RSLC Congratulates Nominees As Largest Caucus of Republican State Leaders Prepares for November

ALEXANDRIA, VA – In a coast-to-coast primary day, voters went to the polls in 10 states to choose Republican nominees for a host of state leadership offices that will advocate for commonsense, conservative policies and could impact the make-up of Congress for the next decade.  As the largest caucus of Republican state leaders, the Republican State Leadership Committee (RSLC) congratulated hundreds of Republican nominees for attorney general, lieutenant governor, secretary of state and state legislator.

Yesterday’s primaries were particularly crucial for the upcoming redistricting battles that will take place after the 2010 census and reapportionment.  Out of the more than 6,000 state legislative races across the country in 2010, key races in Nevada, which is expected to gain one congressional seat, and Iowa, which could lose one seat, have the potential to make a huge difference in the next decade’s congressional boundaries.  In Nevada, Republicans need only to win two seats to control the Senate and in Iowa, Republicans will take the House with seven “flipped” seats.

“From California to Maine, to South Carolina, Republicans fielded exceptional candidates who are poised to lead as attorney general, lieutenant governor, secretary of state and will hold or capture dozens of legislative majorities across the country,” said RSLC President, Scott Ward.  “These state leaders will make the difference between lower taxes and less government or out-of-control spending and expanded government.”

As the nation moves closer to Election Day, Republicans at all levels continue to take advantage of a momentum push.  In recent weeks in the swing state of Pennsylvania, for example, Republicans marked the 56th and 57th state legislative special election victories since Barack Obama took office.  And a special election victory in California, yesterday, brought the total to 58.  In addition, the RSLC, which raises an average of more than $20 million per election cycle, has been buoyed by fundraising success and early commitments that keep the Committee on pace to have the much needed resources to make a positive difference in state races this fall.

The RSLC is the largest caucus of Republican state leaders and the only national organization whose mission is to elect down ballot, state-level Republican office-holders.  Since 2002, the RSLC has been working to elect candidates for the office of attorney general, lieutenant governor, secretary of state and state legislator.  The RSLC consistently raises and spends an average of more than $20 million, per two-year cycle, from more than 80,000 donors and from all 50 states.  In February, The RSLC announced the creation of the REDistricting MAjority Project (REDMAP), a program, headed by former U.S. Representative and NRCC Chairman Tom Reynolds, dedicated to winning state legislative seats that will have a critical impact on Congressional redistricting in 2011.