Wyoming U.S. Senate Race- B

Race of the Day

Wyoming U.S. Senate- B

October 17, 2008
18 Days Until Election Day

Status: Republican Incumbent
2004 Presidential Result: Red State (West)

Outlook: Safe Republican

The second of the Wyoming U.S. Senate races is necessary due to the untimely death of Republican Senator Craig Thomas of cancer, shortly after his easy 2006 reelection. Upon that vacancy, the formal appointment responsibility rested with the state's Democrat Governor. However, he was mandated by law to choose one of three candidates submitted by the State Republican Committee. Out of those three Republican names, a physician and state legislator, who earlier in 1996 had unsuccessfully sought his party's nomination for U.S. Senate, John Barrasso was selected.

Early on, Barrasso, who was seen as being fairly moderate for Wyoming Republican standards, made it clear that he would seek the seat in 2008 for the right to fill the final four years of Thomas' unexpired term. There was speculation he could face opposition from the Republicans who were not selected by the Democrat Governor, or maybe others as well, but ultimately, it was pretty smooth sailing into the general election for the now incumbent.

His Democrat opponent, attorney Nick Carter had to face a very competitive primary against an opponent with the last name Goodenough, and in a bit of an upset, Goodenough did not live up to his name and lost to Carter. In truth, neither of these Democrats were considered top-tier and in a strong GOP state like Wyoming, Carter faces an almost impossible task even against a Senator that the state may still be getting to know. Carter's only hope may be the false impression that some voters might be under that he is in fact a Backstreet Boy. Then again, that could probably cost him many votes as well.

So, both Senate seats in Wyoming are pretty safe for Republicans, while the state's open U.S. House contest is where the action is.

Barrasso campaign link:

http://www.barrasso2008.com/

2008 U.S. Senate races predicted: 15 D, 20 R
Predicted total Senate balance of power: 54 D, 46 R

And so it ends. In a few days, some revised predictions will probably be posted, because frankly, Republicans will jump for joy if they have 46, or maybe even as low as 42 seats after the election. But let's also not forget the fact that a Lieberman pickup of sorts is almost inevitable.