Tom Howell Jr.
Articles by Tom Howell Jr.
VP-elect Mike Pence: All is well in Trump transition
Mike Pence said Sen. Jeff Sessions will be confirmed as attorney general and President-elect Donald Trump is bringing "energy" and "leadership" to a busy round of meetings. Published November 20, 2016
Charles Schumer, New York senator: Dems will vet Sessions, other Trump picks ‘very, very carefully’
Charles E. Schumer vowed Sunday to scrutinize President-elect Donald Trump's Cabinet picks "very, very carefully" during the confirmation process. Published November 20, 2016
VP-elect Mike Pence brushes off ‘Hamilton’ flap
Mike Pence on Sunday said he "wasn't offended" after the Broadway cast of "Hamilton" decided to address him directly from the stage. Published November 20, 2016
Pat Toomey wins reelection in Pa. after nervous race
Republican Sen. Pat Toomey won reelection Tuesday after months of heartburn over his button-lipped stance on Donald Trump, allowing Senate Republicans to hold their chamber majority. Published November 9, 2016
Republicans retain control of Senate with Pat Toomey win in Pennsylvania
After months of fretting about a tough electoral map, Republicans kept control of the House and Senate as they successfully defended a number of vulnerable seats Tuesday night. Published November 9, 2016
Catherine Cortez Masto wins in Nevada, keeping Harry Reid’s Senate seat blue
Catherine Cortez Masto, a Democratic former attorney general for Nevada, bested GOP congressman Joe Heck in the battle to replace Sen. Harry Reid, killing off Republican hopes to flip the seat from red to blue on an otherwise successful night for Republicans clinging to their majority. Published November 9, 2016
Josh Gottheimer topples E. Scott Garrett, House Freedom Caucus member, in New Jersey
Democrats toppled longtime Republican congressman E. Scott Garrett in northern New Jersey on Tuesday by recruiting a strong challenger and crafting a narrative around the incumbent that sapped his financial support. Published November 9, 2016
Paul Ryan thanks hometown supporters on pivotal night for GOP
House Speaker Paul D. Ryan thanked his supporters for re-electing him to his Wisconsin seat and signaled that it would be a "really good night for America," as the GOP remained on track to keep control of the House and Senate, and as Donald Trump won key battleground states. Published November 8, 2016
John Faso defeats progressive champion Zephyr Teachout in N.Y.
Republican nominee John Faso, a lawyer and former New York assemblyman, defeated progressive champion Zephyr Teachout on Tuesday to keep a Hudson Valley seat in GOP hands. Published November 8, 2016
Michael Bennet holds his seat in Colorado
Democratic Sen. Michael Bennet retained his seat in Colorado late Tuesday even as his party appeared poised to lose its battle for the chamber. Published November 8, 2016
Ron Johnson wins in Wisconsin, closing off Dems’ route to outright Senate majority
Sen. Ron Johnson won re-election late Tuesday over Russ Feingold in Wisconsin, capping a remarkable come-from-behind win that closed off Democrats' chances of winning the chamber outright. Published November 8, 2016
Sen. Richard Burr overcomes stiff challenge in NC; Democrats Senate chances narrowing
Republican Sen. Richard Burr won reelection in North Carolina on Tuesday, fending off former state lawmaker Deborah Ross in a race that was tighter than anyone expected when the 2016 cycle kicked off. Published November 8, 2016
Tammy Duckworth win boosts Democrats as Senate hangs in balance; GOP retains House
Rep. Tammy Duckworth unseated incumbent Republican Sen. Mark Kirk in Illinois on Tuesday night, giving Democrats an early pickup as they seek to wrest control of the upper chamber from the GOP. Published November 8, 2016
John McCain wins sixth term in Arizona
Sen. John McCain added to his legacy by winning a sixth term in Arizona late Tuesday, holding off Democratic congresswoman Ann Kirkpatrick in the self-professed race of his life. Published November 8, 2016
Todd Young keeps Indiana Senate seat in GOP column, defeats Evan Bayh
Republican congressman Todd Young kept an open Senate seat in GOP hands Tuesday by defeating a promising Democratic recruit in Evan Bayh, a former senator who'd sought his old job after leaving Capitol Hill six years ago. Published November 8, 2016
Tammy Duckworth topples Sen. Mark Kirk in Illinois, in key Democratic pickup
Rep. Tammy Duckworth denied Republican Sen. Mark Kirk of Illinois a second full term late Tuesday, providing Democrats a crucial pickup in their bid to retake the Senate. Published November 8, 2016
Marco Rubio wins re-election in Florida Senate race
Republican Sen. Marco Rubio won a second term Tuesday by defeating Democratic congressman Patrick Murphy, capping a pivotal year in which the Floridian went from an establishment favorite for president to a late entrant into the race for his own Senate seat. Published November 8, 2016
Rob Portman, Ohio senator, wins re-election, avoids ‘Trump effect’ throughout campaign
Republican Sen. Rob Portman of Ohio won re-election Tuesday after pulling off a master class in distancing himself from GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump, while retaining support from Republicans and even bringing in labor unions that shirked his well-known Democratic opponent early in the campaign. Published November 8, 2016
Pat Toomey waits until evening to vote, prompting outcry from Democrats
Election Day started on a bitter note in Pennsylvania, as Democratic challenger Katie McGinty accused Republican Sen. Pat Toomey of opting to vote at the last minute so that most of his constituents wouldn't know if he finally decided to support GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump. Published November 8, 2016
Paul Ryan’s final warning to voters: Obamacare won’t be repealed if Clinton wins
Obamacare will not be repealed -- perhaps not ever -- if Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton wins the White House, House Speaker Paul D. Ryan warned Monday in a last-minute pitch to GOP voters. Published November 7, 2016
