As the 2012 presidential election heats up, both parties are pushing hard in congressional and gubernatorial races across the country. While Republicans work to regain control of the Senate, Democrats are vying to pick up seats in the GOP-controlled House. Below, a rundown on election news happening beyond the presidential field.
Anti-Incumbent Sentiment At Record High
A new Gallup poll finds 76 percent of voters think most members of Congress shouldn't be reelected -- the highest percentage in the Gallup's 19 years of asking the question.
Voters' negative attitude toward Congress has been on a steady downward decline since 2003. The sentiment was highest among independent voters (82 percent), then Republicans (75 percent) and Democrats (68 percent.)
Notably, these numbers reflect people's attitude toward most members of Congress -- the majority of voters said their own representative did deserve another term.
Recent polling numbers show the U.S. Congress' approval ratings at an all-time low, down to single digits.
Joe Walsh Decides To Take On The Dems
Rep. Joe Walsh (R-Ill.) announced his decision yesterday to run for reelection in his state's 8th district, which newly drawn congressional election maps left favoring Democrats in 2012. He had been considering challenging Rep. Randy Hultgren in the GOP primary in the more conservative 14th District. "I felt at this time, with this unjust map, I had to stand up and fight," Walsh said. "The idea of ceding this seat to the Democrats just felt wrong and someone needed to step up to the challenge."
The controversial congressman will face an uphill challenge to beat his Democratic opponent, either Tammy Duckworth or Raja Krishnamoorthi, in the newly drawn 8th District.
Is The DCCC Nervous?
Less than two months away from the special election in Oregon's 1st District, Democrats are going on a major ad blitz, spending more than $400,000 to retain the historically blue seat -- a move the opposition is calling a "sign of nervousness."
A special election was scheduled after Rep. David Wu (D-Ore.) resigned in August amid scandal. Republican businessman Rob Cornilles and Democratic state Sen. Suzanne Bonamici are vying for the seat. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) has released a pro-Bonamici ad and an ad attacking Cornilles:
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The state of Nevada finalized its new Congressional district maps last night, making it the second state in the nation to do so after Colorado. The newly drawn maps create a new districts where Democrats are at an advantage to win the seat.