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AORN Journal,  Oct, 2004  by Burke Beu

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Tuesday, Nov 2, is Election Day in the United States. In addition to the race for US President, candidates are running for all 435 seats in the US House of Representatives and 34 of the 100 seats in the US Senate. Newly elected members will take office as the 109th Congress in January 2005.

The Republican party currently controls the White House and, by narrow margins, both branches of Congress. Given the philosophical differences of the two major political parties, the election results will determine strategies and approaches used by organizations to lobby Congress and initiate grassroots activities in support of legislative priorities during the coming year.

AORN's Legislative Committee is considering several advocacy issues, such as medical liability and patient safety proposals, for possible action in 2005. Current legislative priorities include

* keeping the RN in the OR,

* protecting the RN scope of practice with regard to unlicensed assistive personnel,

* supporting activities to address the national nursing shortage, and

* seeking insurance reimbursement for certified RN first assistants.

Advocacy opportunities will depend on which party controls the decision-making processes. As voters, perioperative nurses can have a significant effect on outreach efforts next year by being informed citizens right now.

Of the 34 seats up for election in the Senate, Democratic incumbents hold 14; Republican incumbents hold 12 (Table 1). Eight states have open senatorial seats because the incumbent has either retired or decided not to run. Incumbent candidates usually have an advantage because their positions generate publicity and name recognition. Additionally, their routine contact with interest groups in Washington, DC, makes campaign fundraising easier and, often, more lucrative.

Sixteen states will not have a senatorial race in 2004. These are

* Maine,

* Massachusetts,

* Michigan,

* Minnesota,

* Mississippi,

* Montana,

* Nebraska,

* New Jersey,

* New Mexico,

* Rhode Island,

* Tennessee,

* Texas,

* Virginia,

* West Virginia, and

* Wyoming.

If Sen John Kerry (D-Mass) is elected President, however, there may be a special election in 2005 to fill his seat.

At the state level, the following 11 states have gubernatorial elections in November:

* Delaware,

* Indiana,

* Missouri,

* Montana,

* New Hampshire,

* North Carolina,

* North Dakota,

* Utah,

* Vermont,

* Washington, and

* West Virginia.

Additionally, all 50 states have numerous races for their legislatures and local public offices.