Welcome to the AR/Intel Race Rundown, our weekly recap of the most important news happening in campaigns across the country. Sign up to get the Race Rundown delivered to your inbox every Friday morning here.
NATIONAL
The Wall Street Journal: “Billionaire David Koch, Who Used His Wealth to Reshape U.S. Politics, Dies at 79” (The Wall Street Journal, 8/23/19)
NBC News: “More Republican Women Than Ever Are Planning To Run For Office” (NBC News, 8/26/19)
Former Rep. Joe Walsh (R-IL) announced he will challenge President Trump in a Republican primary. (Axios, 8/25/19)
Politico: “Campaign Finance Enforcer Sidelined Ahead Of 2020 By Resignations” (Politico, 8/26/19)
Bloomberg: “Americans’ View Of The Current Economy Is The Highest In 19 Years” (Bloomberg, 8/27/19)
PRESIDENTIAL
Los Angeles Times: “The Promise And Peril Of Joe Biden’s Front-Runner Campaign” (Los Angeles Times, 8/26/19)
FiveThrityEight: “How Much Of A Threat Is Warren To Biden’s Front-Runner Status?” (FiveThrityEight, 8/28/19)
Sen. Kristen Gillibrand (D-NY) announced she is ending her presidential campaign. (Reuters, 8/28/19)
POLL: Monmouth University released a national poll that showed Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) tied with support from 20% of those polled. Former Vice President Joe Biden (D-DE) received support from 19% of those polled followed by Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA) at 8%. Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) and South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg (D-IN) were tied at 4%. The poll sampled 298 registered voters who identified as Democratic or leaned toward Democratic Party. (Monmouth, 8/26/19)
POLL: This week’s national Morning Consult poll of Democratic primary voters Joe Biden leading the field with support from 33% of those polled. He is followed by Bernie Sanders (20%), Sen. Elizabeth Warren (15%), Kamala Harris (8%), and Mayor Pete Buttigieg (5%). (Morning Consult, 8/26/19)
POLL: A national USA Today/Suffolk University poll shows Biden leading the nomination race with the support of 32% of Democratic primary voters. Next is Warren at 14%, Sanders at 12%, and Harris and Buttigieg tied at 6%. (USA Today, 8/28/19)
POLL: A national Quinnipiac University poll showed Joe Biden at 32% followed by Elizabeth Warren at 19% and Bernie Sanders at 15%. Kamala Harris (7%) and Pete Buttigieg (5%) rounded out the top 5. (Quinnipiac University, 8/28/19)
SENATE NATIONAL
Politico: “Senate Battleground Dems Shun ‘Medicare For All’” (Politico, 8/25/19)
New York Magazine: “If The Democrats Take The Senate, They Plan To Fix Obamacare, Not Pass Medicare For All” (New York Magazine, 8/27/19)
The Hill: “Nervous Republicans Focus Energy On Protecting Senate ‘Firewall’” (The Hill, 8/27/19)
Open Secrets: “Anti-Establishment Conservative PAC Weighs In On Senate Primaries” (Open Secrets, 8/27/19)
SENATE ARIZONA
Businessman Daniel McCarthy (R-AZ) announced he will challenge Sen. Martha McSally (R-AZ) in a Republican primary next year. (The Associated Press, 8/28/19)
SENATE COLORADO
Denver Post: “Cory Gardner Accuses Democrats Of Socialism. His Opponents Say It’s A Scare Tactic.” (Denver Post, 8/26/19)
The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA), and Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) endorsed former CO Gov. John Hickenlooper’s (D-CO) Senate campaign. (Colorado Politics, 8/25/19)
- Politico: “Colorado Women Call On DSCC To Rescind Hickenlooper Endorsement” (Politico, 8/26/19)
- Denver Post: “Hickenlooper Endorsement Dividing Colorado Democratic Party, Internal Emails Show” (Denver Post, 8/27/19)
- Colorado Politics: “Hickenlooper’s Entry Into Senate Race Sparks A Democratic Family Feud” (Colorado Politics, 8/28/19)
The Intercept: “Senate Democrats’ Campaign Arm Is Pressuring Consultants Not To Work With Leading Progressive Candidate In Colorado” (The Intercept, 8/29/19)
AR/Intel Insiders: Colorado will be a pivotal race in the battle for the Senate. Make sure you’re up to speed on all the latest candidate developments here.
SENATE GEORGIA
Sarah Riggs Amico (D-GA), who was the Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor in Georgia last year, announced she will run for U.S. Senate. (Georgia Public Radio, 8/27/19)
Buzzfeed: “Jon Ossoff Is Seriously Considering A Run For Senate In Georgia” (Buzzfeed, 8/28/19)
Sen. Jonny Isakson (R-GA) announced he will resign on December 31, 2019 due to health reasons. Gov. Brian Kemp (R-GA) will appoint someone to fill the vacancy and there will be a special election to serve out the final 2 years of the term in 2020. (Atlanta Journal Constitution, 8/28/19)
- Stacy Abrams (D-GA), who was the Democratic nominee for governor in Georgia last year, announced she would not be running in the special election to replace Sen. Jonny Isakson (R-GA). (The Hill, 8/28/19)
- Inside Elections: “Isakson’s Decision Adds Competitive Seat To 2020 Senate Battleground” (Inside Elections, 8/28/19)
- CNN: “Isakson’s Resignation Presents A Major Test For Georgia GOP” (CNN, 8/29/19)
- Politico: “Doug Collins: ‘I Would Look At’ Taking Over Isakson’s Senate Seat” (Politico, 8/29/19)
- Atlanta Journal Constitution: “An Inside Look: Who Could Seek Johnny Isakson’s Seat In 2020” (Atlanta Journal Constitution, 8/29/19)
SENATE IOWA
Retired Navy Admiral Michael Franken (D-IA) announced he will run for the Democratic nomination to challenge Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) next year. (Des Moines Register, 8/26/19)
SENATE KANSAS
SENATE KENTUCKY
Louisville Courier-Journal: “Kentucky Sports Radio Host Matt Jones To Form An Exploratory Committee On Senate Bid” (Louisville Courier-Journal, 8/29/19)
SENATE MAINE
The Hill: “Susan Collins Challenger Hit With Ethics Complaints Over Reimbursements” (The Hill, 8/23/19)
Politico: “Inside Susan Collins’ Reelection Fight In The Age Of Trump” (Politico, 8/26/19)
SENATE MASSACHUSETTS
Rep. Joe Kennedy III (D-MA) filed to run for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA). (New York Post, 8/26/19)
SENATE MONTANA
Montana Governor Steve Bullock (D-MT) doubled down on his commitment to his presidential campaign and told a CNN audience that running for Senate is an “absolute no.” (Missoulian, 8/26/19)
SENATE NEW HAMPSHIRE
FiveThirtyEight: “Could Corey Lewandowski Help Republicans Win The New Hampshire Senate Race?” (FiveThirtyEight, 8/26/19)
SENATE NORTH CAROLINA
Real Clear Politics: “N.Y. Donations In N.C. Primary Fuel Charges of Meddling” (Real Clear Politics, 8/29/19)
AR/Intel Insiders: We’re keeping close tabs on this critical race – make sure you’re up to speed on the latest developments here.
SENATE WYOMING
R. Mark Armstrong (R-WY), a geologist, announced he will run for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Sen. Mike Enzi (R-WY). (The Associated Press, 8/23/19)
HOUSE NATIONAL
Crain’s Chicago Business: “Progressive Group That Backed AOC Takes Aim At Incumbents Across U.S.” (Crain’s Chicago Business, 8/22/19)
Politico: “Swing-District Dems Face Blowback From Progressive Voters” (Politico, 8/23/19)
Open Secrets: “Progressive Firms Find Clients As They Defy DCCC Blacklist” (Open Secrets, 8/26/19)
HOUSE CALIFORNIA
CA-10: Dr. Ted Howze (R-CA), a veterinarian, announced he will challenge Rep. Josh Harder (D-CA) in 2020. (California Globe, 8/26/19)
CA-21: Former Rep. David Valadao (R-CA) announced he will challenge Rep. TJ Cox (D-CA) in a rematch of the 2018 election. (San Joaquin Valley Sun, 8/28/19)
- CA-21: Fresno Bee: “Valadao Will Focus On Water, Immigration In Congressional Rematch With Cox” (Fresno Bee, 8/28/19)
CA-50: Roll Call: “Former Rep. Darrell Issa Launching An Exploratory Committee For Rep. Duncan Hunter’s Seat” (Roll Call, 8/29/19)
HOUSE ILLINOIS
IL-06: Ahead of the general election against Rep. Sean Casten (D-IL), the DCCC will run ads to boost Republican Jeanne Ives (R-IL) in the Republican primary against Evelyn Sanguinetti (R-IL). (Chicago Sun Times, 8/25/19)
IL-14: Catalina Lauf (R-IL), a former advisor to the U.S. Department of Commerce in the Trump Administration, filed her statement of candidacy with the FEC and will run in the Republican primary to challenge Rep. Lauren Underwood (D-IL). (Northwest Herald, 8/24/19)
HOUSE INDIANA
IN-05: Indiana Treasurer Kelly Mitchell (R-IN) has filed to run for the seat being vacated by Rep. Susan Brooks (R-IN). (Indianapolis Star, 8/27/19)
HOUSE IOWA
IA-04: Axios: “Steve King’s Campaign Reports Just $18,000 Cash On Hand At End Of June” (Axios, 8/25/19)
HOUSE KANSAS
KS-02: Former Kansas Gov. Jeff Colyer (R-KS) urged Jake LaTurner (R-KS), the current state treasurer who is currently a U.S. Senate candidate, to challenge incumbent 2nd District Congressman Steve Watkins (R-KS) in 2020. (Topeka Capital-Journal, 8/27/19)
- KS-02: CBS-Topeka: “LaTurner Says He’s Considering Colyer’s Call To Run Against Watkins” (CBS-Topeka, 8/27/19)
- KS-02: Republicans in Kansas and Washington, DC are pressuring Rep. Watkins to resign. Watkins says he is not resigning as of August 26. There is not yet cohesive clarity on why party leaders are suggesting Watkins step down. (Topeka Capital-Journal, 8/22/19; Newsmax, 8/26/19)
HOUSE MICHIGAN
MI-03: Detroit News: “Amash’s Independence Opens Door For Dems In GOP Stronghold” (Detroit News, 8/27/19)
HOUSE NEVADA
NV-03: Former WWE wrestler Daniel Rodimer (R-NV) announced he will challenge Rep. Susie Lee (D-NV). (Deseret News, 8/22/19)
HOUSE NEW JERSEY
NJ-07: FreedomWorks has endorsed Rosemary Becchi (R-NJ) in the Republican primary. NJ State Senate Majority Leader Tom Kean (R-NJ) is also running in the primary and the winner of the primary will face Rep. Tom Malinowski. (D-NJ). (New Jersey Globe, 8/27/19)
HOUSE NEW MEXICO
NM-02: Claire Chase (R-NM), the director of government affairs for Mack Energy Corp., announced she will run against Rep. Xochitl Torres Small (D-NM) in 2020. (The Associated Press, 8/27/19)
HOUSE NORTH CAROLINA
NC-09: ABC News: “Last Remaining US House Race Of 2018 A 1st Test For The GOP Ahead Of 2020” (ABC News, 8/26/19)
NC-09: President Trump will hold a rally in Fayetteville, NC, in support of Dan Bishop (R-NC) on September 9, one day before the special election. (The Associated Press, 8/27/19)
NC-09: Former Vice President Joe Biden (D-DE) endorsed Dan McCready. (The Hill, 8/28/19)
NC-09: The Wall Street Journal: “North Carolina’s Redo Election Gives Peek Into 2020” (The Wall Street Journal, 8/29/19)
AR/Intel Insiders: For a more in depth look at this contest, check out our new NC-09 Race Brief.
HOUSE WISCONSIN
WI-07: Rep. Sean Duffy (R-WI) announced he will resign from Congress at the end of September. (Politico, 8/26/19)
- WI-07: Inside Elections: “Duffy’s Seat Remains Solid Republican For Now” (Inside Elections, 8/26/19)
- WI-07: The Cook Political Report moved WI-07 from Solid Republican to Likely Republican. (Cook Political Report, 8/26/19)