Scott Brown's Win Boosts GOP Enthusiasm, Recruiting Efforts Nationwide
Pence will meet with National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman John Cornyn today, Politico reports. Cornyn has been urging Pence to take on Democratic Sen. Evan Bayh this November, a match up that once would have been considered an extreme long shot for Republicans.
Pence has reportedly dismissed talk of the Senate run, but now Republicans are rethinking their chances all over the country.
"Virtually any state where you have a Democrat incumbent running for re-election, there is an opportunity again," Cornyn told the New York Times.
Republicans are stepping up recruiting efforts for potential challengers to Democratic Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York, Russ Feingold of Wisconsin, Patty Murray of Washington, Ron Wyden of Oregon and Barbara Milkulski of Maryland, Congressional Quarterly reports.
There is new momentum for House Republicans as well.
National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) Chairman Pete Sessions told the Hill newspaper potential GOP candidates are showing renewed interest in running this year.
"This is a huge selling point for Republicans to get in these races against Democrats," Sessions reportedly said Wednesday. "We have had continuously a large inquiry and, in fact, today a number of people are finalizing their decisions."
The GOP may even take on House seats in Massachusetts, currently all held by Democrats, Sessions said.
"Recruitment has not only gone well up until this point, but I think it will go on steroids, henceforth," Rep. Greg Walden (R-Ore.), vice-chairman of the NRCC, told the Hill.
Republican committees are also reaching out to donors with more vigor. On Wednesday, the NRCC held a tele-town hall with 100,000 people, Congressional Quarterly reports.
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