Resignation of embattled Ensign would set up political two-step for Nevada’s US Senate seat

Ensign resignation would set up Nevada scramble

Bill Clinton raises cash, and hopes, for Calif. gubernatorial candidate’s campaign

LOS ANGELES — With his campaign for governor off to a sluggish start, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom enlisted former President Bill Clinton on Monday to help him raise political funds and the visibility of his candidacy.

NYC’s Chinatown could get 1st Chinese rep on council as Asian-Americans see surge at the polls

NEW YORK — Chinatown is likely to get its first Chinese-American representative on the City Council, and a Taiwanese immigrant is headed for citywide office — a dramatic change for the nation’s largest city, which had no Asian-Americans in elected office just eight years ago.

American Samoa at a glance

Key facts on the territory of American Samoa:

Samoa, American Samoa at a glance

Key facts on the Independent State of Samoa and the U.S. territory of American Samoa:

Candidates make run for crucial 2.4M independents in New Jersey governor’s race

TRENTON, N.J. — After casting his vote for Democrat Jon Corzine four years ago, Daniel Wilson is backing the Republican challenger this time around, unhappy the New Jersey governor has not eased the high tax burden on state businesses and residents.

Former White House aide again drops out of the race for mayor of Md.’s capital city

ANNAPOLIS, Md. — A former White House aide has dropped out of the race to be mayor of Maryland’s capital city — again — and apparently it’s for keeps this time.

Ex-pro wrestling CEO running for US Senate in Connecticut: I didn’t always smack down my vote

HARTFORD, Conn. — Linda McMahon’s wrestling empire urged young adults to vote in 2008, but the former World Wrestling Entertainment CEO didn’t always follow suit.

Obama heads fundraiser for Republican-turned-Democrat whose fortunes tied to White House’s

PHILADELPHIA — President Barack Obama urged Pennsylvania voters on Tuesday to support the re-election bid of Sen. Arlen Specter in a personal appearance here for the Republican-turned-Democrat who represents an important test of the White House’s political apparatus.

Crist has the $$, but Meek leads with FB friends, Rubio dominates Twitter in Fla. Senate race

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Republican Senate candidate Marco Rubio was recently frustrated trying to get a cell phone signal on a rural stretch of Interstate 10, so he tweeted it.

Seattle’s mayor concedes primary, trails environmentalist and cell phone exec

SEATTLE — Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels conceded defeat Friday in his bid for a third term, failing to advance past the primary after getting battered for his bungling of December snowstorms that paralyzed the city.

End of primary challenge marks smoother sailing for NY Sen. Gillibrand in 2010 election

ALBANY, N.Y. —Kirsten Gillibrand didn’t have the pedigree of a Kennedy, Clinton or a Cuomo. She was not, her critics said, up to the challenge of winning a tough, New York brawl for the U.S. Senate seat Gov. David Paterson handed her.

Republicans from Iowa, New Hampshire defend coveted early places in presidential contests

SAN DIEGO — Republicans from Iowa and New Hampshire defended their coveted early spots in presidential nominating contests Friday, as national party leaders consider recommending a new pathway to the White House for the 2012 election.

Primary foes line up as potential challengers to senators in Pennsylvania, New York, Kentucky

WASHINGTON — When it comes to next year’s primaries, three senators probably are feeling a lot like Rodney Dangerfield: They can’t get any respect.

Honduras’ swift, bloodless coup was months in the making

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras — Soldiers ringed President Manuel Zelaya’s modest home, spilled into the cul-de-sac and swarmed the neighborhood, blocking what little traffic there was in a posh corner of the Honduran capital so early on a weekend morning.

Texas governor ready to raise campaign cash, Hutchison ready to raise a ruckus

AUSTIN, Texas — Gov. Rick Perry is ready to raise campaign cash, while Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison may finally be ready to raise a ruckus as the Republican heavyweights begin combat for the governor’s office next year.

From fundraising to Facebook, Obama’s methods are tested in governor’s races

MOUNT LAUREL, N.J. — President Barack Obama sent an e-mail endorsing Democratic gubernatorial candidate Creigh Deeds to hundreds of thousands of Obama supporters in Virginia last week, the latest indication that the lessons of Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign are playing out in key state races in 2009.

White congressman faces formidable black challenger in mostly black district in Tennessee

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Steve Cohen, a two-term white congressman from a mostly black House district, faces a bruising Democratic primary next year and race again will likely be at the center of the campaign.

Still reeling from 2008 loss, Clinton legacy takes another beating with McAuliffe’s defeat

NEW YORK — Terry McAuliffe’s crushing defeat in Virginia’s gubernatorial primary is the latest blow to former President Bill Clinton’s political legacy, still reeling from Hillary Rodham Clinton’s loss to Barack Obama in last year’s Democratic presidential contest.

Va. state senator, a bit rough around the edges, beats party star in Dem primary for governor

RICHMOND, Va. — For four years, Democratic state Sen. R. Creigh Deeds has coped with losing the closest statewide race in modern Virginia history to Republican Bob McDonnell.

Analysis: Centrist politics trumps ideological extremes in Virginia, New Jersey primaries

WASHINGTON — Quiet down, Rush and Newt. Zip your lips, Nancy and Harry. Centrist politics trumped ideological extremes.

State Sen. Creigh Deeds defeats Clinton confidante Terry McAuliffe in Va. primary for governor

RICHMOND, Va. — State Sen. R. Creigh Deeds dominated Virginia’s three-way Democratic primary for governor Tuesday, defeating a much better financed Clinton White House insider and a former legislative colleague.

Christie, Corzine win NJ governor’s race primaries, will face each other in November

TRENTON, N.J. — Moderate Christopher J. Christie walked to victory in the Republican gubernatorial primary Tuesday, fending off challenges from two more conservative rivals and setting up a long-anticipated November matchup with the unpopular incumbent Democrat.

Christie, Corzine win NJ primaries, will go head-to-head in November gov’s race

TRENTON, N.J. — Moderate Christopher J. Christie walked to victory in the Republican gubernatorial primary Tuesday, fending off challenges from two more conservative rivals and setting up a long-anticipated November matchup with the unpopular incumbent Democrat.