Senate Watch: News And Notes

Colorado
Slowly, but surely Democratic Congressman Mark Udall (pictured) is increasing his financial advantage over former Republican Congressman Bob Schaffer. Udall raised $1.1 million to end 2007, bringing his cash on hand total to $3.6 million. Schaffer raised $673,000 in the final quarter of the year, with $1.5 million available for the race. A $2 million deficit is not good news for Schaffer, who will likely appeal to national Republicans for support. With several endangered Republicans throughout the country, however, it's unclear how the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) will respond. The group was out raised by its counterpart, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC), by nearly $25 million last year.

Idaho
Republican Lt. Governor Jim Risch (pictured), the favorite for the Republican nomination in a large field, raised $236,000 in the fourth quarter, with $171,000 available. Risch's total bests the $166,000 brought in by Democrat Larry LaRocco, but LaRocco has $200,000 remaining in the bank. LaRocco had been raising money for much of 2007, while Risch jumped into the race after scandal forced incumbent Republican Larry Craig to announce his retirement. Despite his current cash on hand deficit, Risch is favored to hold the seat for Republicans.

Iowa
Incumbent Democrat Tom Harkin (pictured), still without a top tier challenger, has built a campaign war chest of $3.4 million. He brought in $802,000 in the fourth quarter of last year. Harkin, who has served in the Senate since 1984, typically draws a strong challenge from Iowa's House delegation. He has defeated more sitting members of Congress than anyone in Senate history.

Maine
Republican incumbent Susan Collins raised $963,000 during the fourth quarter, slightly edging Democratic Congressman Tom Allen (pictured), who brought in $813,000 during the same period. Collins does have a cash on hand advantage, however, with $3.9 million in the bank compared to $2.5 million for her challenger. Allen, considered the strongest available opponent, will need to put that money to good use. Polling has consistently shown Collins with a comfortable lead in what was expected to be one of the most competitive races in the country. Allen's challenge is to paint Collins as an extension of Bush and national Republicans in a state that has routinely favored Democrats in recent elections.

Michigan
Democratic Senator Carl Levin raised $840,000 during the fourth quarter, helping him to a massive fundraising advantage over his Republican challengers. Levin finished the year with nearly $5 million in the bank. He is the heavy favorite to best either Andrew Raczkowski or Bart Baron in November.

Minnesota
A new poll shows incumbent Republican Norm Coleman trailing for the first time this cycle to challenger Al Franken. Coleman (pictured) loses 40%-43% to Franken, but beats Mike Ciresi 43%-38%. After holding a big lead early in the cycle, both Democrats have crept closer and closer to the first term incumbent. Franken bests Ciresi in a primary match-up 42%-18%. Both candidates have already begun advertising on television in preparation for tomorrow's caucuses. Republicans have suggested the poll is inaccurate because it over-samples Democrats. For his part, Coleman will be able to rely on a financial advantage. The incumbent has $6 million on hand, while Franken has $3.1 million and just under $1 million available.

Nebraska
Democrats waiting on potential candidates Scott Kleeb and Tony Raimondo have found another candidate as well. Larry Marvin, a former candidate for the state legislature, has thrown his hat into the ring for the opportunity to face former Republican Governor Mike Johanns (pictured). Marvin, a political unknown, will almost certainly have company in the Democratic primary. Spurned by former Senator Bob Kerrey and Omaha Mayor Mike Fahey, a once promising race appears to be slipping away from Democrats. Kleeb, a 2006 House candidate who over-performed in a heavily Republican district, and Raimondo, a former Republican, are still considering bids. Businessman Pat Flynn will square off with Johanns in the Republican primary. Johanns is the overwhelming favorite to win both the Republican primary and the general election.

New Hampshire
Former Democratic Governor Jeanne Shaheen (pictured) out-raised Republican Senator John Sununu during the fourth quarter, but her campaign has significant ground to make up to match the incumbent's cash on hand. Shaheen raised nearly $1.2 million to end 2007, with $1.15 million available for the race. Sununu garnered $921,000 during the fourth quarter, but he holds $3.4 million in the bank. Polling has shown Shaheen is the favorite in her rematch with Sununu, though a poll released just before Christmas showed Sununu ahead.

New Jersey
A new poll shows incumbent Democrat Frank Lautenberg (pictured) with potential vulnerable, but not all that surprising, numbers. Lautenberg leads businesswoman Anne Evans Estabrook 38%-24% and State Senator Joe Pennacchio 40%-25%. New Jersey politicians are often unpopular, but the state's heavy Democratic tilt means that Lautenberg isn't too vulnerable. Senator Bob Menendez saw similar polling before being elected to his first full term in 2006. These figures, however, could again convince Republicans to invest in the state, but such a move would likely prove foolhardy in the expensive market. Lautenberg has $4.3 million available for the race after bringing in $932,000 during the final quarter of 2007. Estabrook brought in $1.8 million during the same period and has $1.5 million saved up for the race.

New Mexico
The race for the Republican nomination, featuring political heavyweights Representatives Steve Pearce (pictured) and Heather Wilson, is heating up in New Mexico. Pearce has already taken to the airwaves, seeking to paint himself as the clear conservative choice. Now he has received the backing of the conservative economic group Club For Growth. Meanwhile, Democratic Congressman Tom Udall leads both Republicans in the polls and he out-raised both combined during the fourth quarter. Udall brought in just more than $1 million, while Wilson raised $517,000 and Pearce came in third with $426,000. Udall also leads in the cash on hand department, with $1.7 million in the bank compared to $1.1 million and $820,000 for Wilson and Pearce.

North Carolina
A new poll shows incumbent Republican Elizabeth Dole continues to lead Democratic challengers Kay Hagan and Jim Neal. Dole (pictured) bests Hagan 48%-35% and beats Neal 49%-30%. While it is good news for Democrats that Dole is held under 50% against two largely unknown candidates, it is clear they have some work to do to convince voters to fire the incumbent. Neither candidate has taken an aggressive tact against Dole, instead focusing on fundraising and building their campaigns. Hagan raised $563,000 and has $516,000 in the bank. Neal brought in just $215,000 and has $139,000 available. Both, however, come in far behind Dole, who raised more than $1.1 million and has nearly $2.7 million saved up for the race.

Texas
Republican Senator John Cornyn (pictured) will have a big financial advantage over his Democratic opponent heading into November. Cornyn brought in $1.7 million during the final quarter of 2007 and has $7.5 million available for the race. State Representative Rick Noriega raised $407,000 during the fourth quarter and had $688,000 in the bank to end the year.

Virginia
Former Governor Mark Warner, a big favorite to pick up the seat for Democrats according to most polls, raised $2.7 million during the fourth quarter. He has $2.9 million saved up for the race after jumping in last fall. His likely opponent, former Governor Jim Gilmore (pictured), raised $348,000 during the same period, but has just $183,000 in the bank.

West Virginia
Jay Wolfe has decided to challenge Democratic Senator Jay Rockefeller (pictured) to a rematch. Rockefeller won the 2002 race 63%-27%. With the filing deadline now passed, Wolfe will be joined on the Republican ballot by Phil Cline. Both will be significant underdogs to Rockefeller, who $800,000 during the fourth quarter and has $3.7 million available for the race.