Bayh, Evan – (D – IN)- Committee Assignments: Senate Special Committee on Aging – 4, Senate Committee on Armed Services – 9, Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs – 5, Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources – 10, Senate Select Committee on Intelligence – 4, Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship – 7
Analysis- Evan Bayh is probably safe. He has cast himself as one of the most conservative members of the Senate in a state that is trending sharply in the Democrat’s direction. It would be nice to see him face some kind of primary challenge, if only to apply a little pressure on him to vote more consistently with the party. But there is no prospect of a successful primary challenge. Bayh is hardworking, as you can see from the many committees he serves on, but he doesn’t have much seniority. Even if reelected, it’s not obvious that he’ll manage to get a committee chair in his next term.
Bennet, Michael F. – (D – CO)- Committee Assignments: Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry – 12, Senate Special Committee on Aging – 11, Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs – 13, Senate Committee on Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs – 10
Analysis: Appointed to replace new Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, Bennet will be forced to seek a full six-year term in 2010. Bennet has expertise in both educational and financial matters, but no experience as an elected official. He will work to learn about agriculture which is very important in his state. He may make a mark for himself working on banking and housing issues. Whether he wins reelection or not will depend in large part on what kind of opponent the Republicans can find to challenge him. On paper, this is one of the Democrats’ most vulnerable seats.
Bennett, Robert F. – (R – UT)- Committee Assignments: Senate Committee on Appropriations – 7, Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies – Ranking Minority Member, Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development – 3, Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies – 2, Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies – 4, Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies – 4, Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs – 2, Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources – 7, Senate Committee on Rules and Administration – Ranking Minority Member
Analysis: Bennett will be 77 years old on election day in 2010. Yet, even if he retires it is very unlikely that a Democrat can win a statewide race in Utah. Bennett is a fairly powerful and influential member of the Republican caucus, but he likes to operate quietly behind the scenes. He is an appropriator, which means that he more inclined to support the Democrats on certain spending measures than most Republicans.
Bond, Christopher S. – (R – MO)- Committee assignments: Senate Committee on Appropriations – 3, Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies – 4, Subcommittee on Defense – 3, Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development – 4, Subcommittee on the Financial Services and General Government – 2, Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies – Ranking Minority Member, Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works – 7, Senate Select Committee on Intelligence – Ranking Minority Member, Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship – 2
Analysis: Kit Bond has already announced his retirement and the Democrats have their ideal candidate in Missouri Secretary of State Robin Carnahan. The Democrats should be considered as moderate favorites to hold this seat regardless of who emerges on the Republican side.
Boxer, Barbara – (D – CA)- Committee assignments: Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation – 5, Subcommittee on Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security – 6, Subcommittee on Interstate Commerce, Trade, and Tourism – 5, Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard – 5, Subcommittee on Science, Technology, and Innovation – 5, Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works – Chair, Senate Select Committee on Ethics – Chair, Senate Committee on Foreign Relations – 4, Subcommittee on International Operations and Organizations, Human Rights, Democracy, and Global Women’s Issues – Chair, Subcommittee on East Asian and Pacific Affairs – 4, Subcommittee on International Development and Foreign Assistance, Economic Affairs and International Environmental Protection – 2, Subcommittee on Near Eastern and South and Central Asian Affairs – 4
Analysis: The Republicans would love to knock off Barbara Boxer and there is talk that Carla Fiorina is going to give it a shot. There are few signs that Boxer is vulnerable, however, and she will have a major role over the next two years as chair of the Environment & Public Works committee.
Brownback, Sam – (R – KS)
Bunning, Jim – (R – KY)
Burr, Richard – (R – NC)
Burris, Roland W. – (D – IL)
Coburn, Tom – (R – OK)
Crapo, Mike – (R – ID)
DeMint, Jim – (R – SC)
Dodd, Christopher J. – (D – CT)
Dorgan, Byron L. – (D – ND)
Feingold, Russell D. – (D – WI)
Gillibrand, Kirsten – (D- NY)
Grassley, Chuck – (R – IA)
Gregg, Judd – (R – NH)
Inouye, Daniel K. – (D – HI)
Isakson, Johnny – (R – GA)
Kaufman, Ted – (D-DE)
Leahy, Patrick J. – (D – VT)
Lincoln, Blanche L. – (D – AR)
Martinez, Mel – (R – FL)
McCain, John – (R – AZ)
Mikulski, Barbara A. – (D – MD)
Murkowski, Lisa – (R – AK)
Murray, Patty – (D – WA)
Reid, Harry – (D – NV)
Schumer, Charles E. – (D – NY)
Shelby, Richard C. – (R – AL)
Specter, Arlen – (R – PA)
Thune, John – (R – SD)
Vitter, David – (R – LA)
Voinovich, George V. – (R – OH)
Wyden, Ron – (D – OR)
