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Why 'Obamacare' Is Good for Entrepreneurs

Margot Sanger-Katz | June 3, 2013

A new study estimates that the health care law will allow 1.5 million Americans to leave corporate jobs and start their own businesses.

Colorado's Forgotten Senate Race

Scott Bland | May 30, 2013

It has all the trademarks of a battleground. But Colorado, home of Democratic Sen. Mark Udall, is turning into the forgotten race of 2014.

Texas Could End Up Leading the Country on Electronic Privacy

Brian Fung | May 29, 2013

A bill waiting for Gov. Rick Perry's signature would set up even stricter protections for user data than current federal law.

New Poll Shows Snyder and Schauer Tied in Michigan

Julie Sobel | May 21, 2013

A new poll released Tuesday shows a tight gubernatorial race in Michigan, and shows Democratic Rep. Gary Peters with the early edge in the Senate race. The EPIC-MRA poll tests GOP Gov. Rick Snyder against former Democratic Rep. Mark Schauer, who has indicated he's leaning toward a bid. The two are...

Virginia Republicans Panicking Over Their Choice for Lieutenant Governor

Beth Reinhard | May 21, 2013

Archconservative pastor E.W. Jackson isn't the running mate Ken Cuccinelli had in mind.

Schweitzer Elected Stillwater Chairman, Mum on Senate Run

Scott Bland | May 20, 2013

Stillwater Mining Company, the largest public corporation in Montana and one of the state's largest employers, announced Monday that former Democratic Gov. Brian Schweitzer was elected chairman of the company's board. He will help lead a search to replace the company's longtime CEO, Frank McAllister...

Local Democrats Breaking With Party To Endorse Chris Christie

Kevin Brennan | May 16, 2013

Trailing badly in the polls, New Jersey state Sen. Barbara Buono, the likely Democratic nominee for governor in the fall, is doing her best to link Gov. Chris Christie to the national GOP. “I didn’t think the Republicans could find anybody that was as out of touch with middle class values as, yo...

Poll: McAuliffe Holds Slight Lead in Va. Gov. Race

Sarah Mimms | May 16, 2013

Former Democratic National Committee chairman Terry McAuliffe has taken a slight lead over Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli in Virginia's gubernatorial race, according to a new Quinnipiac University poll released on Thursday morning. McAuliffe leads Cuccinelli, 43 percent to 38 percent, with 17 perce...

Virginia Governor's Race Overshadowed By Scandal

Michael Catalini | April 30, 2013

Ken Cuccinelli and Terry McAuliffe's ties to controversial companies have become fodder for attacks.

Explaining the GOP Split Over Repealing Obamacare

Michael Catalini | April 26, 2013

Cantor's approach blew up this week. Conservatives who want repeal might have the upper hand politically -- over Democrats, too.

House Fundraising Winners and Losers

Scott Bland and Kevin Brennan and Sarah Mimms and Alex Brown | April 18, 2013

The path back to a House majority is incredibly difficult for Democrats. But there was a lot of good news for them in the first set of campaign finance reports of the 2014 election cycle. For the big winners of the first quarter, just look toward the top of the list. A pair of Florida freshmen, Dem...

Booker Reports Raising $1.9 Million in First Quarter

Kevin Brennan | April 15, 2013

Newark, N.J., Mayor Cory Booker hasn't officially launched his Senate campaign, but the Democrat posted an impressive first quarter fundraising haul, reeling in $1.9 million over the first three months of 2013. Booker finished March with more than $1.6 million in his federal fundraising account, acc...

Ken Cuccinelli Struggling with Makeover in Virginia Governor's Race

Beth Reinhard | April 12, 2013

The Republican nominee is now focusing more on job growth and education reform than railing against abortion and gay marriage.

How Pat Toomey Became the Face of the Blue State GOP

Alex Roarty | April 11, 2013

The senator from Pennsylvania could have followed Rick Santorum. Instead, he's moving to the center on guns and gay rights.

To Beat Terry McAuliffe, Virginia GOP Turns to Anti-Romney Playbook

Beth Reinhard | April 11, 2013

The Democratic nominee once made an outlandish claim that would make Mitt cringe.

Hutchinson Officially Begins Ark. Governor Campaign

Jordain Carney | April 10, 2013

Former Rep. Asa Hutchinson, R-Ark., announced Wednesday that he has raised more than $350,000 for his nascent gubernatorial campaign. "In January I publicly stated that I would be a candidate for Governor in 2014. Today, I make that candidacy official and will formally begin the campaign with activ...

GOP Health Experts Agree: Don't Count on 'Obamacare' to Fail

Jill Lawrence | April 8, 2013

Is the Obama administration totally bungling implementation of its signature universal health care law? The White House gets some surprising backup from top health officials from two GOP administrations.

Chris Christie's Popularity With Women Voters Thwarts Female Opponent

Beth Reinhard | April 3, 2013

To have a chance at defeating the popular governor, Democrats need to create a gender gap--fast.

Closing in on Signature Threshold, Salahi Talks Politics, Policy And Journey

Dan Roem | March 18, 2013

Though Republican Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli and former Democratic National Committee Chairman Terry McAuliffe are the far-and-away frontrunners in this year's Virginia gubernatorial race, the other candidate in the race discussed his own campaign with Hotline On Call late last week: former Whi...

Tim Ryan Passes on Ohio Gubernatorial Race

Alex Brown | March 15, 2013

Rep. Tim Ryan, D-Ohio, will not run for governor, the Youngstown Vindicator reported Friday. Ryan had been listed among the possible challengers to Gov. John Kasich, but decided he preferred to retain his spot on the House Appropriations Committee. Earlier this week, Cuyahoga County Executive Ed Fi...

Why the GOP Won't Be Run Out of New England

Michael Catalini | March 14, 2013

At a time when the party is on the decline in the Northeast and in disarray in Maine, Sen. Susan Collins is well positioned to win a fourth term.

Poll: Booker Crushes Dems in Potential N.J. Senate Primary

Kevin Brennan | March 13, 2013

Newark Mayor Cory Booker has said he won't officially announce whether he'll run for Senate in 2014 until after this year's gubernatorial race, but a new poll released Wednesday shows the mayor would begin the contest with a commanding lead over two potential Democratic primary opponents. Asked whi...

M.D. Hopes? Male Black Applicants Still in Decline

Doris Nhan | March 6, 2013

The number of male black medical school applicants is continuing to fall, despite a growing pool of diverse applicants overall.

Iowa Governor's Race Could Be One Giant Leap for Mustachekind

Alex Brown | March 1, 2013

As state Sen. Jack Hatch makes noise about a possible bid for governor, at least one activist is spoiling for a matchup between the outspoken health care advocate and Gov. Terry Branstad. That would be Aaron Perlut, chairman of the American Mustache Institute, who said a race between the two must...

Why Republicans Are Worried About the Party's Civil War in Virginia

Michael Catalini | February 27, 2013

Nationally, Republicans are engaged in a battle to recast their image, worried that the party faces long-term problems unless they retool their message to appeal to a wider swath of voters. But in Virginia, the party’s worst fears about the future are being realized, with this year’s governor’s race looking as if it may divide the Republican Party in two.

Chris Christie is a Republican Without a Party

Jill Lawrencence | February 26, 2013

Right after New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie announced he would expand Medicaid under the new federal health law, Tea Party Nation opined in a tweet: “Liberal jello blob Chris Christie thanks Obama by expanding Obamacare to NJ.” That was followed by a #liberalsellout hashtag.

The Real Reason Why Chris Christie Wasn't Invited to CPAC

Elahe Izadi | February 26, 2013

ACU Chairman Al Cardenas criticizes New Jersey's Republican governor for supporting Sandy aid bill, Medicaid expansion.

McAuliffe, Bolling Trading Calls in Run-Up to Bolling's Decision

Dan Roem | February 26, 2013

ARLINGTON, Va. -- As Virginia Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling approaches his own March 14th deadline for making a decision about whether to enter the 2013 gubernatorial race as an independent, former Democratic National Committee Chairman Terry McAuliffe is doing everything he can to stay on Bolling's good si...

Bob McDonnell's Political Lesson for President Obama

Josh Kraushaar | February 25, 2013

Supporters of President Obama’s insistence on additional revenue as the only way to avoid the sequester should take a close look across the Potomac River for an alternative way of getting things done.

How Obama and Boehner Can Learn Lessons From 'Governor Ultrasound'

Ron Fournier | February 25, 2013

How acute is the shortage of comity, compromise, and true leadership in Washington? Bad enough that the closest example of political courage is a Virginia conservative whom Democrats dubbed "Governor Ultrasound."

Rep. Allyson Schwartz’s Potential Bid for Governor Could Cost House Democrats

Shane Goldmacher | February 20, 2013

As the Pennsylvania Democrat lays groundwork for a state race in 2014, she could leave the DCCC—where she serves as the party’s finance chair—in a pinch.

Rick Scott Agrees to Medicaid Expansion, Despite Criticism of Health Care Law

Jordain Carney | February 20, 2013

Florida Gov. Rick Scott, a long-time critic of Pres. Obama’s health care law, announced on Wednesday evening that the state would support a three-year Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act. "I was a strong advocate for better ways to run health care,” Scott said during a press confer...

How Republicans Are Looking to Close the Digital Divide Against Democrats

Elahe Izadi | February 20, 2013

In conversations with leading Republican digital strategists, there’s an acknowledgment that the path to closing the tech gap will be difficult.

Poll: McAuliffe, Cuccinelli Tied in Va. Governor's Race

Steven Shepard | February 20, 2013

The race to become Virginia's next governor remains tied, even if Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling leaves the Republican Party and runs as an independent, according to a new Quinnipiac University poll released on Wednesday. Former Democratic National Committee Chairman Terry McAuliffe and Republican Attorney...

Sununu Is N.H. GOP's Top Choice to Face Shaheen

Kevin Brennan | February 18, 2013

New Hampshire could be home to a rare political rubber match in 2014. Ask Granite State GOP insiders about potential opponents for Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, and one name always tops the wishlist: former Sen. John Sununu. Shaheen defeated the Republican by 6 points with President Obama atop t...

Former Maine Gov. Discusses 'Baldacci 2.0'

Dan Roem | February 15, 2013

Former Maine Gov. John Baldacci is saying everything that a would-be gubernatorial candidate would say prior to formally announcing a run for office. There's just one catch to him running: He's pushing the state's two Democratic U.S. Reps., Chellie Pingree and Michael Michaud, to seek the party nomi...

Why Conservative Economists Will Like Liberal Senators' Plan to Tax Carbon

Ben Schreckinger | February 14, 2013

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LG Mark Darr Won't Run for Governor in Arkansas, Endorses Hutchinson

Jordain Carney | February 12, 2013

Arkansas Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Darr ended speculation about his own 2014 gubernatorial ambitions Tuesday by endorsing former GOP Rep. Asa Hutchinson. "I have fielded many questions over the past few months from friends and supporters concerning the 2014 gubernatorial race," Darr said in a statem...

GOP Officials: Kinder Unlikely To Be Tapped To Replace Emerson in Mo.

Sarah Mimms | February 8, 2013

Despite being the best-known candidate in the race to replace former Rep. Jo Ann Emerson, R-Mo., Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder is unlikely to be selected as the Republican nominee at the district GOP's committee meeting on Saturday, according to three Republican officials in the state. Kinder was considere...

Video: Inside This Week's Cover Story

National Journal Staff | February 7, 2013

In this week's cover story, National Journal's Coral Davenport discusses the economic impacts of climate change.

Michigan Republicans Say Rick Snyder Won’t Face Competitive Primary

Alex Brown | February 7, 2013

When Gov. Rick Snyder, R-Mich., announced his support of a federal Medicaid expansion Wednesday, it signified a move to the middle after a divisive 2012 fight over right-to-work legislation. Meanwhile, legislative Republicans showed they still have a healthy appetite for partisan battles, introducin...

Democrats Will Throw Book at Ken Cuccinelli

Elahe Izadi | February 1, 2013

The Virginia attorney general's controversial comments in his new tome could backfire in governor's race.

Bruce Braley

February 1, 2013

Why No Democrat Wants to Run Against Chris Christie in New Jersey

Elahe Izadi | January 29, 2013

In heavily-Democratic New Jersey, party leaders can't find anyone willing to take on Gov. Chris Christie.

Smith Considering Another Gov. Run in N.H.

Kevin Brennan | January 25, 2013

After failing to win the Republican nomination last year, Kevin Smith is weighing another run for governor in New Hampshire. "I certainly haven't ruled anything out in terms of running again in '14," Smith told Hotline On Call. "If I did, it would most likely be for governor again." Smith lost by...

Chris Christie Wins Over Mark Zuckerberg

Elahe Izadi | January 24, 2013

The Republican governor of a blue state is getting support from liberals.

Embattled McDaniel Raises More Than $400,000

Jordain Carney | January 15, 2013

Arkansas Democratic Attorney General Dustin McDaniel raised about $410,500 in the final quarter of 2012, leaving his campaign with around $1.1 million cash on hand going into 2013. The financial disclosure report is his first since McDaniel admitted on Dec. 18 to having an extramarital affair. Isaa...

Lawyers, Guns, and a Sex Scandal: How an NRA Ally Became a Front-Runner for Governor

Elahe Izadi and Jordain Carney | January 15, 2013

A sordid political sex scandal in Arkansas involving a popular Democrat is increasing the odds that the NRA's leading emissary against gun control will be the state's next governor.

Cuccinelli Secures GOP Nod for Governor

Dan Roem | January 15, 2013

The Virginia Republican state convention is not for another four months, but Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli already has secured the party's nomination for governor. Virginia GOP spokesperson Garren Shipley said in an interview that as of 5 p.m. Monday, the filing deadline for all statewide races,...

Rockefeller Presents Democratic Challenge

Reid Wilson | January 11, 2013

Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) will become the first incumbent senator to call it quits when he announces his decision to retire later this morning. He's the first -- though maybe not the last -- senator to create an open seat that will be tough for his party to keep.For 30 years, Rockefeller has held...

McAuliffe, Cuccinelli Tied in Va. Governor Poll

Steven Shepard | January 9, 2013

Democrat Terry McAuliffe and Republican Ken Cuccinelli are in a dead heat in this November's Virginia gubernatorial race, with an independent bid from Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling drawing equally from both major-party candidates, a new Quinnipiac University poll shows. In a head-to-head matchup, McAuliffe...

McDaniel Asks for 'Second Chance' in Ark. Governor's Race

Jordain Carney | January 8, 2013

Arkansas Attorney General Dustin McDaniel spoke to the media for the first time Tuesday about a past "inappropriate," extramarital relationship, but McDaniel reiterated that he remains a candidate for the Democratic nomination in next year's governor's race. "There is no other shoe to drop," said M...

Kinder, Steelman Join Field Vying To Replace Emerson

Julie Sobel | January 3, 2013

The field of Republicans vying to replace Missouri Rep. Jo Ann Emerson is taking shape, with several bigger-name contenders announcing bids. The Republicans and Democratic candidates in the heavily GOP 8th District will not be chosen by primary, but rather by 8th District party committees. Lt. Gov....

Ross Urged to Reconsider Gubernatorial Race

Julie Sobel | December 20, 2012

Arkansas Attorney General Dustin McDaniel's admission of an "inappropriate" relationship with a woman who isn't his wife could mean an opportunity for another Arkansas Democrat in the gubernatorial primary, where McDaniel has been considered the frontrunner. Retiring 4th District Rep. Mike Ross is...

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