Total Spectrum

The eye of the midterm elections has now passed. Open Secrets reported on November 3 that the total cost of federal candidate campaigns and federal political committees was expected to total $8.9 billion, and that the cost of state candidates, party committees, and ballot measure committees was expected to total an additional $7.8 billion.

Congressman Erik Paulsen joined Steven H. Gordon in writing about why the election results didn’t match Republican expectations – and the reaction in Washington – in today’s Heard on the Hill. Michael DiMaria, Total Spectrum’s Southwest Regional Director and Vice President of Business Development, provides an Arizona Election Recap.

Patrick Robertson writes about the list of items on Leader Schumer’s lame duck to-do list in Washington Whispers.

John McKechnie is Total Spectrum’s Senior Partner, with over 35 years of experience in the financial services sector. We asked John to bring us up to date on the credit card interchange bill sponsored by Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Senator Roger Marshall (R-KS) that pits the financial services industry against the retailers. Ramona Lessen continues our focus on financial services with her review of the November 15 hearing by the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee entitled, “A Strong Banking and Credit Union System for Main Street.”

We’ll be back on December 7 with our last This Week of 2022. We’ll review some of the highlights and maybe a few lowlights of this year and start to focus on the New Year and the next Congress.

This Week in Washington - November 16, 2022 The eye of the midterm elections has now passed. Congressman Erik Paulsen joined Steve Gordon in writing about why the election results didn’t match Republican expectations – and the reaction in Washington – in today’s Heard on the Hill. Michael DiMaria, Total Spectrum’s Southwest Regional...

Our special thanks to those who participated in this week’s fly-in put on by The Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry. Congressman Erik Paulsen and I enjoyed visiting with each of you who attended. The pandemic robbed members of Congress from interacting with Americans… and the pandemic robbed Americans from interacting with members of Congress and their staff members. Thankfully, that’s all in the rearview mirror.

Both the Senate and the House returned to Washington right after Labor Day, and both are scheduled to leave town by the end of September. Patrick Robertson has written an excellent summary of Congress’ legislative agenda – what’s possible in the next 10 days and what is going to get pushed off until the lame duck session. Patrick’s Washington Whispers articles are always good, and this week’s is exceptionally well done.

Ramona Lessen monitored the September 20th hearing of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, entitled “Tightening the Screws on Russia.”

While Patrick summarized the legislative agenda, the political agenda is also on the front burner, and the water is boiling. Republicans expect to take back the House of Representatives; the question is how many seats they will hold next January. The very conservative low is about 220, and the realistic high is around 230. Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy will present this Friday the House Republicans’ ‘Commitment to America’ in Pittsburgh, which they hope will help them achieve the biggest majority possible in the next Congress.

The Senate is way too close to call. The key states have been – and still are – Arizona, Georgia, North Carolina, Ohio, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. Republicans had momentum through the spring, but Democrats took some back over the summer. Republicans now sense a slight breeze at their back as inflation, interest rates, and the economy become more impactful. Senate Republicans are beginning to feel cautiously optimistic that they could hold a one or two seat majority next January.

Today’s Total Spectrum Spotlight interview is with Nathan Gonzales, the Editor and Publisher of Inside Elections, which provides nonpartisan analysis of Senate, House, and gubernatorial, and presidential elections. Nathan provides important context and fascinating observations on November’s elections.

Congressman Erik Paulsen has planned a number of really important interviews for our Total Spectrum Spotlight series. The next interview should be distributed next week, and as always, we welcome your thoughts and comments.

This Week in Washington - September 21, 2022 Both the Senate and the House returned to Washington right after Labor Day, and both are scheduled to leave town by the end of September. Patrick Robertson has written an excellent summary of Congress’ legislative agenda – what’s possible in the next 10 days and what is going to get pushed off...

We are pleased to bring you a Total Spectrum Spotlight interview with Lisa B. Nelson, the Chief Executive Officer of ALEC, the American Legislative Exchange Council. ALEC is the largest non-partisan membership organization for state legislators and private sector representatives. Lisa is introduced by Arizona’s Senate President Karen Fann, ALEC’s current Chairperson.

ALEC’S 49th annual meeting will be in Atlanta on July 27, 28, and 29.

Congressman Erik Paulsen was Majority Leader of the Minnesota House of Representatives before being elected to Congress. He interviewed Lisa last week as she and her team prepare for their upcoming meeting.

Steven H. Gordon has known Lisa for many years in her past roles as a political strategist and as a corporate executive, and now as the CEO of ALEC. Both Lisa and Senator Fann are sending the clear message that Americans want solutions, and they are looking to the states for answers.

It’s absolutely true that what happens in state legislatures really matters. We are sure you will find Congressman Paulsen’s short interview with Lisa Nelson most informative and important.
https://bit.ly/LisaBNelson

Spotlight Episode 21 Lisa Nelson - American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) We are pleased to bring you today a Total Spectrum Spotlight interview with Lisa Nelson, the President of ALEC – the American Legislative Exchange Council. A...