Corker says Democrat is ahead in race to succeed him

Apr 20, 2018

Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) offered warm words on Wednesday for the Democrat vying to take his seat, estimating that former Gov. Phil Bredesen is six percentage points ahead of GOP rival Rep. Marsha Blackburn.

D.C. Takes Aim at Sex Trafficking

Apr 18, 2018

Last week, President Trump signed into law the Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act of 2017. Georgia Senator Johnny Isakson had been a co-sponsor of the Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act, which was incorporated into the final legislation. It passed by a vote of 97-2 – Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Rand Paul (R-KY) being the only Nays.

Kaine to oppose Pompeo for secretary of state

Apr 17, 2018

By Martin Matishak (Politico) –

Sen. Tim Kaine announced on Sunday he would oppose Mike Pompeo’s nomination to be secretary of state, further complicating the CIA director’s confirmation prospects on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Georgia’s Sixth and Seventh Districts host competitive races

Apr 16, 2018

By Hastings Wyman –

This November, Georgia Democrats are seeking to motivate the Blue Wave that swept their party to victory last year in Virginia’s gubernatorial and state House of Delegates contests, Alabama’s US Senate election, as well as other elections where, even if they fell short of victory, they out-performed Hillary Clinton’s 2016 showing.

A look at finances in the Georgia Gov.’s race

Apr 12, 2018

Even though many of Georgia’s gubernatorial candidates were not allowed to fundraise for three months during the 2018 legislative session, big money numbers were turned in the latest reporting period.

Scott running for Senate in epic showdown with Nelson

Apr 10, 2018

By Matt Dixon (Politico) –

TALLAHASSEE — Florida Gov. Rick Scott made his long-awaited Senate candidacy official Monday, setting up an epic battle against incumbent Democrat Bill Nelson and testing the limits of whether a close alliance with President Donald Trump is political poison or a pathway to success in the nation’s biggest swing state.

Florida: Can Mast survive a Blue Wave?

Apr 9, 2018

By Hastings Wyman –

In the two years since Donald Trump took office, there have been a number of special elections, particularly in the South, where the Democratic turnout has blossomed all out of historical proportion, in some cases winning offices in once-solid Republican bailiwicks, but in all cases surpassing Hillary Clinton’s share of the 2016 vote. Thus, Democrats are preparing well-financed campaigns in congressional districts still placed in the Republican column by most prognosticators.

No Rest for the Weary – Let the Campaigns Begin

Apr 3, 2018

“Begin” may not be the right word for it but now that the legislature is over, for the next frantic month and a half, all eyes turn to the primaries ahead of general elections this fall. A couple of the gubernatorial candidates were active participants in that legislature, Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle and Senator Michael Williams (R-27 Cumming), and another, Hunter Hill, resigned his seat to focus on the campaign. One of them, Brian Kemp, holds the office of Secretary of State which will certainly remain busy the rest of the year.

Kentucky: Democrats vie to take on Barr

Apr 2, 2018

By Hastings Wyman –

US Rep. Andy Barr (R), in his third term, is facing potentially serious opposition in this year when many Republican officeholders are facing an uncertain future. There are three major candidates vying in the Democratic Primary for the party nomination to challenge Barr in November.

Can the Most Hated Man in West Virginia Win?

Mar 30, 2018

TRIADELPHIA, W.Va.— On a recent Thursday afternoon, less than nine months after he was released from prison for his role in the worst U.S. mine explosion in the past 40 years, Don Blankenship made his first campaign stop of the day at a shopping center in the skinny spike of West Virginia’s northern panhandle. For 25 minutes, he delivered an anti-government assault, railing against the “District of Corruption” and demanding drug tests “for as many officials as possible,” everyone from judges to members of Congress, which he believes would lead to dozens of high-level government employees losing their jobs.