2014 and beyond- a tale of woe

[NewYorkExpress]

The following situations could be fictional at any point since November 2012

November 5 2014



Good morning and welcome to a special State of the Union. Today we look back on last nights Midterm elections and we hope you will join us for an in depth retrospective of the 2014 midterms in just a momenr.

[NewYorkExpress]

Maine's Senate race was a walk in the park for Sen. Susan Collins, who did not face a primary challenge, despite repeated threats of one, and defeated former Rep. Tom Allen 59-40 in a rematch from Collins's 2008 blowout. On the other hand the Governor's race was no piece of cake for anyone. First came Eliot Cutler, filing as an independent on March 21, 2013 then Rep. Mike Michaud entering for the Democrats on April 11, 2013, however the story of the election, and indeed the entire Maine election season, was former Sen. Olympia Snowe's, comeback, as she challenged and defeated unpopular incumbent Paul Lepage in the Republican Primary, and then Defeated both Michaud and Cutler 51-39-9. Chellie Pingree easily won reelection, while former State Senator Lois Snowe-Mello was elected to Congress as Republican defeating State Senator Troy Dale Jackson 51-49


In New Hampshire both Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan easily defeated their no-name opponents, so the real action was downballot. State Senator Jeb Bradley was able to knock off Carol-Shea Porter, while State Senator Peter Bragdon narrowly defeated Ann McLane Kuster


Both Peter Shumlin and Peter Welch were elected without expending much effort



With Ed Markey's ascension to the Senate in late 2013, there needed to be a special election for his house seat, which was won by Edward M. Kennedy Jr. After that the entire house delegation was re-elected comfortably, Governor Deval Patrick wasn't so lucky however failing in his bid for a third  term by 51-48 margin to 2006 nominee and former Lt. Governor Kerry Healey. Markey however, won a full term over Jane Swift 55-43

[NewYorkExpress]

Welcome back to our special 2014 State of the Union recap special. We hope you enjoyed our previews for Classic Movies Unveiled,premiering on Friday night with a behind the scenes look at the 1939 movie Wizard Of Oz



The entire Connecticut House delegation was re-elected with out much difficulty, while in the Governor's race rumors of Gov. Dan Malloy getting primaried were brought out on and off for most of 2013. This did not come to pass however, and former Rep. Chris Shays defeated Thomas Foley and Mark Lauretti in the GOP primary 49-39-11 and then went on to defeat Malloy 50-47 with Libertarian nominee Joseph Visconti earning 2%.



Both sides got lucky when retiring Sen. Frank Lautenberg survived to the end of his Term, and Republicans were pleasantly surprised when Lt. Gov Kim Gaugdano entered the race on April 19, 2013. She defeated two no-name opponents 67-20-12 while the Democrats had a bitter primary between Newark Mayor Cory Booker and State Senator Loretta Weinberg, which Booker won 54-45. The primary weakened Booker to point that the GOP was able to pick up the seat 51-49. The Entire Congressional delegation was re-elected

[NHI]

Great!

[NewYorkExpress]

Welcome back to our Election 2014 wrap-up special



Sen. Chris Coons easily defeated New Castle County President Chris Kovach 66-32, while Rep.John Carney won unopposed. As such Delaware turned out to be relatively quiet, compared to both 2010 and 2012



In New York  Carolyn McCarthy retired and was replaced by State Assembleyman Andrew Ra (R), Peter King ran for and was elected to the office of Attorney General and was replaced by Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano (R), Timothy Bishop was defeated by State Senator Lee Zeldin (R), Charlie Rangel was sucessfully primaried by former Governor David Paterson (D) who went on to easily win the general election, Richard Hanna was defeated in a primary by Little Falls Council Member Elizabeth Deming (R) who in turn, was defeated by Binghamton City Council member Lea Webb (D), Tom Reed was defeated by Thompkins County Legislator Martha Robertson (D) and Louise Slaughter retired and was replaced by Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren (D). Governor Andrew Cuomo won re-election by a 57-41 margin over former Rep. Ann Marie Buerkle (R) .


Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter (D) defeated unpopular Governor Tom Corbett 53-47 in a brutal race which featured the second nastiest general-election campaign this cycle. Meanwhile In Congressional races, Charlie Dent was defeated by Allentown mayor Ed Pawlowski (D), G.T Thompson was defeated by St. Senator John Wozniak (D), Jim Gerlach was defeated by 2010 and 2012 opponent Marian Trivedi (D) Pat Meehan was defeated by a comeback-seeking Joe Sestak(D).



With Martin'O Malley term-limited and no-one running on the Republican side, The Democratic primary was a brutal affair featuring Rep. former Rep. Albert Wynn, State Delegate Heather Mizuer, Attorney General Doug Gansler and Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake. In the end Mizuer won the primary (and general) 31-27-22-19/ All eight Representatives won re-election

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

Why would Peter King want to be AG of NY ahead of 2016? Other than that, great timeline!

[NewYorkExpress]

Why would Peter King want to be AG of NY ahead of 2016? Other than that, great timeline!

Well... Schinderman replaced Duffy as Lt. Gov, so King saw an opening... he defeated Bronx DA Robert Johnson 53-45.  King may still run for higher office in 2016... but not for President

[NewYorkExpress]

And welcome back... Continuing on with our recap of the 2014 midterm elections, we come to Virginia where Sen. Mark Warner was expected to breeze. He however faced two problems, one was Independent Bill Bolling's 39-37-22 win over Terry McAuliffe and E.W Jackson in the 2013 Governor''s race, the other was the likelyhood of a renewed GOP wind as 2014 began/ The GOP primary saw Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli defeat 1993 Lt. Governor nominee Micheal Farris and Technology Executive Pete Snyder 43-30-26. Warner would go on to win in the General 56-43 in a contest that was closer than final margin indicated. As for the Congressional districts Deputy Undersecretary of Defense and retired Navy Commander Suzanne Patrick (D) defeated Scott Rigell, State Senator David Toscano (D) defeated Robert Hurt and Jim Moran was elected Lt. Governor and was replaced by State Delegate, Patrick Hope (D)



Sen. Jay Rockafeller's retirement announcement on May, 24, 2013 threw the Democrats into chaos, as Treasurer John Purdue secured the Democratic nomnation in what seemed like a funeral march at times, over Attorney Ralph Baxter and State Senator Corey Palumbo 47-37-12, Shelly Moore Capito meanwhile did what National Republicans wanted to do for years, and announced a run for the Senate on May, 26, 2013 going on to defeat Edwin Vanover in the GOP primary 77-21 and Perdue 57-39 with Rick LeMasters getting and 3.6% as the Mountain Party's nominee... In the House a tough race to replace Moore Capito, ended with Betty Ireland (R) defeating Charlotte Lane 56-42, and Nick Rahall was defeated by Del. Ruth Rowan (R)

[NewYorkExpress]

Welcome back...We hope you enjoyed our Hollywood Awards season preview show, Preview, which will air on December 1 at 6:00 PM on TBS.

Continuing with our Recap of the 2014 Midterms we move to North Carolina, a state with a high-profile Senate Race that started with a bang, as Former Rep. Sue Myrick announced her run against Sen. Hagan on Mar 20, 2013. Myrick would soon be joined by former Ambassador to Denmark, James P. Cain, Lt. Governor, Dan Forest and State Senators Tom Apadoca and Neal Hunt. Forest would win the crowded Primary with 26% of the vote and ultimately defeated Hagan 54-44. In House Districts, Renee Ellmers was defeated after suggesting that "Barack Obama needed to be executed for treason" in a speech to supporters, with former Secretary of Commerce Keith Crisco (D) taking the seat by 50-49 margin, Howard Coble retired and was replaced Rockingham County DA Phil Berger Jr (R), Mike McIntyre was defeated by his 2012 opponent David Rouzer(R), and Mel Watt retired and ultimately became the head of the IRS on October 9, 2014. He was replaced by Winston-Salem mayor Allen Joines (D)



In the Palmetto State all eyes were on Gov. Nikki Haley as she had the twin obstacles of a primary against Rep. Trey Gowdy, and the possibility of a General Election with Elizabeth-Colbert Busch looming. In the end Gowdy defeated Haley 50-47 and then smashed Colbert-Busch 58-39. There was only one Senate race this year, as Jim Demint first rejected rumors of becoming head of the Heritage foundation, then of running against Haley for Governor.  Lindsey Graham wasn't happy either as he was defeated in the GOP primary by Rep. Tim Scott(R), who went on to defeat former Rep. John Spratt 57-37 with a Steve Spurrier write-in campaign garnering 7%. Replacing Scott in Congress was Former Governor Mark Sanford(R), and Lander University President Daniel Ball (R) replaced Gowdy

[free my dawg]

Looks good so far. Passes the plausibility test.

[NewYorkExpress]

Welcome back to our 2014 midterm wrapup extravaganza... We hope you enjoyed the previews for our new series Nancy Grace- Mysteries Explained, airing on Fridays on HLN



Georgia presented Republicans with an unusual dilemma as Saxby Chambliss, was named as U.S Ambassador to Canada on October 19, 2014 just fifteen months after announcing he would retire. The Republicans running to replace him were former Secretary of State Karen Handel, Businessman Eugene Yu, Conservative Blogger Erick Erickson,  2012 Presidential Candidate and Businessman Herman Cain and WNBA owner Kelly Loefller. The GOP primary was a race to the right, but a pleasant one nonetheless, with only Erickson doing any significant attacking. All of Erickson's attack ads and Cain's name recognition were for naught as Loefller and Handel advanced to the runoff, which Handel won 52-48. The Democrats had a similar situation with former Rep. Jim Marshall, former Atlanta COO Peter Anan U.S Ambassador to Signapore, David Adelman and CEO of points of Light Michelle Nunn all running. Nunn and Marshall ended up in the runoff, with Nunn advancing with a 51-49 victory. The seat went to a runoff after November's results Handel won the runoff 51-49 for a GOP hold, meanwhile Governor Nathan Deal was experiencing all sorts of problems, and while he won renomination, he was defeated in November by Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed (D) 52-48. As for Georgia's Congressmen/women, John Barrow was defeated by Augusta mayor Deke Kopenhaver (R) and John Lewis retired and was replaced by former Atlanta City Council President Lisa Borders (D)



In Florida, former Governor Charlie Crist made his own political comeback bid against Governor Rick Scott, but first he'd have to get through a primary against former Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio and former Miami mayor Manny Diaz. As it turned out he didn't make it, and Iorio won the primary with a 42-40-17 spread. This turned out to be the nastiest Governor's race in the country and Scott held on by a count of 50-46 in Congress, Bill Young retired and was replaced Pinellas County Commissioner Ken Welch (D), Vern Buchanan was defeated by Susan G. Komen founder and former ambassador to Hungary Nancy Brinker (R) and  Joe Garcia was defeated by Key West mayor Morgan McPherson (I/R) 

[ElectionsGuy]

I love it! However I'm not much a fan of the state maps, but that's OK.

[NewYorkExpress]

Welcome Back, as we continue with our 2014 recap


Alabama was a bastion of calm in both the Senate, where Jeff Sessions didn't draw an opponent, and in the Governors race, where Robert Bentley defeated former Rep. Bobby Bright 60-37. In the House races three seats changed hands, as Jo Bonner unsucessfully ran foTreasurer and was replaced by St.Senator Del Marsh (R), Robert Aderholt was defeated by Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore (R) and Spencer Bachus retired to become President of the University of North Alabama and was replaced by former Governor Bob Riley (R)



Mississippi on the other hand, had two crowded Senate primaries after Thad Cochran retire. on April 25, 2013. The Republicans saw former Governor Haley Barbour enter the field on June 3 but he couldn't clear it, as Former Lt. Gov. Amy Tuck, State Auditor Stacey Pickering and State Senator Videt Carmichael all subsequently entered. Barbour and Pickering would make the runoff which Barbour won 54-46. Meanwhile the Democrats had their own competitive primary feature former Reps. Gene Taylor and Travis Childers, Former Governor and 2008 nominee (against Roger Wicker) Ronnie Musgrove, Clarksdale Mayor, Bill Luckett and State Senator Robert Jackson, all of whom announced between Cochran's retirement and Barbour's entry. This primary went to a runoff between Musgrove and Childers which Childers won 52-48%. Barbour defeated Childers in November 55-44, and all four Congressmen were re-elected without much difficulty




In Louisiana, as Bobby Jindal prepared for a Presidential run, Mary Landrieu was fighting for her Senate life. She ended up facing Rep. Bill Cassidy in a brutal race, however Cassidy never wavered, and was able to pick up the seat 51-44 with Marc Morial getting 4% as an independent. Replacing Cassidy in the Senate was former Baton Rouge Mayor Bobby Simpson (R), Rodney Alexander retired to run for Governor in 2015 and was replaced by State Senator Robert Kostelka (R)



Like in Louisiana, Democrats were on the run in Arkansas, as their touted candidate Mike Ross lost in the Governor's race 55-44 to University of Arkansas Chancellor G. David Gearhart, and Mark Pryor got blown out by former Governor Mike Huckabee (who narrowly avoided a divisive primary with Rep. Tom Cotton) 55-39 with Sheffield Nelson picking up 5.4% as an independent. All four representatives were easily re-elected


In Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam was under investigation for most of the campaign for various financial dealings of family and associates, and narrowly lost to former Rep. Lincoln Davis 50-49. Meanwhile Sen. Lamar Alexander won a three-way primary with professional wrestler Glenn Jacobs and Comptroller Justin Wilson, While Wilson was viewed to be the most serious challenger his campaign inexperience showed and Alexander won 54-32-13. Alexander would go on to defeat Judge Joe Brown in the general election 59-39. Amongst the Congressional ranks Scott DeJarlais was defeated by State Rep. Kevin Brooks (R) and Steve Cohen, who had been a lighning rod for DailyKos and other leftist blogs for almost three years was defeated by Memphis Mayor A.C Wharton (D)  




Going into 2014 Democrats felt that even if the majority, they'd come out ahead in the long run if they knocked off Senator Mitch McConnell, the Minority Leader in the Senate. While McConnell faced a primary from Businessman Matt Bevin, (which he won 57-42) Democrats rallied around Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes. The Senate Campagin (including primaries) was nasty but everyone seemed at a loss to explain the 35% of Bevin voters who said they had voted for Grimes on election night. Grimes walked away the winner 52-48 and Republicans were left with a possible majority, but no leader. All members of the house delegation were re-elected  

[NewYorkExpress]

Hello, I'm John King and welcome to our continuing recap of the 2014 midterm elections



In Ohio, home of Speaker John Boehner, the Governor's race started as the big story... however all that changed when on December 2, 2014 Boehner announced he would retire. This coupled with Mitch McConnell's loss, left the Republicans without both their top leaders going into the 2016 elections. As for the Governor's race John Kasich defeated former Rep. Betty Sutton 54-44. Replacing Boehner in the House was State Representative Ross McGregor (R). All other Represenatives won re-election



Michigan was also home to a competitive Governors race as Rick Snyder was defeated by Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel 44-42 with Tea Party activist Todd Courser winning 13% as an independent. In the Senate race, Carl Levin decided to retire, but the Republicans, despite recruiting everyone from Gov. Snyder, to former Gov. Engler, were unable to get a candidate until September 9, 2013 when former Attorney General Mike Cox announced he would run. The Democrats had a similar problem not getting a candidate until August 17, 2013, when two candidates entered, Former Governor Jennifer Granholm and State Rep. Stacy Irwin Oakes. Granholm would blow Irwin Oakes out of the water in the primary 69-29 but struggled in the general and barely defeated Cox 47-46 with 5% for Libertarian nominee Robert Fulner, As for Congressmen/Women Sander Levin retired and was replaced by former Rep. Hansen Clarke,(D) John Conyers retired and was replaced by Detroit City Councilman Kenneth Cockrel  Jr.(D), John Dingell retired and was replaced by former Detroit Mayor Dennis Archer (D) and Kerry Benvolitio lost to State Rep. Lisa Brown (D) 



With no Senate or Gubenatorial races, the only action was the Congressional races. Only one seat changed hands as Rep. Pete Viclosky was elected Treasurer, replacing him in Congress was Gary Mayor Karen-Freeman Wilson (D)

[NewYorkExpress]

Senator Richard Durbin, was re-elected over State Senator Jim Oberweis in a surprisingly close race 56-42. Weeks before many had expected Durbin to get close to 70% of the vote. Meanwhile in the race for Governor, Pat Quinn was defeated for renomination 51-48 by Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who went on to defeat  Former Rep. Bobby Schilling in the General 54-45. As for House races Daniel Lipinski was defeated by Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas (D), Bill Foster was defeated by Grundy County Board member Chris Balkema (R), William Enyart was defeated by State Representative Mike Bost (R).



In Missouri all the action would be on the House side, and only the fourth district changed hands as on July 27, 2013 Emmanuel Cleaver was appointed ambassador to South Africa. He  was replaced by former Lt. Governor Joe Maxwell after a contentious primary.


In the Iowa Governor's race Terry Branstad swept to victory, defeating former Treasurer Micheal Fitzgerald 60-36. Meanwhile Senator Tom Harkin gave Democrats a serious blow, when he announced his retirement on May 10, 2013 and then on May 19, their problem got worse when Rep. Tom Latham announced he would for the seat. Democrats did get some help when Treasurer Tom Miller and State Sen. Willam Dotzler both filed to run. Their hopes took another blow however when Dotzler won the primary 51-47. Latham would go on to take the in a rout 62-35 as Dotzler's lack of name ID really hurt the Democrats.  In Congressional races only Latham's seat switched people, as the Senator-elect was replaced by Secretary of State Matt Schultz (R)



Wisconsin had a high profile Governor's race and Scott Walker didn't disappoint, defeating St.Senator Lena Taylor 55-43. Meanwhile shortly after Boehner's retirement, Paul Ryan announced an intent to run for Speaker of the House effectively taking him out if the 2016 Presidential field. All eight incumbents won.




In Minnesota's Senate race Al Franken couldn't have gotten luckier as Rep. Michelle Bachamann decided to challenge him and managed to clear the entire GOP field. Franken won 52-30[ with former Senator Dean Barkley earning 17% as an independent. In the Governor's race Mark Dayton didn't quite have such good fortune, as former Senator Norm Coleman and State Senator Julie Rosen vied for the right to take him on, Coleman won the primary 52-48 but couldn't quite seal the general as Dayton held firm 49-47. Replacing Bachmann in Congress is 2010 Gubernatorial nominee Tom Emmer (R), Tim Walz was defeated by State Rep. Mike Benson (R) and Colin Peterson retired an was replaced by St. Senator Torrey Westrom (R)

[Flake]

This timeline scares me as a Democrat, but I'm interested to see where it's going.

[NewYorkExpress]

Welcome back, as we continue our recap of the 2014 midterm elections.



North Dakota had no Governor's race and no Senate race, so all eyes were on their lone House District, and Democrats put up an early challenge with State Rep. Jerome Kelsh. However Rep. Kevin Cramer was able to win re-election 63-35, a huge margin in a tightly contested race.


In South Dakota, Senator Tim Johnson, gave Democrats another painful blow, when he retired on April 9, 2013 citing continuing health problems. Both parties were able to get field clearing recruits. Democrats got former Senator Tom Daschle, while Republicans got former Governor Mike Rounds. This hotly contested race would be ugly throughout, which only benefited Rounds, who won 53-46. In the the lone House race South Dakota had, Kirsti Noem defeated 2012 Public Service Commission nominee Matt McGovern 57-41.


Sen. Mike Johanns, after denying repeated  rumors to retire, was defeated in the Republican primary by Veteran Shane Osborn 52-48. Osborn then defeated State Sen. Tanya Cook (D) in the General 60-38. In the Governor's race Don Stenberg got a monkey off his back, defeating Pete Ricketts in the Primary 56-42 and Lincoln Mayor Kim Robak in the General 61-38 In Congressional races Lee Terry was defeated by Public Service Commissioner Tim Schram (R).



In Kansas, Sen. Pat Roberts lost a primary to former Rep. Todd Tiahrt 53-47 giving Democrats the perfect storm of a ethically challenged candidate and an incumbent (two infact, Jerry Moran didn't endorse Tiahrt either) who wouldn't endorse. Democrats couldn't quite capitalize nominating Douglas County Party chair Margie Wakefield. Tiahrt won in November in close (for Kansas) 54-43 spread. In the Governor's race, Sam Brownback started out in trouble as well, and faced a tougher opponent in the primary in Treasurer Ron Estes, unlike Roberts however, Brownback won the primary 56-42 and moved on to face State Rep. Paul Davis in the General election. Much to no one's surprise Brownback and his 27% election day approval rating lost in November 53-44. All five incumbents were easily re-elected.   

[Niemeyerite]

I have to say that I like this TL. More realistic than the other you did before, and easy to read. Congratulations, you're improving your skills
However, if you want to make it more realistic: 1) consider that incumbents don't get primaried as easy as you seem to think, 2) a strong candidate clears the field for his party nomination (for example, Haley barbour running in Miss. would mean that he'd only face a bunch of fringe opponents or a 2nd-tier challenger, at best) and 3) elected officials don't run for seats that are safe for the other party (1 or 2 may, but there are races where you have many running for a seat any person from their party can't win).

Other than that, I repeat, it's a very good T

[NewYorkExpress]

I have to say that I like this TL. More realistic than the other you did before, and easy to read. Congratulations, you're improving your skills
However, if you want to make it more realistic: 1) consider that incumbents don't get primaried as easy as you seem to think, 2) a strong candidate clears the field for his party nomination (for example, Haley barbour running in Miss. would mean that he'd only face a bunch of fringe opponents or a 2nd-tier challenger, at best) and 3) elected officials don't run for seats that are safe for the other party (1 or 2 may, but there are races where you have many running for a seat any person from their party can't win).

Other than that, I repeat, it's a very good T

Barbour here was never the heavy favorite in the GOP primary that could've cleared the field.. that would have been incumbent Gov. Phil Bryant (but he didn't run). As for the various safe seats, several of them could have been more competitive if the climate was different.

[Niemeyerite]

I have to say that I like this TL. More realistic than the other you did before, and easy to read. Congratulations, you're improving your skills
However, if you want to make it more realistic: 1) consider that incumbents don't get primaried as easy as you seem to think, 2) a strong candidate clears the field for his party nomination (for example, Haley barbour running in Miss. would mean that he'd only face a bunch of fringe opponents or a 2nd-tier challenger, at best) and 3) elected officials don't run for seats that are safe for the other party (1 or 2 may, but there are races where you have many running for a seat any person from their party can't win).

Other than that, I repeat, it's a very good T

Barbour here was never the heavy favorite in the GOP primary that could've cleared the field.. that would have been incumbent Gov. Phil Bryant (but he didn't run). As for the various safe seats, several of them could have been more competitive if the climate was different.

But, for example, you have Nikki Haley, Mike Johanns and Pat Roberts being upset by 2nd-tier republicans, and it's higly unlikely that'd happen in real life. Maybe one goes down (Haslam for example) but a bunch of sitting senators and governors losing their primaries in the same election cycle... I don't think that's possible anytime soon.

Don't feel that your TL is bad after reading my comments. 90% of the races are both interesting and realistic

[NewYorkExpress]

Welcome back to our 2014 midterm recap. Let's continue on



Sen. Jim Inhofe, was easily re-elected defeating 2012 State Rep. candidate in District 3 Traci Barnes 77-20, while Gov. Mary Fallin defeated State Rep. Joe Dorman 64-31. In the House Races, Frank Lucas was elected Lt. Governor, and was replaced by Lt. Governor Todd Lamb (R)



Gov. Rick Perry pulled a reverse Kay Bailey Hutchison and ran for Senate, leaving the Governor's chair open. Attorney General Greg Abbott defeated Lt. Governor David Dewhurst and former Railroad Commissioner Victor Carrillo 53-33-12 in the Republican Primary and then defeated Houston Mayor Annise Parker 56-43 in the General. Meanwhile in the Senate race Gov. Perry and Sen, Cornyn were joined by an unwelcome third wheel, in Rep. Steve Stockman, who filed 13 days before the filing deadline. Ultimately Stockman proved to be a fiery bust, and Perry and Cornyn went to a runoff, which Perry won 50.6-49.4. This left a huge opening for the Democratic nominee Rep. Joaquin Castro, who gave the Democrats an unlikely second pickup 52-48. As for the Texan Congressional field,  Stockman was defeated by St. Senator Larry Taylor (R), Joaquin Castro was replaced by San Antonio mayor Julian Castro (D), and Pete Olson was elected Lt. Governor and was replaced by St. Sen Joan Huffman (R)

[NewYorkExpress]

I have to say that I like this TL. More realistic than the other you did before, and easy to read. Congratulations, you're improving your skills
However, if you want to make it more realistic: 1) consider that incumbents don't get primaried as easy as you seem to think, 2) a strong candidate clears the field for his party nomination (for example, Haley barbour running in Miss. would mean that he'd only face a bunch of fringe opponents or a 2nd-tier challenger, at best) and 3) elected officials don't run for seats that are safe for the other party (1 or 2 may, but there are races where you have many running for a seat any person from their party can't win).

Other than that, I repeat, it's a very good T

Barbour here was never the heavy favorite in the GOP primary that could've cleared the field.. that would have been incumbent Gov. Phil Bryant (but he didn't run). As for the various safe seats, several of them could have been more competitive if the climate was different.

But, for example, you have Nikki Haley, Mike Johanns and Pat Roberts being upset by 2nd-tier republicans, and it's higly unlikely that'd happen in real life. Maybe one goes down (Haslam for example) but a bunch of sitting senators and governors losing their primaries in the same election cycle... I don't think that's possible anytime soon.

Don't feel that your TL is bad after reading my comments. 90% of the races are both interesting and realistic

IRL I think, Roberts would lose if he got a real challenger, Johanns retired IRL, I see no reason why wouldn't get a tough primary if he ran... as for Haley, I wanted her to lose, just not to a Democrat...

[NewYorkExpress]

Montana Senator Max Bacaus shot down retirement rumors and prepared to face his toughest race in years. But first their was a GOP primary between  former St. Rep Derek Skees, Attorney General Tim Fox and St. Senator Rick Ripley. Fox won the primary 49-30-20 and then knocked off Bacaus 48-45 with Libertarian Dan Cox earning 6% Steve Daines easily was re-elected to his Congressional Seat defeating John Lewis 59-38



In Wyoming, Senator Mike Enzi faced two primary challengers, Liz Cheney and Treasurer Mark Gordon. The Primary remained Competitive throughout, and ultimately Gordon emerged victorius (and Enzi finished 3rd) 40-34-25. Gordon then went on to defeat 2012 House nominee Chris Henrichsen  82-17. In the House race, Cynthia Lummis was unopposed.


Governor John Hickenlooper, like his Republican counterparts had 2016 prospects, but he needed to win re-election. Meanwhile the GOP had a rough primary between St. Sen Randy Baumgardner, State Rep. Polly Lawrence, State Sen. Vicki Marble and Treasurer Walker Stapleton. Stapleton won the primary with 38.6% but Hickenlooper won the General 54-45.
In the Senate Race, Ken Buck defeated State Rep. Amy Stephens in the GOP primary 59-37, but couldn't beat Mark Udall, who won by 55-45 spread. In House races, Lt. Gov Joesph Garcia (D) defeated Scott Tipton, and Andrew Romanoff (D) Defeated Mike Coffman


Sen. Tom Udall was re-elected by a 59-41 over Secretary of State Dianna Duran, while Susana Martinez beat back a moderately difficult challenge from Attorney General Gary King 56-43. All three Representatives were easily re-elected.

[NewYorkExpress]

Idaho was usually a ruby-red state, so any action would be in possible primaries. And conservatives here didn't disappoint. In the Senate race Jim Risch, defeated former Rep. Walt Minnick by a margin of 69-25 a blow to Democrats, who were hoping to force Republicans to spend money elsewhere. Meanwhile in the Governor's race Butch Otter, turned back Controller Brandon Woolf and St. Senator Steve Vick 55-34-10 followed by crushing Boise School Board Chairman, A.J Balukoff 78-20. In House Races, Micheal Simpson was defeated in the primary by attorney Bryan Smith, however Democrats were able to capitalize after Smith was caught on a closed recording  at a fundraiser suggesting that a Republican President "should nuke California". The Democrats nominee, Boise mayor David Bieter won in November 49-48.



Utah only had House Races, and any chances of Democrats keeping a foothold here were snuffed out when  Jim Matheson announced his retirement on March, 29 2013. He was replaced by Park Slope Mayor and 2012 opponent Mia Love (R), Also Rob Bishop retired to become President of Carroll College, in Helena Montana and was replaced by Treasurer Richard Ellis (R)



In Arizona's Gubernatorial races the Republicans had three candidates, Former Rep. Ben Quayle, Cindy McCain and Superintendent of Public Instruction John Huppenthal all ran in the primary. While McCain started out with the name ID, and Quayle with the conservative credentials, Huppenthal, came away the winner in the primary by a 42-28-27 spread. Huppenthal then defeated 2012 Senate nominee Richard Carmona by a 50-48 spread, showing Arizona was well on it's way to becoming a purple state. In Congressional races Ann Kirkpatrick was defeated by State Rep, Andy Tobin (R), Kirstyn Simena unsuccessfully ran for Lt. Governor and was replaced by Treasurer Doug Ducey (R) and Ron Barber lost to Martha McSally (R)


While Nevada had no competitive House races, the Governor's race drew an interesting candidate  on July 12,2013  in Las Vegas mayor Oscar Goodman. The Democrats got their only candidate on August 23, 2013 nominating St. Sen Ruben Kiuhen. Goodman did very well in his Independent run, but finished second as Sandoval won 43-36 with Kiuhen garnering 19%.

[NewYorkExpress]

Washington had House races and only one was competitive, the seat held by Dave Reichert. Reichert faced  a field consisting of 2006 and 2008 opponent Darcy Burner and 2012 opponent Karen Porterfield. Ultimately Burner edged out Porterfield for the second slot in the November election, but Reichert won re-election 53-46.6 



Oregon had a Governors race that suddenly became open when John Kitzhaber resigned to become the Director of the Secret Service on June 7, 2013. Acting Governor Kate Brown immediately announced she would run for a full term and defeated St. Sen Brian Boquist 55-43 in the General election. In the Senate race meanwhile, Jeff Merkely faced competition from four Republicans, State Rep. Jason Conger, State Rep. Wayne Krieger, St. Senator Bruce Starr and 2012 Treasurer nominee Tom Cox. Starr won the Primary with 38% of the vote and made Merkely sweat for most of the cycle before losing 52-47. In House races, Peter DeFazio retired and was replaced by State Rep. Caroyln Tome (D)i, Earl Bluemanuer was elected Secretary of State  and was replaced by Attorney General Ellen Rosenbaum (D)   



In the Golden State, Jerry Brown decided to retire on May, 17 2013 but was quickly overshadowed by the successful (after the nuclear option) appointment of Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi to fill the vacancy Janet Napolitano created when she decided to step down as Department of Homeland Security Chair on June 23, 2013. Pelosi was confirmed on August 24, 2014 and by that point had made it clear she would not be running for re-election anyways. Brown's retirement set of a free-for all on the Democratic side, with Attorney General Kamala Harris, Rep. Gloria Negrete McLeod, and State Senator Ron Calderon the only ones remaining by primary day. Harris won the primary 50-37-12 and moved on to the General. Republicans seemed to ignore the fact, they probably wouldn't win as they got solid candidates, with State Assemb. Jeff Gorell, Rep. Gary Miller and former Rep. Brian Bilbray being the only candidates to amke to the primary. Miller won the primary with 42% to Bilbray's 38% and Gorell's 18%, and then gave Harris all she could handle before falling 56-42. Pelosi was replaced by State Rep. Joan Buchanan(D), Miller was replaced by former Rep. Joe Baca (D), Also George Miller retired and was replaced by State Assemb. Ken Cooley (D) and Negrete McLeod was replaced by Los Angeles City Councilman Mike Bonin (D)