The Treasurer's Race

This ear the Treasurers race could have special meaning to it. There is a bill in the Unicameral right now sponsored by Sen. Dennis Utter that would eliminate the office of State Treasurer now this bill will probably fail. If it passes whoever is elected Treasurer will be the last. as it will take effect for the 2012 election cycle.

now Sen. Utter feels that since we have an Auditor we don't need a Treasurer this could not be farther from the truth. Sen. Utter says it will save money. I don't believe so the people who work in the current treasurers office will just be moved to the Auditor's office. The Treasurer is the check writer for the state that is a giant responsibility. The office of Auditor is huge also and has a lot of responsibilities including making sure the states money is being spent the right way. Are the offices similar yes however they are not the same. Doubling the duties of the state auditor does not make the government more efficient it makes it less. This is about making sure the states checkbook is thoroughly watched. The Treasurer writes the checks and manages the state budget. The Auditor monitors where the money is going and how efficiently the states money is being used both are tremendous jobs. No one person should hold responsibility for both. The potential for impropriety is too great, especially when one person controls both ends of the checkbook. No, Sen. Utter's bill should be defeated, for the good of the state.

I for one would like to see more statewide offices like Commissioner of AG or `State Insurance Commissioner they would provide more transparency in government which is a good thing.

Retirements continue

With democrats retiring from Congress, Senate, and State Houses 2010 is looking like democrats are running scared. Many times even in a tidal wave election most governors can survive. Generally governors can distance themselves from the national party and focus on state issues to help them. With Colorado governor Bill Ritter retiring it looks like democrats are truly scared about 2010. However with Ritter out and popular Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper in the race the democrats chances have increased.

In Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley is in a dead-heat with state senator Scott Brown (R). Does brown have a real chance of winning the seat of the the "Liberal Lion" maybe. Republicans already feel that they have won, since they are forcing democrats to spend money in what should be a safe seat.

2010 Retirements so far

Yes, the house has had a couple retirements, but the U.S. Senate is going to have two fewer 3-term democrats in the Senate chamber. Byron Dorgan of North Dakota and Chris Dodd of Connecticut have announced their retirements. How does this look for 2010 and what does this mean for those two races. In North Dakota Governor John Hoeven is being wooed by the NRSC to run. If that happens Hoeven is a lock to make the seat Republican in November. In Connecticut the retirement of Chris Dodd may actually be a good thing for the democratic party. Richard Blumenthal is the sitting AG and is eyeing Dodds seat. If Blumenthal jumps in it will be tough for the Republicans to pick this seat up. Whoever wins the Republican primary will have an uphill climb. There will be no anti-incumbent fervor in the race for the republican party to pounce on. With these retirements the republicans will have one pickup for the 2010 cycle there will be others but its to early to call those.

Its official

It is now 2010, which means that it is an election year. No U.S. Senate race but all other statewide offices are up. Only the State Treasurer's race is an open seat, with the retiring of Shane Osborn. It will be an interesting year in only a couple races. Rep. Lee Terry is the only incumbent that will have to really work to keep his seat. Terry will win his seat with 55% the dems will fall short again. Sen. Tom White will beat out of the Unicameral and lose to Lee Terry and the State Republican party will work to pickup his seat in the Unicameral.