McCain needs Crist's help in Florida, poll suggests
Start measuring those vice presidential mansion drapes, Charlie Crist, because a new poll suggests John McCain will need all the help he can get in must-win Florida.
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Archive of Elections on Monday May 05, 2008
McCain needs Crist's help in Florida, poll suggests
Start measuring those vice presidential mansion drapes, Charlie Crist, because a new poll suggests John McCain will need all the help he can get in must-win Florida. Read More
Candidates for gov play second fiddle
The Democratic candidates for governor continued to take second billing to presidential contenders Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama on Sunday night. Read More
Legislators have no fundraising limit for ballot measure accounts
Karen Bass, the speaker-elect of the state Assembly, gathered checks last month from big contributors at The Kitchen, the exclusive Sacramento eatery. But Bass, like a growing number of the state's leaders, wasn't collecting funds for her re-election. Instead, the money went to a ballot measure committee she controls. Read More
Early voting begins Monday for preferential primary
With no high-profile Senate or congressional races and the state's presidential primary a memory, election officials say they're not expecting turnout for this month's primaries and non-partisan judicial races to match the fervor of February's presidential race. Read More
AP News Analysis -- Ballot measure campaigns to be waged in Arkansas' pews
The best place to hear arguments this fall over whether to create a state-run lottery for education or to restrict public services for illegal immigrants may not be at a campaign rally. It'll be from the pews. Read More
California Democrats crow over voter roll uptick
California's Democratic leaders, who have seen their share of the electorate decline by about 15 percentage points over the last three decades, are crowing about an uptick in registration. Read More
Fiscal fix to go to public
The author of a proposed state budget fix announced Sunday he's bypassing his Capitol critics and making his case directly to voters, in a move sure to ignite a fierce ballot battle over the Taxpayer's Bill of Rights. Read More
Rell sits, waits and wonders about seeking re-election
Before Gov. M. Jodi Rell decides whether to run for another term in 2010, she wants to see what happens in November's state and national elections, she said in a recent interview. Read More
GOP nominates Lee for governor
DEWEY BEACH, Del. -- By lunchtime Saturday, Delaware's Republican Party had drafted a candidate for governor -- retired Superior Court Judge Bill Lee. Read More
Florida Gov. Charlie Crist wrings success out of legislative session
With a sluggish economy's stranglehold on state finances, there should have been few winners at the 2008 legislative session. But Charlie Crist exits from his second session as Florida's governor with much of what he wanted. Read More
Stark Florida budget might be weapon
Schools and health and human-services programs may not be the only losers emerging from the 2008 Legislature. Outnumbered Democrats see the stark $66.2 billion state budget as a political weapon they plan to use in attempts to unseat many Republican legislators in the fall elections. Read More
Johnson draws no opposition for Congress
For the first time in 52 years, there won't be a major party election battle for the 4th congressional district. That's because no one signed up to run against Democrat freshman U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson of Decatur. Read More
Bids for state Senate await representatives leaving seats
Although three members of the state House will not seek re-election to their current office, that does not mean they want to leave the Legislature altogether. Reps. Dwight Takamine, Josh Green and Alex Sonson, all Democrats, instead hope to open the 2009 legislative session as members of the Senate. Read More
Republican leaders hoping for a revival
As Iowa Democrats wait to find out who their party's presidential nominee will be, the Iowa G.O.P. has begun preparing for the fall campaign. Read More
Supreme battling
Idaho Supreme Court Justice Joel Horton - who was appointed to the bench last September by Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter - disagrees with nearly all of the fiery contentions made by his opponent in an upcoming election. Read More
Ill. Republicans will make recall amendment an issue in fall
Minutes after the Illinois Senate blocked a recall amendment to the state constitution, Republicans began trying to transform the decision into a political liability for Democrats. Read More
IDOT workers say e-mail proves politics fueled firings
Lawyers for 17 former Illinois Department of Transportation workers say a recently disclosed e-mail supports their claim that Gov. Rod Blagojevich?s administration fired them for political reasons. Read More
Illinois budget in a hole, next fiscal plan in flux
Now that Democratic Gov. Rod Blagojevich has fended off an effort to allow him to be recalled from office, his administration is turning to another feud the governor historically has found himself engaged in with lawmakers: the state budget. Read More
Democrats work to sway voters in race for governor
Democrat Jill Long Thompson spoke of suspending the state sales tax on gasoline while her rival in the gubernatorial primary, Jim Schellinger, promised to restore collective bargaining for state employees. Read More
Primary party switches could aid incumbents
Voting Republican in Indiana used to be so easy. Read More
Blue-collared businessman sets sights on governor's office
Jim Schellinger's blue-collar beginnings seem miles away as he steps out of sport utility vehicle emblazoned with oversized campaign decals bearing his likeness. Read More
Long Thompson brings experience to race
Jill Long Thompson looks right at home rallying a raucous crowd of region steelworkers. Read More
Seven Democrats seek to succeed Smith in Senate
Seven Democrats are competing to replace state Sen. Sam Smith, an East Chicago Democrat whose political career was cut short by a tax evasion charge. Read More
Dean seeks to raise grass-roots army
Howard Dean went on stage between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama on Sunday, but he glossed over the divide between supporters of the two presidential candidates. Read More
State schools chief not seeking re-election
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Suellen Reed announced Friday she will retire rather that seek an unprecedented fifth term. Read More
Dining with the Democratic stars
Presidential hopefuls and U.S. Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama pledged to lead a resurgence of the middle class Sunday to a swelled crowd of 2,300 gathered for the Indiana Democratic Party's annual fundraiser. Read More
Finding state's political pulse
Indiana is hurting. Hoosiers are feeling pinched by high gas prices and poor job prospects -- so much so that they have put the war on terror and the once over-arching immigration issue on the political back burner. Read More
Michelle Obama in Gary today
Michelle Obama will return to Gary today to stump for her husband, U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill. Read More
In the 1800s, Indiana ruled
Three presidential contests -- two from way back, and one you might remember -- where Democrats were divided and Hoosiers' votes were critical Read More
Schellinger, Long Thompson trade jabs over their TV ads
One features grainy, washed-out images of Jim Schellinger and tells viewers he opposes cutting gasoline taxes and that he favored raising property taxes to build the "expensive schools" he designed as an architect. Read More
Hoosiers hold Dems' fate in their hands
Indiana, which boasts of being the "crossroads of America," could be the crossroads of the Democratic presidential nominating contest when Hoosiers go to the polls Tuesday. Read More
Clinton, Obama keep up gas tax battle
WASHINGTON -- Democratic presidential rivals Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton took their fight over gas price relief to the morning talk shows today as they braced for the crucial Indiana and North Carolina primaries. Read More
Legislators agree on bill to require voter IDs
Senate and House negotiators reached a tentative compromise Friday on a bill to require voters to show photo identification at the polls. Read More
House rejects Senate's budget changes
The House voted overwhelmingly Saturday evening to reject a wrap-up budget from the Senate that swept out all new spending. The 4-116 vote sent the bill back to a negotiating committee. Six members of the House and Senate have been working to develop a budget, but haven't been able to come to an agreement. Read More
Cazayoux wins 6th District
The Baton Rouge area has a Democratic congressman for the first time in three decades. Read More
No rest for Democrats after Cazayoux win
WASHINGTON - One down, two to go. That's how national Democrats are viewing Saturday's stunning victory by state Rep. Don Cazayoux for Louisiana's 6th Congressional District seat. Democrats now move on to Mississippi, where their candidate has forced a runoff in the special election for what was considered a "safe" Republican district. Read More
Winning Democratic campaign not at rest
For the first time in three decades, the Baton Rouge area has sent a Democrat to Congress. In a New Orleans-area district controlled by the GOP for about the same time, a Republican won easily in the race to replace Gov. Bobby Jindal in the seat. Read More
Is Democrat's win in Louisiana a false hope
Even as Democrats rejoiced Sunday at having snatched a Louisiana congressional seat long held by Republicans, observers warned it doesn't necessarily mean voters are spurning the GOP. And the victor's hold on the seat could be shaky, one analyst said. Read More
Democrats call victory a sign G.O.P. tactic failed
WASHINGTON - The Democratic victory in a special House election in Louisiana this weekend was interpreted by leading Democrats on Sunday as a sign that Republicans would fail in their efforts to damage Congressional candidates by tying them to national figures and presidential contenders. Read More
Republicans lose in Louisiana stronghold
Republicans lost a long-held House seat Saturday after trying to bring down the Democratic candidate by aligning him with Barack Obama. Read More
Louisiana Dem Cazayoux nabs GOP seat in Saturday House special
Democratic state Rep. Don Cazayoux scored a nationally significant takeover victory in Saturday's election to fill the vacant and formerly Republican-held seat in Louisiana's 6th Congressional District. Read More
GOP struggles to turn tide on Beacon Hill
Massachusetts Republicans are hoping to reverse a half-century tumble toward political obscurity with the help of a cadre of fresh-faced candidates like Arthur Vigeant. Read More
Labor group backs slots
A union group that represents more than 300,000 area workers endorsed a referendum yesterday to legalize slot machine gambling in Maryland, an announcement that underscores the institutional support proponents will have in the lead-up to November's vote. Read More
Outside groups swayed Md. vote
Political interest groups working outside the traditional confines of campaign finance laws spent more than $4.3 million in two Maryland congressional races during this year's primary, according to newly released campaign finance reports, and their success in defeating two incumbents here could portend an expensive and aggressive effort nationwide to target other swing districts in the coming months. Read More
Powerful groups align behind slots
Superficially, the battle over November's slot machine referendum is starting to resemble a fight between a heavyweight and a flyweight. Read More
Rep. Crockett to seek re-election to HD 57
State Rep. Patsy Garside Crockett, D-Augusta, has announced she is seeking re-election as the representative of House District 57, which includes the northwest sections of Augusta. Read More
At convention, largest turnout in party history
Maine Republican Party Chairman Mark Ellis wore a grin that could be seen from across the Augusta Civic Center when he stepped to the podium to address the state party convention over the weekend. The more than 2,500 delegates and alternates on the floor represented the largest turnout in party history. Read More
Use of Maine?s Clean Election Fund leveling off
The popularity of taxpayer-funded legislative races seems to have peaked after years of dramatic growth, according to figures compiled by the state Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices, which administers the program. Read More
CMU student ends plans to run for House
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich . -- A Central Michigan University student who has drawn attention for his clashes with university administrators over the hiring of an assistant professor says he's ended his campaign the state House. Read More
Medical Society takes 'neutral' position on stem cell ballot initative
After five years of supporting embryonic stem cell research, the Michigan State Medical Society changed its policy Sunday to a neutral position on the controversial issue that may appear on the November ballot. Read More
Minnesotans worry Rev. Wright controversy overblown
Yesterday marked the first Sunday since presidential candidate Barack Obama publicly severed ties with his longtime pastor Rev. Jeremiah Wright, over comments Wright made during a speech last week at the National Press Club. Read More
Petition deadline is here - but sign with caution
Ken McKoy, a veteran political activist and African-American pastor, would never dream of adding his name to a petition seeking to curb affirmative action in Missouri. Read More
Four groups make deadline to file initiative petitions
Supporters angling to get their initiative petitions on the November ballot dropped off boxes filled with petitions and tens of thousands of signatures Sunday. Read More
Group fails to get enough signatures for anti-affirmative action amendment
A group seeking to bar many state affirmative action programs missed a Sunday deadline to submit its initiative petition. Read More
Democrat AG candidates' resumes make for competitive race
Democrats Steve Bullock, John Parker and Mike Wheat are in a tough spot. Each wants to be Montana's next attorney general. Each has raised enough money and brings enough legal and political experience to make the three-way race truly competitive. That's the rub. Read More
Election 2008 -- Absentee voters asked to wait a bit
The buildup to Montana's primary election intensifies this weekend, with mass voter-registration drives around Missoula leading up to Monday - the first day voters can cast an absentee ballot in the historic presidential race. Read More
Republican attorney general hopefuls emphasize background, legal opinions
Lee Bruner and Tim Fox have almost nothing bad to say about each other. The two Republican lawyers are in a gentlemanly showdown to be the GOP's attorney general candidate in November. The primary race, which has kept both Fox and Bruner busy for months, but hardly measured a ripple outside political circles, will be decided June 3. Read More
8 candidates eye lieutenant governor post
The lieutenant governor has few powers -- presiding over the state Senate, serving on the State Board of Education and completing whatever tasks the governor might assign. Read More
Candidates crisscross the state
HERTFORD, N.C. - Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue headed east. Former President Bill Clinton went west. In between, dozens of candidates on the ballot in Tuesday's primary election campaigned Sunday, looking for those last undecided voters who could make the difference between a win and a loss. Read More
Moore, Perdue keep icy distance
DURHAM, N.C. - After months of slugging it out in a bitter Democratic race for governor, state Treasurer Richard Moore and Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue shared a stage one last time Sunday -- without acknowledging each other. Read More
N.C. primary enjoys rare spotlight
Not in two decades has North Carolina mattered in the presidential selection process. Read More
Latino values clear, but the voter rolls are not
Henry Cisneros says the future of the Democratic Party lies with Latinos. The former Cabinet secretary said Friday that the country's growing Hispanic population in the United States will be a vital constituency in the future. He said that the surge won't change the party's issues much because they are already "part of the American dream." Read More
Analysts expect biggest primary turnout ever
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Candidates up and down the ballot started revving up their voter-turnout efforts Sunday, setting the stage for a bigger-than-ever N.C. primary finish. Read More
Youthful political interest surges
GREENSBORO, N.C. - Tilden Hagan spends his days cruising college campuses trying to pick up students. His line: Let me tell you about my mom. Read More
Voters skip state, local races
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - The crowd at the Joel Coliseum Annex didn't need much priming. In response to the call of "Fired Up," the audience of about 2,000 responded "Ready to go!" as they waited for Sen. Barack Obama to begin his town hall meeting last week. Read More
Races big and small -- It's almost primary day in Southeastern N.C.
On Tuesday, North Carolina voters will head to the polls and separate the nominees from the wannabes. Read More
Elections reveal new face of race and gender
He voted early. And how. Trevon Stapler is only 17, but seeing as he turns 18 by Nov. 4, the rules let him vote in the primary. So he did, for Sen. Barack Obama, in early voting at the Forsyth Board of Elections. Read More
Candidates turn focus to getting people out to vote
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- As the Democratic battle for North Carolina entered its final weekend, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama criss-crossed the state yesterday, urging their supporters to get out and vote. Read More
Star Power? Effect of celebrity support on campaigns is not clear
Kumar, the marijuna-smoking character in Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay, is endorsing Barack Obama. And Betty, the bespectacled girl with the heavy-metal smile on Ugly Betty, has stumped all over the country for Hillary Clinton. Read More
Many N.C. races getting little attention
They are competing to oversee North Carolina's public-employee pensions, schools and workplaces, but candidates for statewide offices without the word "governor" in the title struggle for attention every four years. Read More
N.C. finds itself with a crucial role in presidential primaries
Bill Clinton called it "critical." Hillary Clinton called it a "game changer." Read More
State party defies McCain, runs ad
The North Carolina Republican Party ran its ad featuring Barack Obama and his former pastor for four days this past week, openly defying John McCain's calls to pull the spot. Read More
Anti-tax group: Cap is a good fit
A conservative group has rapidly gained statewide attention with a proposal to impose local spending caps on 11 municipalities that contain 30 percent of the state's voting population. Read More
Clean elections could be victim of budget
The state agency that oversees campaign spending by 6,000 political candidates each year and enforces a growing maze of ethics laws is struggling with the prospect of an 18 percent budget cut. Read More
School budgets without voters?
The state Department of Education is considering removing voters from the school district budget process so long as the proposed tax increase for a given municipality is below the state-imposed cap. Read More
NM Democratic Party chairman endorses Obama
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. ?The state Democratic Party chairman, who also is a New Mexico superdelegate, has endorsed Barack Obama's presidential bid. Read More
UNLV math prof to run for State Assembly seat
A UNLV mathematics professor, Paul Aizley, has announced he will run as a Democrat for the Nevada's open State Assembly District 41 seat. Read More
Political notebook - Lawmaker on ballot mission
A lot of legislators had it easy two years ago, coasting to re-election totally unopposed. Read More
$147M in pork headed home
Lawmakers are showering $147 million in pork-barrel spending on 10,000 programs, agencies and charities back home this election year. Read More
Gas-tax plan draws skeptics
That pain shooting from the gas pump to your wallet is real. But the consensus among economists, industry experts and consumers is that a federal gas-tax holiday won't ease the hurt. Read More
Democrats slug it out for attorney general job
John Kroger and Greg Macpherson are Democrats seeking to be the next attorney general. Read More
Supporters of state campaign finance reform start to think small
For the past year and a half, lawmakers have batted around ambitious proposals to rein in Pennsylvania's largely unfettered campaign financing system. Yet the appetite for tangible reform appears meager, and the prospects are not encouraging for those seeking to reform the system. Read More
O'Brien effort thwarts challenge
It's official: State House Speaker Dennis O'Brien, a Republican, will run for reelection as a Democrat. Well, sort of. Read More
Bill seeks to restrict robo calls
After the state's most-watched primary election in modern memory, the Senate has passed a bill that would curb the use of robo calls for political purposes. Read More
S.C. Democrats head north
South Carolina confirmed U.S. Sen. Barack Obama as a major political force, a candidate who could not only win over white voters in Iowa but generate a wave of enthusiasm among black voters in the Deep South. Read More
DNC delegate elected
South Carolina Democrats opted for new blood in their top ranks Saturday, voting to elect Columbia lawyer Matthew Richardson to the Democratic National Committee instead of re-electing Charleston lawyer Waring Howe. Read More
Summerville-area House seat pits Horne against Hutson
The GOP primary for Dorchester's House District 94 pits familiar political opponents Jenny Horne and Rep. Heyward Hutson against one another for a rematch. Read More
SC Democrats elect Obama supporter as superdelegate
South Carolina Democrats elected a supporter of Barack Obama for an open superdelegate slot at their state convention Saturday. Read More
South Carolina's top Democrats look ahead to Denver
This weekend's state Democratic Party convention had plenty of pre-election anxiety. Read More
Talks beginning between candidates seeking change in S.C. Senate and House
The three candidates who are trying to unseat Sen. Ralph Anderson in Senate District 7 will discuss their views beginning today. Read More
Chattanooga - Early in the season, voters feeling fatigue
While campaigning in early April, U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., often pointed out that babies born in February 2007, when he announced his run for president, now are walking and talking. Read More
Texas professors donate more to Dems than to GOP
WASHINGTON - Texas university professors overwhelmingly favor Democratic candidates in their campaign contributions, a Houston Chronicle study of Federal Election Commission records has found. Read More
Hispanic evangelicals hold potent votes, experts say
Hispanic Pentecostals, some experts say, can become an important swing vote in the 2008 elections in key demographic battlegrounds such as Florida, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas and North Carolina. Read More
Warner kicks off Senate campaign
ABINGDON, Va. - Democrat Mark R. Warner opened his Senate campaign yesterday pledging not to forget Virginia's rural areas and taking his harshest shots yet at his potential Republican rival. Read More
Ex-Gov. Warner calls for 'results, not rhetoric?
ABINGDON, Va. - Former Gov. Mark Warner kicked off his campaign for the U.S. Senate on Sunday, calling himself a "radical centrist" and pledging to bring a bipartisan spirit to Washington. Read More
Gilmore, Marshall vie for GOP senate nomination
Former Gov. Jim Gilmore says he's all but clinched the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate. Read More
Voter registrations outpace runup to N.C.'s 2004 primary
BURLINGTON, Vt. - The number of people ages 18 through 24 who have registered to vote is greater than the number of people of all ages who registered during the same time in 2004. Read More
Budget blow off?
Are legislative leaders and the governor serious, about fixing the state budget? With some observers suggesting most of the problems with the state's $527 million shortfall will be pushed off until after the November elections, state Rep. Steve Nass (R-Whitewater) expects lawmakers will be presented with a fix sooner, rather than later. Read More
Money gap yawning in W.Va. governor's race
Gov. Joe Manchin maintains a considerable money edge over fellow Democrat Mel Kessler as the May 13 primary approaches. Read More
With 8 days to W.Va. primary, Obama looks to burnish coal credentials
Barack Obama's campaign is looking to teach West Virginians a little something about coal. Read More
Lawyers give most money to Maynard
Chief Justice Elliot "Spike" Maynard says it's the "worst hypocrisy" to focus on campaign donations from business interests while ignoring big money from lawyers. Read More
Latest ad in Supreme Court race sparks controversy
Massey Energy chief Don Blankenship called a new television ad sponsored by the Affiliated Construction Trades Foundation a childish poke at Justice Elliott "Spike" Maynard in what is a serious political race. Read More
GOP banking on repeat of last 2 presidential elections in W.Va.
MARTINSBURG, W.Va. - Although the Democratic presidential candidates are getting all the attention right now, the other major party is quietly planning for a repeat of the last two elections in West Virginia. Read More
Gov will campaign for Obama
Although Barack Obama's campaign has stumbled in recent weeks, Gov. Dave Freudenthal continues to support the Illinois senator in his quest for the Democratic Party's presidential nomination. Read More
Gov's plan raises eyebrows
Political observers say Gov. Dave Freudenthal will walk a fine line when he gives his first speech in support of Barack Obama -- one between keeping up his conservative reputation and dipping a toe in left-leaning national Democratic politics. Read More
WORTH NOTING: Voters' guide promotes phone sex
An Oregon voters’ guide lists a very wrong number. California’s governor insults rural legislators. And Pennsylvania considers selling wine in vending machines. In case you missed those stories this week, “Worth Noting” fills you in. Read More
Seeds of social issues dot 2008 elections
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With justices' OK, voter ID moves ahead
A decision Monday (April 28) by the U.S. Supreme Court to let Indiana demand photo identification from voters paves the way for other states to do the same during November’s presidential election, experts say. Read More
'Don't forget us,' PA candidates tell voters
As Pennsylvanians prepare to go to the polls tomorrow to cast ballots in the April 22 presidential primary, experts wonder how the surge in registered voters will affect little-noticed state legislative races, particularly those in the House, where Democrats cling to a one-seat majority. Read More
Partisan mix in R.I., Conn. poses challenges
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Will Democrats grow legislative edge in '08?
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'Purple' states turn a little more 'blue'
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Obama's friends in unlikely places
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Commentary: Govs beat White House hopefuls as agents of change
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A tale of two comebacks
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AG contests attract serious attention
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Iraq casts shadow on 2008 state races
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W.Va. projects a split personality
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List of popular govs is full of surprises
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Strickland leading Ohio Dems' resurgence
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Q & A with Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland (D)
“Out There” columnist Louis Jacobson spoke by telephone with Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland (D). Here are excerpts from that Oct. 5 conversation. Read More
Democratic mid-term gains affecting policy
So complete was the Democratic rout in the 2006 midterm elections that the party even gained legislative influence in Alaska, Idaho, North and South Dakota, Texas and Wyoming – states long dominated by the Republicans. And those gains, though small, are translating into policy achievements. Read More
2006 interactive elections guide
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