Democrat Cory Booker wins US Senate election in New Jersey

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Newark Mayor Cory Booker won a special election Wednesday to represent New Jersey in the U.S. Senate, giving the rising Democratic star a bigger political stage after a race against conservative Steve Lonegan, a former small-town mayor and director of NJ Americans for Prosperity. Booker will complete the 15 months remaining on the term of Frank Lautenberg, who died in June at age 89. Read more at the Examiner... Read More......

BBC: Oregon voters await iPad election

Residents in parts of the US state of Oregon are to cast their votes by iPad during a special election on Tuesday. ✧ The program, designed to make voting easier for disabled residents, is part of a five-county pilot in the north-western state. ✧ The counties are voting to nominate candidates to replace David Wu, who resigned from the US House of Representatives amid a sex scandal. Read more at BBC News (US & Canada)...

Was this a bipartisan decision? --bc Read More......

The Hill: GOP poll shows tie in race to replace Weiner

By Cameron Joseph - A GOP poll commissioned for Republican businessman Bob Turner has him tied with New York state Assemblyman David Weprin (D) at 42 percent each with 12 days until the special election to replace former Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-N.Y.). Read more at The Hill...

Registration in Weiner's [former] district is 3:1 Dems!

UPDATE: Republican Bob Turner won! He will be the first Republican to represent this district since 1923. --bc Read More......

Fake ‘Democrat’ Comes Forward In Wisconsin Recalls

Wisconsin Republicans have now put forward a ringer Democratic candidate to force a primary in the recall against GOP state Sen. Dan Kapanke, as part of the state GOP's strategy to combat the recalls.

Read more at TPM DC Read More......

Email: Replace Ted Kennedy with a Republican on Jan 19th

12/31/2009 Via email (Hat tip: Linda Weimer & Lou Copes)

"A special election to replace Ted Kennedy in the United States Senate will be held on January 19th. State Senator Scott Brown is running a determined campaign to make history by becoming the first Republican Senator from Massachusetts since Edward W. Brooke 30 years ago. ∴ Scott's election would shock the country and send a strong message that business as usual in Washington is coming to an end. ∴ If he is successful, Scott will be the crucial 41st vote against President Obama's healthcare bill when it comes back to the Senate for final passage.

Please visit Scott Brown's website and consider helping him with a donation." Read More......

Jan. 5: Public invited to forum on Measures 66, 67

Sen. Frank Morse, R-Albany, and Rep. Sara Gelser, D-Corvallis, will join the Corvallis Gazette-Times Editorial Board for a public session to discuss their views on Measures 66 and 67, the two tax initiatives on the ballot for the January 26 Special Election.

Date: January 5, 2010
Time: 7 p.m.
Place: Corvallis-Benton Public Library, 645 N.W. Monroe Ave.

Oregon voters will be asked whether they want to uphold the Legislature's $733 million tax package, which raises corporate taxes and income taxes on wealthier individuals. ∴ The Democratic-led Legislature said the tax increases are needed to balance the budget and to protect schools and safety net programs from budget cuts. They also said the higher taxes are aimed at those who can most easily afford to pay them. ∴ Business groups who mounted the campaign to force a statewide referendum vote on the issue say the two taxes will prolong Oregon's economic slump and cost the state jobs.

The Gazette-Times frequently invites newsmakers to meet with its editorial board, which decides what positions the paper will take in its editorials. Those meetings are open to the public, and considering the high amount of interest in the tax initiatives, the paper is moving this meeting to the library.

Members of the public will get the chance to ask questions of the
legislators during the session.

"We've already seen a lot of heat over these tax measures," said Mike McInally, the publisher and editor of the G-T, "but not a whole lot of light. We're delighted that Sen. Morse and Rep. Gelser, two thoughtful lawmakers, have accepted our invitation to discuss the initiatives, and we're especially happy to be able to invite our readers."

Other members of the G-T's editorial board are Theresa Novak, city editor and editorial page editor; and Larry Thomas, press and packaging manager.

© Copyright 2009, gazettetimes.com, 600 SW Jefferson Ave. Corvallis, OR Read More......