Senate Ratings Changes:
The Political Environment
Turns on Democrats

Sander Levin Picks Sides in Primary #MI14

Rep. Sander M. Levin endorsed state House Democratic Floor Leader Rudy Hobbs on Wednesday in the Democratic primary for Michigan’s 14th District.

Ten House Democrats Endorse Pete Aguilar #CA31

Ten Democrats in California’s congressional delegation announced their support Wednesday morning for Redlands Mayor Pete Aguilar for the 31st District.

Gary Peters Leads Poll, Hires Campaign Manager #MISEN

Democratic Rep. Gary Peters has a campaign manager and a lead in the polls — but he’s still awaiting a GOP opponent for the open-seat Senate race in Michigan.

Mike Honda's Endorsement Parade Continues #CA17

What do the president’s half sister, actor Kal Penn and Star Trek legend slash Facebook celebrity George Takei have in common?

Bachmann Opponent on Term Limits and Tipping Etiquette | The Candidate

Democrat Jim Graves talks about facing Rep. Michele Bachmann again.

Todd Akin, Virginia Style? | Rothenblog

Until Saturday night, I had never heard of E.W. Jackson, a Harvard Law School graduate and minister who served three years in the Marine Corps and attended Harvard Divinity School.

Will Republicans Screw Up Again? Some Are Already Overreaching

Some Republicans are so excited at the thought of multiple controversies dogging the White House over the next few months (or longer) that they are already foaming at the mouth.

Why the IRS Mess Bares Big Campaign Finance Problems

To many on Capitol Hill, the burgeoning scandal dogging the IRS looks like a simple case of partisan political targeting by an overbearing federal agency.

Tea Party Express Backs Special Election Candidate #MO08

Missouri Speaker Pro Tem Jason Smith picked up the endorsement of the Tea Party Express on Tuesday, less than three weeks before the special election in the Show Me State’s 8th District.

Top GOP Media Firm's Split Heads to Court | Shop Talk

A top GOP ad firm’s split took a litigious turn earlier this month, when Rex Elsass, the CEO and founder of The Strategy Group for Media, filed suit against his company’s former president, Nick Everhart.

Mia Love Announces Utah Rematch

Sarasota Springs Mayor Mia Love officially announced this weekend that she will challenge Rep. Jim Matheson, D-Utah, again for the 4th District.

Michelle Nunn Senate Announcement Coming Soon

After appearing at a weekend fundraiser for Senate Democrats, party leaders expect Michelle Nunn to make a final decision on the Georgia Senate race within weeks.

• Republicans Line Up for Open Seats in Georgia | Farm Team
• Karen Handel Enters Georgia Senate Race

Virginia GOP to Nominate Mark Warner Challenger via Convention

Virginia Republicans voted on May 17 to hold a nominating convention next year — rather than a primary — to select a challenger to Democratic Sen. Mark Warner, the Virginian-Pilot reported.

IRS Scandal Falls Right in McConnell's Wheelhouse

Tea party conservatives may never fully trust Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, but the Kentucky Republican was talking about the dangers of limiting political speech long before the tea party movement existed.

Weiland Is Democrats' Best Hope in S.D., For Now

When the dust settled in South Dakota this week from high-profile jockeying in the Democratic Senate primary field, Rick Weiland was the last man standing.

• Stephanie Herseth Sandlin Not Running for Senate

Sanford Unlikely to Get 2014 Primary Challenge

Rep. Mark Sanford, who was sworn into the House Wednesday, is unlikely to have a primary challenger in the coming cycle, or any cycle, according to Republicans plugged into Palmetto State politics.

Bachmann to Air Early Season TV Ads #MN06

Minnesota Republican Rep. Michele Bachmann will begin flooding her 6th District with television ads next week, according to a filing with the Federal Communications Commission.

Ted Cruz for President?
Not So Fast

When a former GOP governor asked me the other day whether he would see another Republican elected to the White House in his lifetime, I asked him exactly how old he was.

DeMint-Linked Group Eyes Louisiana Senate Candidate

Retired Air Force Col. Rob Maness announced his candidacy this week for Senate in Louisiana, and now the PAC formerly associated with Heritage Foundation president Jim DeMint is considering supporting him.

Who Will Take On Ann Kirkpatrick in Arizona? | The Field

The list of Republicans lining up to challenge Democratic Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick, a Democrat in the marginally Republican 1st District of Arizona, is remarkably short. Among state and national Republican strategists, only one name emerges.