Political Play-by-Play
By Lisa Cross, Business Editor -- graphic arts online, 10/1/2002
The Printing Industries of America (PIA), through its Government Affairs Department, the industry's top lobbying group, reports that there are many key Senate races in store for November. Of specific interest, reports the Alexandria, Va.-based group, are Senate races in six states. Here's a summary of each, along with notes from PIA in its public affairs advisory:
Colorado. Republican Senator Wayne Allard, well-liked and running in a state with a strong base of registered Democrats, is opposing former Representative Ted Strickland.
Iowa. Representative Greg Ganske is challenging Democratic Senator Tom Harkin. "Harkin is regarded as one of the most liberal members of the Senate. However, he has proven to be very resilient against Republican challengers. Ganske is a moderate Republican who could stand a better chance in 2002 than previous challengers," notes PIA.
Minnesota. Norm Coleman, former mayor of St. Paul, is challenging Senator Paul Wellstone, a Democrat. PIA observes, "Wellstone committed in his first election bid to serve only two terms in the Senate, but changed his mind to run for re-election again this year. Coleman has been given credit for rebuilding St. Paul and is very popular in the Twin Cities area. Most polls show Wellstone and Coleman running at a statistical dead heat at this point."
Coleman narrowly lost the race for governor of Minnesota in the campaign that elected Jesse Ventura.
Missouri. Former Representative Jim Talent is challenging Democratic Senator Jean Carnahan. Carnahan was appointed to the seat in 2000 after her husband, Mel Carnahan, former governor of Missouri, was killed in a plane crash.
Oregon. Secretary of State Bill Bradbury is challenging Republican Senator Gordon Smith in this heavily Democratic state.
South Dakota. Representative John Thune, a Republican, is challenging Senator Tim Johnson. Thune is the at-large representative—meaning that he is the only one for the entire state—and, say PIA officials, has run in more statewide elections than Johnson.
