http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/gopprimary/ en-us Tue, 14 May 2013 17:58:13 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/3019356/posts Rob Maness, a retired Air Force Colonel who has never run for public office, announced Monday that he is entering the race. Republican Rep. Bill Cassidy is also challenging Landrieu. “After serving 32 years in the military devoted to supporting and defending the Constitution from threats outside of America, I realized when my peers and I were facing out, behind us the political class in office was not living up to their oath to support and defend the Constitution,” Asked what he brings as a candidate that neither Landrieu nor Cassidy does, Maness said it was his sense of principle.... The Daily Caller http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/3019356/posts#comment Tue, 14 May 2013 17:58:13 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3016559/posts This has been brought up before, but now there's apparently a ground-swell of support and a full-fledged grass-roots movement, to draft true conservative Lee Bright as a primary challenger to treasonous RINO Lindsey Grahamnesty in South Carolina. Lindsey Graham has sold us out many times before, but now he's gone way too far in supporting an America-ruining immigration reform bill centered on increasing the H1B visa and amnesty, at a time when our economy is still reeling from 5 years of Obama's mismanagement and the Depression it's caused. In joining up with his fellow treasonous RINO's in the Gang of... http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3016559/posts#comment Tue, 7 May 2013 08:53:19 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/3014422/posts A group organized as The Tea Party Leadership Fund is trying to draft former Alaska governor and 2008 GOP vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin to run for the U.S. Senate in 2014. The fund claims that the former Fox News analyst would be favored to unseat incumbent Mark Begich (D-AK), whose polling numbers have suffered recently. But the organization has not even discussed its effort with Gov. Palin, and she has never expressed any real desire to be a U.S. Senator. The fund's Niger Innis says the interest of Tea Party members in a Palin run, however, is clear. "We... http://sarahpalinjournal.blogspot.com/2013/05/tea-party-group-drafts-gov-palin-for.html http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/3014422/posts#comment Wed, 1 May 2013 12:34:30 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/3014225/posts "Do the words 'Senator Sarah Palin' excite you?" That's the opening line of a recent email by The Tea Party Leadership Fund, which is trying to draft the former Alaska governor and past Fox News commentator to run for the Senate in 2014. The fund argues Palin has a clear path to victory in part due to recent polling showing incumbent Sen. Mark Begich, a Democrat, with less than 50 percent of the vote. But, it being a draft, the group hasn't talked with Palin about whether or not she's interested. And Palin – whose PAC didn't respond to request... US News and World Report's Washington Whispers http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/3014225/posts#comment Tue, 30 Apr 2013 21:32:00 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3014143/posts It is an amazing testament to how bad the other candidates were that Mark Sanford ran away with the race in South Carolina’s first congressional district. A deeply flawed man, he was the one guy the primary voters knew wouldn’t go wobbly in Washington. But they, and I, presumed he was over the issues with his ex-wife. Unfortunately, a couple of weeks ago we learned things were not settled. The NRCC and GOP abandoned Mark Sanford as a result. In a race the GOP could still — even now — win, the GOP decided it would rather lose than win.... http://www.redstate.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3014143/posts#comment Tue, 30 Apr 2013 17:21:37 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3009341/posts Following revelations that his ex-wife accused him of trespassing on her property earlier this year, former South Carolina governor Mark Sanford (R) has lost the support of his national party. The news comes as controversy continues to swirl around Sanford and his personal life — a process that began with his well-publicized 2009 affair but was inflamed, the Washington Post has learned, when one of the Sanfords’ sons met Mark Sanford’s former mistress for the first time the night he won the GOP nomination. The National Republican Congressional Committee on Wednesday took the unusual step of telegraphing that it will... Washington Post http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3009341/posts#comment Thu, 18 Apr 2013 16:51:28 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3008977/posts National Republicans are pulling the plug on Mark Sanford’s suddenly besieged congressional campaign, POLITICO has learned — a potentially fatal blow to the former South Carolina governor’s dramatic comeback bid. Blindsided by news that Sanford’s ex-wife has accused him of trespassing and concluding he has no plausible path to victory, the National Republican Congressional Committee has decided not to spend more money on Sanford’s behalf ahead of the May 7 special election. Politico http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3008977/posts#comment Wed, 17 Apr 2013 19:02:44 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3006045/posts Insiders and grassroots activists are starting to zero in on a primary challenger to face off against embattled incumbent US Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC). Graham has become extremely unpopular due to his votes on taxes, the NDAA, gun rights and his position on drones. He recently came out against Rand Paul’s filibuster, which created National backlash against him and is refusing to support Paul’s efforts to filibuster Obama’s attempt at Second Amendment restrictions. Liberty Paper http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3006045/posts#comment Wed, 10 Apr 2013 01:23:36 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/3005596/posts Wyoming Republican Sen. Mike Enzi may be gearing up to run for re-election in 2014, but that doesn’t mean Liz Cheney is ruling out a run for the Senate seat now. A source close to the politically active daughter of Vice President Dick Cheney tells The Daily Caller that she is still seriously considering running. (RELATED: Wyoming Republican Mike Enzi reportedly will run again for Senate) Over the weekend, The Casper Star Tribune reported that Enzi told a meeting of the GOP state party committee that he is looking forward to running for re-election — something he has yet to... Daily Caller http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/3005596/posts#comment Tue, 9 Apr 2013 00:43:40 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3003539/posts "I want to thank my God," Sanford said. "I used to cringe when somebody would say I want to thank my God because at that point I would think this is getting uncomfortable. But once you really receive God's grace and (have) seen it reflected in others you stop and acknowledge that grace and the difference He has made in my life and in so many lives across this state and across this nation." Associated Press http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3003539/posts#comment Wed, 3 Apr 2013 03:57:34 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3003524/posts The former three-term congressman and two-term governor saw his political career sidelined four years ago when he disappeared from the state only to return and confess to an extramarital affair with an Argentine woman to whom he is now engaged. Associated Press http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3003524/posts#comment Wed, 3 Apr 2013 02:53:31 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3003493/posts MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. (AP) -- Former South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford on Tuesday cleared another hurdle in his bid for a political comeback, defeating a former county council member to win the GOP nomination for a vacant U.S. House seat. With 96 percent of precincts reporting, Sanford had about 57 percent of the vote to 43 percent for Curtis Bostic, a former Charleston County Council member. The candidates were vying Tuesday in a GOP runoff in the 1st Congressional District, which covers the south coast. Sanford will face Elizabeth Colbert Busch and Green Party candidate Eugene Platt in a May... Associated Depressed http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3003493/posts#comment Wed, 3 Apr 2013 00:59:53 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2990446/posts Texas Sen. John Cornyn, the second-highest Republican member of the Senate, has drawn a 2014 primary challenger. Erick Wyatt of Rockport, Texas filed papers this week with the Federal Election Commission to run for Senate against Cornyn, the Senate Minority Whip, who is up for re-election in 2014. Cornyn is seen as vulnerable to a challenge from the right, and has said he’s been expecting and preparing for a primary battle. He was one of just three senators who voted against John Kerry’s confirmation as Secretary of State. He cast the vote with Texas’ junior senator, tea party favorite Ted... The Daily Caller http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2990446/posts#comment Sat, 23 Feb 2013 14:48:39 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2989699/posts Nebraska Republican Sen. Mike Johnanns has informed Republicans in his home state that he will retire at the end of his current Senate term, GOP sources tell NBC News. The first-term senator has informed Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman that he won't run for reelection in 2014, a Republican official said. NBC News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2989699/posts#comment Mon, 18 Feb 2013 16:55:46 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2988044/posts Former Navy Seal Gabriel Gomez has announced his intention to run in the special election to fill the vacancy left by John Kerry. A private-equity investor, Gomez now has until the end of the month to collect the 10,000 signatures necessary to get on the ballot. If successful, we would face state Rep. Dan Winslow, a former Romney staffer, in the primary April 30th. “As I look at Washington," Gomez said in a public statement, "I see a lot of unproductive noise and bickering, and I see two parties attacking each other at all times over every issue. I see... Breitbart http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2988044/posts#comment Wed, 13 Feb 2013 13:44:40 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2987800/posts Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) is ramping up his 2014 reelection bid with 2012 barely in the rearview mirror. The timing is no coincidence, with the past two election cycles illustrating that early action is the most effective way for vulnerable Republicans to deter primary threats. To wit: Sens. Richard Lugar (R-Ind.) and Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), who charted starkly different paths in 2012. Hatch will return to Congress in 2013, while Lugar will not. “It sends a message that Tennessee Republicans have their house in order,” said a Republican close to Alexander. “We’re not going to stand around slinging mud at... Washington Post http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2987800/posts#comment Tue, 12 Feb 2013 18:44:09 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2985179/posts With Scott Brown backing out of the special election to the Senate in Massachusetts, some wondered whether former Governor and erstwhile presidential candidate Mitt Romney might take a shot at filling the rest of John Kerry's term in office. Instead, the Boston Herald reports that the task might go to the next generation of Romneys: Tagg Romney is considering a run in the special Senate election now that Scott Brown has opted out, the Truth Squad has learned.Calls for Romney, 42, to join in the short campaign to replace Secretary of State John F. Kerry have increased since the Herald... Hotair http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2985179/posts#comment Mon, 4 Feb 2013 17:46:27 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2984933/posts The biggest donors in the Republican Party are financing a new group to recruit seasoned candidates and protect Senate incumbents from challenges by far-right conservatives and Tea Party enthusiasts who Republican leaders worry could complicate the party’s efforts to win control of the Senate. -snip- The Conservative Victory Project, which is backed by Karl Rove and his allies who built American Crossroads into the largest Republican super PAC of the 2012 election cycle, will start by intensely vetting prospective contenders for Congressional races to try to weed out candidates who are seen as too flawed to win general elections. NY Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2984933/posts#comment Sun, 3 Feb 2013 19:18:18 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2984688/posts This is somewhat surprising given all the signals Brown had been sending over the last few weeks. But his reasoning appears sound. From Boston Herald: ________________________ Scott Brown will not run for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by John Kerry, the former senator told the Herald first today. "U r the first to know I am not running," Brown texted the Herald. Brown's decision follows yesterday's announcement by fellow Republican Charlie Baker that he won't run for the seat either. Baker did urge former Gov. William Weld, who just moved back to Massachusetts, to run if Brown doesn't. [...] Brown... American Thinker http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2984688/posts#comment Sat, 2 Feb 2013 21:49:44 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2983936/posts Geraldo contemplating run for Senate By Jonathan Easley - 01/31/13 02:02 PM ET Television personality and radio host Geraldo Rivera announced Thursday heÂ’s “truly contemplating” a run for Senate in New Jersey. “I mention this only briefly, fasten your seatbelt,” Rivera said on his radio show. “I mentioned this only briefly to my wife ... but I am and IÂ’ve been in touch with some people in the Republican Party in New Jersey. I am truly contemplating running for Senate against Frank Lautenberg or Cory Booker.” 
New Jersey Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D), 89, is up for reelection in 2014 but... The Hill http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2983936/posts#comment Thu, 31 Jan 2013 20:17:53 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2981235/posts Teddy Turner inherited his love of sailing from his father, media magnate Ted Turner. But there is less of a family resemblance when it comes to politics. While the elder Turner leans Democratic, Teddy Turner is running as a Republican in a crowded race for an open South Carolina congressional seat created by a U.S. Senate appointment. "My dad asked, 'What's the minimum amount I can give because you're a Republican?'" Teddy Turner, 49, said. "My dad has been asking for years, 'How the heck did you become so conservative?'" Associated Press http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2981235/posts#comment Thu, 24 Jan 2013 01:03:37 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2979407/posts The 36-year Senate veteran is trounced by Indiana State Treasurer Richard Mourdock, whose business and Tea Party backers spent $2.7 million to defeat a once-powerful pol they portrayed as out of touch.That cracking, thudding sound emanating from Indiana on primary night Tuesday was the crumbling of a Washington institution, punctuated by muffled shrieks of terror from incumbent office-holders everywhere.Republican Sen. Richard Lugar—a towering figure in the national-security, arms-control, and foreign-policy realms who six years ago was so popular in his home state that local Democrats didn’t bother to field an opponent—lost his bid for a seventh term to a lesser-known,... Daily Beast http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2979407/posts#comment Fri, 18 Jan 2013 12:53:47 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2974995/posts The disastrous 2012 election and embarrassing fiscal cliff standoff has brought forth one principal conclusion from establishment Republicans: They have a primary problem.The intra-party contests, or threat thereof, have become the original sin that explains many of the party’s woes in the minds of GOP leaders. It’s the primaries that push their presidential nominees far to the right (see “self-deportation” and “47 percent”); produce lackluster Senate candidates (Todd Akin has almost become a one-word shorthand); and, as seen most vividly in the last two weeks, dissuade scores of gerrymandered House members from face-saving compromise while politically emasculating their speaker.What to... Politico http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2974995/posts#comment Fri, 4 Jan 2013 20:49:00 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2962323/posts DES MOINES, Iowa - In the days since Republicans lost an election many in the party thought was theirs, chatter has been bubbling about what the GOP should do to recover. For Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad, it starts with the smallest of actions: abandoning the state's now-infamous straw poll. Once a festive checkpoint on the road to the leadoff Iowa caucuses, the poll has devolved into a full-blown sideshow, Branstad and other critics contend. They say it's an unfair and false test that has felled good candidates and kept others from competing in the state. "It's just something that's gotten... The Washington Examiner http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2962323/posts#comment Fri, 23 Nov 2012 09:08:09 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2936244/posts (Reuters) - A Republican state senator whose vote was crucial to legalizing gay marriage in New York has lost his primary election while a Senate colleague who also broke with the party's stance against same-sex unions narrowly escaped defeat. Senators Roy McDonald and Stephen Saland were among four New York Senate Republicans to cast key votes last year to make New York the most populous U.S. state to allow homosexual marriages. After a count of absentee ballots, McDonald was determined to have lost his race while Saland narrowly won in September 13 primary elections. Mark Grisanti, another Republican senator who... Reuters http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2936244/posts#comment Wed, 26 Sep 2012 00:09:09 GMT