Mia Love Announces Utah Rematch

Love is running for Congress again. (Douglas Graham/CQ Roll Call File Photo)

Sarasota Springs Mayor Mia Love officially announced this weekend that she will challenge Rep. Jim Matheson, D-Utah, again for the 4th District.

The Republican’s announcement sets up a rematch of one of last cycle’s most-targeted races. Matheson defeated Love by one of the slimmest vote margins of any House race in 2012.

National Republicans hailed Love’s candidacy and gave her a top speaking slot at the national convention. If she wins, she will be the GOP’s first black woman in Congress.

Full story

Sanford Unlikely to Get 2014 Primary Challenge

(Paul J. Richards/AFP/Getty Images File Photo)

Rep. Mark Sanford, who was sworn into the House Wednesday, is unlikely to have a primary challenger in the coming cycle, or any cycle, according to Republicans plugged into Palmetto State politics.

The consensus among state operatives and consultants is that if former governor can avoid any missteps, he will have a lock on the 1st District.

Palin Endorses in Missouri Special Election #MO08

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin endorsed Republican state Rep. Jason Smith in Missouri’s 8th District special election.

She vouched for him through her usual channel, Facebook, writing:

“Jason has worked tirelessly to build on the foundation of his humble beginnings and is a responsible and respected leader in the Show Me State. In Washington DC, Jason will maintain that innate sense of his community and will bring his commonsense conservatism to the halls of Congress. Jason recognizes that government is the problem, not the solution. He will protect our 2ndAmendment rights and work to promote a culture of life. We must all work together to send Mr. Smith to Washington on June 4th.”

While a Palin endorsement is sure to garner a candidate widespread attention, this one comes at an inconsequential time in the campaign. As the Republican nominee in a safely Republican district, Smith is already expected to cruise to a general election win on June 4.

His Democratic opponent is state Rep. Steve Hodges. This is an open-seat race to replace former Rep. Jo Ann Emerson, who resigned earlier this year.

Who Will Take On Ann Kirkpatrick in Arizona? | The Field

The list of Republicans lining up to challenge Democratic Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick, a Democrat in the marginally Republican 1st District of Arizona, is remarkably short. Among state and national Republican strategists, only one name emerges.

“All the buzz in CD 1 is centering around Adam Kwasman,” Arizona Republican political consultant Chris DeRose said. He described the field as “coalescing” around Kwasman, a 30-year-old freshman state representative.

DeRose is informally advising Kwasman but said he is not on any campaign payroll. While others worry that Kwasman is too green to challenge Kirkpatrick, he is the only name Republicans mention. Full story

Republican Primary Looms for Capito’s Seat | The Field

Several Republicans are looking at running for Capito's House seat. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call File Photo)

The GOP field for the 2nd District has become a potentially crowded one since Rep. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., announced her bid for Senate last year.

Several Mountain State Republicans are giving her seat a serious look, according to a handful of state and national operatives.

Here’s a look at some of Capito’s potential successors: Full story

The Next Allen West Is … #FL18

Republicans are lining up to challenge Murphy. (Chris Maddaloni/CQ Roll Call File Photo)

Republicans are lining up to challenge freshman Rep. Patrick Murphy, D-Fla., a top GOP target in 2014.

Murphy narrowly defeated then-Rep. Allen West, R-Fla., last year. West has ruled out a comeback bid, but Abby Livingston reports on a litany of potential candidates in this week’s Farm Team column: Full story

Mark Sanford’s Winning Team #SC01 | Shop Talk

Sanford is coming back to Congress. (Mary Ann Chastain/Getty Images)

Rep.-elect Mark Sanford’s special election victory is a testament to his well-run, competent campaign organization.

The Republican’s personal baggage alone made this a competitive race — even in the GOP-heavy 1st District. It was further complicated by the low turnout and unpredictable nature of a special election.

This is the team that pulled it off: Full story

Mark Sanford Wins Special Election #SC01

(Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Mark Sanford is officially coming back to Congress.

The former South Carolina governor defeated the Democratic nominee, Elizabeth Colbert Busch, on Tuesday night in South Carolina’s 1st District special election.

He defeated Colbert Busch 54 percent to 46 percent with 71 percent of precincts reporting, according to The Associated Press. Full story

Republican to Challenge Freshman Patrick Murphy #FL18

Murphy is a top GOP target this cycle, after winning his district narrowly in 2012. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call File Photo)

Republican Ellen Andel, the vice mayor pro tem for Juno Beach, announced Tuesday that she will challenge freshman Democratic Rep. Patrick Murphy in 2014.

“As a competitive runner, I’m not one to sit on the sidelines and watch, especially now as the debt and spending problems in our country are spiraling out of control,” Andel said in a news release. Full story

Mark Sanford Could Win on Tuesday #SC01

(Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Could Mark Sanford pull off this special election on Tuesday after all? It’s more than possible.

Democrats and Republicans agree the former governor has half a shot at winning the 1st District special election Tuesday.

Only a week ago, operatives were preparing Sanford’s political obituary. But internal and public polls showed the race closing — and suddenly his return to the Palmetto State’s congressional delegation has become more than a possibility. 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

EMILY’s List President Considering Senate Campaign in Montana #MTSEN

Schriock is the president of EMILY's List. (Bill Clark/Roll Call)

EMILY’s List President Stephanie Schriock has confirmed she is considering a bid for Montana’s newly open Senate seat in 2014.

Since Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., announced his retirement plans last week, Schriock has mostly kept quiet about the race — until she spoke with reporters at a Thursday event for EMILY’s List. Full story

Detroit Democrats Expected to Flood Peters House Seat #MI14 | The Field

Clarke, center, might run again. (Scott J. Ferrell/CQ Roll Call File Photo)

Now that Democratic Rep. Gary Peters has officially entered the Michigan Senate race, Detroit-area Democrats have started to eye his House seat for 2014.

Democrats are assured to hold this majority-minority district, which voted for President Barack Obama with more than 80 percent. Party operatives expect a crowded 14th District primary filled with familiar names of local lawmakers and candidates who have run for this or nearby seats before.

Potential candidates include: Full story

Gary Peters Kicks Off Senate Bid #MISEN

Peters will run for Senate. (Shira Toeplitz/CQ Roll Call File Photo)

Rep. Gary Peters, D-Mich., officially entered the race to succeed retiring Democratic Sen. Carl Levin on Wednesday during a visit to his great-great-grandfather’s house in Rochester Hills.

“We’re going to continue the work that I’ve done in the U.S. House, fighting for middle class, fighting and making sure we have jobs and opportunities, growing the economy here in Michigan,” Peters said in his first interview with a national outlet after his announcement.

Democrats have essentially cleared the field for Peters, who represented both suburban and downtown Detroit during his three terms in Congress. CQ Roll Call reported on Monday that Peters would make his Senate announcement in his hometown, which is in politically pivotal Oakland County. Full story

Tim Scott, More Republicans Come to Mark Sanford’s Aid #SC01

Scott was appointed to the Senate. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call File Photo)

Only nine days ago, former Gov. Mark Sanford invoked the Alamo in a full-page advertisement in his local paper, pleading for reinforcements to his embattled special election campaign. The appeal might have worked.

The latest Republican to offer support is the man whose appointment to the Senate created the seat’s special election:  Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C. He’s one of several Republicans and conservatives who offered either verbal or financial support to Sanford in the last week Full story