Old Photos That Current Candidates Might Not Want You to See

By Nathan L. Gonzales

Posted January 18, 2018 at 5:31pm

Since the internet has deemed Thursday the appropriate time to turn back the clock, I dug through Roll Call’s extensive photo archives for some old photos of current candidates who previously ran for another office. Not only is there a little more gray hair this time around, but it’s a good lesson in perseverance.

Texas Republican Van Taylor made an unsuccessful bid for Congress in 2006, but is favored to pick up the open 3rd District seat this year. — Texas Republican Van Taylor made an unsuccessful bid for the House in 2006, but is favored to pick up the open 3rd District seat this year. (Chris Maddaloni/Thomas McKinless/CQ Roll Call file photo)

Back in 2006, Texas Republican Van Taylor received national attention as an Iraq War veteran running for Congress as the war was becoming increasingly unpopular. He lost in the blue wave to Democratic Rep. Chet Edwards. But Taylor was subsequently elected to the state Legislature and is now the prohibitive favorite for Texas’ 3rd District seat, which is open because Republican incumbent Sam Johnson is not seeking re-election.

West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey is running for Senate this year, 17 years after his unsuccessful run for the House — from New Jersey. (Douglas Graham/Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call file photo)

As state attorney general, Patrick Morrisey is a top GOP challenger to Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin III in West Virginia. But back in 2000, he ran for the House in New Jersey’s 7th District, taking just 9 percent in the GOP primary. He’s hoping this year’s primary turns out differently.

Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett is running to succeed Gov. Mary Fallin, who defeated him in their race for the House in 2006. (Douglas Graham/CQ Roll Call file photo/Mick Cornett for Governor/Facebook) — Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett is running to succeed Gov. Mary Fallin, who defeated him in a House GOP primary in 2006. (Douglas Graham/CQ Roll Call file photo/Mick Cornett for Governor/Facebook)

Mick Cornett is one of the top Republican contenders to become the next governor of Oklahoma. But back in 2006, he ran in the 5th District election to replace GOP Rep. Ernest Istook. He lost the GOP primary runoff to Lt. Gov. Mary Fallin. Now he is running to replace Fallin, who is finishing her second term as governor after her stint in the House.

A Senate run in 2010 is among Danny Tarkanian’s several unsuccessful bids for higher office. But he’s hoping for better luck with his Senate run this year. — Tarkanian’s 2010 Senate run is among his many unsuccessful bids for higher office. But he’s hoping for better luck with his campaign for Nevada’s other Senate seat this year. (Douglas Graham/Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call file photo)

Nevada Republican Danny Tarkanian has run for a lot of things. Back in 2010, he ran for the U.S. Senate against Majority Leader Harry Reid. But he finished third in the Republican primary with 23 percent and winner Sharron Angle went on to lose the general election in spectacular fashion. Tarkanian is running for the Senate again this year, this time against incumbent Republican Dean Heller.

Watch: 3 Congressional Campaign Stories You Might Have Missed This Week

[jwp-video n=”1″]