The Senatorial Class of 2008

With the Democrats now in control of the Senate (and the House of Representatives) for the next two years, some are looking ahead (including me) to what Senators are up for reelection in 2008. If the Democrats play their cards right, they could look to increase their majority in the upper chamber. Democrats will be defending 12 seats, while the Republicans will be looking to hold 21 seats.

On the Democratic side:

• Mark Pryor (AR)
• Joe Biden (DE) - who is contemplating a run for the Presidency.
• Richard Durbin (IL)
• Tom Harkin (IA)
• Mary Landrieu (LA) - this may be the toughest seat to hold (Katrina-related), but Landrieu shows up on my short list for a VP nominee.
• John Kerry (MA) - one hopes the man who botches jokes and nearly loses elections for others decides to stay in the Senate.
• Carl Levin (MI)
• Max Baucus (MT) - will the new blue wind in Montana hold for Baucus?
• Frank Lautenberg (NJ) - he was lured out of retirement to run, will he sign on for another term? I would anticipate Kean making another play for this seat, could he pull it out this time?
• Jack Reed (RI)
• Tim Johnson (SD) - a squeaker victory in 2002, can he hold on again?
• Jay Rockefeller (WV) - still the junior senator from West Virginia, who turns 70 next year and has served West Virginia for 22 years.

For the Republicans:

• Jeff Sessions (AL)
• Ted Stevens (AK) - can he seriously run again?
• Wayne Allard (CO)
• Saxby Chambliss (GA) - he beat Max Cleland in an ugly race in 2002.
• Larry Craig (ID) - safe Republican
• Pat Roberts (KS)
• Mitch McConnell (KY) - poised to become Minority Leader in the new Senate.
• Susan Collins (ME) - will she still be a Republican in 2008?
• Norm Coleman (MN) - can the Republican anomaly be corrected in the home of liberalism?
• Thad Cochran (MS)
• Chuck Hagel (NE) - considered a possible candidate for the presidency in 2008.
• John Sununu (NH)
• Pete Domenici (NM)
• Elizabeth Dole (NC)
• James Inhofe (OK)
• Gordon Smith (OR)
• Lindsay Graham (SC)
• Lamar Alexander (TN)
• John Cornyn (TX)
• John Warner (VA) - retirement rumors are gathering around Warner, who turns 80 in February.
• Mike Enzi (WY)

Watch this space for updates on this and other 2008 news.