Races to Watch: The Top Political Races to Watch

On the Hill - The CBC is launching a campaign to persuade President Obama to appoint Rep. Bobby Scott (D-VA) to the Supreme Court seat that will be vacated by Justice David Souter.

1 / 9

Races to Watch 2010 - Whose political prowess will win out in this November 2 midterm election? Which races matter to the Black community and could affect our representation in Washington? BET.com gives you a guide to the races to watch, and why.

Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-NY) for Re-Election - Although Rangel is facing 13 ethics charges in his upcoming November 15 public trial, the 20-term congressman easily won his constituents confidence in the primary elections. The results will most likely tell the same story. Michel Faulkner, a local NY pastor, is his Republican opposition.

2 / 9

Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-NY) for Re-Election - Although Rangel is facing 13 ethics charges in his upcoming November 15 public trial, the 20-term congressman easily won his constituents confidence in the primary elections. The results will most likely tell the same story. Michel Faulkner, a local NY pastor, is his Republican opposition.

Kendrick Meek for U.S. Senate - The four-term U.S. congressman from Florida is locked in a three-way race against Republican Marc Rubio and Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, who suddenly changed his party affiliation from GOP to independent. Meek has been campaigning hard these past months, enlisting such star power as Dwyane Wade, President Bill Clinton and even President Obama. With recent polls showing him in dead last, did enlisting these A-listers give him enough of a push?

3 / 9

Kendrick Meek for U.S. Senate - The four-term U.S. congressman from Florida is locked in a three-way race against Republican Marc Rubio and Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, who suddenly changed his party affiliation from GOP to independent. Meek has been campaigning hard these past months, enlisting such star power as Dwyane Wade, President Bill Clinton and even President Obama. With recent polls showing him in dead last, did enlisting these A-listers give him enough of a push?

Kamala Harris for California Attorney General - The San Francisco District Attorney has long been favored as a shoe-in for the California attorney generals office. Her political prowess and Obama-like rock star quality had people hailing her a change-maker, mover and shaker. But with recent polls showing her Republican opponent Steve Cooley holding a slim lead, the race is anyones guess, with 19 percent of her constituents still undecided.

4 / 9

Kamala Harris for California Attorney General - The San Francisco District Attorney has long been favored as a shoe-in for the California attorney generals office. Her political prowess and Obama-like rock star quality had people hailing her a change-maker, mover and shaker. But with recent polls showing her Republican opponent Steve Cooley holding a slim lead, the race is anyones guess, with 19 percent of her constituents still undecided.

Cedric Richmond for U.S. Congress - The Louisiana State Representative has been serving the 101st district (New Orleans) since 2000 when he was 27 years old. At the time of his election, he was the youngest legislator ever to serve in L.A. Richmond was also the first dem candidate in the 2010 election to have President Obama appear in a TV ad endorsing him, and that presidential push set the tone for his campaign. Richmond is facing Republican opponent Rep. Anh Joseph Cao.

5 / 9

Cedric Richmond for U.S. Congress - The Louisiana State Representative has been serving the 101st district (New Orleans) since 2000 when he was 27 years old. At the time of his election, he was the youngest legislator ever to serve in L.A. Richmond was also the first dem candidate in the 2010 election to have President Obama appear in a TV ad endorsing him, and that presidential push set the tone for his campaign. Richmond is facing Republican opponent Rep. Anh Joseph Cao.

ADVERTISEMENT
Ryan Frazier for U.S. Congress - Frazier, a Republican member of the Aurora, Colorado City Council, has been serving since 2003 when he was 26. He spent five years in the U.S. Navy, and strongly believes in fiscal conservatism and the repeal of Obamas controversial health care bill. His campaign for U.S. Congress has been well-funded. Frazier's reputation for being a skilled orator in combination with his support of small businesses and workers rights make folks see him as a shoe-in. He faces liberal Democrat Ed Perlmutter.

6 / 9

Ryan Frazier for U.S. Congress - Frazier, a Republican member of the Aurora, Colorado City Council, has been serving since 2003 when he was 26. He spent five years in the U.S. Navy, and strongly believes in fiscal conservatism and the repeal of Obamas controversial health care bill. His campaign for U.S. Congress has been well-funded. Frazier's reputation for being a skilled orator in combination with his support of small businesses and workers rights make folks see him as a shoe-in. He faces liberal Democrat Ed Perlmutter.

Allen West for U.S. Congress - The retired U.S. Army Lieutenant and Colonels impressive decorated military record and charisma are probably the reasons hes out-fundraised his opponent by over $2 million. West is running as a Republican candidate against incumbent Rep. Ron Klein for the second time. Despite his financial victory and Sara Palins endorsement, West has a tough race ahead of him. Klein is known as the most liberal member of the U.S. Congress.

7 / 9

Allen West for U.S. Congress - The retired U.S. Army Lieutenant and Colonels impressive decorated military record and charisma are probably the reasons hes out-fundraised his opponent by over $2 million. West is running as a Republican candidate against incumbent Rep. Ron Klein for the second time. Despite his financial victory and Sara Palins endorsement, West has a tough race ahead of him. Klein is known as the most liberal member of the U.S. Congress.

Karen Bass for U.S. Congress - The former Speaker of the California State Assembly represented the 47th district since she was first elected in 2004. Serving in many leadership positions, including Majority Floor Leader and Majority Whip, Bass is certainly qualified to become the U.S. congresswoman for the 33rd district. Bass also served as California co-chair of Obamas 08 presidential campaign. The race is hers to lose; shell be facing Republican opponent Republican Attorney James Andion.

8 / 9

Karen Bass for U.S. Congress - The former Speaker of the California State Assembly represented the 47th district since she was first elected in 2004. Serving in many leadership positions, including Majority Floor Leader and Majority Whip, Bass is certainly qualified to become the U.S. congresswoman for the 33rd district. Bass also served as California co-chair of Obamas 08 presidential campaign. The race is hers to lose; shell be facing Republican opponent Republican Attorney James Andion.

Rep. - Elect Tim Scott (R - SC) - Representative-Elect Tim Scott is a Republican who'll represent South Carolina's 1st congressional district. Scott is known as a "darling" of the tea party, and was the first Black Republican to be elected to South Carolina's House since Reconstruction. He'll also be the first Black Republican in Congress since J.C. Watts retired in 2003. He believes in reducing federal spending, repealing the recently passed health care plan, and fiscal conservatism.

9 / 9

Tim Scott for U.S. Congress - Tim Scott is the first Black Republican to be elected to South Carolinas House of Representatives since the 1800s, and has only been in the post since 08. The GOP is already predicting a place for him on the Republican national stage. He plans to federal spending, and a repeal of the recently passed health care plan. He faces opponent Dem Ben Frasier along with five other candidates. Scott would be the U.S.’s first Black Republican congressman since J.C. Watts retired in 2003.