Dr. Eric Ostermeier, Author at Smart Politics

Nikki Haley: 1st South Carolina Governor in More Than Half a Century to Exit Early

By Dr. Eric Ostermeier | January 26, 2017 |

Photo of South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley

However, nearly one in six governors of the Palmetto State did not finish their term.

A Brief History of Kansas US House Special Elections

By Dr. Eric Ostermeier | January 24, 2017 |

Photo of Kansas U.S. Representative Mike Pompeo

It has been 66 years since Kansas last held a special election to the U.S. House – fifth longest streak in the nation.

114th Congress Just 3rd in History to Have No Turnover in US Senate

By Dr. Eric Ostermeier | January 23, 2017 |

Official seal of the United States Senate

Each of the three congresses have convened during the last 20 years.

Kristi Noem’s Multifaceted Historic Gubernatorial Bid

By Dr. Eric Ostermeier | January 19, 2017 |

Photo of South Dakota U.S. Representative Kristi Noem

No sitting member of the U.S. House from South Dakota has ever appeared on a gubernatorial primary or general election ballot; just two ex-U.S. Representatives ever ran for the office.

Minnesota Sends Oldest US House Delegation in State History to 115th Congress

By Dr. Eric Ostermeier | January 17, 2017 |

Photo of Minnesota U.S. Representative Rick Nolan

For the first time in Minnesota history, every member elected to the state delegation was 50+ years old.

Dean Heller: Ripe for the Picking?

By Dr. Eric Ostermeier | January 11, 2017 |

Photo of Nevada U.S. Senator Dean Heller

Heller is the only Republican among the 15 U.S. Senators who serve states in which their party holds a minority of U.S. House seats; a dozen (including Heller) are up for reelection in 2018.

2018 Poised to Shatter Record for Female US Senators Seeking Reelection

By Dr. Eric Ostermeier | January 8, 2017 |

Photo of Massachusetts U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren

Up to 11 women could run for reelection to the chamber in two years; the chamber’s all-time record is just six.

Hassan and Shaheen and a Brief History of Ex-Gubernatorial US Senate Delegations

By Dr. Eric Ostermeier | January 5, 2017 |

Photo of New Hampshire Governor Maggie Hassan

The New Hampshire duo becomes the seventh set of ex-governors from the same state to simultaneously serve in the U.S. Senate in the 21st Century.

115th Congress Has Largest Number of Single-Party State Delegations Since 1950s

By Dr. Eric Ostermeier | January 3, 2017 |

Since the passage of the 17th Amendment all but seven states have been represented by a single party in the U.S. House and Senate for at least one Congress.