Democrats tout four states as possible governorship takeovers
CQ Politics
Greg Giroux
The Democratic Governors Association in a fundraising e-mail Tuesday
highlighted Florida, Alaska, Georgia and Minnesota as 2010 takeover
opportunities.
"We know we can take back the governor's mansion in every one of
these states. But these are historically Republican seats, and in this
crucial election, we won't win them without a fight," DGA National
Political Director Ray Glendening wrote in the fundraising pitch.
Three of the races are open seat contests and in the fourth, Alaska Republican Gov. Sarah Palin has yet to confirm her intention to seek re-election.
Florida: Republican Gov. Charlie Crist's
decision to run for Senate instead of seek re-election prompted CQ
Politics to change this race rating from Republican Favored to Tossup.
Democrat Alex Sink, the state chief financial officer, is running on the Democratic side, and state Attorney General Bill McCollum is vying for the GOP nomination. Republican state Sen. Paula Dockery continues to indicate she may complicate McCollum's bid and vie for governor.
Alaska: The DGA on Tuesday described this race as a
"Pitbull in Freefall," referencing Palin's self-description as a
pitbull with lipstick. Palin, John McCain's 2008 running mate, is up for re-election in her home state in 2010. She has yet to disclose whether she will run. Democrat Bob Poe,
former state commissioner of Administration, is running but remains
largely unknown to voters. Candidates of both parties are considering
bids. CQ Politics rates the race Republican Favored.
Georgia: A multitude of candidates on both sides have lined up for this open seat race to succeed Republican Sonny Perdue. A recent poll showed Democratic former Gov. Roy Barnes and Republican state Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine each leading for their party's nominations. CQ Politics rates the race Leans Republican.
Minnesota In this open seat race, rated Tossup by CQ Politics, the list of potential candidates on both sides continues to grow. Republican Rep. Michele Bachmann, multiple
state lawmakers, and former Democratic U.S. Sen. Mark Dayton are among
those mulling bids. The DGA suggested they already have lines of attack
to run against Bachmann or Norm Coleman, who is awaiting a legal decision regarding his undecided Senate re-election race against Democrat Al Franken.
