Arizona AZ-05
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 summary="House races" border=1><TBODY><TR><TD class=sbc>Incumbent</TD><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Notes </TD></TR><TR><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
J.D.
Hayworth
(R)
</TD><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Harry
Mitchell
(D)
</TD><TD class=general-1 vAlign=top>Incumbent J.D. Hayworth has a reputation for being a real right-wing firebrand, which endears him to some of his constituents but not all. He also took some money from disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff. He said it was only $2250, but a poll earlier this year showed that 62% of his constituents thought he was lying. He has never had a tough opponent before, but state senator Harry Mitchell is a serious contender. Given the district's slight Republican majority, Hayworth is probably ahead, but it could easily change. Leans Republican. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Arizona AZ-08
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 summary="House races" border=1><TBODY><TR><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Notes </TD></TR><TR><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Randy
Graf
(R)
</TD><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Gabrielle
Giffords
(D)
</TD><TD class=general-1 vAlign=top>After bruising and expensive primaries in both parties for this open seat, Giffords and Graf will face off on Nov. 7. They couldn't be more different. Giffords is a former Fulbright scholar who spent a year in Mexico, ran a small business in Tucson, was elected to the Arizona House and was later to the Arizona Senate. She is a moderate on most issues. Graf is a former pro golfer and member of the Arizona House. His main legislative achievement there was a law requiring people to prove their citizenship in order to vote, a law some people criticized as putting up a barrier to vote for poor people. He has been a strong supporter of stopping illegal immigration. Graf may be too conservative for this district. Leans Democratic. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
California CA-11
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 summary="House races" border=1><TBODY><TR><TD class=sbc>Incumbent</TD><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Notes </TD></TR><TR><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Richard
Pombo
(R)
</TD><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Jerry
McNerney
(D)
</TD><TD class=general-1 vAlign=top>Corruption and politicians go together like peanut butter and jelly, but Rep. Richard Pombo has turned it into an art form. Pombo took more money from disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff than anyone else in Congress (over $500,000), enriched his wife, blocked investigations of serious allegations of corruption and much more. In a virtually unprecedented move, Pombo's primary opponent, Pete McCloskey, who comes from three generations of California Republican activists, has endorsed Pombo's Democratic opponent, Jerry McNerney, saying that it is better for the Democrats to capture the House temporarily in order to cleanse the Republican leadership. You can imagine that the sparks are going to fly here. Tossup. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Colorado CO-07
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 summary="House races" border=1><TBODY><TR><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Notes </TD></TR><TR><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Rick
O"Donnell
(R)
</TD><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Ed
Perlmutter
(D)
</TD><TD class=general-1 vAlign=top>This is an open seat in a swing district. The previous occupant of the seat, Bob Beauprez (R) is running for governor. Beauprez carried the district handily in 2004, 55% to 43% in 2004, but Kerry also beat Bush here in the same election. Ed Perlmutter is a state senator. Rick O'Donnell is the former head of the Colorado Dept. of Higher Education. Open seats in swing districts are rare, so everyone is paying attention. Tossup</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Connecticut CT-02
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 summary="House races" border=1><TBODY><TR><TD class=sbc>Incumbent</TD><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Notes </TD></TR><TR><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Rob
Simmons
(R)
</TD><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Joe
Courtney
(D)
</TD><TD class=general-1 vAlign=top>Republicans in the Northeast are an endangered species and Connecticut is a heavily Democratic state. CT-02 is the most Democratic district in the country held by a Republican. In addition, the effect of the Lieberman-Lamont rematch could motivate either side to turn out in large numbers, thus affecting the downticket races. This is one of the Democrats best shots for a House pickup. Tossup. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Connecticut CT-04
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 summary="House races" border=1><TBODY><TR><TD class=sbc>Incumbent</TD><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Notes </TD></TR><TR><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Christopher
Shays
(R)
</TD><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Diane
Farrell
(D)
</TD><TD class=general-1 vAlign=top>This could be the Democrats best chance for a pickup. Christopher Shays represents a liberal district in a a liberal state and is facing an antiwar challenger who is getting a lot of traction. Shays has visited Iraq 14 times, but it probably won't do him any good. Shays and Farrell duked it out in 2004 and Shays won by 4 percentage points in a more favorable climate. Tossup</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Connecticut CT-05
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 summary="House races" border=1><TBODY><TR><TD class=sbc>Incumbent</TD><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Notes </TD></TR><TR><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Nancy
Johnson
(R)
</TD><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Chris
Murphy
(D)
</TD><TD class=general-1 vAlign=top>Another toughie for the incumbent Republican. Although 12-term incumbent Nancy Johnson has lots of cash, she also represents one of the most Democratic districts held by a Republican in the country. But the turnout in the Lieberman-Lamont race may end up dwarfing all other issues. Still, she is personally well liked in the district. Even if Shays and Simmons get carried away in a Democratic tide, she might hang on. Leans Republican. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Florida FL-13
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 summary="House races" border=1><TBODY><TR><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Notes </TD></TR><TR><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Vern
Buchanan
(R)
</TD><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Christine
Jennings
(D)
</TD><TD class=general-1 vAlign=top>This was a safe Republican seat in Sarasota that Katherine Harris abandoned in her futile quest for a promotion. Not only will she lose big time for the Senate, but her departure puts the House seat in play, Leans Republican. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE class=main summary="" border=0><!-- Start of main table --><TBODY><TR><TD>
<HR>The Hot House Races
<HR>Arizona AZ-05
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 summary="House races" border=1><TBODY><TR><TD class=sbc>Incumbent</TD><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Notes </TD></TR><TR><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
J.D.
Hayworth
(R)
</TD><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Harry
Mitchell
(D)
</TD><TD class=general-1 vAlign=top>Incumbent J.D. Hayworth has a reputation for being a real right-wing firebrand, which endears him to some of his constituents but not all. He also took some money from disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff. He said it was only $2250, but a poll earlier this year showed that 62% of his constituents thought he was lying. He has never had a tough opponent before, but state senator Harry Mitchell is a serious contender. Given the district's slight Republican majority, Hayworth is probably ahead, but it could easily change. Leans Republican. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>[SIZE=-2]Top[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]AZ[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]CA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]CO[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]CT[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]FL[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]GA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]IL[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]IN[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]IA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]KY[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]LA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]MN[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]NH[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]NJ[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]NM[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]NY[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]NC[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]OH[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]PA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]TX[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]VA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]WA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]WV[/SIZE]
<HR>Arizona AZ-08
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 summary="House races" border=1><TBODY><TR><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Notes </TD></TR><TR><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Randy
Graf
(R)
</TD><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Gabrielle
Giffords
(D)
</TD><TD class=general-1 vAlign=top>After bruising and expensive primaries in both parties for this open seat, Giffords and Graf will face off on Nov. 7. They couldn't be more different. Giffords is a former Fulbright scholar who spent a year in Mexico, ran a small business in Tucson, was elected to the Arizona House and was later to the Arizona Senate. She is a moderate on most issues. Graf is a former pro golfer and member of the Arizona House. His main legislative achievement there was a law requiring people to prove their citizenship in order to vote, a law some people criticized as putting up a barrier to vote for poor people. He has been a strong supporter of stopping illegal immigration. Graf may be too conservative for this district. Leans Democratic. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>[SIZE=-2]Top[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]AZ[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]CA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]CO[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]CT[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]FL[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]GA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]IL[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]IN[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]IA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]KY[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]LA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]MN[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]NH[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]NJ[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]NM[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]NY[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]NC[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]OH[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]PA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]TX[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]VA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]WA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]WV[/SIZE]
<HR>California CA-11
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 summary="House races" border=1><TBODY><TR><TD class=sbc>Incumbent</TD><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Notes </TD></TR><TR><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Richard
Pombo
(R)
</TD><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Jerry
McNerney
(D)
</TD><TD class=general-1 vAlign=top>Corruption and politicians go together like peanut butter and jelly, but Rep. Richard Pombo has turned it into an art form. Pombo took more money from disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff than anyone else in Congress (over $500,000), enriched his wife, blocked investigations of serious allegations of corruption and much more. In a virtually unprecedented move, Pombo's primary opponent, Pete McCloskey, who comes from three generations of California Republican activists, has endorsed Pombo's Democratic opponent, Jerry McNerney, saying that it is better for the Democrats to capture the House temporarily in order to cleanse the Republican leadership. You can imagine that the sparks are going to fly here. Tossup. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>[SIZE=-2]Top[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]AZ[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]CA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]CO[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]CT[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]FL[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]GA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]IL[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]IN[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]IA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]KY[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]LA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]MN[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]NH[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]NJ[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]NM[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]NY[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]NC[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]OH[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]PA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]TX[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]VA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]WA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]WV[/SIZE]
<HR>Colorado CO-07
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 summary="House races" border=1><TBODY><TR><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Notes </TD></TR><TR><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Rick
O"Donnell
(R)
</TD><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Ed
Perlmutter
(D)
</TD><TD class=general-1 vAlign=top>This is an open seat in a swing district. The previous occupant of the seat, Bob Beauprez (R) is running for governor. Beauprez carried the district handily in 2004, 55% to 43% in 2004, but Kerry also beat Bush here in the same election. Ed Perlmutter is a state senator. Rick O'Donnell is the former head of the Colorado Dept. of Higher Education. Open seats in swing districts are rare, so everyone is paying attention. Tossup. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>[SIZE=-2]Top[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]AZ[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]CA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]CO[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]CT[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]FL[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]GA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]IL[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]IN[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]IA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]KY[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]LA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]MN[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]NH[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]NJ[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]NM[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]NY[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]NC[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]OH[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]PA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]TX[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]VA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]WA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]WV[/SIZE]
<HR>Connecticut CT-02
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 summary="House races" border=1><TBODY><TR><TD class=sbc>Incumbent</TD><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Notes </TD></TR><TR><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Rob
Simmons
(R)
</TD><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Joe
Courtney
(D)
</TD><TD class=general-1 vAlign=top>Republicans in the Northeast are an endangered species and Connecticut is a heavily Democratic state. CT-02 is the most Democratic district in the country held by a Republican. In addition, the effect of the Lieberman-Lamont rematch could motivate either side to turn out in large numbers, thus affecting the downticket races. This is one of the Democrats best shots for a House pickup. Tossup. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>[SIZE=-2]Top[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]AZ[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]CA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]CO[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]CT[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]FL[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]GA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]IL[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]IN[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]IA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]KY[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]LA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]MN[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]NH[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]NJ[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]NM[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]NY[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]NC[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]OH[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]PA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]TX[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]VA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]WA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]WV[/SIZE]
<HR>Connecticut CT-04
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 summary="House races" border=1><TBODY><TR><TD class=sbc>Incumbent</TD><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Notes </TD></TR><TR><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>http://www.shaysforcongress.org/
Christopher
Shays
(R)
</TD><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Diane
Farrell
(D)
</TD><TD class=general-1 vAlign=top>This could be the Democrats best chance for a pickup. Christopher Shays represents a liberal district in a a liberal state and is facing an antiwar challenger who is getting a lot of traction. Shays has visited Iraq 14 times, but it probably won't do him any good. Shays and Farrell duked it out in 2004 and Shays won by 4 percentage points in a more favorable climate. Tossup. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>[SIZE=-2]Top[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]AZ[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]CA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]CO[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]CT[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]FL[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]GA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]IL[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]IN[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]IA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]KY[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]LA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]MN[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]NH[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]NJ[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]NM[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]NY[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]NC[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]OH[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]PA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]TX[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]VA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]WA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]WV[/SIZE]
<HR>Connecticut CT-05
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 summary="House races" border=1><TBODY><TR><TD class=sbc>Incumbent</TD><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Notes </TD></TR><TR><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Nancy
Johnson
(R)
</TD><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Chris
Murphy
(D)
</TD><TD class=general-1 vAlign=top>Another toughie for the incumbent Republican. Although 12-term incumbent Nancy Johnson has lots of cash, she also represents one of the most Democratic districts held by a Republican in the country. But the turnout in the Lieberman-Lamont race may end up dwarfing all other issues. Still, she is personally well liked in the district. Even if Shays and Simmons get carried away in a Democratic tide, she might hang on. Leans Republican. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>[SIZE=-2]Top[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]AZ[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]CA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]CO[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]CT[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]FL[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]GA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]IL[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]IN[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]IA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]KY[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]LA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]MN[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]NH[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]NJ[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]NM[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]NY[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]NC[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]OH[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]PA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]TX[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]VA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]WA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]WV[/SIZE]
<HR>Florida FL-13
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 summary="House races" border=1><TBODY><TR><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Notes </TD></TR><TR><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Vern
Buchanan
(R)
</TD><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Christine
Jennings
(D)
</TD><TD class=general-1 vAlign=top>This was a safe Republican seat in Sarasota that Katherine Harris abandoned in her futile quest for a promotion. Not only will she lose big time for the Senate, but her departure puts the House seat in play, Leans Republican. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>[SIZE=-2]Top[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]AZ[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]CA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]CO[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]CT[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]FL[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]GA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]IL[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]IN[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]IA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]KY[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]LA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]MN[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]NH[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]NJ[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]NM[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]NY[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]NC[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]OH[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]PA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]TX[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]VA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]WA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]WV[/SIZE]
<HR>Florida FL-22
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 summary="House races" border=1><TBODY><TR><TD class=sbc>Incumbent</TD><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Notes </TD></TR><TR><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Clay
Shaw
(R)
</TD><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Ron
Klein
(D)
</TD><TD class=general-1 vAlign=top>After 13 terms representing a South Florida district, Clay Shaw's luck may be running out. He recently had lung surgery and has to defend Bush's attempt to phase out Social Security in a district jam-packed with seniors and which went narrowly for Kerry in 2004. State senator Ron Klein is well known in the district and will put up a big fight. Tossup. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Illinois IL-06
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 summary="House races" border=1><TBODY><TR><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Notes </TD></TR><TR><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Peter
Roskam
(R)
</TD><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Tammy
Duckworth
(D)
</TD><TD class=general-1 vAlign=top>Henry Hyde has represented this suburban Chicago district since Methuselah was in short pants but at 82, he is calling it a day, leaving behind an open seat in a normally Republican district. But Democrat Maj. Tammy Duckworth has a compelling story to tell: she lost both legs when the army helicopter she was flying was shot down in Iraq. She was fitted with protheses and is waging a vigorous campaign against the war. Her opponent is state senator Peter Roskam, a personal injury lawyer. If Iraq dominates the election, Duckworth could pull an upset here. Tossup. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Illinois IL-08
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 summary="House races" border=1><TBODY><TR><TD class=sbc>Incumbent</TD><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Notes </TD></TR><TR><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Melissa
Bean
(D)
</TD><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
David
McSweeney
(R)
</TD><TD class=general-1 vAlign=top>IL-08 is a rare district where the GOP has a chance of unseating an incumbent, in this case 1-term Democrat Melissa Bean, who won her seat in 2004 in the Illinois district that went most heavily for George Bush. In a district like that, any Democrat is endangered. But Bean is fairly conservative and her incumbency and endorsement by the chamber of commerce give her a slight edge over banker McSweeney who drained his bank account in a bitter primary, while Bean was unopposed. Leans Democratic. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Indiana IN-02
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 summary="House races" border=1><TBODY><TR><TD class=sbc>Incumbent</TD><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Notes </TD></TR><TR><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>http://www.chocolaforcongress.com/
Chris
Chocola
(R)
</TD><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Joe
Donnelly
(D)
</TD><TD class=general-1 vAlign=top>Chris Chocola is a strong campaigner, but if the Democratic wind blows hard enough, he might be blown away. Chocola beat Donnelly in 2004 by 54% to 45%, but recent polls show it to be very close. Tossup. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Indiana IN-08
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 summary="House races" border=1><TBODY><TR><TD class=sbc>Incumbent</TD><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Notes </TD></TR><TR><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>http://www.integricore.com/portfolio/johnhostettler/
John
Hostettler
(R)
</TD><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Brad
Ellsworth
(D)
</TD><TD class=general-1 vAlign=top>Although a mechanical engineer by training, Hostettler was so upset by the election of Bill Clinton that he decided to run for Congress in 1994 and was carried in on the Republican tide of that year. He is an extreme conservative who has gone on record saying that Democrats demonize Christians. He was also arrested for trying to take a loaded 9-mm pistol onto an airplane in but plea-bargained his way out of jail. This and more makes him a good target for Vanderburgh County Sheriff Brad Ellsworth. Make no mistakes--the mud will fly in this one. Tossup. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Indiana IN-09
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 summary="House races" border=1><TBODY><TR><TD class=sbc>Incumbent</TD><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Notes </TD></TR><TR><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Mike
Sodrel
(R)
</TD><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Baron
Hill
(D)
</TD><TD class=general-1 vAlign=top>Another rematch of 2004. In that year, Sodrel ousted Hill, who is trying to get his old job back. Sodrel, who comes from a trucking background, drives his own 18-wheeler on the campaign trail. He is a staunch conservative. Hill served 8 years in the Indiana House before serving 6 years in Congress. The 2004 election was very close, with Sodrel winning by only 1500 votes, but because the district used electronic voting machines, a recount was impossible. This will be a bitter grudge match. Tossup. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Iowa IA-01
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 summary="House races" border=1><TBODY><TR><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Notes </TD></TR><TR><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>http://www.mikewhalen.com/
Mike
Whalen
(R)
</TD><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Bruce
Braley
(D)
</TD><TD class=general-1 vAlign=top>Eight-term Republican Congressman Jim Nussle is running for governor, leaving this seat in a relatively liberal area open. Braley is a lawyer and Whalen owns a chain of hotels and restaurants. It could go either way and will be bitterly fought over by the big guns of both parties. A recent poll put Braley ahead by 13% but that could change. Tossup. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Iowa IA-03
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 summary="House races" border=1><TBODY><TR><TD class=sbc>Incumbent</TD><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Notes </TD></TR><TR><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>http://www.boswellforcongress.com/
Leonard
Boswell
(D)
</TD><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Jeff
Lamberti
(R)
</TD><TD class=general-1 vAlign=top>In this year, the Republicans are putting nearly all their efforts into hanging onto their own seats and hardly any into challenging incumbent Democrats. This district is one of the rare exceptions because incumbent Boswell, a former helicopter pilot in Vietnam, underwent a 12-hour surgery to remove a benign abdominal tumor earlier this year and then underwent chemotherapy. State senator Jeff Lamberti is hoping that Boswell will be too tired to run much of a campaign, but Boswell has plenty of money and is well known. Leans Democratic. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Kentucky KY-03
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 summary="House races" border=1><TBODY><TR><TD class=sbc>Incumbent</TD><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Notes </TD></TR><TR><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Anne
Northup
(R)
</TD><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
John
Yarmuth
(D)
</TD><TD class=general-1 vAlign=top>While Anne Northup won easily in 2004 (despite Kerry taking her district), things may be more difficult this time. In addition to having to defend an unpopular president in a Democratic-leaning district, she now also has to defend a Republican governor, Ernie Fletcher, who has just been indicted on an ethics charge, the first sitting governor to be indicted in modern times. While under normal conditions incumbents have a big advantage, in a strong Democratic tide, she is the kind of Republican who will have to fight for her political life against newspaper publisher turned political candidate, John Yarmuth. Leans Republican. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Kentucky KY-04
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 summary="House races" border=1><TBODY><TR><TD class=sbc>Incumbent</TD><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Notes </TD></TR><TR><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Geoff
Davis
(R)
</TD><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Ken
Lucas
(D)
</TD><TD class=general-1 vAlign=top>In 2004, the then-70-year-old Lucas retired from Congress after serving in this district for three terms and was succeeded by Davis, a staunch conservative. Normally, in a heavily Republican district, Davis should have been able to win this one easily, but he has been tarred by his close associations with Tom DeLay and Duke Cunningham. DCCC chairman, Rahm Emanuel talked Lucas into unretiring and going for another hurrah. With a well-known and credible challenger, Davis will have to fight hard for his job. Tossup. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Louisiana LA-03
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 summary="House races" border=1><TBODY><TR><TD class=sbc>Incumbent</TD><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Notes </TD></TR><TR><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Charlie
Melancon
(D)
</TD><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Craig
Romero
(R)
</TD><TD class=general-1 vAlign=top>This district was hit very hard by hurricane Katrina last year. Nobody knows what is going to happen, who will show up to vote, and who they will be angriest with. Rep.Charlie Melancon worked hard to get aid after Katrina hit and may get some credit with the voters for that. Craig Romero formerly served as president of Iberia Parish, which in other states would be called a county executive. Probably people in this stricken district have other priorities than following the election closely, which hurts the unknown challenger. Leans Democratic. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Minnesota MN-06
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 summary="House races" border=1><TBODY><TR><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Notes </TD></TR><TR><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Michelle
Bachmann
(R)
</TD><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Patty
Wetterling
(D)
</TD><TD class=general-1 vAlign=top>This race is the catfight of the (still young) century. In the right corner we have Michelle Bachmann, who opposes all recognition for gay relationships, supports creationism being taught in the public schools, opposes the minimum wage, and does not want to rule out a nuclear attack on Iran. In the left corner, we have Patty Wetterling, who has been an advocate for stopping child abuse and abduction after her (still missing) son was abducted in 1989. She opposes the war in Iraq and wants to bring the troops home now. This seat is the one Rep. Mark Kennedy is leaving behind as he is trying to get a promotion to the Senate. The district tends to vote Republican, but Wetterling is better known in it from the 2004 House race here that she narrowly lost to Kennedy. Tossup. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
New Hampshire NH-02
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 summary="House races" border=1><TBODY><TR><TD class=sbc>Incumbent</TD><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Notes </TD></TR><TR><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Charlie
Bass
(R)
</TD><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Paul
Hodes
(D)
</TD><TD class=general-1 vAlign=top>New Hampshire is a quirky state and the locals are proud of it. Charlie Bass was swept into Congress on the 1994 Republican tide but could just as easily be swept out on a 2006 Democratic tide. In 2004, these candidates faced off for Congress the first time, and Bass won, but at the same time Kerry carried the district over Bush. Unlike last time, Hodes has raised as much money at the six-term incumbent this time around and recent polls show it to be close. Tossup. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
New Jersey NJ-07
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 summary="House races" border=1><TBODY><TR><TD class=sbc>Incumbent</TD><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Notes </TD></TR><TR><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Mike
Ferguson
(R)
</TD><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Linda
Stender
(D)
</TD><TD class=general-1 vAlign=top>Mike Ferguson won reelection comfortably in 2004 and is prepared to take on progressive antiwar candidate Linda Stender. But if the war is issue #1 in the country, then Stender might be swept in with the tide, making her the only woman in the New Jersey congressional delegation. Leans Republican</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
New Mexico NM-01
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 summary="House races" border=1><TBODY><TR><TD class=sbc>Incumbent</TD><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Notes </TD></TR><TR><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Heather
Wilson
(R)
</TD><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Patricia
Madrid
(D)
</TD><TD class=general-1 vAlign=top>That Heather Wilson, a conservative Republican, got elected in the first place in this heavily Hispanic district that went for Kerry by a large margin is a bit surprising, but now she has the fight of her life against New Mexico Attorney General Patricia Madrid. Wilson's tie to disgraced former House majority leader Tom DeLay is a major issue. While incumbents always have an advantage, with a strong Democratic tide, Madrid could win this one. If the tide is weak, Wilson, who is hardly mentioning that she is a Republican, might just hang on barely. Tossup. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
New York NY-20
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 summary="House races" border=1><TBODY><TR><TD class=sbc>Incumbent</TD><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Notes </TD></TR><TR><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
John
Sweeney
(R)
</TD><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Kirsten
Gillibrand
(D)
</TD><TD class=general-1 vAlign=top>This district is normally Republican, but Kirsten Gillibrand is attacking Rep. Sweeney for his support of the war and for taking free skiing vacations from lobbyists. If the war or corruption are the dominant issue, she could win. Furthermore, with Eliot Spitzer and Hillary Clinton expected to win in landslides, downticket candidates like Gillibrand will try to hang onto their coattails. Nevertheless, she is a political neophyte running against an experienced three-term incumbent. Leans Republican. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
New York NY-24
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 summary="House races" border=1><TBODY><TR><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Notes </TD></TR><TR><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Ray
Meier
(R)
</TD><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Mike
Arcuri
(D)
</TD><TD class=general-1 vAlign=top>This seat is being vacated by long-time liberal Republican (yes, Virginia, there were once liberal Republicans) Sherwood Boehlert. The district is upstate, around Utica, and went narrowly for Bush in 2004. The Democrat, Mike Arcuri, is a four-term Oneida County district attorney. The Republican, Ray Meier, is a state senator. A complicating factor in this race is that the Democrats have two immensely popular figures at the top of the ticket, Eliot Spitzer running for Governor and Hillary Clinton running for President--oops, senator. They are both expected to win historic landslides, which could help downticket Democrats like Arcuri. Tossup. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
North Carolina NC-11
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 summary="House races" border=1><TBODY><TR><TD class=sbc>Incumbent</TD><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Notes </TD></TR><TR><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Charles
Taylor
(R)
</TD><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Heath
Shuler
(D)
</TD><TD class=general-1 vAlign=top>Under normal conditions, Charles Taylor's run for reelection would not attract much attention, but for two reasons it has become a tossup this year. First, Taylor is a strong opponent of CAFTA, which he says would cause his largely blue collar district to bleed jobs, but he failed to vote on the CAFTA bill, which passed the House 217-215, something he has not been forgiven. Second, his opponent, North Carolina native Heath Shuler, is a former NFL quarterback, which gives him instant name recognition all over the district. Shuler has used his fame to raise large amounts of money as well. If the Democratic tide is strong this November, newbies like Shuler will be swept along to victory. Tossup. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Ohio OH-06
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 summary="House races" border=1><TBODY><TR><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Notes </TD></TR><TR><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Charlie
Wilson
(D)
</TD><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Chuck
Blasdel
(R)
</TD><TD class=general-1 vAlign=top>With both candidates named "Charles" we could have had a lot of confusion here, but fortunately the Democrat is running as "Charlie" and the Republican as "Chuck" so all should be clear. This Democratic-held seat is being vacated by Ted Strickland, who is running for governor against Ken Blackwell and probably will win in a landslide given the sub-20% approval rating of the current Republican governor and Blackwell's role in the contested 2004 presidential election in Ohio. The two Charles' are well matched, Charlie being a state senator and Chuck being speaker of the state House, and this one is expected to go right down to the wire. Leans Democratic.</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Ohio OH-15
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 summary="House races" border=1><TBODY><TR><TD class=sbc>Incumbent</TD><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Notes </TD></TR><TR><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Deborah
Pryce
(R)
</TD><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Mary Jo
Kilroy
(D)
</TD><TD class=general-1 vAlign=top>Deborah Pryce is #3 in the Republican House leadership and has been elected from this district seven times. Normally, this would make her a shoo-in, but with corruption in Washington and corruption in Ohio are big issues, plus a likely Democratic landslide for the governor's race, Pryce has a big fight on her hands against Franklin County Commissioner Mary Jo Kilroy. Leans Republican. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Ohio OH-18
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 summary="House races" border=1><TBODY><TR><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Notes </TD></TR><TR><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Joy
Padgett
(R)
</TD><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Zack
Space
(D)
</TD><TD class=general-1 vAlign=top>On Aug. 7, 2006, Bob Ney withdrew from the race for OH-18 due to the influence-peddling scandals surrounding him. He announced his support for Joy Padgett as the Republican candidate, who was then duly nominated. Her calls for fiscal responsibility, which is popular in Ohio, will no doubt be contrasted with her own filing for personal bankruptcy June 15, 2006, in which she and her husband had $1.1 million in debts, including a loan from the Small Business Administration. Tossup. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Pennsylvania PA-06
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 summary="House races" border=1><TBODY><TR><TD class=sbc>Incumbent</TD><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Notes </TD></TR><TR><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Jim
Gerlach
(R)
</TD><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Lois
Murphy
(D)
</TD><TD class=general-1 vAlign=top>Incumbent Rep. Jim Gerlach beat lawyer Lois Murphy in 2004 by only 6000 votes, but the sands have shifted and the wind is with the Democrats this year. Gerlach understands that and is running furiously--away from George Bush. The candidates have raised roughly equal amounts of money. This will be the most exciting race in Pennsylvania this year. Leans Democratic</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Pennsylvania PA-07
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 summary="House races" border=1><TBODY><TR><TD class=sbc>Incumbent</TD><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Notes </TD></TR><TR><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Curt
Weldon
(R)
</TD><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Joe
Sestak
(D)
</TD><TD class=general-1 vAlign=top>A ten-term incumbent like Curt Weldon should have been able to win reelection easily, were it not for his attack on Joe Sestak, a three-star admiral, for having Sestak's 5-year-old daughter's brain tumor treated in Washington instead of in the district. That really struck many people as disrespectful, especially to a three-star admiral. Sestak is also raising more money than Weldon. Still, 10-term Congressmen do not go gentle into that good night. Tossup. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Pennsylvania PA-08
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 summary="House races" border=1><TBODY><TR><TD class=sbc>Incumbent</TD><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Notes </TD></TR><TR><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Mike
Fitzpatrick
(R)
</TD><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Patrick
Murphy
(D)
</TD><TD class=general-1 vAlign=top>The fighting Irish are doing battle in the Philadelphia suburbs. They disagree on everything, abortion, taxes, and Iraq, for example. Murphy is an Iraq war veteran and the war will figure prominently in the race. Like many suburban districts, it tends to vote Republican under normal conditions. Leans Republican. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Pennsylvania PA-10
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 summary="House races" border=1><TBODY><TR><TD class=sbc>Incumbent</TD><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Notes </TD></TR><TR><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Don
Sherwood
(R)
</TD><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Chris
Carney
(D)
</TD><TD class=general-1 vAlign=top>This district is conservative and reliably Republican. Also, Don Sherwood is extremely wealthy and has no problem spending lots of his own money on the race. Sounds like a no-brainer, doesn't it? It would have been had he not started choking his mistress of five years, Cynthia Ore, so she locked herself in his bathroom and called 911. When she got out, she sued him for $5 million. He settled out of court in 2005. Conservatives don't like that kind of stuff. You're supposed to have your affairs be more discreet. Still, given the nature of the district, leans Republican. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Texas TX-17
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 summary="House races" border=1><TBODY><TR><TD class=sbc>Incumbent</TD><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Notes </TD></TR><TR><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Chet
Edwards
(D)
</TD><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Van
Taylor
(R)
</TD><TD class=general-1 vAlign=top>Chet Edwards is a bit of a anomaly: a Democrat in a very Republican district in Texas, which just happens to contain President Bush's ranch. Van Taylor is one of the few Iraq vets running as a Republican. Still, Edwards has been elected to the House eight times and is a very able campaigner. It is a safe bet that the President will vote to fire his own Congressman, but chances are a majority of the other people in the district will vote to keep him. Leans Democratic. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Texas TX-22
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 summary="House races" border=1><TBODY><TR><TD class=sbc>Write-in</TD><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Notes </TD></TR><TR><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Shelley
Sekula-Gibbs
(R)
</TD><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Nick
Lampson
(D)
</TD><TD class=general-1 vAlign=top>This is Tom DeLay's district. The ethically challenged Congressman got on the ballot before his association with disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff got him indicted. Quick like a bunny he moved to Virginia claiming he was no longer a Texan so his name could be stricken from the ballot and some other Republican could take his place. The Texas courts didn't buy the instant Virginian idea and so his name is on the ballot but he is not running. Texas Republicans are now running a write-in campaign for Shelley Sekula-Gibbs, a Houston Dermatologist. Writing in her name would be hard enough if the voters could actually write on the ballot, but due to the voting equipment, they have to spell it out character by character (with no hyphen available) using a trackball. Nick Lampson is a former Texas Congressman and can easily claim he could do the job since he has already done it. Leans Democratic </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Texas TX-23
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 summary="House races" border=1><TBODY><TR><TD class=sbc>Incumbent</TD><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Notes </TD></TR><TR><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Henry
Bonilla
(R)
</TD><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Ciro
Rodriguez
(D)
</TD><TD class=general-1 vAlign=top>This is one of the districts that was gerrymandered as a result of Tom DeLay's machinations. Henry Bonilla is a long term incumbent, but with the new makeup, it is hard to say what will happen. Still, Bonilla has won seven times in the district and is well known there. Leans Republican</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Virginia VA-02
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 summary="House races" border=1><TBODY><TR><TD class=sbc>Incumbent</TD><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Notes </TD></TR><TR><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Thelma
Drake
(R)
</TD><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Phil
Kellam
(D)
</TD><TD class=general-1 vAlign=top>If George Allen were coasting to an easy victory, he would pull freshman Rep. Thelma Drake in on his coattails. However, the "macaca" incident has hurt Allen badly in the polls so Drake may have to make it on her own. Her opponent, Virginia Beach commissioner of revenue Phil Kellam, is well known in the district. The two differ strongly on whether the war is going well, and with thousands of military families in the district, their votes could decide the election. Tossup. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Washington WA-08
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 summary="House races" border=1><TBODY><TR><TD class=sbc>Incumbent</TD><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Notes </TD></TR><TR><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>http://www.davereichertforcongress.com/
Dave
Reichert
(R)
</TD><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Darcy
Burner
(D)
</TD><TD class=general-1 vAlign=top>Being a Microsoft manager carries a certain amount of weight in this suburban Seattle district, and Darcy Burner is using it for all it is worth against freshman Rep. Dave Reichert. She is also raising money hand over foot. Furthermore, the party registration slightly favors the Democrats. Tossup. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
West-Virgina WV-01
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 summary="House races" border=1><TBODY><TR><TD class=sbc>Incumbent</TD><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Notes </TD></TR><TR><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>http://www.dccc.org/races/candidates/WV_01_Alan_Mollohan.html
Alan
Mollohan
(D)
</TD><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Chris
Wakim
(R)
</TD><TD class=general-1 vAlign=top>Rep. Alan Mollohan is the ranking member of the House Ethics committee, but that didn't stop him from having ethical problems of his own. In particular, he is accused of bringing home the bacon, which normally helps a Congressman, only in this case, it raised the value of his family's real estate a bit too crudely. Still, Mollohan and his Congressman father before him have ruled this district for 40 years, and it is hard to see how a litte graft is going to end that. But if corruption becomes the dominant issue, he could be in for a fight. Leans Democratic. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
There you have it. The seats that are close.
So who do we want to win each of these?
Sean
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Georgia GA-12
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 summary="House races" border=1><TBODY><TR><TD class=sbc>Incumbent</TD><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Notes </TD></TR><TR><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
John
Barrow
(D)
</TD><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Max
Burns
(R)
</TD><TD class=general-1 vAlign=top>This race is a rerun of 2004, when Barrow ousted 1-term incumbent Burns, who wants his job back. It may be a bit easier for him this time since the Republican-controlled state legislature has gerrymandered the district. The new district has fewer students but more African Americans, so the dynamics of the rematch will be different. Leans Deratic. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 summary="House races" border=1><TBODY><TR><TD class=sbc>Incumbent</TD><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Notes </TD></TR><TR><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
J.D.
Hayworth
(R)
</TD><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Harry
Mitchell
(D)
</TD><TD class=general-1 vAlign=top>Incumbent J.D. Hayworth has a reputation for being a real right-wing firebrand, which endears him to some of his constituents but not all. He also took some money from disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff. He said it was only $2250, but a poll earlier this year showed that 62% of his constituents thought he was lying. He has never had a tough opponent before, but state senator Harry Mitchell is a serious contender. Given the district's slight Republican majority, Hayworth is probably ahead, but it could easily change. Leans Republican. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Arizona AZ-08
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 summary="House races" border=1><TBODY><TR><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Notes </TD></TR><TR><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Randy
Graf
(R)
</TD><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Gabrielle
Giffords
(D)
</TD><TD class=general-1 vAlign=top>After bruising and expensive primaries in both parties for this open seat, Giffords and Graf will face off on Nov. 7. They couldn't be more different. Giffords is a former Fulbright scholar who spent a year in Mexico, ran a small business in Tucson, was elected to the Arizona House and was later to the Arizona Senate. She is a moderate on most issues. Graf is a former pro golfer and member of the Arizona House. His main legislative achievement there was a law requiring people to prove their citizenship in order to vote, a law some people criticized as putting up a barrier to vote for poor people. He has been a strong supporter of stopping illegal immigration. Graf may be too conservative for this district. Leans Democratic. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
California CA-11
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 summary="House races" border=1><TBODY><TR><TD class=sbc>Incumbent</TD><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Notes </TD></TR><TR><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Richard
Pombo
(R)
</TD><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Jerry
McNerney
(D)
</TD><TD class=general-1 vAlign=top>Corruption and politicians go together like peanut butter and jelly, but Rep. Richard Pombo has turned it into an art form. Pombo took more money from disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff than anyone else in Congress (over $500,000), enriched his wife, blocked investigations of serious allegations of corruption and much more. In a virtually unprecedented move, Pombo's primary opponent, Pete McCloskey, who comes from three generations of California Republican activists, has endorsed Pombo's Democratic opponent, Jerry McNerney, saying that it is better for the Democrats to capture the House temporarily in order to cleanse the Republican leadership. You can imagine that the sparks are going to fly here. Tossup. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Colorado CO-07
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 summary="House races" border=1><TBODY><TR><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Notes </TD></TR><TR><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Rick
O"Donnell
(R)
</TD><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Ed
Perlmutter
(D)
</TD><TD class=general-1 vAlign=top>This is an open seat in a swing district. The previous occupant of the seat, Bob Beauprez (R) is running for governor. Beauprez carried the district handily in 2004, 55% to 43% in 2004, but Kerry also beat Bush here in the same election. Ed Perlmutter is a state senator. Rick O'Donnell is the former head of the Colorado Dept. of Higher Education. Open seats in swing districts are rare, so everyone is paying attention. Tossup</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Connecticut CT-02
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 summary="House races" border=1><TBODY><TR><TD class=sbc>Incumbent</TD><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Notes </TD></TR><TR><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Rob
Simmons
(R)
</TD><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Joe
Courtney
(D)
</TD><TD class=general-1 vAlign=top>Republicans in the Northeast are an endangered species and Connecticut is a heavily Democratic state. CT-02 is the most Democratic district in the country held by a Republican. In addition, the effect of the Lieberman-Lamont rematch could motivate either side to turn out in large numbers, thus affecting the downticket races. This is one of the Democrats best shots for a House pickup. Tossup. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Connecticut CT-04
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 summary="House races" border=1><TBODY><TR><TD class=sbc>Incumbent</TD><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Notes </TD></TR><TR><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Christopher
Shays
(R)
</TD><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Diane
Farrell
(D)
</TD><TD class=general-1 vAlign=top>This could be the Democrats best chance for a pickup. Christopher Shays represents a liberal district in a a liberal state and is facing an antiwar challenger who is getting a lot of traction. Shays has visited Iraq 14 times, but it probably won't do him any good. Shays and Farrell duked it out in 2004 and Shays won by 4 percentage points in a more favorable climate. Tossup</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Connecticut CT-05
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 summary="House races" border=1><TBODY><TR><TD class=sbc>Incumbent</TD><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Notes </TD></TR><TR><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Nancy
Johnson
(R)
</TD><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Chris
Murphy
(D)
</TD><TD class=general-1 vAlign=top>Another toughie for the incumbent Republican. Although 12-term incumbent Nancy Johnson has lots of cash, she also represents one of the most Democratic districts held by a Republican in the country. But the turnout in the Lieberman-Lamont race may end up dwarfing all other issues. Still, she is personally well liked in the district. Even if Shays and Simmons get carried away in a Democratic tide, she might hang on. Leans Republican. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Florida FL-13
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 summary="House races" border=1><TBODY><TR><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Notes </TD></TR><TR><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Vern
Buchanan
(R)
</TD><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Christine
Jennings
(D)
</TD><TD class=general-1 vAlign=top>This was a safe Republican seat in Sarasota that Katherine Harris abandoned in her futile quest for a promotion. Not only will she lose big time for the Senate, but her departure puts the House seat in play, Leans Republican. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE class=main summary="" border=0><!-- Start of main table --><TBODY><TR><TD>
<HR>The Hot House Races
<HR>Arizona AZ-05
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 summary="House races" border=1><TBODY><TR><TD class=sbc>Incumbent</TD><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Notes </TD></TR><TR><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
J.D.
Hayworth
(R)
</TD><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Harry
Mitchell
(D)
</TD><TD class=general-1 vAlign=top>Incumbent J.D. Hayworth has a reputation for being a real right-wing firebrand, which endears him to some of his constituents but not all. He also took some money from disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff. He said it was only $2250, but a poll earlier this year showed that 62% of his constituents thought he was lying. He has never had a tough opponent before, but state senator Harry Mitchell is a serious contender. Given the district's slight Republican majority, Hayworth is probably ahead, but it could easily change. Leans Republican. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>[SIZE=-2]Top[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]AZ[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]CA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]CO[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]CT[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]FL[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]GA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]IL[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]IN[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]IA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]KY[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]LA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]MN[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]NH[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]NJ[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]NM[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]NY[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]NC[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]OH[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]PA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]TX[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]VA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]WA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]WV[/SIZE]
<HR>Arizona AZ-08
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 summary="House races" border=1><TBODY><TR><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Notes </TD></TR><TR><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Randy
Graf
(R)
</TD><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Gabrielle
Giffords
(D)
</TD><TD class=general-1 vAlign=top>After bruising and expensive primaries in both parties for this open seat, Giffords and Graf will face off on Nov. 7. They couldn't be more different. Giffords is a former Fulbright scholar who spent a year in Mexico, ran a small business in Tucson, was elected to the Arizona House and was later to the Arizona Senate. She is a moderate on most issues. Graf is a former pro golfer and member of the Arizona House. His main legislative achievement there was a law requiring people to prove their citizenship in order to vote, a law some people criticized as putting up a barrier to vote for poor people. He has been a strong supporter of stopping illegal immigration. Graf may be too conservative for this district. Leans Democratic. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>[SIZE=-2]Top[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]AZ[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]CA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]CO[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]CT[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]FL[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]GA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]IL[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]IN[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]IA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]KY[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]LA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]MN[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]NH[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]NJ[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]NM[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]NY[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]NC[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]OH[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]PA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]TX[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]VA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]WA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]WV[/SIZE]
<HR>California CA-11
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 summary="House races" border=1><TBODY><TR><TD class=sbc>Incumbent</TD><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Notes </TD></TR><TR><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Richard
Pombo
(R)
</TD><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Jerry
McNerney
(D)
</TD><TD class=general-1 vAlign=top>Corruption and politicians go together like peanut butter and jelly, but Rep. Richard Pombo has turned it into an art form. Pombo took more money from disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff than anyone else in Congress (over $500,000), enriched his wife, blocked investigations of serious allegations of corruption and much more. In a virtually unprecedented move, Pombo's primary opponent, Pete McCloskey, who comes from three generations of California Republican activists, has endorsed Pombo's Democratic opponent, Jerry McNerney, saying that it is better for the Democrats to capture the House temporarily in order to cleanse the Republican leadership. You can imagine that the sparks are going to fly here. Tossup. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>[SIZE=-2]Top[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]AZ[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]CA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]CO[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]CT[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]FL[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]GA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]IL[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]IN[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]IA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]KY[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]LA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]MN[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]NH[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]NJ[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]NM[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]NY[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]NC[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]OH[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]PA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]TX[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]VA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]WA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]WV[/SIZE]
<HR>Colorado CO-07
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 summary="House races" border=1><TBODY><TR><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Notes </TD></TR><TR><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Rick
O"Donnell
(R)
</TD><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Ed
Perlmutter
(D)
</TD><TD class=general-1 vAlign=top>This is an open seat in a swing district. The previous occupant of the seat, Bob Beauprez (R) is running for governor. Beauprez carried the district handily in 2004, 55% to 43% in 2004, but Kerry also beat Bush here in the same election. Ed Perlmutter is a state senator. Rick O'Donnell is the former head of the Colorado Dept. of Higher Education. Open seats in swing districts are rare, so everyone is paying attention. Tossup. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>[SIZE=-2]Top[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]AZ[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]CA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]CO[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]CT[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]FL[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]GA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]IL[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]IN[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]IA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]KY[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]LA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]MN[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]NH[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]NJ[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]NM[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]NY[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]NC[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]OH[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]PA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]TX[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]VA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]WA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]WV[/SIZE]
<HR>Connecticut CT-02
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 summary="House races" border=1><TBODY><TR><TD class=sbc>Incumbent</TD><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Notes </TD></TR><TR><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Rob
Simmons
(R)
</TD><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Joe
Courtney
(D)
</TD><TD class=general-1 vAlign=top>Republicans in the Northeast are an endangered species and Connecticut is a heavily Democratic state. CT-02 is the most Democratic district in the country held by a Republican. In addition, the effect of the Lieberman-Lamont rematch could motivate either side to turn out in large numbers, thus affecting the downticket races. This is one of the Democrats best shots for a House pickup. Tossup. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>[SIZE=-2]Top[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]AZ[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]CA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]CO[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]CT[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]FL[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]GA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]IL[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]IN[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]IA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]KY[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]LA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]MN[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]NH[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]NJ[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]NM[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]NY[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]NC[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]OH[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]PA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]TX[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]VA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]WA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]WV[/SIZE]
<HR>Connecticut CT-04
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 summary="House races" border=1><TBODY><TR><TD class=sbc>Incumbent</TD><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Notes </TD></TR><TR><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>http://www.shaysforcongress.org/
Christopher
Shays
(R)
</TD><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Diane
Farrell
(D)
</TD><TD class=general-1 vAlign=top>This could be the Democrats best chance for a pickup. Christopher Shays represents a liberal district in a a liberal state and is facing an antiwar challenger who is getting a lot of traction. Shays has visited Iraq 14 times, but it probably won't do him any good. Shays and Farrell duked it out in 2004 and Shays won by 4 percentage points in a more favorable climate. Tossup. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>[SIZE=-2]Top[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]AZ[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]CA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]CO[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]CT[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]FL[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]GA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]IL[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]IN[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]IA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]KY[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]LA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]MN[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]NH[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]NJ[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]NM[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]NY[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]NC[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]OH[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]PA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]TX[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]VA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]WA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]WV[/SIZE]
<HR>Connecticut CT-05
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 summary="House races" border=1><TBODY><TR><TD class=sbc>Incumbent</TD><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Notes </TD></TR><TR><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Nancy
Johnson
(R)
</TD><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Chris
Murphy
(D)
</TD><TD class=general-1 vAlign=top>Another toughie for the incumbent Republican. Although 12-term incumbent Nancy Johnson has lots of cash, she also represents one of the most Democratic districts held by a Republican in the country. But the turnout in the Lieberman-Lamont race may end up dwarfing all other issues. Still, she is personally well liked in the district. Even if Shays and Simmons get carried away in a Democratic tide, she might hang on. Leans Republican. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>[SIZE=-2]Top[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]AZ[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]CA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]CO[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]CT[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]FL[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]GA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]IL[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]IN[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]IA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]KY[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]LA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]MN[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]NH[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]NJ[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]NM[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]NY[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]NC[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]OH[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]PA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]TX[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]VA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]WA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]WV[/SIZE]
<HR>Florida FL-13
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 summary="House races" border=1><TBODY><TR><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Notes </TD></TR><TR><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Vern
Buchanan
(R)
</TD><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Christine
Jennings
(D)
</TD><TD class=general-1 vAlign=top>This was a safe Republican seat in Sarasota that Katherine Harris abandoned in her futile quest for a promotion. Not only will she lose big time for the Senate, but her departure puts the House seat in play, Leans Republican. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>[SIZE=-2]Top[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]AZ[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]CA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]CO[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]CT[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]FL[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]GA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]IL[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]IN[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]IA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]KY[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]LA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]MN[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]NH[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]NJ[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]NM[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]NY[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]NC[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]OH[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]PA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]TX[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]VA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]WA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-2]WV[/SIZE]
<HR>Florida FL-22
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 summary="House races" border=1><TBODY><TR><TD class=sbc>Incumbent</TD><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Notes </TD></TR><TR><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Clay
Shaw
(R)
</TD><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Ron
Klein
(D)
</TD><TD class=general-1 vAlign=top>After 13 terms representing a South Florida district, Clay Shaw's luck may be running out. He recently had lung surgery and has to defend Bush's attempt to phase out Social Security in a district jam-packed with seniors and which went narrowly for Kerry in 2004. State senator Ron Klein is well known in the district and will put up a big fight. Tossup. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Illinois IL-06
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 summary="House races" border=1><TBODY><TR><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Notes </TD></TR><TR><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Peter
Roskam
(R)
</TD><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Tammy
Duckworth
(D)
</TD><TD class=general-1 vAlign=top>Henry Hyde has represented this suburban Chicago district since Methuselah was in short pants but at 82, he is calling it a day, leaving behind an open seat in a normally Republican district. But Democrat Maj. Tammy Duckworth has a compelling story to tell: she lost both legs when the army helicopter she was flying was shot down in Iraq. She was fitted with protheses and is waging a vigorous campaign against the war. Her opponent is state senator Peter Roskam, a personal injury lawyer. If Iraq dominates the election, Duckworth could pull an upset here. Tossup. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Illinois IL-08
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 summary="House races" border=1><TBODY><TR><TD class=sbc>Incumbent</TD><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Notes </TD></TR><TR><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Melissa
Bean
(D)
</TD><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
David
McSweeney
(R)
</TD><TD class=general-1 vAlign=top>IL-08 is a rare district where the GOP has a chance of unseating an incumbent, in this case 1-term Democrat Melissa Bean, who won her seat in 2004 in the Illinois district that went most heavily for George Bush. In a district like that, any Democrat is endangered. But Bean is fairly conservative and her incumbency and endorsement by the chamber of commerce give her a slight edge over banker McSweeney who drained his bank account in a bitter primary, while Bean was unopposed. Leans Democratic. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Indiana IN-02
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 summary="House races" border=1><TBODY><TR><TD class=sbc>Incumbent</TD><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Notes </TD></TR><TR><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>http://www.chocolaforcongress.com/
Chris
Chocola
(R)
</TD><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Joe
Donnelly
(D)
</TD><TD class=general-1 vAlign=top>Chris Chocola is a strong campaigner, but if the Democratic wind blows hard enough, he might be blown away. Chocola beat Donnelly in 2004 by 54% to 45%, but recent polls show it to be very close. Tossup. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Indiana IN-08
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 summary="House races" border=1><TBODY><TR><TD class=sbc>Incumbent</TD><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Notes </TD></TR><TR><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>http://www.integricore.com/portfolio/johnhostettler/
John
Hostettler
(R)
</TD><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Brad
Ellsworth
(D)
</TD><TD class=general-1 vAlign=top>Although a mechanical engineer by training, Hostettler was so upset by the election of Bill Clinton that he decided to run for Congress in 1994 and was carried in on the Republican tide of that year. He is an extreme conservative who has gone on record saying that Democrats demonize Christians. He was also arrested for trying to take a loaded 9-mm pistol onto an airplane in but plea-bargained his way out of jail. This and more makes him a good target for Vanderburgh County Sheriff Brad Ellsworth. Make no mistakes--the mud will fly in this one. Tossup. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Indiana IN-09
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 summary="House races" border=1><TBODY><TR><TD class=sbc>Incumbent</TD><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Notes </TD></TR><TR><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Mike
Sodrel
(R)
</TD><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Baron
Hill
(D)
</TD><TD class=general-1 vAlign=top>Another rematch of 2004. In that year, Sodrel ousted Hill, who is trying to get his old job back. Sodrel, who comes from a trucking background, drives his own 18-wheeler on the campaign trail. He is a staunch conservative. Hill served 8 years in the Indiana House before serving 6 years in Congress. The 2004 election was very close, with Sodrel winning by only 1500 votes, but because the district used electronic voting machines, a recount was impossible. This will be a bitter grudge match. Tossup. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Iowa IA-01
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 summary="House races" border=1><TBODY><TR><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Notes </TD></TR><TR><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>http://www.mikewhalen.com/
Mike
Whalen
(R)
</TD><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Bruce
Braley
(D)
</TD><TD class=general-1 vAlign=top>Eight-term Republican Congressman Jim Nussle is running for governor, leaving this seat in a relatively liberal area open. Braley is a lawyer and Whalen owns a chain of hotels and restaurants. It could go either way and will be bitterly fought over by the big guns of both parties. A recent poll put Braley ahead by 13% but that could change. Tossup. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Iowa IA-03
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 summary="House races" border=1><TBODY><TR><TD class=sbc>Incumbent</TD><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Notes </TD></TR><TR><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>http://www.boswellforcongress.com/
Leonard
Boswell
(D)
</TD><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Jeff
Lamberti
(R)
</TD><TD class=general-1 vAlign=top>In this year, the Republicans are putting nearly all their efforts into hanging onto their own seats and hardly any into challenging incumbent Democrats. This district is one of the rare exceptions because incumbent Boswell, a former helicopter pilot in Vietnam, underwent a 12-hour surgery to remove a benign abdominal tumor earlier this year and then underwent chemotherapy. State senator Jeff Lamberti is hoping that Boswell will be too tired to run much of a campaign, but Boswell has plenty of money and is well known. Leans Democratic. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Kentucky KY-03
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 summary="House races" border=1><TBODY><TR><TD class=sbc>Incumbent</TD><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Notes </TD></TR><TR><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Anne
Northup
(R)
</TD><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
John
Yarmuth
(D)
</TD><TD class=general-1 vAlign=top>While Anne Northup won easily in 2004 (despite Kerry taking her district), things may be more difficult this time. In addition to having to defend an unpopular president in a Democratic-leaning district, she now also has to defend a Republican governor, Ernie Fletcher, who has just been indicted on an ethics charge, the first sitting governor to be indicted in modern times. While under normal conditions incumbents have a big advantage, in a strong Democratic tide, she is the kind of Republican who will have to fight for her political life against newspaper publisher turned political candidate, John Yarmuth. Leans Republican. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Kentucky KY-04
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 summary="House races" border=1><TBODY><TR><TD class=sbc>Incumbent</TD><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Notes </TD></TR><TR><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Geoff
Davis
(R)
</TD><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Ken
Lucas
(D)
</TD><TD class=general-1 vAlign=top>In 2004, the then-70-year-old Lucas retired from Congress after serving in this district for three terms and was succeeded by Davis, a staunch conservative. Normally, in a heavily Republican district, Davis should have been able to win this one easily, but he has been tarred by his close associations with Tom DeLay and Duke Cunningham. DCCC chairman, Rahm Emanuel talked Lucas into unretiring and going for another hurrah. With a well-known and credible challenger, Davis will have to fight hard for his job. Tossup. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Louisiana LA-03
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 summary="House races" border=1><TBODY><TR><TD class=sbc>Incumbent</TD><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Notes </TD></TR><TR><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Charlie
Melancon
(D)
</TD><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Craig
Romero
(R)
</TD><TD class=general-1 vAlign=top>This district was hit very hard by hurricane Katrina last year. Nobody knows what is going to happen, who will show up to vote, and who they will be angriest with. Rep.Charlie Melancon worked hard to get aid after Katrina hit and may get some credit with the voters for that. Craig Romero formerly served as president of Iberia Parish, which in other states would be called a county executive. Probably people in this stricken district have other priorities than following the election closely, which hurts the unknown challenger. Leans Democratic. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Minnesota MN-06
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 summary="House races" border=1><TBODY><TR><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Notes </TD></TR><TR><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Michelle
Bachmann
(R)
</TD><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Patty
Wetterling
(D)
</TD><TD class=general-1 vAlign=top>This race is the catfight of the (still young) century. In the right corner we have Michelle Bachmann, who opposes all recognition for gay relationships, supports creationism being taught in the public schools, opposes the minimum wage, and does not want to rule out a nuclear attack on Iran. In the left corner, we have Patty Wetterling, who has been an advocate for stopping child abuse and abduction after her (still missing) son was abducted in 1989. She opposes the war in Iraq and wants to bring the troops home now. This seat is the one Rep. Mark Kennedy is leaving behind as he is trying to get a promotion to the Senate. The district tends to vote Republican, but Wetterling is better known in it from the 2004 House race here that she narrowly lost to Kennedy. Tossup. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
New Hampshire NH-02
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 summary="House races" border=1><TBODY><TR><TD class=sbc>Incumbent</TD><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Notes </TD></TR><TR><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Charlie
Bass
(R)
</TD><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Paul
Hodes
(D)
</TD><TD class=general-1 vAlign=top>New Hampshire is a quirky state and the locals are proud of it. Charlie Bass was swept into Congress on the 1994 Republican tide but could just as easily be swept out on a 2006 Democratic tide. In 2004, these candidates faced off for Congress the first time, and Bass won, but at the same time Kerry carried the district over Bush. Unlike last time, Hodes has raised as much money at the six-term incumbent this time around and recent polls show it to be close. Tossup. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
New Jersey NJ-07
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 summary="House races" border=1><TBODY><TR><TD class=sbc>Incumbent</TD><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Notes </TD></TR><TR><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Mike
Ferguson
(R)
</TD><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Linda
Stender
(D)
</TD><TD class=general-1 vAlign=top>Mike Ferguson won reelection comfortably in 2004 and is prepared to take on progressive antiwar candidate Linda Stender. But if the war is issue #1 in the country, then Stender might be swept in with the tide, making her the only woman in the New Jersey congressional delegation. Leans Republican</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
New Mexico NM-01
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 summary="House races" border=1><TBODY><TR><TD class=sbc>Incumbent</TD><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Notes </TD></TR><TR><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Heather
Wilson
(R)
</TD><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Patricia
Madrid
(D)
</TD><TD class=general-1 vAlign=top>That Heather Wilson, a conservative Republican, got elected in the first place in this heavily Hispanic district that went for Kerry by a large margin is a bit surprising, but now she has the fight of her life against New Mexico Attorney General Patricia Madrid. Wilson's tie to disgraced former House majority leader Tom DeLay is a major issue. While incumbents always have an advantage, with a strong Democratic tide, Madrid could win this one. If the tide is weak, Wilson, who is hardly mentioning that she is a Republican, might just hang on barely. Tossup. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
New York NY-20
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 summary="House races" border=1><TBODY><TR><TD class=sbc>Incumbent</TD><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Notes </TD></TR><TR><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
John
Sweeney
(R)
</TD><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Kirsten
Gillibrand
(D)
</TD><TD class=general-1 vAlign=top>This district is normally Republican, but Kirsten Gillibrand is attacking Rep. Sweeney for his support of the war and for taking free skiing vacations from lobbyists. If the war or corruption are the dominant issue, she could win. Furthermore, with Eliot Spitzer and Hillary Clinton expected to win in landslides, downticket candidates like Gillibrand will try to hang onto their coattails. Nevertheless, she is a political neophyte running against an experienced three-term incumbent. Leans Republican. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
New York NY-24
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 summary="House races" border=1><TBODY><TR><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Notes </TD></TR><TR><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Ray
Meier
(R)
</TD><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Mike
Arcuri
(D)
</TD><TD class=general-1 vAlign=top>This seat is being vacated by long-time liberal Republican (yes, Virginia, there were once liberal Republicans) Sherwood Boehlert. The district is upstate, around Utica, and went narrowly for Bush in 2004. The Democrat, Mike Arcuri, is a four-term Oneida County district attorney. The Republican, Ray Meier, is a state senator. A complicating factor in this race is that the Democrats have two immensely popular figures at the top of the ticket, Eliot Spitzer running for Governor and Hillary Clinton running for President--oops, senator. They are both expected to win historic landslides, which could help downticket Democrats like Arcuri. Tossup. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
North Carolina NC-11
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 summary="House races" border=1><TBODY><TR><TD class=sbc>Incumbent</TD><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Notes </TD></TR><TR><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Charles
Taylor
(R)
</TD><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Heath
Shuler
(D)
</TD><TD class=general-1 vAlign=top>Under normal conditions, Charles Taylor's run for reelection would not attract much attention, but for two reasons it has become a tossup this year. First, Taylor is a strong opponent of CAFTA, which he says would cause his largely blue collar district to bleed jobs, but he failed to vote on the CAFTA bill, which passed the House 217-215, something he has not been forgiven. Second, his opponent, North Carolina native Heath Shuler, is a former NFL quarterback, which gives him instant name recognition all over the district. Shuler has used his fame to raise large amounts of money as well. If the Democratic tide is strong this November, newbies like Shuler will be swept along to victory. Tossup. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Ohio OH-06
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 summary="House races" border=1><TBODY><TR><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Notes </TD></TR><TR><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Charlie
Wilson
(D)
</TD><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Chuck
Blasdel
(R)
</TD><TD class=general-1 vAlign=top>With both candidates named "Charles" we could have had a lot of confusion here, but fortunately the Democrat is running as "Charlie" and the Republican as "Chuck" so all should be clear. This Democratic-held seat is being vacated by Ted Strickland, who is running for governor against Ken Blackwell and probably will win in a landslide given the sub-20% approval rating of the current Republican governor and Blackwell's role in the contested 2004 presidential election in Ohio. The two Charles' are well matched, Charlie being a state senator and Chuck being speaker of the state House, and this one is expected to go right down to the wire. Leans Democratic.</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Ohio OH-15
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 summary="House races" border=1><TBODY><TR><TD class=sbc>Incumbent</TD><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Notes </TD></TR><TR><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Deborah
Pryce
(R)
</TD><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Mary Jo
Kilroy
(D)
</TD><TD class=general-1 vAlign=top>Deborah Pryce is #3 in the Republican House leadership and has been elected from this district seven times. Normally, this would make her a shoo-in, but with corruption in Washington and corruption in Ohio are big issues, plus a likely Democratic landslide for the governor's race, Pryce has a big fight on her hands against Franklin County Commissioner Mary Jo Kilroy. Leans Republican. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Ohio OH-18
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 summary="House races" border=1><TBODY><TR><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Notes </TD></TR><TR><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Joy
Padgett
(R)
</TD><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Zack
Space
(D)
</TD><TD class=general-1 vAlign=top>On Aug. 7, 2006, Bob Ney withdrew from the race for OH-18 due to the influence-peddling scandals surrounding him. He announced his support for Joy Padgett as the Republican candidate, who was then duly nominated. Her calls for fiscal responsibility, which is popular in Ohio, will no doubt be contrasted with her own filing for personal bankruptcy June 15, 2006, in which she and her husband had $1.1 million in debts, including a loan from the Small Business Administration. Tossup. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Pennsylvania PA-06
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 summary="House races" border=1><TBODY><TR><TD class=sbc>Incumbent</TD><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Notes </TD></TR><TR><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Jim
Gerlach
(R)
</TD><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Lois
Murphy
(D)
</TD><TD class=general-1 vAlign=top>Incumbent Rep. Jim Gerlach beat lawyer Lois Murphy in 2004 by only 6000 votes, but the sands have shifted and the wind is with the Democrats this year. Gerlach understands that and is running furiously--away from George Bush. The candidates have raised roughly equal amounts of money. This will be the most exciting race in Pennsylvania this year. Leans Democratic</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Pennsylvania PA-07
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 summary="House races" border=1><TBODY><TR><TD class=sbc>Incumbent</TD><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Notes </TD></TR><TR><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Curt
Weldon
(R)
</TD><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Joe
Sestak
(D)
</TD><TD class=general-1 vAlign=top>A ten-term incumbent like Curt Weldon should have been able to win reelection easily, were it not for his attack on Joe Sestak, a three-star admiral, for having Sestak's 5-year-old daughter's brain tumor treated in Washington instead of in the district. That really struck many people as disrespectful, especially to a three-star admiral. Sestak is also raising more money than Weldon. Still, 10-term Congressmen do not go gentle into that good night. Tossup. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Pennsylvania PA-08
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 summary="House races" border=1><TBODY><TR><TD class=sbc>Incumbent</TD><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Notes </TD></TR><TR><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Mike
Fitzpatrick
(R)
</TD><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Patrick
Murphy
(D)
</TD><TD class=general-1 vAlign=top>The fighting Irish are doing battle in the Philadelphia suburbs. They disagree on everything, abortion, taxes, and Iraq, for example. Murphy is an Iraq war veteran and the war will figure prominently in the race. Like many suburban districts, it tends to vote Republican under normal conditions. Leans Republican. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Pennsylvania PA-10
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 summary="House races" border=1><TBODY><TR><TD class=sbc>Incumbent</TD><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Notes </TD></TR><TR><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Don
Sherwood
(R)
</TD><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Chris
Carney
(D)
</TD><TD class=general-1 vAlign=top>This district is conservative and reliably Republican. Also, Don Sherwood is extremely wealthy and has no problem spending lots of his own money on the race. Sounds like a no-brainer, doesn't it? It would have been had he not started choking his mistress of five years, Cynthia Ore, so she locked herself in his bathroom and called 911. When she got out, she sued him for $5 million. He settled out of court in 2005. Conservatives don't like that kind of stuff. You're supposed to have your affairs be more discreet. Still, given the nature of the district, leans Republican. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Texas TX-17
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 summary="House races" border=1><TBODY><TR><TD class=sbc>Incumbent</TD><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Notes </TD></TR><TR><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Chet
Edwards
(D)
</TD><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Van
Taylor
(R)
</TD><TD class=general-1 vAlign=top>Chet Edwards is a bit of a anomaly: a Democrat in a very Republican district in Texas, which just happens to contain President Bush's ranch. Van Taylor is one of the few Iraq vets running as a Republican. Still, Edwards has been elected to the House eight times and is a very able campaigner. It is a safe bet that the President will vote to fire his own Congressman, but chances are a majority of the other people in the district will vote to keep him. Leans Democratic. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Texas TX-22
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 summary="House races" border=1><TBODY><TR><TD class=sbc>Write-in</TD><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Notes </TD></TR><TR><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Shelley
Sekula-Gibbs
(R)
</TD><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Nick
Lampson
(D)
</TD><TD class=general-1 vAlign=top>This is Tom DeLay's district. The ethically challenged Congressman got on the ballot before his association with disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff got him indicted. Quick like a bunny he moved to Virginia claiming he was no longer a Texan so his name could be stricken from the ballot and some other Republican could take his place. The Texas courts didn't buy the instant Virginian idea and so his name is on the ballot but he is not running. Texas Republicans are now running a write-in campaign for Shelley Sekula-Gibbs, a Houston Dermatologist. Writing in her name would be hard enough if the voters could actually write on the ballot, but due to the voting equipment, they have to spell it out character by character (with no hyphen available) using a trackball. Nick Lampson is a former Texas Congressman and can easily claim he could do the job since he has already done it. Leans Democratic </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Texas TX-23
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 summary="House races" border=1><TBODY><TR><TD class=sbc>Incumbent</TD><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Notes </TD></TR><TR><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Henry
Bonilla
(R)
</TD><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Ciro
Rodriguez
(D)
</TD><TD class=general-1 vAlign=top>This is one of the districts that was gerrymandered as a result of Tom DeLay's machinations. Henry Bonilla is a long term incumbent, but with the new makeup, it is hard to say what will happen. Still, Bonilla has won seven times in the district and is well known there. Leans Republican</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Virginia VA-02
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 summary="House races" border=1><TBODY><TR><TD class=sbc>Incumbent</TD><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Notes </TD></TR><TR><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Thelma
Drake
(R)
</TD><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Phil
Kellam
(D)
</TD><TD class=general-1 vAlign=top>If George Allen were coasting to an easy victory, he would pull freshman Rep. Thelma Drake in on his coattails. However, the "macaca" incident has hurt Allen badly in the polls so Drake may have to make it on her own. Her opponent, Virginia Beach commissioner of revenue Phil Kellam, is well known in the district. The two differ strongly on whether the war is going well, and with thousands of military families in the district, their votes could decide the election. Tossup. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Washington WA-08
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 summary="House races" border=1><TBODY><TR><TD class=sbc>Incumbent</TD><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Notes </TD></TR><TR><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>http://www.davereichertforcongress.com/
Dave
Reichert
(R)
</TD><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Darcy
Burner
(D)
</TD><TD class=general-1 vAlign=top>Being a Microsoft manager carries a certain amount of weight in this suburban Seattle district, and Darcy Burner is using it for all it is worth against freshman Rep. Dave Reichert. She is also raising money hand over foot. Furthermore, the party registration slightly favors the Democrats. Tossup. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
West-Virgina WV-01
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 summary="House races" border=1><TBODY><TR><TD class=sbc>Incumbent</TD><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Notes </TD></TR><TR><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>http://www.dccc.org/races/candidates/WV_01_Alan_Mollohan.html
Alan
Mollohan
(D)
</TD><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Chris
Wakim
(R)
</TD><TD class=general-1 vAlign=top>Rep. Alan Mollohan is the ranking member of the House Ethics committee, but that didn't stop him from having ethical problems of his own. In particular, he is accused of bringing home the bacon, which normally helps a Congressman, only in this case, it raised the value of his family's real estate a bit too crudely. Still, Mollohan and his Congressman father before him have ruled this district for 40 years, and it is hard to see how a litte graft is going to end that. But if corruption becomes the dominant issue, he could be in for a fight. Leans Democratic. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
There you have it. The seats that are close.
So who do we want to win each of these?
Sean
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Georgia GA-12
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 summary="House races" border=1><TBODY><TR><TD class=sbc>Incumbent</TD><TD class=sbc>Challenger</TD><TD class=sbc>Notes </TD></TR><TR><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
John
Barrow
(D)
</TD><TD class=senator vAlign=top width=112>
Max
Burns
(R)
</TD><TD class=general-1 vAlign=top>This race is a rerun of 2004, when Barrow ousted 1-term incumbent Burns, who wants his job back. It may be a bit easier for him this time since the Republican-controlled state legislature has gerrymandered the district. The new district has fewer students but more African Americans, so the dynamics of the rematch will be different. Leans Deratic. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
