Subject: POLITICO's Morning Score: Sasse wins big in Neb.; Ricketts pulls out tight victory in gov’s race - Mooney wins WV-02 GOP primary - Harper poll has Wolf at 50 in Pa. - American Energy Alliance ad hits Udall on Keystone - AFP goes after Kuster in NH-02
From: "Morning Score" <[email-masked]>
To: <[email-masked]>
Date: Wed, 14 May 2014 08:02:15 -0600

By Emily Schultheis (
mailto:[email-masked] 
[email-masked] ; Twitter: @emilyrs) and Jose DelReal (
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[email-masked] ; Twitter: @jdelreal)

With help from Elizabeth Titus, Tarini Parti and James Hohmann

The following newsletter is an abridged version of Campaign Pro&#39;s Morning Score. For an earlier morning read on exponentially more races - and for a more comprehensive aggregation of the day&#39;s most important campaign news - sign up for Campaign Pro today. (
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SASSE WINS BIG IN NEBRASKA; CONSERVATIVE GROUPS REJOICE: Midland University president Ben Sasse easily won the GOP primary in Nebraska Tuesday night, holding double-digit leads over Omaha banker Sid Dinsdale and former state treasurer Shane Osborn. With 100 percent of precincts reporting, Sasse had 49.4 percent of the vote, followed by Dinsdale with 22.4 percent and Osborn with 21.1 percent. Conservative groups are billing the results as a victory for the tea party, but what it really is is a win for the idea that copious amounts of outside money can help influence a race. Campaign Pro's James Hohmann: "Seventeen groups spent a total of more than $3 million in the Cornhusker State Senate
 race, mostly for Sasse: $1.4 million to support him and a half-million to attack former state treasurer Shane Osborn. The Texas and North Carolina primaries so far have fueled an establishment-strikes-back narrative. Mitch McConnell will easily dispatch primary challenger Matt Bevin in Kentucky next Tuesday, and polls show so-called establishment favorites at the top of the pack in Georgia and Oregon. The only real opportunity for the big outside groups to defeat a sitting senator this year (in other words, get a scalp) is not until June 3 in Mississippi, where Sen. Thad Cochran faces a stiff challenge from state Sen. Chris McDaniel. This made getting a win in Nebraska so key, without
 which fundraising could start to dry up." 
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=7d9fa8384f503a32a2e541961064a90107e0124f7f184c9e073eebeaa0442be5 
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OTHER NOTABLE RESULTS:

-Nebraska GOP gubernatorial primary: Pete Ricketts pulled out a tight victory over second-place finisher Jon Bruning. With 100 percent of precincts reporting, Ricketts had 26.5 percent of the vote to Bruning's 25.5 percent. Beau McCoy finished third with 20.9 percent followed by Mike Foley with 19.2 percent.

-WV-02 GOP primary: Former Maryland GOP chairman Alex Mooney won the seven-way GOP primary to replace GOP Rep. Shelley Moore Capito. With 98 percent of precincts reporting, Mooney had 36 percent of the vote while Ken Reed had 22.4 percent and Charlotte Lane had 17.9 percent.

-NE-02 GOP primary: GOP Rep. Lee Terry had a closer-than-expected margin over primary challenger Dan Frei. With 100 percent of precincts reporting, Terry had 52.8 percent of the vote and Frei had 47.2 percent.

SNEAK PEEK - HARPER PUTS WOLF AT 50 PERCENT IN PA.: Fresh polling just in from GOP robopolling outfit Harper Polling finds Pennsylvania businessman Tom Wolf not only maintaining, but expanding his lead in the hotly contested Democratic gubernatorial primary. (The poll was conducted Monday and Tuesday so full results won't be out until later today; Score got an early look at the toplines.) Wolf takes 50 percent in the poll, followed by state treasurer Rob McCord and Rep. Allyson Schwartz at 15 percent and former state environmental protection director Katie McGinty at 5 percent. 
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=7d9fa8384f503a32ebc6cc21b8c7dea4c480f992e7291c54f15d0b32e7849cbd 
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F&M POLL GAMES OUT TURNOUT SCENARIOS: Franklin & Marshall's poll of the Pennsylvania Democratic primary also finds Wolf leading, but Prof. G. Terry Madonna has some fun with some various turnout scenarios. F&M, unlike most public and academic pollsters, used voter files to identify registered Democrats in the state. Among that wide universe of all registered Democrats, Wolf leads Schwartz, 41-19. And among those with a history of voting in primaries, Wolf's advantage is similar, 43-16. But among self-reported likely voters, Schwartz closes slightly, trailing 43-26. 
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=7d9fa8384f503a32e0b88ec6e76a7d6f26cfc7658887261b84c6aac8919624df 
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As Americans for Prosperity hits Ann Kuster, Scott Walker endorses Doug Ducey for Arizona Gov. and Mark Udall takes heat on Keystone, here&#39;s POLITICO&#39;s Morning Score: your daily guide to the 2014 midterms.

DAYS UNTIL THE ELECTION: 174.

Good Wednesday morning and welcome to the abridged version of POLITICO Campaign Pro's Morning Score. As always, send your tips, thoughts, and suggestions to 
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AFP ATTACKS KUSTER IN NEW HAMPSHIRE: Campaign Pros had it first. Americans for Prosperity is launching a $650,000 television ad campaign against Democratic Rep. Ann Kuster today. "Obamacare is hurting us, yet Congresswoman Ann McLane Kuster defends Obamacare, promising 'patience is a virtue,'" a male narrator says. "This is Obamacare: insurance choices gone, access to nearly half the hospitals blocked, specialists excluded from coverage...Some now drive an hour to see a doctor. New Hampshire families need quality care. Tell Congresswoman Kuster: Obamacare isn't working, and our patience is gone." Watch: 
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=7d9fa8384f503a32ffb450a4dc3d3d86f458dd83b5cd987decd8a85979f5137b 
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ALSO FIRST IN SCORE - AFP THANKS GARDNER IN COLOARO: The group is also putting just over $100,000 into a 30-second spot thanking Republican Senate candidate Cory Gardner for the votes he's taken in the House. It will run over the next 10 days, with a digital component. "The simple truth: it's tough to meet ends meet," a narrator says. "That's why Colorado needs someone who looks out for our interests and stands up to Washington special interests. Congressman Cory Gardner supports building the Keystone Pipeline to create new, high-paying energy jobs. He's focused on spending less and spending smarter and voted to balance the budget. And Cory stood against Obamacare and for real health care
 reform. Thank Congressman Gardner for fighting for common sense solutions for Colorado." Watch: 
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=7d9fa8384f503a3250da464036267e32f8d6290810010fa8414d2ea06527d8fe 
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=7d9fa8384f503a3250da464036267e32f8d6290810010fa8414d2ea06527d8fe 

NEW THIS MORNING - AEA HITS UDALL ON KEYSTONE IN NEW ADS: While Gardner is boosted by AFP, the American Energy Alliance is going up with a new TV ad in Colorado targeting Democratic Sen. Mark Udall for his opposition to the Keystone XL pipeline. 'The simple truth: America needs jobs and the Keystone pipeline will create thousands of high-paying jobs,' the ad says. 'But Sen. Mark Udall is siding Washington lobbyists and special interests to kill it.' The ad buy is for $405,450 and will run until May 23rd in Denver and Colorado Springs. Watch: 
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=7d9fa8384f503a32c28528a7f3497af8d83835cf3fa2324b91f72e4f384379f6 
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=7d9fa8384f503a32c28528a7f3497af8d83835cf3fa2324b91f72e4f384379f6 

FIRST IN SCORE - DUCEY BOASTS WALKER SUPPORT: Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker is endorsing Doug Ducey in the crowded race for Arizona governor, Ducey&#39;s campaign told POLITICO. "Doug Ducey demonstrates the kind of conservative, common-sense leadership that our party needs in Arizona," Walker said in a statement provided by the Ducey campaign. 'He's not afraid of taking on tough challenges, and that's why I know he'd be a great governor." Nine Republicans are jostling to succeed the term-limited GOP Gov. Jan Brewer. Ducey has gone up on TV, but competitors&#39; internal polls reviewed by The Arizona Republic suggest he is 'near the back' of the pack (
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=7d9fa8384f503a32023ac6d7f6c8496e296a7c9b3aa069a10bc58a09b9618152 
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=7d9fa8384f503a32023ac6d7f6c8496e296a7c9b3aa069a10bc58a09b9618152 ). Walker also rallied for Pete Ricketts in the Nebraska gubernatorial race back in January (
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=7d9fa8384f503a328f4515a3eeed5d8ff62d33fa6212f2283c9c38b1482c327e 
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=7d9fa8384f503a328f4515a3eeed5d8ff62d33fa6212f2283c9c38b1482c327e ). The Arizona primary is Aug. 26.

LAST NIGHT - BILL CLINTON PRAISES BROWN IN MD. PRIMARY: Former President Bill Clinton had some high praise for Maryland Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown, who's running for governor in a crowded Democratic primary, at a fundraiser Tuesday night. "I know what is in his mind, I know what is in his heart, and I know what his abilities are," Clinton told a crowd of about 700 in Potomac, Md., per the Washington Post. Clinton also addressed the poor launch of Maryland's health exchanges, which have become an issue for Brown in the race: Clinton said candidates become stronger after making mistakes and that Brown should be praised for his efforts to fix the exchange. "Anthony, I have been in your brigade
 since the first time I met you," Clinton said of Brown, with whom the Clintons have been friends for more than a decade. The event reportedly brought in almost $1 million for Brown's campaign. Brown will face attorney general Doug Gansler and state Del. Heather Mizeur in the June 24 primary. 
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=7d9fa8384f503a3277c16886afdc13bda1b575a727328cbffa4d621e7096d745 
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POLL: KASICH LEADS FitzGERALD IN OHIO-A new Quinnipiac University poll out Wednesday morning finds Ohio GOP Gov. John Kasich leading Democrat Ed FitzGerald, 50 percent to 35 percent - a significantly wider edge than his 43-38 advantage back in February. Kasich's job-approval rating is a record-high 56 percent. It's just one poll, but of the Democratic opportunities in Big 10 country this fall (Ohio, Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania), this may be Republicans' safest seat among the group. 
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=7d9fa8384f503a3262960c439fd2380eb6302078207c4882b7b5a8449920b666 
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=7d9fa8384f503a3262960c439fd2380eb6302078207c4882b7b5a8449920b666 

QUICK HITS ACROSS THE MAP - Quick takes from races around the country:

-MI-Sen first look: Republican Terri Lynn Land's campaign will release a memo later today hitting Democratic Rep. Gary Peters over his opposition to Keystone and the support he's received from billionaire Tom Steyer: 
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=7d9fa8384f503a325910693b5f269790c45c0824009f2495cc8f0c4be7b1bca6 
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=7d9fa8384f503a325910693b5f269790c45c0824009f2495cc8f0c4be7b1bca6 

-AK-Sen: Democratic Sen. Mark Begich leads all of his GOP rivals, according to a new PPP poll; he leads Dan Sullivan, 42 percent to 37 percent; Mead Treadwell, 41 percent to 33 percent; and Joe Miller, 43 percent to 27 percent. Within the GOP primary race, Sullivan leads his rivals with 40 percent supporting him. Treadwell comes in second with 26 percent followed by Miller with 14 percent. 
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=7d9fa8384f503a32f05d750a7826db28efd3534a71ed1f8cde63043f29f47a6e 
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=7d9fa8384f503a32f05d750a7826db28efd3534a71ed1f8cde63043f29f47a6e 

-AR-Sen: An internal poll from GOP Rep. Tom Cotton's campaign, conducted by OnMessage Inc., finds him leading Democratic Sen. Mark Pryor by 2 points. 
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=7d9fa8384f503a329a8aded6a20288ad9705d6c3accb449818063d5f2af1c564 
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=7d9fa8384f503a329a8aded6a20288ad9705d6c3accb449818063d5f2af1c564 

-LA-Sen: Former New Orleans Mayor Moon Landrieu is featured in a new ad supporting (daughter) Sen. Mary Landrieu. The ad is part of a $200,000 buy running statewide. 
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=7d9fa8384f503a3209b2d55ddaa6d5dc5596d641fe574d3162fca966f11882cc 
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=7d9fa8384f503a323aaa5a368eadf71468f15b0658a4777beac9116552421078 

-NC-Sen: Democratic Sen. Kay Hagan leads newly-minted GOP nominee Thom Tillis, 38 percent to 36 percent, according to a new PPP poll. Libertarian Sean Haugh carried 11 percent support. 
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=7d9fa8384f503a3243eb1308d81cb550eae5d73ad7c5e3c45915394d3eb1b416 
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=7d9fa8384f503a3243eb1308d81cb550eae5d73ad7c5e3c45915394d3eb1b416 

CODA - QUOTE OF THE DAY: "Mr. Conyers is in terrific spirits." -Johnson, Conyers's campaign chairman, on the congressman's mood after getting booted from the ballot in his Aug. 5 primary 
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=7d9fa8384f503a32f9162901ac1d9113cd29f4e17f38728dcd927c9acf527c81 
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