Free Republic

House Republicans were hit with two additional retirements Friday, losing a veteran New Jersey member with a history of winning comfortably in a competitive district and an underachieving Wyoming lawmaker who ran uncomfortably close races in a conservative state. So far, 16 House Republicans have announced their retirements, compared with only four Democrats. Rep. Jim Saxton (R-N.J.) announced he would not be running for reelection, giving Republicans another difficult open seat to defend in a highly competitive and expensive southern New Jersey district. In a statement, Saxton said health concerns played a prominent role in his decision. He has been...

SALEM, Ore. - In this season of bleak election forecasts for the Republicans, one bright spot has emerged from an unlikely state: left-leaning Oregon. This traditionally blue state represents one of the Republicans' best shots at picking up a governorship held by the Democrats, with polls showing Gov. Ted Kulongoski and GOP challenger Ron Saxton virtually tied. Elsewhere, the Democrats are on a roll this year, appearing likely to pick up governors' seats in powerful states like Ohio, New York and Massachusetts. The Republican Governors Association has spent $1 million on the Saxton campaign, and more help is likely to...

THE GOVERNOR GAMBIT This November, as dozens of state governors ask for your vote, ask yourself this: Do they deserve it? In states like Wisconsin, Maine and Michigan, NEA members see their governors finding money for programs and salaries, protecting jobs from privatization, and making sure students get what they need. (Can your colleagues in California say the same? We think not.) Yes, governors do make a big difference. And so do you, when you say yea or nay.............. OREGON GOV. TED KULONGOSKI Two Words: Old friend. 1)Money, Money, Money. Too-short school years and too-big class sizes aren't a distant...

The battle between Democratic incumbent Ted Kulongoski and Republican Ron Saxton is essentially a dead heat, according to a new survey by Portland pollster Mike Riley. The same poll found just over half of likely voters supporting a ballot measure that would require parental notice before minors can have an abortion. It also found a plurality against a proposed state spending limit - although nearly half say they are still undecided. Lastly, support outweighs opposition for a measure to elect appellate judges by district, with 40 percent undecided. Riley's poll projects an unusually small turnout in November - 55 percent...

There's a long tradition of candidates releasing their own polls that show them - surprise! - running strong. Only time will tell if Republican Ron Saxton is really running even with Democratic Gov. Ted Kulongoski, as a new poll from the Saxton campaign shows. The survey, by pollster Bob Moore, shows the two candidates each with 38 percent of the vote. The Constitution Party's Mary Starrett is next at 3 percent. You can find a few more details on Moore's Web Site. The last published poll, by Zogby, showed Kulongoski with a seven-point lead. It was conducted at the beginning...

May 23, 2006--Conducted the night after the primary elections , the latest Rasmussen Reports election poll of the race for Oregon Governor shows Democratic incumbent Ted Kulongoski narrowly leading Republican challenger Ron Saxton 43% to 41%. Although the incumbent had faced a vigorous challenge from State Treasurer Jim Hill, he won with 54% of the primary vote (Hill drew 29%). Governor Kulongoski is viewed favorably by 52% of the electorate, unfavorably by 44%. Saxton is viewed favorably by 48%, unfavorably by 41%. Almost twice as many view the governor Very Unfavorably as view the Republican challenger that way. Forty-nine percent...

Saxton Introduces Bill to Bar French Firms from Post-Conflict Contracts    WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Jim Saxton today introduced legislation in the House of Representatives that would block any French company from participating or receiving any U.S. government aid or financing in any reconstruction of Iraq in a post-conflict setting."The position of the government of France encourages Iraqi defiance of United Nations Resolution 1441,"  said Saxton, who is heading up the newly-created House Terrorism, Unconventional Threats and Capabilities Subcommittee. "In fact, the French position may be well-received in Baghdad and encourage Saddam Hussein to continue not to cooperate with...

Saxton Bumped From Lands Panel Race WASHINGTON - Western conservatives, opposed to an Eastern moderate leading the House committee with control over vast expanses of Western land, got their way as Rep. Jim Saxton (news, bio, voting record), who was in line for the post said Tuesday he was abandoning the race. The New Jersey Republican accepted an offer from House leaders to lead a new Armed Services terrorism subcommittee. "There was a great deal of discussion about where I could serve best," Saxton said. "Together we all concluded this was the best thing for me to do." Several Western...

Limited results on the web so far, but KATU is giving early results on their site and on TV. So far, it looks like it will be a very close race between Kevin Mannix and Ron Saxton for the Republican gubernatoria nomination. Roberts is trailing a bit behind the other two. Sadly, it looks like Susan Castillo, the union thug candidate will get a majority to take the Superintendent of Public Instruction position.