12 November 2008. Get the rundown on 23 key US House races in the 2008 election. Every two years, all 435 seats in the House of Representatives are contested; of the 35 open House seats this November, 28 are held by Republicans. Winners in November will serve in the 111th US Congress from 3 January 2009 until 3 January 2011. The current House is composed of 236 Democrats and 199 Republicans; Democrats gained control in the 2006 mid-term election.
Alabama (05) - Open Seat - Stays Blue
Incumbent: Robert (Bud) Cramer, D, nine terms. Not seeking re-election.
Democrat Parker Griffith, a state senator and retired oncologist, is facing Republican businessman Wayne Parker in the November contest. At the end of June, Griffith had $351,838 on hand; Parker, only $73,280. How badly does the GOP want to hold on to this seat?
Seat says blue: Griffith 52%, Parker 48%
Democrat Parker Griffith, a state senator and retired oncologist, is facing Republican businessman Wayne Parker in the November contest. At the end of June, Griffith had $351,838 on hand; Parker, only $73,280. How badly does the GOP want to hold on to this seat?
Seat says blue: Griffith 52%, Parker 48%
Alaska - Remains Red
Incumbent: Don Young, R, 18 terms
There's a shadow over Alaska, and its name is the FBI. Like Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens, Young is under federal investigation for bribes and failure to report gifts. Along with Stevens, Young is known for earmarks: his most infamous may be Florida's Coconut Road, which appeared in the bill after passed by Congress and before Presidential signature. Nevertheless, Alaska is solidly Republican; the state has voted Republican for the last nine presidential elections.
Seat remains red: Young 50% to Berkowitz 45%
There's a shadow over Alaska, and its name is the FBI. Like Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens, Young is under federal investigation for bribes and failure to report gifts. Along with Stevens, Young is known for earmarks: his most infamous may be Florida's Coconut Road, which appeared in the bill after passed by Congress and before Presidential signature. Nevertheless, Alaska is solidly Republican; the state has voted Republican for the last nine presidential elections.
Seat remains red: Young 50% to Berkowitz 45%
Arizona (01) - Open Seat - Turns Blue
Incumbent: Rick Renzi, R, three terms. Not seeking re-election.
In 2007, Renzi stepped down from the House Intelligence Committee because of a federal investigation. Subsequently, he announced in August 2007 that he would not stand for re-election. In February 2008, he was indicted on 35 counts (conspiracy, wire fraud, money laundering extortion and insurance fraud) connected to questionable land deals. Interestingly, the US Attorney running the investigation, Paul Charlton, was part of the AttorneyGate controversy.
Seat turns blue: Kirkpatrick 56%, Hay 40%
In 2007, Renzi stepped down from the House Intelligence Committee because of a federal investigation. Subsequently, he announced in August 2007 that he would not stand for re-election. In February 2008, he was indicted on 35 counts (conspiracy, wire fraud, money laundering extortion and insurance fraud) connected to questionable land deals. Interestingly, the US Attorney running the investigation, Paul Charlton, was part of the AttorneyGate controversy.
Seat turns blue: Kirkpatrick 56%, Hay 40%
California (04) - Open Seat - Recount?
Incumbent: John Doolittle, R, nine terms. Not seeking re-election.
Doolittle and his wife are under investigation as part of the Jack Abramoff bribery scandal. In 1984, he was found guilty of violating state campaign finance laws in his legislative race. He won his Congressional seat in 1990 in an open race (incumbent Republican retiring). His wife raises money for his leadership PAC, Superior California Political Action Committee, and campaigns, taking a 15% commission.
Contenders: Democrat Charlie Brown, who lost to Doolittle by 3% in 2006, and Republicans Eric Egland, Doug Ose, and Tom McClintock.
McClintock and Brown, TCTC
Doolittle and his wife are under investigation as part of the Jack Abramoff bribery scandal. In 1984, he was found guilty of violating state campaign finance laws in his legislative race. He won his Congressional seat in 1990 in an open race (incumbent Republican retiring). His wife raises money for his leadership PAC, Superior California Political Action Committee, and campaigns, taking a 15% commission.
Contenders: Democrat Charlie Brown, who lost to Doolittle by 3% in 2006, and Republicans Eric Egland, Doug Ose, and Tom McClintock.
McClintock and Brown, TCTC
Florida (13) - Remains Red
Incumbent: Vern Buchanan, R, one term. Re-match.
Challenger Christine Jennings believes she won the 2006 race (this was the 2006 race with an odd undervoting pattern) and is running again in 2008.
Seat remains red: Buchannan 55% to Jennings 38%
Challenger Christine Jennings believes she won the 2006 race (this was the 2006 race with an odd undervoting pattern) and is running again in 2008.
Seat remains red: Buchannan 55% to Jennings 38%
Florida (16) - Remains Red
Incumbent: Tim Mahoney, D, 1 term
Seat remains red: Rooney 60% to Mahoney 40%
Two years ago, multimillionaire venture capitalist Tim Mahoney, 52, successfully ran on a "family values" platform after six-term Rep. Mark Foley (R-FL) abruptly resigned on Friday, 29 September 2006. Foley's resignation came in the wake of media questions about his relationship with male Congressional pages.
In October, Rep. Mahoney admitted to "multiple" extramarital affairs. The House Ethics Committee is investigating a charge that he covered up a sexual harassment charge by paying off the woman involved.
His challenger is Republican Tim Rooney.
Seat remains red: Rooney 60% to Mahoney 40%
Georgia (08) - Stays Blue
Incumbent: Jim Marshall, D, one term.
Marshall won by less than 2% in 2006, and his district leans Republican. This is one of the races targeted by the GOP to recapture.
Seat stays blue: Marshall 57% to Goddard 43%
Marshall won by less than 2% in 2006, and his district leans Republican. This is one of the races targeted by the GOP to recapture.
Seat stays blue: Marshall 57% to Goddard 43%
Illinois (10) - Remains Red
Incumbent: Mark Kirk, R, four terms.
In July, challenger Dan Seals was behind in the money race, $1.75 million to $2.85 million. However, Kirk's district voted for John Kerry (D) in 2004.
Seat remains red: Kirk 55%, Seals 45%
In July, challenger Dan Seals was behind in the money race, $1.75 million to $2.85 million. However, Kirk's district voted for John Kerry (D) in 2004.
Seat remains red: Kirk 55%, Seals 45%
Illinois (11) - Open Seat - Turns Blue
Incumbent: Jerry Weller, R, seven terms. Not seeking re-election.
Weller is facing Senate ethics questions over property in Nicaragua.
In July, SwampPolitics reported that Republican Marty Ozinga had raised more than $670,000 in cash on hand and Democrat Debbie Halovorson had more than $900,000.
Seat turns blue: 58% to 35%
Weller is facing Senate ethics questions over property in Nicaragua.
In July, SwampPolitics reported that Republican Marty Ozinga had raised more than $670,000 in cash on hand and Democrat Debbie Halovorson had more than $900,000.
Seat turns blue: 58% to 35%
Minnesota (03) - Open Seat - Remains Red
Incumbent: Jim Ramstad, R, nine terms. Not seeking re-election.
The district includes Minneapolis suburbs such as Bloomington, Brooklyn Park and Plymouth. Republicans are running state Rep. Erik Paulsen; at the end of June, he had $1.1 million on hand. Democrats are running Ashwin Madia, a lawyer and military veteran, who had $738,000 on hand at the end of June.
Seat remains red: Paulson 48% to 41%
The district includes Minneapolis suburbs such as Bloomington, Brooklyn Park and Plymouth. Republicans are running state Rep. Erik Paulsen; at the end of June, he had $1.1 million on hand. Democrats are running Ashwin Madia, a lawyer and military veteran, who had $738,000 on hand at the end of June.
Seat remains red: Paulson 48% to 41%