It was a wild week on the presidential primary front as several candidates announced they would not seek the Democratic nomination and one former governor announcing he will. That theme carried over to the Senate, as Chuck Schumer and the Senate Democrats continue to struggle getting top-tier recruits in states like Colorado, Montana, North Carolina, and Texas. And on the House front, North Carolina is getting ready for a brand new election in NC-09. For these stories and much more, check out AR Intel’s Race Rundown below:
NATIONAL
U.S. employers added 20,000 jobs in February, the fewest in nearly a year and a half, The Associated Press reports. The unemployment rate fell to 3.8 percent from 4 percent and businesses raised the average hourly pay 3.4 percent from a year earlier, the largest gain in a decade. (The Associated Press, 3/8/19)
Roll Call: “It’s No Longer All About Republican Primaries For The Club For Growth” (Roll Call, 3/7/19)
NATIONAL PRESIDENTIAL
Former Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper announced he’s running for president, Politico reports. (Politico, 3/4/19)
- Hickenlooper’s campaign said he raised more than $1 million for his presidential campaign in less than 48 hours, The Denver Post (The Denver Post, 3/6/19)
Sen. Sherrod Brown of Ohio announced Thursday that he will not seek the presidency, The Washington Post reports. (The Washington Post, 3/7/19)
Former Attorney General Eric Holder will not run for president in 2020, Politico reports. (Politico, 3/4/19)
Sen. Jeff Merkley of Oregon said he has decided against seeking the Democratic nomination for president and instead will focus on getting re-elected senator in 2020, The Associated Press reports. (The Associated Press, 3/5/19)
Former New York City mayor Michael R. Bloomberg has decided not to challenge President Trump as a candidate in the 2020 election, The New York Times reports. (The New York Times, 3/5/19)
SENATE NATIONAL
The Wall Street Journal: “Big Democratic Presidential Field Leaves Fewer Top-Tier Candidates For Senate Seats” (The Wall Street Journal, 3/1/19)
SENATE ALABAMA
Sen. Doug Jones (D-AL) raised more money from donors living abroad than from those living in Alabama, The Washington Free Beacon reports. (The Washington Free Beacon, 3/7/19)
The Cook Political Report changed the rating of the Alabama Senate race from “Lean Democratic” to “Toss Up.” (The Cook Political Report, 3/1/19)
SENATE ARIZONA
Sen. Martha McSally, the first female fighter pilot to fly in combat, said during a Committee hearing on Wednesday that she was raped in the Air Force by a superior officer, The Associated Press reports. (The Associated Press, 3/6/19)
The Intercept: “Mark Kelly’s Years-Long Corporate Speaking Tour Clashes With ‘No Corporate PAC Money’ Pledge” (The Intercept, 3/5/19)
SENATE COLORADO
The Associated Press’ Nick Riccardi reports that Ed Perlmutter (D-CO) will not challenge Sen. Cory Gardner in 2020. (Twitter, 3/7/19)
SENATE MONTANA
KBUL reports that Gov. Steve Bullock (D-MT) met with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and told him that he is not interested in running for the US Senate. (KBUL, 3/4/19)
SENATE NORTH CAROLINA
North Carolina Democrat Josh Stein won’t run for Senate next year and will instead seek reelection as state attorney general, Politico reports. (Politico, 3/6/19)
Politics NC: “The State Of The US Senate Race In NC” (Politics NC, 3/7/19)
The News & Observer: “Tillis Plans To Vote Against National Emergency. Has He Opened Path For A Challenger?” (The News & Observer, 3/6/19)
SENATE TEXAS
The Associated Press reports that Wendy Davis is considering a U.S. Senate run in 2020 but is waiting to see whether Rep. Joaquin Castro gets in the race. (The Associated Press, 3/5/19)
The Huffington Post reports that Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer invited Texas Democrat M.J. Hegar, who is weighing a 2020 Senate bid, to meet with him in New York City. (The Huffington Post, 3/4/19)
The Associated Press reports that Democratic Rep. Joaquin Castro confirmed that he will “seriously consider” running for U.S. Senate against incumbent Sen. John Cornyn. (The Associated Press, 3/1/19)
HOUSE NATIONAL
NBC News reports that the DCCC launched its 2020 campaign this week by making an initial multi-million-dollar investment, deploying 60 grassroots organizers — the largest number this early in the campaign season. (NBC News, 3/7/19)
HOUSE GEORGIA
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution: “House Democrats To Make Early Investment In Atlanta Suburbs” (The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 3/7/19)
HOUSE NORTH CAROLINA
NC-09: The primary in North Carolina’s 9th District, which will be open to new candidates, will be held on May 14, Politico reports. The general election is scheduled for Sept. 10 but if no candidate in a party primary earns greater than 30 percent of the vote, a primary runoff will take place on September 10, and the general will be moved to November 5. (Politico, 3/4/19)
HOUSE NEW JERSEY
NJ-02: New Jersey Globe reports that David Richter (R-NJ), the former CEO of one of the nation’s largest construction firms, is considering a self-funded challenge to freshman Rep. Jeff Van Drew next year. (New Jersey Globe, 3/2/19)
NJ-05: New Jersey Globe: “Gottheimer Takes On Ocasio-Cortez” (New Jersey Globe, 3/1/19)
NJ-07: Senate Minority Leader Thomas Kean, Jr. (R-NJ) said he is exploring a challenge to freshman Rep. Tom Malinowski, New Jersey Globe reports. (New Jersey Globe, 3/7/19)
HOUSE PENNSYLVANIA
PA-12: State Rep. Fred Keller was selected by local Republicans to be the Republican nominee to run in the special election to replace former Rep. Tom Marino, The Associated Press reports. (The Associated Press, 3/3/19)