By Jim Ellis
Sept. 26, 2017 — Yesterday, we reviewed the first half of the 33 in-cycle Senate races in terms of serious candidate personnel. Today, the remaining 17 states are covered.
As a reminder, no current Senate incumbent has announced his or her retirement.
(Regular type means the individual is an announced contender; italics denote possible candidate.)
NEVADA — TOSS UP
Sen. Dean Heller (R)
Danny Tarkanian (R) – Businessman, frequent candidate
Rep. Jacky Rosen (D) – US Representative, 3rd District
Rep. Dina Titus (D) – US Representative, 1st District
NEW JERSEY — LIKELY D
Sen. Bob Menendez (D)
• Sen. Menendez federal trial has frozen potential Democratic and Republican Senate hopefuls. After the Menendez legal situation is decided, much could happen in this state.
NEW MEXICO — LIKELY D
Sen. Martin Heinrich (D)
Mick Rich (R) – State Labor Commission member
Richard Berry (R) – Albuquerque mayor
John Sanchez (R) – Lt. Governor
NEW YORK — SAFE D
Sen. Kristen Gillibrand (D)
John Burnett (R) – former New York City comptroller candidate
NORTH DAKOTA — LEAN D
Sen. Heidi Heitkamp (D)
St. Sen. Tom Campbell (R) – Financial sector businessman; farmer
Rep. Kevin Cramer (R) – US Representative, at-large
Kelly Schmidt (R) – State treasurer
St. Rep. Rick Becker (R) – Former gubernatorial candidate
Rick Berg (R) – Former US Representative
OHIO — LEAN D
Sen. Sherrod Brown (D)
Josh Mandel (R) – State Treasurer; 2012 Senate nominee
Michael Gibbons (R) – Investment banker
PENNSYLVANIA — LEAN D
Sen. Bob Casey Jr. (D)
Rep. Lou Barletta (R) – US Representative, 11th District
Jeff Bartos (R) – Real estate developer
St. Rep. Jim Christiana (R) – State legislator; former Beaver Borough councilman
St. Rep. Rick Saccone (R) – State legislator; college professor
RHODE ISLAND — SAFE D
Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D)
Bob Flanders (R) – Ex-RI Supreme Court Justice
State Rep. Bobby Nardolillo (R) – State legislator; funeral director
TENNESSEE — SAFE R
Sen. Bob Corker (R)
Andy Ogles (R) – Director, Tennessee chapter, Americans for Prosperity
James Mackler (D) – Attorney; Iraq War veteran
Phil Bredesen (D) – Former governor
• Obviously, this situation will change should Sen. Corker decide to retire.
TEXAS — LIKELY R
Sen. Ted Cruz (R)
Rep. Beto O’Rourke (D) – US Representative, 16th District
UTAH — LIKELY R
Sen. Orrin Hatch (R)
Jenny Wilson (D) – Salt Lake County Councilwoman
• Obviously, this situation will change should Sen. Hatch decide to retire.
VERMONT (I) — SAFE INDEPENDENT/DEM
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I)
Al Giordano (D) – Journalist; environmental activist
VIRGINIA — LIKELY D
Sen. Tim Kaine (D)
Corey Stewart (R) – Prince William County Board chairman
Jim Gilmore (R) – Former governor; ex-presidential and US Senate candidate
Jimmie Massie (R) – State delegate; banker
WASHINGTON — SAFE D
Sen. Maria Cantwell (D)
WEST VIRGINIA — LEAN D
Sen. Joe Manchin (D)
Paula Jean Swearengin (D) – Environmental activist
Attorney General Patrick Morrisey (R) – Attorney; former Congressional staff member
Rep. Evan Jenkins (R) – US Representative, 3rd District
WISCONSIN — LEAN D
Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D)
Kevin Nicholson (R) – Businessman; State VA board member
St. Sen. Leah Vukmir (R) – State legislator; Nurse
Eric Hovde (R) – Venture capitalist; former US Senate candidate
WYOMING — SAFE R
Sen. John Barrasso (R)
NOTE: Principal candidate list source — Politics1.com
