Political Note #132 Amy McGrath KY CD 06

Post published:June 14, 2018
Post category:Federal Elections General Election Lose US Congress 2018 Year Result State US Congress 2018 Type of Election Political Notes Kentucky

Amy McGrath was at the Naval Academy when the rule about women flying in combat was changed. She trained as a pilot and, in Afghanistan, became the first woman to fly an F-18 on a combat mission, the first of her several missions. She did a second tour flying in Iraq. Later, as a Marine Corps Congressional Fellow, she provided defense and foreign policy advice. Still later, she served as the Marine Corps liaison to the State Department. Now she is running for Congress in Kentucky.

Political Note #129 Danny O’Connor OH CD 12

Post published:June 5, 2018
Post category:Federal Elections General Election Lose US Congress 2018 Year Result State Special Election US Congress 2018 Type of Election Political Notes Ohio

Danny O'Connor's case for election rests on his work as Franklin County Recorder. Not glamorous work. Not work for a member of the elite. The Recorder keeps land records -- deeds, surveys, mortgages, easements, and liens. Danny O'Connor cleaned up an office which was badly run. He is in tune with his electorate.

Political Note #127 Scott Wallace PA CD 01

Post published:May 30, 2018
Post category:Federal Elections General Election Lose US Congress 2018 Year Result State US Congress 2018 Type of Election Political Notes Pennsylvania

Scott Wallace is conscious of a family predecessors: farmers, writers, entrepreneurs, business exeuctives, philanthropists, and a vice president under FDR. He has been a business executive and a philanthropist. Now he is seeking to expand his influence by serving in Congress.

Political Note #126 Kara Eastman NE CD 02

Post published:May 27, 2018
Post category:Federal Elections Win General Election Lose US Congress Primary 2018 Year Result State US Congress 2018 Type of Election Political Notes Nebraska

Kara Eastman has been CEO of the Omaha Healthy Kids Alliance (OHKA). Focused on combating lead poisoning, the organization expands its work by addressing the context in which lead poisoning happens. She was a surprise winner in the Democratic Primary taking on the incumbent Congressman.

Political Note #125 Stacey Abrams GA Governor

Post published:May 24, 2018
Post category:Governor General Election Lose State Elections 2018 Year Result State Type of Election Political Notes Georgia

Stacy Abrams is Georgia House of Representatives minority leader. In this case, minority means Democrat. If elected Governor, she would be Georgia's first African American and first woman governor. Her record is pragmatic. She is sometimes criticized for not fighting hard enough for Democratic priorities. In the primary, she was targeted for agreeing to decrease funding for the HOPE Scholarships. She says she preserved the program and ensured full day kindergarten.

Political Note #122 Dan Feehan MN CD 01

Post published:May 13, 2018
Post category:Federal Elections General Election Lose US Congress 2018 Year Result State US Congress 2018 Type of Election Political Notes Minnesota

On September 11, 2001, Dan Feehan was in Washington, DC. His public service goal became joining the military. He signed up for ROTC, graduated, and served two combat tours in Iraq from 2006 to 2009. Next, he joined Teach for America and got an internship in the White House. The internship brought him back to the military. After some civilian experiences with the military, he was appointed Assistant Secretary of Defense for Readines

Political Note #120 Mike Espy MS US Senate

Post published:May 5, 2018
Post category:Federal Elections Political Summary US Senate Lose 2018 Year Result Special Election Type of Election Political Notes Mississippi

Mike Espy was the first African-American Congressman from Mississippi since reconstruction. He was Secretary of Agriculture in the Clinton administration. He is practicing law now. In Mississippi. He resembles many of the Democrats running for Congress in Republican districts. He is a moderate Democrat. As a Member of Congress, he got NRA support. As a Member of Congress, he was not controversial. He was on the Agriculture Committee. He was a member of Bill Clinton's moderate Democratic Leadership Council. Mike Espy was successful in attracting a substantial portion of the white vote in his district.

Political Note #118 Gina Ortiz Jones TX CD 23

Post published:April 28, 2018
Post category:Federal Elections General Election Lose US Congress 2018 Year Result State US Congress 2018 Type of Election Political Notes Texas

Ortiz Jones grew up poor. She was raised in public housing by her single mother, an immigrant from the Philipines. She became Director of Investment for the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative under President Obama and, briefly, under President Trump. She has attracted a national following. If this were a special election, she would be the next big thing.

Political Note #114 David Shapiro FL CD 16

Post published:April 11, 2018
Post category:Federal Elections General Election Lose US Congress 2018 Year Result State US Congress 2018 Type of Election Political Notes Florida

David Shapiro's father prospered building houses during Florida's continuing housing boom. David Shapiro went to law school. He stayed local. He thrived, as well. Despite his prosperity, no one accuses him of being a member of the elite. He is a personal injury lawyer; has been for over thirty years. The firm has ten offices on the West Coast of Florida none in New York or Washington. Personal injury lawyers are rarely accused of being members of the elite.

Political Note #109 Dana Balter NY CD 24

Post published:March 22, 2018
Post category:Federal Elections General Election Lose US Congress 2018 Year Result State US Congress 2018 Type of Election Political Notes New York

Dana Balter needs some help. She doesn't have much money. She will figure that out. She has figured everything else out. Unless some new Democrat shows up with a lot of money, she has the nomination for NY 24 wrapped up. The County Democratic Committees in each county in the district have endorsed her. Her principal opponent left the race. Beating the Republican incumbent is another story.