BREAKING: Rep. Brad Ellsworth to run for IN Senate
It is being reported theat Rep. Brad Ellsworth (D-IN) will run for the Senate seat left open by Evan Bayh’s surprise retirement. While Ellsworth will be a strong Senate candidate this decision instantly creates a competitive race for his House seat and a top Republican pick-up opportunity. The moderate Ellsworth and fit the district well with his strong law and order credentials from his days as a sheriff but it was won by both McCain and Bush in the Presidential races.
State Rep. Trent Van Haaften is said to be considering running on the Democratic side. There were already a number of Republicans running long-shot challenges against Ellsworth. More prominent and viable Republicans are likely to get into the race in the coming days.
UPDATE – Ellsworth’s office has called the report we linked to “inaccurate,” but they have not stated that he will not run. UPDATE UPDATE – Ellsworth has confirmed that he IS a candidate.
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Patrick Kennedy (D-RI) Retires
In yet another Democratic retirement, Rep. Patrick Kennedy of Rhode Island announced on Friday that he will not run for reelection. Kennedy stated that since the death of his father and mentor, Sen. Ted Kennedy, his “life has taken a new direction.” When Kennedy steps down, it will mark the first time in 60 years that a Kennedy has not served in Congress.
Kennedy’s district is considered a safe Democratic district, so it is not likely that he feared a difficult election and the safe will likely remain Democratic.
In the days since Kennedy’s announcement, two Democrats have announced that they will run for his seat: Providence Mayor David Cicilline (D) (the city’s first openly gay mayor) and RI Democratic Chair William Lynch (D). Many others are also rumored to be interested in what is likely to be a crowded primary.
On the Republican side, State Rep. John Loughlin had already declared to run against Kennedy. Other Republicans may now get into the race, but the party does not have a particularly deep bench in this heavily Democratic state.
Another possible candidate is Independent ex-Mayor Buddy Cianci. Cianci was convicted and jailed for corruption during his time as Mayor. He now hosts a radio program and continues to be a visible figure in the state.
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Quayle to Run
Ben Quayle, the son of former Vice President Dan Quayle, plans to run for Congress in Arizona’s eighth district, in the Phoenix area. It seems strange to me, but the announcement of Ben’s candidacy was not made by Ben, but by his father, Dan. Ever quotable, Papa Quayle went on to say, “”It’s his campaign. I’ll do whatever he wants me to do or whatever he doesn’t want me to do.”
Quayle the younger joins a crowded Republican primary for the seat left open by the retiring John Shadegg. Whoever wins the Republican primary will be heavily favored to carry the general election as well.
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Delahunt to Retire?
In talking about Rep. Patrick Kennedy's (D-RI) retirement, Rep. Bill Delahunt (D-MA) indicated he may have retirement in mind as well. Delahunt: "He went through a process that all of us in public life go through. Honestly, I am going through that process myself." Delahunt stated that he would make a final decision in March. Although Massachusetts is generally reliably Republican, conservatives were buoyed by Scott Brown’s victory in the special Senate election. Delahunt’s is the district which they believe is most likely to deliver another upset.
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Special Election Set for Murtha’s Seat
Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell (D) picked May 18 for the special election to fill the balance of the term of the late Rep. John Murtha (D-PA). For more information about this race see our post on John Murtha.
