David Wasserman

WASHINGTON -- When Arizonans opened the pages of the Arizona Republic on Veterans Day in November, there was a good chance they saw a full page advertisement taking aim at Democratic U.S. Rep. Harry Mitchell for his vote in support of a bill that included a timetable for withdrawal from Iraq. The advertisement featured a letter from injured Iraq veteran Andrew Robinson, pictured seated in a wheelchair.

With Republican John Shadegg announcing that he will not be running for reelection in CD3, the Cook Political Report is planning Thursday afternoon to shift its categorization of the race from “Solid Republican” to “Likely Republican,” Cook House Editor David Wasserman says.  read more »

It was his failure to win a leadership position coupled with his party’s minority status that ultimately led Republican Congressman John Shadegg to retire after finishing his current term, suggests one political analyst.

As far as congressional candidates go, David Schweikert, one of the Republicans running for the District 5 seat currently held by Democrat Harry Mitchell, is something of a rare bird: he enjoys fundraising.

“I love getting on the phone with people,” he says.