Kansas ranked #2 most likely to switch parties in top office
2. Kansas (D): Until Gov. Kathleen Sebelius(D) is confirmed (or not confirmed) as Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Democratic field is effectively frozen. If Sebelius becomes head of HHS, then Lt. Gov. Mark Parkinson, who has said he will not seek statewide office in 2010, becomes governor. The big announcement then would be who Parkinson picks as his second-in-command as that person would almost certainly have a leg up on being the Democrats’ gubernatorial nominee in 2010. Regardless, Sen. Sam Brownback (R), who is coming back to the state to run for governor, is the clear favorite. (Previous ranking: 3)
1. Nevada (R): Fix friend — and king of Nevada journalism — Jon Ralston has taken to referring to Gov. Jim Gibbons (R) with a symbol: 0. That says all you need to know about Gibbons’ standing as he weighs whether to seek a second term. If he runs and makes it through the primary, this is a near-certain pickup for Democrats. The frontrunner for the Democratic nod is Rory Reid, chairman of the Clark County Commission, but state Assembly Speaker Barbara Buckley is also considering the race. (Previous ranking: 1)
Related Posts:
- The Fix: Top 10 races
- Sullinger: Olathe’s Parkinson poised to become next governor of Kansas
- Rasmussen on Nevada Governor: Republican Brian Sandoval beats Harry Reid’s 54% to 31%
- Kraske rallies for Democrats
- Sebelius did not reform Kansas health care; Kansas governor expanded welfare to middle class
Tags: Jim Gibbons, Jon Ralston, mark parkinson, sebelius