From: Jill Bader, RSLC Communications Director To: Media Surrogates Subject: Election Update & Talking Points
State Legislatures In 2014, Republicans have an opportunity to gain a supermajority of legislative majorities across the nation. Currently, Republicans control 60 of 99 legislative chambers. We are on offense and see a clear path to a supermajority of legislative majorities (which requires a pickup of 6 chambers). The RSLC has identified the “Sweet 16” chambers as top Republican targets. These chambers represent the opportunity to reach an 80 year historic high in seats held and a supermajority of majorities to help our Party dominate this decade. They are: Colorado House & Senate, Iowa Senate, Kentucky House, Maine House & Senate, Minnesota House, Nevada House & Senate, New Hampshire House, New Mexico House, Oregon House & Senate, West Virginia House & Senate and Washington House. Additionally, we’ve named 3 chambers that can end Democratic supermajorities. They are: California House, California Senate and Illinois House Historically, when the president’s approval hovers around 40%, there are significant gains at the state level. In 2010, Obama’s approval was at 45 % and we gained 675 seats, leading to a pickup of 20 chambers. Today, his approval is at 41%. In 2012, Republicans made gains in legislative chambers in five states won by President Obama: Delaware, New Mexico, Ohio, Washington and Wisconsin. Additionally, we expect to hold GOP gains from 2010 and 2012 through the Great Lakes states (WI,MI,OH,PA,NY Senate), solidify Republican control in the South (KY and WV are the only remaining Dem strongholds), and expand republican opportunities in the pacific northwest (WA,OR,CA) and desert southwest (NV,NM,AZ,CO).
Building the Bench to reflect the full diversity of America
The RSLC’s Future Majority Project has identified 244 diverse candidates running at the state level across the nation this cycle, not including incumbents. Through the “Right Women, Right Now” initiative, Republicans have recruited 558 new women to run for office. These men and women will be the bench of current and future leaders for our party that reflect the full diversity of America. For Lieutenant Governor races, it is important to note that Arkansas, Georgia and Nevada are all independently elected and on our target list, especially Nevada. Reporters are noting that if the Republican, Mark Hutchison, wins that COULD free up Sandoval to challenge Reid – Hutchison is getting fundraising help from McConnell etc…. Of note for ticketed LG’s – if it’s a good night for our Governors, strong female Lieutenant Governors could win in: Illinois (Evelyn Sanguinetti), Connecticut (Heather Somers), Massachusetts (Karyn Polito) and Colorado (Jill Repella), as well as re-elections in Wisconsin (Rebecca Kleefisch) and Iowa (Kim Reynolds). Also, Duke Aiona (former Lieutenant Governor) and if he wins, the GOP will gain another Native Pacific Islander (Elwin Ahu). Two other diverse R’s on tickets with their governor are New Mexico (John Sanchez) and Florida (Carlos Lopez-Cantera). As far as the Secretaries of State are concerned, we are focused on keeping independently elected R’s in presidential blue states that will be overseeing the 2016 election MI, OH, IA. Pick up opportunities in NV, WI. The Secretary of State in Florida is also in play, but he’s appointed by the governor.
RSLC Fast Facts
For 12 years the RSLC has elected down ballot Republicans and includes The Republican Legislative Campaign Committee (RLCC), The Republican Lieutenant Governors Association (RLGA), The Republican Secretaries of State Committee (RSSC), The Future Majority Project (FMP), “Right Women, Right Now” (RWRN), The Juridical Fairness Initiative (JFI) and manages the new top level domain for the Republican Party, ‘.gop.’ The RSLC is chaired by former Attorney General and Congressman, Bill McCollum of Florida. Matt Walter serves as president. The Board of Directors includes former elected officials and strategists including General Bill McCollum (FL), Speaker Christopher Rants (IA), Governor Luis Fortuño (PR), Governor Jodi Rell (CT), Secretary Karen Handel (GA), Charlie Black and Christine Toretti.