2008, Issue 3

Maine

Senator Susan Collins continues to receive praise from groups that will be key to her success in the general election this year. Collins faces Maine's First District Congressman Tom Allen, in what experts predict will be a hard fought contest.

The League of Conservation Voters recently announced that Collins received a perfect score of 100 percent on LCV-monitored votes in the U.S. Senate over the past year. The League said the Maine Republican's score showed that she supported environmentally sound policies favored by the LCV during the past session of Congress.

Environmental issues are important to Maine voters across the political spectrum, and Collins said she was, "pleased to be one of just three senators to receive a perfect score from the League of Conservation Voters." She pledged to ''remain committed to promoting sound environmental policies and protecting the natural beauty of our nation."

Collins also won praise for continuing her unbroken voting streak, which has extended to over 3,700 roll call votes. The Maine Republican has been present for every roll-call vote in the Senate since she was sworn into office in January 1997. Collins has long been inspired by former Maine Senator Margaret Chase Smith, who had a 100% voting record for 13 years before surgery finally caused here to miss a Senate vote.

Nevada

Rep. Jon Porter, who won by less than 4,000 votes in 2006, is again expected to face a strong opponent in his Las Vegas suburban district. Democrats have nominated a top-tier candidate in Clark County prosecutor Robert J. Daskas. Congressional Quarterly rates this district as "'leans Republican," while political expert Larry Sabato has the race on his list of potentially vulnerable House seats.

The Las Vegas suburbs have experienced significant population growth in recent years, and the active Democratic caucus produced a strong increase in the numbers of registered Democrats in this district. Congressional Quarterly notes that the district is home to many who work in the gambling industry and are part of the area's strong union structure.

Through the end of last year Porter had raised nearly $1.5 million and had cash on hand of over $750,000. Democrat Daskas is expected to be financially competitive; as the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has put him on their initial roster of challengers who will receive enhanced fundraising and strategic assistance.

Ohio 14

Steve LaTourette is facing what some say will be a strong challenge from Bill O'Neill, an ex-State Appeals Court Judge and Vietnam War Veteran.. Congressional Quarterly calls the district "politically competitive." The Akron Beacon Journal's rundown of Ohio House seats says that Democrats will include LaTourette's seat in their Ohio targets. They note that Judge O'Neill won a three-way Democratic primary with 63 percent of the vote, and predict that he will present LaTourette with his toughest general election fight in years for the 14th District in central Ohio.

In the past, LaTourette has won praise for being a fiscally conservative, moderate Republican who is well respected in his district. The Cleveland Plain Dealer  has called him a "moderate Republican (who) has done much good for both his district and the state of Ohio, and is well-positioned to keep the dollars coming." The Willoughby NewsHerald said "Of all the members of Congress in Northeast Ohio, he is the only heavyweight who delivers to his constituents." The Akron Beacon Journal has praised LaTourette, saying that he had "delivered for his district and the region. ..and has been refreshingl y independent-minded."

Ohio 15

The 15th district of Ohio, currently represented by Rep. Deborah Pryce, is predicted to have a close contest again in 2008. The Republican nominee, State Senator Steve Stivers, is also a financial executive and Iraq war veteran. He will face Democrat Mary Jo Kilroy, a Franklin County Commissioner and the Democratic candidate against Pryce in 2006. National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Tom Cole recently predicted victory by Stivers, noting that he had raised $400,000 in two months.

Oregon

Filing has closed in Oregon for the May 20th statewide and congressional primaries. Senator Gordon Smith faces a minor primary opponent, plus six Democratic challengers. Smith's two main Dem opponents are State House Speaker Jeff Merkley and progressive attorney Steve Novick.

Capitol Hill newspaper The Hill recently profiled Senator Smith and indicated that the unique role he plays in the Senate "can perhaps be summed up with a single phrase: Democrats for Smith." The story notes his support by many Oregon Democrats and indicates that Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin even complimented him in the Portland Oregonian.

Smith also wins praise from the Republican leadership, with Minority Leader Mitch McConnell saying, "Most of those states have elected pretty liberal Democrats in recent years, and Sen. Smith has always been an independent voice in our conference. It's clear that the people of Oregon appreciate that."

Smith has continued to cast difficult votes bucking his party. Examples include several 2007 votes on U.S. policy in Iraq, children's healthcare funding, alternative energy incentives, stem cell research and opposition to former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales. His own Senate website emphasizes his independence, calling him "a statesman with an independent streak" and saying he "has become known for his ability to cross party lines in the interests of his constituents. I am a Republican senator and I believe in Republican values and principles, but my responsibility is as broad as the people of Oregon and Democrats are a part of that," he said "I don't look at partisanship as being very productive."

On the issue of Iraq. Smith recently told an Oregon radio station that believes a realistic picture is to understand the U.S. military has accomplished everything it can and have "won all we have asked them to win." Smith says it is now time for leaders to give a plan to bring troops home soon, "but safely and honorably." But Smith says the war on terror remains important. Smith has been critical of the current administration's handling of the war in Iraq.

Wisconsin

According to some political commentators, Rep. Tom Petri, a 15-term incumbent, unexpectedly finds himself facing a serious primary challenge this year. Calumet County District Attorney Ken Kratz filed paperwork to launch an exploratory campaign against Petri, saying he was approached by local GOP leaders who think new leadership is needed. "l think Congressman Petri and my differences are far less ideological and far more about personality or about energy or about the way to represent the 6th District," said Kratz to the Appleton Post-Crescent.

Petri continues his hard work on behalf of his Wisconsin district. As evidence of his strong local work, he cites the backing of local businessman Jim Ruffolo, who praises Petri by saying, "Congressman Petri really understands the importance of good quality jobs to the local economy and has always been there to help us grow. Our growth has allowed us to continue to make positive contributions to our local economic base. From helping secure funds that impact local economic development, to helping overcome regulatory obstacles, he really knows how to get things done."

As a persistent foe of government waste, Petri has repeatedly earned high marks from such organizations as the National Taxpayers Union, Citizens Against Government Waste, the Watchdogs of the Treasury, and the Concord Coalition.