Campaign 2006: House Races to Watch

PHOENIX (By Lee Hudson Teslik) November 5, 2006 — Even for politics junkies, keeping track of House elections can be a bit overwhelming. The Senate has its familiar faces and marquee races, but with all 435 House seats up for grabs--well, where do you even start? Look no further today's election cheat sheet, a handy primer for anyone planning to tune in on Nov. 7. Mining the most reliable polls and expert analysis, we have summarized the nation’s closest and most controversial races into two categories: the 10 Spotlight Races on which control of the House could turn, and 15 other important showdowns you’ll definitely want to keep an eye on as precinct results pour in. (Incumbents are marked with an asterisk.)

SPOTLIGHT RACES  

Arizona District 5
*J.D. Hayworth (R) 46%
Harry Mitchell (D) 48%  ARIZONA NEWS ENDORSEMENT P
Undecided 2%
Poll: SurveyUSA, Oct. 29-31

Connecticut District 4
*Christopher Shays (R) 43%
Diane Farrell (D) 47% 
Undecided 10%
Poll: Research2000, Oct. 26-28

Florida District 16
[open seat vacated by Tom Foley (R)]
Joe Negron (R) 41%
Tim Mahoney (D) 48% 
Undecided 11%
Poll: Research 2000, Oct. 11-13

Georgia District 12
Max Burns (R) 39%
*John Barrow (D) 42%
Undecided 19%
Poll:  InsiderAdvantage, Oct. 26

Illinois District 6
[open seat vacated by Henry Hyde (R)]
Peter Roksam (R) 47%
Tammy Duckworth (D) 48%
Undecided 5%
Poll:  RT Strategies/CD

Indiana District 9
*Mike Sodrel (R) 46%
Baron Hill (D) 48%
Undecided 4%
Poll: Reuters/Zogby, Oct. 24-29

Minnesota District 6
[open seat vacated by Mark Kennedy (R)]
Michele Bachmann (R) 48%
Patty Wetterling (D) 47%
Undecided 5%
Poll:  RT Strategies/CD, Oct. 24-26

New York District 26
*Tom Reynolds (R) 50%
Jack Davis (D) 45%
Undecided 5%
Poll: SurveyUSA, Oct. 23-25

Ohio District 2
*Jean Schmidt (R) 45%
Victoria Wulsin (D) 48%
Undecided 7%
Poll:  SurveyUSA, Oct. 29-31

Texas District 22
[open seat vacated by Tom DeLay (R)]
Shelley Sekula-Gibbs (R) 28%
Nick Lampson (D) 36%
Undecided 25%
Poll: Zogby, Oct. 23-25

RACES TO KEEP AN EYE ON

Connecticut District 2
*Rob Simmons (R) 47%
Joe Courtney (D) 48%
Undecided 5%
Poll:  Research 2000, Oct. 28-30

Connecticut District 5
*Nancy Johnson (R) 43%
Chris Murphy (D) 46%
Undecided 11%
Poll:  Research 2000, Oct. 27-29

Florida District 13
[open seat vacated by Katherine Harris (R)]
Vern Buchanan (R) 47%
Christine Jennings (D) 49%
Undecided 5%
Poll:  RT Strategies/CD, Oct. 24-26

Indiana District 2
*Chris Chocola (R) 47%
Joe Donnelly (D) 50%
Undecided 3%
Poll:  Research 2000, Oct. 30-31

Iowa District 1
[open seat vacated by Jim Nussle (R)]
Mike Whalen (R) 42%
Bruce Braley (D) 49%
Undecided 8%
Poll: Reuters/Zogby, Oct. 24-29

Pennsylvania District 6
*Jim Gerlach (R) 44%
Lois Murphy (D) 49%
Undecided 7%
Poll:  Reuters/Zogby, Oct. 24-29

New Hampshire District 2
*Charlie Bass (R) 37%
Paul Hodes (D) 45%
Undecided 14%
Poll: University of New Hampshire, Oct. 29 - Nov. 1

New Mexico District 1
*Heather Wilson (R) 53%
Patricia Madrid (D) 44%
Undecided 2%
Poll: Reuters/Zogby, October 24-29

New York District 20
*John Sweeney (R) 42%
Kirsten Gillibrand (D) 53%
Undecided 5%
Poll:  RT Strategies/CD, Oct. 24-26

North Carolina District 11
*Charles Taylor (R) 43%
Heath Shuler (D) 48%
Undecided 5%
Poll: Reuters/Zogby, Oct. 24-29

Ohio District 1
*Steve Chabot (R) 46%
John Cranley (D) 48%
Undecided 7%
Poll:  RT Strategies/CD, Oct. 24-26

Ohio District 15
*Deborah Pryce (R) 41%
Mary Jo Kilroy (D) 53%
Undecided 6%
Poll:  RT Strategies/CD, Oct. 8-10

Pennsylvania District 7
*Curt Weldon (R) 44%
Joe Sestak (D) 52%
Undecided 5%
Poll: RT Strategies/CD, Oct. 8-10

Washington District 8
*Dave Reichert (R) 51%
Darcy Burner (D) 45%
Undecided 4%
Poll: SurveyUSA, Oct. 28-30

Wisconsin District 8
[open seat vacated by Mark Green (R)]
John Gard (R) 45%
Steve Kagen (D) 51%
Undecided 5%
Poll: RT Strategies/CD, Oct. 24-26