ElectBlue Now Targeting Georgia Senate Race

We are pleased to add Georgia Democrat Jim Martin to our list of targeted US Senate candidates for this cycle. Martin is challenging incumbent Republican Senator Saxby Chambliss in the Peach State. Making economic issues the focal point of his campaign, Martin has surged in recent polls and now is tied with Chambliss in this critical race. Voter turnout and campaign funding will be crucial to a Martin victory.

A Democratic pick-up of the Georgia seat would be a huge step towards the sixty-seat Senate majority Dems need to prevent Republican obstruction of vital legislation in the next Congress. We urge out readers to support Jim Martin in whatever way they can. Note that we have added a direct link to the Martin Campaign website in the left margin of this page. Please click on it today to contribute to Jim's campaign.

Regrettably, we have removed Bob Tuke in Tennessee from our list of targeted candidates. Underfunded and lacking the support of a strong, united Democratic Party, the Tuke campaign has not gotten off the ground and appears to be only a pro forma effort. We still urge our Tennessee readers to vote for Tuke, a good and decent man, but we must advise Volunteer State Democrats that any financial contributions towards a sixty-seat Democratic majority in the US Senate would be better made to any one of the Democrats in hotly contested races in four states that border Tennessee: NC, GA, KY and MS.

Similarly, in spite of a valiant effort, Larry LaRocco's campaign for the US Senate appears to have hit a wall in rock-ribbed Republican Idaho. As we are doing in TN, we urge Idaho Democrats to vote for LaRocco, but suggest that contributions to Jeff Merkley's campaign in neighboring Oregon would better serve the goal of getting sixty Democrats in the Senate.

Oregon's Merkley Pulls Ahead in New Poll

Jeff Merkley, Democratic candidate for the US Senate from Oregon, has made dramatic gains against his Republican opponent, incumbent Senator Gordon Smith, according to a poll released by SurveyUSA just hours ago. The latest survey of likely Oregon voters shows Merkley with 44%, Smith with 42% and Constitutional Party candidate Dave Brownlow with a surprisingly strong 8%.  These figures represent a 14 point improvement for Merkley since the previous SurveyUSA poll just seven weeks ago.

Merkley's surge has been across a board spectrum of Oregonians, including strong gains among men, with voters under 50 and among those living in the greater Portland area. Merkley has focused his spirited campaign on bread-and butter issues while blasting Smith's ties to big corporate interests. It's working. Keep it up, Jeff!

New Polls: Support for Key GOP Senators Collapsing

There is a new - and potentially dramatic - finding in three separate US Senate races. The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) has posted this report on its website:

With the Republican convention in full swing in St. Paul, three new polls from Survey USA show approval ratings for Republican Senators Norm Coleman, Gordon Smith and Mitch McConnell collapsing. In Minnesota, Norm Coleman’s approval has dropped to 44%, with 51% disapproving – an all-time high. In Oregon, Gordon Smith’s job approval has dropped to 38%, with 56% disapproving – his approval rating is at an all time low and has dropped 7 points since last surveyed in May. In Kentucky, Mitch McConnell’s approval has dropped to 44%, with 47% disapproving – his approval rating is down 13 points since SUSA last polled in May.

Historically, approval ratings below 50% have spelled disaster for incumbent candidates. That's gotta be good news for Al Franken in MN, Jeff Merkley in OR and Bruce Lunsford in KY. 

Oregon State Police Association Backs Merkley

According to a published report in the Eugene (OR) Register-Guard, the Oregon State Police Officers Association has endorsed Democrat Jeff Merkley in his race for the US Senate. Merkley is challenging incumbent Republican Gordon Smith.

The head of the law enforcement group, Jeff Leighty, cited Merkley's leadership in the Oregon legislature as one of the key factors in the State Troopers' endorsement. Among other items, Merkley helped pass legislation that restored funding for some 100 trooper positions in the state.

ElectBlue congratulates Mr. Merkley on this endorsement. We urge our readers to support the Merkley campaign by visiting its website and offering whatever help you can. There is also a direct link to the Merkley campaign official website at their logo on the left side of the ElectBlue homepage.