Rachel Crooks works at Heidelberg University in Tiffin, Ohio in their international college recruitment department. She's running for the Ohio state legislature in the 88th district against Republican incumbent Bill Reineke.
No one knows how to dampen down voter enthusiasm as well as corporate DemocratsLately I've found myself spending an hour or two a day hand-holding long-shot candidates in R+15 districts who are freaking out because the Democratic advantage in polling pitting a generic Democrat against a generic Republican has taken a dip.
There are 5 special elections for state legislative seats before March-- 3 of them this week. Of the races this week, 2 are in Minnesota-- one in each house-- and one is in Florida. We looked at the Florida race a few weeks ago. It pits Margaret Good, a moderate Democrat, against Republican Congressman Vern Buchanan's son James HD-72 (Sarasota area, the heart of his daddy's district).
Mike RevisMissouri is safe Trump country, right? Maybe not as safe as the pundits think. Yes, Trump beat Hillary 1,594,511 (56.8%) to 1,071,068 (38.1%). Of Missouri's 114 counties, Hillary won 4-- Boone, Jackson, St Louis County,and St Louis City (which gets counted separately). She lost Jefferson County 68,973 (65.1%) to 31,546 (29.8%). It includes suburbs south of St Louis and is very white (95.4%) and less than 1% black.
"How many sats are the Democrats going to pick up in November," one of the savviest campaign managers I know asked me. I don't know, I told him. Between 60 and 70, something like that. "Why are you losing faith?" he asked. "Last time I asked, you said 75." Oh, it could be 75... or 60 or 70 but you're gonna win for sure. He's worried. They're always worried. Good. They need to be.
Tennessee's 14th senatorial district includes all or part of 5 cities: Ardmore, Fayetteville, Lewisburg, Murfreesboro, Shelbyville and all or part of Bedford, Lincoln, Marshall, Moore and Rutherford counties. The median household income is $45,900, somewhat higher than the state's median ($42,500). It's part of Scott DesJarlais' congressional district, which has a PVI of R+20.
We've been following state legislative races because we're interested in the clear pattern that shows a stunning swing towards Democratic candidates-- often a result a Democratic enthusiasm and the lack of enthusiasm among Republicans. And, more often than not, the enthusiasm levels are about Trump and the Republican Congress.
The best shot for a Democratic win last night was in an open state Senate district in the far west of Wisconsin. The Republicans had held the district for nearly two decades and Trump beat Hillary in the rural district massively in 2016. But Trump's popularity-- as well as Governor Scott Walker's-- have plummeted. And Democrat Patty Schachtner upset Republican state Rep.
Derek Cressman, a veteran of the voting rights movement best known for his work to overturn Citizens United with Common Cause, is challenging incumbent Democratic state senator Richard Pan. Only three senate Democrats have a higher ranking by the California Chamber of Commerce than Pan, one of the most conservative Dems in the California legislature.
