April 2008

In March, Martha McKenna, from the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, spoke at WNDC and provided an overview of the 2008 Senate races. She explained that the Democrats need to win 3-5 seats.
Important races include the open seats in the following states: Colorado, Idaho, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Mexico and Virginia. In Colorado, now a blue state, Congressman Mark Udall has significantly more cash on hand than his opponent and is poised to win. Former Democratic Governor Ronnie Musgrove is running for Trent Lott's vacant seat in Mississippi. New Mexico Congressman Tom Udall hopes to continue the 2006 Democratic successes of Jeff Bingaman and Bill Richardson. Former Governor Mark Warner ( who spoke at WNDC in January 2007) is a formidable candidate in the Virginia race.
No serious opponent is challenging either incumbent New Jersey Senator Frank Lautenberg or South Dakota Senator Tim Johnson. Louisiana Senator Mary Landrieu, however, is facing a tough re-election.
According to Ms. McKenna, the following seats are winnable: Alaska, Colorado, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Mexico and Virginia. Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens faces an FBI investigation and popular Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich is the Democrats best choice. Al Franken will campaign vigorously against Minnesota Sen. Norm Coleman. New Hampshire, now a blue state, has a good chance to elect former Governor Jean Shaheen and unseat Sen. John Sununu.
Finally, Ms. McKenna described the impact of the George Bush presidency on the 2008 Senate races. Republicans have had difficulty finding candidates to run. The Democrats have been very successful raising money for these races and currently have a $17 million advantage over the GOP.
It's an exciting and hopeful 2008 campaign for a stronger Democratic
Senate!
Stay tuned.

Karen Hansen Shook