Latest news with #CookPoliticalReport
Yahoo
20 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Wanted: Democrat to run for Congress in the Eighth
The Democratic Party is seeking a qualified, viable candidate to run in next year's Indiana 8th District Congressional race. And yes, it's an uphill battle in a heavily Republican-dominated region. "We are trying to find the most qualified, most appealing candidate — someone who has been a face in the district and has a track record they can run on. They've got the time, the focus, the energy," said Dave Crooks, chairman of the 8th District Democratic Party. And, it will take a lot of money. Crooks has reached out to media outlets in an effort to seek that candidate. Much of that candidate's time would be spent raising money for a campaign. It's important the candidate has availability during the day to talk to donors and potential donors, Crooks said. "You have to give it every hour you can every day," he said. The 8th District includes 21 southwestern Indiana counties and sprawls from the Ohio River to Interstate 74 in Fountain County. It's solidly Republican — one of the most Republican congressional districts in the nation, according to the Cook Political Report's Partisan Voter Index, as reported by the Evansville Courier & Press. Sixty-five percent of 8th District voters backed Donald Trump for president, compared to 33% for Joe Biden, in 2020, when Trump lost the presidency by 7 million votes nationwide. In the 2024 8th District race, Republican Mark Messmer won with 68% of the vote, while Democrat Erik Hurt had 29.5%. Richard Fitzlaff, Libertarian, had 2.6%. Messmer won the seat previously held by seven-term Congressman and Republican Larry Bucshon, who decided not to seek re-election. "It's a tough district, there's no question," Crooks said. It's the largest geographic district in Indiana and has about 750,000 people. A candidate may need to generate millions in campaign funds to compete in the Evansville and Terre Haute media markets, the Courier & Press reported. Mass communication is critical, Crooks said, and that takes fundraising. Crooks does believe that as a first-term congressman, Messmer is vulnerable. A Democrat winning the seat may be possible if enough voters have concerns about Republican budget and policy decisions, both at the state and federal level. "I think the Republicans will be in trouble next year" when people, especially lower income, feel the results of federal and state budgets cuts, fewer services, and federally-imposed tariffs, Crooks said. People "are not seeing relief in prices for the most part; these tariffs are basically a tax on the consumer," he said. The last time a Democrat was elected as the 8th District congressman was in 2006 and 2008, when former Vanderburgh County Sheriff Brad Ellsworth won the seat by margins of 61% and 65%. Looking toward the 2026 election, while one individual has filed as a Democrat, Crooks said he wasn't sure the individual would qualify to run as a Democrat in the district. That individual is Rosedale resident Daniel George, who has filed a statement of candidacy with the Federal Election Commission. The Tribune-Star has attempted to contact George. Potential candidates must be able to show they voted in two consecutive Democratic primaries, Crooks said. To be elected, a representative must be at least 25 years old, a United States citizen for at least seven years and an inhabitant of the state he or she represents. For those Democrats interested in running in the 8th district race, Crooks can be contacted by email at Indems8chair@ Matt Bergbower, Indiana State University professor of political science, believes Democrats ought to have a good year nationwide in 2026. "Traditionally, the party in power at the White House loses seats in mid term elections," Bergbower said. Also, President Donald Trump's agenda "is not overwhelmingly seeing approval." That being said, "The 8th district will be tough to win for a Democrat," according to Bergbower. Democrats should put forward a candidate who is serious and try to win the seat, he said. The 2026 general election is 17 months away and "you never know what could happen," Bergbower said. But in counties that make up the 8th district, the numbers don't seem like they could add up to a Democratic victory right now, Bergbower said.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Buttigieg's 2020 Iowa political director launches bid for governor
The Iowa political director of former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg's 2020 presidential campaign Julie Stauch announced Tuesday she is running for Iowa governor. The launch sets up a Democratic primary contest between Stauch and Iowa State Auditor Rob Sand, who launched his bid last month. Stauch made the announcement on her campaign website, where she also posted a cover letter and resume. Stauch noted her experience working as the president of her own firm, as well as her roles as chief public affairs officer and vice president of governmental affairs of Planned Parenthood of the Heartland. 'Iowans are disgusted with our elected leaders, and we want change. We are done with the destruction created by a Governor and Legislators who are destroying every aspect of our state, playing childish games with people's lives. We value our water, our soil, our children's futures, our schools, our communities, and our County Governments. We need leaders who embrace those values. I am one of those leaders,' Staunch said in a statement. Stauch is the latest candidate to jump into the state's governor's race following Gov. Kim Reynold's (R) announcement last month that she would not seek reelection. In addition to Sand running in the Democratic primary, Republican Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-Iowa) and former Iowa state Rep. Brad Sherman (R) are running in the GOP primary. Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird (R) is also considering a bid. The nonpartisan Cook Political Report rates the race as 'lean Republican.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
2 days ago
- General
- The Hill
Buttigieg's 2020 Iowa political director launches bid for governor
The Iowa political director of former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg's 2020 presidential campaign Julie Stauch announced Tuesday she is running for Iowa governor. The launch sets up a Democratic primary contest between Stauch and Iowa State Auditor Rob Sand, who launched his bid last month. Stauch made the announcement on her campaign website, where she also posted a cover letter and resume. Stauch noted her past experience working as the president of her own firm, as well as her roles as chief public affairs officer and vice president of governmental affairs of Planned Parenthood of the Heartland. 'Iowans are disgusted with our elected leaders, and we want change. We are done with the destruction created by a Governor and Legislators who are destroying every aspect of our state, playing childish games with people's lives. We value our water, our soil, our children's futures, our schools, our communities, and our County Governments. We need leaders who embrace those values. I am one of those leaders,' Staunch said in a statement. Stauch is the latest candidate to jump into the state's governor's race following Gov. Kim Reynold's (R) announcement last month that she would not seek reelection. In addition to Sand running in the Democratic primary, Republican Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-Iowa) and former Iowa state Rep. Brad Sherman (R) are running in the GOP primary. Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird (R) is also considering a bid. The nonpartisan Cook Political Report rates the race as 'lean Republican.'
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Sen. Tuberville launches run for Alabama governor
Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., will forgo a second term in the Senate to instead run for Alabama's governor, cementing the retired football coach as a front-runner in the race to replace Gov. Kay Ivey. Tuberville launched his gubernatorial run on Tuesday after weeks of speculation, centering his campaign around amplifying 'conservative Alabama values.' The announcement gives the well-known senator a leg up against any potential GOP challengers who may throw their hats into the ring in the coming months. 'I'm doing this to help this country and the great state of Alabama,' Tuberville told Fox News. 'I'm a football coach. I'm a leader. I'm a builder. I'm a recruiter, and we're going to grow Alabama.' The bid is a significant move for Tuberville, who made his debut in politics when he ran for Alabama's Senate seat in 2020. Tuberville was able to use his name recognition and successful career as a college football coach to catapult himself to a GOP primary win over Jeff Sessions, who previously held the Senate seat before resigning in 2017 to serve as the U.S. attorney general in President Donald Trump's first term. Tuberville then went on to defeat Democratic incumbent Sen. Doug Jones, restoring the Senate seat to Republican control. The first-term senator outlined a number of priorities he would focus on if elected, closely aligning himself with Trump's agenda. 'We're going to bring manufacturing to this state. We're going to stop this illegal immigration. We're going to make education better again, and we're going to do everything possible to make sure our kids ... stay in this state and work,' Tuberville told Fox News. Tuberville told the outlet he had Trump's support, making it likely he will receive a highly coveted endorsement from the president. No Democrat has launched a bid for the governor's race as of Wednesday, and the race is expected to favor the Republican nominee. Tuberville's exit from the Senate opens up his seat in the 2026 midterm elections, which could attract a crowded primary of Republican candidates seeking to replace him. That seat is widely expected to favor Republicans and is rated as a 'Solid Republican' seat by the nonpartisan Cook Political Report.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Michigan voters take gloomier view of economy: Poll
Michigan voters are increasingly taking a more pessimistic view of the economy, according to a statewide poll released Tuesday by the Detroit Regional Chamber. The poll found that 37.6 percent of voters said the state's economy was on the 'right track,' while 44 percent said it was on the wrong track. The findings mark a major change from January, when 42.9 percent of Michigan voters said the economy was on the right track and 42.2 percent said it was on the wrong track. According to the Detroit Regional Chamber, this marks the lowest economic 'right track' response since November 2023. Additionally, 62.4 percent said they believed the economy was 'weakening,' up from 55.2 percent in January. Fewer voters also said they believed the economy was growing. 34.4 percent said they saw a growing economy in the state, a 7.6-point decrease in January. More Michigan voters voiced fears of a possible recession, according to the poll. 38.2 percent said they expect the U.S. will be in a recession next year, marking an 11-point increase from January. However, the poll also found stark divides between the state's Republicans and Democrats on how the economy is viewed. 17.4 percent of voters who were labeled as 'strong Democrats' said they see a growing economy, while 63.9 percent of 'strong Republicans' said the same. 25.4 percent of independents said they believed the economy was strong. The state's voters also appeared to be somewhat split on President Trump's tariffs, with 43 percent saying they support them and 51 percent saying they were opposed. Among 'strong Democrats,' 96 percent said they opposed the tariffs, while 92 percent of 'strong Republicans' said they supported them. The polling comes as Republicans and Democrats target Michigan ahead of what will likely be a hard-fought battle up and down the ballot in next year's midterms. The nonpartisan Cook Political Report rates the state's governor and Senate races as 'toss-ups,' while the House Republican and Democratic campaign arms are targeting various congressional districts across the state. Michigan has proven to be a quintessential swing state in recent elections, with Trump losing the state to former President Biden in 2020 before flipping it in 2024. The Detroit Regional Chamber poll was conducted April 24-28 among 600 registered voters. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
