Review changes beginning Thursday December 20, 2007.

• Wednesday December 19, 2007
• Senator Trent Lott (Republican, Mississippi), 66, resigned from the U.S. Senate on Tuesday 18 December 2007. He was first elected to the senate in 1988 and previously served in the U.S. House.
• The Partisan Composition of the U.S. Senate is now 49 Democrats, 48 Republicans, 1 Independent, 1 Independent Democrat, and 1 vacant seat.
• Vox Populi - A Letter to the Editor: A Proposal For A Direct Nomination Primary by Jim Riley
• Tuesday December 18, 2007
• Vox Populi - A Letter to the Editor
• Presidential Electoral Reform and Congress by Jim Riley
• Monday December 17, 2007
• Kansas Attorney General Paul Morrison (Democratic) resigned on Friday 14 December 2007. He was first elected in 2006. His resignation is related to an improper sexual relationship which lead to a sexual harrassment suit. Governor Kathleen Sebelius (Democratic) will choose a replacement Attorney General.
• 34 Updates: for : Michael J. Dilger (Republican) - apparently not a candidate, Joe Serra (Democratic) - apparently not a candidate, Jotham Shepard Stein (Democratic) - apparently not a candidate; Florida: for House CD 7: James Clyde Malloy (Democratic) - added; for House CD 14: state Senator Burt L. Saunders (Independent [Republican]) - added; Georgia: for House CD 12: Karen Bogans (Republican) - added, Wayne Mosley (Republican) - apparently not a candidate; Illinois: for Senate Class 2: Norm Hill (Republican) - apparently not a candidate; for House CD 16: Scott Summers (Green) - apparently not a candidate; Indiana: for House CD 7: Congressman Julia M. Carson (Democratic) - Vacant Office; Kansas: for Attorney General: Attorney General Paul J. Morrison (Democratic) - Vacant Office; Kentucky: for Senate Class 2: Andrew Horne (Democratic) - added, Charlie Owen (Democratic) - added; Minnesota: for House CD 1: Mark D. Meyer (Republican) - apparently not a candidate; for House CD 2: Daniel Keith Powers (Democratic-Farmer Labor) - added; Mississippi: for Senate Class 1: former Attorney General Mike Moore (Democratic) - apparently not a candidate; New Jersey: for House CD 3: Ocean County Freeholder John P. "Jack" Kelly (Republican) - added, Freeholder Joseph H. Vicari (Republican) - added; New Mexico: for Senate Class 2: Albuquerque Mayor Martin Joseph "Marty" Chávez (Democratic) - apparently not a candidate; for House CD 3: Marco Gonzales (Republican) - added, Benny Shendo, Jr. (Democratic) - added, Patsy Trujillo (Democratic) - added; North Carolina: for House CD 4: William T. Lawson, Jr. (Republican) - added; Ohio: for House CD 2: state Representative Tom Brinkman, Jr. (Republican) - added; for House CD 3: L. Jane Mitakides (Democratic) - added; for House CD 7: Dan Harkins (Republican) - added; for House CD 10: James P. "Jim" Trakas (Republican) - added; Pennsylvania: for House CD 6: Larry Platt (Democratic) - added; for House CD 10: Davis Haire (Republican) - added; Texas: for House CD 6: John Steven Bush (Democratic) - added; Virginia: for House CD 1: Philip R. Forgit (Democratic) - apparently not a candidate; West Virginia: for Governor: Bob Adams (Republican) - apparently not a candidate; Presidential Candidates: Jonathan Edward Allen (Independent) - added, William Louis Mills, Jr. (Independent) - added.
• Sunday December 16, 2007
• Keri Phillips of Rear Vision, a program on ABC Radio National (Australia), interviewed Richard E. Berg-Andersson of TheGreenPapers.com for their 16 December 2007 program Hail to the Chief. "Rear Vision attempts to unravel the complex mysteries of the US presidential system. What are primaries and caucuses and what is the Electoral College that ultimately decides who'll have the top job?"
• NOTE: Here is a link to the proposed Constitutional Amendment re: Presidential Nomination Reform to which Mr. Berg-Andersson refers in the aforementioned interview; this proposed Amendment (which Mr. Berg-Andersson is not so naive as to think it would ever even come close to adoption; it is, therefore, intended to merely serve as a "talking point" re: serious discussions on Presidential Electoral Reform in general, including re: Presidential and Vice-Presidential Nominations) is in response to two specific provisions of the U.S. Constitution:
• The Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof; but the Congress may at any time by Law make or alter such Regulations, except as to the Places of choosing Senators. (Article I, Section 4. clause 1).
• The Congress may determine the Time of choosing the [Presidential] Electors, and the Day on which they shall give their Votes; which Day shall be the same throughout the United States. (Article II, Section 1, clause 4).
• Note that, per the above, Congress does not, constitutionally, have the same power to regulate, by Law, nominating procedures for the top two elective Executive officers that the State Legislatures already have re: the top elective Executive officers of their respective States. This is the "flaw" to which Mr. Berg-Andersson refers in his comments for Australian ABC's 'Rear Vision' and which he is primarily intending to rectify through his proposed Amendment;
  in addition, this proposed Amendment is also intended, among other things, to protect the rights of Third Parties to field Presidential candidates- as well as those who wish to run for the Presidency as Independents- even were Congress to actually acquire said power to so regulate Presidential (and, by extension, Vice Presidential) nominations.
• A general overview of the most common proposals for Electoral College Reform (as opposed to reform of the Presidential Nominating process) also appears on this website, for those who might be interested.
• Saturday December 15, 2007
• We extend our condolences to the family and friends of Congressman Julia M. Carson (Democrat, Indiana CD 7) who passed away today from lung cancer. She was first elected to Congress in 1996. She announced her terminal lung cancer on 25 November 2007 and following day she announced her retirement. On 2 November 2007 Congressman Carson officially requested a medical leave through 14 December 2007.
• The Partisan Composition of the US House is now 232 Democrats, 201 Republicans, and 2 vacant offices.
• Wednesday December 12, 2007
• 6 Updates: Illinois: for House CD 4: Omar López (Green) - added; Kentucky: for Senate Class 2: David Williams (Democratic) - added; Maine: for House CD 1: Peter Throumoulos (Independent) - added; New Mexico: for House CD 2: Aubrey Dunn, Jr. (Republican) - added; Ohio: for House CD 5: Congressman Robert E. "Bob" Latta (Republican) - Incumbent added; Virginia: for House CD 1: Congressman Robert J. "Rob" Wittman (Republican) - Incumbent added.
• Tuesday 11 December 2007
• Special Election Virginia CD 1 to fill the vacancy caused by the 6 October 2007 passing of Republican Congressman Jo Ann S. Davis.
• Rob Wittman (Republican) has been elected.
• Special Election Ohio CD 5 to fill the vacancy caused by the 5 September 2007 passing of Republican Congressman Paul E. Gillmor.
• Robert Latta (Republican) has been elected.
• Monday December 10, 2007
• 36 Updates: Alabama: for House CD 2: Cendie Crawley (Democratic) - added, Craig D. Schmidtke (Republican) - added; California: for House CD 44: Congressman Ken Calvert (Republican) - added as candidate; Colorado: for Senate Class 2: Wayne Earl Wolf (Republican) - apparently not a candidate; for House CD 2: state Representative Alice Madden (Democratic) - apparently not a candidate, Tom Stone (Republican) - apparently not a candidate; for House CD 3: Wayne Earl Wolf (Republican) - added; Connecticut: for House CD 4: Christopher Angle (Libertarian) - added; for House CD 5: Harold Burbank (Independent) - added; Florida: for House CD 7: Faye Armitage (Democratic) - added; for House CD 15: Jeffrey Brian Bouffard (Libertarian) - added; Kentucky: for Senate Class 2: Auditor of Public Accounts Crit Luallen (Democratic) - apparently not a candidate; Louisiana: for House CD 4: Congressman James Otis "Jim" McCrery, III (Republican) - Open Seat; Michigan: for House CD 11: Tom Spencer (Democratic) - added; New Jersey: for House CD 3: Mario Boemio (Republican) - added, Christopher Myers (Republican) - added; for House CD 7: Kelly Hatfield (Republican) - added, Scotch Plains Mayor Martin Marks (Republican) - added, Victor Sordillo (Republican) - added; New Mexico: for House CD 1: state Senator Joseph J. "Joe" Carraro (Republican) - added, Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez (Democratic) - added; for House CD 3: Public Utilities Commissioner Ben Ray Luján (Democratic) - added; New York: for House CD 21: Warren Redlich (Republican) - added; North Carolina: for House CD 4: Augustus Cho (Republican) - added; for House CD 10: Lance Bretton Sigmon (Republican) - added; for Treasurer: Treasurer Richard Hancock Moore (Democratic) - Open Office, Chris Mintz (Democratic) - apparently not a candidate; Ohio: for House CD 7: Ronald Edward Hood (Republican) - added; for House CD 12: David Blair Ryon (Republican) - added; Pennsylvania: for House CD 8: Jeff Madden (Republican) - added; Tennessee: for Senate Class 2: Robert D. "Bob" Tuke (Democratic) - apparently not a candidate; Texas: for House CD 18: John M. Faulk (Republican) - added; for House CD 22: Robert Brian Klock (Republican) - added; Vermont: for Governor: state Senator Douglas A. "Doug" Racine (Democratic) - added; Virginia: for House CD 8: Matthew Thomas Famiglietti (Democratic) - added; Presidential Candidates: Dale Hoinoski (Independent) - added.
• Wednesday December 5, 2007
• 62 Updates: Illinois: for CD 14 Special Election: Geneva Mayor Kevin R. Burns (Republican) - added, Michael Dilger (Republican) - added, G. William "Bill" Foster (Democratic) - added, Jonathan "John" Laesch (Democratic) - added, state Senator Christopher J. "Chris" Lauzen (Republican) - added, James D. "Jim" Oberweis (Republican) - added, Joe Serra (Democratic) - added, Jotham Shepard Stein (Democratic) - added; Alaska: for Senate Class 2: Ray Metcalfe (Democratic) - added; Colorado: for House CD 6: William L. Armstrong, III (Republican) - added; Connecticut: for House CD 5: former state Representative Tony Nania (Republican) - added; Georgia: for House CD 6: Michael Hart Boyce (Republican) - added; Illinois: for House CD 3: Raymond G. "Ray" Wardingley (Republican) - apparently not a candidate; for House CD 8: Jonathan Farnick (Democratic) - apparently not a candidate; Kansas: for Senate Class 2: Mitch McConnell (Republican) - apparently not a candidate; Louisiana: for House CD 1: Kevin Davis (Republican) - added, David Gereighty (Democratic) - added, Steve J. Scalise (Republican) - added, John T. "Tom" Schedler (Republican) - added, John F. Young (Republican) - added; Maryland: for House CD 1: Kostas Alexakis (Democratic) - apparently not a candidate, E.J. Pipkin (Republican) - added; for House CD 2: Richard Pryce Matthews (Republican) - added; for House CD 3: Thomas E. "Pinkston" Harris (Republican) - added, Christopher Panasuk (Republican) - added, Paul Spause (Republican) - added, John Stafford (Republican) - added; for House CD 4: Michael Babula (Democratic) - added, Robert Broadus (Republican) - added, Peter James (Republican) - added, Vincent Martorano (Republican) - added; for House CD 5: Mike Hethmon (Republican) - added; for House CD 6: John B. Kimble (Republican) - added, Rick Lank (Democratic) - added, former Cumberland mayor Frank Kermit Nethken (Republican) - Active; for House CD 7: Michael T. Hargadon (Republican) - added, Charles Ulysses Smith (Democratic) - added; for House CD 8: Brian Crider (Green) - added, Steven J. Hudson (Republican) - added, Bruce L. Stern (Republican) - added, Lih Young (Democratic) - added; Mississippi: for Senate Class 1: former Attorney General Mike Moore (Democratic) - added, former Governor Ronnie Musgrove (Democratic) - added; Missouri: for House CD 9: state Representative Judy Baker (Democratic) - added; New Jersey: for House CD 7: state Senator Leonard Lance (Republican) - added, Matthew Smith (Republican) - added, Chris Venis (Republican) - added, Kate Whitman (Republican) - added; New York: for House CD 20: Richard C. Wager (Republican, Conservative) - party was (Republican); North Carolina: for Lieutenant Governor: state Senator Robert Pittenger (Republican) - added; Ohio: for House CD 10: Cleveland City Councilman Joe Cimperman (Democratic) - added, Barbara Anne Ferris (Democratic) - added, North Olmsted Mayor Tom O'Grady (Democratic) - added; Oregon: for Senate Class 2: David Loera (Democratic) - added, Roger Obrist (Democratic) - added; Wyoming: for House At-Large: state House Majority Leader Colin M. Simpson (Republican) - apparently not a candidate; Presidential Candidates: Jeffrey Harlan Boss (Independent) - added, Jerry Ralph Curry (Republican) - added, Robert Sherman Nix, III (Unaffiliated) - added, John Stuart Nolan (Unaffiliated) - added, Jim Rogers (Democratic) - party was (Unaffiliated).
• Tuesday December 4, 2007
• Illinois Governor Rod R. Blagojevich has called a Tuesday 5 February 2008 Special Primary and a Saturday 8 March 2008 Special Election to fill the vacant U.S. House Seat in CD 14. The vacancy is caused by the 26 November 2007 resignation of Congressman J. Dennis Hastert.
• Saturday December 1, 2007
• The Democratic National Committee voted to strip the Michigan Democratic Party of its 156 national convention delegates because their Delegate Selection Plan violates party rules. The rules state that only Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, and South Carolina can start their delegate selection process prior 5 February 2008. Michigan has scheduled their primary for 15 January 2008. Prior to sanctions, the Michigan delegate tally was 156 total delegate votes - 83 district, 28 at large, 17 Pledged PLEOs (Party Leaders and Elected Officials), 26 Unpledged PLEOs, and 2 Unpledged add-ons. The DNC gave Michigan 30 days to reschedule their first determining step to a later date.
• In addition, The DNC panel approved the moving of the Iowa Caucuses to Thursday 3 January, the New Hampshire Primary to Tuesday 8 January, and the South Carolina Primary to 26 January 2008.
• Media reports state the DNC's Rules and ByLaws Subcommittee voted 28-2 to strip Michigan of its delegates, while granting New Hampshire, Iowa and South Carolina a waiver by the same 28-2 vote.
• Assuming the sanctions are applied to Michigan remain in place, the total number of delegate votes at the Democratic National Convention is now 4,051 with 2,026 need to nominate.
• Friday November 30, 2007
• 7 Updates: Colorado: for House CD 2: Bill Hammons (United Party) - added; Kansas: for Senate Class 2: Greg Orman (Democratic) - added, former Congressman James Charles "Jim" Slattery (Democratic) - apparently not a candidate; Louisiana: for Senate Class 2: Treasurer John Neely Kennedy (Republican) - added; Nevada: for House CD 3: Christie Taylor (Independent American) - added; Tennessee: for Senate Class 2: Michael Ray "Mike" McWherter (Democratic) - apparently not a candidate; Virginia: for House CD 1: Catesby Baytop Jones (Republican) - added.
• Wednesday November 28, 2007
• The Michigan Democrats Executive Committee voted last night to select their National Convention Delegates using the 15 January 2008 primary. Reports state that the party will formally file its primary plan with the Democratic National Committee today. The DNC's rules committee could vote as soon as Saturday to sanction Michigan of its 156 delegates to the 2008 Democratic National Convention.
• 9 Updates: Illinois: for House CD 14: Congressman J. Dennis Hastert (Republican) - Vacant Office; Indiana: for House CD 7: Congressman Julia M. Carson (Democratic) - Open Seat; Kentucky: for House CD 6: Gary Anthony "Tony" McCurdy (Republican) - added; Montana: for House At-Large: Bill Anderson (Democratic) - apparently not a candidate; New Jersey: for House CD 11: Congressman Rodney P. Frelinghuysen (Republican) - added as candidate; Ohio: for House CD 3: former Waynesville Mayor Charles W. Sanders (Democratic) - added; Pennsylvania: for House CD 1: Congressman Robert A. Brady (Democratic) - added as candidate; Virginia: for House CD 3: Congressman Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (Democratic) - added as candidate; Wyoming: for House At-Large: state Representative Dan Zwonitzer (Republican) - added.
• Monday November 26, 2007
• Massachusetts will hold its Democratic and Republican Presidential Preference Primaries on 5 February 2008.
• SB 2414 moves the Massachusetts' Presidential primary from 4 March 2008 to 5 February 2008. The bill passed the Massachusetts Senate (33-5) on 15 November and the Massachusetts House (135-17) on 20 November 2007. It was was signed by Governor Deval Patrick on 26 November 2007.
• By 5 February 2008, states representing 57.17% of the Democratic National Convention Delegate Votes and 55.17% of the Republican National Convention Delegates will have begun their delegate allocation process (See 2008 Chronological Cumulative Allocation of Delegates.)
• Illinois Congressman and former House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert (Republican) resigned his seat in the U.S. House today. Illinois Governor Rod R. Blagojevich has 5 days to announce the date of a Special Election to fill the vacant seat. That day could be 5 February 2008. Congressman Hastert was first elected in 1986.
• The Partisan Composition of the U.S. House is now 233 Democrats, 199 Republicans, and 3 Vacant Seats.
• Media reports state that Mississippi Senator Trent Lott (Republican) will resign his seat befor the end of 2007. He was first elected in 1988 and re-elected in 1994, 2000, and 2006.
• Our thoughts and prayers are with Indiana Congressman Julia M. Carson (Democratic) who announced that she has terminal lung cancer on 25 November 2007. The Congressman had previously requested an official medical leave from 2 November to 14 December 2007. The 69 year old Congressman was first elected in 1996.
• 22 Updates: California: for House CD 4: Theodore Terbo Terbolizard (Republican) - added; for House CD 53: Michael Peter Crimmins (Republican) - added; Florida: for House CD 10: Robert John Spencer (Republican) - added; for House CD 15: Alan Bergman (Republican) - added; Georgia: for House CD 12: John Erwin Stone, II (Republican) - added; Louisiana: for Attorney General: Attorney General James D. "Buddy" Caldwell (Democratic) - Incumbent added; Maine: for House CD 2: Farmington Selectman John N. Frary (Republican) - added; Maryland: for House CD 6: Jennifer P. Dougherty (Democratic) - added; Mississippi: for Senate Class 1: Senator Trent Lott (Republican) - Open Seat; Nebraska: for Senate Class 2: Attorney General Jon Bruning (Republican) - apparently not a candidate; New Mexico: for Senate Class 2: Jim Hannan (Democratic) - apparently not a candidate; for House CD 2: state Representative Jose Atenojenes Campos, II (Democratic) - apparently not a candidate; New York: for House CD 19: Andrew Marshall Saul (Republican) - apparently not a candidate; North Carolina: for House CD 13: Robert Christopher Knight (Republican) - added; Pennsylvania: for House CD 3: Thomas Edward Lynch (Democratic) - added; Texas: for House CD 3: Thomas James Daley (Democratic) - added; Virginia: for House CD 9: Jody Lynn Egan (Republican) - added; Presidential Candidates: Christopher David Borcik (Independent) - added, Orlin Gentry Cole (Republican) - added, Jim Rogers (Unaffiliated) - added, Ralph Spelbring (Democratic) - added, Daniel E. Williams (Libertarian) - added.
• Wednesday November 21, 2007
• Michigan’s 15 January 2008 presidential primary will go forward under a decision (Grebner v. Michigan, SC docket No. 135274) issued today by a 4-3 majority of the Michigan Supreme Court. The court said the law served a predominantly public purpose and reversed lower court rulings that said provisions giving the two major parties exclusive access to primary voter lists was an unconstitutional appropriation of public property for private purposes.
• The New Hampshire Secretary of State announced that on Tuesday 8 January 2008, New Hampshire will hold its first in the nation presidential primary.
• Monday November 19, 2007
• Michigan 15 January 2008 Presidential Primary Update
• The Michigan Attorney General’s office filed an appeal with the Michigan Supreme Court asking the court to overturn an Court of Appeals ruling that Michigan's 15 January 2008 primary law is unconstitutional. The case is Grebner v State, 281-814. State election officials want the court to rule by noon Wednesday 21 November 2007 so they can mail absentee ballots by 1 December 2007. The Michigan Supreme Court did not accept the case today.
• The state Legislature could also resolve the issue if they approve changes to the Presidential Primary election law. It is unlikely that the Legislature will meet this week.
• 20 Updates: California: for House CD 52: Vickie Butcher (Democratic) - added; Colorado: for House CD 6: Michael David Collins (Democratic) - added; Idaho: for Lieutenant Governor: Lieutenant Governor James E. "Jim" Risch (Republican) - Incumbent to run for re-election; Indiana: for House CD 7: state Representative Jonathan R. "Jon" Elrod (Republican) - added; Kentucky: for Senate Class 2: David Lee Wylie (Democratic) - added; for House CD 2: Judge Executive Reid Haire (Democratic) - added; Maine: for House CD 2: Laurence Scott D'Amboise (Republican) - added, Tom Mooney (Republican) - added; Montana: for House At-Large: William T. "Bill" Kennedy (Democratic) - apparently not a candidate; New Jersey: for House CD 7: Congressman Mike Ferguson (Republican) - Open Seat; New Mexico: for House CD 2: Frank McKinnon (Democratic) - added; New York: for House CD 22: Bruce E. Layman (Republican) - added, George K. Phillips (Republican) - added; for House CD 26: Jack R. Davis, Jr. (Democratic) - added; North Carolina: for House CD 6: Jay Ovittore (Democratic) - added; Ohio: for House CD 15: Robert Wagner (Republican) - added; Texas: for House CD 18: TJ Baker-Holm (Republican) - added; Presidential Candidates: Robert Anthony "Ram Rod" Gibson (Democratic) - added, Samuel Lyndell Powell (Independent) - added.
• Saturday November 17, 2007
• Louisiana General Election (in effect, Runoffs) for Attorney General, Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner
• Attorney General: James D. "Buddy" Caldwell (Democrat) has been elected to this post.
• Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner: Bob Odom (Democrat- INCUMBENT) withdrew from this race on 25 October 2007, leaving Mike Strain (Republican) unopposed and, by default, elected to this post.
• Friday November 16, 2007
• Michigan 15 January 2008 Presidential Primary Update
• The Court of Appeals voted 2-1 agreeing with the lower court that Michigan's 15 January 2008 primary law is unconstitutional. The case is Grebner v State, 281-814.
• 4 Updates: Kentucky: for Senate Class 2: Michael G. Cassaro (Democratic) - added; Minnesota: for House CD 3: Edina Mayor Jim Hovland (Democratic-Farmer Labor) - added; Montana: for Governor: Governor Brian Schweitzer (Democratic) - added as candidate; Virginia: for House CD 1: Lucky R. Narain (Independent) - added.
• Thursday November 15, 2007
• Michigan 15 January 2008 Presidential Primary Update
• Last week, Attorney General Mike Cox filed an emergency appeal asking the court to stay a ruling which canceled Michigan's Presidential Primary because a portion of the law was unconstitutional.
• The Court of Appeals agreed to hear the presidential primary appeal at 1:30pm local time today. The case is Grebner v State, 281-814. A ruling on the appeal is likely next week.
• Wednesday November 14, 2007
• 10 Updates: Hawaii: for House CD 1: Charles K. Djou (Republican) - added; Kentucky: for Senate Class 2: Larry Forgy (Republican) - may run as an Independent; New Mexico: for Senate Class 2: Don Wiviott (Democratic) - running for the open House CD 3 seat; for House CD 2: Bob Cornelius (Republican) - added, Michael Montoya (Democratic) - added; for House CD 3: Harry B. Montoya (Democratic) - added, Don Wiviott (Democratic) - added; South Carolina: for Senate Class 2: Buddy Witherspoon (Republican) - added; Texas: for Senate Class 2: Raymond Eugene "Ray" McMurrey (Democratic) - party was Independent; Vermont: for Governor: Anthony Pollina (Progressive [Democratic]) - added.
• Tuesday November 13, 2007
• Michigan 15 January 2008 Presidential Primary Update
• The state Legislature canceled today's tentatively scheduled session and will not meet until 20 November 2007. Hence, there will be no legislative activity to restore the state's Presidential primary until that date.
• Attorney General Mike Cox's office filed an emergency appeal today with the state Court of Appeals asking it to issue a stay of the ruling that canceled the primary because a portion of the law was unconstitutional. Elections officials indicate they need an answer by the end of the week to meet election schedules.
• Media reports state that if the primary is not restored by the courts or the Legislature, Republicans likely would begin their delegate selection process at a 26 January statewide convention and Democrats likely would call a state caucus in early February. Both the Michigan Republican and Democratic Parties have notified the Secretary of State notifying that they intend on using the 15 January 2008 primary for the purpose of allocating their delegates.
• Monday November 12, 2007
• Updates: Virginia: for House CD 1: Philip R. Forgit (Democratic) and state Delegate Robert J. "Rob" Wittman (Republican) received their respective party's nominations for the Tuesday 11 December 2007 election to fill seat vacated by the passing of Congressman Jo Ann S. Davis.
• Friday November 9, 2007
• Michigan 15 January 2008 Presidential Primary Update
• The 15 January 2008 Michigan primary law was struck down on Wednesday 7 November 2007 by Ingham County Circuit Judge William Collette. The court ruled the primary unconstitutional since it would have allowed lists of voters who took part in the primary to go only to the Democratic and Republican parties.
• In his ruling, the judge said the state Legislature would have had to pass the bills with a 2/3 vote to allow the spending of public money to benefit a private interest, in this case, the political parties. The law didn't have 2/3 support. The Michigan Senate passed Senate Bill 0624 21-17 on 22 August 2007 and the Michigan House of Representatives passed SB 0624 67-34 on Thursday 30 August 2007.
• On 8 November 2007 the Michigan Senate voted 26-9 on a bill to restore the primary in a way that could pass legal muster. However, a procedural motion to make the bill law before 1 March 2008 failed.
• Thursday November 8, 2007
• U.S. Attorney General nominee District Judge Michael B. Mukasey of New York was approved today by a Senate Roll Call Vote (53-40) with 7 not voting.
• The 7 November re-election of Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour increased the size of the state's delegation to the Republican National convention by 1 bonus delegate. The total number of Mississippi delegates changed from 38 to 39.
• The Republican National Committee voted 121 to 9 to sanction 5 states for beginning their Presidential Nominating Process prior to 5 February 2008 in violation of Party Rule 16. Florida, New Hampshire, Michigan, South Carolina, and Wyoming will each lose half of their delegates to the National Convention.
• The total number of Republican National Convention Delegates is now 2,516 with 1,259 needed to nominate (assuming the aforementioned sanctions are lifted sometime between now and the Republican National Convention, scheduled to convene on 1 September 2008) and 2,380 with 1,191 needed to nominate (assuming Florida, Michigan, New Hampshire, South Carolina, and Wyoming remain so sanctioned).
• TheGreenPapers.com will be tracking delegate counts, in both Major Parties, as both "Soft" (here assuming that relevant delegations will remain sanctioned into the respective National Conventions [that is: with no delegates to be seated at the Democratic National Convention and with but half the originally allocated delegates to be seated at the Republican National Convention]) and as "Alternative" (here assuming that the full delegation of an affected jurisdiction- as originally allocated before being sanctioned- is eventually to be seated [that is, at some point before the Conventions, sanctions will be lifted]) from now until each Major Party's respective National Convention convenes or until no delegation is any longer sanctioned, if this should occur prior to the Conventions.
• Presidential Candidate Earl F. Dodge died suddenly 7 November 2007 at the age of 74. Mr. Dodge and Howard Lydick received the of the Prohibition Party's (pro-Dodge faction) 2008 nominations for Presidential and Vice Presidential during the party's 11 to 12 June 2007 National Convention. A message posted on Mr. Dodge's website states: "Earl was dropped off at the airport 8 AM yesterday morning, November 7, 2007, to take a flight to the Button Show in Pennsylvania. Somewhere between that time and 8:30 AM he dropped dead possibly of a massive coronary, but we will not know for sure for about 7 weeks."
• 56 Updates: Colorado: for House CD 6: Secretary of State Mike Coffman (Republican) - added; Illinois: for Senate Class 2: Andrew Janikowski (Republican) - apparently not a candidate, Jim Rowe (Republican) - apparently not a candidate, Arno V. Sponeman (Green) - apparently not a candidate; for House CD 1: William Walls, III (Democratic) - added; for House CD 3: Richard B. Mayers (Green) - added; for House CD 4: Ann Melichar (Republican) - apparently not a candidate; for House CD 7: Robert Dallas (Democratic) - added; for House CD 8: Jonathan Farnick (Democratic) - added, Bill Scheurer (Independent) - apparently not a candidate; for House CD 11: Bryan Ballard (Democratic) - apparently not a candidate, Robert Gorman (Democratic) - apparently not a candidate, Terry Heenan (Republican) - added, Jerry Weber (Democratic) - apparently not a candidate; for House CD 12: Timmy Jay Richardson, Jr. (Republican) - added; for House CD 13: Sean O'Kane (Republican) - added; for House CD 14: Rodolfo P. "Rudy" Clai (Republican) - apparently not a candidate; for House CD 15: Steve Cox (Democratic) - added, Adam Kinzinger (Republican) - apparently not a candidate; for House CD 18: Edward Mokrzycki (Republican) - apparently not a candidate; Kentucky: for Governor: former Lieutenant Governor Steven L. "Steve" Beshear (Democratic) - elected; for Secretary of State: Secretary of State C. M. "Trey" Grayson (Republican) - elected; for Attorney General: Jack Conway (Democratic) - elected; for Treasurer: L.J. "Todd" Hollenbach (Democratic) - elected; for Auditor of Public Accounts: Auditor of Public Accounts Crit Luallen (Democratic) - elected; for Commissioner of Agriculture: Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer (Republican) - elected; Mississippi: for Governor: Governor Haley Barbour (Republican) - elected; for Lieutenant Governor: Auditor of Public Accounts Phil Bryant (Republican) - elected; for Secretary of State: Delbert Hosemann (Republican) - elected; for Attorney General: Attorney General Jim Hood (Democratic) - elected; for Treasurer: Treasurer Tate Reeves (Republican) - elected; for Auditor of Public Accounts: Stacey E. Pickering (Republican) - elected; for Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce: Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Lester Spell, Jr. (Republican) - elected; for Commissioner of Insurance: state Senator Michael Jackson "Mike" Chaney (Republican) - elected; Missouri: for House CD 2: Michael Garman (Democratic) - added; Montana: for House At-Large: Bill Anderson (Democratic) - added; Nebraska: for Senate Class 2: Steve Larrick (Green) - added; for House CD 2: Jim Esch (Democratic) - apparently not a candidate; New Mexico: for House CD 2: state Representative Joseph Cervantes (Democratic) - added, Edward R. Tinsley (Republican) - added; North Carolina: for Governor: Dennis Nielsen (Democratic) - added; for House CD 9: Harry Taylor (Democratic) - added; for House CD 12: Douglas W. "Doug" Schell (Democratic) - added; Ohio: for House CD 5: state Senator Steve Buehrer (Republican) - lost Primary, Mark Hollenbaugh (Republican) - lost Primary, George F. Mays (Democratic) - lost Primary, Fred Pieper (Republican) - lost Primary, Michael "Mike" Smitley (Republican) - lost Primary; for House CD 15: state Senator Steve Stivers (Republican) - added; South Carolina: for Senate Class 2: Michael Cone (Democratic) - added; Tennessee: for Senate Class 2: Christopher Joseph "Chris' Lugo (Green) - added; Texas: for House CD 6: Kenneth Jacobs (Independent) - added; for House CD 23: James John "Jim" McGrody (Republican) - apparently not a candidate; Wyoming: for House At-Large: Bill Winney (Republican) - added; Presidential Candidates: Stephen Colbert (Democratic) - apparently not a candidate, Howie Hawkins (Green) - added.
• Tuesday November 6, 2007: Off-Year General Election Day
• Kentucky General Election
  for Governor/Lieutenant Governor: Beshear/Mongiardo (D) elected;
  Secretary of State: Grayson (R) re-elected;
  Attorney General: Conway (D) elected;
  Treasurer: Hollenbach (D) elected;
  Auditor of Public Accounts: Luallen (D) re-elected;
  Commissioner of Agriculture: Farmer (R) re-elected.
• By virtue of his position, Kentucky Governor-elect Steven L. "Steve" Beshear will attend the Democratic National Convention as a unpledged party leader delegate. This election increases the number of delegates from Kentucky from 59 to 60. The total number of Democratic National Convention Delegates is now 4,207 with 2,104 needed to nominate.
• Ohio Special Primary CD 5
  to nominate candidates to ultimately fill the vacancy caused by the 4 September 2007 passing of Congressman Paul E. Gillmor (Republican). The Special General Election for this vacant seat will be held 11 December 2007.
• DEMOCRATIC nominee: Robin Weirauch
• REPUBLICAN nominee: Robert E. "Bob" Latta
• Mississippi General Election
• for Governor: Barbour (R) re-elected;
  Lieutenant Governor: Bryant (R) elected
• Secretary of State: Hosemann (R) elected
• Attorney General: Hood (D) re-elected
• Treasurer: Reeves (R) re-elected
• Auditor of Public Accounts: Pickering (R) elected
• Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce: Spell (R) re-elected
• Commissioner of Insurance: Chaney (R) elected.
• Monday 5 November 2007
• On 30 October 2007 the Rhode Island Legislature passed Senate Bill No.1152. This bill would move the state's presidential primary from 4 March to 5 February 2008. The House vote was 38-to-25. Governor Donald L. Carcieri vetoed the bill on 4 November 2007.
• 29 Updates: Alabama: for House CD 2: state Representative Harri Anne Smith (Republican) - added; Arizona: for House CD 1: Brent Geer Maupin (No Party Affiliation) - added; California: for House CD 24: Brett Griffin Wagner (Democratic) - apparently not a candidate; Florida: for House CD 1: James E. Bryan (Democratic) - added; for House CD 8: Alexander Fry (Democratic) - added; for House CD 9: Richard O. Emmons (Term Limits for the United States Congress) - added; for House CD 13: Frank McAndrews (Democratic) - added; Illinois: for House CD 1: Antoine Members (Republican) - added; for House CD 3: Michael Hawkins (Republican) - added, Arthur Jones (Republican) - added; for House CD 9: Michael Younan (Republican) - added; for House CD 11: Jason King (Republican) - apparently not a candidate; for House CD 14: Michael Dilger (Republican) - added; Louisiana: for House CD 1: state Representative Timothy G. "Tim" Burns (Republican) - added; Maryland: for House CD 1: Steve Harper - correction - party is Democratic; Mississippi: for House CD 3: David Landerun (Republican) - added, Charles Edwin Ross (Republican) - added; Tennessee: for House CD 5: John Gerard Donovan (Republican) - added; Virginia: for House CD 1: Edward B. "Ted" Hontz (Democratic) - added, Lana Ingram (Democratic) - added, Donald Robert "Rob" Quartel, Jr. (Republican) - added; Presidential Candidates: Daniel Avery Bacon (Independent) - added, Richard Edward Caligiuri (Democratic) - added, Christopher J. Dardzinski (Write-in) - added, William "Bill" Keefe (Democratic) - added, Caroline P. Killeen (Democratic) - added, Cornelius Edward O'Connor (Republican) - added, Vermin Supreme (Republican) - added.
• Friday November 2, 2007
• 5 Updates: Minnesota: for Senate Class 2: Joe Repya (Republican) - apparently not a candidate; for House CD 2: Stephen Todd "Steve" Sarvi - correction - party is Democratic-Farmer Labor; North Carolina: for Auditor: Les Merritt (Republican) - added; Presidential Candidates: Tom Laughlin (Democratic) - added, Stephen W. Marchuk (Republican) - added.
• Wednesday October 31, 2007
• Rhode Island Democratic and Republican Presidential Primaries
• On 30 October 2007 the Rhode Island Legislature passed Senate Bill No.1152. This bill would move the state's presidential primary from 4 March to 5 February 2008. The bill now goes to Governor Donald L. Carcieri. The House vote was 38-to-25.
• 11 Updates: Georgia: for House CD 12: Raymond Louis "Ray" McKinney (Republican) - added; Montana: for Governor: state Senator Roy Brown (Republican) - added; Nebraska: for Senate Class 2: Tony Raimondo (Republican) - apparently not a candidate; New Mexico: for Senate Class 2: Zach Boatman (Independent) - added; North Carolina: for Senate Class 2: state Senator Kay R. Hagan (Democratic) - withdrew 8 October 2007 but re-entered 30 October 2007; for Superintendent of Public Instruction: Joe Johnson (Republican) - added; Virginia: for House CD 1: Deborah Brock (Democratic) - added, David S. Corderman (Republican) - added, Philip R. Forgit (Democratic) - added, James Romano (Democratic) - added; Presidential Candidates: Raymond Louis "Ray" McKinney (Republican) - decided to run for Georgia House CD 12.
• Monday October 29, 2007
• 27 Updates: Arizona: for House CD 2: William Stephen Crum (Independent) - added; Arkansas: for House CD 3: Woodrow "Woody" Anderson (Democratic) - added; California: for House CD 8: Cindy Sheehan - party is Independent [Democratic]; Colorado: for House CD 6: Congressman Thomas Gerard "Tom" Tancredo (Republican) - Open Seat; Florida: for House CD 5: H. David Werder (Democratic) - added; Georgia: for House CD 10: Richard Terry "Terry" Holley (Democratic) - added; Illinois: for House CD 14: Joe Serra (Democratic) - added; Louisiana: for Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry: Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner "Bob" Odom (Democratic) - Open Office - withdrew from runoff, state Representative Mike Strain (Republican) - elected; Massachusetts: for House CD 3: Todd Williams (Republican) - added; Michigan: for House CD 2: Kimon Kotos (Democratic) - added; Minnesota: for House CD 3: Jigar Ashwin "Ashwin" Madia (Democratic-Farmer Labor) - added; for House CD 6: John Brockberg (Independence) - added; New Mexico: for House CD 2: Harry Teague - correction - party is Democratic; Ohio: for House CD 12: Aaron James Dagres (Democratic) - added; Pennsylvania: for House CD 12: William T. Russell (Republican) - added; Texas: for House CD 9: Congressman Alexander "Al" Green (Democratic) - added as candidate; Virginia: for Senate Class 2: Julien Modica (Democratic) - added; for House CD 1: James Atticus Bowden (Republican) - added, Catesby Baytop Jones (Republican) - added, Kevin O'Neill (Republican) - added; Washington: for Superintendent of Public Instruction: Richard Semler (Nonpartisan) - added; West Virginia: for Governor: Frank Kula (Independent) - added; Presidential Candidates: John Glenn Barry Metcalf, Sr. (Not readily classifiable) - added, Mark Shane Robinson (Not readily classifiable) - added, Joseph Howard Tucker (Republican) - added.
• Sunday October 28, 2007
• The Iowa Democratic Party has decided to hold their Presidential Precinct Caucuses on Thursday 3 January 2008.
• Iowa Democratic Party Announces New Caucus Date of January 3, 2008.
• Des Moines – After consultation with Chairman Dean of the Democratic National Committee, state Democratic party chairs, Governor Chet Culver and Senator Tom Harkin, the Iowa Democratic Party State Central Committee tonight approved an amendment to the Iowa Delegate selection plan allowing the Iowa Democratic caucuses to take place on Thursday, January 3, 2008.
• "This date maintains the important common-sense principle of beginning the delegate selection process in the same calendar year as the election for which we are selecting delegates," said Scott Brennan, Iowa Democratic Party State Chair. "But the overarching principle is to retain the importance of the caucuses. Holding the caucuses on the same day as the Republican Party of Iowa shows solidarity and unity in working to protect Iowa's First-in-the-Nation status, an important argument in the years to come."
• The State Central Committee is the governing body of the Iowa Democratic Party. There are 43 voting members of the Committee. They were called to meet on Thursday, October 25 at 3pm, and following the party constitution, met tonight, three days later.
• Louisiana Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry update: Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Bob Odom (Democrat), who came in first place with 42% in the 20 October primary, withdrew from the runoff on 25 October 2007. Mike Strain (Republican), who came in second place with 40% in the 20 October primary, will run unopposed in the 17 November runoff.
• Friday October 26, 2007
• 4 Updates: Nebraska: for Senate Class 2: former Senator Bob Kerrey (Democratic) - apparently not a candidate, Charlie Matulka (Democratic) - apparently not a candidate; New York: for House CD 21: Congressman Michael R. McNulty (Democratic) - Open Seat; Presidential Candidates: Kenneth A. Capalbo (Democratic) - added.
• Thursday October 25, 2007
• Vox Populi: A Letter to the Editor: Did George Washington really say "So help me God"? Part II by Ray Soller
• Reports state that the Iowa Democratic Party Central Committee will meet on Sunday night, 28 October 2007, to vote on a plan to hold their Presidential Caucuses on 3 January 2008, the same day as the Republican Caucuses.
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• Wednesday October 24, 2007
• 18 Updates: Illinois: for House CD 6: Jill Morgenthaler (Democratic) - added; Iowa: for House CD 4: William J. Meyers (Democratic) - added; Louisiana: for House CD 1: Mayor Ben O. Morris (Republican) - added, former Governor and former Congressman David Conner "Dave" Treen (Republican) - added; for Attorney General: Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr. (Democratic) - Lost Primary; Maryland: for House CD 1: Steve Harper (Republican) - added; Missouri: for House CD 9: Duane Burghard (Democratic) - added; New Hampshire: for House CD 2: R. James "Jim" Steiner (Republican) - added; North Dakota: for Governor: DuWayne Hendrickson (Republican) - added, Jason Martin (Republican) - added; Pennsylvania: for House CD 15: Congressman Charles W. "Charlie" Dent (Republican) - added as candidate; Texas: for Senate Class 2: Mikal Carter Watts (Democratic) - apparently not a candidate; Virginia: for Senate Class 2: Congressman Thomas M. "Tom" Davis, III (Republican) - apparently not a candidate; for House CD 1: Sherwood Bowditch (Republican) - added, state Delegate Rob Wittman (Republican) - added; Presidential Candidates: Earl F. Dodge (Prohibition Party) - added, Tom Koos (Democratic) - added.
• Tuesday October 23, 2007
• Virginia Governor Timothy M. "Tim" Kaine has set a Tuesday 11 December 2007 Special Election in CD 1 to fill the remainder of the term of Congressman Jo Ann S. Davis who passed away on 6 October 2007.
• Adjustments to the 2008 Republican Delegate Allocation:
• Iowa: -1 delegate. Total number of delegates changed from 41 to 40.
• Michigan: -1 delegate. Total number of delegates changed from 61 to 60.
• Oklahoma: -1 delegate. Total number of delegates changed from 42 to 41.
• The total number of Republican National Convention Delegates is now 2,515 with 1,258 needed to nominate. This count does not include proposed penalties for states selecting national convention delegates before 5 February 2008.
• Vox Populi: A Letter to the Editor: Did George Washington really say "So help me God"? by Ray Soller

Review changes prior to Tuesday October 23, 2007..