Free Republic

TUCSON, Ariz. — Four-term Progressive Caucus Co-Chairman Rep. Raul Grijalva (D) is locked in the fight of his political life against a 28-year-old rocket scientist. Raytheon physicist Ruth McClung does not have the most sophisticated campaign operation this election cycle — it’s being managed by her mother, Gini Crawford — but the Republican nonetheless finds herself running neck and neck with an established Democrat. McClung’s sudden rise has taken many — including Grijalva — by surprise. She entered the GOP primary race in May 2009, defeated four challengers in August and now finds herself on the verge of a stunning...

National Democrats are coming to the defense of Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.).Grijalva has recently been putting up some weak poll numbers in a heavily Democratic district and is under fire from conservative groups over his call for a boycott of Arizona.To help save the party from an embarrassing defeat, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee went up on the air with a TV ad targeting Grijalva's opponent, Republican Ruth McClung.The ad hits McClung for supporting a "new national sales tax" and "tax breaks for corporation shipping jobs overseas." Video It started airing on Saturday. The DCCC had previously only had...

Even liberal Democrats from normally safe districts are embroiled in tough reelection races this cycle. Two recent polls show Rep. Raúl Grijalva (D-Ariz.) — who hasn't faced a tough challenge in his eight years in the House — within the margin of error against an unknown Republican.

The results mean that Grijalva, who co-chairs the Congressional Progressive Caucus, is in a similar position to his colleagues holding battleground districts in the state.Arizona Democratic Reps. Harry Mitchell, Ann Kirkpatrick and Gabrielle Giffords are also in tough reelection races — raising the possibility Republicans could end up with seven of the state’s...

  Add Rep. Raul Grijalva to the growing list of Democratic worries this election season. Party operatives say there's increasing concern that the Arizona Democrat's reelection bid could turn into a "sleeper" race for Republicans after Grijalva — responding to enactment of a tough new immigration law — called for an economic boycott of his own state amid a housing crisis and record unemployment. Four Democratic sources from different parts of the country said that there is new attention to a race that was long considered in the bag. And a recent poll, obtained by POLITICO, found that Grijalva and...

7th District GOP race pits five conservatives against a moderate By DEE-ANN DURBIN The Associated Press 5/19/2004, 11:45 p.m. ET BATTLE CREEK, Mich. (AP) — Michigan's 7th congressional district stretches from Washtenaw County in the east to Battle Creek in the west. On the way, it takes in the city of Jackson, the farms of Hillsdale County and every kind of Republican voter, from religious conservatives to ticket-splitting moderates. This summer, six candidates are aiming to win the hearts of the district's Republicans and find out just how conservative the voters are in this longtime GOP stronghold. Five of the...

Right to Life wants to stop Schwarz Abortion rights candidate vies for 7th District By Stacey Range Lansing State Journal Six Republicans are hustling to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Nick Smith, but an early endorsement by the ever-powerful Right to Life of Michigan could stop several anti-abortion candidates in their tracks. The reason: Right to Life wants to block the nomination of former state Sen. Joe Schwarz of Battle Creek, the only abortion rights GOP candidate. "We want to make sure the nomination goes to someone who supports us," said Larry Galmish, director of the Right to Life political action...