Freshman Rep. Bill Keating (D-Mass.) is a political survivor. He squeaked out a victory in the 2010 primary for his seat, winning against ex-state Sen. Robert O'Leary by only 1,297 votes. And he won his seat in Congress with 47 percent of the vote after a brutal battle with a Republican and a few independent candidates. In redistricting, his 10th district was eliminated and replaced with a new 9th district that didn't include his home in Quincy. But Keating managed to land on his feet, changing his primary residence to a summer house on Cape Cod and entering the race with all the benefits of incumbency. On Wednesday, Keating caught a break. O'Leary won't run against him in the primary, giving Keating a clearer shot to another term. There are no serious GOP contenders for the district currently in the race, which Roll Call rates as Safe Democratic. (more…)
