Chief
08-12-2008, 07:22 AM
http://politickerwa.com/editorwa/1833/pindell-report-wash-has-most-competitive-gubernatorial-house-races-country
Washington State voters will participate in the nation's most competitive gubernatorial race and congressional races in the country, a new Politicker.com analysis shows.
Races in The Pindell Report are ranked in order of how close the vote is expected to be on Election Day. It should come as no surprise that the Washington governor's race, a rematch from 2004 that went into three recounts, would be among those at the top. But this race is not just about the past. Polls heading into the fall suggest this race is too close to call. Republicans haven't held the governorship here since 1980.
"This time the race is squarely about the performance of Democratic Gov. Christine Gregoire," said Politicker.com Managing Editor James Pindell.
Washington's 8th Congressional District is also home to a re-match and is the most-competitive race of the 435 U.S. House races this fall. Republican incumbent Dave Reichert will likely square off against former Microsoft executive Darcy Burner, a darling of the liberal netroots.
"There is certainly another Democratic wave being thrown at Reichert, but it is important to note that Democrats have never held this seat since it was created back in 1980," Pindell said.
The Pindell Report aims to provide the country's most dynamic and richly reported ranking and analysis of U.S. Senate, U.S. House and gubernatorial races, plus presidential swing states.
The non-partisan report ranks races in order of their competitiveness. Therefore the No. 1 race in the country is the most likely to be decided by one vote. The race ranked last is believed to have a larger margin of victory -- no matter if it is a Republican win or Democratic win. In determining competitiveness the reports takes into account polling, fundraising, past election data, demographic changes and interviews with the nation's top political strategists. The report also heavily uses Politicker.com's reporters out in the field covering these elections for the network's state-based websites. The rankings are evaluated daily ensuring rankings are current.
Washington State voters will participate in the nation's most competitive gubernatorial race and congressional races in the country, a new Politicker.com analysis shows.
Races in The Pindell Report are ranked in order of how close the vote is expected to be on Election Day. It should come as no surprise that the Washington governor's race, a rematch from 2004 that went into three recounts, would be among those at the top. But this race is not just about the past. Polls heading into the fall suggest this race is too close to call. Republicans haven't held the governorship here since 1980.
"This time the race is squarely about the performance of Democratic Gov. Christine Gregoire," said Politicker.com Managing Editor James Pindell.
Washington's 8th Congressional District is also home to a re-match and is the most-competitive race of the 435 U.S. House races this fall. Republican incumbent Dave Reichert will likely square off against former Microsoft executive Darcy Burner, a darling of the liberal netroots.
"There is certainly another Democratic wave being thrown at Reichert, but it is important to note that Democrats have never held this seat since it was created back in 1980," Pindell said.
The Pindell Report aims to provide the country's most dynamic and richly reported ranking and analysis of U.S. Senate, U.S. House and gubernatorial races, plus presidential swing states.
The non-partisan report ranks races in order of their competitiveness. Therefore the No. 1 race in the country is the most likely to be decided by one vote. The race ranked last is believed to have a larger margin of victory -- no matter if it is a Republican win or Democratic win. In determining competitiveness the reports takes into account polling, fundraising, past election data, demographic changes and interviews with the nation's top political strategists. The report also heavily uses Politicker.com's reporters out in the field covering these elections for the network's state-based websites. The rankings are evaluated daily ensuring rankings are current.