AK, WY, OK primary previews; GOP unity in TX CD-22; NH Prez primary in ‘07?; more
August 20th, 2006
TUESDAY NEWS UPDATE.ALASKA: CERTAIN PRIMARY DEFEAT LOOMS FOR GOVERNOR MURKOWSKI.
Alaska Governor Frank Murkowski (R) will see his career in politics end on Tuesday in the same way it began in 1970: with an electoral defeat. Murkowski -- a first-term Governor and former 4-term US Senator -- regularly scores among the lowest approval races of any governor in the nation. Polls show him lagging in third place in the GOP primary, with former Wasilla Mayor and unsuccessful 2002 Lieutenant Governor candidate Sarah Palin fairly certain to win the race. Former State Senator John Binkley is also expected to finish ahead of Murkowski. Former Governor Tony Knowles is a safe bet to win the Democratic primary, setting up a highly competitive Knowles-Palin contest in November.
Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 08.22.06
OKLAHOMA: LT GOV, CD-5 RUN-OFF DAY.
In the open CD-5 race, Oklahoma Republicans have seemingly rallied behind Lieutenant Governor Mary Fallin. After placing first in the six-candidate primary last month, all of the eliminated candidates endorsed Fallin. Polls since then show Fallin gaining traction and increasing her advantage over Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett. Voters in both major parties will cast run-off ballots in the Lieutenant Governor race. Republicans will choose betwen State House Speaker Todd Hiett and State Senator Scott Pruitt. Democrats will pick between State House Minority Leader Jari Askins and former Congressional aide Pete Regan.
Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 08.22.06
WYOMING: QUIET PRIMARY DAY ON TAP FOR TUESDAY.
Primary day will be fairly sedate in Wyoming. The top contests are GOP races for some open sate constitutional offices: Secretary of State, State Auditor and State Treasurer. Due to term limits, the three incumbents cannot seek reelection -- so two of the three are playing musical chairs by running for different statewide offices. Congresswoman Barbara Cubin (R) again faces a primary challenge, but she should win handily again. Governor Dave Freudenthal (D) faces only nominal primary opposition from a frequent gadfly candidate.
Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 08.22.06
TEXAS: GOP UNITY IN CD-22 RACE.
While Houston City Councilwoman Shelley Sekula-Gibbs (R) still remains an underdog as the write-in GOP nominee for Tom DeLay's open House seat, she got some good news Monday. Sugar Land Mayor David Wallace (R) caved to pressure from state party leaders on Monday, ending his rival write-in bid for Congress. Former Congressman Nick Lampson (D) must still be rated the favorite, despite the historical Republican advantage in the district.
Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 08.22.06
BY THE NUMBERS: LATEST INDEPENDENT NUMBERS.
ARKANSAS - GOVERNOR: Attorney General Mike Beebe (D) - 45%, former Congressman Asa Hutchinson (R) - 41%. (Rasmussen Reports).
COLORADO - CD-7: State Higher Education Commission Chair Rick O'Donnell (R) - 45%, former State Senator Ed Perlmutter (D) - 45%, businessman Dave Chandler (Green) - 2%, businessman Roger McCarville (Constitution) - 2%. (KFOR-TV/SurveyUSA).
MAINE - US SENATE: US Senator Olympia Snowe (R) - 68%, liberal activist Jean Hay Bright (D) - 20%. (Rasmussen Reports).
OKLAHOMA - CD-5 - GOP RUN-OFF: Lieutenant Governor Mary Fallin - 61%, Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett - 36%. (KFOR-TV/SurveyUSA).
VIRGINIA - US SENATE: US Senator George Allen (R) - 48%, former Navy Secretary Jim Webb (D) - 45%, businesswoman Gail Parker (Ind. Green) - 2%. (WUSA-TV/SurveyUSA).
Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 08.22.06
P2008: NEW HAMPSHIRE CONTEMPLATES HOLDING PREZ PRIMARY IN 2007.
In the aftermath of the Democratic National Committee vote to add two states -- Nevada and South Carolina -- to the early voting calendar for the 2008 Democratic Presidential calendar, party and state leaders in New Hampshire are left to discern how to respond to this challenge to their prized "first-in-the-nation" primary status. State law dictates the NH contest be held 'at least seven days prior to any other similar contest.' The Iowa caucuses have preceded NH during modern presidential elections for decades, but the AP reports that NH Secretary of State Bill Gardener has broad authority of protect the state's early status -- even if that means moving the primary to late fall 2007. Expecting some turmoil, the DNC also voted to punish candidates who campaign early in states that do not abide by the DNC calendar by denying them delegates elected from those states. Governor John Lynch (D-NH) announced over the weekend he already has letters from ten potential candidates who pledged to campaign in the Granite State no matter when the primary is held.
Writer: Andy W. Davis - 08.22.06
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Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 08.21.06
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