How the health law's second enrollment season could impact the outcome of key Senate races

Politico reports that two closely watched Senate contests -- that of Georgia and Louisiana -- could be decided by runoff elections that would take place in December. Healthcare.gov glitches could color voters' choices. News outlets also report on how Obamacare could play a role in election outcomes in states such as Colorado and Minnesota.

Politico Pro: Dems' Runoff Nightmare: More Obamacare Glitches
The second sign-up season for health care exchanges begins November 15 -; a post-election launch that was supposed to insulate Democrats from the politics of another website meltdown. But it's almost certain that the Senate race in Louisiana will require a runoff in December, and a January runoff is also possible in Georgia. That means residents of the two states will be checking into HealthCare.gov at the exact moment they're considering their vote -; and possibly which party will control the Senate (Cheney and Wheaton, 10/19).

Politico: Health Cancellations Ripple In Colorado
More than 22,000 Coloradans were informed in the past month that their health coverage will be canceled at the end of the year, state insurance authorities disclosed this week, a spike in cancellations already roiling the state's fierce campaigns for the Senate and governor's seat. Republican Rep. Cory Gardner, who's running to unseat Democratic Sen. Mark Udall, pounced on the news as evidence that Obamacare is disrupting coverage for Coloradans ... It's unclear, though, if Obamacare is the reason for the latest wave of canceled plans. The cancellations are nearly all the result of a decision by Humana (Cheney, 10/17).

Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Obamacare At Center Of Race For Georgia's Insurance Chief
Some may recognize Ralph Hudgens as Georgia's insurance commissioner, charged with the task of regulating the claims industry and protecting consumers from insurance fraud. Nationally, however, the 71-year-old is better known as the Republican who promised his department would do "everything in our power to be an obstructionist" against the Affordable Care Act. Hudgens has softened his tone from a year ago, saying he was throwing the conservative crowd "some red meat." Nonetheless, the controversial health care law known as Obamacare remains the core issue in his re-election race against Democrat Elizabeth "Liz" Johnson and Libertarian Ted Met (Fouriezos, 10/19).

Minneapolis Star-Tribune: Personal Questions And Fresh Topics Enliven Latest Dayton, Johnson Debate
Gov. Mark Dayton and Republican challenger Jeff Johnson continued hammering at each other on a broad range of topics Sunday, staking out divergent positions on issues including MNsure rate hikes, the role of state government, and a proposed copper-nickel mine in the Iron Range. (Lopez, 10/19).