Posted on 11/07/2007 1:51:47 PM PST by Clint N. Suhks
TO: GOPAC Supporters
FROM: Michael Steele, Chairman and Paul Ellington, President
RE: Results from Tuesday's Elections
While Republicans did not win every race, this email is to report to you that Republicans had a number of key victories for which we can be proud. Just as important, GOPAC played an active role in more than 20 targeted races in this year's election. As we look to 2008 and beyond, we should learn from these successes. This will allow Republicans to elect our candidates in every state across the country.
Mississippi Statewide and Legislative Elections Led by Governor Haley Barbour's commanding victory over challenger John Arthur Eaves, Republicans won all but one statewide race. Governor Barbour is only the second governor to earn reelection in modern times. The Republican statewide victories were all the more impressive due to the fact that we picked-up the Offices of Secretary of State with the victory of Delbert Hosemann, Jr. and Insurance Commissioner with the victory of Mike Chaney. Former Auditor Phil Bryant earned a hard-fought victory for Lieutenant Governor while Republicans held the Office of Auditor with the victory of Stacey Pickering. Incumbent Treasurer Tate Reeves and Incumbent Agriculture Commissioner Lester Spell, Jr. were reelected based on their records of accomplishment. As I write this email, the Democrats are on the verge of winning majority in the State Senate though the results from a number of close races have not been finalized. In addition, Democrats have maintained majority status in the M ississippi House.
GOPAC was able to meet with key political leaders to determine where our involvement could be the most effective to influence the outcome of specific races. GOPAC was able, thru opposition research, to produce effective mail pieces designed to highlight the vulnerability of Democrat opponents in several races.
New Jersey Senate and Assembly Elections Republicans earned a net gain of two seats in the Assembly, while suffering a net loss of one in the Senate. Democrats will maintain control of both the Senate and Assembly. Preliminary numbers for the Senate are 23 Democrats and 17 Republicans. In the New Jersey Assembly, Democrats will hold 48 seats, while Republicans will hold 32 seats. In the Senate, Republicans won a key victory with Senator-elect Jennifer Beck unseating Democrat incumbent Ellen Karcher.
Virginia Senate and House Elections Although Republicans lost control of the Senate, GOPAC's efforts helped Senator Ken Cuccinelli earn reelection and Senator-elect Jill Holtzman Vogel and Senator-elect Richard Stuart win open-seat elections. Republicans also held key seats with the elections of Senator-elect Robert Hurt and Senator-elect Ralph Smith. Despite those victories, unofficial results show the Democrats won 21 seats and Republicans won 19.
In the House, GOPAC supported the winning reelection efforts of Delegates Jeff Frederick, Tim Hugo, Scott Lingamfelter, Danny Marshall, and Tom Rust. In addition, Republicans picked up a seat with Manoli Loupassi defeating the incumbent independent delegate. The GOP majority also held onto four open Republican seats with the elections of Delegates-elect Jimmie Massie, Don Merricks, Brenda Pogge, and Charles Poindexter. Even with these victories, the Democrats gained a net three seats in the House with the defeat of one incumbent Republican and three narrow losses in seats left open by Republican retirements.
Kentucky Despite losing the Governorship, Republicans won two key statewide victories in Kentucky yesterday. Secretary of State Trey Grayson and Commissioner of Agriculture Richie Farmer both won hard-fought re-election battles to retain their positions. Secretary Grayson has appeared on GOPAC's radio program and been a "Feature Candidate" on our Website. Republicans also held onto their majority in the Senate.
Louisiana After the historic win by Governor-elect Bobby Jindal in October, Louisiana voters will return to the polls on November 17th, where a strong effort by Republicans could earn us victories in the Office of Attorney General and majority control of the Louisiana House. In the Attorney General's race, Republican Royal Alexander is facing Democrat Buddy Caldwell. In the House, after the Open Primary, Republicans now have control of 41 of the 105 seats in the House, with Democrats holding 45 of the remaining seats. With 17 races left to be decided, these seats will determine the final balance of power. GOPAC is targeting races where our resources will make the biggest impact to help gain a Republican majority in the House.
GOPAC's number one target for defeat in Louisiana, incumbent Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Bob Odom, was forced into a run-off by state Representative Mike Strain in the October Primary. Days after the election, Odom announced he was pulling out of the race, giving Republicans a key victory that will restore integrity to an office that has been in a nearly 30 year downward spiral under Bob Odom's reign.
GOPAC was able to forge financial and political coalitions to run radio and tv ads in targeted races to have a profound positive outcome on several races, including the defeat of Bob Odom. We will continue to work with these groups to target additional races leading up the general election on Nov 17th.
In conclusion what we must remind ourselves is that Congress is not an entry level position and that state and local election results have a far reaching national impact. An activist governor and Democrat controlled legislature can change the make up of Congress thru redistricting before a single vote is cast by voters. The impact of redistricting will continue on into the 08 election cycle, where many states are projected to pick up seats in Congress due to the population shift. To maintain and regain the majority, Republican candidates must return to the message of competency, good governance, and high ethical standards. The composition of the next Congress, which affects us all, depends on their successful elections.
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Paid for by GOPAC www.GOPAC.org
1101 16th Street, NW | Suite 201 | Washington, DC | 20036 | Tel: 202.464.5170 | Fax: 202.464.5177
I hope that Fred Thompson considers Michael Steele as a running mate.
Sadly it looks like Roody Doody has it hands down.
That’s my own desire as well - if not the VP he at least needs to be in a top cabinet post
Not one person has voted yet! Be of good cheer!
He’ll take nothing less than the Presidency. I don’t want to see him in a cabinet position. Not because I don’t this he would do well, but it is not why he is in the race. I don’t think Rooty Tooty has it all locked up just yet. He may not win Iowa and NH, and that will not bode well for him. If he doesn’t win those states in the primary, he will not have enough to make up for those losses and Thompson will have a much better chance.
More likely, this may be a year when the nomination is not decided by primaries. It is looking like a rumble at the convention, in which case Fred will prevail.
Don’t be so sure, and watch that Mitt Romney - he’s poised to win both Iowa and NH. Fred has got to come through on Super Tuesday, his test.
Buddy Caldwell is all over the TV. I have yet to see a Royal Alexander ad. Maybe there have been some, but I haven’t seen any.
I thought the norm coleman election was yesterday....no?
They don’t have the primaries till next year.
I would be more likely to support Romney or Giuliani with more enthusiasm if they were to pick Mike Steele as a running mate. That would mean an all East coast ticket for the first time but with Steele for VP, conservatives would be more likely to vote Republican.
LOL, I like Mike Steele, too - he’s too good for MD, no offense, but I want him to head up the RNC.
That's my dream ticket - anyone not too familiar with Michael Steele, watch his videos from his last campaign - Thompson and Steele would be a slam dunk to hold the WH for 16 years... by that time, the Socialists will be history, indeed, their leaders will be dead...or as well as.
http://www.steeleformaryland.com/takingtrash_video.htm
..
videos listed on the top left
A nice summary of tuesday’s elections. While Nov 6th wasn’t the best night for us, it could have been worse. The rejection of embryonic stem cell research funding in Jersey was a pleasant surprise. In my local media, the news was claiming it was a Dem night. They focused on George Ryan getting hauled to prison finally, then immediately switched to Ernie Fletcher losing in Ky with the emphasis on another corrupt GOP Governor.
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