2020: The GOP at a Crossroads

[Heisenberg]

Hey, listen. I like the idea of your timeline, but you kind of need an editor. For example, Fiorina won 42% against Feinstein. How would Faulconer not swamp her with like 65%+ of the vote?

Very interesting races so far. I see Arizona is trending Democratic in this timeline, and a Republicans, for once, did well in California. I agree, in a Fiorina-Falconer runoff, Falconer would easily win. Nearly all Democrats would certainly view him as the lesser of two evils. He's popular in his home city of San Diego, where he runs and rules as a moderate Republican, and even appears at LGBT pride events. Fiorina, who is way more conservative, would easily get crushed (especially after being chosen as Cruz's running mate). Also, how did McCarthy win? Did the R vs. R governor runoff drop Democratic turnout? Did Feinstein make a gaffe or have her popularity nosedive? I also wonder what will become of California's top-two system later on in this TL. Also, no way Putnam is not elected governor in Florida. I also think Bill Nelson retires for health reasons. But, it's not my timeline, and I guess some distance from reality is good. Great job, by the way!

[Heisenberg]

lol wut Senator Kevin McCarthy.

For the record I like the timeline, I just kind of had a brain hiccup over that pick.

I know, that made no sense, I can't see him running for a multitude of reasons. But it's not my timeline, he can write whatever he wants.

[Heisenberg]

Iowa
Governor- Terry Branstad Retiring

Republican Primary
 Chuck Grassley Acclaimed

Democratic Primary
Michael Fitzgerald 50%
Jeff Danielson 43%
Other 7%

General
Chuck Grassley 56%
Michael Fitzgerald 41%
Other 3%
R-Hold

Grassley will kind of be 85 at that point. His grandson, Pat, would be more likely.

I see Grassley finishing his term, then retiring from politics altogether. Kim Reynolds will probably succeed Branstad as governor. Maybe Pat Grassley goes for Lieutenant Governor?

[Heisenberg]

Tom Smith as the Republican nominee for Pennsylvania Governor? If it's this guy (from the 2012 Senate race), he's dead. Unless he lives until at least November 2018 in this timeline, you should change it to Jim Cawley (Corbett's LG) or someone. It wouldn't matter too much, since Republicans lost that race.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Smith_(Pennsylvania_politician)
Also, interesting that Tester survives, as does Sherrod Brown, who wins even as DeWine wins the governorship. Also, in Illinois and Colorado, wouldn't the incoming governors appoint their replacements, and not the old governors?

[Heisenberg]

Tom Smith as the Republican nominee for Pennsylvania Governor? If it's this guy (from the 2012 Senate race), he's dead. Unless he lives until at least November 2018 in this timeline, you should change it to Jim Cawley (Corbett's LG) or someone. It wouldn't matter too much, since Republicans lost that race.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Smith_(Pennsylvania_politician)
Also, interesting that Tester survives, as does Sherrod Brown, who wins even as DeWine wins the governorship. Also, in Illinois and Colorado, wouldn't the incoming governors appoint their replacements, and not the old governors?

I will fix those, it was my understanding that the outgoing Governor appointed the new Senator in that case, regardless I will leave the senators who were appointed as is, it wouldn't affect the senate standings either way. Thanks for the feedback.

I enjoy reading (and writing) timelines. I know that the two appointees basically cancel each other out, but why would Gardner and Durbin appoint people of the opposite party? Also, the special elections would be in 2019, not 2017.

[Heisenberg]

Nice. I love this timeline.