In a rare replay, Democrat Ron Akin has announced he will again challenge Rep. Barbara Cubin (R) for Wyoming's lone House seat. In a state where the Republicans are considered to have a permanent lock on all congressional seats, rarely does a Democratic candidate run more than once. But Akin is not only back in the race, he is promising to take this campaign to "a new level."
In April 2002, Ron Akin retired from the Air Force and soon thereafter, entered the race to unseat Barbara Cubin. A virtual unknown in his adopted state, Akin lost the race 61-36 percent but, in Cubin's own hometown of Casper, Akin lost by just one vote. Post-election analysis showed another interesting trend: the House race garnered about 20,000 fewer votes than either the governor's race or the barely contested U.S. Senate race of Mike Enzi. Apparently many voters preferred to sit out the House race, suggesting some level of discontent.
<snip>
While few consider Cubin endangered, she has never been particularly popular in Wyoming. Running for her sixth term, having abandoned her term limits pledge six years ago, Cubin gets re-elected primarily on the strength of the (R) behind her name. Rumors earlier this year had the Republican Party looking for a primary challenger and many still expect that to occur.
Word is that she is not particularly popular with either party in DC, either. In 2002, Washington insiders, including some Republicans, told Wyoming Democrats that if they could elect Democrat Dave Freudenthal as governor, national support would be there to try to oust Cubin. With Freudenthal sitting in the governor's office, we'll see if that support develops for Akin.
more...
http://www.polstate.com/archives/004799.html#004799
Printer-friendly format
Email this thread to a friend
Bookmark this thread
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
