The negative factor was a direct result of Amendment 23.  It wasn't collusion between Democrats and Republicans.  The budget had fully crashed and legislators, handed the mess that is Amendment 23, had to make it work.  There was no funding for Amendment 23 due to the economic downturn and it never should have been an Amendment to the Constitution in the first place.  Building in automatic increases into a budget as an Amendment to the State Constitution?  It's ridiculous public policy.  A good lawmaker would have known this and could have foreseen the problem this made.  It's reflective of poor decision making, like announcing your candidacy live via social media while driving.  Kennedy is way too partisan for this office and wouldn't be a good fit.    Brauchler's not great either, he's  self-promoter.  Really none of these people have very good resumes.