Posts by Dr. Eric Ostermeier
Will There Be Divided Government After 2018?
The six-year stretch of divided government during the 112th-114th Congresses was tied for the third longest period in U.S. history.
Read MoreWill Maine Democrats Field a Nominee Against Angus King in 2018?
Three of the six successful independent U.S. Senate candidates in the direct election era only faced one major party opponent on the general election ballot.
Read More34th CD Race Sets Record for Number of California US House Special Election Candidates
The race to fill Xavier Becerra’s seat has five more candidates on the ballot than the previous high in California set during 2006’s 50th CD contest.
Read MoreIowa GOP Seeks Clean Sweep of Congressional Delegation for 1st Time Since 1954
It has been more than 60 years since the last time Republicans held all U.S. House and Senate seats in the Hawkeye State.
Read MoreBatting 1.000
Democrats have fielded at least one bona fide 2018 challenger to Texas U.S. Senator Ted Cruz with three-term Congressman Beto O’Rourke announcing his campaign this week. The party’s three-decade long statewide office drought is well-documented and the GOP currently has an unblemished record in holding U.S. Senate seats in the Lone Star State dating back…
Read MoreThe Waiting Game
Only one Republican has officially filed to challenge Wisconsin U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin in 2018 – little-known courier John Schiess of Rice Lake, who once won 9.9 percent of the 1984 GOP primary vote in Oregon against Senator Mark Hatfield. However, a bevy of well-known Republicans are currently waiting in the wings considering bids including…
Read MoreWill Cuomo, Walker, Malloy Extend Gubernatorial Three-Peat Streak?
Governors seeking their third consecutive four-year term have won nine elections in a row since 1994 and 20 of 24 dating back to 1970.
Read MoreMinnesota Democrats Could Endure 1st Cycle with 2 Open US House Seats
Only 13 Democratic U.S. Representatives in state party history have opted not to run for reelection – no two in the same cycle.
Read MoreJoe Piscopo and a Brief History of Independent and 3rd Party New Jersey Gubernatorial Candidates
Only one of 210 non-major party candidates for governor have won 10 percent of the vote in state history with just two others receiving five percent.
Read MoreChaffetz Loss in 2018 Would Be Biggest US House Upset in Utah History
No Utah U.S. Representative who won their seat by 25+ points has ever been defeated in the subsequent general election.
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