Watching the Politics

Some Recent Political News:

-Florida CFO Alex Sink (D) announced that she will not run for the U.S. Senate against incumbent Mel Martinez (R) in 2010. Sink was widely seen as the strongest contender against the vulnerable Martinez, who served briefly as chairman of the Republican Party in 2007. Sink will run for reelection as CFO, and seems likely to run for Governor in 2014. Remaining possible candidates to challenge Martinez include Reps. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Ron Klein, Rob Wexler, State Senator Dan Gelber and Fmr. Rep. Karen Thurman.

-In Alabama Agriculture Commissioner Ron Sparks (D) has launched a new website apparently in anticipation for a run for the Governorship in 2010. Incumbent Rob Riley (R) is term limited. Congressman Artur Davis (D) and LG Jim Folsom (D) are also looking at the race. Folsom is the apparent democratic front runner. Potential republican candidates include State Community College System Chancellor Bradley Byrne, Secretary of Staff Beth Chapman, State House Minority Leader Mike Hubbard, State Treasurer Kay Ivey, '06 LG Candidate Luther Strange and businessman Tim James.

-In Nevada it appears that LG Brian Krolicki will be indicted for financial mismanagement as State Treasurer. Krolicki was looking into a run against Democratic Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid in 2010. Congressman Jon Porter, who was narrowly defeated for reelection this year, is now the republican's top candidate for the seat. With a stronger candidate Reid would be highly vulnerable, but it seems unlikely that Porter would be able to unseat the formidable Reid.

-In California's Riverside-based 44th congressional district the democrat's 08 nominee, Bill Hedrick, announced he would make a second run in 2010 against longtime republican incumbent Ken Calvert. Hedrick came out of the blue to within a few points of knocking off Calvert this year. Calvert has come under fire for fishy land deals over the last few years and was arrested in the 90s when discovered utilizing a prostitute in his car.

-Recounts and legal proceedings continue in the Ohio 15th congressional race and the Minnesota Senate. It will be awhile till either is resolved

-The runoff in the George senate race between incumbent Saxby Chambliss (R) and Jim Martin (D) is tomorrow. All the late polls show Chambliss with a solid lead, and it seems likely that he will be reelected