U.S. 2016 Elections: U.S. Congress

Voters will also determine the control of the U.S. Congress.  In the U.S. Senate, Republicans currently have a 54-46 majority, and there are 34 Senate races this year (24 seats are Republican and 10 are Democratic).  If Hillary Clinton is elected president, Democrats will need to win 4 additional seats to win the majority (As Vice President, Tim Kaine would give Democrats the Senate majority if the Senate election was deadlocked at 50-50).  In the U.S. House of Representatives, the Republicans have a 247-186 majority, and it is expected that House Democrats will gain seats, and there is the potential for significant gains for House Democrats.

Senate Races

There are 34 Senate races, of which 17 are competitive.  The following 17 states have competitive races:  Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin

Republicans are expected to win in Alabama, Arkansas, Idaho, Kansas, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Utah.  Democrats are expected to win in California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maryland, New York, Oregon, Vermont and Washington.

Because Democratic voters tend to vote more frequently in presidential elections, Democrats are expected to win additional seats in the U.S. Senate, but control of the Senate is likely to be very close.  A large victory for Hillary Clinton could help many Senate Democratic candidates win, and having a Senate Democratic party would be helpful for Hillary Clinton to get her legislative priorities approved by Congress.  

Here is a quick review of some of the most competitive Senate races, and I am very pleased that the Insulators have sent campaign mailers in support of our Senate Democratic candidates in these battleground  states that will determine our next president and control of the U.S. Senate.

Arizona:  Senator John McCain was successful in a divisive Republican primary, and now faces Democratic Congresswoman Ann Kirkpatrick in the general election.  While Senator McCain enjoyed an early advantage,  Congresswoman Kirkpatrick has closed the polling gap, and will benefit from the Clinton campaign that is making a late, but significant investment in Arizona.   Congresswoman Kirkpatrick is also benefitting from the work of Cesar Aguilar, son of Insulators International Organizer Miguel Aguilar, who is working as a Field Organizer for the Arizona Democratic Party.

Florida:  Senator Marco Rubio pledged that he would not seek reelection to the Senate during his presidential campaign.  After Rubio's campaign came to a crashing end after Rubio's robotic performances in the GOP presidential debates, Senator Rubio went back on his word, and wants Florida voters to send him back to Washington to a job he said he doesn't like and didn't want. Rubio's flip-flop changed this Senate race that originally favored Democratic Congressman Patrick Murphy.   While Senator Rubio enjoys strong name recognition, much of the Senator Rubio's attention has not been positive, and this race will be extremely close.

Illinois -  Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth is one of our strongest supporters in Congress.  She has cosponsored both the Mechanical Insulation Incentive legislation and the Mesothelioma Patient Registry bill, and we are looking forward to her continuing her support for the Insulators in the U.S. Senate.  It is regrettable that Senator Kirk has made insulting statements and has embarrassed himself during this campaign.  Illinois voters will soon vote him out.  

Indiana -  Democrat Evan Bayh's decision to enter the Indiana Senate race immediately provided a boost to Democratic chances win back the U.S. Senate.  As a Senator and Governor, Evan Bayh has been a superb advocate for Indiana, and is favored to bring his experienced leadership back to the Senate.   

Missouri - Democrat Jason Kander has run a smart and energetic campaign against Republican Senator Roy Blunt.  In an election cycle that favors anti-establishment outsiders, Jason Kander has made a persuasive case for change to defeat Roy Blunt.  While Missouri has not been central to Hillary Clinton's campaign, it is imperative for Missouri voters to elect Chris Koster as Governor and Jason Kander to the U.S. Senate.

Nevada -  With the retirement of Democrat Senator Harry Reid, it is essential for Nevada voters to elect Catherine Cortez Masto to ensure that Democrats are successful to win back control of the U.S. Senate.  General President McCourt introduced Catherine Cortez Masto at a Hardhats for Hillary Labor Rally in Las Vegas as the best candidate to create clean energy jobs in Nevada.

New Hampshire -  In a New Hampshire Senate debate,  Republican Senator Kelly Ayotte stated that Donald Trump is a role model for our children.  It is indefensible for a U.S. Senator to make such a statement and Senator Ayotte has also been a reliable ally Senator Mitch McConnell and a "do nothing"  Senate Republican majority that has blocked every effort by President Obama to move our nation forward.  New Hampshire Democrat Governor Maggie Hassan will bring  her executive leadership and sound judgment to Washington, and  is the clear choice for the U.S. Senate

North Carolina - With unpopular Donald Trump and Governor McElroy at the top of the ticket, Republican Richard Burr faces a difficult reelection against Democratic candidate Deborah Ross.  It is very disturbing that Senator Burr is imitating the same dangerous language as Donald Trump as Burr has stated that wants to see Hillary Clinton's face in a bulls-eye.  It is also very disturbing to see the North Carolina Republican efforts to suppress voter participation.

Ohio - Republican Senator Rob Portman has supported some energy efficiency initiatives, but his support for misguided budget, tax and trade policies make Democratic candidate and former Governor Ted Strickland the sensible choice for Ohio.  Ted Strickland has been a solid advocate for the building trades and organized labor, but has been the victim of massive negative campaign ads that has made this race a challenge for Governor Strickland.

Pennsylvania -  Democrat Senate candidate Katie McGinty has been leader on clean energy issues throughout her public service, and will be a tremendous advocate for the Insulators in the U.S. Senate.  Republican Senator Pat Toomey was elected in 2010 as part of the Tea Party wave, and when Pennsylvania Democrats were deeply divided.  After 6 years in the Senate, Pennsylvania voters have seen his extreme voting record that is  

Wisconsin -  Similar to Pennsylvania, Wisconsin Republican Senator Ron Johnson was also elected in 2010, and his voting record is not consistent with mainstream Wisconsin values. Democrat Russ Feingold is seeking to return to the Senate, and has earned the support of the building trades.  Russ Feingold was a superb advocate for working families during his service in the Senate, and Wisconsin and the nation will benefit with the return of Russ Feingold to the U.S. Senate.