Ranked by HUMAN EVENTS Political Editor John Gizzi.
10. Rep. John Barrow (Ga.)
Former GOP Rep. Max Burns is in a heavily watched rematch with narrow ’04 winner Barrow.
9. Rep. John Spratt (S.C.)
After 24 years and some recent close shaves, Spratt could go down in the 5th District to well-financed conservative State Rep. Ralph Norman.
8. Sen. Maria Cantwell (Wash.)
Photo-finish winner of her first term in 2000, Cantwell is locked in a close race with Republican businessman Mike McGavick.
7. Rep. Alan Mollohan (W.Va.)
Twenty-four-year incumbent Mollohan, dogged by incessant bad publicity about his private financial dealings, could lose to Republican former state legislator Chris Wakim.
6. Sen. Debbie Stabenow (Mich.)
Second-narrowest winner of a 2000 Senate race, Stabenow could be hurt by anti-Democratic reaction to statehouse candidates and lose an upset to Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard.
5. Rep. Chet Edwards (Tex.)
The only Democrat who survived an ’04 challenge after the Republican-orchestrated redistricting, Edwards has a stronger foe this year in U.S. Marine Reserve Col. Van Taylor, an Iraq war veteran.
4. Rep. Leonard Boswell (Iowa)
Boswell, who moved into the Des Moines-area district after redistricting in ’02, faces a strong challenge from State Sen. Jeff Lamberti.
3. Rep. Jim Marshall (Ga.)
The redistricted 8th District has created a neck-and-neck contest between Marshall and former Republican Rep. Mac Collins.
2. Sen. Robert Menendez (N.J.)
Appointed by Democratic Gov. Jon Corzine to succeed him in the Senate, Menendez has had some embarrassing moments and now trails moderate State Sen. Tom Kean, Jr., in most polls.
1. Rep. Melissa Bean (Ill.)
Having barely unseated veteran Republican Rep. Phil Crane in 2004, Bean is under strong fire in her suburban Chicago district from investment banker David McSweeney.
