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Control of Congress Up for Grabs | |
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In the Senate, the
majority party controls leadership positions. Control of 60 Senate seats gives a party an
"extraordinary majority" and the power to vote to end filibusters.
Currently, Republicans hold a 54-46 advantage in the Senate. A total of 34 seats are up for election on
November 7, of which, 19 are currently held by Republicans and 15 by Democrats.
A net gain of 5 seats would give the Democrats a one seat advantage in the
Senate. Of the 34 incumbents, five senators -- four Democrats and one Republican --
are not seeking re-election. In Missouri, the late Gov. Mel Carnahan -- a Democrat -- was running for the
U.S. Senate against incumbent Republican Sen. John Ashcroft. On Oct. 16,
Carnahan died in a plane crash. Carnahan's name remains on the ballot and
Missouri's new Governor, Roger Wilson, has stated that should the late Mel
Carnahan receive more votes on Nov. 7 than Ashcroft, he will appoint Carnahan's
widow, Jean Carnahan, to fill the Senate seat until the 2002 elections. Of the 34 seats up for election, only about half have serious races.
According recent polls, four seats currently held by Democrats appear
vulnerable, while Republican incumbents face stiff competition in as many as
eight races. Key Races Virginia - Democratic incumbent Sen. Charles Robb vs. Republican,
George Allen Michigan - Republican incumbent Sen. Spencer Abraham vs. Democrat
Debbie Stabenow Minnesota - Republican incumbent Sen. Rod Grams vs. Democrat Mark
Dayton Pennsylvania - Republican incumbent Sen. Rick Santorum vs. Democrat
Ron Klink Washington - Republican incumbent Sen. Slade Gorton vs. Democrat
Maria Cantwell Montana - Republican incumbent Sen. Conrad Burns vs. Democrat Brian
Schweitzer Delaware - Republican incumbent Sen. William Roth vs. Democrat
Thomas Carper Rhode Island - Republican incumbent Sen. Lincoln Chafee vs. Democrat
Robert Weygand Races With No Incumbent Nebraska - Democrat Ben Nelson vs. Republican Don Stenberg (Seat was
held by Democrat, Bob Kerrey) New Jersey - Democrat Jon Corzine vs. Republican Robert Franks (Seat
was held by Democrat, Frank Lautenberg) Nevada - Democrat Edward Bernstein vs. Republican John Ensign (Seat
was held by Democrat, Richard Bryan) New York - Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton vs. Republican Rick Lazio
(Seat was held by Democrat, Daniel Patrick Moynihan) Florida - Democrat Ben Nelson vs. Republican Bill McCollum (Seat was
held by Republican, Connie Mack) Graph
showing majority control of House and Senate since 1973
Races in which incumbent Senators face stiff competition.
These races, in which the incumbent Senator is not running for re-election, are
considered "up for grabs."
From US Liberals Guide Lisa Tolin.
