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News :: Elections & Legislation |
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Senate Race Could Illustrate Shifts |
Current rating: 0 |
by Matt Buczynski
Email: mbuczynski (nospam) vidette.ilstu.edu (unverified!) |
11 Nov 2003
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Illinois is a top priority for both parties in the 2004 Senate race. |
The 2004 election is much more than a vote to see if President Bush will hold onto power.
Next November, the nation may see a shift in the balance of power in the U.S. Senate from the Republicans to the Democratic Party.
Currently, Republicans hold a slim majority with 51 senators and the Democrats right behind with 48. There is one Independent member of the Senate.
28 Senators are up for reelection - 13 Republicans and 15 Democrats. In addition, four democratic seats are open, as are two Republicans'.
The Illinois seat is one of them.
After Senator Peter Fitzgerald R-(Ill.) announced that he will not be running for reelection, a plethora of candidates from both sides have begun their race for the coveted position.
Neither party is taking this race lightly.
According to Stacey Zolt, the spokesperson for the Illinois office of the Democratic Senatorial Committee, "Illinois is no less than the number one target for the Democratic Party."
Six other top-tier seats include those in Alaska, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Missouri, Colorado and Oklahoma.
Zolt said Illinois is primed for a democratic win.
"Illinois has been voting democratic. We nearly swept the statewide ticket," Zolt said.
She credits the recent success to Republican scandals in the state, and the public's disapproval of President Bush.
"Illinois has been fourth hardest hit state by job loss since Bush took office," Zolt said.
She estimated that over 205,000 jobs have been lost in the state over the past three years.
"We believe the tide is moving our way," she said.
She added that the party hopes this success carries over to next November.
A democratic victor would join Illinois' other senator, Dick Durbin D-(Ill.), in Washington, D.C. and may help to shift the balance of power back to the Democrats.
But the Republican Party is shooting for a victory in November and hopes to pick up a few more seats to increase their majority.
Dan Allen, director of communications for the national Republican Senatorial Committee, said every election is crucial to the party, but this year, with so many senators up for reelection, they are taking it even more seriously.
Allen said the party is confident in their candidates for the open seat in Illinois, but understands it will be a fight.
"We know the open seat in Illinois is going to be a challenge, but we think it is a challenge we can make.
"When we look at the strength of the Republicans in the primary, we have good reason to be encouraged," Allen said.
However, according to Zolt, the Republican Party has what she calls "a massive recruiting failure" in Illinois, yielding weak candidates. |
See also:
http://www.dailyvidette.org/news/549965.html
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