And a hottie to boot.
Posted on 01/23/2006 8:03:28 PM PST by Aussie Dasher
10. Rhode Island
Lincoln Chafee, easily one of the most liberal Republicans in the Senate, faces a determined primary challenge from Cranston Mayor Steven Laffey, who is more conservative. The Democratic nominee is likely to be former State Attorney General Sheldon Whitehouse.
9. Michigan
Arch-liberal Debbie Stabenow was the closest winner among new Democratic senators elected in 2000. At a time when Michigan GOPers are on a political roll under State Chairman Saul Anuzis, she will face a strong challenge from either of the potential Republican candidates—Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard or former Detroit City Councilman Keith Butler, an articulate black conservative.
8. Tennessee
With Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist retiring, Democrats are going all out for Rep. Harold Ford, Jr., their 1996 national convention keynoter and one of the most high-profile black Democratic office-holders. The GOP primary to succeed Frist features three strong contenders: former Rep. Van Hilleary; former Rep. and Clinton impeachment manager Ed Bryant; and former State Party Chairman Bob Coker, who has vast personal resources to spend on his campaign.
7. Florida
Conservative Rep. Katherine Harris, who as secretary of state in 2000 certified Florida’s electoral votes for George W. Bush and thus helped make him President, is the certain GOP challenger to moderate Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson. National Republicans fear Harris will stir up Democratic anger around the country, but she enjoys heroine status among her state’s grassroots GOP activists.
6. Arizona
Two-term GOP Sen. Jon Kyl faces a well-funded challenge from multi-millionaire developer and State Democratic Chairman Jim Pedersen, who is credited with rebuilding the state party with his personal wealth.
5. Missouri
Freshman Republican Sen. Jim Talent, a strong conservative, narrowly won an ’02 special election over the widow of the late Democratic Gov. Mel Carnahan. Polls show Talent in a neck-and-neck battle this year against liberal Democrat Claire McCaskill, the former state auditor who lost the governorship in a squeaker in ’04.
4. Montana
Republican Sen. Conrad Burns, who survived a close call in 2000, has given back more than $150,000 in donations generated by disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff. Latest polls show an increasingly close race against the Democratic candidate, State Auditor John Morrison.
3. Minnesota
The seat Sen. Mark Dayton (D.) is relinquishing is perhaps the GOP’s best chance of a net gain in the Senate anywhere. In a state gradually turning “red,” conservative Rep. Mark Kennedy has wrapped up the GOP nomination, while four lesser-known Democrats are vying for their party’s nod to succeed Dayton.
2. Maryland
Rep. Ben Cardin and former NAACP head Kweisi Mfume are waging a fierce battle for the Democratic nomination to succeed retiring Sen. Paul Sarbanes (D.). Their infighting could help Republican Lt. Gov. Michael Steele become the second black GOP senator in the nation since Reconstruction. A Rasmussen poll shows pro-lifer Steele slightly leading both Cardin and Mfume.
1. Pennsylvania
Easily the showcase race for conservatives throughout the nation. Two-term Sen. Rick Santorum (R.), outspoken on abortion and conservative on most issues, faces Democrat Bob Casey, Jr., former state auditor and son of a popular former governor. Casey’s name and own pro-life stance have put him ahead of Santorum in most polls, but the senator has bounced back and won before.
Missouri is a solid Republican state. Talent will win easily.
I'm donating to Michael Steele.
Claire McCaskill is the current state Auditor. The article made an error.
Van Hilleary - what an unfortunate name.
Bill Nelson sucks. I'd vote for a Communist over that thief (the man stole from American taxpayers a free ride on the space shuttle)--at least you know the Communist is honest about their theft. And Katherine Harris is a great American.
Van Hilleary...sounds like a Dutch witch!
Van is his middle name. His first name is William.
Hilleary is the unfortunate part. It is pronounced just like that other witch's name.
And a hottie to boot.
They forgot to mention Jerry Zandstra in Michigan. Don't count him out.
No mention of New Jersey, where Kean has a significant lead over Menendez. If the GOP takes NJ, MD, and MN, as is very possible, the Republicans can lose PA and MT and still gain a seat. Amazing.
Atleast we could mention John Spencer as a formidable conservative willing to take on Hillary Clinton in New York...Come on, we've got to help this man anyway we can, not omit his name simply because people have thrown up their hands in surrender to Hillary before the primary has even started! GO JOHN SPENCER - GO JOHN SPENCER!
I would give good money to see that horse at a full gallop. Harris's er...endowment...would probably knock her out. A one-two punch, as it were.
Not surprising.
I'll tell you this, Steele will win Maryland. Thank God Maryland can finally do something for the GOP nationally. I've met him, he's a great guy.
My Money is on Ford in TN - the man is extremely sharp - will easily win over independents IMHO. He will have tons of Dem money to boot.
Stabenow only won in 2000 after precincts in East Lansing stopped checking IDs and Detroit stayed open after hours. That one went down to the wire, and of course she won. It's almost worth moving back to Michigan just to vote her out of office -- it's not like Texas candidates need my help...
The first time I recall hearing him was his speech at the Convention in NY. I sat here and was totally blown over by him - - REALLY hope he wins - -I think he's SUPER!
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