Archive for the ‘Lieutenant Governor News’ Category
VT: Dems Still Don’t Have Candidate For LG
Last Updated on Wednesday, 25 June 2008 01:47 Written by rslcpol Wednesday, 25 June 2008 12:10
Brian Dubie is the immensely popular incumbent Lieutenant Governor of Vermont. From wcax-tv:
Vermont Democrats still don’t have a candidate interested in running for Lieutenant Governor.
State Representative Harry Chen, who is also a doctor at Rutland Regional Medical Center, was considering a run. But he has now decided against it, and will not seek another term in the House. The Mendon representative wants to spend more time with his family and focus on his job.
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MO: Former LG Endorses Dem For AG Primary
Last Updated on Tuesday, 24 June 2008 12:33 Written by rslcpol Tuesday, 24 June 2008 10:41
From Columbia Tribune PoliticsBlog:
State Rep. Jeff Harris received the endorsement of former Lt. Gov. Joe Maxwell for his attorney general bid.
Maxwell — who left state politics in 2004 to spend more time with his family — said in a statement that Harris, D-Columbia, was the Democratic candidate most likely to defeat Senate President Pro Tem Michael Gibbons, R-Kirkwood, in November.
“One candidate rises above the field, in terms of leadership and commitment to Democratic principles, and that candidate is Jeff Harris,” Maxwell said in a statement. “Jeff has been a leader fighting for Democratic values his whole life. He offers Democratic voters our best chance to win statewide and to place a new generation of Democrats in office who will lead our party to victories in the years to come.”
Maxwell earlier endorsed Rep. Clint Zweifel’s bid for state treasurer.
Although he’s been out of elective office, Maxwell has been moving back into the political fold. He was active in former Sen. John Edwards’ presidential campaign before switching his support to Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y. He was also selected earlier this year as a committeeman for the Democratic National Committee.
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KS: Dems Try To Buck History and Build a Bench
Last Updated on Monday, 23 June 2008 10:53 Written by rslcpol Monday, 23 June 2008 09:49
It’s true – Kansas Democrats have done an interesting job of recruiting top notch, above reproach candidates for higher office. We mean, look at Paul Morrison – he was quite a catch wasn’t he? From the AP via KSHB-TV:
The party struggled in the 1990s. Now led by two-term Gov. Kathleen Sebelius and two Democrats in Congress, its efforts to build on their victories started with recruiting candidates to challenge Republican incumbents this fall.
Sebelius spokeswoman Nicole Corcoran said competition for legislative seats is “healthy” and makes candidates and voters do their homework leading up to the election.
Democrats have candidates in 36 of 40 Senate districts and in 96 of 125 House districts. Their only consistent problems in finding people to run were in rural areas, particularly in western Kansas. Corcoran sees momentum building.
“We are confident that will continue,” she said. “It is difficult, because the salary is not a huge part of public service.”
Republicans aren’t impressed, of course, because the state still leans toward the GOP.
“Having candidates means nothing,” said GOP Executive Director Christian Morgan. “It means they put somebody up with a pulse until they’ve proven something.”
Recent history demonstrates Morgan’s point.
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MO: Lt. Gov. -State’s acting Governor- Calls For Sandbag Assistance on Blog
Last Updated on Monday, 16 June 2008 05:10 Written by rslcpol Monday, 16 June 2008 10:56
Missouri citizens are pretty savvy – they know a political scam when they see one. While Republican L.G. Peter Kinder deserves credit for using every method at his finger tips to get the word out to help his fellow citizens…Missouri citizens didn’t particularly cotton to the overtly political gestures made by the state’s Democrat A.G. Don’t take our word for it – read the article. From the Political Fix:
Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder posted an appeal on his blog Saturday for Missourians “to consider volunteering and helping those in northeast Missouri who are preparing sandbags as water levels continue to rise on the Mississippi River.”
And this Monday morning, Attorney General Jay Nixon plans to be among the sandbaggers who show up.
Kinder, a Republican who is the state’s acting governor while Gov. Matt Blunt is in Montreal, issued his plea for aid for “our brave residents in Hannibal, Canton, Alexandria and surrounding communities desperately need your help because there simply aren’t enough people on the ground right now….”
“The courageous folks in those communities are overwhelmed, working non-stop to protect their own homes. I am sad to report that the many great Mississippi River towns north of St. Louis are bracing for crests that could rival those set during the Great Flood of 1993….” Kinder wrote.
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NY: Security Changes Likely For Governor
Last Updated on Thursday, 12 June 2008 11:46 Written by rslcpol Thursday, 12 June 2008 11:00
Imagine – if this had happened while Eliot Spitzer was governor – he wouldn’t have been able to use his office to abuse power by spying on the Senate Majority leader…and maybe it would’ve kept him from his other non-official dalliances. But, it didn’t, and that’s why he’s a member of the Democrat Dream Team. From TimesUnion:
State Police are poised to propose legislation that would give officers more authority over where the governor could or couldn’t go.
That comes as State Police are reported to be overhauling the way members of the governor’s security detail are chosen.
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Future Leader: Idaho L.G. Jim Risch
Last Updated on Tuesday, 10 June 2008 11:17 Written by rslcpol Tuesday, 10 June 2008 11:01
As a former county prosecutor, state senator, Lt. Governor, and Governor, Idaho Republican Lt. Governor Jim Risch is a perfect example of what the RSLC is trying to accomplish in the states.
James E. Risch brings a longstanding commitment to public service and a passion for good government to his term as Idaho’s 37th Lieutenant Governor. Known for “pragmatic decision-making,” Risch is what his peers call a “no-nonsense, get-the-job-done leader” with 37 years of experience in elected office. (See In the News for more information.)
Most recently, Risch served as Idaho’s 31st Governor. During that time, Risch called a special session of the Idaho Legislature to bring much needed property tax relief to Idaho taxpayers. This act created a strong and protected source of funding for Idaho public schools.
The recruitment, training, and election of state and local candidates like Jim Risch doesn’t happen without your financial support. Support the RSLC right now, so we can elect more commonsense Republicans, like Jim Risch, to state and local offices across the nation.
You can read more about Jim Risch here.
Today, Jim Risch is the Idaho Republican nominee for U.S. Senate.
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DE: Dem Declares LG Candidacy
Last Updated on Monday, 9 June 2008 01:55 Written by rslcpol Monday, 9 June 2008 01:17
Is that it? Is this all Democrat Insurance Commissioner Matt Denn has got – he’s running for the children? If that’s the key to a successful political campaign, then Sally Struthers should be President. Come on Denn – you’re a statewide elected official – and that’s the best you can do? Hey, here’s an idea for your slogan: “The Children are the Future”. Ugh! From Community Pub:
Declaring that he will “stand up for Delaware’s children,” Matt Denn on June 6 formally kicked off his campaign to contend for lieutenant governor in the 2008 general election.
Denn, a Democrat and the state’s current insurance commissioner, said he would continue to take on the powerful interests on behalf of the state’s children. Speaking in Millsboro, Dover and New Castle, he was introduced at each stop by a Delawareans who he had personally helped with a health insurance problem.
“My goal as Lieutenant Governor will be to ensure that each child in our state goes as far in life as his talent and determination will take him,” Denn said. “Every morning when I get up, the first thought on my mind will be ‘what can I do to help this state’s children succeed?’ ”
Republican state senator Charlie Copeland is the only Republican in the race.
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UT: Columnist Challenges UT LG
Last Updated on Monday, 9 June 2008 12:39 Written by rslcpol Monday, 9 June 2008 12:39
From the Salt Lake Tribune:
Lieutenant governor is a tough job.
Most of the time, you play understudy to the governor, slipping into place for marginal ribbon cuttings and speeches in the hinterlands. Sometimes you develop policies and soothe the Legislature. But mostly, you wait anxiously in the wings, craving your chance at the top spot.
Day to day, you’re expected to make sure elections are fair, run smoothly, aren’t manipulated. You’re asked to be the democratic conscience of your state.Gary Herbert isn’t qualified.
Presented with a looming June 24 primary election deadline and an easy judgment call – to investigate whether or not lame-duck legislator and would-be State Treasurer Mark Walker offered his opponent, Deputy State Treasurer Richard Ellis, a job and a raise if he would drop out of the 2008 race for Ed Alter’s seat – Herbert decided to procrastinate.
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KY: State Dems Now Thinking about Denver
Last Updated on Monday, 9 June 2008 12:27 Written by rslcpol Monday, 9 June 2008 12:27
From the Herald Leader:
Throughout Saturday, the words Kentucky Democrats most looked forward to hearing from state party Chairman Jennifer Moore were: “Congratulations, you’re going to Denver.”
Moore, playing the role of emcee at the Democrats’ state convention, presided over the election of delegates to the party’s national convention in late August in the Colorado capital. It was a trip that has became even more sought-after in light of the historic primary election between U.S. Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton.
“Barack Obama will not be beholden to any particular group, he’s going to do what’s right for all Americans. That’s why I supported him and that’s why I wanted to go to Denver,” said Lexington lawyer Reginald Thomas, an Obama supporter who will be making his second convention trip after serving as a delegate for Jesse Jackson in 1984.
Both the Kentucky Democratic and Republican parties on Saturday decided who will serve in their delegations to their respective conventions. And both party’s lists included many prominent and familiar names.
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TN: GOP and Dems Look To Regain Power in 2008
Last Updated on Monday, 2 June 2008 03:03 Written by rslcpol Monday, 2 June 2008 02:00
Another 2008 battleground to keep your eyes on. From the Nashville City Paper:
In the 99-member House, Democrats have a 53-46 majority versus Republicans, an advantage they’ve enjoyed since the 2004 elections. The GOP needs to win four seats to capture their first majority in the House since Reconstruction.
In the 33-member Senate, Republicans and Democrats each have 16 members with one Independent, but the GOP has operational control of the chamber because of Senate Speaker and Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey (R-Blountville). Either party could gain a clear majority this election cycle.
Despite 16 Senate seats on the ballot this fall and all 99 House seats, there will likely only be about 10 to 20 that could conceivably change from Republican to Democrat or vice versa.
Ed Cromer, the editor of the non-partisan political newsletter Tennessee Journal, said Republicans aren’t likely to pick up four seats in the House to gain a majority while Democrats in the Senate are on the defensive because of the seats in play in 2008.
“It’s advantage Democrats in the House, advantage Republicans in the Senate,” Cromer said. “But it’s close enough in both houses that either party could come out ahead.”
Both parties see the distant — and important — political horizon. Whoever has the majority in the House or Senate controls that body’s redistricting pen when the district lines are redrawn following the 2010 elections.
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