Iowa
Outlook: Weak Lean Republican (pick-up)
Iowa is the exception to the rule, a farming state that still retains many elements of its past fierce progressivism intact. Retiring Governor Tom Vilsack, a Democrat, is making way for what will probably be an extremely competitive race between probable GOP nominee Congressman Jim Nussle and a range of Democratic challengers, the most likely nominee being Secretary of State Chet Culver. This is anybody's race, and the Republicans stand an excellent chance of taking the state's Governorship. Early polling indicates that Nussle has the edge against Culver, though.
Culver is rumored to be dropping out and instead seeking re-election for his much safer seat of Secretary of State.
