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Government Relations Update Election 2010 Special Edition

The Political Pendulum Swings Back to Favor GOP

period of Democratic dominance, but only two years later the public has voted for change. While some are sure to trumpet the Republican victory as a validation of the GOP’s agenda, recent history warns of over- interpreting the election results. Analysts and pundits have repeatedly argued over the last several election cycles that a significant victory by one party or the other is the first step to an enduring or permanent majority; however, after last night’s results, it is clearer than ever that the pendulum continues to swing, and that the U.S. political waters continue to be roiled. While Republicans and Democrats both may overstate the long-term significance of last night’s Republican victory, there are some broad mes- sages from yesterday’s results. First and foremost, voters across the board are deeply concerned that the economy has not rebounded. Voters force- fully rejected the assertion by economists and the Obama administration that the economy is in recovery. Second, there is great unease about the (R – ) policies being pursued to address the economic crisis. The various policy For the third time in four years, Americans battles of the last two years—stimulus, health care reform, and financial have voted for major change in Washington. Last services reform—were grouped together by voters and viewed as an night was a resounding victory for the GOP as ineffective, contentious, and confusing agenda. they took control of the House of Representatives Last night’s results have delivered a House of Representatives in which with historic gains, significantly improved their the caucuses of both parties have been pulled further away from the center. position in the Senate—falling just short of the Moderate Democrats (the “Blue Dogs”) were routed by Republican chal- majority—and regained the majority of governor- lengers in this election; the emergence of the many Tea Party-backed ships. In 2008, President Obama’s resounding candidates has left the Republican caucus with only a handful of moder- victory had many experts predicting a sustained ates remaining.

© 2010, BLANK ROME GOVERNMENT RELATIONS LLC. Notice: The purpose of this newsletter is to review the latest developments which are of interest to clients of Blank Rome. The information contained herein is abridged from legislation, court decisions, administrative rulings, and other sources and should not be construed as legal advice or opinion, and is not a substitute for the advice of counsel. Watergate • 600 Ave., NW • Washington, DC 20037 • (202) 772-5800 Mid-Term Elections 2010

In the Senate, the now slimmer Democratic conference to the right, while moderate Democratic losses will drive the majority will likely lead to an uphill battle for the Democratic caucus to the left. agenda. During the 111th Congress, the 59 Democratic seats in the Senate proved House Leadership very difficult for President Obama in his attempts Political analysts had forecasted a large Republican pick-up of at least to move the White House’s initiatives. It will be 50 seats, and momentum near the end of the election trended mostly in somewhat more difficult now, but with a GOP the GOP’s favor. The huge victory assured that current Minority Leader House, there will likely be more emphasis on the John Boehner (R-OH) takes over the Speaker’s gavel next year, with relationship between the White House and the Minority Whip (R-VA) assuming the Majority Leader’s spot. House of Representatives than on the White Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), currently the Chief Deputy Whip, is the House and the Senate. favorite to be elected Majority Whip. Chairman of the Republican The GOP had a very big night at the state Conference (R-IN) has indicated that he may leave the level, winning the majority of governorships and Republican leadership in order to pursue a possible run for Governor of the state legislatures. While the GOP gains in the Indiana or President in 2012, leaving the fourth-ranking position wide- states were large, there were some bright spots open. It has been speculated that Current Vice Chair of the Conference for Democrats in gubernatorial races. Democrats Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Rep. Jeb Hensarling (R-TX) are now claim the governorships in and eyeing the position, with current NRCC Chairman Pete Sessions (R-TX) . Democratic strength in those states also mentioned as a potential candidate for Conference Chairman. has the potential to blunt the impact the GOP tide could have had on the redistricting process, The Balance of Power: U.S. House of Representatives which will take place in 2011 and 2012. 112TH CONGRESS The 112th Congress 185 11 239

House of Representatives—Largest Losses Democrat 185 Undecided 11 Republican 239 Since FDR’s Presidency TH With a net pickup of at least 60 seats—with 111 CONGRESS incomplete results showing GOP leads in four 257 178 more races—Republicans achieved a milestone Democrat 257 Republican 178 victory in American politics, winning more seats On the Democratic side, all eyes are on Speaker ’s next than the GOP takeover of 1994, and represent- move and whether she will run for minority leader, step aside from ing the largest loss for the president’s party in the leader ship, or resign from the House altogether. No former Speaker of the House since Republicans won 55 seats in 1942, House has gone on to lead their party in the minority after the House and 71 seats in 1938. The victory will changed control since Sam Rayburn in the 1950s. However, give Republicans a 239-183 majority there is not a great deal of historical precedent, and it is in the 112th Congress, with 13 seats unknown what Speaker Pelosi plans to do. If Speaker still undecided. Tea Party- backed Pelosi decides to run for the Minority Leader post, she will candidates saw big victories, which be the favorite and it is unknown whether anyone in the are sure to push the Republican caucus would challenge her. In the event that Pelosi does step down, Current Majority Leader is the favorite to lead the party in the House. However, the

2 Mid-Term Elections 2010

Defeated Incumbents: House of Representatives

James L. Oberstar, D-MN. Ike Skelton, D-MO Travis W. Childers, D-MS Harry E. Mitchell, D-AZ Bob Etheridge, D-NC Anh “Joseph” Cao, R-LA Charles K. Djou, R-HI , D-OH Christopher Carney, D-PA Walt Minnick, D-ID Gene Taylor, D-MS Paul E. Kanjorski, D-PA Dina Titus, D-NV Charlie Wilson, D-OH Zack Space, D-OH John Salazar, D-CO Patrick J. Murphy, D-PA Frank Kratovil Jr., D-MD , D-CO , D-PA Jim Marshall, D-GA Ann Kirkpatrick, D-AZ , D-OH Chet Edwards, D-TX Stephanie Herseth Sandlin, D-SD , D-IL Lincoln Davis, D-TN Ciro D. Rodriguez, D-TX Michael E. McMahon, D-NY Allen Boyd, D-FL Bobby Bright, D-AL Steve Kagen, D-WI Carol Shea-Porter, D-NH Ron Klein, D-FL , D-OH Glenn Nye, D-VA Mark Schauer, D-MI Phil Hare, D-IL Baron P. Hill, D-IN Scott Murphy, D-NY , D-IL Alan Grayson, D-FL John Hall, D-NY Earl Pomeroy, D-ND , D-VA Harry Teague, D-NM John M. Spratt Jr., D-SC , D-VA Michael Arcuri, D-NY John Adler, D-NJ Suzanne M. Kosmas, D-FL

Democratic Caucus saw a large number of its Steering Committee is expected to meet to elect new committee chair- moderate wing depart in defeat, making it men when they meet the week of November 29th. become more liberal and there is the potential Further complicating matters, a potential conflict is brewing on several that a member from the left wing of the committees because of Republicans’ self-imposed rules limiting Members Democratic caucus could challenge Hoyer for to six-year terms as ranking member or chairman of a committee. Foremost Minority leader. Both party’s leadership elections on the list of ranking members who face the end of their six-year limit is are expected to happen occur the House recon- Jerry Lewis (R-CA), who otherwise would be slated to take over the venes the week of November 15th. Appropriations Committee. Lewis intends to seek a waiver on the six-year ban, but if he fails, the next Republican in line for the gavel would be Hal House Committees Rogers (R-KY). The committee leadership is going to see a The Financial Services Committee will likely see a fight for the chair- tremendous shake-up in the 112th Congress, manship, since current ranking member Spencer Bachus (R-AL) was with a crop of young Republican leaders replac- largely relegated to the sidelines during his committee’s debate on the ing much older Democratic chairs. Many financial regulatory overhaul. Several other members such as Reps. Ed Republican chairmen will be first-timers, differing Royce (R-CA), Jeb Hensarling (R-TX), and Scott Garrett (R-NJ) have been from the many Democratic chairs who regained mentioned as potential chairmen. Bachus is favored to win the battle, but gavels they lost in 1994. Boehner has publically the committee will probably see a number of freshman members added indicated that he will give more power back to to the roster. (R-MI) is almost guaranteed to become Chair the committees, making the gavel fights more of the Ways and Means Committee, and it is highly likely that important for the next Congress. The Republican (R-WI) will become head of the Budget Committee. Ryan has become a

3 Mid-Term Elections 2010 rock star of the and has Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee and Rep. Jim Oberstar seen his political stock rise with his plan to help (D-MN), Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Com - balance the federal budget. His committee will mittee. Accordingly, new leaders will ascend to top Democratic spots on be one of the first to confront the Obama those committees. Administration in 2011. Other committee ranking members who will Lame-Duck Session likely become committee chairs are Buck Republicans are well positioned to ward off any major legislative McKeon (R-CA) at Armed Services, John Mica initiatives in the upcoming lame-duck session. However, Democratic (R-FL) at Transportation and Infrastructure, and members of the 111th Congress have been quick to point out that noth- Lamar Smith (R-TX) at the Judiciary Committee. ing is off the table, including big-ticket, controversial items such as the (R-CA) is slated to take over the repeal of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy and possibly a scaled-back Oversight and Government Reform Committee, energy bill. which will have subpoena power of the Nonetheless, most agree that it is likely that Congress will take care of Administration. only two major items of business: the pending FY2011 appropriations Florida is poised for a big shift in power bills and some type of tax cut extension. On the appropriations side, the towards the state. In addition to Mica’s T&I gavel, big Republican victory points to a second (CR) to Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) will likely head the fund government operations through the beginning of the next Congress. Foreign Affairs Committee and Jeff Miller (R-FL) is The current CR is slated to expire on December 3. Some believe the likely to head the Veterans Affairs Committee. Democrat majority will try to cobble together an omnibus appropriations Additionally, Cliff Stearns (R-FL) has indicated he bill that covers all twelve of the original bills, using support from retiring will make a run for Chairman of the Energy and members and losing incumbents to pass the bill without Republican sup- Commerce Committee. Stearns would face Fred port. This strategy may backfire, since the Senate would still be able to Upton of , who has seniority on the filibuster an omnibus bill if all Republicans held the line. House leaders committee and is the favorite to become have stated emphatically that they are finished passing bills that will not Chairman. The current ranking member, Joe receive enough votes in the Senate, leaving members out to dry on polit- Barton (R-TX), is term-limited; Barton also ically difficult votes. The extension of the remains a big angered Republican leadership with his com- question mark on political observers’ radar, with Republicans vowing to ments on the BP oil spill earlier this year. Barton extend the cuts across the board, but a temporary extension of the Bush is unlikely to be granted a waiver to serve as tax cuts is the most likely outcome during the lame-duck session. committee chair. Democratic leadership has yet to announce 112th Congress publically or privately how they will set their com- Several contentious issues will face the new Republican-controlled mittee leadership. Many of the current chairs are House, including a vote on raising the debt ceiling. A number of more older, long serving members who may decide conservative candidates have already committed to voting against the to retire rather than face diminished power and raise, which could force a government shutdown quickly in the new re-election fights. It is assumed that Democrats Congress. If Congress fails to pass its appropriations bills in the lame-duck, will pick their ranking members based on the most expect the Republican majority to cut spending significantly in what- seniority of its committee members. ever appropriations bills it sends to the President. Two sitting chairs were defeated in last night’s Additionally, John Boehner is widely anticipated to continue the GOP’s election, including Rep. Ike Skelton (D-MO), ban on all earmarks. Boehner will allow the Conference to make the final

4 Mid-Term Elections 2010 decision, and his spokesman has been quick to The Balance of Power: Senate announce that no decisions have been made.

TH House Appropriations Ranking Member and likely 112 CONGRESS Chairman Jerry Lewis (R-CA) also announced his 51 3 46 Democrat 51 Undecided 3 Republican 46 support for a continued ban. Lewis was privately

TH critical of the ban, but his announcement practi- 111 CONGRESS cally assures him of regaining the Appropriations 59 44 Democrat 51 Republican 46 gavel in the 112th Congress.

Senate—Republicans Gain Seats, and Tea Party candidate, former state representative Sharon Angle (R), Fall Short of Majority one of the closest and nastiest races the entire election, proved to be a Last night’s results produced significant gains decisive victory for Reid as he won by five percentage points, a wider than in the Senate, which stands to alter the balance expected margin, despite being neck and neck in the polls entering elec- of power in the Upper Chamber of Congress and tion day. makes it even more difficult for President Obama Senate races in , , and Washington all came to move his initiatives. Currently, Republicans down to the wire as well. Of those, Colorado was the tightest, as appoint- hold 41 seats, Democrats hold 57 seats, and the ed Sen. (D) and county prosecutor (R), a Tea two Independent Senators caucus with the Party favorite, had been locked in a tight race since winning their com- Democrats, giving control of the Senate to the petitive primaries in August. As of Wednesday morning the race is too Democratic Party. Republicans entered the night close to call with 87% of the precincts reporting and each candidate needing to win ten seats to gain majority control claiming about 47% of the vote. of the Senate, but they fell short of their hopes of In Illinois, Republican and Democrat Alexi Giannoulias had flipping the Senate and installing Sen. Mitch engaged in an ugly, neck and neck campaign, in which Kirk had described McConnell (R-KY) as majority leader. As expected, his rival for Obama’s former seat as a “mob banker” and Giannoulias had Republicans picked up three seats—, branded Kirk “a liar” for embellishing his military record. Mark Kirk was Indiana, and North Dakota. In addition the party able to pull out the race with 48% of the vote, beating Giannoulias by also gained seats in and Pennsylvania two points. for a net gain of five seats. The current balance of In Pennsylvania, former Rep. (R) was able to claim a close power is now 51 to 46 with three seats still victory over Rep. (D) by two percentage points. Pat Toomey undecided: Alaska, Washington, and Colorado. will now take over the seat held by longtime Senator . While it was difficult for the President to push his In Washington, where Sen. Patty initiatives through the Senate with 59 votes, it will Murray was challenged by be even harder next year when Democrats will Republican Dino Rossi, there was a find themselves with thinner ranks. perceived Democratic advantage because the state has been reliably Contested Races Democratic in recent elections. As of Major surprises this election came from some Wednesday morning Murray leads by about of the hotly contested races. The race 1%, but the race is too close to call. between Senate Majority Leader (D)

5 Mid-Term Elections 2010

New Faces in the Senate The Alaska three-way race was one with almost no historical precedent in which , R-AR , R-MO Sen. Lisa Murkowski waged a write-in candidacy , D-CT Kelly Ayotte, R-NH following her loss in the Republican primary to Christopher Coons, D-DE John Hoeven, R-ND Joe Miller (R), who had the support of Tea Party Marco Rubio, R-FL Rob Portman, R-OH activists as well as former governor . Mark Kirk, R-IL Pat Toomey, R-PA When Joe Miller ran into trouble over past mis- Dan Coats, R-IN Mike Lee, R-UT conduct, Sen. Murkowski gained ground and put Jerry Moran, R-KS , D-WV herself in a position to win. With Miller and Rand Paul, R-KY Ron Johnson, R-WI Murkowski fighting for votes, Democratic nomi- nee Scott McAdams was within striking distance in the polls entering Election Day. The write-in former state representative Kendrick Meeks (D) and sitting Governor option currently leads with 41% of the vote in Charlie Crist (I). the three-way race, signaling a likely Murkowski • Former Senator Dan Coats (R-IN) won retiring Sen. Evan Bayh’s (D) victory. However, the race is unlikely to be called seat by defeating Rep. 55%-40%. for at least a few days as each write-in ballot • Jerry Moran (R-KS) won retiring Sam Brownback’s (R) seat after needs to be counted with the specific name that defeating Lisa Johnston in a vote of 70%-26%. was written on each ballot. • Rand Paul (R-KY) won retiring Jim Bunning’s (R) seat after defeating With the Republicans falling short of capturing Jack Conway in a vote of 56%-44%. the Senate, this will be the first time in eight • Roy Blunt (R-MO) won retiring Kit Bond’s (R) seat after defeating decades that the House changed hands without Robin Carnahan (R) in a vote of 54%-41%. the Senate following. But given how close many • Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) won retiring ’s (R) seat after defeat- races are and the potential for recounts, the final ing (D) in a vote of 60%-37%. shape of the new Senate may not be known for • John Hoeven (R-ND) won retiring Byron Dorgan’s (R) seat after weeks. defeating Tracy Potter (D) in a landslide victory. New faces in the Senate include: • Rob Portman (R-OH) won retiring ’s (R) seat after • John Boozman (R-AR) defeated incumbent defeating in a vote of 57%-39%. Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) in a vote of 57%- • Pat Toomey (R-PA) won the Pennsylvania Senate race, defeating Joe 37%. Sestak 51%-49%. • (D-DE) took over retiring Ted • Mike Lee (R-UT) took over Bob Bennet’s seat after defeating Sam Kaufman’s seat after an unsurprising victory Granato 61%-33%. over tea-party darling Christine O’Donnell in • Joe Manchin (D-WV) defeated John Raese (R) 54%-43% and will a vote of 57%-40%. take over the late Robert Byrd’s (D) seat. • Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) took over retir- • Ron Johnson (R-WI) defeated incumbent 52%-47%. ing ’s (D-CT) seat after defeating Republican challenger Linda McMahon Senate Leadership and Committee Assignments 54%-44%. Significant gains for Republicans on Tuesday will alter the committee • Marco Rubio (R-FL) won retiring Republican ratios and start the jockeying for positions of leadership in the 112th George LeMieux’s seat after defeating Congress. One of the first orders of business for Senate leaders during the

6 Mid-Term Elections 2010 lame-duck session will be negotiating the sizes retiring, Senator Time Johnson (D-SD) is poised to take over the chair- and ratios of committees. Although the size of manship of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee. each standing committee is set in Senate rules, changes in these sizes often result from inter- Lame Duck Session party negotiations before each new Congress. The Senate is scheduled to reconvene the week of November 15th, Senate party leaders also negotiate the party with the first votes of the Lame Duck session occurring on Wednesday ratios on standing committees. Determinations of Nov. 17th. Three newly-elected Senators will be seated immediately sizes and ratios usually are made before the and able to vote in the lame duck—Delaware, Illinois, and West . process of assigning Senators to committees. The big issues for the lame duck are expected to be taxes and Once sizes and ratios of standing committees are budget/appropriations. determined, a panel for each party nominates colleagues for committee assignments. Senate Governor’s Races: Republicans Take Majority of Republicans primarily use a Committee on Governors Mansions and State Houses Committees for this purpose, although the In 2010, gubernatorial contests took place in 37 states. Prior to Republican leader nominates Senators for assign- Election Day, Democrats held 26 governorships, and Republicans held ment to some standing committees. Senate 24. Wh ile the full results have not yet been processed, Democrats cur- Democrats use a Steering and Outreach rently hold 15 governorships, Republicans hold 27, and seven races have Committee to nominate Democrats for assign- yet to be decided. There will be one Independent: of ment to all standing committees. The processes Rhode Island. these panels use differentiate by party. As of Wednesday morning, races in Maine, Vermont, Connecticut, Republicans rely on a seniority formula to make Florida, Illinois, Minnesota, and Oregon are still too close to call. nominations, while Democrats make nomina- tions on a seat-by-seat basis, considering a variety of factors. Both Republicans and Democrats will likely hold leadership elections on Tuesday Nov. 16th. Only members who will serve in the 112th Congress will be eligible to vote in the leadership elections. There is not expected to be any change in leadership on the Republican side, and the Democrat leadership is likely to stay the same, with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid winning re-election. Senator Blanche Lincoln’s (D-AR) defeat by Republican John Boozman will open up the chair- manship position on the Senate Agriculture Committee which will most likely go to Senator (D-MI). In addition, with Connecticut Senator Christopher Dodd (D)

7 Mid-Term Elections 2010

Incumbent Democratic governors of Iowa and that office, Brown served two terms as the Governor of California from Ohio have been defeated. Incumbent Governor 1975-1983, as well as eight years as Mayor of Oakland. In Hawaii, former Chet Culver of Iowa was defeated by Terry Democratic House Member Neil Abercrombie of Hawaii defeated Branstad, Iowa’s Republican Governor from Lieutenant Governor Duke Aiona. As of Tuesday morning, former US 1983-1999. In Ohio, Governor Ted Strickland Senator Mark Dayton of Minnesota is poised to win the seat being vacat- was defeated by Republican , a for- ed by retiring Governor . mer Republican US Representative and former Six Republicans have been elected to succeed governors from the Chairman of the House Committee on the same party, including: Robert Bentley of Alabama, Nathan Deal of Budget. Georgia, Brian Sandoval of Nevada, Nikki Haley of South Carolina, Dennis In several states, party affiliations of new gov- Daugaard of South Dakota, and Scott Walker of Wisconsin. Three offices ernors will change from that of their predecessor. that were formerly held by Democrats have been succeeded by members In eight states, party affiliation will change from of their own party. Democrat to Republican. In Pennsylvania, the In New York, Democrat won election to the office office formerly held by retiring Democrat Ed being retired by Democratic Governor . Previously, Cuomo Rendell will be succeeded by Republican Tom served as , and was also US Secretary of Housing Corbett. Corbett defeated Democratic opponent, and Urban Development under President from 1997 until Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato. 2001. Cuomo defeated Carl Paladino, a Buffalo-based businessman who Corbett has served as the state’s Attorney General is widely supported by the Tea Party movement. In Colorado, the office since 2004. In New Mexico, Susana Martinez will currently held by retiring Democratic Governor Bill Ritter, Jr. will be suc- succeed the office held by Democrat Bill ceeded by Democrat John Hinkenlooper. Hinkenlooper defeated Richardson, defeating Democrat Diane Denish. Republican opponent Dan Maes and American Constitution Party candi- Martinez is the first female Latino ever elected to date . Hinkenlooper is the former Mayor of and be a US Governor. In Kansas, Sam Brownback founder of a local brewery. won election to the office held by retiring In a “silver lining” for Democrats, Democratic incumbents in tight races Democrat Mark Parkinson. Earlier this year, were able to narrowly defeat their respective challengers. In Arkansas, Brownback chose not to seek re-election to Democratic incumbent defeated Republican opponent Jim his third full term as US Senator. Brownback Keet, a businessman and former state legislator from Little Rock for his defeated Democratic opponent Tom Holland. second term as Governor. In New Hampshire, Democratic incumbent Other Democrat-turned-Republican states include John Lynch defeated Republican opponent John Stephen. Lynch will serve of Michigan, Bill Haslam of his fourth consecutive two-year term as Governor. In Maryland, Tennessee, Scott Walker of Wisconsin, Matt Mead Democratic incumbent Martin O’Malley defeated Republican opponent of , and of Oklahoma. and former Governor Bob Ehrlich. This marks O’Malley’s second term In two states, party affiliations will change as governor and second defeat over former Governor Ehrlich. In from Republican to Democrat. In California, the , Democratic incumbent defeated Republican office currently held by retiring Republican opponent Charles Baker and Independent candidate Tim Cahill for a sec- Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger will be suc- ond term as Governor. ceeded by Democrat Jerry Brown. Brown Republican incumbents from the Western region of the defeated Republican opponent and former eBay have fared well in this election, several of whom have been elected to CEO Meg Whitman. Brown served since 2007 as their first full term as governor. Jan Brewer of Arizona, of state Attorney General; prior to being elected to

8 Mid-Term Elections 2010

Utah, and Sean Parnell of Alaska have been elect- Maine House and Senate, Michigan House, Minnesota House and ed to serve their first full term as governor after Senate, Montana House, New Hampshire House and Senate, North having been appointed to their respective offices. Carolina House and Senate, Ohio House, the Pennsylvania House, and Rick Perry of , C. L. “Butch” Otter of Idaho, the Wisconsin Assembly and Senate have all flipped from Democrat to and of Nebraska have also been Republican. elected to serve additional terms. In Alabama, this is the first time since reconstruction that Republicans Many speculate that this year is the year of have controlled the legislature. The North Carolina Senate has not been the “Comeback Kid” in gubernatorial bids— Republican since 1870. Republicans have reportedly taken over 100 Brown, Bransted, and Kitzhaber have all previ- seats in the New Hampshire House, for a total of 296 of 400 seats in the ously served as governor of their respective state house. For the first time in history, the Minnesota Senate will be con- states. John Kasich and Andrew Cuomo have also trolled by the GOP. re-emerged on their respective statewide political This gives the GOP a pronounced political advantage as the parties radars. Kasich’s term in the House ended in tackle redistricting next year. The goal for legislatures is to carve congres- 2000, and in 2002, Cuomo led an unsuccessful sional districts based on voter registration in order to secure partisan vic- primary campaign for governor of New York, tories. The process often is contentious, resulting in oddly drawn districts which he withdrew from at the last minute. Of to favor candidates. In most states, governors play a key role because they this group, all but Kitzhaber emerged victorious. have power over the maps. New York, Ohio, Florida and Some important takeaways from the 2010 Pennsylvania have been among the most intensely fought battlegrounds gubernatorial contests include implications for at the state level because all three states are expected to lose seats in 2012. As Chairman of the Republican Governors Congress, putting significant power to determine who gets the remaining Association, ’s stock is up due to seats in the hands of the legislatures. Texas is poised to gain four the success he has had in promoting candidates. Congressional seats, and Florida is expected to gain one additional seat. Possible GOP Primary contenders Sarah Palin and The battle to re-draw congressional districts across the country was at both raised their national profile by stake on Election Day, and both parties have poured millions into these supporting a number of campaigns for successful contests. Republicans want to take advantage of the GOP wave to make gubernatorial candidates. Of the new governors, big gains in state offices that will be crucial in the looming redistricting there are several from classic swing states that battle. The Republican State Leadership Committee (RSLC) said it has may emerge onto the national scene, including raised more than $20 million for its efforts on the state level and has Walker of Wisconsin, Corbett of Pennsylvania, and come under fire from several Democratic campaigns for running issue Martinez of New Mexico. ads targeting candidates for governor and attorney general in several states. The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC) is also Historic Gains for GOP in State spending heavily, defending legislative majorities won by Democrats in Legislatures; Speculations Begin conservative-leaning states and districts over the past few cycles. n for Redistricting Battles Republicans made huge gains in state legisla- tive races, winning one or more legislative cham- bers in twelve states. Republicans are now at For More Information, please contact: their highest point since 1928: the Alabama Peter A. Peyser, Managing Principal House and Senate, Indiana House, Iowa House, 202.772.5806 • [email protected]

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