Tracking the Top Races in the 50 States

On Nov. 7, voters will choose a new Congress, governors in 36 states and decide whether to approve various ballot initiatives. Here is a state-by-state look:

Alaska: Republican Sarah Palin ousted Gov. Frank Murkowski in a primary, now hoping to spoil comeback bid by former Democratic Gov. Tony Knowles.

Arizona: Democratic Gov. Janet Napolitano coasting to a second term. Republican Sen. Jon Kyl seeking third term with Democrats hoping Jim Pederson can spring an upset. Republicans expect to lose House seat vacated by retiring Rep. Jim Kolbe, but hope Rep. J.D. Hayworth can weather a tough challenge. Voters decide whether to ban same-sex marriages.

Arkansas: Democratic Attorney General Mike Beebe favored over Republican Asa Hutchinson in gubernatorial race, but GOP strategists pin their hopes on a last-minute visit by President Bush.

California: Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger coasting to a new term, and Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein winning with ease. Democrats mount strong challenges to Reps. John Doolittle and Richard Pombo. Rep. Nancy Pelosi of San Francisco poised to become first woman speaker of the House in history if Democrats gain control.

Colorado: Democrat Bill Ritter favored to defeat Rep. Bob Beauprez for governor as Bill Owens steps down after two Republican terms. Democrats heavily favored to pick up Beauprez' House seat and challenging Reps. Marilyn Musgrave in a tighter-than-expected race in nearby district. Voters decide on a proposed amendment to the state constitution that would ban same-sex marriage and a measure to raise the minimum wage.

Connecticut: Republican Gov. Jodi Rell running strongly for a full term after gaining office when scandal-scarred John Rowland resigned. Democratic Sen. Joe Lieberman, who lost a primary, now running strongly as an independent against anti-war Democrat Ned Lamont. Republican Reps. Chris Shays, Nancy Johnson and Rob Simmons all face strong Democratic challengers.

Delaware: First-term Democratic Sen. Tom Carper coasting to a new term, as is Republican Rep. Mike Castle.

Florida: Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson winning re-election with ease over Republican Rep. Katherine Harris. Republican Charlie Crist in a tough race with Democratic Rep. Jim Davis to succeed outgoing Gov. Jeb Bush. Republican Rep. E. Clay Shaw struggling to fend off a challenge from Ron Klein, a state lawmaker. Republicans spending millions to hold Harris' House seat in the Sarasota area, as well as the district that former Rep. Mark Foley vacated in an Internet sex scandal.

Georgia: Republican Gov. Sonny Perdue on way to easy re-election. Democratic Reps. Jim Marshall and John Barrow struggling for new terms in districts that were redrawn to make them more Republican.

Hawaii: Democratic Sen. Daniel Akaka's re-election assured. Ditto GOP Gov. Linda Lingle.

Idaho: Rep. C.L. "Butch" Otter is favored to keep the governor's office in Republican hands. A fierce fight has broken out for his House seat between Bill Sali, a state lawmaker, and Democratic businessman Larry Grant. A proposed amendment to the state constitution would ban same-sex marriage.

Illinois: Democratic Gov. Rod Blagojevich's lead has been shrinking in the pre-election polls against GOP state Treasurer Jody Baar Topinka. Democrat Tammy Duckworth, an Iraq war veteran who lost both legs, faces Republican state Sen. Peter Roskam for the seat long held by retiring GOP Rep. Henry Hyde. Republican hopes of ousting first-term Rep. Melissa Bean fading.

Indiana: Seven-term Republican Sen. Richard Lugar has no Democratic opponent. Republican Rep. John Hostettler appears headed for defeat, and fellow Republican Reps. Chris Chocola and Mike Sodrel are in tough races.

Iowa: Chet Culver, Democratic secretary of state, vs. Republican Rep. Jim Nussle in close race for governor. Democrat Bruce Braley favored to win Nussle's House seat. Democratic Rep. Leonard Boswell likely weathering a tough challenge.

Kansas: Democrat Gov. Kathleen Sebelius cruising to a second term. Republican Rep. Jim Ryun hopes late visit by President Bush will help him survive an unexpectedly tough challenge from Nancy Boyda.

Kentucky: Democrats take aim at three House Republicans, Reps. Geoff Davis, Ron Lewis and - as the campaign nears an end - Anne Northup. Ironically, Lewis' first election in the summer of 1994 was a harbinger of the wave that swept Republicans into power six months later.

Louisiana: Eight-term Rep. William Jefferson, under investigation for bribery, appears headed for December runoff with fellow Democrat Karen Carter.

Maine: Democratic Gov. John Baldacci likely winner for a second term despite early campaign jitters. Third term assured for Republican Sen. Olympia Snowe.

Maryland: Gov. Robert Ehrlich, first Republican elected in three decades, struggling to fend off re-election challenge from Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley. Rep. Ben Cardin favored for an open Senate seat against Lt. Gov. Michael Steele, hoping to become the Senate's only black Republican. Cardin's House seat going to John Sarbanes, the son of retiring Democratic Sen. Paul Sarbanes. Rep. Steny Hoyer cruising to re-election and running for House Majority leader if Democrats take power.

Massachusetts: Deval Patrick favored to become the state's first black governor and end 16 years of Republican control of the statehouse corner office. After 44 years in Senate, liberal Sen. Edward M. Kennedy will win six more.

Michigan: Democratic Gov. Jennifer Granholm hampered by poor state economy in bid for second term against millionaire Republican Dick DeVos. Democratic Sen. Debbie Stabenow leading for new term despite late push by Republican Party for Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard.

Minnesota: Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty in tight race for re-election, challenged by Democratic Attorney General Mike Hatch. Third-party candidate Peter Hutchinson a complicating factor. Democrat Amy Klobuchar cruising to victory over Rep. Mark Kennedy for Senate seat vacated by Democrat Mark Dayton. Competitive battle for Kennedy's House seat between Republican Michele Bachmann and Democrat Patty Wetterling. Tim Walz hopes Democratic tide carries him past GOP Rep. Gil Gutknecht in state's southern tier.

Mississippi: Sen. Trent Lott cruising to a fourth term and likely bid for a return to Senate leadership.

Missouri: Republican Sen. Jim Talent vs. Claire McCaskill, state auditor, in one of country's tightest Senate races. Voters decide whether to raise the state minimum wage and allow expanded embryonic stem-cell research, which Talent opposes and McCaskill favors.

Montana: Third-term Republican Sen. Conrad Burns trying to shed taint from Jack Abramoff scandal and come from behind to defeat Democratic challenger Jon Tester.

Nebraska: Republican Gov. Dave Heineman cruising to re-election. Same for Democratic Sen. Ben Nelson. Republicans fear loss of House seat held by retiring Rep. Tom Osborne, a district that last went Democratic nearly 50 years ago.

Nevada: Republican Rep. Jim Gibbons appeared headed for easy win over state Sen. Dina Titus in governor's race until cocktail waitress accused him of assaulting her after a night of drinking. He denies any wrongdoing. Republican Sen. John Ensign favored for new term over Jack Carter, son of the former president. Race to replace Gibbons surprisingly competitive between Republican Dean Heller and Democrat Jill Derby. GOP Rep. Jon Porter in unexpectedly close race for new term against Tessa Hafen.

New Hampshire: Democratic Gov. Jim Lynch rolling toward a new term. Not so Republican Rep. Charles Bass, in big trouble in race with Democrat Paul Hodes.

New Jersey: Republicans pour millions into attempt to elect state Sen. Tom Kean Jr., son of former governor. Appointed Sen. Bob Menendez slight favorite despite multiple attacks on his ethics.

New Mexico: Democratic Gov. Bill Richardson coasting to re-election in advance of possible 2008 presidential bid. Democratic Sen. Jeff Bingaman winning with ease. Republican Rep. Heather Wilson in very tight race for new term against Patricia Madrid, the Democratic state attorney general.

New York: Landslide likely won't begin to describe Democrat Eliot Spitzer's margin in governor's race. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton coasting to re-election in advance of possible presidential bid. Democrats favored to pick up seat of retiring Republican Rep. Sherwood Boelhert; also targeting Republican Reps. Tom Reynolds, Jim Walsh, Randy Kuhl and John Sweeney.

North Carolina: Former NFL quarterback Heath Shuler gunning for Rep. Charles Taylor in western part of the state. Despite substantial party spending, Shuler refuses to say he'd support Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi for House speaker.

North Dakota: Democratic Sen. Kent Conrad winning handily after conspicuous 2005 Republican recruiting failure.

Ohio: Big time red to blue - Democratic Rep. Ted Strickland romping to gubernatorial win and Rep. Sherrod Brown strongly favored to topple Sen. Mike DeWine. Democrats will win seat vacated by convicted former Rep. Bob Ney; also running strong challenges against Reps. Deborah Pryce, Steve Chabot and Jean Schmidt.

Oklahoma: Democratic Gov. Brad Henry favored to defeat Republican Rep. Ernest Istook for new term.

Oregon: Democratic Gov. Ted Kulongoski struggling to hold off Republican Ron Saxton and win new term.

Pennsylvania: Big Democratic night - Gov. Ed Rendell winning new term with ease; Democrat Bob Casey strongly favored to defeat Sen. Rick Santorum, third-ranking member of the leadership. Republican Rep. Curt Weldon likely to lose after involvement in corruption investigation. GOP Rep. Don Sherwood struggling after admitting an extramarital affair with a young woman who says he choked her. Republican Reps. Jim Gerlach, Mike Fitzpatrick and Melissa Hart all scandal-free, but in tough races anyway.

Rhode Island: GOP Gov. Donald Carcieri faces a strong challenge from Democratic Lt. Gov. Charles Fogarty. Republican Sen. Lincoln Chafee facing likely defeat from Democrat Sheldon Whitehouse, former attorney general.

South Carolina: Republican Gov. Mark Sanford coasting to new term. Voters decide on proposed state constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage.

South Dakota: Republican Gov. Mike Rounds winning re-election with ease. Voters decide whether to impose strictest abortion ban in the country.

Tennessee: Democratic Gov. Phil Bredesen easing toward second term. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist's retirement set up national marquee race. Rep. Harold Ford Jr., hoping to become the first southern black senator in more than a century, vs. former Chattanooga Mayor Bob Corker.

Texas: GOP Gov. Rick Perry will win new term. Likewise Republican Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison. National Republicans mount costly campaign to retain once-safe seat vacated by former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay.

Vermont: Gov. James Douglas, a Republican, favored for third term. Rep. Bernard Sanders, an independent, winning open Senate seat. Democrat Peter Welch favored to defeat Republican Martha Rainville for Sanders' spot in the House.

Virginia: Republican Sen. George Allen hopes to stave off monumental collapse and secure second term in race with Democrat Jim Webb. GOP Rep. Thelma Drake in trouble, challenged by Democrat Phil Kellam. State constitutional ban on same-sex marriage on the ballot.

Washington: Sen. Maria Cantwell, first-term Democrat, strong favorite for new term. Republican Rep. Dave Reichert faces tough challenge from Democrat Darcy Burner in bid for second term.

West Virginia: Just like clockwork: every six years Democratic Sen. Robert Byrd wins a new term.

Wisconsin: Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle in a tight race with Republican challenger, Rep. Mark Green, a Republican. Democratic Sen. Herb Kohl coasting to re-election. Competitive race to replace Green in the House between Democrat Steven Kagen and Republican John Gard.

Wyoming: Democratic Gov. Dave Freudenthal on track for a second term. Republican Sen. Craig Thomas marching to a third. Rep. Barbara Cubin hoping to survive fallout from her abrasive confrontation with wheelchair-bound third-party challenger.

Oklahoma: Democratic Gov. Brad Henry favored to defeat Republican Rep. Ernest Istook for new term.

Unfortunately this one is correct as Istook as run the worst campaign in the history of Governor's races. He is polling less than 30% now. Should never have hired the 25 year old and 21 year old Foley page with the IM's from San Diego to run his campaign. They knew nothing about OK or how to run a campaign but I blame Istook for not hiring seasoned consultants.

Mary Fallin who will replace Istook in Congress hired Ed Goeas of The Tarrance Group which was a great decision and she will win easily.

Indiana:

Long-Serving Democrat Moonbat Racist Julia Carsonis BEHIND her Republican Challenger Eric Dickerson in Indianapolis...

VOTER ID will be a HUGE factor here, as well as the Chocola race in Northern Indiana.

The Evansville Dem is an ULTRA-CONSERVATIVE and very popular Sheriff. If he ran as a REAL Democrat, he wouldn't have a chance...

It's still in our power to have a major victory!

I wont stay home because staying home would be a message that politics is more important than legal gay marriage.

Staying home so that the republicans will lose is also a message that politics is more important than whether or not Al Qaeda have the same judicial rights as American citizens.

I will not sty home because staying home to allow the house republicans who voted for a tough immigration bill is sending a message that they were on the wrong side of the issue and should have gone for Amnesty for illegals.

I will not stay home so republicans lose so I have to listen to Pelosi talk about HER MANDATE of legal gay marriage.

I have not talked about staying home because I know my words could influence others to do the same resulting in MSNBC reporting that America has spoken and have given Harry Reid a mandate.

I have not advocated publically to stay home and let the republicans lose because I know that in order to reverse the damage my words have done would be now to advocate that everyone (including myself) bring atleast 2 or 3 extra republican voters in the car with me on election day.

I will never stay home and allow the Liberal Media a chance to gloat and laugh at bloggers and talk radio.

I will not stay home because I put America above politics

www.cafenetamerica.com

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