Super PACs Fuel GOP Civil War

Republicans who have long pushed for campaign finance deregulation are now paying for one of its consequences: the rise of influential conservative super PACs vying for the soul of a fractured GOP.

That Republicans crushed by the 2012 election results are feuding over what went wrong and what comes next is nothing new. Less noticed has been the big money bankrolling GOP factions and the influential new super PACs and outside groups that hold the party’s future in their hands.

More than a dozen such groups have sprung up since Election Day, CQ Weekly reports this week — some promoting centrists, minorities or liberalized immigration rules, others championing conservatives at odds with “establishment” party leaders. As the story notes: Full story

Remainders: Georgia on the Mind

Polls close at 7 p.m. EDT today for South Carolina’s 1st District special election between former Gov. Mark Sanford and Democratic nominee Elizabeth Colbert Busch. Keep an eye on Roll Call tonight to see if Sanford pulled off his comeback bid.

But in the mean time, here’s what you may have missed “At the Races” on Tuesday …

• #GASEN: Rep. John Barrow, D-Ga., will not run for the state’s open Senate seat, and now Democrats must continue their search for a Peach State recruit. All eyes are on Democrat Michelle Nunn, daughter of former Sen. Sam Nunn and the CEO of Points of Light, a volunteer organization.
• #HISEN: EMILY’s List endorsed Hawaii Rep. Colleen Hanabusa in the Aloha State’s Democratic primary for Senate in 2014. Hanabusa will face Sen. Brian Schatz, who was appointed to fill the vacancy after Sen. Daniel K. Inouye died last year.
• #IASEN: Former U.S. Attorney Matt Whitaker became the first Republican to announce that he will run for Iowa’s open Senate seat on Tuesday.
• #FL18: Republican Juno Beach Vice Mayor Pro Tem Ellen Andel announced she is challenging freshman Democratic Rep. Patrick Murphy in 2014.

What we’re mulling on Tuesday … Full story

GOP Senate Candidate Announces in Iowa #IASEN

Former U.S. Attorney Matt Whitaker on Monday became the first Republican to announce his intentions to run for Iowa’s open Senate seat.

According to a release, Whitaker told the Simon Conway show on 1040 AM in Des Moines that he is taking the necessary steps toward a run and that he would formally announce his campaign on June 3. Full story

Remainders: A Very Special, Special Election

Keep an eye on Roll Call and this blog for ongoing coverage of former Gov. Mark Sanford’s bid to come back to Congress via the 1st District special election. It could really happen on Tuesday.

Until then, here’s what you might have missed “At the Races” on Monday …

• #GASEN: GOP Rep. Jack Kingston raised more than a quarter-million dollars at a fundraiser for his Senate campaign to replace retiring Sen. Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga.
• #IASEN: Since Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, declined to run for Senate, Republicans are on the prowl for a new  candidate.
• #CA31:  Two of former Rep. Joe Baca’s, D-Calif., Democratic House colleagues are not backing his congressional comeback bid. The blood feud continues!
• #SC01: Polls close at 7 p.m. EDT Tuesday for the special election between Sanford and the Democratic nominee, Elizabeth Colbert Busch.

What we’re mulling on Monday …

Full story

With Steve King Out, Who Will Win the GOP Crown? #IASEN

King announced last week that he will not run for Senate. (Douglas Graham/CQ Roll Call File Photo)

Updated 3:23 p.m. | Rep. Steve King declared late on May 3 that he will not run for Senate in 2014, setting off rampant speculation in the Hawkeye State about who the GOP could run for retiring Democratic Sen. Tom Harkin’s seat.

The conservative congressman marks one of several top Iowa Republicans to recently decide against a run, but a handful of lesser-known, potential GOP Senate candidates are still eyeing this open seat. Full story

Steve King Will Not Run for Senate #IASEN

King will not run for Senate. (Douglas Graham/CQ Roll File Photo).

Republican Rep. Steve King announced on Twitter late Friday night that he would not run for Senate:

I will not run for Senate in 2014. A Senate race takes me out of urgent battles in Congress that can't wait until 2015. Many thanks to all.

— Steve King (@SteveKingIA) May 4, 2013

Remainders: Conservatives Buy Airtime for Mark Sanford

• #IASEN: Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey will not run for Senate and has encouraged Republican Rep. Steve King to seek the open seat instead.
• #MTSEN: EMILY’s List President Stephanie Schriock confirmed her interest in a bid for Senate.
• #MISEN: Rep. Gary Peters, D-Mich. discussed his Senate campaign in an interview with CQ Roll Call.
• #MI14: Several Detroit-area Democrats are positioning to run for Peters’ seat including his primary foe from 2012, former Rep. Hansen Clarke.

What we’re mulling on Thursday…

Full story

Bill Northey Passes on Iowa Race #IASEN

Northey, left, will not run for Senate. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call File Photo)

Another potential GOP candidate for Iowa’s open Senate seat has announced he will not run, leaving Republicans to continue their search for a strong prospect to run in this top pick-up opportunity.

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey became the second Republican in as many weeks to decide not to run. The party continues to await a decision from Republican Rep. Steve King, who remains undecided about the race.

Some Republicans are concerned about a potential King candidacy, arguing that his conservative politics do not have enough statewide appeal to win. But Northey encouraged King to run in his statement about the race:

Full story

Remainders: Special (Election) Report

Branstad Takes Swipe at Steve King #IAsen

Branstad, right, spoke to reporters on Monday morning. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call File Photo)

Iowa Gov. Terry E. Branstad told reporters Monday morning that he advised national Republicans to recruit an “Iowa problem solver” rather than “another congressman” to run for the Hawkeye State’s open Senate seat in 2014.

The GOP governor’s comments come as Rep. Steve King, a conservative Republican, is in the final stages of deciding whether to run for retiring Democratic Sen. Tom Harkin’s seat.

According to a recording of Branstad’s weekly news conference via Radio Iowa, he said there are several Republicans in the state who would provide a good contrast with Rep. Bruce Braley, the likely Democratic nominee. Branstad noted that King did serve in the state Senate, and said his initial comments were a shot at Braley, not King.

But Branstad also clarified that he believes having someone free from ties to an unpopular Congress would give the GOP its best chance against Braley. Full story

Money Reveals Some Members Aren’t Really Serious About Senate Bids (Yet)

Rahall is still considering a Senate run. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call File Photo)

If Reps. Steve King, Jeff Fortenberry and Nick J. Rahall II are serious about running for Senate, their campaign fundraising does not show it.

Several House members eyeing Senate bids posted meager numbers, according to Roll Call’s Senate fundraising chart for the first quarter.

In general, members raise major cash to show their political force if they are seriously weighing jumping into a Senate race. For example, Rep. Bill Cassidy, R-La., had raised $525,000 by the end of the first quarter this year, days before he announced he would challenge Democratic Sen. Mary L. Landrieu.

(See which House candidates are on Roll Call’s retirement watch list thanks to their anemic fundraising).

Here are a few House candidates who haven’t taken their names out of the mix when it comes to potential Senate bids and who reported lackluster hauls:

Full story

Many Potential GOP Senate Candidates Vote Against VAWA

Brown voted against the Senate-passed VAWA reauthorization (Scott J. Ferrell/CQ Roll Call File Photo)

Several congressmen running for Senate in 2014 or considering a bid voted against final passage of the Violence Against Women Act reauthorization on Thursday.

A majority of House Republicans voted against the Senate-backed version of the bill, S 47, which passed with Democratic support. But those “no” votes, easily packaged into  a 30-second TV spot, could pose a political problem for potential GOP Senate candidates down the road in competitive races.

Republican Rep. Paul Broun of Georgia, who is running for the state’s open Senate seat, voted “no.” So did his fellow Peach State Republican Reps. Phil Gingrey, Jack Kingston, Tom Price and Tom Graves — all potential Senate contenders.

Full story

Iowa: Latham Not Running for Senate

Rep. Tom Latham said Wednesday he will not run for Senate, citing a responsibility to his constituents. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call File Photo)

Iowa Rep. Tom Latham announced Wednesday that he will not run for the Republican nomination for Senate, clearing a major primary hurdle for Rep. Steve King, who is seriously considering a bid.

“I cannot in good conscience launch a two-year statewide campaign that will detract from the commitment I made to the people who elected me, at a time when our nation desperately needs less campaigning and more leadership,” Latham said in a statement.

Full story

Iowa: Vilsack Not Running for Senate

Vilsack won't seek a Senate seat in 2014. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call File Photo)

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, the former governor of Iowa, will not seek the Democratic nomination for Senate, a Democratic source confirmed to CQ Roll Call.

His decision means Rep. Bruce Braley, D-Iowa, cleared a major hurdle for his party’s nod.

Days after Braley entered the Senate race last week, a Des Moines Register poll showed Vilsack in a strong position to run for the seat, boasting plenty of residual good will from his time as governor.

But on Friday, longtime Vilsack aide Matt Paul told the Register that Vilsack “will not seek the open seat.”

Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, announced his retirement last month, creating the first open-seat race for Senate in Iowa in decades.

Several Republicans are also eyeing the race, including Reps. Steve King and Tom Latham.

CQ Roll Call rates the race as Leans Democratic.

Iowa: King Waits on Senate Bid, Disputes Criticism on Viability

King has been criticized by some conservatives, but it doesn't appear that it will keep him out of the race for Senate. (Chris Maddaloni/CQ Roll Call File Photo)

BALTIMORE — Rep. Steve King hinted Friday that a run for the Iowa Senate may be imminent, but said he does not want to announce in the wake of GOP strategist Karl Rove’s attacks on him.

Since American Crossroads President Steven Law attacked him in The New York Times last weekend, King, a Republican, said he continues to consider a run to replace retiring Democratic Sen. Tom Harkin.

“It’s under deliberation of course, and it’s something that I had been looking at before Tom Harkin announced his retirement and now that that has happened, of course it accelerated the decision making process,” King said as he was leaving a Heritage Foundation-sponsored retreat for conservative Republicans in Baltimore.

“I don’t want to step into this thing and make an announcement in the face of the issue that Karl Rove has raised,” he continued. “We’ve got to decide first who’s going to nominate people for public office in America: Somebody outside the state with a big checkbook, or the people of Iowa.”

Full story