State by State Recap: Massachusetts to New Jersey

Picking this week’s series back up, today we have the recap for Massachusetts to New Jersey, so let’s dive right on in.

Massachusetts: The Tipping Point

• Senator Ted Kennedy (D) dies and a special election was set to replace him without a Kennedy family member or protégé in the contest.
• Voters picked Scott Brown (R) over a somewhat clueless Democrat which encouraged tea party activists of their righteousness and reduced the GOP Senate magic number to 10.
• State treasurer Tim Cahill was elected as a Democrat but became an Independent to run for governor.
• Rep. Barney Frank (D MA 4) gets a financial services regulation bill enacted.

Michigan: The Underdogs

• Big-spending entrepreneur Rick Snyder took down two powerful “sure winners” in GOP gubernatorial primary.
• Rep. Carolyn Kirkpatrick (D MI 13) lost primary for her 8th term.
• Rep. Bart Stupak (D MI 1) decided not to run again after getting attacked on all sides over his negotiated settlement on health care and abortion.
• Rep. John Dingell (D MI 15) the longest-serving House member didn’t retire.

Minnesota: A Different Blend of Tea

• Governor Tim Pawlenty (R) isn’t running again.
• Democratic primary voters rejected the convention-endorsed Margaret Anderson Kelliher for governor.
• Rep. Keith Ellison (D MN 5) is the first Muslim to serve in the House.
• Rep. Michele Bachmann (R MN 6) rivals Sarah Palin in the tea party camps.
• Democrats picked the Twin Cities for 2012 presidential nominating convention.

Mississippi: Same Old Story

• No statewide race on the ballot
• All 4 House members are running again

Missouri: 2008 History

• President Obama secured his place as a serious presidential contender in 2008 by winning the Missouri Democratic Primary after the Iowa caucuses.
• Missouri was the closest state in the 2008 Presidential Election, it was won by McCain by about 4000 votes.
• Senator Kit Bond (R) is retiring after four terms in the Senate and two terms as governor.

Montana: Same Old Song

• No statewide races on the ballot
• Senator Max Baucus (D) chairs the Senate Finance Committee

Nebraska: Earmarks

• Senator Ben Nelson (D) almost brought down the health care bill over his provisions to benefit Nebraska.
• Nebraska’s allocation system for Electoral College votes gave the 2nd district to Obama in 2008.

Nevada: Battle Royale

• Tea party insurgents kept weak GOP establishment figure from winning a 13-way primary battle.
• Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D) and his son Rory are both on the ballot.
• Governor Jim Gibbons (R) lost his primary
• Foreclosures and unemployment among highest in the nation.
• Obama voter turnout machine expanded voter registration to win in 2008

New Hampshire: Judd Gregg

• After accepting, Sen. Judd Gregg (R) turned down an appointment as Secretary of Commerce.
• Senator Gregg also decided not to seek a 4th term
• Governors are elected every 2 years.
• Open Senate Republican primary chose the national party’s choice by a narrow margin.

New Jersey: The Snowball Effect

• Chris Christie (R) won 2009 gubernatorial race, inspiring Republican candidates to run across the nation in 2010.
• Governor Chris Christie (R) says he isn’t ready or experienced enough to run for president.
• Senator Bob Menendez (D) chairs the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC)
• No statewide races on the ballot.

Today was the third of five entries in previewing each of the 50 states.  Tomorrow, we will tackle New Mexico – South Carolina.