House races

The National Republican Congressional Committee announced its regional political staff going into the 2014 cycle on Monday.

A Massachusetts State Representative announced he will run for Rep. Edward Markey's (D-Mass.) seat, banking on the congressman's win in the special election to replace Secretary of State John Kerry (D).

Comedy Central host Stephen Colbert will fundraise for his sister's House campaign in late February, according to the Post and Courier in Charleston, S.C.

Colbert's sister, Elizabeth Colbert-Busch (D), is running to fill the seat of now-Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) in the House. The Charleston-based district leans Republican and has a number of GOP candidates in the race.

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Democratic campaign strategists believe Republican opposition to the gun control push led by President Obama will make the GOP vulnerable with voters in suburban districts — the very seats Democrats are focusing on in their bid to regain the House majority.

Democratic Illinois Reps. Danny Davis and Bobby Rush praised Cook County Administrator Robin Kelly (D)'s efforts to address gun violence.

Local Republicans have selected Missouri state Rep. Jason Smith (R) to run for the seat once held by former Rep. Jo Ann Emerson (R-Mo.), according to the Southeast Missourian, a decision that is tantamount to a victory for Smith in the heavily Republican district.

Former Cook County Administrator Robin Kelly (D) released an ad Thursday touting her position on gun control, an attempt to focus on an issue that seems to be hurting former Rep. Debbie Halvorson, one of her competitors for the Democratic nomination for Illinois' 2nd district.

The pro-gun-control super-PAC bankrolled by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg (I) extended its ad buy against former Rep. Debbie Halvorson (D-Ill.) for her support of gun rights, ultimately spending nearly $800,000 on attacks.
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 “I'm not sure I can support her because she's running as a Democrat," Colbert joked on his show.

The White House says the president will have an "aggressive schedule" of 14 events in 2013.