2012 Election: Texas Shakeup, Controversial State Election Map Passes & Another Hatch Challenger

As the 2012 elections loom, both parties are starting to pour resources into 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 of election news happening beyond the presidential field.

Missouri Republican Senate candidate John Brunner called for a series of primary debates earlier this month. His opponents, Rep. Todd Akin and former treasurer Sarah Steelman, agreed. But now Brunner refuses to participate in the very debates he called for, saying he wants to negotiate terms. Steelman's campaign fired back: "Sarah will debate anywhere and anytime. If Mr. Brunner needs his own set of special rules to make it happen then that is fine. Sarah will debate with no rules and that's fine too."

Steelman tweeted:

@sarah_steelman
Sarah Steelman

.@BrunnerforMO won't debate. He was for it before he was against it. Who's kicking the can down the road now? #mosen #channelingjohnkerry 

December 19, 2011 9:19 pm via Twitter for BlackBerry® Reply Retweet Favorite

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Pennsylvania's new congressional district maps, which were released last week and caused many to cry gross gerrymandering, passed through the state legislature Tuesday. The state Senate voted 26-24 to approve the GOP-drawn redistricting plan, and the House voted 131-61. The legislation will now head to Gov. Tom Corbett (R) for his signature. Meanwhile, in a surprise move, state Rep. Jim Christiana (R) has decided not to run for Congress as Republicans had expected.

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Ricardo Sanchez, a retired Army Lieutenant, dropped out of the Texas Senate race, leaving the Democrats temporarily without a candidate. Now two people have announced they will make a bid for the seat: former House Public Education Chairman Paul Sadler and Houston lawyer Jason Gibson.

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It looks like another Republican is gearing up to challenge Rep. Orrin Hatch in Utah's 2nd District. Former state House Speaker David Clark has resigned from his position in the House to make a bid for Congress, though he hasn't officially announced his candidacy yet. Dan Liljenquist is also expected to make a bid for the seat. He resigned from the Utah Senate last week.

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Tammy Duckworth, who is vying for the Democratic nomination in Illinois' 8th District, picked up several endorsements Monday from local labor unions. (View the list here.) Duckworth has also been endorsed by Sen. Dick Durban (D-Ill.), EMILY's List, and others.

 

 

Comments

[Left Hook]

05:14 PM on 12/21/2011

The conservative mantra on elections...Since we can't win them fair and square - Then lets rig them so you can.

[Ashkewoof]

03:31 PM on 12/21/2011

In all honesty, I never thought there could be a worse, more evil Senator than Orrin Hatch. Then along came the Tea Party.

Wow.

[philly282]

02:53 PM on 12/21/2011

brunner sounds like floyd mayweather

[Bgrngod]

02:43 PM on 12/21/2011

The new PA map is the most insane district map I have ever seen in my life.

[citizenlegisators]

03:27 PM on 12/21/2011

Nothing compared to what the corruption cabal of Illinois Democrats are doing and then look at what the Chicago ward map will look like

[OutAtFirst]

02:36 PM on 12/21/2011

Senator-for-life Hatch is facing the humiliation and ultimate indignity of having to step down at a time not of his own choosing. A hundred bucks says that if he gets the boot he'll claim that he's actually happy, because "Washington has become too partisan".

[maxinebr]

01:51 PM on 12/21/2011

That is freaking crap man, and yes I can complain I voted but not for this

[cali4856]

02:44 PM on 12/21/2011

If you voted Republican, you did vote for this and should have known that this would be coming down the pike. They ran on jobs and gave us S--T!