2010 Races at a Glance

NORTHEASTERN (DELTA) - JONESBORO

Democrat Marion Berry will retire after this, his seventh term. The Republican nominee for the open seat is Rick Crawford, Farm Broadcaster, AgWatch Network President, and Army Veteran. Democrats were left scrambling after Berry's unexpected retirement announcement, but managed to recruit a decent candidate in Chad Causey, Berry's Ex-Chief of Staff.

MOST OF AZ OUTSIDE PHOENIX & TUCSON METROPOLITAN AREAS

Former county prosecutor Ann Kirkpatrick captured this seat in 2008. This is a traditionally Republican district and Obama’s lawsuit against Arizona's illegal immigration law has placed Kirkpatrick in a vulnerable position. The GOP picked Tea Party and Sarah Palin favorite Dr. Paul Gosar in the highly contested AZ-01 primary. Dr. Gosar will  run on a platform calling for smaller government and tough illegal immigration policies.

ALL OF TEMPE & SCOTTSDALE & PORTIONS OF CHANDLER, MESA & AHWATUKEE AREA OF PHOENIX

Democrat Harry Mitchell, former mayor of Tempe, upset six term incumbent Republican J.D. Hayworth in 2006 and won handily in 2008. Although the 5th favors Republicans in presidential contests, it is not as convincingly Republican as other Phoenix area suburbs. Illegal immigration has put Mitchell  on the hot seat. This may be the issue that gives the GOP candidate, David Schweikert the edge in this race.

SOUTHWEST -- PART OF TUCSON, YUMA, AVONDALE

Four term incumbent Dem Raúl Grijalva betrayed his constituents by opposing AZ’s immigration law, SB 1070, and supporting an economic boycott of his home state. Political newcomer, rocket scientist Ruth McClung will take strong stands on border security and immigration, curbing out-of-control spending, and supporting job creation through a free market economy.

SW ARIZONA INCLUDING PART OF TUCSON AND NORTHERN TUCSON SUBURBS

In 2006, Democrat Gabrielle Giffords, a former State Representative and Senator, captured the seat which was left open by the retirement of Republican Jim Kolbe. Giffords is vulnerable on two fronts: the unpopular health care reform bill in which she voted yes and Arizona’s immigration law. The Republican challenger will be AZ-08 primary winner Jesse Kelly who has achieved “On the Radar” status in the NRCC “Young Guns” program.

SACRAMENTO COUNTY, PART OF SOLANO COUNTY, ALPINE, AMADOR & CALAVERAS COUNTIES

Republican incumbent Dan Lungren’s relatively close call in 2008 has offered Democrats hope that he might be vulnerable in 2010. But they were unable to lure a high profile candidate into the fray - settling for Ami Bera, physician and relative unknown. This should be a relatively easy hold for the Republicans in a good year for the GOP. 

SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY TO BAY AREA SUBURBS

Jerry McNerney has voted with the Democrat majority 95.2% of the time during the current Congress.  He has been an adamant backer of the ‘stimulus', the National Energy Tax, and the government takeover of healthcare. That makes him an easy target for the fiscally responsible David Harmer, the son of Ronald Reagan’s Lieutenant Governor and a successful attorney, businessman, and community leader.

KINGS COUNTY, PARTS OF FRESNO & KERN COUNTIES, PARTS OF FRESNO & BAKERSFIELD, HANFORD & DELANO

Jim Costa has held the CA-20 seat since 2004 and has been a reliable Pelosi rubber stamp. Obama environmental policies that prohibit San Joaquin Valley farmers from accessing essential water sources are a huge issue in this district - an issue that has been ignored by Costa. Farmer and GOP candidate Andy Vidak has a keen awareness of the economic and water issues that have created the current financial crisis and is ready to roll up his sleeves and “fix the mess” that has been created by career politicians like Costa.

ORANGE COUNTY, SANTA ANA, GARGEN GROVE AND ANAHEIM.

In voting with Nancy Pelosi almost 98% of the time, Democrat Loretta Sanchez has repeatedly put partisan politics above her constituents’ best interests. During an anti-incumbent year when voters are tired of Democrats’ reckless spending sprees, California State Assemblyman Van Tran, offers a real contrast with his common sense, fiscally responsible policies. Tran, whose family came to the U.S. just prior to the fall of Saigon, made history by being the first Vietnamese-American elected to any state legislature.(bw)

WESTERN & SOUTH CENTRAL CO, GRAND JUNCTION, DURANGO AND PUEBLO

The CO third is represented in the 111th Congress by Third-Termer Democrat John Salazar, brother of Ken Salazar, current Interior Secretary. Republican Scott Tipton, spurred to enter the race by Salazar’s vote for the House health care reform bill, is back to challenge Salazar after losing to him in 2006. The Tipton campaign will focus on taking "Colorado Common Sense Back to Washington".

EASTERN CO, FT. COLLINS, GREELEY, LOVELAND & LONGMONT

CO-04 is represented by another of those Obama Freshman  - Democrat Betsy Markey.  She will have to defend her big spending record against the conservative, fiscally responsible Cory  Gardner, currently servings as the District 63 Repesentative to the Colorado House of Representatives. This should be a Cory Gardner year with his focus on the Markey backed failed stimuls and the need for real job creation.

CENTRAL CO INCLUDING NORTHERN DENVER, RURAL EASTERN PORTIONS OF ADAMS COUNTY, LAKEWOOD & AURORA

In 2006, Democrat Ed Perlmutter won a decisive victory and repeated with a convincing win in 2008. Perlmutter has been a loyal foot soldier for the Pelosi Brigade. He has voted the Democrats’ failed stimulus, the bailouts, cap-and-trade, and the government takeover of healthcare. Aurora City Councilmember Ryan Frazier won a hard fought GOP primary. His top priorities are creating jobs, reigning in spending at the federal level, and fighting terrorism. That should play well against the ultra-liberal record of Perlmulter.

SW CT, FAIRFIELD & NEW HAVEN COUNTIES, BRIDGEPORT & STAMFORD.

CT-04 is the seat held for many  years by the left of center Republican Chris Shays who was defeated in the Year of Obama by Dem Jim Himes. Dan Debicella is tasked with winning the seat back but will have his work cut out for him in a district that pulls the D lever most of time. Debicella will run against Himes' 94% Pelosi Rubber Stamp record with a focus on low taxes and less regulation as the keys to economic recovery.

NW CT, MERIDEN & NEW BRITAIN TO WATERBURY, THE LITCHFIELD HILLS, NORTHERN FAIRFIELD COUNTY INCLUDING DANBURY & THE FARMINGTON RIVER VALLEY

Despite a pledge to be independent, Dem 2-Termer Chris Murphy has consistently voted for the Democratic big government spending and control agenda. Republican State Senator and former mayor of Waterbury Sam Caligiuri outlasted two strong Republican challengers to win the Aug. 10 primary.. His experience and pragmatic approach to governing make him a good fit for this moderate district and will be invaluable assets in Congress.

DE-AL COVERS THE ENTIRE STATE OF DELAWARE

Mike Castle, recently defeated by Christine O'Donnell, has held this seat easily since 1993. This is one of the few seats that Democrats have a legitimate shot at seizing from the Republicans, but it will still be an uphill battle in this anti-Democrat cycle. Dem Lt. Gov. John Carney, who eyed this seat ever since Castle announced he would vacate it will be up against the GOP's Glen Urquhart who has spent 12 years in Washington, mostly implementing Reagan economic policies - policies badly in need of resurrection.

EASTERN FL PANHANDLE, MUCH OF BIG BEND REGION & TALLAHASSEE

FL-02 is reliably Republican in presidential contests. Boyd’s yes vote on health care reform in March, after previously voting no last November, provides an opening for Republican attacks. State Senate Minority Leader Al Lawson (D) came close to unseating Boyd in a very close primary so Boyd did not escape unscathed to face the Republican primary winner Steve Southerland.

MOST OF ORLAND & ORLANDO SUBURBS INCLUDING WALT DISNEY WORLD

Freshman Dem Alan Grayson became controversial for his claim that the Republican health care plan would cause people to get sick and die. The GOP chose former Florida Speaker of the House and Senate Majority Leader Daniel Webster to go up against Grayson in the general election and the Republicans are favored to take this seat away from the Dems.

POLK COUNTY & PARTS OF RURAL & SUBURBAN EAST HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY PLUS SOME OSCEOLA COUNTY

Republican Adam Putnam is opting to run for state agricultural commissioner leaving this traditionally Republican seat open for a run by the underfunded Dem challenger Lori Edwards.  In fielding a very good candidate in Dennis Ross, Republicans have decidedly improved their chances of holding this seat. Ross is endorsed by a wide range of conservative leaders and groups at the state and national levels.

SE FLORIDA FROM BROWARD COUNTY TO NORTHERN EDGE OF PALM BEACH COUNTY

In 2006, Dem Ron Klein unseated incumbent Republican E. Clay Shaw, Jr. in a close race and was re-elected. Army Lt. Col. Allen West, on a meager budget, unsuccessfully challenged Klein in 2008 and this year he's back for a very well funded 2nd  try. West has evolved into a hero of sorts to conservatives due to his inspiring oratory and unapologetic defense of key conservative issues.

EAST CENTRAL FL ENCOMPASSING SUBURBS OF ORLANDO & THE SPACE COAST

Former State Rep. Suzanne Kosmas unseated two term incumbent Republican Tom Feeney  in 2008. Her chances for re-election dimmed considerably when she voted in favor of health care reform. The GOP selected Sandy Adams by a razor thin margin of 560 votes over Karen Diebel. Both Craig Miller and Diebel have endorsed Adams and it will be a united GOP working to take back the FL-24 seat from Kosmas.

SE FLORIDA INCLUDING WESTERN MIAMI-DADE COUNTY & THE EVERGLADES

Republican Mario Diaz-Balart, now in his fourth term as representative, is leaving this seat to compete in the more Republican friendly Florida 21st District.  Democrats have drafted Joe Garcia, former Miami-Dade County Democratic Party Chairman to fill their side of the ticket. Republicans have high hopes for State Rep. David Rivera who has shown himself to be a prolific fundraiser and has qualified to receive party help via the NRCC “Young Guns” program.

MOST OF SOUTHWEST GA INCLUDING BAINBRIDGE & ALBANY

Dem Sanford Bishop, a reliable vote for Pelosi who rarely meets a liberal initiative he doesn't endors has held this seat since 1993. Recently, BIshop is coming under fire for awarding college scholarships through the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation to several of his family members. This scandal has opened the door for GOP candidate Mike Keown, a Christian, pro-life, pro-family, pro-2nd amendment, pro-military,candidate who has served fourteen years on the county school board and four years as the mayor of the city of Coolidge.

EAST -- DAVENPORT, WATERLOO, DUBUQUE

Democrat Bruce Braley, two term incumbent, has pushed for a larger and more intrusive federal government — typified by Wall Street bailouts, private sector takeovers, and Obamacare. Lawyer and GOP “Young Gun” Ben Lange won the GOP primary by 30 pts. He thinks it’s time to put a check and balance on the policies of Barack Obama, Nancy Pelosi, and Bruce Braley.

SOUTHEAST -- CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA CITY

In 2006, college professor David Loebsack upset 30 year incumbent Republican Jim Leach. Loebsack is on record saying he is "very proud" of his votes for Obamacare, cap-and-trade, and Wall Street bail-outs. He claims that people who want to replace him are "threats to our democracy”. U.S. Army Lt. Col., Ret. and physician Mariannette Miller-Meeks is challenging Loebsack. She supports cutting government spending, cutting taxes and getting government out of the way so businesses can create jobs.

CENTRAL IOWA - DES MOINES & POLK COUNTY , NEWTON, OSKALOSSA AND EAST

Boswell’s liberal voting record demonstrates that his loyalties lie not with the good people of the Hawkeye State, but rather with Nancy Pelosi - 98% of the time. Boswell will be hard-pressed to win as he faces strong Republican candidate Brad Zaun - State Senator, former Mayor of Urbandale, and Business Owner. (bw)

BOISE & SUBURBS, NAMPA, MERIDIAN, LEWISTON, MOSCOW & COUEUR D'ALENE

Democrat Walter Minnick won ID-01 in the Obama-wave of 2008. The GOP voters picked State Representative Raul Labrador to reclaim this traditionally Republican seat. Labrador, who supports tax cuts for job creation will need to sharpen his fund-raising skills to compete with the well funded blue-dog but still liberal Minnick.

NORTHERN CHICAGO SUBURBS, PORTIONS OF LAKE, MCHENRY & COOK COUNTIES

Illinois GOP voters have chosen college instructor Joe Walsh to reclaim the IL-08 seat  from Melissa Bean who has represented this district since 2005. Bean, who voted for the ObamaCare takeover of the healthcare industry and the bailouts, stimulus, and car company takeovers should be vulnerable in 2010 to conservative, limited govenment advocate Joe Walsh.

NOTHERN CHICAGO SUBURBS

IL-10 is an open seat previously held by GOP Senate candidate Mark Kirk that has been in Republican hands for 30 years. Businessman Robert Dold, the GOP candidate, will bring his small business experience to the race with a focus on jobs and fiscal responsibilty. That should play well against the liberal Dem candidate Dan Seals, who has lost twice in his bid for the 10th District seat. (bw)

CHICAGO SUBURBS, OTTAWA, JOLIET, BLOOMINGTON & KANKAKEE

To retain the IL-11 seat, the Dem's Debbie Halvorson will have to defeat a former member of the Air Force

Special Ops & Air Combat Command, the GOP's Adam Kinzinger. Halvorson's votes for the Healthcare Takeover and the failed 'stimulus' will not be helpful running against Kinzinger who's focused on the need for fiscal responsibility in Washington.

WESTERN IL BORDER INCLUDING MOLINE, ROCK ISLAND AND PORTIONS OF RURAL  AREAS NEAR DECATUR AND SPRINGFIELD

Democrat Phil Hare won this seat in 2007, voted for the failed stimulus and subsequently lauded its effectiveness on numerous occasions. When questioned about the constitutionality of Obamacare, he said the Constitution “doesn’t matter to me”. Republican candidate  Bobby Shilling has been steadily gaining on Hare as the voters of the IL 17th realize that Hare is more intent on ingratiating himself to his party leadership than he is to his constituents.

SOUTH-EASTERN TO SOUTH-CENTRAL INDIANA INCLUDING BLOOMINGTON

Baron Hill has earned the distinction of being the only Democrat in Indiana to vote for the failed stimulus package, the government takeover of healthcare and the job-killing National Energy Tax. This year Hill is up against former Marine Corps officer Todd Young who promises to fight for job creation, fiscal responsibility, 2^nd Amendment rights, and national defense.

NE KANSAS, ALL OR PARTS OF WYANDOTTE, JOHNSON & DOUGLAS COUNTIES

Dennis Moore, Dem Congressman since 1999 and the first Dem since 1875 to hold that position, has apparently seen the "handwriting on the Obama Wall" and is retiring. This seat should be a sure-fire pickup by the GOP's fiscally responsible State Representative and Attorney Kevin Yoder. He will run against Moore's wife, Stephene, who will have to defend the liberal Moore voting record.

CENTRAL KY, LEXINGTON & SUBURBS, RICHMOND AND FRANKFORT

KY-06 incumbent Ben Chandler, once a Blue Dog Democrat, has veered leftward in recent years, supporting the 'stimulus' and the anti-job Cap-and-Trade bill which passed in the House. That record won't play well against the GOP's Andy Barr with his pro-jobs agenda for cutting spending and reducing the national debt.

SOUTH CENTRAL LA INCLUDING NEW IBERIA, HOUMA & CHALMETTE

LA-03 was a GOP stronghold until Charlie Melancon took the seat in 2004 and was subsequently re-elected in 2006 and 2008. He is now running for the U.S. Senate leaving the seat  open. In the August GOP primary, Attorney and ’07 state Sen. candidate Jeff Landry garnered 49.6% of the vote, besting his nearest rival Hunt Downer by not quite enough to avoid a runoff election that he is certain to win. In a year when jobs is the issue in  Lousiana, Jeff Landry, a small buisness founder in the oil and gas industry looks like a winner.

PORTIONS OF SOUTH SHORE & ALL OF CAPE CODE & ISLANDS

 Democrat Bill Delahunt, representative since 1997, is retiring at the end of this term. State Representative, Attorney and College Professor Jeff Perry won the Massachusett's GOP primary with a convincing 62% of the vote. Perry will face Norfolk County District Attorney Bill Keating. Keating's record on tax hikes and big spending is the epitome of what voters overwhelmingly rejected by electing Scott Brown. Jeff Perry has been a fiscal watchdog in the state legislature fighting against bigger government, higher taxes and wasteful spending. 

THE ENTIRE EASTERN SHORE & PARTS OF ANNE ARUNDEL, BALTIMORE & HARFORD COUNTIES

 From 1992 to 2008, Republican Wayne Gilchrest served as representative. Considered moderate, Gilchrest faced a primary challenge in 2008 by conservative State Senator Andy Harris. Harris vanquished Gilchrest and the slighted incumbent sided with Democrat Frank Kratovil against Harris in the general election. Kratovil ended up beating Harris by a paper thin margin. In 2010 we get to see the rematch in a very Republican year.

ENTIRE UPPER PENINSULA & PORTIONS OF THE LOWER PENINSULA WITH 30 OF MICHIGAN'S 83 COUNTIES

 Democrat Bart Stupak has held the MI-01 seat but will not seek re-election, primarily because of the negative fallout  from his yea vote for Obamacare. The Dems have nominated State Rep. Gary McDowell, who, like Stupak, claims to be against abortion to hold on to the seat.. The contest for the Republican nomination was as close as they come with surgeon Dan Benishek winning by 15 votes over State Sen. Jason Allen by only 15 votes.

PARTS OF BRANCH, EATON, HILLSDALE, JACKSON, LENAWEE, CALHOUN & WASHTENAW COUNTIES.

Tim Wahlberg wants his seat back. This year he will have a rematch with freshman Dem Mark Schauer who took the seat from him by a narrow margin in the 2008 election. In 2010 the odds favor a Wahlberg victory in this traditional Republican district - but he will have to overcome a big funding lead by the very liberal Schauer.

SE MICHIGAN, MOST OF OAKLAND COUNTY

Former State Representative and Tea Party favorite 'Rocky' Raczkowski is after one-term Dem Congressman Gary Peters' seat. Winning back MI-09 won't be easy in this district that has drifted in the Democrat's direction in the last few elections. But Obama isn't running in 2010 and this is a Republican year so the social and fiscal conservative Raczkowski will have a good shot at it.

NORTHEAST -- DULUTH, IRON RANGE

Dem Jim Oberstar has been in Congress for almost four decades and it’s high time he got a “real” job. He has never met a big government spending program that he could pass up, including Obamacare, cap and trade and the failed stimulus. At a recent debate, Oberstar insulted constituents who had questions about climate change by saying they were in the “flat earth society”. Chip Cravaack, U.S. Navy Reserve, Ret. and pilot for NW Airlines is running on a platform of stopping government spending, paying down the debt, and cutting fraud and waste.

WEST CENTRAL MO, EASTERN KANSAS CITY SUBURBS & MUCH OF JEFFERSON CITY

Vicky Hartzler, Ex-State Representative, Religious Right Activist, Author and Ex-Teacher is the GOP's choice to unseat Dem Ike Skelton who has held the overwhelmingly Republican MO-04 seat since 1976. This is a seat that Obama could only manage 38% to McCain's 61% so in an anti-incumbent and Republican year Hartler has a good shot at giving Skelton a long overdue retirement package.

COLUMBUS, OXFORD, SOUTHAVE & TUPELO

This is clearly a district with a strong Republican base and Childers’ voting record over the past two years has led to an unfavorable opinion amongst the electorate. State Senator Alan Nunnelee has worked hard over the past year in preparing his challenge to Childers and is steadily moving towards success in November. (bw)

SOUTH-EASTERN MS, 15 COUNTIES, GULFPORT, BILOXI & HATTIESBURG

MS-04 has a Cook Voting Index as R+22, making it one of the two most Republican districts in the nation currently held by a Democrat. For the past seven years, the Fourth has been held by Democrat Gene Taylor, who, despite the region’s reputation as a Republican stronghold, has managed to maintain his grip on this district. This fall, Taylor faces off against popular Republican state Rep. Steven Palazzo—putting Republicans in the perfect position to take Mississippi’s Fourth on Election Day.

RURAL AREAS OF RALEIGH METRO AREA

Although this is considered a Democrat leaning district, Obama won here by only 5 points in 2008 and Renee Ellmers is looking to take this seat from the incumbent Democrat Bob Etheridge in an historical year for Republicans. Etheridge is now the well known star of a viral YouTube video showing him assulting a student who asked the simple but dangerous question: "Do you fully support the Obama agenda". This is a question that no Democrate really wants to answer.

SOUTH-EAST NC, SAMSON & DUPLIN COUNTIES TO COLUMBUS & BRUNSWICK, 9 COUNTIES

Showing a Republican voting trend in both of the last two presidential elections, George W. Bush carried this district with 56% of the vote in 2004 while John McCain won with 52% of the vote in 2008, even as Obama took the state. The conservative former Marine Pantano is running against the big spending incumbent McIntyre in a year when no incumbent Democrat can feel really safe.

WESTERN NC ENCOMPASSING ASHEVILLE & THE BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAINS

Democrat Heath Shuler, first elected in 2006, had a weak showing in the Democratic primary. Businessman Jeff Miller won an impressive primary victory despite a very crowded ballot and has been designated a "Young Gun" by the National Republican Congressional Committee as a result of his fund raising success. Miller has pledged to listen to his constituents and put their interests above the party agenda and Washington special interest groups.

NORTH DAKOTA AT LARGE SEAT

Earl Pomeroy, a vulnerable Democrat who has represented North Dakota since being elected in 1992, faces his toughest challenge yet from GOP nominee and Young Gun Rick Berg. Berg, who currently represents Fargo in the North Dakota House of Representatives where he previously served as Majority Leader, stresses fiscal responsibility - a discipline badly needed in Washington D.C. (bw)

OMAHA, BELLEVUE, BENNINGTON, ELKHORN, LA VISTA, PAPILLION, RALSTON, VALLEY & WATERLOO

Republican Lee Terry has represented NE-02 since 1998 winning elections comfortably with the exception of Obama year 2008, when he prevailed by only 4 percentage points over Dem Jim Esch. State Senator Tom White will challenge Terry this November. The close margin in 2008 has Democrat strategists eyeing this seat as a potential Democrat pick up. Not likely.

SOUTHEASTERN NH INCLUDING THE MANCHESTER, SEACOAST AREAS & THE LAKES REGION

NH-01 was a GOP seat from 1985 until Carol Shea-Porter, an extremist Democrat and the incumbent, won in 2006. Shea-Porter's staunch support of her party's failed economic policies have placed her squarely at odds with her constituents. Republican primary winner Frank Guinta has served Manchester for the better part of a decade, first as a member of the state legislature and then as mayor and has a good shot at taking back this seat for the GOP.

WESTERN NH INCLUDING NASHUA & CONCORD

Democrat Paul Hodes, now in his second term, vacated this seat to run for the U.S. Senate.  Former U.S. Representative Charlie Bass, who lost his seat to Hodes in 2006, won the GOP primary. He will go against Dem Ann McLane Kuster who defeated business consultant Katrina Swett, daugher of the late U.S. Rep. Tom Lantos. Charlie Bass has a proven record of fighting for policies that create jobs, cut excessive government spending and promote alternative energies - good record to have in this election cycle.

CENTRAL NEW MEXICO, ALBUQUERQUE AND SUBURBS

Martin Heinrich is another of the freshman Dems who rode the Obama wave in 2008. As a 97.2% Pelosi voter he wil have a tough record to defend against Jon Barela in this tradionally Republican district. Barela, a small business owner and past chairman of the Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce, will run a tough race in this district where 43% of the contituents are Hispanic.

EASTERN SUFFOLK COUNTRY ON LONG ISLAND - INCLUDES HAMPTONS, SMITHTOWN & BROOKHAVEN

 Democrat Tim Bishop has represented the district since 2002, but conservatives in the district have become quite vocal against the out of control government spending. He has been hurt by a widely disseminated YouTube clip shows Bishop vainly attempting to quell criticism of the Obama agenda at a recent town hall meeting. The GOP's Randy Altschuler, a successful entrepreneur in small business is committed to rebuilding our nation's struggling economy, creating jobs, and reforming the culture and priorities in Washington.

STATEN ISLAND & PARTS OF BROOKLYN

It’s hard to comprehend that any district within commuting distance to NYC could lean Republican but this one,surprisingly does - McCain even beat Obama here. A Republican scandal allowed Democrat Michael McMahon to cruise to victory in 2008. But McMahon’s vote against health care reform did not endear him to left leaning groups in the district and he is up against the U.S. Marine Corps Veteran, FBI Special Agent, and businessman Mike Grimm  who won the GOP primary with a convincing 68.6% of the vote.

HUDSON VALLEY, PARTS OF DUTCHESS, ORANGE, ROCKLAND & WESTCHESTER COUNTIES AND ALL OF PUTNAM COUNTY

The 19th cannot be considered safe for either political party. Dem John Hall has held the seat for 2 terms but it was 12 years for the GOP before that. The GOP backed physician Nan Hayworth and she delivered, earning 69.7% of the vote in the primary. She is proving to be an impressive fundraiser, outpacing Hall by a 2 to 1 margin in the first quarter of the year. Hayworth, an experienced doctor and businesswoman will be a tough opponent for Hall in November.

SOUTH CENTRAL -- BINGHAMTON, POUGHKEEPSIE, ITHACA

Now in his 9th term, Dem Maurice Hinchey has always been a reliable lackey for the far left. He is feeling the heat this time around, recently tangling with a local reporter and telling him to “shut up”. Teacher and former staffer for Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) George Phillips is back for his second try at unseating Hinchey. Mayor Ed Koch has endorsed Phillips because of Hinchey’s consistent anti-Israel stance. Phillips has a bold plan get us back on track, put our fiscal house in order, foster job growth and make the government more accountable to the people it serves.

CANADIAN BORDER,, MOST OF ADIRONDACK MOUNTAINS, THOUSAND ISLAND REGION, WATERTOWN, PLATTSBURGH & OSWEGO

Newcomer Matt Doheny was the winner over Doug Hoffman in the  GOP Primary. He will face incumbent Dem Bill Owens who was the victor in the earlier special election that was highlighted by the GOP's choice, Dede Scozzafava, dropping out and endorsing Owens. With his firsthand knowledge of what it takes to bring a large company back from the brink of financial ruin Matt Doheny will look good to an electorate anxious about the big spenders in Washington.

SOUTHERN TIER, CATTARAUGUS, CHEMUNG, SCHUYLET, STEUBEN & YATES COUNTIES & PORTIONS OF MONROE & ONTARIO COUNTIES

Democrat Eric Massa won the seat in 2008, but resigned in disgrace on March 8, 2010. NY Gov. David Paterson has refused to call for a special election to fill the vacancy, leaving over 600,000 NY residents without a voice in Congress. The NY 29th is one of the most Republican districts in the entire state of NY and one of only four NY districts where McCain won.

SOUTHERN OH, HAMILTON COUNTY SUBURBS OF CINCINNATI AND PARTS OF 8 OTHER COUNTIES

SInce 2005, the OH-02 seat has been held by Republican Jean Schmidt. This year she is favored to retain that seat against relatively unknown and political newcomer Surya Yalamanchili whose website at one point had the headline "I'm here, now what?". A good question for sure. This should be a fairly easy hold for the conservative Schmidt.

SOUTH-EAST OH - YOUNGSTOWN & SOUTH ALONG THE OHIO RIVER

The current representative, Democrat Charlie Wilson, is one of Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s reliable stooges, and votes her line nearly 100% of the time, including a vote for the government takeover of health care. Ohioans have suffered enough job losses as a result of the disastrous economic policies of the Obama administration. It’s time to fire Wilson and send someone to Washington who has real plans for job creation—someone with business and leadership experience—someone exactly like retired USAF Lt. Colonel Bill Johnson.

UNION & MADISON COUNTIES AND PORTIONS OF FRANKLIN COUNTY

Mary Jo Kilroy is another vulnerable freshman Democrat & loyal 98.5% Pelosi Puppet who won her seat in 2008 by less than 1%. She is up against Steve Stivers, a Lieutenant Colonel in the Ohio National Guard, who has served in Iraq and across the Middle East. This is a rematch between Stivers, a State Senator from 2003 to 2008 and Kilroy, the likely loser this time around. (bw)

Democrat Zach Space has held the OH-18 seat since 2008 in what had been a GOP stronghold with a very pro-Republican voting record in recent Presidential elections. It will be up to pro-life, pro-2nd Amendment, deficit hawk, and Ohio State Senator Bob Gibbs to reclaim the seat from the liberal and very well funded Zach  Space.

NORTHWESTERN PA, ERIE, SHARON, BUTLER AND MEADVILLE

This fall, Kathy Dahlkemper enters another uphill battle as she faces Republican candidate business owner Mike Kelly who has a record as a job creator and is committed to holding the line on spending and paying down the debt.  In 2008, a good year for the Dems, political newcomer Dahlkemper barely won by a two percent margin. That's not likely to happen again in the Republican year of 2010. (bw)

SUBURBAN PHILADELPHIA, BUCKS COUNTY, NORTHEAST PHILADELPHIA

SHAMOKIN, WILLIAMSPORT & CARBONDALE TO NORTHEAST PA

Before Chris Carney won in 2006, Republicans held this seat for more than four decades. Carney voted for the trillion-dollar government takeover of healthcare twice and for the failed trillion dollar Obama stimulus. This November he faces former United States Attorney Tom Marino, who was previously elected to serve as the District Attorney of Lycoming County. It looks like a tough year for the Tax and Spend Carney. (bh)

NORTH OF PHILADELPHIA, BLOOMSBURG, CARBON, COLUMBIA, LACKAWANNA, LUZERNE & MONROE COUNTIES

Dem Paul Kanjorski has represented PA-11 since 1984. He will be retired along with his 97.3% Pelosi Rubber Stamp this fall by the GOP's Lou Barletta, Mayor of Hazelton, PA since 2000. Mayor Barletta has the proven experience needed in Washington to rein in spending and pay down the debt. (bw)

SOUTHWEST PA, NINE COUNTIES, NEW KENNSINGTON, JOHNSTOWN, UNIONTOWN

Democrat Mark Critz defeated Tim Burns in a May special election to replace the late John Murtha. The rematch in November will be a difficult one in a very tough district for Republicans where registered Dems outnumber them by a 2 to 1 margin. Tim Burns will need to leverage his Sarah Palin endorsement and his strong fund-raising ability to win.

NORTHEAST RI

Patrick J. Kennedy, Democrat, has represented the district since 1995 and is retiring at the end of the current term. Dem David Cicilline, mayor of Providence and a typical New England tax and spend liberal won his party’s primary. Cicilline scandals have given the GOP's John Loughlin, the Minority Whip in the Rhode Island House of Rep. a shot at this seat.

NORTHERN SC, CHESTER, FAIRFIELD, LANCASTER & YORK COUNTIES

John Spratt, Pelosi's Budget Chairman, was chief architect of the ObamaCare bill. That's enough reason to replace him with GOP candidate and SC State Senator Mick Mulvaney. Mulvaney's views on the limited role of government and the need to reduce taxes and spending to encourage job growth should play well against Spratt, the author of the largest federal budget in history.

MIDDLE & EAST TN, ALL OF 21 COUNTIES & PARTS OF 3 OTHERS

Five term Dem Lincoln Davis will have to defend his seat in the Republican leaning TN-04 against Dr. Scott DisJarlais who is going to campaign on a platform calling for the repeal of Obamacare. Although Davis voted against Obamacare neither he nor any of the other thirty-three Democrat who also voted NO are willing to join the 170 Republicans calling for repeal.

MIDDLE TN  INCLUDING NASHVILLE SUBURBS

The retirement  of Dem Bart Gordon, who has held the TN-06 seat since 1985 gives the Republicans an excellent opportunity for a pickup. The GOP's Diane Black, a Tennessee State Senator will be favored over newcomer and little known Dem Attorney Bret Carter who will have a very  tough time in a district that has been trending Republican for some time.

NW TN, JACKSON, CLARKSVILLE, DICKSON, CHARLOTTE, UNION CITY, DYERSBURG,BROWNSVILLE & MILLINGTON

The retirement of the popular Dem Rep. John Tanner, first elected in 1988, has opened the door for a Republican takeover of a seat that has been in Democrat hands for forty years. State Senator Roy Herron will try to hold on to TN-08 against the GOP's Stephen Fincher, a farmer and well-known gospel singer who will run on a platform focused on limited government and jobs.

BORDER BETWEEN EL PASO & SAN ANTONIO, EAGLE PASS & DEL RIO