2018 Election Preferences

For what it’s worth, I thought I’d list my preferences in certain elections in the upcoming midterms, if only to be able to refer to it later.

I do want Republicans to maintain overall control of the US Senate. In the Arizona Senate election, I prefer Martha McSally, as Kirsten Sinema seems rather kooky in some of her older views and disingenuous in the responses to questions about those. In the Florida Senate election, I prefer Rick Scott as he’s been doing a solid job as Governor, and Bill Nelson seems like a nonentity. I’m a Republican, so I would prefer an okay Republican to an okay Democrat. In the Indiana Senate election, I prefer Mike Braun. In the Missouri Senate election, I prefer Josh Hawley. In the Nevada Senate election, I’d go with Dean Heller. In the New Jersey Senate election, I’m very pleased that Bob Hugin seems to have a shot. In the North Dakota Senate election, I support Kevin Cramer.

There are still some Democrats I’d back. In the Tennessee Senate election, Phil Bredesen has an impressive background, and has run a moderate campaign. In the Texas Senate election, I prefer Beto O’Rourke to Ted Cruz; Cruz has done three things that pretty much disqualified him in my eyes: he attacked O’Rourke for unobjectionable comments about police shootings, he publicized offensive comments James Gunn had made as an indie director- introducing those to a larger audience, and he pushed the country into the 2013 shutdown based on a poor understanding of just what the Senate can do. While the Virginia Senate election doesn’t appear to be all that competitive, Tim Kaine should win big, as Corey Stewart deserves a massive loss for a racist and Confederacy-backing campaign. California has a jungle primary so it’s two Democrats against one another, and I think her handling of the Kavanaugh mess shows that Dianne Feinstein doesn’t deserve another six years. Her opponent Kevin de León is conventionally qualified.

For overall US House control, I do prefer the Republicans. In Alaska’s At-Large Congressional District, I prefer Alyse Galvin, since incumbent Republican Don Young does not seem well. In Arizona’s 2nd Congressional District, I’d go with Lea Marquez Peterson. In California’s 48th Congressional District, I’d prefer Harley Rouda, since Dana Rohrabacher deserves to lose for his pro-Russian stance. In California’s 50th Congressional District, I prefer Ammar Campa-Najjar, since incumbent Republican Duncan Hunter is running for reelection while indicted. There is a similar dynamic in New York’s 27th Congressional District, where I prefer Nate McMurray to incumbent Republican Chris Collins. In Florida’s 27th Congressional District, I like Maria Elvira Salazar. In Texas’ 23rd Congressional District, I think Will Hurd remains a valuable voice for the country. In Utah’s 4th Congressional District, I’d like to see Mia Love reelected. In Washington’s 5th Congressional District, I’d back Cathy McMorris Rodgers for reelection. In Washington’s 8th Congressional District, I support Dino Rossi, a decent guy with a history of risky and unsuccessful statewide bids.

Some Republican Governors up for reelection are among the most popular executives in the country (Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, Vermont) so the elections aren’t considered competitive. Beyond that, in the Arizona gubernatorial election, I’d back Doug Ducey. In the Florida gubernatorial election, I hope Ron DeSantis wins, and in Georgia’s gubernatorial election, I prefer Brian Kemp. This is more about Abrams and Gillum being too progressive than the strengths of the Republicans. In the Iowa gubernatorial election, I’d like to see Kim Reynolds be reelected. In the Kansas gubernatorial election, Democrat Laura Kelly is preferable to Kris Kobach, who has done more damage to election security reforms than anyone else. In the Maine gubernatorial election, I’d prefer Shawn Moody, who has an interesting background as a former third-party candidate. In the Nevada gubernatorial election, I’d back Adam Laxalt. In the Ohio gubernatorial election, Richard Cordray seems preferable to the Republican nominee, an elderly extremist. In the Oregon gubernatorial election, I’m rooting for Knute Beuller. In the Wisconsin gubernatorial election,  I hope Scott Walker gets reelected. In the Minnesota Attorney General election, I’m glad Doug Wardley is leading Keith Ellison in polls.