About the author

Smart Politics is authored by Eric J. Ostermeier (Ph.D., University of Minnesota, Department of Political Science, 2006; J.D., The University of Michigan Law School, 1995), Research Associate at the Humphrey School's Center for the Study of Politics and Governance.

Dr. Ostermeier's research at Smart Politics has been featured in dozens of national and international publications and media outlets such as ABC News, Associated Press, The Atlantic, CBS News, Christian Science Monitor, Comedy Central, Congressional Quarterly, Daily Beast, Daily Caller, The Economist, FOX News, Governing, The Guardian, The Hill, Investor's Business Daily, Libération, MSNBC, Ms. Magazine, National Journal, National Public Radio, National Review, NBC News, New Republic, News Hour, Newsweek, New York Times, Political Wire, POLITICO, Pravda, Reuters, Slate, Time, UPI, USA Today, U.S. News & World Report, Washington Post, Washington Times, and the Wall Street Journal.

Dr. Ostermeier's reports at Smart Politics have become a staple for local news outlets across the country seeking original, data-based reporting and political analysis such as the Anchorage Daily News, Atlanta Journal Constitution, Austin American-Statesman, Bangor Daily News, Charleston Daily Mail, Charlotte News & Observer, Denver Post, Des Moines Register, Detroit Free Press, Detroit News, Houston Chronicle, Idaho Statesman, Indianapolis Star, Kansas City Star, Las Vegas Review Journal, Miami Herald, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Minneapolis Star Tribune, Minnesota Public Radio, New York Daily News, New York Magazine, New York Observer, Oregonian, Pittsburgh Post Gazette, Sacramento Bee, Seattle Times, Spokesman-Review, and Washington Examiner.

True to its non-partisan credo, Smart Politics' fact-based reporting has been cited in leading national news outlets and blogs from the left (Daily Kos, Huffington Post, Mother Jones, The Nation, Talking Points Memo), to the right (American Spectator, American Thinker, The Blaze, Frum Forum, Hannity, Hot Air, Neil Boortz, Rush Limbaugh, Town Hall), and in outlets promoting alternative parties (Ballot Access News, Independent Political Report, Reason, Third Party and Independent Daily).

Governor vs. Governor vs. Governor

May 16, 2012

The last election cycle saw five ex-governors attempt to win back their old jobs, with success stories in California (Jerry Brown), Iowa (Terry Branstad), and Oregon (John Kitzhaber). But in 1904, the State of Wisconsin saw three governors on the general election ballot: two-term Republican incumbent Robert La Follette, former two-term Democratic Governor William Peck (elected in 1890 and 1892), and former two-term Republican Governor Edward Scofield (elected in 1896 and 1898). La Follette - with Teddy Roosevelt at the top of the ticket winning the presidency - cruised to an 11.3-point victory over Peck with 50.5 percent of the vote. Scofield ran a distant fourth on the National Republican ticket with just 2.7 percent - also losing to Social Democrat William Arnold who received 5.5 percent, but beating Prohibition and Socialist Labor candidates.

A Vote for No One

May 9, 2012

More than 50,000 North Carolina residents who voted in the Tuesday's Republican presidential primary opted for 'no preference' on their ballot, or 5.2 percent. That marks the second highest percentage of those who have done so in the 40 years of the modern primary era, behind the 9.8 percent who indicated no preference during George H.W. Bush's rout over Pat Buchanan in the state twenty years ago in 1992. In 2008, 4.0 percent were likewise noncommittal, with 1.7 percent voting no preference in 2000, 3.8 percent in 1996, 1.0 percent in 1988, 2.7 percent in 1980, and 1.7 percent in 1976.

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Barrett vs. Walker II: A History of Wisconsin Gubernatorial Rematch Elections

Governor vs. Governor vs. Governor

A Vote for No One

SMART POLITICS ACROSS THE 50 STATES