Evie Hudak -- Colorado Senate District 19

Who she is: Evie Hudak is an educator from Jefferson County, Colorado. She has worked as a classroom teacher, a member of the state PTA board of directors, and as the coordinator of the School Readiness Quality Improvement Program. She currently serves on the Colorado State Board of Education. She's an expert on early childhood issues -- serving on the Early Childhood State Systems Team, the School Readiness Indicators Project, and the Early Childhood Councils Leadership Alliance.

Why her race matters: Democrats gained control of the Colorado senate in 2005 and currently hold the chamber with a five seat majority, 20/15. A victory for Evie Hudak will help legislative leaders build momentum for a Democratic agenda in the state and ensure that the party is well positioned for redistricting in 2010.

Mike Moran -- Ohio House District 42

Who he is: Mike Moran has served his community on the city council of Hudson, Ohio since 2005. He is a trustee for the Hudson Rotary Club, sits on the advisory board for Community First, and has served as a trustee of the Westhaven Homeowners Association. He previously worked as an attorney in a corporate law firm and for a contractor for the Dept. of Justice.

Why his race matters: After years of GOP control, Democrats are gaining strength throughout Ohio. In the House, Republicans currently hold a seven seat majority, 46/53. Democrats have an opportunity to make a play for the chamber this cycle by targeting vulnerable Republican incumbents like Mike Moran's opponent.

Greg Matthews -- Oregon House District 50

Who he is: Greg Matthews is an officer in the fire department of Greshman, Oregon. He previously served the community as an officer in the police force, where he worked in the Gresham Barlow School District, teaching schoolchildren Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) and giving kids the tools to make good choices while resisting drugs and violence. He began his career in the US military, where he fought in the battle of Granada.

Why his race matters: Democrats in Oregon hold the lower chamber by just two seats. Greg Matthews is challenging a vulnerable Republican, and the district represents an important pick up opportunities for those who want a long-term Democratic majority in the state of Oregon.

John Beard -- Iowa House District 16

Who he is: John Beard is a family farmer and small business owner from Iowa. He serves his community on the local conservation board and is the chair of his county Democratic party. He is an outdoorsman, who founded local chapters of Local Pheasants Forever and Trout Unlimited and serves as director of both groups. He is running to improve education, modernize his state's infrastucture, and promote new kinds of energy.

Why his race matters: Democrats in Iowa control the House of Representatives by six seats, 53/47. The party in the state is focused on building a majority that will help them to govern. A victory by John Beard will help to develop a Democratic agenda in Iowa.

Steve Newberry -- Kentucky Senate District 9

Who he is: Steve Newberry is a broadcasting executive with decades of experience in journalism and business development. He is currently the president and CEO of Commonwealth Broadcasting, which operates 25 radio stations and employs more than 100 individuals across the state of Kentucky. He previously served as the executive director for his community's Industrial Development Economic Authority, and still serves on the organization's board.

Why his race matters: Democrats only need to pick up seven seats this year to gain control of the Kentucky Senate. A victory for Steve Newberry will bring Democrats in the state one step closer to controlling the chamber. Newberry will bring his extensive experience in business to the legislature and immediately begin working to transform the state's economy.

Mary Jo Wilhelm -- Iowa Senate District 8

Who she is: Mary Jo Wilhelm is a small business owner from Decorah, Iowa. She serves on the board of supervisors for her community. For nearly a decade, she has worked in real estate, and in 2006 she founded her own company -- Wilhelm Appraisers. She is running to improve access to health care, to promote quality and affordable education, and to develop roads and infrastructure that will spur economic growth.

Why her race matters: Democrats in the Iowa Senate are looking to build on their majority in the upper chamber in order to pass an agenda that helps all the people of their state. Mary Jo Wilhelm is running a strong race against a vulnerable Republican incumbent.

John Burger -- Indiana House District 63

Who he is: John Burger is a farmer from Jasper, Indiana. Since 2002, he has served as county commissioner in his community, and he previously spent a decade on the county council. He was a chief advocate for the creation of the Dubois County Economic Development Commission and currently serves as vice chair of the public-private board.

Why his race matters: Democrats in Indiana control the chamber by just two seats, and John Burger is running in a key open district that Democrats need to win in order to protect their majority. He will bring immediate expertise on economic development to the legislature.

Ayanna Lee -- Pennsylvania House District 44

Who she is: Ayanna Lee is a lawyer from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In her community, she serves as a youth mentor with the Duquesne University, provides pro bono legal services to the elderly and indigent, and works as a member of the Moon Township Historic Architectural Review Board. She's running for the legislature to improve education, reduce property taxes, and grow the economy.

Why her race matters: Democrats in Pennsylvania control the Pennsylvania House of Representatives by just one seat. A victory for Ayanna Lee will help the party solidify control over the chamber and promote a Democratic agenda for the people of the state.

Fran Florez -- California Assembly District 30

Who she is: Fran Florez is the current vice chair of the California High Speed Rail Authority -- the agency responsible for planning, building and operating a high-speed train system in the state. She was a popular two-term mayor of Shafter, a city deep in GOP territory in the state's agricultural Central Valley.

Why this race matters: California is one of three states where a two-thirds vote is required to pass a budget. This year, the GOP was able to delay the budget for a record 83 days and forced deep cuts to education funding. A victory by Fran Florez brings Democrats a step closer to the two-thirds majority required to overcome their obstruction.

Keith Erwin -- Oklahoma Senate District 31

Who he is: Keith Erwin is a entrepreneur and community leader from Lawton, Oklahoma. For twenty years he has owned and operated his own insurance company. He has served as a chair or board member for numerous organizations in his community, including the Lawton Urban Renewal Authority, Lawton United Way, Southwest Oklahoma Advanced Technology Association, i2E -- Oklahoma’s premier technology commercialization.

Why his race matters: Oklahoma is one of two chambers in the country with an even split between Republicans and Democrats. If we hold all the seats that Democrats currently control, Keith Erwin can change the conversation in his state from the day he takes office.

John Fleming -- Montana House District 12

Who he is: John Fleming is an educator and rancher from St. Ignatius, Montana. He has been an active member of his community planning board for more than 20 years. He is running on a platform of responsible energy solutions, fiscal responsibility, and protection for his state’s hunters and sportsmen.

Why his race matters: Neither party has been able to solidify control over the Montana House -- it has changed hands in each of the last two elections. It was tied four years ago under Democratic leadership, and now Republicans currently control the chamber by one seat, 50/49 (with one independent). Democrats have an opportunity to win a majority this year, but for that to happen, we need to win open seats like the being sought by John Fleming.

Marilyn Dondero Loop -- Nevada House District 5

Who she is: Marilyn Dondero Loop is an educator from Las Vegas, Nevada. For more than 30 years, she served her community as a teacher and librarian, winning awards for her work in the classroom. In 2004, she left teaching and currently works for a publisher of textbook materials. She currently serves on the board of directors for Spread the Word Nevada, an organization which works to improve literacy at all levels.

Why her race matters: In the past two years, Democrats have built a solid edge in voter registration numbers for the district, and the current GOP incumbent is retiring from the legislature to seek a different office. Marilyn Dondero Loop represents a strong opportunity for Democrats to add to their majority in Nevada's lower chamber, and she will be an outstanding advocate for education from the day she takes office.

Mick Holm -- Montana House District 3

Who he is: Earlier this year, Mick Holm retired from a 33-year career with the National Park Service. For the last six years, he served as the superintendent of Glacier National Park, one of the state's natural treasures. He has served his community as a member of the University of Montana President's Advisory Council and National Parks and Conservation Northern Rockies Regional Council. He is an honorary chief of Blackfeet Nation.

Why his race matter: Control of the Montana House has changed hands in each of the last two elections. It was tied in 2004 with Democratic leadership, and Republicans currently control the chamber by one seat, 50/49 (with one independent). Mick Holm represents an enormous opportunity to build a new majority in the state.

Manual Perez -- California Assembly District 80

Who he is: The son of farm workers who met in the fields, Manuel Perez represents the quintessential American story -- graduating from Harvard and now serving on the school board in his community. An educator, he's been a teacher and fought for school modernization -- including making record investments in new classrooms so the next generation can follow his path to success.

Why this race matters: Although Democrats have a slight edge in registration in the district, this seat fell into Republican hands six years ago. The incumbent is term limited. This gives Democrats their best chance in a decade to recapture it and build on their majority.

Jennifer Brady -- Ohio House District 16

Who she is: Jennifer Brady is a first-term state representative running for reelection. She currently sits on the Committees for Education, Healthcare Access and Affordability, and Commerce and Labor. She has sponsored legislation to reduce the cost of health care, improve education, and foster economic growth.

Why her race matters: After years of GOP control, Democrats are gradually gaining strength throughout the state. In the House, Republicans currently hold a seven seat majority, 46/53. Democrats have an opportunity to make a play for the chamber this cycle, but first, we need to protect incumbents like Jennifer Brady.

Toby Forsberg -- Oregon House District

Who he is: Toby Forsberg has been a small business owner and a credit union director. He is currently working in the public sector for his community. He is a board member of the Oregon City Chamber of Commerce where he was responsible for working with hundreds of business leaders to create more jobs for the community. He also serves on the Oregon Impact Board which aims to keep drunk drivers off the roads. He previously served as a member of the Clackamas County Economic Development Commission and as a member of the Oregon City Schools Foundation.

Why his race matters: Democrats in Oregon hold the lower chamber by just two seats. Toby Forsberg is running for an open seat vacated by a retiring Republican, and the district represents an important pick up opportunities for those who want a long-term Democratic majority in the state.

Diana Maldonado -- Texas House District 52

Who she is: Diana Maldonado is a community leader from Round Rock, Texas. She previously served as president of the Round Rock Independent School District Board of Trustees. Under her tenure, the district became one of the fastest-growing and highest-rated in the state. She currently works as a government efficiency expert in the Texas Comptroller's Office.

Why her race matters: Diana Maldonado is running on an agenda to improve public education, expand access to health care, and build responsible transportation infrastructure in the state. She represents one more of the five seats that Democrats need to win to take back control of the House.

Gretchen Lawyer -- Iowa House District 36

Who she is: Gretchen Lawyer is an educator and community leader from Marion, Iowa. For six years, she worked as an elementary school teacher where she became an expert on integrating instructional technology in the cleassroom. After the birth of two daughters, she took a leave from teaching to stay at home but remains a committed volunteer at Francis Marion Intermediate School.

Why her race matters: Democrats in Iowa control the House of Representatives by six seats, 53/47. A victory for Gretchen Lawyer in this district will help Democrats develop the majority they need to govern.

Joe Whitcomb -- Colorado Senate District 23

Who he is: Joe Whitcomb has spent most of his adult life in service of his country. At 19, he enlisted in the US Army, completed Airborne School, and joined the Army Rangers. He parachuted into Panama as part of Operation Just Cause in 1989 and received a bachelor's degree and masters in international relations while serving in the armed forces. In 2002, after a six year break, he reenlisted, joining the Air Force, where he trained airmen in combat survival. He currently works as a lawyer in Colorado.

Why his race matters: Democrats gained control of the Colorado senate in 2005 and currently hold the chamber with a five seat majority, 20/15. A victory for Joe Whitcomb will help legislative leaders build momentum for a Democratic agenda in the state and ensure that the party is well positioned for redistricting in 2010.

Scott Heidepriem -- South Dakota Senate District 13

Who he is: Scott Heidepriem is a Democratic member of the South Dakota Senate. He first served in the senate and the South Dakota House of Representatives at various points from 1983 to 1992. Heidepriem has significant legal experience, having previously worked as a Special Assistant Attorney General and founding the law firm Johnson, Heidepriem, Miner, Marlow, and Janklow.

Why his race matters: Scott Heidepriem is currently the Senate Democratic leader and is working to ensure that our party takes control of the chamber in November. Republicans currently maintain a five seat advantage, but Democrats have a real chance to challenge that majority in the fall.

Last Friday, we asked for your help in finding 10 emerging races across the country that we can support.

So far, more than 700 of you have suggested local candidates running impressive campaigns.

We've been introduced to great Democrats in dozens of states -- from Texas to Iowa, Pennsylvania to California, Kansas to Utah.

We'll keep taking your suggestions for the next 10 days.

If you haven't already will you take the time to tell us about a race we should be watching in your area?

http://www.dlcc.org/action/2008Races

Gene Ficken -- Iowa House District 23

Who he is: Gene Ficken is a retired school teacher and educator from Independence, Iowa. He currently manages his own small business. He is a fixture in his community -- coaching sports, serving on his church council, and participating in service organizations. He is running for the Iowa state house because he has a lifetime of commitment toward improvement of his community.

Why his race matters: Democrats in Iowa control the House of Representatives by six seats, 53/47, and a victory by Ficken will help to give Democrats a majority to govern. As a teacher with more than 30 years of experience, Ficken also has the policy expertise to become an instant leader on education.

Mary Ann Sullivan -- Indiana House District 97

Who she is: Mary Ann Sullivan is an educator from Indianapolis. She has worked for Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, the Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce, and the Indiana Department of Education. She has served on boards for the Indiana Partnerships Center and the IPS Key Learning Community.

Why her race matters: Mary Ann Sullivan is an education expert and will bring years of experience as an advocate to the Indiana House of Representatives. Democrats control the chamber by just two seats and need support from new members to protect their majority and develop an agenda for governing.

Paul Drucker -- Pennsylvania House District 157

Who he is: Paul Drucker has served his community as an Assistant District Attorney and the first ever Democratic member of the Tredyffrin Township Board of
Supervisors. He has run his own business, worked as a lawyer in private practice, been involved as a management consultant for nonprofit organizations, and served as president of his synagogue.

Why his race matters: Democrats hold a one seat majority in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, and every victory will help the party solidify control over the chamber. Paul Drucker has experience working in government with Democrats and Republicans and knows how to get things done.

Patricia Creedon -- Delaware House District 21

Who she is: Patricia Creedon is an entrepreneur from Delaware. In 1989, she founded Creedon Controls Electrical Contractor, a company she has run for the past 19
years. She has served on numerous state commissions and national boards, where she has been an advocate for employee benefits, financial literacy, and health care.

Why her race matters: The Delaware House of Representatives is a top target for a Democratic pickup in the fall. Republicans control the chamber by just three seats, 22/19. As a strong challenger against a GOP incumbent, Patricia Creedon represents an enormous opportunity on Election Day. 

I'm excited to share some information with you about four candidates this afternoon. Each of these individuals is running a race that is essential for building a lasting Democratic majority in his or her state.

I hope you'll take the time to read about these strong Democrats, visit their websites, and offer them your support.

Chris Turner -- Texas House District 96

Who he is: It's hard to imagine a first time candidate for office with more political experience than Chris Turner. Before announcing his campaign for state representative, he was the district director for U.S. Representative Chet Edwards, where he supervised three offices in the 12 county-district and oversaw a staff of 10, working to help constituents and coordinate instate projects for the congressman. He also managed Edwards' last four, highly-competitive reelection bids.

Why his race matters: There is no state in the country where the consequences of legislative control are more clear than Texas. In 2002, with a little help from Tom Delay, the Republicans took control of the legislature for the first time in 130 years. Now, six years later, Democrats are just five seats away from winning a new majority in the state. A victory for Chris Turner brings us one step closer.

Allison Copening -- Nevada Senate District 6

Who she is: Allison Copening is a community leader from Las Vegas. She's served on the boards of nonprofits and civic organizations. She's been a journalist and an entrepreneur. She's running for the Nevada state senate because she wants to put her dedication to her community and her commitment to innovation to work in the legislature.

Why her race matters: Republicans control the Nevada senate by one seat -- 11/10. A victory by Allison Copening, by itself, will be enough to flip the chamber. Allison Copening can change the conversation in her state from the day she takes office.

Nick Kahl -- Oregon House District 49

Who he is: Nick Kahl has worked in local government, nonprofits, and for private business. He serves as a precinct committee person and recording secretary for his county Democratic party. He understands the grassroots, the public sector, and corporate responsibilities, and that combination gives him the experience he needs to govern effectively.

Why his race matters: Democrats in Oregon hold the lower chamber by just two seats, but the Republican legislator who currently represents Kahl's district is retiring. A victory by Nick Kahl will help to give Democrats the type of majority they need to accomplish real, positive change for the people of the state.

Kathy Sgambati -- New Hampshire Senate District 4

Who she is: Kathy Sgambati was elected to the senate in New Hampshire two years ago and is now running for reelection. She previously spent 26 years in the state Department of Health and Human Services, where she worked under 6 different commissioners and 5 different governors. Twice, she served as acting commissioner, where she was responsible for more than 3,000 employees and a budget of more than $1 billion.

Why her race matters: When Kathy Sgambati won her seat in 2006, she became the first Democrat to do so in 70 years. During her first term, she received national attention for her work on health care and fiscal management. Sgambati has the skills to govern and is ready to put her experience to work for the Democratic majority and the people of her state.

Michael Sargeant is the Executive Director of the DLCC.

It is no easy task to pinpoint a handful of essential candidates among the thousands of competitive legislative races this year, but that is exactly is what we at the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee intend to do over the next three weeks.

Using the information and resources we've gathered so far this cycle, we will identify 40 candidates in top races all across the country who need help in this election. For our part, we will provide these candidates with strategic support and promote their races among our partners and allies.

We also know that there are plenty of strong Democrats throughout the country with the potential to win important districts whose races are just emerging -- so we are asking for your help to find them.

While we reveal the list of our targets, we will also accept nominations for an additional 10 candidates to go on our essential races list. Please submit a name:

http://www.dlcc.org/action/2008Races

And while you're on our site, will you also take a minute to make a contribution of $25 or more?

Every dollar that you give will go directly into taking the fight to the Republicans who want to control our state houses. With your help, we will elect leaders who won't let the GOP pass their radical policy agendas or redraw districts to create a permanent conservative majority. Can you support us today?

Michael Sargeant is the Executive Director of the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee

The Memphis Commercial Appeal is yet another media outlet drawing on Tim Storey's analysis of the state legislative contests to offer its own preview of the fall election:

Heading into the Nov. 4 general election, Democrats and Republicans each hold 16 seats in the state Senate and an independent holds the 33rd.

The West Tennessee race between Democrat Randy Camp of Alamo and Republican Delores Gresham of Somerville in the eight-county Senate district east of Shelby County is one five or six races that will likely determine which party has control of the Senate for the next two years.

The Commercial Appeal reports that economic concerns are the top policy issue for campaigns in the state, which is in no way surprising.

The paper also makes the important point that these races will likely hold some major consequences for the next round of redistricting:

And this year’s elections will also impact party control of both chambers through 2020: State senators elected to four-year terms in November will likely be in office and voting on the next round of legislative and congressional redistricting following the 2010 federal census.

Tennessee is a state where we need to be competitive. If you want to help us fight for Democrats in that state and others, think about making a contribution. You can click the button at the top of the page or make a donation at http://dlcc.org/action/contribute.

In New Hampshire, Senate President Sylvia Larsen, a DLCC board member, and House Speaker Terie Norelli are touring the state along with Democratic Party Chair Ray Buckley to promote the legislative accomplishments passed and promoted by Democratic majorities in both chambers:

Looking back at the Democrats' "track record" since 2006, Norelli said it has been a good one. When the Democrats assumed ownership of the House majority office, the ceiling in the office leaked, she recalled. That leak, among other, more pressing problems such as the viability of the state retirement system, was a matter that "the Republicans had plenty of time to address" but didn't.

It was Democrats who passed "a balanced, transparent and responsible budget," said Norelli, although she conceded that the budget ran into trouble at the same time the national economy did.

All three leaders say that prospects look good for Democrats in the fall.

Already tired of the presidential election?

Writing for Ballot Box, Josh Goodman reminds us that state elections are going to get plenty of attention pretty soon.

Well, in two years, that is:

While the federal elections might be snoozers, it will be a crucial year in state politics. The governors' races in California, Texas, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Michigan and a host of smaller states all should be competitive. Who knows, Ohio and Florida could get interesting.

And, even for people who don't care much about state policy (shame on you!), these are the governors who will oversee the congressional redistricting process. That factor will create a lot more interest in gubernatorial races, not to mention interest in state legislative elections.

That ought to be plenty of fun. Especially because, for the most part, state legislatures have a lot more to do with redistricting than the governors.

In the height of campaign season, it's sometimes too easy to forget that candidates are seeking office so that they can govern.

That's certainly not the case, however, with the Indiana Senate Democrats.

This week, they unveiled a policy agenda for the next legislative session that they are calling, "Hoosier Values: Senate Democrats' Vision For A Better Indiana."

Among the highlights:

· The expansion of full-day kindergarten for every Hoosier child
· Promoting and recruiting more "green" jobs to Indiana
· Ending corporate welfare for companies that do not pay a living wage or do not meet their commitments to the state or their communities
· Creating public-private partnerships to reduce poverty
· Universal access to health care
· Encouraging local governments to increase efficiency and save tax dollars
· Holding employers accountable for hiring illegal workers

Read the full plan here.

Though I haven't seem them describe it as a series, it looks like the folks at Governing's Ballot Box blog are going to continue offering write-ups of the hotly-contested chambers in battleground states for the fall.

Today, Alan Greenblatt gives the Indiana House the horse race treatment:

Indiana Democrats are going to have a hard time defending their slim state House majority this year. They hold the chamber by the narrowest of margins -- 51-49 -- and Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels has opened up a big lead in his reelection campaign.

What's more, retirements in some conservative districts are likely to translate into Democratic losses. But Democrats have some pickup opportunities as well.

As Greenblatt notes, Republicans are cheered by the popularity of Gov. Mitch Daniels, while Democrats have an organizing advantage (focused on registering voters and turnout operations).

The bottom line?

When it comes to calling a chamber that has switched hands in each of the last two cycles, no one is willing to wager that either party will gain a certain and convincing margin.

Another day, another election preview, this time from Daniel Vock, writing for Stateline.

Some of his national analysis will seem familiar to you because it draws on work from Tim Storey's piece for NCSL:

This November, Democrats are trying to hold on to — and maybe even expand — their highest percentage of state lawmakers nationally since 1994. Democrats won most of the races considered “low-hanging fruit” last election cycle and now control 55 percent of legislative seats nationwide — the most since the Republican wave in 1994 when GOP state candidates took over more than 500 legislative seats across the country, Tim Storey, a senior fellow at NCSL said.

Midway through the article, however, Vock drills down and look at the fight for control of the New York Senate:

The Democrats are looking to Queens for one of their best chances of ousting incumbent Republicans. There, New York City council member Joseph Addabbo, Jr., son of a late congressman, is trying to oust state Sen. Serf Maltese (R) in a district that included the house that appeared in the “All in the Family” sitcom.

The area, once dominated by Italian American families, has seen an influx of new residents from Latin America, Asia and the Middle East. Like New York state in general, the area is also becoming increasingly Democratic.

As I said with the earlier piece about the Oklahoma Senate, I want to see more analysis of specific chambers and races. If you come across them, please be sure to send them my way.

We've mentioned the saga of Mean Rachel and Rep. Elliott Naishtat's website before. Rep. Naishtat has even commented on our blog.

We're proud to report that yesterday her effort to get her local legislator wired took a big step forward:

In Step 1 of getting Elliott Naishtat to start a website with DLCCWeb, I had to find out if Representative Naishtat was even on ActBlue for the contributions page. He is, however the results were dismal. One supporter and $25 dollars raised across all of ActBlue?

So I have set up a page to show him that people think he needs a website. The goal is 100 -- one hundred people, not dollars. Because it's not about the amount of money he needs to raise, it's about the amount of people he needs to connect with. I'm asking everyone today to take a moment to donate any amount to the Wired4Naishtat fund, and I'm kicking it off with my one vote.

She's also asking votes to vote on the domain name that the campaign should use. Personally, I'm a fan of keeping it simple: ElliottNaishtat.com is perfect.

There are 55 days until November 4th, and the presidential race obviously commands a lot of attention in the media. But the folks who study, write about, and work with state and local governments are starting to drill down on our races as well.

I already linked to Tim Storey's piece, which offered a wide-angle snapshot of the national landscape.

Yesterday, I came across another really good preview.

Writing for the Ballot Box blog for Governing magazine, Josh Goodman focused in on one chamber -- the Oklahoma Senate:

As of now, the Oklahoma Senate has 24 Democrats and 24 Republicans. When the Tulsa World polled Oklahomans on which party they wanted in charge of the body, 42 percent said the Democrats and 42 percent said the Republicans. The top four races this year include the reelection bids of one Republican incumbent and one Democratic incumbent and the open-seat campaigns for one Republican-held seat and one Democratic-held seat.

Goodman's overview is really good -- in particular, pay attention to the specific races that he highlights as targets for each side.

I don't know if he or other writers for his magazine plan on doing this same sort of thing for other states, but I'd be darn sure to read them if they get posted.

As I have travelled around the nation the past 18 months working with legislators and staff to elect Democrats at the legislative level, I thought I had just about seen it all. But I don't know if anyone really compares with Sen. Bob Beers.

Sen. Beers is a Republican from Las Vegas, NV, and frankly, he’s a little bit scary.

Below are just a few of the reasons voters are going to reject him in November and elect Allison Copening to the State Senate:

• In 2003, Beers responded to a constituent’s email with a rant against casino workers, saying of their children: “These youngsters are prone to dropping out of school, reproducing illegitimate children, often while little more than children themselves, abusing drugs and alcohol more frequently, and even killing themselves more often than people who do value education. Their failure to value education is a direct legacy from their parents, and there is little government can do to stop it, at any level of spending.”
• Also in 2003, Beer inexplicably said of a group promoting safer sex practices in minority communities that they were “dedicated to putting condoms on gay men in the black community.”
• In March 2003, Beers was criticized for his response to an Episcopalian bishop who urged lawmakers to address a $704 million state budget shortage. Beers stated to the Bishop: “There’s gotta be more Episcopalian bishops besides you. ... Your opinion is pretty far out there and strikes me as an opinion of a woman with no taxpaying parishioners.”
• On March 14, 2007, Beers introduced Senate Bill 286, which would have allowed teachers to carry concealed weapons on school grounds after forty hours of training. The bill died on April 12, 2007 in the Senate Transportation and Homeland Security Committee, with four voting against and only two in favor. In March 2008, Beers considered reintroducing the measure in the 2009 legislative session, but “said he would have to poll members of the Senate Transportation and Homeland Security Committee before deciding.”
• On May 27, 2005, Beers voted against AB 87, which would have increased the minimum wage by $1 to $6.15-per-hour. This bill followed the passage of Question 6 on the 2004 statewide ballot, which called on the Legislature to raise the minimum wage.

In my humble opinion, the good people of Las Vegas deserve better. Beers is the sort of divisive, right-wing ideologue who only does nothing to unite us.

For a more positive, forward thinking alternative, Nevadans can look to Allison Copening. She’s the kind of leader who can get good things done for Nevadans. Check out her website at http://www.copening4nevada.com/.

I’ll keep you updated on this race as we get closer to election day.

Owen Shackelford is a DLCC political director.

Early this morning, the Colorado Independent published a profile of Lauri Clapp, a conservative gadfly running for the state senate. We at the DLCC know her all too well from her days in the House of Representatives:

Indeed, during her eight-year tenure she, along with the group of other noisy GOP colleagues, was a passionate opponent of abortion, supported required placement of the Ten Commandments in public schools and restricting marriage to between a man and a woman only. She wanted a law requiring pregnant women to view ultrasound images of their fetuses before being allowed to get an abortion. She sponsored a law barring government agencies from being able to sue gun manufacturers and supported the carrying of concealed guns in schools.

Her Democratic opponent is Linda Newell -- a business consultant who has served on served on both the Denver Metro Regional Workforce Development Council the Governor’s Taskforce on Workforce Development. She is running for public office for the first time.

Right now, the GOP has a fundraising advantage in the race, and the district leans Republican. But neither lead is insurmountable. As the Independent mentions, people in the state are watching this race closely. We'll be keeping tabs as well.

Last week, at the Democratic National Convention, Iowa Senate Majority Leader and DLCC Chair Mike Gronstal spoke before the Nevada delegation’s Tuesday morning breakfast, where he outlined our goals for this year.

With a GOP holding a 11/10 edge in the Nevada senate, that chamber is one of our top targets for the fall.

On his campaign web site, Ty Harrell points out that he was named the most effective freshman representative by the North Carolina Center for Public Policy Research. At least part of the reason for the reward must be the impressive array of key issues that Harrell has taken on during his first term.

Harrell has adopted key health care issues that have become priorities for Democratic legislators nationwide -- such as helping small businesses provide health insurance and improving children’s health.

We can see this in 3 important bills Harrell has sponsored.

A key children’s health care bill –- HB 220 -- would authorize the NC DMV to produce a special license plate for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation to fund diabetes research.

To help small businesses, Harrell sponsored great story in the News Record.

He is also protecting children and fighting under-age drinking. Understanding the link between regulatory oversight and child safety, Harrell authored HB 675, which would authorize the legislative research commission to study the definition of childcare and the potential need to regulate after-school programs.

In an effort to reduce under-age drinking, he authored HB 1277, which would call for the revocation of the driver’s license of any person convicted of giving alcoholic beverages to, or aiding and abetting the purchase or possession of alcoholic beverages by, an underage person and to allow for a limited driving privilege.

He has also sponsored 2 key bills on behalf of veterans. HB 1415 would provide that a member of the teachers’ and state employees’ retirement system would not be denied short-term disability benefits due to an absence for military service. HB 1414 would revise the law providing for creditable service in the teachers’ and state employees’ retirement system for members who served in the armed forces.

Finally, Harrell is protecting the environment for all North Carolinians in 2 key bills. HB 36 would require commercial hazardous waste facilities to provide financial assurance for the cleanup and for the off-site screening for potential contamination migration in the event of a release of hazardous waste into the environment. And a similar bill –- HB 791 -– would appropriate funds for the establishment of a digital information exchange system for a hazardous chemicals inventory database.

It is amazing to see a freshman Democratic legislator fighting for a set of such diverse, important state legislative issues.

If you're looking for a good introduction to the 2008 election, you could do far worse than Tim Storey's cover story in this month's State Legislatures Magazine:

With only a small number of governor races in 2008, legislatures are the main battlefield for control of states. There are legislative elections in 44 states with a total of 5,824 legislative seats up for grabs. That represents 79 percent of the 7,382 total legislative seats in the United States. In addition, 78 legislative seats are up in Puerto Rico, 20 in American Samoa and all 15 Senate seats in the U.S. Virgin Islands. There are no legislative elections this year in Alabama, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, New Jersey and Virginia. In Michigan and Minnesota, there are no senate elections, but all house seats are up.

Delaware, Indiana, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, New Hampshire, Utah, Vermont, Washington and West Virginia elect governors this year. Most are not considered competitive, with the exception of Missouri and Washington. University of Virginia political scientist Larry Sabato rates both as toss-ups. Headed into 2008, Democrats control the governor’s mansion in 28 states and Republicans in 22. In the 11 states up this year, Democrats hold six of the governors and Republicans five.

Storey makes the important point that Democrats are operating in a landscape with few easy targets after our success in the last two cycles. That said, we do have opportunities to pick up new chambers:

For Democrats, the best chances for taking control appear to be the Delaware House, Montana House, Nevada Senate, New York Senate, Ohio House, and Wisconsin Assembly. None of these will be easy. Michael Sargeant, executive director of the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee, is taking nothing for granted. “We’re excited about our chances for gains this year, but our candidates still have to get out and work hard.”

After lots of travel and very little sleep (with a brief stop over back home in North Carolina), I'm back at my desk. (Sorry for the lack of post on Friday, by the way -- the Charlotte Airport does have wireless, but it was spotty).

At the risk of gushing, just let me say, the 2008 Democratic National Convention was a pretty spectacular experience. I enjoyed all the proceedings that I had the opportunity to watch, and I snapped some great pictures while I was there. I ran into friends and former colleagues I hadn't seen in years, which was exciting and surprising every time.

And from a work perspective, I really enjoyed having the opportunity to meet with so many legislators from all across the country, all excited about this election and all proud to be Democrats. For them, and for me, I think the Convention served as a motivator -- an inspiration to draw upon for all the hard work ahead.