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Palin’s Resignation Plan Leaves Mysteries in Its Wake

July 3, 9:04 p.m.

Alaska’s GOP Gov. Sarah Palin left Republicans and Democrats alike scratching their heads on Friday after the former vice presidential nominee announced she would resign with two years left in her term.

Schwarzenegger Sets Dates for Tauscher Seat Special

July 3, 7:36 p.m.

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) on Friday set the dates for the special election to replace former Rep. Ellen Tauscher (D), who just took a top job at the State Department.

Palin to Resign Governorship

July 3, 3:49 p.m.

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (R), Sen. John McCain’s (R-Ariz.) presidential running mate in 2008, announced Friday that she will not run for re-election in 2010 and that she will resign as governor in a few weeks.

Maloney, Sestak Set to Challenge Democratic Establishment

July 1, 12:05 p.m.

Two House Democrats moved even closer to challenging incumbent Senators in primaries next year, according to local media reports Wednesday.

Poe’s Campaign Fined $25,000 by FEC

July 1, 11:27 a.m.

The campaign committee of Rep. Ted Poe (R-Texas) recently agreed to pay a $25,000 fine to the Federal Election Commission for failing to properly report receipts, disbursements and cash-on-hand figures during the 2004 cycle, according to an enforcement agreement released Thursday.

FEC Fines Lawyer $155,000

July 1, 11:17 a.m.

The Federal Election Commission has fined a Pennsylvania lawyer $155,000 for illegally funneling campaign contributions to former Democratic leader Dick Gephardt’s (Mo.) presidential campaign in 2004.

NRCC Targets 13 House Democrats on Climate Vote

July 1, 10:31 a.m.

The National Republican Congressional Committee announced Wednesday that it is targeting 13 House Democrats this recess with weeklong radio ads and automated calls for their votes on last week’s energy bill.

Coleman Concedes; Franken to Be Seated

June 30, 4:15 p.m.

Former Sen. Norm Coleman (R-Minn.) conceded the protracted 2008 Senate race to Democrat Al Franken Tuesday afternoon at a press conference in Minnesota, acknowledging today’s state Supreme Court’s decision that ruled Franken the winner and saying he “will abide by its results.”

Club for Growth Polling in Florida Senate Race

June 30, 3:09 p.m.

As they continue to mull endorsing former state Speaker Marco Rubio in Florida’s Republican Senate primary, the Club for Growth released a new poll Tuesday that showed Gov. Charlie Crist (R) as the clear frontrunner in this early stage of the race.

Minnesota Court Unanimously Declares Franken Winner

June 30, 2:20 p.m.

The Minnesota Supreme Court on Tuesday declared Democrat Al Franken the winner of the state’s disputed 2008 Senate race, bringing to a close the latest chapter in the eight-month-long litigious recount battle between him and incumbent Republican Norm Coleman.

Self-Funder Enters Race to Replace McHugh in N.Y.

June 30, 12:29 p.m.

Hoping that money talks, Matthew Doheny (R), an investment banker who wants to run in the yet-to-be-scheduled special election to replace Rep. John McHugh (R-N.Y.), opened a campaign account this week and dropped $500,000 of his own money into it.

Torsella Backs Specter in Pennsylvania

June 30, 11:48 a.m.

Former National Constitution Center President Joe Torsella (D), who ended his Senate campaign after Pennsylvania Sen. Arlen Specter defected from the Republican Party and became a Democrat, endorsed Specter on Tuesday.

Parties Get Busy Over This Recess

June 29, 12 a.m.

There was a time not so long ago, when a recess break early in an election cycle offered Members a welcome respite from the politics of Capitol Hill.

Big States Set to Host Hottest Contests Next Year

June 29, 12 a.m.

It is impossible to predict what the national political environment will be next year, but a handful of battleground states are guaranteed to be a hotbed of activity.

GOP Hopes for Big Smack on the Kissell

June 29, 12 a.m.

As both parties gear up for the high-stakes midterm elections, Republicans are keeping a close eye on North Carolina’s 8th district, where freshman Rep. Larry Kissell (D) rode the 2008 Democratic wave to victory over five-term Rep. Robin Hayes (R).

Grayson on Track to Raise About $500,000 in Kentucky

June 27, 1:08 p.m.

Sources close to Kentucky Secretary of State Trey Grayson (R), who has formed a Senate exploratory committee, say he is on track to report raising close to $500,000 in the second quarter of the year. Grayson had only two months to fundraise this quarter after filing his exploratory committee in early May.

Pitts Is Second Congressman to Endorse Toomey

June 25, 3:13 p.m.

Rep. Joe Pitts (R-Pa.) on Thursday became the second Republican in the Keystone State’s delegation to back former Rep. Pat Toomey (R) in the 2010 Senate race. He joins Rep. Charlie Dent, who had previously endorsed Toomey.

Panhandle Congressman Backs Rubio Over Crist in Florida

June 25, 11:21 a.m.

Five-term Rep. Jeff Miller (R-Fla.), who represents the Panhandle-based 1st district, announced Thursday that he is backing former state Speaker Marco Rubio (R) in the Sunshine State’s 2010 Senate primary.

Potential New York Senate Foes Offer Each Other Praise

June 25, 12 a.m.

In a room full of New York political heavyweights Wednesday morning, the elephant among them was ignored.

Virginia Is for Rematch Lovers

June 25, 12 a.m.

House Minority Whip Eric Cantor (R-Va.) was recently asked how many House seats his party can pick up in the Old Dominion in 2010.

Melancon's Seat Prime Pickup Opportunity

June 23, 12 a.m.

Political insiders on both sides of the aisle are convinced that Rep. Charlie Melancon (D-La.) is set to challenge Sen. David Vitter (R) in 2010, which begs the question of what happens in Melancon’s south-central district next year.

Democrats Looking to Land Recruit Against Terry

June 23, 12 a.m.

House Democrats are expected to largely be on defense in 2010 defending many of the freshmen and sophomore lawmakers who gave them their 41-seat majority, but party strategists have set their sights on Rep. Lee Terry’s (R-Neb.) Omaha-based district as one place they might play offense.

Court Upholds Key Voting Rights Provision in Narrow Ruling

June 22, 11:24 a.m.

The Supreme Court on Monday avoided making any major changes to a central component of landmark civil rights legislation by issuing a narrow ruling that allows a small Texas utility district to bail out of Section 5 requirements of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Campaign Committees Post May Fundraising Reports

June 22, 12 a.m.

May fundraising reports filed last week by the Congressional campaign committees largely showed parity between the two parties for the month.

Melancon Weighing Race Against Vitter

June 19, 2:08 p.m.

A report out of Louisiana on Friday indicated that Rep. Charlie Melancon (D) has decided to challenge Sen. David Vitter (R) in 2010, but the three-term Congressman would go only so far as to say he is considering it.

Senate Republicans Out-Raise Democrats in May

June 19, 11:34 a.m.

The National Republican Senatorial Committee out-raised its Democratic counterpart during the month of May by about $1 million — with $4.5 million in receipts to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee’s almost $3.5 million.

NRCC Knocks Off $1 Million in Debt

June 18, 4:40 p.m.

The National Republican Congressional Committee collected $3.24 million in the month of May, allowing the cash-strapped committee to continue to cut down its debt.

Giannoulias Responds to Obama’s Meeting With Madigan

June 18, 1:59 p.m.

Illinois Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias (D) issued a strongly worded statement Thursday in response to reports that Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan (D) met with President Barack Obama last week in Washington, D.C., to discuss the possibility of her running for his former Senate seat.

Burr Consultant Pushes Back by Releasing Poll

June 18, 11:43 a.m.

A poll released Thursday by a polling firm owned by Sen. Richard Burr’s (R-N.C.) top campaign consultant revealed the messages the Senator is testing for his 2010 re-election race.

Emanuel Will Host Fundraiser for Hodes by Month’s End

June 18, 11:25 a.m.

White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel will host a fundraiser for the Senate campaign of Rep. Paul Hodes (D-N.H.) by the end of the month, according to Democratic sources with knowledge of the event.

GOP Looks to Avoid Primary in Race Against Childers

June 18, 12 a.m.

After the GOP’s stunning 2008 special election loss in Mississippi’s Tupelo- and Southaven-based 1st district, on Wednesday the party took a big step toward avoiding another divisive regional primary fight in the Magnolia State.

Ohio River Valley Lacks Competition

June 18, 12 a.m.

Three years ago, the Ohio River Valley was the epicenter of the battle for control of Congress. But in just two election cycles, the long swath of Republican territory has moved from red to blue to virtually uncompetitive on the Congressional level.

Ensign Affair Complicates Recruiting Efforts Against Reid

June 17, 11:10 a.m.

Senate GOP Policy Committee Chairman John Ensign’s (Nev.) announcement Tuesday evening that he had an extramarital affair with a former staffer is already causing political shock waves in the Silver State that could be felt in 2010 and beyond.

Obama Event to Raise Just $3M for Hill Democrats

June 17, 12 a.m.

Thursday night’s joint Democratic fundraiser headlined by President Barack Obama is expected to bring in a total of $3 million for the two Democratic campaign committees, according to a party strategist familiar with the event.

GOP Zeros in on Lincoln and Bennet on EFCA

June 16, 12 a.m.

Two Democratic Senators, both of whom would probably love to see a vote on the Employee Free Choice Act put off until after their 2010 re-elections, are taking different tacks when it comes to the controversial bill that is the No. 1 legislative priority for organized labor.

New York GOP Facing Empire-Sized Dilemma

June 16, 12 a.m.

It’s looking more and more likely that New York Rep. Carolyn Maloney is going to challenge appointed Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand in next year’s Democratic primary.

Young May Avoid Hard Race in 2010

June 16, 12 a.m.

Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska) might have started off last cycle with a target on his back, but it appears he could get a free pass in 2010.

Coup Upends New York Special

June 11, 12 a.m.

The chaos engulfing New York politics has spilled over into the yet-to-be-scheduled special election to replace Rep. John McHugh (R), with many Empire State Republicans privately concluding that flipping a state Senate seat is more important than holding on to McHugh’s House district.

GOP Hopes Hastert Will Return District to the Family

June 11, 12 a.m.

It appears the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree — or in this case, the district.
Attorney Ethan Hastert (R), the son of former Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.), has filed to run against Rep. Bill Foster (D) for his father’s former House seat.

Primary Shows Geography of Virginia's Democratic Base

June 11, 12 a.m.

It has been somewhat difficult to determine the geography of Virginia’s expanding Democratic base as the state has moved from red to decidedly purple in terms of its political persuasion in recent years. Voters do not register by party, and a lack of competitive primaries for statewide office has complicated efforts to compile data on where hard-core partisans reside.

Mud Already Being Flung in Kosmas Race

June 11, 12 a.m.

After Winter Park City Commissioner Karen Diebel (R) filed paperwork Tuesday to challenge freshman Rep. Suzanne Kosmas (D-Fla.), it didn’t take long before accusations of mental instability and gutter politicking began being lobbed between Democrats and Republicans.

Ruling May Open Finance Law Loophole

June 10, 12 a.m.

Lawmakers may soon be called in to patch up a hole in federal campaign finance laws after an obscure ruling on conduit contributions by a federal judge in California earlier this week.

Deeds Wins Virginia Gubernatorial Primary

June 9, 8:46 p.m.

State Sen. Creigh Deeds won a resounding victory over his two Democratic rivals in Virginia’s gubernatorial primary on Tuesday and will now face Republican former state Attorney General Bob McDonnell in the general election.

GOP Lands Recruit to Run Against Kosmas

June 9, 2:06 p.m.

Winter Park City Commissioner Karen Diebel (R) filed with the Federal Election Commission on Tuesday to challenge freshman Rep. Suzanne Kosmas (D-Fla.) in the Orlando-area 24th district.

Florida Senate Race Could Expose CBC Rifts

June 9, 12 a.m.

A week after Rep. Corrine Brown (D-Fla.) announced that she was forming a Senate exploratory committee, some of her colleagues in the Congressional Black Caucus and in the Sunshine State’s Democratic delegation are scratching their heads over the nine-term Congresswoman’s sudden interest in the open-seat race.

Chris Kennedy Is Camelot’s Next Act

June 9, 12 a.m.

For a scion of the country’s most famous political dynasty, businessman Chris Kennedy (D) is relatively unknown in many Chicago Democratic circles.

Louisiana Politicians Already Talking Redistricting

June 9, 12 a.m.

There’s still one round of Congressional elections to go before the post-2010 redistricting battle takes center stage, but in some states, including Louisiana, hypothetical lines are already being drawn.

Ethan Hastert to Seek His Father’s Old Seat

June 8, 7:28 p.m.

Attorney Ethan Hastert (R) has filed to run for his father’s former Congressional seat in 2010. The son of former Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) announced Monday that he has opened a campaign committee for his bid in the 14th district, according to a report in the Kane County Chronicle.

Schakowsky Nixes Senate Bid

June 8, 9:04 a.m.

Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.) has decided not to run for Senate in 2010, according to an announcement from her campaign. Schakowsky said Monday that she will run for re-election in her northern Chicago district instead of competing for the seat currently held by Sen. Rolland Burris (D-Ill.).

PMA’s Snowball Effect

June 4, 12 a.m.

Two veteran House Democrats could face more complicated bids for re-election next year, depending on the outcome of a federal investigation into PMA Group, a now-defunct lobbying firm.