Perry Reports Major Cash Haul After 2012 Debut

Texas Gov. Rick Perry raised more than $17 million in his first seven weeks running for president, his campaign announced today.

New Members Rush to Start Their Own PACs

More than 25 percent of House Members serving their first full term in Congress have already set up their own political action committees, making the term "leadership PAC" a bit of a misnomer.

Operatives: Abysmal Campaign Fundraising in Third Quarter

Only a few days after the third quarter ended, party operatives warned that the past three months will yield some of the worst Congressional fundraising totals in recent memory.

Cornyn, DeMint Playing Nice for 2012 Cycle

Sens. John Cornyn (Texas) and Jim DeMint (S.C.) have reached a detente, mutually agreeing to sideline the feud that engulfed the two Republicans throughout the 2010 election cycle in favor of cooperation in 2012.

Obama’s Allies Prepare to Again Battle for Virginia

If President Barack Obama is able to capture Virginia next fall, it will be thanks in part to the thousands of phone calls his ground troops have been making for the past six months to try to re-energize his 2008 supporters in this battleground state.

Costello’s Retirement Adds to Democratic Workload

Democratic Rep. Jerry Costello’s announcement today that he won’t seek a 13th term in Illinois next year leaves Democrats with yet another competitive House seat to defend in 2012.

• Jerry Costello to Retire in 2012
• Roll Call's 112th Congress Casualty List

Durant Posts Impressive Fundraising in Michigan Senate Race

Charter schools executive Clark Durant has raised more than $750,000 for his bid to challenge Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), eclipsing fundraising expectations set by his top GOP competitor, former Rep. Pete Hoekstra.

Christie Really Won’t Run After All

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) will announce at a 1 p.m. news conference in Trenton that he has decided not to run for president in 2012, multiple news outlets reported this morning.

West Virginia Election More Molehill Than Mountain

After two September special election losses, Democrats are looking for a slice of good news. But what smelled like Democratic victory in West Virginia just a week ago is now far from certain, and even a win in today's gubernatorial contest shouldn't provide much solace to Democrats nationwide.

Brunner’s Entry Stirs Up Competitive Missouri Race

Missouri businessman John Brunner (R) announced his bid Monday to take on Sen. Claire McCaskill (D), roiling the waters of a key race with national implications.

Shop Talk: Staff Grows as Delegates Cut

Mitt Romney's presidential campaign has bolstered his Florida campaign staff as the state shuffled the national primary schedule by moving the contest up into January.

Senate Math Not So Simple

The conventional wisdom is that odds favor Republicans winning control of the Senate next year. But an examination of the 2012 landscape at the end of the third quarter shows the chamber’s majority could go either way.

• American Crossroads Trains Focus on Flipping Senate in 2012

Brunner Enters Missouri Senate Race

Businessman John Brunner (R) announced his long-awaited bid for Senate in Missouri today by contrasting his business background with the political pedigree of his opponents.

Poll: Warren Competitive With Brown, Leads Democratic Pack

Elizabeth Warren pulls within 3 points of Sen. Scott Brown in a new poll of Massachusetts voters.

• Scott Brown, Massachusetts Democrats Battle to Define Senate Race

South Carolina GOP Moves Presidential Primary

South Carolina Republicans will hold the primary Jan. 21, the party announced.

• Nevada GOP to Hold Earlier Presidential Caucuses

CBC Grouses but Will Back Obama

Congressional Black Caucus members will passionately — and vocally — support President Barack Obama's jobs bill and re-election bid despite a recent public dust-up between the country's first black president and prominent African-American legislators, aides and Members insist.

FEC’s Institutional Memory Says Farewell

Bob Biersack, one of the most respected experts in campaign finance, retired Friday from the Federal Election Commission, ending a 30-year career in which he led the agency from the era of dot matrix printers to online databases.

Reps. Bachmann, Ron Paul Have Truancy Problems

Since announcing their respective presidential bids, GOP Reps. Michele Bachmann (Minn.) and Ron Paul (Texas) have had a truancy problem in the House, where they still represent about 600,000 people each.