional District, two-term incumbent Jerry McNerney (D) leads challenger David Harmer (R) by roughly 1,700 votes. In California's 20th Congressional District, three-term incumbent Jim Costa (D) leads challenger Andy Vidak (R) by about 2,700 votes. In New York's 1st Congressional District, four-term incumbent Tim Bishop (D) leads challenger Randy Altschuler (R) by 235 votes. At the moment, Republican House gains stand at 63 seats, for an overall majority of 24 when the new 112th Congress is scheduled to meet on January 5, 2011. House and Senate Leadership Slates Set for New CongressWednesday, November 17, 2010House and Senate Republicans and Democrats held elections for their leaders for the new 112th Congress on November 16 and November 17. In the House, soon-to-be former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D CA-8) won election as House Minority (Democratic) Leader for the new Congress, winning of 150 her colleagues' votes to 43 for Rep. Heath Shuler (D NC-11). Rep. Steny Hoyer (D MD-5) was chosen Minority Whip, and Rep. James E. Clyburn (D SC-6) was picked as Assistant Minority Leader - a new leadership position. House Republicans prepared to assume majority status on January 3, 2011 by endorsing Rep. John Boehner (R OH-8) to be the next House Speaker, Rep. Eric Cantor (R VA-7) as House Majority Leader, Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R CA-22) as Majority Whip, Rep. Jeb Hensarling (R TX-5) as Chair of the House Republican Conference, and Rep. Pete Sessions (R TX-32) as Chair of the National Republican Campaign Committee. In the Senate, all current party leaders - Majority Leader Harry Reid (D NV), Assistant Majority Leader Richard J. Durbin (D IL), Democratic Conference Secretary Patty Murray (D WA), Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R KY), Minority Whip Jon Kyl (R AZ), GOP Conference Chair Lamar Alexander (R TN), Policy Committee Chair John Thune (R SD) and Vice Chair John Barrasso (R WY), and National Republican Senatorial Committee Chair John Cornyn (R TX) - will keep their positions. One change in the Democratic lineup: Sen. Charles Schumer (D NY), Vice Chair of the Democratic Caucus and the Number Three member of the Democratic leadership, also takes over the Senate Democratic Policy Committee from retiring Sen. Byron Dorgan, with Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D MI) as Vice Chair. Sen. Mark Begich (D AK) will succeed Sen. Stabenow as Chair of the Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee. Republicans take House control; Democrats hold Senate with reduced majorityWednesday, November 3, 2010The mid-term election of November 2 has returned the House of Representatives to Republican control. Incomplete Wednesday morning results show the GOP easily winning the House of Representatives, gaining more House seats than in any mid-term since 1938 - a gain of 60 seats to a gain of only 3 for the Democrats. Among Democratic House notables to lose seats were Armed Service Committee chair Ike Skelton of Missouri, Budget Committee chair John Spratt of South Carolina, Transportation Committee chair Jim Oberstar (Minnesota), 14-term Rep. Rick Boucher (Virginia), 20-term Rep. Chet Edwards (Texas) 13-term Rep. Paul Kanjorski (Pennsylvania), and nine-term Rep. Earl Pomeroy (North Dakota). In the Senate, Democrats kept control but saw their majority slashed to four, as Republicans defeated two Democratic incumbents - Russ Feingold of Wisconsin and Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas - and picked up formerly Democratic seats in Illinois, Indiana, North Dakota and Pennsylvania. Results from Alaska, Colorado and Washington State are still pending. When the 112th Congress meets in January, House Republicans are expected to elect current Republican (Minority) Leader John Boehner (R OH-8) as Speaker; current Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D CA-8) hasn't publicly said whether or not she would try to stay on as House Democratic (Minority) Leader. Rep. Eric Cantor (R VA-7) is expected to be chosen House Majority Leader by his fellow Republicans. The Chief Deputy Minority Whip, Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R CA-22), and the chair of the National Republican Congressional Committee, Rep. Pete Sessions (R TX-32) are said to be interested in filling Rep. Cantor's post as Majority Whip. Sen. Murkowski (R) Defeated for RenominationWednesday, September 1, 2010Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R AK), Vice Chair of the Senate Republican Conference and Ranking Republican on the Senate's Energy and Natural Resources Committee, conceded defeat August 31 in the Alaska Republican primary after it became clear she would be unable to overcome her opponent's 1,668-vote lead. Sen. Murkowski lost to 43-year-old Joe Miller, an Anchorage attorney, West Point graduate and Gulf War veteran who had the support of the conservative Club for Growth, assorted tea party organizations and former Gov. Sarah Palin. Miller will face the Democratic nominee, Sitka Mayor Scott McAdams, in November. In addition to Sen. Murkowski, two other Senate incumbents - Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania and Bob Bennett of Utah - have lost their bids for renomination this year. The last time three Senators failed to be renominated occurred in 1980, when Senators Mike Gravel of Alaska, Don Stewart of Alabama and Richard Stone of Florida were unable to win their primary contests. Rep. Kilpatrick (D MI-13) Loses Bid for 8th TermWednesday, August 4, 2010Michigan Democrat Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick, the state's lone member of the House Appropriations Committee, became the fourth House incumbent to be unseated in 2010, losing the August 3 Thirteenth Congressional District primary to State Sen. Hansen Clarke. Rep. Kilpatrick, 65, had just scraped home two years ago, when she received 39 percent of the vote to survive a primary challenge from State Sen. Martha Scott and State Rep. Mary Waters. Rep. Kilpatrick arrived in Congress in 1997 after unseating three-term incumbent Rep. Barbara-Rose Collins in the Democratic primary. Carte Goodwin (D) Appointed to West Virginia U.S. Senate Seat to Fill Unexpired Byrd TermFriday, July 16, 2010West Virginia Democrat Carte Goodwin was appointed by Gov. Joe Manchin III (D) to the U.S. Senate on July 16 as the interim successor to nine-term Democratic Sen. Robert Byrd, who died on June 28. Goodwin, 36, is expected to serve until a proposed November 2, 2010 special election to fill the remainder of Sen. Byrd's term, which will expire in January 2013. A native of Mt. Alto in Jackson County, Goodwin served as Gov. Manchin's general counsel from 2005 until he resigned in 2009 to enter private law practice in Charleston, West Virginia. As a private citizen he chaired Manchin's Independent Commission on Judicial Reform. While General Counsel he chaired Manchin's Advisory Committee on Judicial Nominations, and helped draft revised mine safety legislation following January 2006 tragedies at Melville and Sago that killed 14 miners. Goodwin gradated from Marietta College in 1996 and from Emory University's school of law in 1999. His wife Rochelle is State Director to his new colleague, Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D). Robert Byrd (D WV), Longest Serving Member of Congress, dies at 92Monday, June 28, 2010West Virginia's nine-term Sen. Robert Byrd, President pro tempore of the Senate and third in line of succession to the Presidency, died June 28 at Inova Hospital in Fairfax, Virginia. He was 92 years old. Sen. Byrd had served as President pro tem since 2007 and had also held that office during 2001-03 and 1989-95. He was Majority Leader of the Senate (1977-81 and 1987-89), Minority Leader (1981-87), Majority Whip (1971-77) and Chair of the Appropriations Committee (1989-95, 2001-03 and 2007-09). Elected to the U.S. House in 1952 and to the U.S. Senate in 1958, Sen. Byrd set the record for continuous Congressional service on November 18, 2009 (surpassing the mark of Carl Hayden of Arizona), and became the longest-serving Senator on June 12, 2006 (surpassing the record of Strom Thurmond of South Carolina). West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin III (D) will appoint an interim replacement to fill the remainder of Sen. Byrd's term, which will expire in January 2013. Rep. Inglis (R SC-4) Loses Bid for 7th TermThursday, June 24, 2010South Carolina Republican Bob Inglis is the third House incumbent to be unseated in 2010, losing the June 22 Fourth Congressional District primary runoff to Spartanburg County Prosecutor Trey Gowdy. Rep. Inglis, 50, was criticized by Gowdy for having become too moderate and for abandoning his previous advocacy of term limits, for his views on global warming, and for his efforts to set money aside for projects in the Fourth District. Rep. Inglis had previously served in the House from 1992 until leaving to launch an unsuccessful 1998 U.S. Senate bid. Tom Graves (R) Wins Georgia House Seat in Special Election RunoffWednesday, June 9, 2010Former State Rep. Tom Graves (R) won a special runoff election June 8 in Georgia's Ninth Congressional District. Graves, 40, will fill the remaining months in the term of Rep. Nathan Deal (R), who resigned on March 21 to run for Governor. Graves will also be a candidate in the July 20 regular Republican primary for a full U.S. House term beginning in January 2011.
Charles Djou (R) Wins Hawaii House Seat in Special ElectionMonday, May 24, 2010Honolulu City Council member Charles Djou won a special election on May 22 in Hawaii's First Congressional District, becoming the first Republican in 19 years to represent Hawaii in the U.S. House. Djou, 39, will replace 10-term Rep. Neil Abercrombie (D) who resigned on February 28 to run for governor. Unofficial returns say Djou won 39 percent of the vote, while two Democrats - State Senate President Colleen Hanabusa and former U.S. Rep. Ed Case - polled 58 percent of the vote between them. Mark Critz (D) Wins Pennsylvania House Seat in Special ElectionWednesday, May 19, 2010The late Rep. John Murtha's district director, Mark Critz, will be taking his former boss's place in the House of Representatives. Critz, 48, won a May 18 special election that will make him the new Representative of Pennsylvania's 12th Congressional District. Unofficial results say Critz won 53 percent of the vote, defeating Republican Tim Burns, a computer software and pharmacy technology businessman. Rep. Murtha, who served in the House for 18 terms, died on February 8 at age 77. Sen. Specter (R PA) Defeated for RenominationWednesday, May 19, 2010Sen. Arlen Specter's 30-year Senate career came to an end on May 18 when he lost his bid for renomination in Pennsylvania's Democratic primary. Sen. Specter, 80, is the longest-serving senator in Pennsylvania's history and had switched from the Republican to the Democratic Party on April 28, 2009. He lost, 54 to 46 percent, to two-term Rep. Joe Sestak of the Seventh Congressional District. Rep. Sestak, 58, will face former U.S. Rep. and Club for Growth president Pat Toomey (R) in November. Rep. Souder (R IN-3) to Resign by May 21Tuesday, May 18, 2010Two weeks after being renominated for a ninth term, Rep. Mark Souder (R IN-3) issued a statement on May 18 announcing that he would resign from Congress by May 21 because of an affair with a part-time member of his staff. Rep. Souder, 59, was the ranking Republican on the House Homeland Security Committee's Subcommittee on Border, Maritime and Global Counterterrorism. Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels (R) will call a special election to fill the vacancy caused by Rep. Souder's resignation. The Third Congressional District has a strong Republican lean, giving 56 percent of its vote to Arizona Sen. John McCain in the 2008 presidential election. Rep. Mollohan (D WV-1) Loses Bid for 15th TermWednesday, May 12, 2010West Virginia Rep. Alan B. Mollohan (D) became the first House incumbent to be unseated in 2010, losing the May 11 primary to State Sen. Mike Oliverio of Morgantown. Rep. Mollohan, 66, is the third-ranking Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee and chairs its Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies. Former State Rep. David McKinley of Wheeling won the Republican primary in the First Congressional District, where President Barack Obama secured only 42 percent of the vote in 2008. Sen. Bennett (R UT) Defeated for RenominationMonday, May 10, 2010Sen. Bob Bennett became the first Congressional incumbent to lose a race in 2010 when a majority of 3,500 delegates to Utah's Republican convention voted on May 8 to deny him the party's endorsement for a fourth term. Sen. Bennett, 76, received 27 percent of the vote; businessman Tim Bridgewater received 37 percent, and attorney Mike Lee received 35 percent. "The political atmosphere obviously has been toxic and it's very clear that some of the votes that I have cast have added to the toxic environment," said Sen. Bennett after becoming the first Utah Senator to be denied renomination since Democrat William H. King lost his primary bid for a fifth term in 1940. "Looking back on them, with one or two very minor exceptions, I wouldn't have cast any of them any differently even if I had known at the time they were going to cost me my career." Rep. Obey, House Appropriations Chair, Announces RetirementWednesday, May 5, 2010Saying "This is my time to go," Appropriations Committee Chair Dave Obey (D WI-7), one of the House of Representatives' most influential members, announced May 5 that he would not seek reelection to a 21st full term. "Frankly, I hate to do it," Rep. Obey said. "There is so much that needs to be done. But even more frankly, I am bone tired." Rep. Obey, 71, was first elected to the House in an April 1969 special election to fill the vacancy left by Rep. Melvin Laird, who had been appointed President Nixon's Secretary of Defense. He won reelection in 2008 with 61 percent of the vote, but faced a potentially serious Republican challenge this year from Ashland County District Attorney Sean Duffy, a former cast member in the MTV series "Real World: Boston." Farmer and tax assessor Dan Mielke is also seeking the GOP nomination. Ted Deutch (D) Wins Florida House Seat in Special ElectionWednesday, April 14, 2010State Sen. Ted Deutch won a comfortable victory April 13 in a special election that will make him the new Representative of Florida's 19th Congressional District. Deutch, 43, succeeds seven-term Democratic Rep. Robert Wexler, who resigned on January 4 to assume the presidency of the Center for Middle East Peace and Economic Cooperation in Washington, D.C. Unofficial results say Deutch won 62 percent of the vote, defeating Republican Ed Lynch, no-party candidate Jim McCormick and write-in candidate Josue Larose. Rep. Deal (R GA-9) resigns to concentrate on gubernatorial campaignMonday, March 22, 2010Rep. Nathan Deal (R) of Georgia's Ninth Congressional District resigned from the House on March 21, shortly after joining 177 fellow Republicans in voting against H.R. 3590, the motion to concur with the Senate's amendments to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Rep. Deal had announced on March 1 that he would resign to "devote my full energies to the campaign for governor." Georgia's gubernatorial primary will be held on July 20, which could also be the date set by Gov. Sonny Perdue (R) for a special election to fill Rep. Deal's Ninth Congressional District Seat. Republican candidates for the seat include State Rep. Tom Graves, State Sen. Lee Hawkins, and former State Sen. Bill Stephens. Rep. Massa (D NY-29) resignsTuesday, March 9, 2010Freshman Rep. Eric Massa (D NY-29) resigned from the House on March 8. He had announced on March 3 that he would not seek reelection this November due to a recurrence of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that was first diagnosed in 1996, but moved up the date of his departure. He is currently the subject of an inquiry by the House Ethics Committee related to harassment allegations. In an open letter, Rep. Massa said he was leaving "with a profound sense of failure and a deep apology to all those whom, for the past year, I tried to represent as our nation struggles with problems far greater than anyone can possibly imagine." Rep. Massa, 50, is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and served in the Navy for 20 years. After his release from military service as a Commander, he worked as a Republican staff member for the House Armed Services Committee, as a manufacturing manager and international business consultant, and as an advisor to the New Hampshire primary campaign of retired Gen. Wesley K. Clark in 2004 (he served as a special assistant to Clark during the conflict in Bosnia). Massa first ran for the House against GOP Rep. Randy Kuhl in 2006 but lost by 2.9 percentage points; two years later he defeated Kuhl by 2 percentage points in a Congressional district Republican nominee John McCain carried over narrowly over President Obama. Rep. Rangel (D NY-15) gives up Ways and Means Chair; takes leave of absenceWednesday, March 3, 2010Rep. Charles B. Rangel, the 20-term New York Democrat who assumed the powerful chairmanship of the House Ways and Means Committee in 2007, announced March 3 that he was taking a leave of absence as Chair of the Committee. In a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Rangel requested a leave of absence until the House Ethics Committee finishes its investigation of Rep. Rangel's alleged underreported income and financial disclosure violations. Rep. Pete Stark (D CA-13), who has served in the House for 37 years, is next in line to assume the Ways and Means chair. Rep. Stark has said that he will serve as Chair only on a temporary basis. Rep. Deal (R GA-9) to Resign, concentrate on Gubernatorial campaignTuesday, March 2, 2010Rep. Nathan Deal (R) of Georgia's Ninth Congressional District announced on March 1 that he would resign on March 8 to "devote my full energies to the campaign for governor." (He had said on May 1, 2009 that he would not seek a tenth House term.) Six other Republicans - State Sen. Jeff Chapman, former Secretary of State Karen Handel, former State Sen. Eric Johnson, radio station owner Ray McBerry, former Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine, and State Rep. Austin Scott - are candidates for the GOP nomination for governor. The primary will be held on July 20. Rep. Abercrombie (D HI-1) Resigns to pursue Gubernatorial bidMonday, March 1, 2010Rep. Neil Abercrombie (D) resigned from the House on February 28, 2010 to devote full time to his campaign for the Democratic nomination for Governor in the September 18, 2010 primary, where he will face Honolulu mayor Mufi Hannemann. A special election to fill the vacancy caused by Rep. Abercrombie's resignation will be held on May 22, 2010. The announced candidates are former U.S. Rep. Ed Case (D), who served in the House from 2002 to 2007; State Senate President Colleen Hanabusa (D); and Honolulu City Council member Charles Djou (R). Sen. Bayh (D IN) Won't Seek Third TermTuesday, February 16, 2010Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh, a centrist Democrat considered a rising star, who was a vice presidential possibility in 2004 and 2008, announced February 15 that he would not run for a third term in 2010. Sen. Bayh, 54, told a news conference in Indianapolis, "To put it in words I think most people can understand: I love working for the people of Indiana, I love helping our citizens make the most of their lives, but I do not love Congress. . . . After all these years, my passion for service to our fellow citizens is undiminished, but my desire to do so by serving in Congress has waned." The son of Birch Bayh, who served in the Senate during 1963-81, Evan Bayh was elected to the Senate in 1998 following two terms as Governor of Indiana. His impending departure makes him the 11th U.S. Senator and fifth Democrat to decline to run for reelection this year. Rep. Murtha, Democrat of Pennsylvania, dies at 77Tuesday, February 9, 2010Seventeen-term Rep. John P. Murtha, a Marine Corps veteran of the Vietnam War who exercised powerful influence over military policy as both a Ranking Member and Chair of the House Appropriations Committee's Subcommittee on Defense, died on February 8 at the Virginia Hospital Center in Arlington. In 1974 Rep. Murtha, who had left college 22 years earlier to join the Marines, became the first Vietnam veteran elected to Congress, representing a nine-county district in southwestern Pennsylvania. Rep. Murtha voted in 2002 to authorize the use of force in Iraq, but in November 2005 called for the withdrawal of U.S. forces there, characterizing the war as "a flawed policy wrapped in illusion." Scott Brown (R) Wins Massachusetts Senate SeatWednesday, January 20, 2010In one of the biggest political upsets in recent memory, Massachusetts State Senator Scott Brown (R) defeated State Attorney General Martha Coakley on January 19 in a special U.S. Senate election to fill the two years remaining in the term of Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, who died on August 25, 2009. Brown, 50, captured 52 percent of the vote to Coakley's 47 percent, according to unofficial returns. The first Republican elected to the U.S. Senate from Massachusetts in 38 years, Brown will be up for reelection in 2012. Rep. Griffith of Alabama changes party affiliation to RepublicanTuesday, December 22, 2009In the midst of his first term as a Democrat representing Alabama's Fifth Congressional District, Rep. Parker Griffith announced December 22 that he is changing his party affiliation to Republican. Rep. Griffith, 67, won election narrowly last November in a district GOP nominee John McCain carried by 23 percentage points over President Obama. Rep. Griffith told a news conference in Huntsville, Alabama, "I believe our nation is at a crossroads and I can no longer align myself with a party that continues to pursue legislation that is bad for our country, hurts our economy, and drives us further and further into debt." Rep. Griffith is the first House member to switch parties since Rep. Rodney Alexander of Louisiana left the Democratic Party in August 2004. Pennsylvania Sen. Arlen Specter switched from the Republican Party to the Democrats on April 28, 2009. Martha Coakley (D) and Scott Brown (R) Win Massachusetts U.S. Senate Primary; Election on January 19Wednesday, December 9, 2009Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley (D) will face State Sen. Scott Brown (R) in a special Senate election on January 19, 2010 to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Sen. Edward M. Kennedy on August 25. Ms. Coakley, 56, defeated Eighth Congressional District Rep. Michael E. Capuano, Alan Khazei, co-founder of the City Year national service program, and Boston Celtics co-owner Stephen Pagliuca. Sen. Brown defeated businessman Jack E. Robinson. If elected, Ms. Coakley would be Massachusetts' first female U.S. Senator, and the fifth woman to represent the Bay State in Congress. Sen. Byrd now Longest-Serving Member of CongressWednesday, November 18, 2009On November 17, Sen. Robert C. Byrd, Democrat of West Virginia, became the longest serving Member of Congress in U.S. history, spanning a record 56 years and 320 days in both the House (1953-59) and in the Senate since 1959. He is the only Senator in history to be elected to nine full terms. Sen. Byrd belongs to a group of 20 other Senators who are serving or have served in the Senate for 35 years or longer: William B. Allison, Joe Biden, Pete Domenici, James Eastland, Allen Joseph Ellender, Carl Hayden, Ernest Hollings, Dan Inouye, Edward M. Kennedy, Russell Long, Warren Magnuson, Kenneth D. McKellar, Claiborne Pell, Richard Russell, Ellison D. Smith, John Stennis, Ted Stevens, Strom Thurmond, Francis E. Warren and Milton R. Young. John Garamendi (D) Wins California House Seat in Special ElectionWednesday, November 4, 2009California Lieutenant Governor and former State Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi won a comfortable victory November 3 in a special election that will make him the new Representative of California's 10th Congressional District. Garamendi, 64, succeeds seven-term Rep. Ellen Tauscher, who resigned from the U.S. House on June 26 to become Undersecretary of State for Arms Control and International Security. Unofficial results say Garamendi won 56 percent of the vote, defeating Republican David Harmer and nominees from the American Independent, Green, and Peace and Freedom parties. Bill Owens (D) Wins New York House Seat in Special ElectionWednesday, November 4, 2009Plattsburgh attorney Bill Owens won a November 3 special election contest that will make him the new Representative of New York's 23rd Congressional District. Owens, 60, succeeds nine-term Rep. John McHugh, who resigned from the U.S. House on September 21 to become the 21st Secretary of the Army. Unofficial results say Owens won 49 percent of the vote, defeating Conservative Party nominee Doug Hoffman and Republican Dede Scozzafava, who had suspended her campaign on October 31. Rep. Wexler (D FL-19) to Resign in January 2010Wednesday, October 14, 2009Florida's seven-term Democratic Rep. Robert Wexler, Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Europe, announced October 14 that he would resign from the House in January to assume the presidency of the Center for Middle East Peace and Economic Cooperation in Washington, D.C. Rep. Wexler, 48, said in a statement that although he regretted leaving Congress, "I truly believe there is no time to waste. We are at a unique and critically tense moment in the history of the Middle East . . . I am convinced that now is the time for me to engage on these issues on a full time basis."
Democratic candidates who may run for the Nineteenth Congressional District vacancy created by Rep. Wexler's departure include State Sen. Ted Deutch of Delray Beach, former Broward County Commissioner Ben Graber, West Palm Beach Mayor Lois Frankel, State Sen. Jeremy Ring of Margate, and Broward County Mayor and District 3 Commissioner Stacy Ritter. Rep. Castle (R DE) to Run for U.S. Senate in 2010Tuesday, October 6, 2009Rep. Michael Castle (R DE-At Large) announced October 6 that he will run for the U.S. Senate next year instead of seeking a tenth House term. Rep. Castle's decision sets the stage for a possible race against 40 year-old Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden (son of Vice President Joe Biden), who returned in September from a year's tour of duty in Iraq as a Captain with his Army National Guard unit, the 261st Theater Tactical Signal Brigade. Rep. Castle, 70, was Delaware's Governor during 1985-92 and has carved out a moderate record on education and health issues since his election in 1992 as Delaware's lone House member. He is currently the Ranking Republican on the House Education and Labor Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education. Paul Kirk (D) to be Appointed to Massachusetts U.S. Senate SeatThursday, September 24, 2009Massachusetts Governor Deval L. Patrick (D) announced September 24 that Paul G. Kirk, Jr., of Marstons Mills would be appointed to fill the U.S. Senate vacancy caused by the death of Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D) on August 25. Kirk, 71, will serve until the special Senate election to fill the vacancy is held on January 19, 2010. He worked for Sen. Kennedy as a special assistant from 1969 to 1977 and managed Kennedy's campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1980. Since 1990 he has been chair of the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation in Boston. Kirk was Democratic National Committee Chair during 1985-89 and was credited with helping the Party begin a process of recovery following its landslide presidential defeat in 1984. Since 1987 he has been co-chair of the Commission on Presidential Debates. Rep. McHugh (R) Resigns to become Army Secretary; Special Election in New York 23rd probable for November 3Tuesday, September 22, 2009Rep. John M. McHugh resigned from the House of Representatives on the morning of September 21, a few hours before he took the oath of office as the 21st Secretary of the Army. President Obama had nominated Rep. McHugh as Army Secretary on July 6, and he was confirmed by the Senate on September 16. New York Governor David A. Paterson (D) will likely call a November 3 special election to fill the vacancy caused by Rep. McHugh's resignation. Bill Owens (D) of Plattsburgh and Dede Scozzafava (R) of Gouveneur are among the candidates for the seat. Massachusetts Special Senate Election Scheduled for January 2010Wednesday, September 2, 2009Massachusetts Governor Deval L. Patrick (D) announced August 31 that a special U.S. Senate election will be held on January 19, 2010 to fill the vacancy caused by the August 26 death of eight-term incumbent Edward M. Kennedy (D). The primary will be held on December 8, 2009; candidates must collect and submit 10,000 valid signatures to the Massachusetts Secretary of State's office by October 20. Possible Democratic candidates include Sen. Kennedy's nephew, Joseph P. Kennedy II, who served in the U.S. House from 1987 until 1999; Rep. Michael E. Capuano (8th Congressional District); Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley; Rep. Stephen F. Lynch (9th Congressional District); Rep. Edward J. Markey (7th Congressional District); former U.S. Rep. Martin Meehan, and attorney Ed O'Reilly of Gloucester, who ran for the Democratic nomination against Sen. John F. Kerry in 2008. On the Republican side, the list of potential primary candidates includes State Sen. Scott Brown, Boston businessman Chris Egan, former Lieutenant Governor Kerry Healey and former U.S. Attorney Michael Sullivan. George LeMieux (R) to be Appointed to Florida U.S. Senate SeatTuesday, September 1, 2009Florida Governor Charlie Crist announced August 28 that his former chief of staff, George LeMieux of Fort Lauderdale, would be appointed to fill the U.S. Senate vacancy to be caused when Sen. Mel Martinez resigns, an event expected to take place on September 9. LeMieux, 40, has been Gov. Crist's closest political advisor; he managed Crist's successful 2006 gubernatorial campaign and worked for him as chief of staff until he resumed the practice of law with the West Palm Beach firm of Gunster Yoakley and Stewart. He ran unsuccessfully for the Florida House in 1998 and served as chair of Broward County's Republican Party during 2000-02. LeMieux will not be a candidate next year for the full Senate term that begins in 2011; Gov. Crist and former Florida House Speaker Marco Rubio are running for the Republican nomination; on the Democratic side, U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek is the only declared candidate, although U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown has been exploring a possible run. Edward Kennedy, Senate Stalwart, DiesWednesday, August 26, 2009Sen. Edward (Ted) Kennedy (D MA) died August 25, succumbing to brain cancer. He was 77 years old and had served in the Senate for 46 years--since he was elected in 1962. Referred to as the "Lion of the Senate," Sen. Kennedy was chair of the Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, which passed health care legislation in July, and which Congress is currently debating. Sen. Kennedy also served on the Committee on Armed Services and the Joint Economic Committee. President Obama said during a press conference on August 26: "His ideas and ideals are stamped on scores of laws and reflected in millions of lives." Rep. Sestak to Challenge Sen. Specter in Pennsylvania Democratic Senate PrimaryTuesday, August 4, 2009Rep. Joe Sestak (D PA-7) announced August 4 that he would run against five-term incumbent Sen. Arlen Specter (D PA) for the U.S. Senate nomination in the Pennsylvania's 2010 Democratic primary. Rep. Sestak, 57, is a former U.S. Navy Vice Admiral who was first elected to the House in 2006 from a suburban Philadelphia district. Sen. Specter, 79, switched parties in April and has the support of the Obama administration, Gov. Edward G. Rendell, Jr. and most of Pennsylvania's leading Democratic Party figures. Rep. Sestak just completed a tour of Pennsylvania's 67 counties and, according to the Federal Election Commission's most recent campaign finance reports, had about $4.3 million in his campaign treasury as of June 30. The same reports show Sen. Specter had $7.5 million. Sen. Bunning (R KY) Won't Run for Third TermMonday, July 27, 2009Sen. Jim Bunning (R KY), who holds Ranking Minority Member Subcommittee posts on the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs and Senate Finance Committees, announced July 27 that he would not run for reelection in 2010. Sen. Bunning, 77, said in a statement: "Over the past year, some of the leaders of the Republican Party in the Senate have done everything in their power to dry up my fundraising. The simple fact is that I have not raised the funds necessary to run an effective campaign for the U.S. Senate. For this reason, I will not be a candidate for re-election in 2010." A former professional baseball pitcher with Detroit, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Los Angeles, Sen. Bunning won 224 games and was voted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1996. He served on the Fort Thomas, Kentucky Council, in the State Senate and for over a decade in the U.S. House before narrowly defeating U.S. Rep. Scotty Baesler in 1998 for the Senate seat being vacated by Democrat Wendell Ford. He barely survived a challenge from now-Lt. Gov. Daniel Mongiardo in 2004, winning just 50.7 percent of the vote. Mongiardo is now a candidate for the Democratic nomination to Sen. Bunning's seat, along with Kentucky Attorney General Jack Conway. Kentucky Secretary of State Trey Grayson and Rand Paul, son of U.S. Rep. Ron Paul (R TX-14) are being prominently mentioned as candidates for the GOP nod.
Judy Chu (D) Wins California House Seat in Special ElectionWednesday, July 15, 2009California State Board of Equalization member Judy Chu won a comfortable victory July 14 in a special election that will make her the new Representative of California's 32nd Congressional District. Chu, 54, succeeds Hilda L. Solis, who resigned from the U.S. House on February 24 to join the Obama cabinet as Secretary of Labor. Unofficial results say Chu won 62 percent of the vote, defeating her cousin by marriage, Republican nominee Betty Tom Chu, and Libertarian candidate Christopher M. Agrella. Coleman Concedes Disputed Minnesota Senate Race After Minnesota Supreme Court Rules Franken Should Be Certified As WinnerTuesday, June 30, 2009239 days after Election Day 2008, former Sen. Norm Coleman (R) conceded defeat June 30 in the disputed Minnesota U.S. Senate race and congratulated the winner, Democratic nominee Al Franken. Coleman's concession came shortly after the Minnesota Supreme Court ruled unanimously that Franken was entitled to be certified as the winner of the contest, which was embroiled in legal wrangling over recounts and disqualified absentee ballots. After Franken's certificate of election is signed by Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R), he could be seated when the Senate returns from its Fourth of July recess on July 6. When Franken is seated, his vote, along with those of Independents Joe Lieberman of Connecticut and Bernard Sanders of Vermont, could give Senate Democrats a 60-vote majority to defeat Republican filibusters against and procedural objections to legislation. Seats on four Senate Committees have been held open for Franken: Health, Education, Labor and Pensions; Judiciary; Indian Affairs; and the Special Committee on Aging.
Sen. Thune, Sen. Murkowski Win New Senate GOP Leadership PostsThursday, June 25, 2009Sen. John Thune (R SD) was elected June 25 as Chair of the Senate Republican Policy Committee, replacing Sen. John Ensign (R NV), who resigned June 17. Sen Thune, 48, served in the House for three terms and won his Senate seat from then Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle (D) in 2004. At the same time, Alaska Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski was elected to replace Sen. Thune as Vice Chair of the Senate Republican Conference. Sen Murkowski, 52, also serves as Special Counsel to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R KY). Sen. Ensign Relinquishes GOP Leadership PostWednesday, June 17, 2009Sen. John Ensign (R NV) resigned June 17 as Chair of the Senate Republican Policy Committee, the Number Four post in the Senate's GOP leadership hierarchy. Sen. Ensign's resignation came a day after he publicly acknowledged involvement in a consensual extramarital affair with a member of his campaign staff. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R KY) said in a statement that Sen. Ensign "accepted responsibility for his actions and apologized to his family and constituents. He offered, and I accepted, his resignation as chairman of the Policy Committee." Sen. Ensign, 51, also served as chair of the National Republican Senatorial Committee from November 2006 until November 2008. He has not yet announced whether he plans to run for election to a third Senate term in 2012. Rep. McHugh (R NY-23) to be Nominated for Secretary of the ArmyTuesday, June 2, 2009President Obama on June 2 announced his intention to nominate nine-term New York Rep. John M. McHugh (R-23) as Secretary of the Army. Rep. McHugh, 60, is Ranking Minority Member on the House Armed Services Committee and represents Fort Drum, the largest employer in northern New York State, which provides employment for nearly 21,000 military personnel and civilians. From 2001 to 2007 he served as Chair of Armed Services' Personnel subcommittee, which deals with military health care and education and morale, welfare and recreation issues and programs. If confirmed by the Senate, McHugh would succeed another former House Member, Pete Geren, who represented a Texas district in Congress from 1989 until 1997. Scott Murphy (D) Wins New York State House Seat in Special ElectionMonday, April 27, 2009Former State Assemblyman Jim Tedisco (R) conceded defeat on April 24 in New York State's closely contested 20th Congressional District race, nearly a month following the March 31 special election to fill the vacancy caused by two-term Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand's appointment to the U.S. Senate. With Democrat Scott Murphy's lead at about 400 votes after weeks of counting absentee ballots, Tedisco said it had become "clear that the numbers were not going our way and that the time had come to step aside and ensure that the next Congressman be seated as quickly as possible." A businessman, investor and venture capitalist, Murphy, 39, was born in Columbia, Missouri and worked for two of the state's Democratic governors, Mel Carnahan and Roger Wilson. He now lives in Glens Falls, New York and was selected as his party's nominee for the 20th District seat on February 1 by the Democratic chairs of the District's ten counties. Mike Quigley (D) Wins Illinois House Seat in Special ElectionWednesday, April 8, 2009Cook County Commissioner Mike Quigley won a comfortable victory April 7 in a special election that will make him the new Representative of Illinois' Fifth Congressional District. Quigley, 50, succeeds Rahm Emanuel, who resigned from the U.S. House in early January to join the Obama White House as Chief of Staff. Unofficial results say Quigley won 70 percent of the vote, defeating Republican nominee Rosanna Pulido and Green Party candidate Matt Reichel. The last Republican to win the northside Chicago district was Michael Patrick Flanagan, who succeeded scandal tarred 18-term incumbent Dan Rostenkowski as part of the 1994 Republican mid-term election sweep. Flanagan was ousted in 1996 by Rod Blagojevich, who was succeeded in 2002 by Emanuel after Blagojevich ran successfully for Governor of Illinois. Race in New York's 20th Congressional District Too Close To Call, Awaits Count of Absentee, Overseas BallotsWednesday, April 1, 2009Only 59 votes out of nearly 155,000 cast separate Democrat Scott Murphy of Glens Falls and Republican Jim Tedisco of Glenville in the March 31 special election held in upstate New York's 20th Congressional District to fill the vacancy caused when Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand (D) was appointed to the U.S. Senate on January 23. Before declaring a winner, New York State election officials will have to wait until the April 13 deadline for delivery of overseas ballots, which will be counted along with over 10,000 absentee ballots. It will probably take at least two more weeks for the race to be decided. Rep. Tauscher (D CA) Accepts Offer to Serve as Undersecretary of State for Arms Control and International SecurityThursday, March 19, 2009Seven-term Rep. Ellen O. Tauscher (D CA-10), Chair of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Strategic Forces, said March 19 that she had accepted Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton's request that she serve as Undersecretary of State for Arms Control and International Security. In a statement to her constituents, Rep. Tauscher, 57, said that "keeping nuclear weapons out of the hands of terrorists, making sure other countries do not obtain them and, one day, I hope, ridding the world of these terrible weapons, has become my passion and, I hope, my life's work." If Rep. Tauscher is confirmed by the Senate, a special election will be held to fill the Tenth Congressional District vacancy. Speculation on possible Democratic candidates for the seat includes State Sen. Mark DeSaulnier of Concord and State Rep. Tom Torlakson of Antioch. Republicans being mentioned for the seat include California State Republican vice chair Tom Del Beccaro of Lafayette, former San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brent Jones of Danville, and San Ramon Mayor Abram Wilson. House Members Diving into 2010 Senatorial, Gubernatorial WatersFriday, March 13, 2009The 111th Congress is a little over two months old, and 11 of its Members have already announced or are planning to announce their interest in running for the U.S. Senate or for Governor in 2010 - Ten-term Rep. Neil Abercrombie (D) is running for Governor of Hawaii; Republican incumbent Gov. Linda Lingle is barred by state law from running for reelection in 2010 Four-term Rep. J. Gresham Barrett (R) is running for Governor of South Carolina; Republican incumbent Gov. Mark Sanford is barred by state law from running for reelection in 2010 Seven-term Rep. Roy Blunt (R) is running for Senator from Missouri; incumbent Sen. Christopher S. Bond (R) is not seeking a fifth term Four-term Rep. Artur Davis (D) is running for Governor of Alabama; Republican incumbent Gov. Bob Riley is barred by state law from running for reelection in 2010 Two-term Rep. Mary Fallin (R) is running for Governor of Oklahoma; Democratic incumbent Gov. Brad Henry is barred by state law from running for reelection in 2010 Two-term Rep. Paul Hodes (D) is running for Senator from New Hampshire; incumbent Sen. Judd Gregg (R) has indicated he will probably not seek a fourth term Three-term Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R) has formed a committee to explore a possible 2010 candidacy for Governor of Texas; incumbent Gov. Rick Perry (R) is seeking election to a third term Four-term Rep. Kendrick B. Meek (D) is running for Senator from Florida; incumbent Mel Martinez (R) is not seeking a second term Seven-term Rep. Jerry Moran (R) is running for Senator from Kansas; incumbent Sen. Sam Brownback (R) is not seeking a third term Eight-term Rep. Todd Tiahrt (R) is running for Senator from Kansas; incumbent Sen. Sam Brownback (R) is not seeking a third term Eight-term Rep. Zach Wamp (R) is running for Governor of Tennessee; Democratic incumbent Gov. Phil Bredesen is barred by state law from running for reelection in 2010 Sen. Gregg (R NH) Nominated for Commerce SecretaryTuesday, February 3, 2009After days of speculation, President Obama on February 3 nominated New Hampshire's senior Senator, Republican Judd Gregg, to be Secretary of Commerce. In making the announcement Obama praised Sen. Gregg, 61, as "a master of reaching across the aisle to get things done." Sen. Gregg, the ranking Republican member of the Senate Budget Committee, in turn called Obama's economic recovery plan, now facing a Senate vote, "an extraordinarily bold and aggressive, effective and comprehensive plan for how we can get this country moving." The previous choice for the Commerce post, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, withdrew from consideration on January 4. Sen. Gregg served in the House for eight years before winning the first of two terms as New Hampshire's Governor in 1988; he won his Senate seat in 1992 (his father, Hugh Gregg, served as New Hampshire Governor during 1953-55). Sen. Gregg and his family made unfortunate news off of Capitol Hill in October 2003, when the Senator's wife Kathleen was abducted from their McLean, Virginia home by two men and forced at knifepoint to withdraw money from a local bank; she was released unharmed after making the withdrawal. Sen. Gregg made the news for a much better reason in October 2005, when he won $853,492 from the Powerball lottery after purchasing $20 worth of tickets at a Washington, D.C. gas station. Rep. Gillibrand (D) to replace Hillary Clinton in SenateFriday, January 23, 2009New York Gov. David A. Paterson (D) announced January 23 that Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand, a 42-year-old Democrat from eastern upstate New York, would fill the Senate vacancy caused by the resignation of Hillary Rodham Clinton, now Secretary of State in President Obama's cabinet. A special election is scheduled for 2010 for a full six year term. A graduate of Dartmouth College and the University of California at Los Angeles School of Law, Gillibrand served as a law clerk to an upstate New York federal judge and as special counsel to then-HUD Secretary Andrew Cuomo before defeating four-term Republican incumbent John E. Sweeney in 2006. Her Congressional District, the 20th, runs along New York State's eastern border and covers a large part of the Hudson River Valley, as well as Glens Falls and Saratoga Springs. Denver Schools Chief Michael Bennet to fill Colorado Senate SeatMonday, January 5, 2009Colorado's Democratic Governor, Bill Ritter, Jr., on January 3 named Denver public schools superintendent Michael F. Bennet, 44, to the Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the upcoming departure of Sen. Ken Salazar, who has been nominated to be Secretary of the Interior. Bennet said he would be a candidate for a full Senate term in 2010. Bennet, 44, will be making his second appearance on Capitol Hill - the first was as a Senate page (His father, Douglas, worked for Vice President Hubert Humphrey, and for Senators Thomas Eagleton and Abraham Ribicoff.) A graduate of Wesleyan University and Yale University School of Law, Bennet was counsel to the deputy attorney general during the Clinton administration, and served as managing director for the Denver-based Anschutz Investment Co. Bennet was chief of staff to Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper before taking the public schools post in June 2005. Former Illinois State Attorney General Burris Named to Obama Senate SeatWednesday, December 31, 2008Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D) on December 30 appointed former State Attorney General Roland W. Burris, the first African-American elected to a major political office in Illinois, to fill the U.S. Senate vacancy caused by the resignation of President-elect Barack Obama (D) on November 16. Burris would serve for the remaining two years of Obama's term; the seat is up for election in 2010. Burris, 71, served as Illinois Attorney General from 1991 until 1995. A graduate of Southern Illinois University (Carbondale) and Howard University, he worked as a tax consultant and officer for Continental Illinois Bank and Trust Co. in Chicago for nine years, and also served as State comptroller (1979-91) and director of the Illinois Department of General Services (1973-77). He ran for the Democratic nomination to the U.S. Senate in 1984, for Mayor of Chicago in 1995, and was also a candidate for Illinois Governor in 1994, 1998 and 2002. Senate Majority Leader Harry M. Reid (D NV) has said anyone appointed by Gov. Blagojevich, who is currently subject to federal criminal charges and impeachment proceedings, will not be seated by the Democratic Caucus. Rep. Hoekstra (R MI-2) won't run for 10th TermTuesday, December 16, 2008Rep. Pete Hoekstra (R MI-2), the ranking Republican on the House Select Committee on Intelligence, announced December 15 that he will not run for reelection to his House seat in 2010, the year he is widely expected to be a candidate for Governor of Michigan. Michigan law bars incumbent Gov. Jennifer Granholm (D) from seeking a third term, and other Republicans mentioned as possible candidate for the GOP nomination include State Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop, Oakland County Sheriff and 2006 U.S. Senate nominee Mike Bouchard, State Attorney General Mike Cox, State Senator Wayne Kuipers, and Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land. Sen. Martinez (R FL) won't seek Second Term in 2010Tuesday, December 2, 2008Sen. Mel Martinez (R FL) announced December 2 that he would not run for reelection to the Senate seat he has held since 2005. Sen. Martinez, 62, said in a statement that "the call to public service is strong, but the call to home, family and lifelong friends is even stronger." A former chair of Orange County, Florida and Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Martinez won a close Senate race in 2004 when he defeated University of South Florida president Betty Castor by 82,000 votes out of over 7.2 million cast. Among the names mentioned as possible Republican candidates for his seat in 2010 are former Gov. Jeb Bush, Florida House Speaker Marco Rubio of West Miami and U.S. Rep. Adam H. Putnam of Bartow. Democrats who might weigh a potential candidacy include Florida Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink, and U.S. Reps. F. Allen Boyd of Monticello, Kendrick B. Meek of Miami and Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Weston. Edward E. (Ted) Kaufman (D) to fill Biden Senate SeatTuesday, November 25, 2008Delaware Gov. Ruth Ann Minner (D) announced November 24 that she would appoint Edward E. (Ted) Kaufman to fill the next two years of Vice President-elect Joseph R. Biden's term until a special election can be held in 2010 to fill the remaining four years of Biden's term. Kaufman will probably take the oath of office sometime in January, after Sen. Biden resigns from the Senate to assume the Vice Presidency. A graduate of Duke University and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, Kaufman, 69, was a member of Biden Senate staff for over 20 years and served as a senior adviser to both the Biden presidential campaign and the Obama-Biden transition team. Kaufman is Senior Lecturing Fellow at the Duke University of Law, and has also taught at Duke's J.B. Fuqua School of Business and Terry Sanford Institute of Public Policy. House Republicans choose Leaders for 111th CongressThursday, November 20, 2008House Republicans, meeting on November 19 to organize for the new 111th Congress, elected the following leaders -
Sen. Stevens (R AK) loses bid for Seventh TermThursday, November 20, 2008Sen. Ted Stevens (R), the longest serving Republican in U.S. Senate history, has lost his bid for reelection to Anchorage's Democratic mayor, Mark Begich. Sen. Stevens, who turned 85 on November 18, has represented Alaska in the Senate for nearly 40 years. The Alaska Division of Elections has determined that Begich leads Stevens by 3,724 votes with about 2,500 ballots yet to be counted. The announcement came shortly before the fortieth anniversary of the day - December 24, 1968 - Stevens was appointed by then-Gov. Walter J. Hickel (R) to succeed the late Democratic Sen. E.L. (Bob) Bartlett. Stevens went on to win election to the seat in his own right in 1970, and won six reelection tries - until this year. House Democrats tap Reps. Larson and Becerra for Caucus PostsWednesday, November 19, 2008House Democrats on November 18 elected Rep. John B. Larson (D CT-1) as Chair of the Democratic Caucus, succeeding Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D IL-5), who has been designated as President-elect Barack Obama's White House Chief of Staff. Rep. Xavier Becerra (D CA-31) was elected Vice Chair of the Caucus. Other House Democratic leaders - Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, and Minority Whip James E. Clyburn - were reelected to their posts for the upcoming 111th Congress. President-Elect Obama to resign Illinois Senate Seat on November 16Monday, November 10, 2008President-elect Barack Obama announced on November 13 that he would resign his Illinois Senate seat on Sunday, November 16. President-elect Obama's resignation will enable Illinois Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich (D) to appoint a replacement to serve out the remaining two years in Obama's Senate term, which expires in January 2011. Potential candidates to fill the vacancy include U.S. Rep. Jesse L. Jackson, Jr. (D IL-2), U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D IL-9), Illinois Senate President Emil Jones, Jr. (D), Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, and Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs Director Tammy Duckworth, who ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. House in 2006. Jeff Merkley (D) declared winner of Oregon Senate Race; Minnesota, Alaska results still in doubt; Georgia faces December RunoffWednesday, November 5, 2008Oregon House Speaker Jeff Merkley (D) has defeated Republican Sen. Gordon H. Smith by about 52,000 votes out of more than 1.6 million cast. Sen. Smith is the first Oregon Senator to lose a reelection bid since four-term incumbent Wayne Morse (D) fell in 1968 to Republican Bob Packwood. In Minnesota, the campaigns of incumbent Sen. Norm Coleman (R) and comedian and author Al Franken (D) are preparing for an automatic recount that is not scheduled to begin until after the results are made official on November 18. Sen. Colman currently leads Franken by 236 votes out of nearly 2.9 million cast. Alaska's Sen. Ted Stevens (R), leads challenger Mark Begich (D) by about 3,400 votes, while roughly 55,000 absentee ballots remain to be counted. In Georgia, incumbent Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R) and former State Rep. Jim Martin (D) expect a runoff to be held on December 2. Under Georgia law, a runoff is automatic if the leading candidate is unable to pass the 50 percent threshold after votes have been counted in the regular general election. Sen. Chambliss currently has 49.9 percent of the vote, with thousands of provisional and absentee ballots still being counted. The following House races await official tabulation of absentee and provisional ballots before a winner can be declared:
Rep. Emanuel (D IL) named Obama White House Chief of StaffWednesday, November 5, 2008Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D IL-5) has been chosen by President-elect Barack Obama (D) as White House Chief of Staff. Rep. Emanuel, who turns 49 in three weeks, has served in the House since 2003, and as Chair of the House Democratic Caucus since 2007. He had also worked in the Clinton White House as a senior advisor during 1993-98, and was finance chair of then-Gov. Bill Clinton's 1992 presidential campaign. Rep. Emanuel succeeded the late Rep. Robert T. Matsui as Chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee in January 2005, and was later hailed by fellow Democrats as one of the architects of their comeback in 2006, when they won 31 seats to become the House's majority party for the first time in 12 years. Reps. Blunt (R MO) and Putnam (R FL) to give up House Republican Leadership PositionsWeekday, Month Day, YearRep. Roy D. Blunt (R MO-7) announced November 6 that he would not seek reelection as House Majority Whip. Rep. Blunt endorsed the current Chief Deputy Minority Whip, Rep. Eric Cantor (R VA-7) for the Minority Whip position; Rep. Cantor, 45, had already indicated that he would seek the job. Rep. Blunt's announcement follows a statement by Rep. Adam H. Putnam (R FL-12) on November 5 that he would be leaving the post of Republican Conference Chair. Rep. Jeb Hensarling (R TX-5), the outgoing chair of the House's Republican Study Committee, has said he will run for the Conference Chair's job, and other candidates may follow. House Minority Leader John Boehner (R OH-8) has already told his fellow Republican Members in a letter that he wants to be reelected for another term as their leader in the new 111th Congress, which convenes in January 2009. 2008 Senate, House and Governor Election WinnersWednesday, November 5, 2008Please note: As of 9:00 a.m. EST, November 5, 2008, some races were still too close to call and may be subject to recount. Projected Senate Party Affiliations in the 111th Congress - (100: 56 Democrats, 40 Republicans, 4 Undecided) New Senators elected on November 4, 2008 - (7: 5 Democrats, 2 Republicans)
Projected House Party Affiliations in the 111th Congress - (435: 251 Democrats, 173 Republicans, 11 Undecided) New Representatives elected on November 4, 2008 - (50: 28 Democrats, 22 Republicans)
New Governors elected on November 4, 2008 - (4: 3 Democrats, 1 Republican)
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