PLENTY OF CONGRESSIONAL RACES FOR TELECOM COMMUNITY TO FOLLOW

While Internet and telecom issues aren’t grabbing headlines in upcoming midterm elections Nov. 5, some influential members face significant challenges. With most Internet and telecom issues filtering through Commerce Committee, industry observers tend to focus on those races. Broadcast and Internet industry also follow Judiciary Committee because of its focus on intellectual property issues. Most members who focus on those issues are regarded as safe in elections, as the most noteworthy challenge to leadership in those committees was resolved when House Commerce Committee ranking Democrat Dingell (Mich.) defeated 4-term Rep. Rivers (D-Mich.) in primary of newly redrawn 15th Dist. (CD Aug 8 p7). Yet some members of both of those committees do face challenges that also could affect makeup of both chambers, either of which could change party control after election.

Sen. Cleland (D-Ga.) and Rep. Pickering (R-Miss.) are most prominent members on telecom issues to face reelection challenges. Both are members of their respective Commerce Committees and regularly appear at committee hearings on telecom and Internet issues. Both face current members of Congress in their reelection bids. Pickering is member of Telecom & Internet Subcommittee and Cleland of Communications Subcommittee.

Cleland introduced S-414 that would create “digital network technology program” in Commerce Dept.’s NTIA. Bill passed committee but hasn’t received floor vote. He also introduced bill that would protect students’ privacy while using public library Internet connections. Cleland faces reelection challenge from Rep. Chambliss (R-Ga.) in race that’s attracting national attention because of closely divided Senate. Recent polls, including those conducted by Republicans, showed Cleland in lead. He had 14% lead in Democratic poll and 2% lead in Republican poll.

Pickering, of 3rd Dist., faces Rep. Shows (D-Miss.), of 4th Dist., for reconfigured 3rd Dist in Miss. Pickering is former telecom aide to Senate Minority Leader Lott (R-Miss.), friend of Pickering family. Pickering’s father, Charles, was rejected by Senate Commerce Committee for appointment to 5th U.S. Appeals Court, New Orleans. Rejection led Lott to retaliate against Democrats by blocking nomination of Jonathan Adelstein, telecom aide to Senate Majority Leader Daschle (D-S.D.), to open Democratic seat on FCC. Center for Responsive Politics reported that Pickering was leading recipient of WorldCom campaign contributions. No polls were available for that race.

Rep. Shimkus (R-Ill.), Commerce Committee Member, also faces incumbent challenge. Shimkus introduced HR-3833 to create .kids domain name that passed House and is being considered in Senate. He faces challenge from Rep. Phelps (D-Ill.) for 19th Dist. seat in southeast Ill. Phelps currently represents 19th Dist., which was redrawn to include Shimkus. Latest polls were split -- a Democratic poll showed Phelps with 2% lead, while Republican poll had Shimkus leading by 13% (capturing 51% of those polled).

Senate Commerce Committee member Carnahan (D-Mo.) is in one of nation’s tightest races, as she battles former Rep. Jim Talent in special election for seat held by her husband, late Mel Carnahan. She was appointed to fill out his term 2 years ago. Although she is on Commerce Committee, Carnahan doesn’t often attend telecom and Internet-related hearings and industry insiders don’t usually place her in telecom inner circle of senators. However, she did introduce bill that would have banned virtual child pornography (S-2511). She is also member of Communications Subcommittee. Latest Republican poll shows Talent with 49%, vs. 41% for Carnahan. Democratic poll shows Carnahan with 5% lead.

Members of Senate High-Tech Task Force also face competitive races. Sen. Allard (R-Colo.) is in close race with Democratic challenger Tom Strickland. Denver Post poll showed Allard with 3% lead, down from 9% lead in July. Sen. Smith (R-Ore.), also a High-Tech Task Force member, has outspent Democratic challenger Bill Bradbury, the Ore. Secy. of State. Democratic polls have Smith with a 4% lead while Republican polls have Smith leading by 17%.

Some in telecom industry are watching battle of incumbents in S.D. Sen. Johnson (D-S.D.) is facing challenge from Rep. Thune (R-S.D.) in race watched by some in telecom industry. Though neither serves on Commerce or Judiciary Committee, Thune voted against Tauzin-Dingell bill (HR-1542) and both voted against 1996 Telecom Act.

In another race, Rep. Coble (R-N.C.) didn’t face Democratic challenger in race for 4th Dist., but 26-year-old realtor Tara Sue Grubb, Libertarian, is challenging him in campaign that focuses on Coble’s opposition to peer-to-peer file sharing. Grubb has gotten publicity for her campaign but experts say she isn’t viewed as serious challenger to 9- term Republican. Coble, member of the Judiciary Committee, will have to resign as chmn. of Courts, Internet & Intellectual Property Subcommittee as part of House Republicans’ “Contract with America,” which promised self- imposed 6-year term limits.

In other noteworthy races, House Judiciary member Gekas (R-Pa.) is in tight race with Rep. Holden (D-Pa.) for 17th Dist. seat (which Gekas holds.) Recent Democratic poll showed Holden with 10-point lead. Republican poll wasn’t available. Polls also show House Science Committee member Felix Grucci (R-N.Y.) is in close race with Democrat Timothy Bishop. Democrat polls show Bishop has narrowed 21% deficit to just 1%. House Commerce Committee will lose Rep. Ehrlich (R-Md.), who is running for Md. governor.