Nathan’s (Mostly) Political One-Liners: Barn Jackets, HGTV and Close Shots
What’s running through my head on Thursday, April 5

My inclination is to write 4,000 words about everything, so I’m trying something new here by limiting myself to one line of opinion or analysis per race or existential thought. Here goes:
Arizona’s 8th District
With EMILY’s List endorsing Democrat Hiral Tipirneni and the Republican National Committee, National Republican Congressional Committee and Congressional Leadership Fund spending money to boost former state Sen. Debbie Lesko for the April 24 special election, I’m glad we moved the special election out of Solid Republican back in February.
Connecticut’s 5th District
The initial story is never the whole story, as evidenced by reports that retiring Democratic Rep. Elizabeth Estyused a personal email account in dealing with her allegedly abusive chief of staff.
Getting Older
Younger me collided with middle-aged me when MxPx frontman Mike Herrera and his wife appeared on the series finale for HGTV’s “Fixer Upper.”
Indiana’s 2nd District
Democrat Mel Hall’s new ad, “Difference,” caught my attention because he’s wearing a barn jacket, touts same-sex benefits, and the ad is a minute long (rather than the traditional 30-second spot).
Kentucky’s 6th District
I’m not sure why it was necessary for Democrat Amy McGrath’s son to run around with his pants down in her new ad “Toughest Mission,” particularly when I’m not sure any of my four kids have had their pediatrician give them a shot in their bottom.
Michigan’s 8th District
After Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr.’s endorsement of Elissa Slotkin (and former Gov. Phil Bredesen’s Senate bid in Tennessee), I’m starting to think it will be faster and easier to compile list of Democrats he hasn’t endorsed this cycle.
Nebraska Senate
The state AFL-CIO declined to endorse a candidate in the U.S. Senate race where Lincoln City Council Member Jane Raybould is challenging incumbent Republican Deb Fischer, which would seem to be a problem for a Democratic candidate.
Productivity
I feel like I had a more-productive-than-usual morning and figured out it was because I hadn’t checked Twitter.
Senate
With all the talk about 2018 being another Year of the Woman, the number of women in the Senate could actually drop in the next Congress for the first time since the 1970s, according to my Inside Elections colleague Leah Askarinam.
Watch: Democrats Have At Least 20 House Takeover Opportunities in These 4 States
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