2014 - Page 10 of 20 - Smart Politics

Maine Eyes 1st US House Delegation with No Maine-Born Representatives

By Dr. Eric Ostermeier | July 7, 2014 |

At least one member of Maine’s delegation to the U.S. House was born in the Pine Tree State since 1821 including 94 percent of those elected since 1877.

Patriotic Exits? 35 Members of Congress Who Died on July 4th

By Dr. Eric Ostermeier | July 3, 2014 |

Photo of North Carolina U.S. Senator Jesse Helms

Four members of the U.S. House died on Independence Day while in office; North Carolina and Pennsylvania delegations have had the most pass on the 4th of July.

Which US Senate Seats Will Flip in 2014? A Survey of Media Rankings

By Dr. Eric Ostermeier | July 1, 2014 |

Official seal of the United States Senate

Media election forecasters can only agree on one slot of the Top 12 U.S. Senate seats most likely to change control after the November elections.

Could Dayton Be the Lone Democratic Victor in 2014 Midwestern Gubernatorial Races?

By Dr. Eric Ostermeier | June 30, 2014 |

At least one other Midwestern state has voted a Democrat into office each of the 15 times Minnesotans have elected a Democratic governor since statehood.

South Dakota Democrats Field 4th All-Female Gubernatorial Ticket in US History

By Dr. Eric Ostermeier | June 27, 2014 |

Photo of South Dakota State Representative Susan Wismer

Only three previous major party gubernatorial tickets in history had female nominees for both governor and lieutenant governor; none have reached 40 percent.

Cochran Advances: Six-Term US Senators Improve to 16-2 in Renomination Bids

By Dr. Eric Ostermeier | June 25, 2014 |

Photo of Mississippi U.S. Senator Thad Cochran

Twice as many members of the chamber’s Six-Term Club have died in office (four) than lost their party’s nomination to a seventh term (two).

A Third Party Revolution in Utah?

By Dr. Eric Ostermeier | June 24, 2014 |

More third party and independent candidates have run for Congress in the Beehive State during the last quarter-century (84) than during the previous 93 years (77).

Inhofe Eyes Record-Breaking Election Win in 2014

By Dr. Eric Ostermeier | June 23, 2014 |

Photo of Oklahoma U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe

The senior senator from Oklahoma is looking to win a record fifth U.S. Senate election this fall and would become the longest-serving member in the chamber from the Sooner State mid-way through his next term.

Kevin McCarthy Becomes Least Tenured Floor Leader in US House History

By Dr. Eric Ostermeier | June 20, 2014 |

Photo of California U.S. Representative Kevin McCarthy

At less than four terms, McCarthy has served 423 fewer days in the chamber than any floor leader in U.S. House history and almost 10 years less than the average leader.