Elections 2012
The 2012 elections are now less than 10 months away. These elections are important to watch due to redistricting on the Congressional level and, of course, the Presidential race.
The results of the Iowa caucuses did not provide a definitive winner on the Republican side of the Presidential contest, which left the running wide open heading in to New Hampshire. With the results of the New Hampshire primary giving Governor Mitt Romney a boost—but not an overwhelming one–the race appears to be tightening heading in to South Carolina in mid January. Over the past year, the Republican primary run has seen many candidates rise in popularity above the field, only to slide back when the next candidate enjoyed their turn. But with the rest of the nation’s primaries and caucuses fast approaching, this race is sure to see a clear winner in the near future.
Meanwhile, President Obama is running unopposed for the Democratic nomination. With no Democratic opponent to engage, the President has yet to fully launch his campaign. This will surely change once the Republican nominee becomes clear.
The 2012 elections will be the first elections after the 2010 census. This means that we will see Members of Congress running in new Districts, as reapportioned by their states. Some states, such as Florida, Nevada, South Carolina, and Texas, have gained Congressional seats,and will have open seat races for the new seats in 2012. Other states, such as Illinois, Iowa, New York, and Ohio are losing seats. This means that Members of Congress in the eliminated seats will either choose to retire or will run in a different District. In such a fluid electoral landscape, we will see races in which one sitting Member of Congress will be forced to run against another sitting Member of Congress. In fact, some states are still working on their new Disctrict maps, with some not projected to complete their work until June 2012. This makes for difficult campaigning for candidates and incumbents who cannot even be sure which seat they are running for.
In the states that have completed their maps, there are a number of high profile member-versus-member races developing. In California, two senior Democrats, Congressmen Brad Sherman (D) and Howard Berman (D), are running against each other in a San Fernando Valley district. Even though California did not gain or lose any seats, changes were made to the map to reflect population changes and movement in the past decade.
In Iowa, which lost one seat, two senior members were put in to the same District, setting up a key race in 2012. Democrat Leonard Boswell and Republican Tom Latham are running against each other in the Des Moines area district. This race is rated as a toss up, and will be interesting to watch through the coming year.
With important Congressional races in most states and the Presidential race looming large, the American Nurses Association (ANA) urges nurses to use every opportunity to let your voice be heard by candidates and incumbents alike. Town hall meetings and campaign events are great opportunities to see what candidates and members have to say on issues important to you. And remember to make sure you are registered to vote at your current home address so that on Tuesday, November 6, 2012, your voice is heard.
Adrianne Drollette
Tags: Congressional redistricting, Election 2012, January 2012, Presidential Election Race, Town Hall Meetings
