While the Democrats’ ’06 & ’08 classes – most of whom were elected in swing seats that voted for either George W. Bush in 2004 or John McCain in 2008 or both — will likely be decimated tonight, what makes this election more of a tsunami is the endangered Old Bulls. Remember, in 2006 networks weren’t calling the House flipping till much later — closer to 11pm. Rick Boucher, who has served Virginia’s Ninth Congressional District for 27 years, lost his reelection bid tonight. As did House Budget Chairman John Spratt, a South Carolina Democrat and Stanford Bishop who has represented Georgia’s Second District for 17 years. Though, Financial Services Committee Chairman Barney Frank of Massachusetts, who loaned his campaign $200,000 in the final weeks, is projected to win 61% of the vote with 64% of precincts reporting.
Threee other Democratic chairmen – who as a group have spent an average of 27 years in the House – are fighting for their lives tonight: Transportation Committee Chairman Jim Oberstar of Minnesota; Natural Resources Committee Chairman Nick Rahall of West Virginia; and Armed Services Committee Chairman Ike Skelton of Missouri. Other long-time Democratic incumbents who are vulnerable: Chet Edwards, who represents western Texas, including Crawford where George W. Bush has his ranch; and Rep. Solomon Ortiz who has represented Texas’s 27th District for 27 years.
Update:
Rahall won but Edwards has lost and Skelton and Spratt are down. And, amazingly, John Dingell, the longest serving member ever in the House, is behind in Michigan.
Update2:
Dingell seems to have pulled ahead. Skelton and Spratt have lost.