Posts by Dr. Eric Ostermeier
Jack Hatch to Iowa: Vote Like It’s 1948?
A symbolic button worn by Iowa’s underdog gubernatorial challenger evokes Truman’s historic comeback…and an otherwise disastrous cycle for Iowa’s Democratic Party.
Read MoreThe 10 Percent Club: 2014 Gubernatorial Edition
At least four third party, independent, or write-in gubernatorial candidates have won 10+ percent of the vote in every midterm election since the 1986 cycle – a trend likely to continue this November.
Read More42 Members of Congress Who Were Born in Scotland
Twenty states have been represented in Congress by a Scottish-born U.S. Representative or U.S. Senator, including one Speaker of the House.
Read MoreWisconsin Gubernatorial Pathways: How Does Burke’s Measure Up?
Eleven of the last 12 Badger State governors were previously elected to state government dating back to the mid-1950s.
Read MoreMedia Analysis: Iowa US Senate Race Is 2014’s True Toss-up
A study of 2014 U.S. Senate race ratings finds the odds of a pick-up in Iowa’s race between Bruce Braley and Joni Ernst are closer to 50-50 than any other contest in the country.
Read MoreJohnson vs Dayton: Out with the Old, In with the Young?
Dayton bucked history in 2010: the younger Minnesota gubernatorial nominee has been victorious at more than twice the rate as the older nominee since statehood.
Read MoreTierney Loss Ends Massachusetts US Rep Renomination Streak at 95
It had been 22 years since the last time a member of the Bay State’s U.S. House delegation lost a renomination bid; only two of 220 incumbents have lost a primary since 1972.
Read MoreUS Senators Record Renomination Sweep for 15th Time Since 1914
Incumbency advantage alert: 11 of these 15 cycles have occurred since 1982.
Read MoreWill a New Female Governor Be Elected in 2014?
Up to five female major party nominees will be on the ballot this November attempting to win their first gubernatorial election.
Read MoreIt’s All Relative: Michigan US Representatives Edition
While only seven of Michigan’s 271 U.S. Representatives in history had family members who previously served in Congress, three are currently serving in the chamber with another poised to take office in 2015.
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