Campaigns & Elections - August 2007 - (Page 30)

inside politics NEW MEXICO State Democrats are looking for a candidate to challenge Republican U.S. Sen. Pete Domenici. Following his association with the firing of a U.S. district attorney, some party leaders are saying Domenici could be vulnerable. Thus far, Leland Lehrman, the editor of an alternative newspaper, and Jim Hannan, finance director of an affordable housing group, have announced they are running. Other possible candidates include developer Don Wiviott of Sante Fe; Allen Sanchez, the executive director of the New Mexico Conference of Bishops; and former U.S. Attorney John Kelly. NEW YORK Gov. Eliot Spitzer has signed legislation that will extend the 10-year old Power for Jobs program. The program was originally created to provide millions of dollars in subsidies for energy costs to businesses that would then create and keep jobs. Lawmakers are continuing to work on creating another multi-year program that would hold companies accountable for promised jobs. The program currently supports 525 businesses and not-for-profit organizations. NORTH CAROLINA A storm is brewing over the use of funds by the North Carolina Legislative Black Caucus after news broke that some legislators’ relatives received scholarships. State Rep. Alma Adams (D), the group’s chairwoman, said there was no intent to help any lawmakers’ children. Adams’s daughter received one of the scholarships. The foundation has come under scrutiny this year because of new ethics rules that regulate how special-interest groups can lobby lawmakers. Because donations to the nonprofit group are not public record, some have questioned them. NORTH DAKOTA Jason Stverak, former executive director of the state Republican Party, stepped down from his post to run former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani’s presidential campaign in North Dakota. Stverak, who led the state GOP for six years, is a native of Rapid City, S.D., and has been involved in politics in his native state, Nebraska and North Dakota. During his tenure, Republicans held majorities in the state legislature and in all but one statewide office. OHIO More than a few Republican leaders in the state think Ohio may be important as both a general election and a primary state in 2008. While the state is consistently viewed as one of a handful of key swing states in November, Republicans in Ohio think a hotly contested Republican ticket could leave no clear-cut winner after the February primaries. That would make Ohio, which holds its winner-take-all primary March 4, the key battleground for the Republican nomination. —Ryan Kelley, OHpols.com OKLAHOMA Federal disaster aid has been made available to Oklahoma by the head of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency. The money will help fund recovery efforts after severe storms, floods and tornadoes ravaged the state in June. The aid will go towards grants to help pay for temporary housing for displaced residents, home repairs and other expenses that the severe weather has caused. The current federal aid is issued to Ottawa and Washington counties. More aid may be distributed across the state following a more complete survey of damage. OREGON For the first time in 16 years, Oregon wrapped up a legislative session in which the Democrats held a majority in both the state Senate and House. The 172-day session saw legislators draft over 3,000 laws, of which about 1,000 were passed. The new laws include a smoking ban in bars, and regulations on which foods can be served in public school cafeterias. Democrats have praised the agenda as a return to the state’s progressive roots, while some Republicans say Oregon is being turned into a nanny state. PENNSYLVANIA Philadelphia health advocates and proponents of local jurisdiction are fuming at lawmakers’ attempts at a state smoking ban. A state Senate ban allows exemptions for a myriad of places, including nursing homes, casinos and some bars. Philadelphia’s citywide ban, passed in January, allows smoking in gaming establishments, mental health clinics and nursing homes. RHODE ISLAND The Minority Legislative Leadership Caucus is supporting “Alston’s Lawsuit,” which seeks an overhaul of the state foster care system. Child advocate Jametta O. Alston filed the suit, which names Gov. Donald Carcieri (R), the state Department of Children, Youth and Families director and other state officials. The suit alleges that children in the state foster care system are being neglected, molested, beaten and burned with cigarettes. The governor has said he was unaware of any widespread abuse. Last month, 24 hours after launching an investigation into the allegations, Carcieri announced that there was no intentional wrongdoing on the part of DCYFS. SOUTH CAROLINA The simmering battle over public smoking in South Carolina could come to an end in August. Many municipalities expect the state Supreme Court to rule whether local governments can create stronger smoking laws than the ones already in the state codes. Circuit judges in two cities (Greenville and Sullivan’s Island) have given conflicting rulings, which makes the case that much more interesting. —John Boyanoski, SCpols.com SOUTH DAKOTA South Dakota state Rep. Joel Dykstra (R) faces an uphill battle in his attempt to unseat Democratic incumbent Tim Johnson. Dykstra is the first candidate HEINRICH VOLSCHENK (iSTOCK) Pennsylvania 30 CAMPAIGNS & ELECTIONS 08.07 http://www.OHpols.com http://www.SCpols.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Campaigns & Elections - August 2007

Cover Contents Editor’s Note Ames Straw Poll Cavalcade; Last Candidate Standing; The New Dollar-A-Year Guy; Web Videos That Can Change the Election Across State Lines: Campaign News from Around the Country People and Organizations Movers and Shakers: Ten Questions for Matthew Taylor and Philip de Vellis Campaign Consultant Sign-Ups Reel Time Cover Story: Building Blocks From Madison Avenue to K Street Money Can’t Buy Votes Dick Cheney: Roll Model for Millions Ames: Still Weird, Still Important How to Do Tougher, Quicker Crisis Management Online Cause-Based SocNets Lure Issue Voters The Great Exaggeration Why Primetime TV is Alive and Well, Politically Speaking Buyer’s Guide Tips for Toeing the Fine Line Between Employment, Friendship Managing Your Friend’s Campaign? Think ‘Consigliore’ Off The Record

Campaigns & Elections - August 2007

For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.