Carr, Cuso Top Targets In 2010 Election

Both first-term senators vulnerable, polls show

MAVOCKE, ARA--It's only March of 2009, but already, political candidates and parties are gearing up for the 2010 mid-term elections.

Out of the 90 members of the House of Delegates, 32 will be up for reelection in 2010. Of those 32 seats, 19 are currently held by the Conservative Party, while 13 are held by the Nationalist Party.

Among the two most vulnerable and heavily-targeted senators are Mark Carr (N-KLN) and Debra Cuso (C-CAR). Both are serving their first term and both have weak approval ratings.

A recent poll conducted by Garmond Polling Services shows Mr. Carr holding a 53% approval rating. That's a drop from his 59% approval rating when he began his term in June 2008.

The poll also shows Senator Carr trails potential Conservative candidates in hypothetical match-ups. When matched against Congresswoman Kimberley Duncan-Roit, Carr trails 47%-53%. He also trails Congressman Samuel Tracy 42%-58% and against Drogen County Sheriff Mark Radowski, Carr trails 46%-54%, respectively.

These numbers show Senator Carr will be one of the Conservative Party's top targets in 2010.

"Senator Carr finds himself very vulnerable going into 2010, and the Conservatives have a long list of potential candidates," says Dr. John Underwood, professor of public policy at Kalnier State University in Bellock.

No Conservative candidates have declared their candidacy yet, however Duncan-Roit, Tracy, and Radowski are all reportedly considering a run.

On the flip side, the most vulnerable Conservative incumbent appears to be Sen. Debra Cuso, of Carova. The first-term 37-year-old holds relatively low approval ratings (52%), and has a much lower-profile than Carova's other senators Sam Byelle (CNS) and Julie Wynmyer (DR).

For now, there aren't many high-profile potential NAT candidates who may consider a run against the vulnerable Cuso, however state NAT officials are actively seeking a viable candidate. Among potential NAT candidates:

-Beth Mandley, Lichmond County district attorney
-Lisa Madrid, 5th district representative
-Becki Salmon, environmental activist
-Jim Daly, former banking executive
-Bob McGregor, former senator
-Dan McGregor, state represenative and son of Bob McGregor

No official polling has been done yet on this senate seat, but sources within the NAT Party believe Mandley would be the strongest candidate.

"Beth Mandley has the most support within the party, and she would clobber Debra Cuso [in the general election]," said a source, who asked not to be identified because the party prohibits conversations with the media.

While Ms. Mandley would be popular in the NAT Party, she would likely come under heavy fire from bitter Conservatives, who are angry because she did not file charges against Carova's Nationalist lieutenant governor, Carson Latzo, who was accused of driving drunk in September 2008. Conservatives alleged Mandley let Latzo off the hook because of political reasons. Mandley claims there was not sufficient evidence to seek prosecution.

Regardless of which candidate the NAT chooses, Senator Cuso is expected to face a tough reelection bid, should she run again. The senator's office refused to say if she will run for reelection, however Ms. Cuso's campaign has filed paperwork indicating she will seek a second term.