Maryland: GOP Field Accuses Each Other of Dirty Tricks in Roscoe Bartlett Race

(Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)

Few races this cycle have had as much drama as Maryland’s 6th district. And the day before Tuesday’s primaries, Republicans are occupied with accusing each other of pulling dirty tricks.

Someone posted online audio of two 911 calls from a 2008 domestic dispute involving Rep. Roscoe Bartlett’s primary opponent, state Sen. David Brinkley.

The incident is widely known in Maryland and was covered in the local press at the time.

But the emergence of the actual audio of distressed phone calls from both Brinkley and his wife at the time, along with the intrigue of who did it, has fascinated both Republicans and Democrats watching this race.

While the audio surfaced online last week, it caught little notice until over the weekend, when a Twitter account that includes Bartlett’s publicity photo and a link to the campaign website tweeted links to the 911 calls. The account has no followers and had no tweets before Saturday.

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Shop Talk: Dan Conston Takes 2012 Focus; Nebraska Senate Hires

Dan Conston started today as communications director for a consortium of Republican-aligned groups.

Conston is moving over from the office of Chief Deputy Majority Whip Peter Roskam (R-Ill.) to take a leadership role at the issue advocacy firm American Action Network, the policy institute American Action Forum and the Congressional Leadership Fund super PAC, which supports House candidates.

“I’m excited to work with such talented people and to have the opportunity to influence the central political and policy fights of 2012 and beyond,” Conston said in an email. Full story

North Dakota: Republicans Endorse Brian Kalk for Open House Seat

Republicans rallied behind Public Service Commissioner Brian Kalk at their annual convention over the weekend, giving him their endorsement in the race for the open, at-large House seat.

After three rounds of ballots, Kalk obtained more than a majority of delegates — 929 votes — to win his party’s official support over a crowded field.

Republican hopefuls traditionally abide by the GOP convention’s endorsement. This weekend, almost every other GOP House contender dropped out of the race prior to Kalk’s acceptance speech, including state Rep. Bette Grande, state Rep. Kim Koppelman, former Commerce Commissioner Shane Goettle and businessman DuWayne Hendrickson. Full story

Maryland: Martin O’Malley Does Robocalls for Rob Garagiola

Over the weekend, the two top Democrats in Maryland’s 6th district primary deployed their highest profile surrogates to do robocalls.

District residents have been receiving calls from Gov. Martin O’Malley (D) vouching for state Senate Majority Leader Rob Garagiola.

Garagiola is locked in a fierce battle with businessman John Delaney. It was reported Sunday that President Bill Clinton has been making robocalls on behalf of Delaney.

O’Malley, who endorsed Garagiola on Thursday, noted Garagiola’s ”record of progress and effectiveness.” Full story

Maryland: President Bill Clinton Does Robocalls for John Delaney

Former President Bill Clinton has recorded robocalls on behalf of businessman John Delaney in the Maryland 6th district primary, according to the Delaney campaign.

“You can count on John Delaney to stand up for the middle class and for our Democratic values,” Clinton says in the 32-second message.

“Please vote for more jobs, for greater opportunity by voting for Democrat John Delaney for Congress,” he adds.

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Massachusetts: Brown-Warren Senate Race Statistically Tied

(Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call File Photo)

Sen. Scott Brown (R-Mass.) and his Democratic opponent, Elizabeth Warren, are in a statistical tie among likely voters, with a huge swath of the electorate still undecided in this marquee Senate battle, according to a new poll.

A Boston Globe survey found that, in a horserace matchup, 37 percent would vote for Brown, 35 percent would vote for Warren and 26 percent were undecided.

Brown held a substantial lead among self-described independents, with 42 percent telling a pollster they would vote to re-elect him and only 14 percent saying they would cast their ballot for Warren.

Brown remains very well-liked in the Bay State. Fifty-four percent of likely voters held a favorable opinion of him while just 29 percent had an unfavorable opinion. Seven percent didn’t know.

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Arizona: Democratic Field Does Not Completely Clear for Barber

The Democratic field narrowed Friday in the race for a full two-year term in the Tucson, Ariz., area, but it did not clear.

State Sen. Paula Aboud (D) became the second Democratic contender to drop out of the race and throw support behind former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords staffer Ron Barber. But one candidate is staying put. State House Rep. Matt Heinz said in an interview Friday afternoon that he is “absolutely” still in the race.

Heinz, who is not running in the June special election to fill out Giffords’ term, said that his level of support has”intensified” since Barber made his intention to run for the full term known. Full story

New Jersey: Special Election Dates for Payne Seat Set

As most New Jersey politicos expected, Gov. Chris Christie (R-N.J.) issued a writ setting the special election primary and general dates to fill the term of the late Rep. Donald Payne as concurrent with the previously scheduled state primary and general election dates for 2012.

State tradition has it that special elections are rarely held because of the costs associated. Instead, the special election is held in conjunction with the state’s scheduled primary and general elections. A candidate’s name appears twice on the ballot, once for the special election and again in the contest for a full term.

The winner of the special election will fill out the lame-duck term after the November election.

In other 10th district news, Newark City Councilman Ron Rice picked up the endorsements of two of his colleagues, Newark South Ward Councilman Ras Baraka and Central Ward Councilman Darrin Sharif.

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Indiana: Board Grants Lugar Voting Residency Appeal

(Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)

After weeks of wrangling with local election officials, Sen. Dick Lugar (R-Ind.) will be able to use his family farm’s address to vote in the Hoosier State.

Lugar’s agreement with the Marion County Elections Board is good news for the six-term Senator,  who’s facing the toughest primary challenge of his career from state Treasurer Richard Mourdock on May 8.

A couple of weeks ago, the Marion County Election Board ruled Lugar ineligible to vote at his listed address because he and his wife no longer live there. Lugar successfully appealed the ruling — spurring several unflattering headlines in the process — by registering to vote at his family farm instead.

“Today, the court has obtained from the Marion County Election Board assurances that the Lugars may vote from the Lugar family farm, which has been in the family for generations and has been managed by Senator Lugar continuously for many years, and this is now where they should vote,” said a statement from Lugar’s campaign.

Lugar previously registered to vote at the address of a home he sold in 1977, according to the Associated Press.

Washington: Norm Dicks Endorses Derek Kilmer to Replace Him

Retiring Rep. Norm Dicks (D-Wash.) endorsed state Sen. Derek Kilmer to replace him in the 6th district, a move that could keep the Democratic field cleared for Kilmer.

“Derek’s career has been spent trying to retain and attract good jobs for our region and Congress needs more people with that kind of experience,” the Appropriations Committee ranking member said in a statement Thursday. “He’s hard-working, effective, and he’s committed to bringing people together to get the job done.” Full story

Paul Ryan Endorses Mitt Romney

(Chris Maddaloni/CQ Roll Call File Photo)

Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) became the 93rd Member to endorse Mitt Romney this morning.

In an interview with “Fox & Friends,” Ryan stressed Romney’s capacity to serve as president and his electability.

“I believe he’s the right person for the job, and I think this primary has been productive. I think it’s been constructive up till now,” he said. “I think it’s made the candidates better, but I think we’re entering a phase where it could become counter-productive if this drags on much longer.” Full story

Rubio on Romney: ‘I’m Excited About My Support for Him’

(Chris Maddaloni/CQ Roll Call File Photo)

Sen. Marco Rubio explained in greater detail today why he waded into the Republican presidential primary to endorse former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.

“I think Mitt Romney has won this primary,” the Florida Republican told reporters. “I think the primary’s over now, by the admission of his opponents.”

Former Speaker Newt Gingrich (Ga.) and ex-Sen. Rick Santorum (Pa.), who Rubio was referring to, might take issue with that assertion given that Romney has yet to win the 1,144 delegates he needs to secure the nomination. Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas) might also quibble. Rubio, who knows what it’s like to challenge the Republican establishment’s preferred candidate in a primary, acknowledged that some conservatives might be upset with his decision to declare the race over and back Romney. But he didn’t back down, and in fact, he used the words of Gingrich and Santorum against them in explaining his decision and its timing. Full story

Conservative Senators Pick Sides in Texas, Missouri and Maine Primaries

Sen. Tom Coburn endorsed Senate candidates in Texas and Missouri today. (Douglas Graham/CQ Roll Call File Photo)

There were Senate endorsements galore in GOP circles today, with a few of the highest profile conservative Senators coming out in support of candidates locked in tough GOP primaries. Here’s a quick rundown of what happened:

• Texas Solicitor General Ted Cruz picked up an endorsement from Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.). Alluding to one of the most intense rivalries in college football (between the University of Texas and the University of Oklahoma), Coburn wrote in a statement, “Oklahoma and Texas may have our friendly rivalry, but when it comes to fighting for limited government, I’m proud to endorse my neighbor across the Red River.”

• Along with Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Coburn also gave his nod to businessman John Brunner, one of three contenders for the GOP nomination in the Missouri Senate race. ”John Brunner will be a force for fiscal conservatism in the U.S. Senate, and I am proud to endorse his candidacy,” Coburn said in a statement released by the Brunner campaign. Earlier this year, Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) endorsed former state Treasurer Sarah Steelman, another GOP contender hoping to take on vulnerable Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) in November.

• Finally, Lee backed Maine Treasurer Bruce Poliquin in the Pine Tree State’s GOP Senate primary. A source in the Poliquin camp told Roll Call that a statement is forthcoming.

John Delaney Poll Shows Big Lead as Martin O’Malley Backs Rob Garagiola

State Sen. Rob Garagiola (right) trailed businessman John Delaney (left) by a wide margin according to polls done for Delaney's campaign. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)

State Senate Majority Leader Rob Garagiola and businessman John Delaney are playing their trump cards today, as the race for the Democratic nomination in Maryland’s 6th district enters the homestretch.

Garagiola announced he has the backing of Gov. Martin O’Malley, the state’s most prominent Democrat. Hours after news of the endorsement surfaced, the Delaney campaign released two internal polls showing him way up over his rivals with less than a week to go before Tuesday’s primary.

The latest poll, conducted March 26-27, showed Delaney garnering 49 percent of the vote, with Garagiola garnering 23 percent of the vote. Dr. Milad Pooran came in third with 10 percent. Sixteen percent of those surveyed were undecided. The winner of the Democratic primary will challenge Rep. Roscoe Bartlett in the fall in a race that Democrats are slightly favored to win.

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Polls: Female Voters Boost Bill Nelson, Sherrod Brown

Sen. Sherrod Brown leads GOP nominee Josh Mandel in a new Quinnipiac University poll. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call File Photo)

Boosted by strong performance among women, Democratic Sens. Bill Nelson (Fla.) and Sherrod Brown (Ohio) led their GOP challengers in two Quinnipiac University Polls released today.

In horserace matchups, Nelson led GOP frontrunner Rep. Connie Mack IV 44 percent to 36 percent while Brown led GOP nominee Josh Mandel, the state treasurer, 46 percent to 36 percent.

Nelson, seeking his third term representing the Sunshine State, will face the winner of a nasty primary between Mack and former Sen. George LeMieux (R). An earlier Quinnipiac University poll from January found the race between Nelson and Mack a dead heat. In this month’s poll, Nelson tied Mack among men, 41 percent to 41 percent, but led among women, 46 percent to 32 percent. Full story