Posts by Dr. Eric Ostermeier
A Year in Smart Politics
A look back at some of the reports that made headlines from Smart Politics in 2014.
Read MoreBlue Islands in a Red Sea
Democratic gubernatorial winning streaks against the GOP have set or matched record highs in New Hampshire, Oregon, Washington, and California.
Read MoreThe Short Half-Life of a First-Term US Senator
Three fell in 2014 and more than half of all defeated U.S. Senators over the last 100 years have been in their first term; at least one first-term incumbent has lost reelection in 47 of the 51 election cycles during the direct election era.
Read MoreDid Jeb Bush Wait Too Long to Run for President?
It has been 150+ years since the last time there was a 14-year gap between a presidential candidate’s last legislative or executive office electoral victory and a successful White House campaign.
Read MoreDaugaard Sets Record for Largest Gubernatorial Win in South Dakota History
All eyes were on the state’s U.S. Senate race in 2014, but Dennis Daugaard quietly orchestrated the biggest gubernatorial victory in the state’s 125-year history.
Read MoreJohn Dingell Served with 2,453 US Representatives
The Michigander served alongside 86 percent of all female U.S. Representatives elected to the chamber through the 113th Congress.
Read MorePlurality-Winning Governors Elected At Century-Long High Water Mark
The rate of gubernatorial candidates elected without the support of a majority of voters is at its highest level since the 1910s.
Read MoreTwo Female US Senators Lose Seats in 2014 for First Time in History
Despite losses by Mary Landrieu and Kay Hagan this cycle, female U.S. Senators have been reelected to the chamber at nearly the same rate (84 percent) as males (87 percent) over the last quarter-century.
Read MoreSenate Will Have Historic Number of Ex-US Reps in 114th Congress
With a Cassidy victory in Louisiana, the 114th Congress will convene with more U.S. Senators who previously served in the U.S. House than in any Congress dating back to at least 1899.
Read MoreAshton Carter Would Become 7th Defense Secretary Without Military Service
Three in 10 defense secretaries never served in the uniformed military including five of the last 13.
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