North Carolina
The 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 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 MoreWhich States Have the Highest Gubernatorial Reelection Rates?
Six states have not seen a governor lose a reelection bid over the last half century with Vermont and Connecticut boasting the most impressive incumbency advantage resumés.
Read MorePatriotic Exits? 35 Members of Congress Who Died on July 4th
Four members of the U.S. House died on Independence Day while in office; North Carolina and Pennsylvania delegations have had the most pass on the 4th of July.
Read MoreWhich US Senate Seats Will Flip in 2014? A Survey of Media Rankings
Media election forecasters can only agree on one slot of the Top 12 U.S. Senate seats most likely to change control after the November elections.
Read MoreNorth Carolina US House Incumbents Extend Primary Win Streak to 299
Incumbent U.S. Representatives from the Tar Heel State running for reelection have launched 299 consecutive successful renomination bids since 1958.
Read MoreNorth Carolina GOP Eyes 2nd Ever US Senate Primary Runoff
A record number of GOP U.S. Senate candidates could drag Thom Tillis into the party’s second runoff in history; the last five North Carolina Democratic and GOP run-off victors lost the general election.
Read MoreObama’s America: State References in SOTU Addresses
When searching for episodic examples to bolster his policies in SOTU addresses, the president turns to the battleground states of North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Ohio more than any other.
Read MoreA State-by-State Historical Snapshot of Michelle Obama’s SOTU Guest Lists
Arizona is just the 15th most populous state, but 13 of its residents have been guests of the First Lady during President Obama’s first five addresses – highest in the nation.
Read MoreUnusual Entrances: Clergymen Turned US Senators
North Carolina’s Mark Harris is trying to add his name to a list of less than two-dozen members of the clergy who have served in the Senate in U.S. history and only three who were elected to the chamber since the turn of the 19th Century.
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