2012 Election: What's Next For Ben Nelson, Montana Senate Race Heats Up, And More

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.

GOP Poll Shows Rehberg With Small Lead

A Republican poll by McLaughlin & Associates shows Rep. Denny Rehberg (R) leading Sen. Jon Tester (D) 46 percent to 40 percent in the Montana Senate contest. The two candidates were tied in "likability." The high-stakes race is expected to be one of the closest in 2012 (Politico rated it the #1 most competitive race today) and could determine which party gains control of the chamber.

Will Ben Nelson Go To K Street?

Shortly after announcing he wouldn't be seeking reelection, Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) made a point to clarify that that doesn't mean he's retiring. "I have no plans to retire. No plans to retire. Zero," he said in an interview. So what's next for the Cornhusker senator? The Hill reports could fetch more than $1 million per year if he takes a job on K Street. So far Nelson has given no indication of whether he will become a lobbyist. He said his reason for not seeking another term was to spend more time with his family.

Kucinich To Run Against Fellow Democrat, And Maybe Joe The Plumber

Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) announced yesterday he'll run in Ohio's 9th District against fellow Democrat Marcy Kaptur -- the longest-serving female member of the House. State redistricting pitted the two incumbents against each other in the very Democratic district. Kucinich briefly considered moving to Washington state to avoid what's bound to be a challenging race, but scrapped the idea. Meanwhile, Joe the Plumber (real name Samuel Joseph Wurzelbacher) is vying for the GOP nomination in the district.

Kaine And Allen Still In Dead Heat

The latest poll shows Tim Kaine (D) and George Allen (R) still tied in Virginia's heated Senate race. The two former governors have been consistently neck-and-neck in the polls, within just a few percentage points of each other.

The Takeaway From Washington's New Map

Washington state's new congressional election maps were finalized yesterday and the state gained one additional seat. The new 10th District was drawn by an independent commission to be very competitive, but has a slight Democratic tilt.

Comments

[pinkindie]

11:43 AM on 12/30/2011

Any U.S. lawmaker that goes on to become a lobbyist should immediately have their govt. retirement/benefits/healthcare pulled forevermore.

[jcaunter]

11:32 AM on 12/30/2011

That you all keep voting for these corrupt Democratic politicians who just love swiIIing in corporate money guarantees that your party will just keep becoming ever more corrupt, day by day.

How about making a firm pledge that you will never, ever support a candidate who is being supported by even one single dime of filthy corporate cash? Ah, but I guess that would take a bit of integrity, so I guess it's impossible for you :(

[Jim bob]

11:38 AM on 12/30/2011

funny, your post ismore attitude and emotion than fact, lots of preconceptions, lots of bitter accusations. More of the same from the right.

[behavingbadly]

11:41 AM on 12/30/2011

What in the world is the matter with you?

[pictor]

11:31 AM on 12/30/2011

Time to become a lobbyist to the insurance companies and undo the Health Reform Act.

[bert70]

11:31 AM on 12/30/2011

Who cares what happens to him, he never was a real Dem. Or even a real honest Sen. Good ridence. Not really a loss he never could be counted on for the Dems.

[Jim bob]

11:38 AM on 12/30/2011

do they have ajob at Kstreet for someone to do what they're told? I thought they had actual jobs there.

[mgm5]

11:17 AM on 12/30/2011

I'm gonna miss Barney Frank.....

[bert70]

11:32 AM on 12/30/2011

mgm5 Yes, this is a real loss. Loved the guy.

[Osmona]

11:33 AM on 12/30/2011

Me too. Maybe he'll decide to do Stand Up Comedy. He's a NATURAL. I'm sure though he WILL be involved in something. We haven't heard the last from him. THANK GOD!!!

[truly moderate]

11:10 AM on 12/30/2011

Ben Nelson is a true moderate and his logical voice will be missed :/

[F7]

11:17 AM on 12/30/2011

Ben Nelson is a bought and paid for Senator, sponsored by Mutual of Omaha. The only thing missing from Nelsons repertoire is his voice in the background whispering loudly, "Let's watch as Jim wrestles that Alligator!"

[truly moderate]

11:48 AM on 12/30/2011

Can you please provide some non-partsian "proof" for that assertation?

[kamact]

10:20 AM on 12/30/2011

Time to be a lobbyist and be enriched by the TBTF banksters and corporate elite you were a tool for while in Congress,...."screw most Americans"

[Dogvane]

09:40 AM on 12/30/2011

You just have to take one look at that bloated face and you know Ben Nelson is about to cash-in as a lobbyist. What a racket the Senate is.

[John Goucho]

09:26 AM on 12/30/2011

So like Newt, we will have another Senator getting paid for political influence and saying the grand FU to the electorate. Until real political reform occurs with term limits to reduce the self-serving behavior of these snakes and laws that prevent lobbying by anyone from a government post, this perverse system will continue.

[ge971]

09:08 AM on 12/30/2011

I thought this J@ss said he was retiring yesterday.

[F7]

11:18 AM on 12/30/2011

Retiring from Congress to collect his reward as a lobbyist.

[midwestgirl1960]

08:24 AM on 12/30/2011

The next lobbyist he can make so much more screwing we the people more.

[nixrox04]

08:12 AM on 12/30/2011

What's next? Lobbying for the big dough, directorships on the boards of defense contractors and any scheme to profit from his years in congress.

[morbius]

08:04 AM on 12/30/2011

Nelson resigned his Senate seat on the promise of more money from lobbying. This should be illegal. But, frankly, if Nebraska wants a republican senator, they should have one... no more DINOs. The rank and file repubs (not the wealthy who sponsor them) are going to have to have their noses rubbed in what it really means to be republican before they will come to their senses.

[dayzee10]

08:57 AM on 12/30/2011

They will never come to their senses...The leadership of the Retealibanbaggerican Party will roll out the old guns, god, and abortion issue and throw in something different like defense of marriage and the dufusses get back in line so they can watch the redistribution of wealth steadily increase to the top 1%

[rich24h]

07:55 AM on 12/30/2011

hes going to cash in on his opposition to the health care reform
until he got what the hom's wanted lobbyst

[Periwinkle]

07:45 AM on 12/30/2011

Time to cash in. He didn't occupy a seat in Congress all those years for nothing. He'll be getting his 7 figure lobbyist check every year on top of his "retirement" perks. I wish he would officially turn in his Democratic Party card, too.