No Carolina Governor Bev Perdue ( D) will not be running for a second term according to Politico ( she has been one of the most unpopular Governor in country).  Pat McCrory, a former Charlotte mayor is the excepted Republican nominee.   Possible Democratic candidates: Lt. Gov. Walter Dalton, former White House chief of staff Erskine Bowles and Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx. Former Rep. Bob Etheridge, who maintains a strong statewide network supporters is also a possibility

Congressman Miller today announced he also will not be running.  He was expected to challenge fellow Democrat Price but instead will now retire.

US Senator Mark Kirk of Illinois has had a stroke and is undergoing surgery today to undergo swelling around his brain.

Our thoughts are with the Senator and his family at this time. More info to come

Update: “Dr. Richard Fessler, a neurosurgeon at Northwestern Memorial, said the senator suffered a stroke” to the right side of his brain. What that means is it will affect his ability to move his left arm and possibly his left leg.” The surgery has been deemed a success.  The Senator is only 52 and is in his first term in US Senate after serving several in US House and is member of US Navy.

Its New Year and with it many states filing deadlines to run for congress are fast approaching.  Believe it or not Illinois and Ohio already have had their deadlines past and 2012 Congressional and Senatorial Races are set in each state. So if you wish to be involved in the process keep in mind the dates in many states just within the next 3 months.

January Deadlines:

13th Alabama

28th W Virginia ( Republican still need top tier against Manchin)

Idaho and Kentucky

Febuary

1st Teaxas

21st Indiana

N Mexico, North Carolina

March

1st Mississippi

6th Oregon

12th Montana

15th Utah

27th Missouri

California, Maine, Maryland, Nevada, Iowa, So Carolina, Arkansas, So Dakota

The SCOTUS just granted a stay for the drawing of the Texas Congressional and State House Maps drawn by 3 judges in San Antonio.  The State Legislature  with signature by Governor Perry created their maps but the Obama DOJ blocked the maps under the VRA saying not enough districts were created for the expanding Hispanic population in the state and so a 3 judge panel in San Antonio was named and they created maps tilting towards the Democrats.  The state of Texas filled suit to SCOTUS.

The Supreme Court will hear oral argument for January 9. The court allotted one hour for oral argument.

It is unclear for the moment what this means for Texas elections. For now, there are no legally enforceable maps for state house, senate, or congressional districts, but filing for other races continues with a December 15 deadline. It’s not clear though whether the primary will be moved or will be bifurcated as the State of Texas has suggested.

It’s also unclear what this means for candidates who have filed for office or resigned from office in anticipation of filing. Will candidates be entitled to their filing fees back? Will candidates who resigned from office under ‘resign to run’ laws be entitled to rescind their decisions?

The order also leaves party organization somewhat in confusion since parties organize conventions and select national delegates by state senate districts or congressional districts.

Stay Tuned.  This case will be huge not only into connection to Legislature vs Judicial Map Drawing but also on VRA question.  Why do certain states still have to propose their maps to DOJ while others do not?  I would think we have moved past Civil War

Lincoln Chafee the Governor of Rhode Island who was elected with 36% vote as an Independent ( Obama basically endorsed him as he did him) in the most Catholic state of the union has decided to call the tree lighting at the state capitol a Holiday Tree.  Back in January the State Legislature ( which is controlled of 90% Democrats) passed a measure calling the State Capitol Tree its rightful name: Christmas Tree.  Governor Chaffe today said: “all those engaged in this discussion — whatever their opinion on the matter — to use their energy and enthusiasm to make a positive difference in the lives of their fellow Rhode Islanders,” So basically if you disagree with the Governor “shut up and go feed the poor.”

State Rep Costa ( R-North Kingstown) the chief sponsor of the legislation has called Chaffe a “Grinch” and plans to hold another tree lighting at the capitol under the right name: Christmas Tree. The Catholic Bishop has also weighed in disagreeing with the Governor action as has the farm that is supplying the Christmas Tree to the state.

DGA Gov O’Malley has recently asked Lincoln Chafee to become a Democrat and its shocking he hasn’t because he is as far left as they come and he joins the long ranks of Democrats attack on Christianity.

11 term Congressman Jerry Costello (D-Illinois) will not seek re-election in 2012.

Illinois’ 12th Congressional District stretches across southeastern Illinois, encompassing Alton, Belleville, Carbondale, East St. Louis and Granite City.

PPP has new poll out and its statistically a tie. The RGA has been trying to hammer Tomblim to the very unpopular Obama and it might work. Election is tomorrow.

Via PPP http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/main/2011/10/west-virginia-too-close-to-call.html

The race for Governor of West Virginia is looking more and more like a toss up, with Democrat Earl Ray Tomblin now leading Republican Bill Maloney only 47-46. Tomblin’s lead was 46-40 on a poll conducted at the beginning of September and he had led by as large a margin as 33 points earlier.

Help bill maloney today.

Siena poll out this morning finds Robert Turner (R) has taken a six point lead over David Weprin (D), 50% to 44%.

Turner has an overwhelming 90-6 percent lead among Republicans, Weprin has only a 63-32 percent lead among Democrats, and Turner has a 38-point lead among likely independent voters. Currently, Turner enjoys a slightly larger lead among independent voters than Weprin has with Democrats

Meanwhile PPP sent out a tweet last night on their own poll:  ”Dems in BIG trouble. It deserves the caps.”

Help out Bob Turner http://bobturnerforcongress.com/Home.aspx

Promoted from the diaries as a break from our All-Debt-Ceiling-All-The-Time coverage. Link to story from Roll Call.

–streiff

Congressman Wu has just announced he is resigning from congress. The seat still leans democrat according to Cook political report.

Another so called blue dog democrat is retiring and this time it’s 6 term incumbent Mike Ross of Arkansas. A very good pick up opportunity for republicans