A key defeat in Kentucky

According to Rep. Tom Reynolds, the GOP lost a bellwether House race.

Published November 8, 2006 3:46AM (EST)

How big of a deal is Anne Northup's defeat in Kentucky's 3rd Congressional District? Here's what National Republican Congressional Committee chair Tom Reynolds (of Foleygate fame) was saying about Northup just three weeks ago at the National Press Club:

"To demonstrate how our strategy plays out successfully, let's look at what many experts consider to be a bellwether race. In Kentucky's 3rd District, which is based in Louisville, our incumbent there is Anne Northup, whose seat has been competitive since she was first elected in 1996. In fact, both Al Gore in 2000 and John Kerry in 2004 won that district. But Anne has beaten back challenge after challenge because she's a tough as nails campaigner who has doggedly fought for her constituents. . . . As for her opponent, the first thing that comes to mind about him is the fact that he was Rahm Emanuel's fourth choice to run for the seat."


By Mark Schone

Mark Schone is Salon's executive news editor.

MORE FROM Mark Schone


Related Topics ------------------------------------------

2006 Elections War Room