With the recent results in Massachusetts, and before that New Jersey and Virginia, it’s becoming increasingly clear that a strong candidate that articulates Republican principles can win.  Some great candidates have emerged in the West, which should make for a very exciting election cycle. 

ARIZONA: Just before the Democrat fallout in Massachusetts, several notable Republican candidates began adding their names to the growing list of challengers to incumbent Democrat Gabby Giffords in Arizona’s 8^th Congressional District race. Giffords, elected in 2006, has cast her constituents aside, towing the Democrat party line rather than standing up for them. 

COLORADO: Democrat incumbent John Salazar in Colorado’s 3^rd Congressional District has repeatedly voted against the will of his district and in lock-step with Nancy Pelosi.  Salazar voting in favor of the Obama-Pelosi Health Care Experiment was the last straw for one Republican contender, who threw his name into the race the day following the vote.  This race promises to be exciting with several Republican candidates running at this time. 

WYOMING: With the term limits placed on Democrat Incumbent Governor Dave Freudenthal (note: Freudenthal may make an effort to have the state’s gubernatorial term limit thrown out in the courts), the gubernatorial race in Wyoming presents a strong opportunity for Republicans in 2010.  There is an impressive list of Republican prospects joining this important race. 

NORTH DAKOTA:  Democrat incumbent Congressman Earl Pomeroy has held North Dakota’s at-large Congressional District since Byron Dorgan ran for the US Senate in 1992.  The seat has been in Democrat hands for three decades, however, there is an expanding list of Republican challengers lining up to change that fact this year.

UTAH: Democrat Incumbent Jim Matheson represents Utah’s 2^nd Congressional District, first elected in 2000. In 2008, John McCain carried his district by 18 percentage points. This seat represents an excellent opportunity for a Republican victory in 2010.