Republican Sen. Richard Shelby appears to have discovered the secret to avoiding competitive re-election contests: amass a campaign war chest so intimidating that no credible Democrat would be foolish enough to challenge him. As of December 31 of last year, Shelby had $13.4 million in his campaign account, amounting to 13.4 million reasons for Democrats to take a pass on this race.
That Alabama is a red state is further disincentive for Democrats to challenge Shelby. While Democrats control the state legislature, Republicans have the governorship, both U.S. Senate seats and three of five House seats. Former President Bush carried Alabama in 2000 and 2004 with 56 percent and 62 percent, respectively. GOP presidential nominee John McCain took 60 percent last year, and GOP Sen. Jeff Sessions was re-elected with 63 percent.
If the hill wasn’t already steep enough for Democrats, the Governor’s office will be open in 2010, and any Democrat with statewide ambitions is looking at that race.
Shelby was elected to the U.S. House in 1978 as a Democrat and in 1986 defeated GOP incumbent Sen. Jeremiah
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