ShareThisWednesday, October 25, 2006
Democrats believe they are gaining strength in the Mountain West and see the region as a crucial area in the party's quest to regain majorities in Congress and win back the White House.
_ Utah
The most Republican state in six of the past eight presidential elections, one of the state's three congressmen is a Democrat, as is the mayor of Salt Lake City, Rocky Anderson, who recently responded to criticism of his anti-war stance by asserting that a patriot does not "show slavish, blind obedience and deference to a dishonest, warmongering, human-rights-violating president."
_ Nevada
Democrats control the state Assembly, Sen. Harry Reid is the Democratic leader in the U.S. Senate, and party officials plan to hold a 2008 presidential caucus here the week before the New Hampshire primary.
_ Arizona
The home of Barry Goldwater has elected Democratic governors in four of the past eight elections, including sitting Gov. Janet Napolitano, who is expected to win re-election. Democrats have a chance to pick up the congressional seat held by retiring Republican Rep. Jim Kolbe.
_ New Mexico
Democratic Gov. Bill Richardson is regarded as a strong favorite for re-election in November, and a potential presidential candidate in 2008. Democrats control both chambers in the state Legislature, and have a chance to defeat four-term Republican Rep. Heather Wilson. George W. Bush won by 5,988 votes in the 2004 presidential election. Al Gore won by 365 votes in 2000.
_ Colorado
Democrats took control of both houses of the state Legislature in 2004 for the first time in more than 40 years. Polls show Democrat Bill Ritter ahead of Republican Rep. Bob Beauprez in an open governor's race, and the Democrat is running even in the congressional seat outside of Denver being vacated by Beauprez.
_ Wyoming
Vice President Dick Cheney's home state has voted for Democratic governors in six of the past eight elections, including the current Gov. Dave Freudenthal, who is favored to win re-election in November. Polls show Democrats with a chance to unseat six-term Republican Rep. Barbara Cubin.
_ Montana
GOP Sen. Conrad Burns is among this year's most endangered incumbents. Democrats control the state Legislature and four of the five elected statewide offices, including the governorship. "I've got more guns than I need, and fewer than I want," said Democratic Gov. Brian Schweitzer. "You can be a Democrat that likes guns and God, too."
_ Idaho
Democrats have a shot at winning their first congressional race in 14 years.
Source: ESRI, TeleAtlas.
(E-mail Marc Sandalow at msandalow(at)sfchronicle.com.)
