Evans & Novak

House Campaign 2000-A look a selected races for the U.S. House of Representatives in 2000:

Arizona-1: Jeff Flake (R.), former President of Arizona's conservative Goldwater Institute, is held in high regard by party activists for his business ties and knowledge of issues. Flake will likely get the GOP nod for the seat now held by retiring Rep. Matt Salmon (R.). Republican lawyer Tom Liddy, son of Watergate figure G. Gordon Liddy, is also in the running, as is Susan Bitter Smith, who ran for the seat in 1994. A possible Democratic challenger is Sal DiCiccio, a member of the Phoenix City Council.

Sure GOP Retention.

California-48: State Sen. Bill Morrow (R.) became the first candidate to file for the seat of retiring GOP appropriator Ron Packard, as multimillionaire Darrell Issa (R.) is on the verge of formally announcing. Other potential GOP candidates include current San Diego Mayor Susan Golding and ex-Rep. Bob Dornan. This is a safe Republican district.

Sure GOP Retention.

Florida-12: Seeking to fill the seat of retiring Rep. Charles Canady (R.) is State Rep. Adam Putnam (R.), who is only 24 years old. Putnam, who hails from a well-- known citrus-growing family, has strong support from area party officials, and is likely to capture the seat.

Sure GOP Retention.

Indiana-2: The GOP should have no problem with the 2nd district, which has been trending Republican in recent years. David McIntosh (R.), the conservative incumbent, is retiring to run for governor. McIntosh's GOP successor will likely be popular talk-show host Mike Pence, who will face primary opposition from Luke Messer, a former McIntosh aide, and State Rep. Jeff Linder (R.).

Sure GOP Retention.

Michigan-8: The race to fill Democratic Rep. Debbie Stabenow's seat will be very competitive. This district, which is nearly evenly split between Republicans and Democrats, has wavered over the years. Republicans will benefit from a Bush candidacy, to which popular Gov. John Engler (R.) is very closely associated.

Leaning GOP Takeover.

Missouri-2: Democrats have little hope of wresting this strong Republican seat, held by Rep. Jim Talent (R.), from GOP control.

Probable GOP Retention.

Montana-At Large: Democrats have a great opportunity to pick up this seat held by Rick Hill. The party is pinning its hopes on Nancy Keenan, superintendent of public instruction. Keenan got an early head start in the race and has a considerable war chest. Former Lt. Gov. Dennis Rehburg (R.) will run for the GOP

Leaning Democratic Takeover.

Ohio-12: State Rep. Pat Tiberi, a former aide to retiring incumbent House Budget Chairman John Kasich, has received key endorsements from Senators Mike DeWine and George Voinovich, and thus far topped his upcoming primary opponent, State Rep. Gene Watts, in fundraising. State GOP party officials are worried that a nasty Watts-- Tiberi primary, as well as a newly elected Democratic mayor, could give well-known Democratic challenger Mary Elen O'Shaughnessy of Columbus a boost.

Leaning GOP Retention.

Oklahoma-2: This is a culturally conservative, but traditionally Democratic, district that is giving the GOP an electoral headache. With the exception of retiring Rep. Tom Coburn (R.), Democrats have controlled this seat since 1920. Democrats are targeting this seat as a possible pickup.

Leaning GOP Retention.

Pennsylvania-19: This is a solidly Republican district, now held by Education and Workforce Chairman Bill Goodling (R.). Attorney and conservative activist Charlie Gerow is the frontrunner for the GOP.

Sure GOP Retention.

South Carolina-1: This district, centered around Charleston, is very Republican. State Rep. Henry Brown (R.), chairman of the state Ways and Means Committee, appears the likely successor to GOP maverick Mark Sanford (R.).

Sure GOP Retention.

Texas-7: Republicans will keep this seat, now held by Ways and Means Chairman Bill Archer (R.). GOP frontrunners thus far are State Rep. John Culberson and attorney Peter Wareing. Culberson is widely known in the district, and has been campaigning hard since Archer's announced retirement.

Sure GOP Retention.

Washington-2: This marginal northwestern district, held by Rep. Jack Metcalf (R.), is leaning Democratic. Councilman Rick Larson (D.), who has a clear field, will be a tough candidate to beat.

Leaning Democratic Takeover.

The special report appears exclusively in HUMAN EVENTS. For subscription information on their Evans-Novak Political Report, call 800-789-5367.

Copyright Human Events Publishing, Inc. Nov 26, 1999
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