Posts by Dr. Eric Ostermeier
Midwestern Naysayers: Which States Are Least Likely to Elect US Senators from the President’s Party?
Each of the Top 5 and eight of the Top 10 states which have most frequently elected U.S. Senators from a party other than the sitting president are located in the Midwest; five host contests in 2018.
Read MoreWhat Will the GOP’s US Senate Electoral Record Be Under Trump?
Democrats have to defend plenty more competitive seats this cycle, but a bad November for Republicans could write them into the history books.
Read MoreJon Kyl Only 6th Former US Senator to Receive Appointment in Direct Election Era
Of the nearly 200 appointments made to the U.S. Senate since the ratification of the 17th Amendment, just five had previously served in the legislative body.
Read MoreWill the 116th Congress Have Fewer Women US Senators?
Despite crushing the record for the most U.S. Senate matchups between women female nominees in 2018, it is possible the number of women in the chamber will decrease next year.
Read MoreEvers vs Walker: Wisconsin Poised for Yet Another Tight Gubernatorial Race
Wisconsin is one of four states to see each of its last five gubernatorial elections decided by single digits.
Read MoreLiz Cheney Extends Wyoming At-Large Congressional Renomination Streak to 20
It has been 50 years since the last and only time a Cowboy State U.S. Representative lost a primary campaign.
Read MoreClearing the Field
For the first time in party history, only one Alaska Democrat appeared on the gubernatorial primary ballot. Despite a late entrance into the 2018 race, former U.S. Senator Mark Begich ran unopposed for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination while seven Republicans – second most in party history (1986, nine) – duked it out for the GOP…
Read MoreDodson Attempts to End Undefeated Renomination Streak By Wyoming US Senators
Incumbents have won all 29 nomination bids during Wyoming’s direct primary era with no challenger winning 30 percent; Barrasso has drawn more challengers in 2018 than any Wyoming senator in history.
Read MoreAmy Klobuchar Nearly Breaks Minnesota’s US Senate Primary Record
Minnesota’s senior senator came less than a percentage point shy of the best showing in a contested Gopher State U.S. Senate primary.
Read MoreFeast or Famine
With Attorney General Lori Swanson and state Representative Erin Murphy losing to Tim Walz in Minnesota’s 2018 Democratic gubernatorial primary, Minnesota will continue its streak of never nominating a woman to the office of governor from a major party in state history. Meanwhile, with state Representative Peggy Flanagan and former U.S. Marine Corps intelligence officer…
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