Week of November 9, 2003
WA-Sen: Republicans finally find a candidate for governor
After months of searching for a credible candidate, Republicans finally found their man: last week, state Sen. Dino Rossi stepped forward as the GOP's torchbearer in the gubernatorial race. Republicans are placing all of their stock in Rossi - an anti-choice conservative who earned an 'A' rating from the National Rifle Association and proposed a budget that cut $47 million in state funding for prenatal care for pregnant immigrant women - to take the governor's mansion after 18 years of Democratic control. Attorney General Christine Gregoire, considered by many to be the Democratic favorite, must abide by a state law requiring elected officials to cease all campaign fundraising 30 days before, after and during the state's legislative session, which will begin in January and possibly last until May 2004. Rossi is deciding whether to resign his senate seat to avoid the fundraising freeze.
MO-Sen: One bad vote after another... can't we get rid of this guy?
Putting profits ahead of people, Republican Sen. Kit Bond last month sided with big business and voted to defeat a proposal limiting carbon dioxide emissions, saying the new rules would stunt economic growth. Bond also voted with fellow anti-choice Republicans to pass a ban on certain abortion procedures, a law which has already been stayed by a U.S. District judge. Bond faces a spirited challenge in 2004 from Missouri state Treasurer Nancy Farmer, who has been endorsed by EMILY's List.
OR-05: Hooley fighting for all women
Rep. Darlene Hooley (D) was recently part of the first group of congresswomen to travel to Iraq to advocate on behalf of Iraqi women. Hooley and her colleagues met women government leaders and also visited a class of women trainees at the police academy. Women, who make up about 60 percent of Iraq's population, do not have voting rights. Hooley praised the trip as "a window of opportunity" to show Iraqi women that it's possible for women to be leaders and have a voice in government.
PA-13: Governor taps Schwartz as advisor on minority and women business opportunities
Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell (D) has appointed state Sen. Allyson Schwartz (D) to his Advisory Committee on Minority and Women Business Opportunities. State spending on minority- and female-headed businesses was just two percent of total state spending in Pennsylvania under the previous Republican administration. Schwartz, who founded and ran a women's health clinic in Philadelphia before becoming a state senator, is locked in a primary battle against Joe Torsella in one of the most competitive House races in the nation.
FL-Sen: Castor's outstanding numbers
After Sen. Bob Graham announced his retirement, Betty Castor's campaign released a new poll showing her ahead of all Democrat opponents. Castor leads all three of her primary opponents with 26 percent, followed by Rep. Alcee Hastings with 16 percent, Rep. Peter Deutsch with 14 percent, and Miami-Dade Mayor Alex Paneles with 8 percent (10/3-9; 700 likely Democratic primary voters; margin of error 3.7 percent). The poll, conducted by Hamilton Beattie and Staff for the Castor campaign, shows Castor with the highest favorability rating of all the candidates tested.