- NJ-02: Democrats have finally bagged a challenger to take on entrenched GOP Rep. Frank LoBiondo: Cape May City Councilor and businessman David Kurkowski. Local Dems cited Kurkowski’s ability to fundraise in their endorsement of his candidacy.
While dislodging LoBiondo would be a tough task, we should be able to count on Kurkowski to hold the incumbent’s feet to the fire in this D+4 district. Kurkowski has pledged to wage a “vigorous campaign” that will tie LoBiondo to George Bush and his support for the war in Iraq. If we’re lucky, an aggressive campaign by Kurkowski could help split Republican resources in a state where the GOP will already be defending two open seats, and quite possibly the seat of ultra-conservative Rep. Scott Garrett in NJ-05. (H/T: Blue Jersey)
- MS-01: GOP primary run-off loser and former Tupelo Mayor Glenn McCullough issued a non-endorsement endorsement of the Republican nominee, Southaven Mayor Greg Davis:
He also urged fellow Republicans to “unite behind all three of our nominees in North Mississippi – Senator Cochran, Senator Wicker and Mayor Davis. We have come too far as a state to turn back now.”
But McCullough spokesman Brad Davis said the statement was “absolutely not” a personal endorsement of the runoff winner.
When asked if it was a show of support for the party and not the person, Brad Davis said, “That’s a good way to put it.”
Davis will face off with Democrat Travis Childers in an April 22nd special election. If no candidate receives 50% of the vote, there will be a May 13th runoff. (Meaning that, to fill the open seat of Roger Wicker, voters in MS-01 might be going to the polls four times to determine the winner.) Regional rivalry may play a role here — Davis is from the fast-growing DeSoto County, a suburban area near Memphis, while Childers hails from the more rural Prentiss County. If Childers can consolidate the non-DeSoto vote and keep Democratic enthusiasm high, this race could be a surprise worth watching.
- LA-06: Democrat Don Cazayoux just picked up another endorsement in the special election to replace retiring GOP Rep. Richard Baker — this time from the National Rifle Association (from the House Race Hotline):
The NRA on 4/3 endorsed Cazayoux. The NRA gave Cazayoux an “A” and urged all members, gun owners and sportsmen to vote for Cazayoux. Cazayoux: “I’m proud to have the endorsement of NRA and the million of gun owners and sportsmen they represent across the country and here in Louisiana. We’ve passed important legislation in Louisiana over the last few years to protect the rights of gun owners, and I will continue that work in Congress to ensure our 2nd amendment rights are protected”.
Runoff: 4/5; Special election: 5/3.
- NJ-Sen: Full results from a poll conducted by Joel Benenson for the DSCC (4/1-2, likely Democratic primary voters):
Frank Lautenberg (D-inc): 52%
Rob Andrews (D): 21%Juan Melli offers some more insights over at Blue Jersey.
- NY-26: Too much of a good thing? Two wealthy candidates vying for the seat of retiring GOP Rep. Tom Reynolds are pledging to spend $1 million each on their campaigns.
2 thoughts on “James Hell’s Friday Newsblast”
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A democrat with an NRA endorsement… Gotta love the South! 🙂
LoBiondo had $1,395,000 in the bank as of 12/31. Taking him down would be greatly helped if his funds were drained. It would also make it harder for the GOP to fund races in NJ-3, NJ-5, and NJ-7. Having a legit challenger will really weaken him for the future.
NJ closes filing on April 7. Unlike many states, data does not seem available from the Elections site. Michigan and Missouri, for example, showed data more than a month before the deadline. It maskes it much harder to see if any seats are going unopposed (and drumming up a candidate).
Chris Smith also represents a bad district for a Republican and he has far less cash.