But hopefully, you will as 2010 kicks off and the midterm elections come stampeding into focus. Here’s a snapshot of some of the interesting secretary of state races for 2010. We’ll cover more in the weeks ahead.
Arizona:
Incumbent Secretary of State Ken Bennett is running for his first full term as Arizona’s Republican Secretary of State. Bennett’s name has been bandied about in some circles as a potential candidate for Governor on the Republican side, but there are so many Republican names in the mix for that race that Bennett probably has figured out he can have a better impact on Arizona building on his record as a state senator with a full term as SOS.
On the Democrat side State Representative Chris Deschene and Sam Wercinski are up and running. Deschene is in the exploratory phase of his campaign, more a trick of getting around Arizona’s resign to run law, and Wercinski is in official campaign mode.
The Democrats have until August 24th to convince voters who’s better suited to face Ken Bennett in November. Truth be told, Bennett will be hard to beat as the sitting incumbent, but that’s not reason enough for him to sit back and hope for a an easy victory.
California:
Former NFL wide receiver Damon Dunn is running not for the end zone for but for California Secretary of State against incumbent Democrat Debra Bowen. By most accounts, California is a no man’s land for cookie cutter GOP candidates, so Dunn’s candidacy just might capture the imagination of voters across the spectrum and vault him into big league status in a new line of work. Early indications are that Dunn represents a new direction for the Republicans in California that has captured the attention of the party’s leading strategic minds.
Colorado:
Colorado Republicans have an enormous opportunity to win the secretary of state’s contest and give Republican Attorney General John Suthers some statewide company with election law expert Scott Gessler. Gessler fits Colorado perfectly, and has already mounted a credible campaign against incumbent Democrat Bernie Buescher who was appointed by Democrat Governor Bill Ritter to fill a vacancy created when Republican Mike Coffman was elected to the U.S. House in 2008.
This isn’t the first time we’ve written about Scott Gessler, and we’re pretty sure it won’t be the last.
Iowa:
Incumbent Democrat Secretary of State Michael Mauro was first elected Secretary of State of Iowa in 2006. 2006 was not a banner year for Republicans in Iowa, or any other state for that matter. A lot has changed since November ‘06, and Iowa Republicans know it. Two Republicans are already in this for this vital office. Former state representative George Eichhorn joined the race recently and will have to duel with Council Bluffs City Councilman Matt Schultz for the shot at Mauro in the General Election.
The national political climate aside, the political climate in Iowa has changed dramatically, and with a well executed campaign – Iowa Republicans may be well positioned to win this office.
Minnesota:
Not very many states, Florida and Ohio, have as high profile secretary of state offices as Minnesota. If you don’t know what we’re talking about go Google, Bing, or whatever your poison is, Norm Coleman and Al Franken. Then you’ll understand.
Incumbent Democrat Mark Ritchie is the crown jewel of the blue team’s effort at funding and winning secretary of state races nationwide. Their investment in him has paid off huge. Republican State Representative Dan Severson brings an outstanding resume serving the people of Minnesota as a state representative and the of this country as a U.S. Navy aviator.
Mark Ritchie was elected in 2006 w/a resounding 49% of the vote. In fact, the only way Ritchie was able to win was with the help of the Democrat/Progressive funded Secretary of State Project. They’ll be focused on his race again in 2010 no doubt – though they do have keep an eye on the primary since Ritchie has drawn a primary opponent in 80 year old perennial candidate Dick Franson (he’s run for office 24 times prior to this latest attempt).
Ohio:
With incumbent Democrat Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner seeking her party’s nomination for the U.S. Senate, Ohio is another big prize for SOS races in 2010. Right now Republican State Senator Jon Husted and Republican Sandra O’Brien are jockeying to see who will get the right to face Democrat State Representative Jennifer Garrison in the General Election.
Husted is the early favorite in both name ID, he’s been Speaker of the House, and now as state senator, and funds raised over O’Brien. The dynamics of the May 4 primary are far from set, but Husted appears to have the early edge.
Vermont:
Vermont is blue, but with incumbent Democrat Deb Markowitz running for governor, Republicans have a real candidate and an even better chance of capturing this office. Republican Chris Roy gives Republicans the best opportunity they’ve had in years to win this office. Not to say it won’t come easily. Roy will have to defeat Democrat Charles Merriman, but Republicans like their chances at this stage of the race.
