Midwest
Roll Call Staff
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And just when it looked like Republicans would not have a good candidate to put up against Kilroy this cycle, state Sen. Steve Stivers (R) stepped up to the plate. Described as a “rock star” by at least some Republican House Members, Stivers is a strong candidate with many of Pryce’s more moderate tendencies.
Kilroy, on the other hand, still carries negative baggage from her first run at the seat. Watch for Democrats to try to bring up Stivers’ negatives this cycle with lots of advertisements from the national party, reminding voters that he has worked as a lobbyist for the banking industry.
Presidential turnout will play a huge role in this district. If Democrats win at the top of the ticket in this battleground state, it could boost Kilroy to victory. Otherwise, another “rock star” might be on his way to Congress.
16th district
Open seat: Ralph Regula (R)
is retiring
Outlook: Tossup
Democrats are salivating over their pickup opportunity in one of the most competitive districts in the state. The national party recruited state Sen. John Boccieri, who is also a military reservist — all the way from a neighboring Congressional district. He faces state Sen. Kirk Schuring, whom Republicans quickly anointed as the obvious heir to Regula.
Democrats are high on Boccieri and have already spent heavily on him in the district. Republicans likely won’t have the ability to spend much, but Schuring has solid fundraising of his own. A lot of money is about to be spent in this district.
Expect Democrats to focus their turnout in the eastern part of the district near Canton. Republicans will hope their rural base in the western part of the district will come to the polls.
Wisconsin
House
8th district
Incumbent: Steve Kagen (D)
1st term (51 percent)
Outlook: Tossup
For the first part of this cycle, Kagen had a big Republican target on his back. Kagen spent millions of dollars of his own money to get elected in the conservative district two years ago.
This year, Kagen is in a rematch with former state Speaker John Gard. Republicans have advertised him as one of their best candidates for two cycles in a row. Gard continues to have fundraising totals on par with Kagen, and public polls show this race in a statistical tie.
Yet in the end, this race will likely be decided by presidential contest turnout — more so than almost any other competitive district in the country. President Bush won the district 55 percent to 44 percent in 2004. Because of numbers like those, Gard could have a better shot at the seat this year than in 2006. But Kagen has the advantage of incumbency and could hold onto his seat, even if Democratic presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama (Ill.) does not win the district.
Schumer Advocates for Many on Panel
Nov. 16, 12 a.m.
As Senate Majority Leader, Lyndon Johnson once said of the Joint Economic Committee, “It’s as useless as tits on a bull.” But as that panel’s chairman during the 110th Congress, Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) seized the opportunity to elevate the traditionally low-profile post to the forefront of shaping policy. Read Full Article
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