Difference between revisions of "2010 Midterm Elections"

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[[Image:Capital.jpg|thumb|right|400px|The United States Capitol in Washington, D. C.]] In the '''2010 Midterm Elections,''' the nation will elect the 112th Congress, including all members of the House and one third of the Senate, together with a majority of governorships and many state and local offices.
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[[Image:Midterm-losses-1960-2010.png|right]] In the '''2010 Midterm Elections,''' the [[Republican Party]] gained 63 seats in the [[U.S. House of Representatives]] and six seats in the [[U.S. Senate]] from the [[Democratic Party]]. Republicans also gained six governorships, including [[Florida]], [[Pennsylvania]], [[Ohio]], and [[Michigan]].  Republicans gained 680 seats in state legislatures, the most in the modern era.<ref>[http://www.commentarymagazine.com/blogs/index.php/wehner/380851]</ref>
  
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After the [[Democratic Party]] successes in the 2006 off-year election (when they recaptured Congress), augmented by more gains in the [[United States Presidential Election, 2008|Presidential Election of 2008]], the question is whether the Democrats will hold their gains or slip back.  Since the Democrats have an advantage of 257-178 in the House, the GOP must gain 40 seats to recapture control. Since the Democrats control the Senate 60-40 (counting the two independents), the GOP needs to gain 11 seats in the Senate to retake control<ref>A 50-50 tie would be broken by the vice president in favor of the Democrats.</ref>; but even a one-seat gain would allow the GOP to filibuster obnoxious bills, for 60 votes are needed to break a filibuster.
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Republicans gained the most House seats since the [[1938 Midterm Elections]], giving Republicans their biggest House majority, and Democrats their smallest minority, since [[1946 Midterm Elections|1946]].  When [[blue dog]] [[Democrats]] are added to the [[Republicans]] on certain issues like [[gun control]] or [[marriage]], the [[Republican]] majority is even greater than in 1946.
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===Fund raising===
 
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Although Democratic fund raising is significantly lower than the 2007-2008 election cycle <ref>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/24/AR2009092404906.html?hpid=topnews</ref>, they have still gotten off to a faster start than Republicans in 2010. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee had $10.2 million in the bank at the end of July, 2009, with debts of $5.3 million. The National Republican Congressional Committee had just $4 million in cash and owed $2.75 million.
 
  
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The GOP has a financial lead in Senate races. The NRSC has raised $37.1 for the first 11 months of the year – a significant improvement from its fundraising performance at the same time last election cycle, while the DSCC has only raised $28.7 million. <ref>http://www.politico.com/blogs/scorecard/1209/NRSC_outraised_DSCC_in_November.html</ref>
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Democratic loses could be attributed to public rejection of the socialistic policies of the [[Obama administration]]. The public disapproved of [[President Obama]]'s economic policies. In the days leading up to the election, a majority of voters supported repealing/replacing [[Obamacare|The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act]], sixty-five percent of voters said that the [[economic stimulus package]] either hurt the economy or did no good,<ref>https://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20021591-503544.html</ref> and fifty-four percent of those voting said they were dissatisfied with the performance of [[Barack Obama]]. Given the high level of Democratic success in the 2006 and 2008 elections, they were also put in the position of having to defend a large number of seats.
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[[John Boehner]] (R-Ohio), become [[Speaker of the House]] in the 112th Congress, exchanging places with [[Nancy Pelosi]] (D-California). By tradition Pelosi would be expected to resign her leadership position after such a stunning repudiation by the electorate, but as a self-centered [[liberal]] she insisted on becoming the next Minority Leader.
  
 
===2009 elections===
 
===2009 elections===
 
In the Nov. 3, 2009, off-year elections, defeat was the fate of Democrats in [[New York City]], [[New Jersey]] and [[Virginia]]. Mayor [[Michael Bloomberg]], an independent, spent his way to a third term in New York City while Republican [[Bob McDonnell]] won in a landslide for governor of Virginia; in New Jersey Republican [[Christopher Christie]] ousted the incumbent Democrat [[Jon Corzine]] despite his millions and Obama's campaigning.
 
In the Nov. 3, 2009, off-year elections, defeat was the fate of Democrats in [[New York City]], [[New Jersey]] and [[Virginia]]. Mayor [[Michael Bloomberg]], an independent, spent his way to a third term in New York City while Republican [[Bob McDonnell]] won in a landslide for governor of Virginia; in New Jersey Republican [[Christopher Christie]] ousted the incumbent Democrat [[Jon Corzine]] despite his millions and Obama's campaigning.
  
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Conservatives scored a major internal party victory in Oct. 2009 by forcing the Republican candidate [[Dede Scozzafava]] out of a House race in New York's 23rd district, for being too liberal. The Conservative Party candidate was defeated by the Democrat, however, opening up recriminations between GOP officials and conservatives on why the district was lost for the first time in a century. Already, conservative activists have zeroed in on the 2010 race for Florida's open Senate seat, in which the Republican party Senate campaign committee has endorsed moderate Gov. [[Charlie Crist]] but the more conservative Marco Rubio is mounting a strong challenge. "If I were Charlie Crist in Florida, what's happening in New York 23 would make me extremely nervous," GOP strategist Todd Harris said. "A lot of the establishment Republicans underestimated the grass-roots anger across the country about spending and the expansion of the federal government. The anger is boiling over now, but a lot of the seeds of discontent were planted over the last five to six years."<ref>Karl Vick and Philip Rucker, [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/31/AR2009103102219.html "In a war within GOP, the right wins a battle," ''Washington Post'' Nov. 1, 2009]</ref>
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Conservatives scored a major internal party victory in Oct. 2009 by forcing the Republican candidate [[Dede Scozzafava]] out of a House race in New York's 23rd district, for being too liberal. The Conservative Party candidate was defeated by the Democrat, however, opening up recriminations between GOP officials and conservatives on why the district was lost for the first time since 1992. Conservative activists zeroed in on the 2010 race for Florida's open Senate seat, in which the Republican party Senate campaign committee endorsed moderate Gov. [[Charlie Crist]] but the more conservative [[Marco Rubio]] mounted a successful challenge. "If I were Charlie Crist in Florida, what's happening in New York 23 would make me extremely nervous," GOP strategist Todd Harris said. "A lot of the establishment Republicans underestimated the grass-roots anger across the country about spending and the expansion of the federal government. The anger is boiling over now, but a lot of the seeds of discontent were planted over the last five to six years."<ref>Karl Vick and Philip Rucker, [https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/31/AR2009103102219.html "In a war within GOP, the right wins a battle," ''Washington Post'' Nov. 1, 2009]</ref>
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[[File:Obamapoll.jpg‎|thumb|350px|Many Democrats were counting on riding Obama's coattails--but since the summer of 2009 those have become liabilities.  ''the little daily zig-zags are what is known as "sampling error"'']]
 
  
 
===Ad campaigns===
 
===Ad campaigns===
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[[File:Ramirez October 14 2010.jpg|thumb|350px|Cartoonist Michael Ramirez of ''Investor's Business Daily'' captures the tone of the 2010 Midterm elections.]]
 
In late 2009 national money was being poured into nine districts, where Democrats who voted for their party's health care reform may be in trouble. The [[U.S. Chamber of Commerce]], representing business, has spent at least $1.6 million in November.  Liberals shoot back against the Chamber and 60 Plus Association with ads targeting 12 Democrats and one Republican who supported health reform. Three liberal groups, [[Americans United for Change]] and the labor unions [[AFSCME]] and [[SEIU]] are teaming up for $1.75 million worth of counter-messaging on broadcast and cable TV in the districts of Reps. Berry, Cao, Connolly, Donnelly, Ellsworth, Hill, Hodes, Michaud, Murphy, Perriello, Pomeroy, Snyder and Titus.
 
In late 2009 national money was being poured into nine districts, where Democrats who voted for their party's health care reform may be in trouble. The [[U.S. Chamber of Commerce]], representing business, has spent at least $1.6 million in November.  Liberals shoot back against the Chamber and 60 Plus Association with ads targeting 12 Democrats and one Republican who supported health reform. Three liberal groups, [[Americans United for Change]] and the labor unions [[AFSCME]] and [[SEIU]] are teaming up for $1.75 million worth of counter-messaging on broadcast and cable TV in the districts of Reps. Berry, Cao, Connolly, Donnelly, Ellsworth, Hill, Hodes, Michaud, Murphy, Perriello, Pomeroy, Snyder and Titus.
  
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==Forecasts==
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In mid-October the [[Democratic National Committee]], echoing charges debunked<ref>[http://patdollard.com/2010/10/new-york-times-obama-and-team-are-lying-about-chamber-of-commerce-and-foreign-money/]</ref> by the ''[[New York Times]],'' insinuated that the U.S. Chamber of Commerce was using "foreign money" to fund ads criticizing Democrats. The president said in a Maryland stump speech, "we learned that one of the largest groups paying for these ads regularly takes in money from foreign corporations. So groups that receive foreign money are spending huge sums to influence American elections, and they won't tell you where the money for their ads comes from…. This is a threat to our democracy."<ref>[https://x.com/AmericanDevout/status/1820574910550536340 What Democrats really mean by "Our Democracy"]</ref>
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In recent years, as the chart shows, the incumbent party loses an average of 16 House seats.  The GOP needs 40 seats to win back the House. [[File:Midterm.jpg|thumb|390px]]
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The president himself has received $543,219 from Swiss banking giant UBS AG,<ref>https://www.opensecrets.org/pres08/contrib.php?cycle=2008&cid=N00009638</ref> a foreign banking corporation which was later fined a record $780 million for its part in helping the rich evade U.S. income taxes.<ref>https://abcnews.go.com/Business/story?id=6910350&page=1</ref> Columnist Ruben Navarrette warned the pitfalls of playing the "foreign card" is
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{{Cquote|both offensive and dangerous. It exploits people's fears of the unknown and appeals to the [[prejudice]] that many of us feel toward those who are different. It also fuels ugly nativist instincts that -- once unleashed -- can do real damage....Democrats know this better than anyone ... The [[Barack Obama birthplace controversy|birther]] movement, which suggests that Obama was actually born in Kenya and thus not eligible to serve as a president, is all about playing the foreign card...<ref>[http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2010/10/20/playing_the_foreign_card_107647.html]</ref>}}
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Commentator [[Charles Krauthammer]] called the unfounded attacks on the Chamber of Commerce a baseless [[McCarthyism|McCarthyite]] smear,<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZm0qZnk5N0&feature=related</ref> while columinst Jacob Sullum wrote,
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{{Cquote|[[Obama]]'s attempt to discredit his opponents by linking them to sinister outsiders reminds us that neither major party has a monopoly on [[xenophobia]]. To some extent, crying "foreigner" reflects the president's desperation in the face of the [[Democrat]]s' looming midterm losses.<ref>''[http://reason.com/archives/2010/10/13/logical-farce Logical Farce: Obama's wild attacks on "foreign money" reek of desperation,]''
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Jacob Sullum, [[Reason.com]], October 13, 2010.</ref>}}
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==Pre-election Forecasts==
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In recent years, as the chart shows, the incumbent party loses an average of 16 House seats.  The GOP needed 39 seats to win back the House. [[File:Midterm.jpg|thumb|390px]]
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Democrats had to defend about 60 marginal House seats in 2010, as opposed to about 40 for Republicans. At high risk were 27 Democratic seats and just 13 Republican seats that may see a party switch.
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Election forecasters in September 2009 were revising their predictions downward for the Democrats, as Obama's popularity continues to plunge. From April to August, Obama lost 10 points across the board—suffering losses in every group except blacks, who remain loyal to him.<ref>For details see [http://pewresearch.org/assets/pdf/1333.pdf Pew Report, Sept. 2009]</ref> The popularity of Congress remains low. Starting in January 2010 the number of Americans who identify themselves as Democrats was at a seven-year low.<ref>[http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/mood_of_america/partisan_trends]</ref> The Republican party, however, suffers from a lack of leaders and its own poor reputation in voter esteem.
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"No question, August proved cathartic for voters and chaotic for congressional Democrats. But way before the town hall meetings during recess, there were ample signs for Democrats to fear for their careers in 2010," concluded Cook Political Report House analyst David Wasserman, who predicts the Democrats will lose 20 seats in the House, but retain control.<ref>See [https://www.politico.com/blogs/scorecard/0909/Cook_Political_Report_A_dangerous_slide_for_Democrats.html Politico, "Cook Political Report: ‘A dangerous slide’ for Democrats" Sept 3, 2009 online]</ref>  Wasserman concludes that a major shift has been underway among "angry white seniors" (over age 60), who strongly dislike the Obama health care proposals because they fear they will lose benefits they now have.
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Analyst Stuart Rothenberg reported that, "Growing public concern about spending, taxes and the size of government has started to shift the national landscape away from the Democrats to a more neutral position, and quite possibly toward the GOP."<ref>Stuart Rothenberg, "All Signs Point to Another Top-Notch Election Cycle in 2010," ''Roll Call'' Sept. 8, 2009</ref> Furthermore, an advantage for Republicans was that 48 House Democrats, 8 more than the size of their majority, come from districts that voted for both George W. Bush and John McCain.<ref>http://www.nationaljournal.com/njmagazine/cookreport.php</ref>
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Columnist Rich Galen observed,
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{{cquote|He railroaded his signature legislation - Obamacare - through the Congress costing his party 60+ seats in the 2010 mid-term election and guaranteeing GOP control of the House for the foreseeable future. Chief of Staff [[Rahm Emanuel]] and Speaker of the House [[Nancy Pelosi]] will go down in history as enablers of the sacrifice of Obama's Congressional allies on the alter of his enormous ego.<ref>http://www.mullings.com/11-02-12.htm</ref>}}
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==House Races==
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Republicans won twelve House seats from retiring Democrats and defeated 52 Democratic incumbents. Democrats won one Republican-held open seat and defeated two Republican incumbents.
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===Defeated Incumbents===
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*Rep. [[Bobby Bright]] (D-Alabama) by [[Martha Roby]]
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*Rep. [[Ann Kirkpatrick]] (D-Arizona) by [[Paul Gosar]]
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*Rep. [[Harry Mitchell]] (D-Arizona) by [[David Schweikert]]
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*Rep. [[John Salazar]] (D-Colorado) by [[Scott Tipton]]
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*Rep. [[Betsy Markey]] (D-Colorado) by [[Cory Gardner]]
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*Rep. [[Allen Boyd]] (D-Florida) by [[Steve Southerland]]
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*Rep. [[Alan Grayson]] (D-Florida) by [[Dan Webster]]
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*Rep. [[Ron Klein]] (D-Florida) by [[Allen West]]
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*Rep. [[Suzanne Kosmas]] (D-Florida) by [[Sandy Adams]]
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*Rep. [[Jim Marshall]] (D-Georgia) by [[Austin Scott]]
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*Rep. [[Charles Djou]] (R-Hawaii) by [[Colleen Hanabusa]]
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*Rep. [[Walt Minnick]] (D-Idaho) by [[Raul Labrador]]
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*Rep. [[Melissa Bean]] (D-Illinois) by [[Joe Walsh]]
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*Rep. [[Debbie Halvorson]] (D-Illinois) by [[Adam Kinzinger]]  
  
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*Rep. [[Bill Foster]] (D-Illinois) by [[Randy Hultgren]]
  
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Democrats must defend about 60 marginal House seats in 2010, as opposed to about 40 for Republicans. At high risk are 27 Democratic seats and just 13 Republican seats that may see a party switch.
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*Rep. [[Phil Hare]] (D-Illinois) by [[Bobby Schilling]]
  
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Election forecasters in September 2009 were revising their predictions downward for the Democrats, as Obama's popularity continues to plunge. From April to August, Obama lost 10 points across the board--suffering losses in every group except blacks, who remain loyal to him.<ref> For details see [http://pewresearch.org/assets/pdf/1333.pdf Pew Report, Sept. 2009]</ref> The popularity of Congress remains low. Starting in January 2010 the number of Americans who identify themselves as Democrats was at a seven year low. <ref>http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/mood_of_america/partisan_trends</ref>The Republican party, however, suffers from a lack of leaders and its own poor reputation in voter esteem.
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*Rep. [[Baron Hill]] (D-Indiana) by [[Todd Young]]
  
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"No question, August proved cathartic for voters and chaotic for congressional Democrats. But way before the town hall meetings during recess, there were ample signs for Democrats to fear for their careers in 2010," concluded Cook Political Report House analyst David Wasserman, who predicts the Democrats will lose 20 seats in the House, but retain control.<ref>See [http://www.politico.com/blogs/scorecard/0909/Cook_Political_Report_A_dangerous_slide_for_Democrats.html Politico, "Cook Political Report: ‘A dangerous slide’ for Democrats" Sept 3, 2009 online] </ref>  Wasserman concludes that a major shift has been underway among "angry white seniors" (over age 60), who strongly dislike the Obama health care proposals because they fear they will lose benefits they now have.
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*Rep. [[Joseph Cao]] (R-Louisiana) by [[Cedric Richmond]]
  
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Analyst Stuart Rothenberg is now reporting, "Growing public concern about spending, taxes and the size of government has started to shift the national landscape away from the Democrats to a more neutral position, and quite possibly toward the GOP."<ref>Stuart Rothenberg, "All Signs Point to Another Top-Notch Election Cycle in 2010," ''Roll Call'' Sept. 8, 2009] </ref> Furthermore, an advantage for Republicans is that currently 48 House Democrats, 8 more than the size of their majority, come from districts that voted for both George W. Bush and John McCain. <ref>http://www.nationaljournal.com/njmagazine/cookreport.php</ref>
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*Rep. [[Frank Kratovil]] (D-Maryland) by [[Andy Harris]]
  
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==Notable House Races==
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*Rep. [[Mark Schauer]] (D-Michigan) by [[Tim Walberg]]
  
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''See: [[2010 House Elections]]''
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*Rep. [[James Oberstar]] (D-Minnesota) by [[Chip Cravaack]]
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[[File:House-seats.jpg|thumb|275px|Democratic gains by region in 2006 and 2008]]
 
  
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==Senate==
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*Rep. [[Travis Childers]] (D-Mississippi) by [[Alan Nunnelee]]
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*Rep. [[Gene Taylor]] (D-Mississippi) by [[Steven Palazzo]]
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*Rep. [[Ike Skelton]] (D-Missouri) by [[Vicky Hartzler]]
  
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[[File:Senate10.jpg|thumb|340px|CQ predictions, Sept. 2009]]
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*Rep. [[Dina Titus]] (D-Nevada) by [[Joe Heck]]
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The top Senate races are:<ref>See [http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/ for daily updates]; see also [http://innovation.cq.com/senate2010_map CQ Report]
 
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</ref>
 
  
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*1 Connecticut (Incumbent=Dem, running for reelection)
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*Rep. [[Carol Shea-Porter]] (D-New Hampshire) by [[Frank Guinta]]
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*2 New Hampshire Open (incumbent = Rep)
 
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*3 Missouri Open (incumbent = Rep)
 
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*4 Kentucky Open (incumbent = Rep)
 
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*5 Pennsylvania (incumbent=Dem running for reelection)
 
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*6 Ohio Open (incumbent = Rep)
 
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*7 Colorado (incumbent=Dem, running for reelection)
 
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*8 Illinois Open (incumbent = Dem)
 
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*9 Louisiana (incumbent=Rep, running for reelection)
 
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*10 Delaware Open (incumbent = Dem)
 
  
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Texas Senator [[John Cornyn]], the head of the National Republican Senatorial Committee has quietly put Senate Republicans in position to benefit as the national political environment goes negative on Democrats. Cornyn has recruited serious candidates in Democratic-held seats in Delaware, Illinois, Colorado and Connecticut, and still maybe North Dakota and New York. With seven open seats to defend, Cornyn understands that he must play offense in a few states if he hopes to position the party to make major gains in the 2012 and 2014 cycles -- both of which, by the numbers, are far more favorable for Republicans.
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*Rep. [[John Adler]] (D-New Jersey) by [[Jon Runyan]]
  
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===Special Elections===
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*Rep. [[Harry Teague]] (D-New Mexico) by [[Steve Pearce]]
  
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*'''Massachusetts'''
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*Rep. [[Mike McMahon]] (D-New York) by [[Michael Grimm]]
  
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Liberal icon [[Ted Kennedy]], the third longest-serving Senator in U.S. history, died from a brain tumor in August 2009, marking the end of an era. During the [[2004 Presidential Election]] the Democratic super-majority in the state legislator blocked the right of [[Republican]] Governor [[Mitt Romney]] to appoint an interim senator had [[John Kerry]] been elected President. After changing the law to allow Governor [[Deval Patrick]], a [[Democrat]], the right to appoint a temporary replacement for Kennedy, he choose former Democratic National Committee chairman [[Paul Kirk]]. He will not seek a full term of his own, and a special election will be held on January 19, 2010.
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*Rep. [[John Hall]] (D-New York) by [[Nan Hayworth]]
  
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State Attorney General [[Martha Coakley]] won the Democratic primary, defeating businessman Alan Khazei, Representative Mike Capuano, and Boston Celtics co-owner Stephen Pagliuca. State Senator [[Scott Brown]] is the Republican nominee. Many high-profile Republicans have declined to run, such as former White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card, former Governor Mitt Romney, and former Lieutenant Governor Kerry Healey. Former [[Boston]] [[Red Sox]] pitcher [[Curt Schilling]], who has [[conservative]]-leanings, was mentioned as an [[independent]] candidate, but announced he will seek the office. <ref>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/22/AR2009092203804.html</ref> Democrats are favored to maintain this Senate seat, given that Massachusetts is one of the most liberal state's in the nation (the federal delegation has been entirely Democratic since 1997).
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*Rep. [[Scott Murphy]] (D-New York) by [[Chris Gibson]]
  
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*'''Texas'''
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*Rep. [[Mike Arcuri]] (D-New York) by [[Richard Hanna]]
  
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Although Senior Republican Senator [[Kay Bailey Hutchison]] had announced she will resign from the Senate in fall 2009 to pursue a campaign for Governor, she has since indicated that she will resign after the March primary, regardless of whether she wins. <ref>http://www.newser.com/story/74038/hutchison-wont-resign-senate-seat.html</ref>As a result, Republican Governor [[Rick Perry]] must appoint a replacement, and under Texas law, a special election will be held. The only announced Republican candidate is Texas Railroad Commissioner [[Michael Williams]]. Other possible GOP candidates include 6th district Representative Joe Barton, Lieutenant Governor [[David Dewhurst]], [[Dallas]] Mayor Tom Leppert, Former Texas Secretary of State Roger Williams, and State Senator Florence Shapiro. Former State Comptroller John Sharp and Houston Mayor Bill White have announced they will seek the Democrat nomination. Texas is considered a Republican stronghold. In the [[2008 Presidential Election]], [[John McCain]] won its 34 electoral votes by twelve percentage-points.
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*Rep. [[Dan Maffei]] (D-New York) by [[Ann Marie Buerkle]]
  
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===Open Seats===
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*Rep. [[Bob Etheridge]] (D-North Carolina) by [[Renee Ellmers]]
  
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*'''Connecticut'''
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*Rep. [[Earl Pomeroy]] (D-North Dakota) by [[Rick Berg]]
  
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30-year Senate veteran [[Chris Dodd]] was ranked the most vulnerable Senator in the 2010 election cycle by National Journal. He has announced he will not seek a sixth term.
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*Rep. [[Steve Driehaus]] (D-Ohio) by [[Steve Chabot]]
  
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Dodd’s approval ratings had plummeted after his failed presidential campaign in 2008, his controversial mortgage deal from Countrywide, and revelations about the $165 million bonuses for AIG executives that he attached in an amendment to the economic stimulus package, despite receiving federal bailout money. Former Congressman [[Rob Simmons]] is seeking the Republican nomination and was leading Dodd in public opinion polls. <ref>http://www.quinnipiac.edu/x1296.xml?ReleaseID=1353</ref> <ref>http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections2/election_2010/election_2010_senate_elections/connecticut/toplines/toplines_connecticut_senate_race_september_10_2009/</ref> <ref>http://www.dailykos.com/statepoll/2009/9/10/CT/369/</ref> <ref>http://www.quinnipiac.edu/x1296.xml?ReleaseID=1395</ref> <ref>http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections2/election_2010/election_2010_senate_elections/connecticut/election_2010_connecticut_senate_race</ref>Financial services executive [[Peter Schiff]] is also running.
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*Rep. [[Charlie Wilson]] (D-Ohio) by [[Bill Johnson]]
  
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*'''Delaware'''
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*Rep. [[Mary Jo Kilroy]] (D-Ohio) by [[Steve Stivers]]
  
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[[Joe Biden]] was simultaneously elected to a seventh term in the Senate and Vice President at the same time. Democrat Governor [[Ruth Ann Minner]] appointed a "caretaker" Senator, [[Ted Kaufman]]. If state Attorney General [[Beau Biden]] runs in the 2010 special election he would be the favorite in the Democratic nomination, but not the general election in that [[moderate Republican]] nine-term Congressman [[Michael Castle]], former governor and lieutenant governor, has entered the race. <ref>http://rothenbergpoliticalreport.blogspot.com/2009/10/delaware-senate-moved-to-lean-takeover.html</ref> Polls show Castle leads Biden by a conformable margin. <ref>http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/PPP_Release_DE_310.pdf</ref> <ref>https://secure.townnews.com/shared-content/subscription/authenticate/index.php?mode=start&domain=ledgerdelaware.com&usereg=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ledgerdelaware.com%2F%2Farticles%2F2009%2F05%2F04%2Fnews%2Fdoc49ffa1c1afca0453799066.txt%2F&discover=0&amex=0</ref> <ref>http://www.castleforsenate.com/archives/313</ref>Republican political analyst Christine O'Donnell (who ran against Biden in 2008 and received 35% of the vote) has also announced her candidacy. Polls shows she trails Biden by 9-percentage points.<ref>http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections2/election_2010/election_2010_senate_elections/delaware/election_2010_delaware_senate</ref>  <ref>http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections2/election_2010/election_2010_senate_elections/florida/election_2010_florida_senate</ref>
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*Rep. [[John Boccieri]] (D-Ohio) by [[Jim Renacci]]
  
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*'''Florida'''
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*Rep. [[Zack Space]] (D-Ohio) by [[Bob Gibbs]]
  
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Republican Governor [[Charlie Crist]], who once enjoyed high approval ratings, appointed [[George LeMieux]] upon the resignation of Senator [[Mel Martinez]]. LeMieux is holding the seat temporarily for Governor Crist who will run for the Senate in 2010. He is the front-runner for the Republican nomination, but is being challenged by conservative Florida House Speaker [[Marco Rubio]]. Crist alienated conservatives when he campaigned with President Obama in support for the $787 billion economic stimulus package, which was entirely opposed by the Florida Republican federal delegation. Democrats have recruited lesser known candidates, including 17th district Representative Kendrick Meek and North Miami Mayor Kevin Burns. Public Opinion Shows show both Crist and Rubio would lead their Democrat opponents. <ref>http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections2/election_2010/election_2010_senate_elections/florida/election_2010_florida_senate</ref>
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*Rep. [[Kathy Dahlkemper]] (D-Pennsylvania) by [[Mike Kelly]]
  
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*'''Illinois'''
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*Rep. [[Patrick Murphy]] (D-Pennsylvania) by [[Mike Fitzpatrick]]
  
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Democrat Senator [[Roland Burris]] has been plagued by controversies. Burris was appointed to replace Barack Obama by Governor [[Rod Blagojevich]], who had been arrested on a variety of federal corruption charges (including for trying to "sell" Obama's Senate seat). Burris was then accused of committing perjury after he admitted to not testifying truthfully at a committee investigating Governor Blagojevich. Burris has announced he will not seek a full term in 2010.
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*Rep. [[Chris Carney]] (D-Pennsylvania) by [[Tom Marino]]
  
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Republicans see this as a pickup opportunity. National Journal ranked Illinois the second most likely seat to change party. Moderate-GOP Congressman [[Mark Kirk]], representing a Democratic-leaning district that covers suburban [[Chicago]], has announced his candidacy and is expected to easily win the Republican nomination. Democratic candidates include Illinois State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, Chicago Urban League President Cheryle Jackson, Chicago Inspector General David Hoffman, and attorney Jacob Meister.
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*Rep. [[Paul Kanjorski]] (D-Pennsylvania) by [[Lou Barletta]]
  
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*'''Kansas'''
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*Rep. [[John Spratt]] (D-South Carolina) by [[Mick Mulvaney]]
  
−
Incumbent Republican [[Sam Brownback]] is honoring his campaign pledge to serve only two terms. One of the most conservative states in the country, no prominent Democrats have announced their candidacy. The Cook Political Report lists this race as "solid Republican." <ref>http://www.cookpolitical.com/races/senate/ratings.php</ref> The competitive race will be the Republican primary between 1st district Congressman Jerry Moran and 4th district Congressman Todd Tiahrt. Public Opinion Polls show Moran and Tiahrt in a dead heat. <ref>http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2009/2/5/145250/8955/1003/693618</ref> <ref>http://www.surveyusa.com/client/PollReport.aspx?g=8f81dfbd-e5cb-4de9-abd9-25a3f36cb619/</ref> <ref>http://www.surveyusa.com/client/PollReport.aspx?g=b3d19e14-c0c6-4bf9-9820-a605c88f57f8/</ref> Moran's voting record is moderate, he supported an increase in the [[minimum wage]] and voted to expand the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), while Tiahrt is strongly conservative. Senator [[John McCain]] has endorsed Jerry Moran. <ref>http://www2.ljworld.com/weblogs/kansas_congress/2009/sep/21/mccain-endorses-moran-for-senate-bid/</ref>
+
*Rep. [[Stephanie Herseth Sandlin]] (D-South Dakota) by [[Kristi Noem]]
  
−
*'''Kentucky'''
+
*Rep. [[Lincoln Davis]] (D-Tennessee) by [[Scott DesJarlais]]
  
−
Republicans had a victory when unpopular incumbent Senator [[Jim Bunning]] announced he would not seek a third term. Kentucky Secretary of State [[Trey Grayson]] is seeking the Republican nomination, however is being challenged by [[Libertarian Republican]] [[Rand Paul]], an eye surgeon who is the son of Texas Congressman [[Ron Paul]]. On the Democratic side, Lieutenant Governor [[Daniel Mongiardo]] (who lost to Bunning in 2004) and state Attorney General Jack Conway are running. A December 2009 Poblic Polcy Poll showed both Grayson and Paul leading Conway and Mongiardo. <ref>http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/PPP_Release_KY_1223.pdf</ref>
+
*Rep. [[Chet Edwards]] (D-Texas) by [[Bill Flores]]
  
−
*'''Missouri'''
+
*Rep. [[Ciro Rodriguez]] (D-Texas) by [[Quico Canseco]]
  
−
Incumbent Republican Senator [[Kit Bond]] has announced he will not seek fifth term. Former House Majority Whip [[Roy Blunt]] has announced his candidacy. Blunt benefits from raising a strong $1.44 million in the second quarter and as of now has no serious primary challenger. Missouri Secretary of State Robin Carnahan is seeking the Democratic nomination. A recent Rasmussen poll has Blunt and Carnahan tied at 46%. <ref>http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections2/election_2010/election_2010_senate_elections/missouri/election_2010_missouri_senate</ref>
+
*Rep. [[Solomon Ortiz]] (D-Texas) by [[Blake Farenthold]]
  
−
*'''New Hampshire'''
+
*Rep. [[Glenn Nye]] (D-Virginia) by [[Scott Rigell]]
  
−
Senior Republican Senator [[Judd Gregg]], after withdrawing from a position in the [[Obama administration]], announced he will not seek a fourth term. 2nd district Congressman Paul Hodes is seeking the Democratic nomination, while Republicans are behind former New Hampshire Attorney General [[Kelly Ayotte]]. Public opinion polls show Ayotte ahead by 2-8 points. <ref>http://www.unh.edu/survey-center/news/pdf/gsp2009_summer_congapp70209.pdf</ref> <ref>http://www.dailykos.com/statepoll/2009/7/15/NH/319/</ref> <ref>http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections2/election_2010/election_2010_senate_elections/new_hampshire/toplines/toplines_new_hampshire_senate_september_14_2009/</ref> <ref>http://www.americanresearchgroup.com/nhpoll/senate10/</ref> <ref>http://www.wmur.com/download/2009/1005/21207993.pdf</ref> <ref>http://americanresearchgroup.com/nhpoll/senate10/</ref>
+
*Rep. [[Tom Perriello]] (D-Virginia) by [[Robert Hurt]]
  
−
*'''North Dakota'''
+
*Rep. [[Rick Boucher]] (D-Virginia) by [[Morgan Griffith]]
  
−
[[Byron Dorgan]], a three-term [[Democrat]] Senator from [[North Dakota]], has announced he will not seek reelection. Dorgan's announcement represents an opportunity for [[Republican]]s, popular Governor [[John Hoeven]] is a potential candidate. <ref>http://blogs.usatoday.com/onpolitics/2010/01/north-dakota-sen-byron-dorgan-to-retire.html</ref> A Rasmussen reports poll showed Hoeven leading Dorgan by 22-points. <ref>http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections2/election_2010/election_2010_senate_elections/north_dakota/election_2010_north_dakota_senate</ref>
+
*Rep. [[Steve Kagen]] (D-Wisconsin) by [[Reid Ribble]]
  
−
*'''Ohio'''
+
==Senate==
  
−
Moderate Republican [[George Voinovich]] has announced he will not seek a third term. The Democratic field includes Lieutenant Governor Lee Fisher and Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner. Fisher has received the endorsement of Democratic Governor [[Ted Strickland]]. Meanwhile, Republicans have rallied behind [[Rob Portman]], former Congressman and Director of the Office of Management and Budget. The race is expected to be one of the most competitive in the election cycle. A September 2009 Rasmussen poll has Portman leading Fisher and Brunner by a narrow margin. <ref>http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections2/election_2010/election_2010_senate_elections/ohio/election_2010_ohio_senate_race</ref>
+
Texas Senator [[John Cornyn]], the head of the [[National Republican Senatorial Committee]], quietly put Senate Republicans in a position to benefit as the national political environment went negative toward Democrats, and was successful in narrowing the Democratic majority. Without losing any of their seats, the Republican Party defeated two incumbents, [[Blanche Lincoln]] (D-[[Arkansas]]) and [[Russ Feingold]] (D-[[Wisconsin]]), and won four Democratic-held open seats: [[Illinois]], [[Indiana]], [[North Dakota]], and [[Pennsylvania]]. Additionally, Republican [[Scott Brown]] was elected to replace the late Senator [[Ted Kennedy]] (D-[[Massachusetts]]) in a January special election.
  
−
===Democratic incumbents===
+
===Republican Gains===
  
 
*'''Arkansas'''
 
*'''Arkansas'''
  
−
Moderate Democrat [[Blanche Lincoln]] may be one of Republicans top targets in 2010. In the [[2008 Presidential Election]], Arkansas was one of the few states where [[John McCain]] exceeded [[George W. Bush]]’s margin, despite the national trend favoring Democrats. In an attempt to appeal to her conservative constituents Lincoln voted against the [[Employee Free Choice Act]] (card check) and has stated opposition to the public option in [[health care]]. Lincoln may face a primary challenger from state Senate president pro tempore Bob Johnson, who say's he's openly considering running. Announced Republican candidates include State Senator and former state GOP chair [[Gilbert Baker]] (considered the front-runner for the nomination) Arkansas Senate Minority Leader [[Kim Hendren]], Retired army colonel Conrad Reynolds, and Tom Cox, Founder of the Arkansas Tea Party. A January 2010 Rasmussen poll showed every Republican challenger leading Blanche Lincoln. <ref>http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections2/election_2010/election_2010_senate_elections/arkansas/election_2010_arkansas_senate_race</ref> The National Republican Senatorial Committee has withheld from endorsing a candidate.  
+
Moderate Democrat [[Blanche Lincoln]] was defeated by 21 percentage points after Republicans made her one of their top targets in 2010. In the [[2008 Presidential Election]], Arkansas was one of the few states where [[John McCain]] exceeded [[George W. Bush]]’s margin, despite the national trend favoring Democrats. Generally, she voted the party line with President Obama, which angered her conservative constituents, but also voted against the [[Employee Free Choice Act]] (card check) and opposed to the public option in [[health care]], which angered liberals. She began airing TV ads in March touting her independence from President Obama and national Democrats. Lincoln defeated [[Lieutenant Governor]] [[Bill Halter]] in a close runoff for the Democratic nomination.
 +
 
 +
Third district Congressman [[John Boozman]] easily won the Republican nomination, defeating State Senator [[Gilbert Baker]] and former State Senator Jim Holt. Boozman comfortably led thoughout the entire campaign.
 +
 
 +
*'''Indiana'''
 +
 
 +
Two-term Democrat [[Evan Bayh]] dropped out of his reelection in February after polls showed he may be vulnerable after his vote for the [[economic stimulus package]] and government-run health care. Former Republican U.S. Senator [[Dan Coats]], who predeced Bayh after retiring in 1998, announced his candidacy for his old Senate seat. Former six-term Congressman [[John Hostettler]], State Senator [[Marlin Stutzman]] and businessman Don Bates Jr. were defeated for the Republican nomination. Conservative Congressman [[Mike Pence]] considered running, but instead chose to seek reelection in the House.
 +
 
 +
8th district Congressman [[Brad Ellsworth]] was the Democratic nominee. Dan Coats defeated Ellsworth by a 55%-40% margin. Ellsworth supported President Obama’s health care plan in a state where opposition to the legislation is higher than it was nationally.<ref>[http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections2/election_2010/election_2010_senate_elections/indiana/election_2010_indiana_senate]</ref>
 +
 
 +
*'''Illinois'''
 +
 
 +
Democratic Senator [[Roland Burris]] had been plagued by controversies. Burris was appointed to replace Barack Obama by Governor [[Rod Blagojevich]], who had been arrested on a variety of federal corruption charges (including for trying to "sell" Obama's Senate seat). Burris was then accused of committing perjury after he admitted to not testifying truthfully at a committee investigating Governor Blagojevich. Burris announced he would not seek a full term in 2010.
 +
 
 +
Moderate-GOP Congressman [[Mark Kirk]], representing a Democratic-leaning district that covers suburban [[Chicago]], easily won the Republican nomination, while Illinois State Treasurer [[Alexi Giannoulias]] defeated Chicago Inspector General [[David Hoffman]] in a close primary. Both candidates faced negative media publicity, Giannoulias for the collapse of his family bank, and Kirk for exaggerating his military record. In the general election, Kirk defeated Giannoulias by a 48%-46% margin.
 +
 
 +
*'''Massachusetts'''
 +
 
 +
Republican State Senator [[Scott Brown]] pulled a major upset when he defeated Attorney General [[Martha Coakley]] by a 52%-47% margin.
 +
 
 +
Liberal icon [[Ted Kennedy]], the third longest-serving Senator in U.S. history, died in August 2009, marking the end of an era. During the [[2004 Presidential Election]] the Democratic super-majority in the state legislator blocked the right of [[Republican]] Governor [[Mitt Romney]] to appoint an interim senator had [[John Kerry]] been elected President. After changing the law to allow Governor [[Deval Patrick]], a [[Democrat]], the right to appoint a temporary replacement for Kennedy, he choose former Democratic National Committee chairman [[Paul Kirk]]. He did not seek a full term of his own, and a special election was held on January 19, 2010.
 +
 
 +
State Attorney General [[Martha Coakley]] won the Democratic primary, defeating businessman Alan Khazei, Representative [[Mike Capuano]], and Boston Celtics co-owner Stephen Pagliuca. Charismatic State Senator [[Scott Brown]] was the Republican nominee.<ref>Many high-profile Republicans declined to fight the odds, including former White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card, former Governor Mitt Romney, former Lieutenant Governor Kerry Healey and former [[Red Sox]] pitcher [[Curt Schilling]], a conservative. See [https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/22/AR2009092203804.html news]</ref>  
 +
[[File:Sbrown1.jpg|thumb|290px|right|a last minute appeal]]
 +
 
 +
It was a safe Democratic seat until January, when Democrats reeled in shock as Coakley lost her 30-point lead and trailed by 5-10 points in the closing hours. Coakley was an ineffective machine-style insider candidate who was unable to reach independents. Brown's main theme was that he would be the 41st senator and would block the Obama health care plan—which Massachusetts did not need, he explained, because it had its own plan in operation. Coakley responded by attacking bankers and bringing in big guns like [[Bill Clinton]], [[John Kerry]] and [[Barack Obama]]. They appealed to regular Democrats and alienated the equally numerous independents, who preferred Brown by more than 2-1.
 +
 
 +
The defeat for Coakley, coming on the heels of the Democrats' loss of Virginia and New Jersey in Nov. 2009, was a major blow to the liberal caused and reinvigorated the Republican party nationally.
 +
 
 +
*'''North Dakota'''
 +
 
 +
[[Byron Dorgan]], a three-term [[Democrat]] Senator from [[North Dakota]], announced he would not seek reelection. Dorgan's announcement represented an opportunity for [[Republican]]s, after popular Governor [[John Hoeven]] announced his candidacy.<ref>http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/eyeon2010/2010/01/hoeven-makes-senate-run-offici.html</ref> Hoeven defeated State Senator Tracy Potter by a 76%-22% margin, carrying every county.
 +
 
 +
*'''Pennsylvania'''
 +
 +
After polls showed him losing the Republican primary by as much as 20 points, [[Arlen Specter]] simply changed party affiliation to Democrat. Despite full support by President Obama and virtually every elected Democrat in Pennsylvania as well as nearly every major newspaper, Specter went on to lose the Democratic nomination to 7th-district Congressman [[Joe Sestak]] in the primary, and faced former 15th district Congressman and [[Club for Growth]] President [[Pat Toomey]], known for his economic conservatism. In the general election, Toomey defeated Sestak by a 51%-49% margin.
 +
 
 +
*'''Wisconsin'''
 +
 
 +
Three-term incumbent [[Russ Feingold]] had positioned himself for a comfortable reelection after former governor and Health and Human Services Secretary [[Tommy Thompson]] announced he would not run. However, Tea Party activist and Oshkosh businessman [[Ron Johnson]] defeated Feingold by a 52%-47% margin.
 +
 
 +
===Democratic Holds===
  
 
*'''California'''
 
*'''California'''
  
−
Although California is a solidly Democratic state, conservatives see outspoken liberal Senator [[Barbara Boxer]] as vulnerable. Governor [[Arnold Schwarzenegger]], who’s term-limited in 2010, has announced he will not run. State Assemblyman Chuck DeVore is campaigning for the GOP-nomination, while former Hewlett-Packard Company President [[Carly Fiorina]] is also running. Fiorina is supported by the Republican establishment, receiving the endorsements of Senators [[Tom Coburn]], [[Susan Collins]], [[Lindsey Graham]], [[Jon Kyl]], [[John McCain]], [[Mitch McConnell]], [[Lisa Murkowski]], and [[Olympia Snowe]]. <ref>http://skepticians.com/2009/11/coburn-mccain-endorse-fiorina-senate-bid/</ref>Senator [[Jim DeMint]] (R-South Carolina) has endorsed DeVore. <ref>http://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/66169-demint-bucks-party-backs-conservative-in-california</ref>
+
Although [[California]] is a solidly Democratic state, conservatives originally saw outspoken liberal Senator [[Barbara Boxer]] as vulnerable. Governor [[Arnold Schwarzenegger]], who was term-limited in 2010, announced he would not run. Former Hewlett-Packard Company President [[Carly Fiorina]] defeated former U.S. Rep. [[Tom Campbell]] and Assemblyman [[Chuck DeVore]] in the Republican primary. Boxer defeated Fiorina by ten percentage points.
  
 
*'''Colorado'''
 
*'''Colorado'''
  
−
Appointed Senator [[Michael Bennet]] is expected to face a competitive reelection in 2010. Former Speaker of the Colorado House of Representatives [[Andrew Romanoff]] will challenge Bennet for the Democratic nomination, while former Lieutenant Governor [[Jane Norton]] is seeking the Republican nomination. A Rasmussen Reports poll showed Norton would lead Bennet by 9-percentage points. <ref>http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections2/election_2010/election_2010_senate_elections/colorado/election_2010_colorado_senate_race/</ref>
+
Appointed Democratic Senator [[Michael Bennet]] was narrowly reelected. Former Speaker of the Colorado House of Representatives [[Andrew Romanoff]] was defeated in his bid to challenge Bennet for the Democratic nomination, while Weld County District Attorney [[Ken Buck]] defeated former Lieutenant Governor [[Jane Norton]] in the Republican primary.  
 +
 
 +
*'''Connecticut'''
 +
 
 +
30-year Senate veteran [[Chris Dodd]] announced he would not seek a sixth term. Dodd's approval ratings plummeted after his failed presidential campaign in 2008, his controversial mortgage deal from Countrywide, and revelations about the $165 million bonuses for AIG executives that he attached in an amendment to the [[economic stimulus package]], despite receiving federal [[bailout]] money. Popular state Attorney General [[Richard Blumenthal]] won the Democratic nomination, increasing the Democrats' chances of holding the seat. However, his poll numbers dropped after a [[New York Times]] report revealed that he exaggerated his military record.
  
−
*'''Hawaii'''
+
Republicans nominated World Wrestling Entertainment CEO [[Linda McMahon]], defeating former Congressman [[Rob Simmons]] and libertarian-leaning economist [[Peter Schiff]], a stock broker and adviser to [[Ron Paul]]’s 2008 presidential campaign. Blumenthal won the general election by a 55%-43% margin.
−
Democrat [[Daniel Inouye]] is expected to easily win reelection. Although Republicans could win the seat if term-limited Governor [[Linda Lingle]] runs.
+
 
 +
*'''Delaware'''
  
−
*'''Indiana'''
+
[[Joe Biden]] was simultaneously elected to a seventh term in the Senate and Vice President at the same time. Democratic Governor [[Ruth Ann Minner]] appointed a "caretaker" Senator, [[Ted Kaufman]]. Michael Castle, a moderate Republican who also served as Governor and Lieutenant Governor, was heavily favored to win the Republican nomination. However, Tea Party backed insurgent Christine O’Donnell ousted Castle in the primary, improving New Castle County Executive Chris Coons chances in holding the seat for Democrats. The Republican Party had a mixed reaction to O’Donnell's victory. She had caused controversy regarding her views on creationism and Christian values. Coons defeated O’Donnell by a 57%-40% margin.
  
−
National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman [[John Cornyn]] has said that two-term Senator [[Evan Bayh]] is not a priority target for 2010. Although Indiana is a historically Republican state, Bayh has raised $10,896,323 for his reelection campaign. Former six-term Congressman [[John Hostettler]] is seeking the Republican nomination. Other announced candidates include State Senator Marlin Stutzman and businessman Don Bates Jr.
+
*'''Hawaii'''
 +
Democrat [[Daniel Inouye]] easily won reelection against Republican Representative Campbell Cavasso.
  
 
*'''Maryland'''
 
*'''Maryland'''
  
−
Entrenched incumbent [[Barbara Mikulski]] is expected to easily win reelection. Republicans will more likely be focused on defeating unpopular Governor [[Martin O’Malley]].
+
Entrenched incumbent [[Barbara Mikulski]] easily won reelection, defeating physician and Queen Anne's County Commissioner [[Eric Wargotz]].
  
 
*'''Nevada'''
 
*'''Nevada'''
  
−
Senate Majority Leader [[Harry Reid]] is facing a tough reelection in 2010. The "Cook Political Report" in September 2009 rates the contest as "Toss Up". His status weakened in summer 2009, as discontent with President Obama and the Democrats' health plan mounted, and as the Recession of 2008 continues to batter Las Vegas and the entire Nevada economy, with no relief in sight from the stimulus bill Reid pushed through the Senate. Reid's inability to improve his standing in the polls, coupled with the deteriorating political environment for Democrats nationally, are clear indications that his political problems are deep and will be difficult (though not impossible) to fix, says Cook. Rasmussen Reports polling in Sept. 2009 show [[Sue Lowden]] beating Reid 50% to 40%. Lowden is chairwoman of the Nevada Republican Party and the preferred candidate of the Republican party establishment. Danny Tarkanian beats Reid 50% to 43%. Tarkanian is a former basketball player for the University of Nevada-Las Vegas and the son of a legendary college basketball coach.
+
Senate Majority Leader [[Harry Reid]] faced a competitive reelection in 2010. The "Cook Political Report" in September 2009 rateed the contest as "Toss Up." His status weakened in summer 2009, as discontent with President Obama and the Democrats' health plan mounted, and as the Recession of 2008 continues to batter Las Vegas and the entire Nevada economy, with no relief in sight from the stimulus bill Reid pushed through the Senate. Reid's inability to improve his standing in the polls, coupled with the deteriorating political environment for Democrats nationally, were clear indications that his political problems are deep and will be difficult (though not impossible) to fix, says Cook.  
  
−
In December 2009, The Las Vegas Review-Journal, Nevada's largest newspaper, released a poll they commissioned showing Lowden beating Reid in a head-to-head match-up by 10 points. <ref>http://www.lvrj.com/news/reid-in-a-battle-poll-reveals-78503217.html</ref>
+
After receiving the endorsement of the [[Tea Party Express]] and [[Club for Growth]], former Assemblywoman [[Sharron Angle]] defeated former State Senator [[Sue Lowden]] and businessman [[Danny Tarkanian]] in the Republican primary. Reid defeated Angle by a 50%-45% margin.
  
 
*'''New York'''
 
*'''New York'''
  
−
Senior Senator [[Charles Schumer]] may be the safest incumbent of 2010 and is expected to face no top-tier challenger. Republicans are more likely to target New York’s junior Senator [[Kirsten Gillibrand]], who is running in a special election.
+
Senior Senator [[Charles Schumer]] was considered the safest incumbent of 2010 and won his reelection by a 66%-33% margin against Republican Jay Townsend.
  
 
*'''New York-Special Election'''
 
*'''New York-Special Election'''
  
−
Democrat [[Kirsten Gillibrand]] was appointed by Governor [[David Patterson]] to replace [[Hillary Clinton]] after much confusion on his part. Patterson mishandled the proposed appointment of [[Caroline Kennedy]], gaining ridicule for both of them.  Gillibrand’s moderate views alienated the left wing of the Democratic Party. She has proven a remarkably successful fundraiser, and primary challengers have dropped away. Nine-term Congressman [[Peter King]] had declined to run, but is now reconsidering.<ref>http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0110/31146.html</ref> Republicans are trying to recruit former Governor [[George Pataki]], who runs even in the polls with Gillibrand. When asked about the speculation, Pataki said that "you never say never." <ref>http://race42008.com/2009/09/22/to-further-complicate-matters-pataki/</ref> Former New York City Mayor [[Rudy Giuliani]] has declined to seek the Senate seat. <ref>http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2009/12/21/2009-12-21_rudy_giuliani_will_not_run.html</ref>
+
Democrat [[Kirsten Gillibrand]] was appointed by Governor [[David Patterson]] to replace [[Hillary Clinton]] after much confusion on his part. Patterson mishandled the proposed appointment of [[Caroline Kennedy]], gaining ridicule for both of them.  Gillibrand's moderate views alienated the left wing of the Democratic Party. Former Tennessee Congressman [[Harold Ford, Jr.]] has announced he will not seek a primary challenge to Gillibrand.
 +
 
 +
Nine-term Congressman [[Peter King]] has declined to run. Republicans are tried but failed to recruit former Governor [[George Pataki]], who ran ahead in the polls with Gillibrand. Real estate billionaire [[Mort Zuckerman]], despite having a record of supporting liberal causes, was mentioned as a possible Republican or Independent candidate to avoid a primary, however announced that he would not run. Former New York City Mayor [[Rudy Giuliani]] declined to seek the Senate seat.<ref>http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2009/12/21/2009-12-21_rudy_giuliani_will_not_run.html</ref> Instead, Republicans nominated former Congressman [[Joseph DioGuardi]], whom Gillibrand defeated by a 62%-36% margin.
  
 
*'''Oregon'''
 
*'''Oregon'''
  
−
Democrat [[Ron Wyden]] is heavily favored to win reelection. However, Republicans can make a comeback if former Senator [[Gordon Smith]], who was defeated for reelection by a narrow margin in 2008, runs again.
+
Democratic Senator [[Ron Wyden]] defeated his Republican challenger, Lewis & Clark College law professor Jim Huffman by a 57%-39% margin.  
−
 
 
−
*'''Pennsylvania'''
 
−
 
 
−
After polls showed him losing the Republican primary by as much as 20 points, [[Arlen Specter]] simply changed party affiliation and is now a Democrat. Now Specter faces two heavyweight opponents, 7th-district Congressman [[Joe Sestak]] in the Democratic primary, and former 15th district Congressman and [[Club for Growth]] President [[Pat Toomey]] in the general election.  
 
  
 
*'''Vermont'''
 
*'''Vermont'''
  
−
[[Patrick Leahy]], the third most senior U.S. Senator, has announced his candidacy and is expected to easily win reelection in heavily Democratic [[Vermont]]. The only serious challenge to Leahy would be if Governor [[Jim Douglas]] runs, but he appears to have no interest in seeking the seat.  
+
[[Patrick Leahy]], the third most senior U.S. Senator, was reelected by a 64%-40% margin against Republican Len Britton.
  
 
*'''Washington'''
 
*'''Washington'''
  
−
Senior Senator [[Patty Murray]] is well positioned for reelection in 2010. Although if 8th district Congressman Dave Reichert runs the race could become competitive.  
+
Polls show that Senator [[Patty Murray]], once considered well positioned for reelection, would face a competitive race against Washington's former state Senator, [[Dino Rossi]]. In November, Murray defeated Rossi by a 52%-48% margin.
  
−
*'''Wisconsin'''
+
*'''West Virginia'''
  
−
Three-term incumbent [[Russ Feingold]] has positioned himself for a comfortable reelection in 2010. Although the race would immediately become competitive if former governor and Health and Human Services Secretary [[Tommy Thompson]] runs.
+
Popular Democratic Governor [[Joe Manchin]] was elected to replace the late [[Exalted Cyclops]] Senator [[Robert Byrd]]. Businessman and 2006 nominee John Raese made the race surprisingly close by tying Manchin to the Obama administration.
  
−
===Republican incumbents===
+
===Republican Holds===
  
 
*'''Alabama'''
 
*'''Alabama'''
  
−
Senior Senator [[Richard Shelby]], who was originally elected as a [[conservative Democrat]] but changed party affiliation to Republican after the 1994 Republican Revolution, will likely not be a target from national Democrats after three landslide victories in 1992, 1998, and 2004.  
+
Senior Senator [[Richard Shelby]], who was originally elected as a [[conservative Democrat]] but changed party affiliation to Republican after the 1994 Republican Revolution, was handedly reelected, as he was in 1992, 1998, and 2004.  
  
 
*'''Alaska'''  
 
*'''Alaska'''  
  
−
[[Lisa Murkowski]], who was appointed to the Senate by her father, Governor Frank H. Murkowski, raised charges of nepotism. She won a term in her own right in 2004 by a close 48%-45% margin, yet she is currently favored to win reelection. No prominent Democrats have shown interest in running.
+
[[Lisa Murkowski]] won a term for the U.S. Senate in her own right in 2004 by a close 48%-45% margin, however, in 2010 she lost the Primary Election against [[Joe Miller]], a [[Conservative]] candidate and [[Tea Party Movement|Tea Party]] favorite. Democrats nominated Sitka, Alaska Mayor Scott McAdams. Murkowski pursued her campaign as a write-in candidate, and was reelected with a 39% plurality, while Miller received 35% and McAdams 23%. She has the distinction of being the first person elected to the Senate via write-in since [[Strom Thurmond]] in 1954.  
  
 
*'''Arizona'''
 
*'''Arizona'''
  
−
Senior Senator [[John McCain]], the Republicans presidential nominee in 2008, caught a break when Democratic Governor [[Janet Napolitano]] was appointed Secretary of Homeland Security, making it highly unlikely for her to challenge him for his Senate seat in 2010. Chris Simcox, a founder of the [[Minuteman group]], is challenging McCain in a primary.
+
Senior Senator [[John McCain]], the Republicans presidential nominee in 2008, caught a break when Democratic Governor [[Janet Napolitano]] was appointed Secretary of Homeland Security. However, former Congressman [[J. D. Hayworth]] challenged McCain in a primary, but was defeated by a 56%-32% margin. McCain went on to defeat Tucson City Councilor Rodney Glassman by a 59%-35% margin.
 +
 
 +
*'''Florida'''
 +
 
 +
Republican Governor [[Charlie Crist]], who once enjoyed high approval ratings, appointed [[George LeMieux]] upon the resignation of Senator [[Mel Martinez]]. LeMieux held the seat temporarily for Governor Crist who decided to run for the Senate. He was the establishment pick for the Republican nomination, but was challenged by conservative Florida House Speaker and Tea Party backed candidate [[Marco Rubio]], who led by 32 points according to Public Policy Polling.<ref>[http://www.rollcall.com/news/43979-1.html Poll Shows Rubio Ahead by 32 Points in Florida, RollCall.com, March 9, 2010]</ref> Crist announced he would drop out of the Republican primary and run as an Independent.
 +
 
 +
Crist alienated conservatives when he campaigned with President Obama in support for the $787 billion economic stimulus package, which was entirely opposed by the Florida Republican federal delegation. Democrats nominated 17th district Congressman Kendrick Meek, who defeated billionaire businessman Jeff Greene. Rubio was elected with a 49% plurality, defeating Crist who received 30% and Meek who received 20%.  
  
 
*'''Georgia'''
 
*'''Georgia'''
  
−
First-term Senator [[Johnny Isakson]]'s solid standing for his reelection. His most formidable Democratic opponent, state Attorney General Thurbert Baker is instead seeking a campaign for Governor.
+
First-term Senator [[Johnny Isakson]]'s had solid standing for his reelection. His most formidable Democratic opponent, state Attorney General Thurbert Baker, instead sought a campaign for Governor. Isakson defeated Labor Commissioner Mike Thurmond by a 58%-39% margin.
  
 
*'''Idaho'''
 
*'''Idaho'''
  
−
[[Mike Crapo]]'s conservative voting record goes along with the Republican stronghold of [[Idaho]]. In 2004, he faced no Democratic challenger and won reelection with over 99% of the vote. Crapo's seat is expected to be one of the safest in the 2010 election cycle.
+
[[Mike Crapo]]'s conservative voting record goes along with the Republican stronghold of [[Idaho]]. In 2004, he faced no Democratic challenger and won reelection with over 99% of the vote. Crapo's seat was one of the safest in the 2010 election cycle, and he won reelection by a 71%-25% margin.
  
 
*'''Iowa'''
 
*'''Iowa'''
  
−
30-year incumbent [[Charles Grassley]] is one of the most distinguished and influential Republican Senators in Washington (he serves as ranking member of the Finance Committee) and as of now is secure to win a sixth term. Former state legislator Bob Krause is planning to challenge Grassley. A September 2009 Rasmussen poll has Grassley leading Krause by 26-percentage points. <ref>http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections2/election_2010/election_2010_senate_elections/iowa/election_2010_iowa_senate_race</ref>
+
30-year incumbent [[Charles Grassley]] is one of the most distinguished and influential Republican Senators in Washington (he serves as ranking member of the Finance Committee). He was reelected by a 65%-33% margin against former U.S. Attorney Roxanne Conlin, carrying all but one county.
 +
 
 +
*'''Kansas'''
 +
 
 +
Incumbent Republican [[Sam Brownback]] honored his campaign pledge to serve only two terms. 1st district Congressman Jerry Moran defeated 4th district Congressman Todd Tiahrt for the Republican nomination by a 50%-45% margin, while Democrats nominated Lisa Johnston, an administrator at Baker University. Moran defeated Johnston by a 70%-26% margin.
 +
 
 +
*'''Kentucky'''
 +
 
 +
Republicans had a victory when unpopular incumbent Senator [[Jim Bunning]] announced he would not seek a third term. Kentucky Secretary of State [[Trey Grayson]] sought the Republican nomination, however was defeated by Tea Party activist [[Rand Paul]], an eye surgeon who is the son of Texas Congressman [[Ron Paul]]. Paul received the endorsment of former [[Alaska]] Governor [[Sarah Palin]].<ref>https://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/wire/sns-ap-us-palin-ky-senate-race,0,6228585.story</ref> On the Democratic side, Lieutenant Governor [[Daniel Mongiardo]] (who lost to Bunning in 2004) was defeated by Attorney General Jack Conway. Paul campaigned on a reducation in taxion and spending, and won the support of conservatives and libertarians alike. Paul defeated Conway by a 56%-44% margin.
  
 
*'''Louisiana'''
 
*'''Louisiana'''
  
−
[[Louisiana]], a conservative state, was not effected by the national trend for Democrats in 2006 and 2008. Republican [[Bobby Jindal]] was elected Governor by a landslide in 2007, in 2008 John McCain received a larger margin of victory in the state than George W. Bush in 2004, while the GOP gained a House seat in the second district. Yet first-term Republican [[David Vitter]] may be vulnerable for his reelection after he confessed in 2007 to seeing an escort service, which has continued to taint his career. Third-district Congressman [[Charlie Melancon]] has announced his candidacy and is expected to easily win the Democratic nomination, while Vitter may face a primary challenge from Louisiana Secretary of State Jay Dardenne. Adult film star [[Stormy Daniels]] has announced that she is running, but has not stated in which party.
+
[[Louisiana]], a conservative state, was not effected by the national trend for Democrats in 2006 and 2008. Republican [[Bobby Jindal]] was elected Governor by a landslide in 2007, in 2008 John McCain received a larger margin of victory in the state than George W. Bush in 2004, while the GOP gained two House seats from the Democrats. Yet first-term Republican [[David Vitter]] was considered to be vulnerable for his reelection after he confessed in 2007 to seeing an escort service, which has tainted his career. Third-district Congressman [[Charlie Melancon]] won the Democratic nomination. Vitter defeated Melancon by a 57%-38% margin.
 +
 
 +
*'''Missouri'''
 +
 
 +
Incumbent Republican Senator [[Kit Bond]] announced he will not seek fifth term. Former House Majority Whip [[Roy Blunt]] announced his candidacy. Blunt benefited from strong fundraising numbers and President Obama's dismal approval ratings in Missouri. Secretary of State Robin Carnahan won the Democratic nomination. BLunt defeated Carnahan by a 54%-41% margin.
 +
 
 +
*'''New Hampshire'''
 +
 
 +
Senior Republican Senator [[Judd Gregg]], after withdrawing from a position in the [[Obama administration]], announced he will not seek a fourth term. 2nd district Congressman [[Paul Hodes]] won the Democratic nomination, while Republicans nominated former New Hampshire Attorney General [[Kelly Ayotte]]. Ayotte defeated Hodes by a 60%-37% margin.
  
 
*'''North Carolina'''
 
*'''North Carolina'''
  
−
First-term Republican [[Richard Burr]] may be vulnerable after [[Barack Obama]] won [[North Carolina]]'s 15 electoral votes by a narrow margin, and Democrat [[Kay Hagan]] defeated Republican Senator [[Elizabeth Dole]]. It is also worth noting that not a single Senator has held this seat for more than one term since 1974. State Attorney General Roy Cooper announced he will not challenge Burr, and Democrats are still looking for a candidate.
+
First-term Republican [[Richard Burr]] was considered vulnerable after [[Barack Obama]] won [[North Carolina]]'s 15 electoral votes by a narrow margin, and Democrat [[Kay Hagan]] defeated Republican Senator [[Elizabeth Dole]]. It is also worth noting that no Senator has held this seat for more than one term since 1974. Secretary of State Elaine Marshall defeated former State Senator Cal Cunningham and Attorney Ken Lewis in the Democratic primary. Burr was reelected by a 55%-43% margin.
 +
 
 +
*'''Ohio'''
 +
 
 +
Moderate Republican [[George Voinovich]] announced he would not seek a third term. Lieutenant Governor [[Lee Fisher]] won the Democratic nomination over Ohio Secretary of State [[Jennifer Brunner]] with 55% of the vote, a much closer margin than polls had shown.<ref>https://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/dem-primaries/96111-fisher-wins-ohio-dem-senate-primary-will-face-portman</ref> Fisher received the endorsement of Democratic Governor [[Ted Strickland]]. Meanwhile, Republicans rallied behind [[Rob Portman]], former Congressman and Director of the [[Office of Management and Budget]]. Although polls originally showed a tight race, Portman defeated Fisher by a 57%-39% margin.
 +
 
 +
*'''Oklahoma'''
 +
 
 +
[[Tom Coburn]] was elected to a second term by a 71%-26% margin against Democrat Jim Rogers.
  
 
*'''South Carolina'''
 
*'''South Carolina'''
  
−
First-term Republican [[Jim DeMint]], known as an outspoken conservative, has not hurt him in the Republican stronghold of [[South Carolina]]. Democrats have failed to recruit any well-known candidates and DeMint remains in a conformable position for 2010.   
+
First-term Republican [[Jim DeMint]], whose reputation as an outspoken conservative, has not hurt him in the Republican stronghold of [[South Carolina]]. Democrats nominated an unconventional candidate, Alvin Greene, an unemployed Army veteran who was indicted on criminal charges for showing pornographic pictures to a teenage college student.<ref>http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/aug/13/alvin-greene-charged-pornographic-pictures</ref> DeMint defeated Greene by a 61%-28% margin.   
  
 
*'''South Dakota'''
 
*'''South Dakota'''
  
−
In 2004, [[John Thune]] defeated Senate Minority Leader [[Tom Daschle]], his victory quickly made him a rising star in the Republican Party. Democrats have no high-profile challenger for 2010, and he is favored to win reelection.
+
In 2004, [[John Thune]] defeated Senate Minority Leader [[Tom Daschle]], and his victory quickly made him a rising star in the Republican Party. Thune ran unopposed in his reelection.<ref>http://www.rapidcityjournal.com/news/article_ac1faf7e-3da6-11df-96fd-001cc4c03286.html</ref>
  
 
*'''Utah'''  
 
*'''Utah'''  
  
−
Three-term Senator [[Robert Bennett]] represents a state that John McCain won by over thirty-percentage points and is expected to win reelection by a comfortable margin.
+
Three-term Senator [[Robert Bennett]] represents a state that John McCain won by over thirty-percentage points and was expected to win reelection by a comfortable margin. However, he was defeated in the Republican caucus to Mike Lee and Tim Bridgewater after his vote for TARP. Bennett ruled out a write-in campaign, and Lee went on to win the Republican primary and general election.
  
 
==Governors==
 
==Governors==
−
The top races for governorships, and the parties now in power, are:<ref>See [http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/ for daily updates]</ref>
 
  
−
for November, 2009:
+
In the 2010 gubernatorial elections, the Democratic Party won five governorships held by retiring Republicans: [[California]], [[Connecticut]], [[Hawaii]], [[Minnesota]], and [[Vermont]]. The Republican Party won nine governorships from retiring Democrats: [[Kansas]], [[Oklahoma]], [[Maine]], [[Michigan]], [[New Mexico]], [[Pennsylvania]], [[Tennessee]], [[Wisconsin]], [[Wyoming]], and defeated two incumbents, [[Chet Culver]] of [[Iowa]] and [[Ted Strickland]] of [[Ohio]]. An Independent was elected Governor of [[Rhode Island]] to replace a retiring Republican, and a Republican was elected Governor of [[Florida]] to replace an Independent. Thus, Republicans had a net gain of six governorships, and the majority of Governors in the United States flipped from Democrat to Republican. Republicans also won the governorships of [[New Jersey]] and [[Virginia]] from the Democrats in the 2009 elections.
−
* Virginia open seat (incumbent Democrat is not running)
 
−
* N.J. incumbent Democrat is running
 
  
−
In both states the Republicans in early September had a lead of 5% to 10% in polls.
+
===Democratic Gains===
  
−
for 2010:
+
*'''California'''
  
−
*1 Kansas incumbent=Democrat
+
Incumbent Republican [[Arnold Schwarzenegger]] was prohibited from seeking reelection because of term-limits. Schwarzenegger was elected in 2003 after a recall of Governor [[Gray Davis]] and reelected in a landslide in 2006. However, Schwarzenegger's popularity, along with the Democratic assembly, fell because of the California budget crisis. State Attorney General and former Governor [[Jerry Brown]] won the Democratic nomination. On the Republican side, former [[Ebay]] CEO [[Meg Whitman]] defeated State Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner.
−
*2 R.I. incumbent=Republican
 
−
*3 Hawaii incumbent=Republican
 
−
*4 Nevada incumbent=Republican
 
−
*5 Tennessee incumbent=Democrat
 
−
*6 Michigan incumbent=Democrat
 
−
*7 Oklahoma incumbent=Democrat 
 
−
*8 Florida incumbent=Republican, not running
 
−
*9 N.Y. incumbent=Democrat
 
  
−
===2009===
+
[[San Francisco]] Mayor [[Gavin Newsom]] was seeking the Democratic nomination, however dropped out in October 2009 after lackluster poll numbers and meager fund-raising receipts.<ref>https://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-newsom-out31-2009oct31,0,7017003.story</ref> In the general election, Brown defeated Whitman by a 53%-42% margin.
  
−
*'''New Jersey'''
+
*'''Connecticut'''
  
−
Incumbent Democrat Governor [[Jon Corzine]] was defeated for reelection by a 45%-49% margin over [[Republican]] challenger [[Chris Christie]]. Corzine's approval ratings had plummeted as the New Jersey economy weakened, high property taxes were a heavy burden, and recurrent corruption scandals tainted Democrats in the state. In late October polls showed Christie tied with Corzine; Chris Daggett, a liberal Republican and former regional administrator for the [[Environmental Protection Agency]], who ran as an independent was polling as high as 20%, however underperformed with 6% of the vote.
+
M. [[Jodi Rell]], despite being a Republican Governor from a blue state, was reelected with 63% of the vote in 2006 and had high approval ratings throughout her tenure as governor. However, she announced she would not run for another term.<ref>https://www.politico.com/news/stories/1109/29346.html</ref> Lieutenant Governor [[Michael Fedele]] announced his candidacy, but was defeated for the Republican nomination by former U.S. Ambassador Tom Foley. Democrats chose Stamford Mayor Dan Malloy over former U.S. Senate candidate [[Ned Lamont]]. After a recount, Malloy was confirmed to have won the governorship by a 50%-49% margin.
  
−
*'''Virginia'''
+
*'''Hawaii'''  
  
−
Incumbent Democrat [[Tim Kaine]] was not seeking a second term because the [[Virginia]] constitution does not allow a governor to succeed himself (they are the only state in the nation to have such a provision). The Republican nominee, former state Attorney General [[Bob McDonnell]], defeated Democrat State Senator [[Creigh Deeds]] by an 18-point landslide. Additionally, Republicans maintianed the Lieutenant Governorship and Attorney General's office.
+
Republican Governor [[Linda Lingle]] was term-limited. James Aiona, who served as the state's [[Lieutenant Governor]] eight years, ran to become her successor, but was defeated by 10-term Congressman [[Neil Abercrombie]] by a 58%-41% margin.
  
−
===2010===
+
*'''Minnesota'''
  
−
*'''Alabama'''
+
Two-term Governor [[Tim Pawlenty]] announced he would not seek another term, and became a potential 2012 GOP presidential candidate. Republican State Representative [[Tom Emmer]] and former Democratic U.S. Senator [[Mark Dayton]] won their parties nominations, respectively. After a recount, Dayton was confirmed to have won by a 0.5% margin. 
  
−
Republican Governor [[Bob Riley]] is term-limited in 2010, both parties are expected to face a competitive primary. Announced Republican candidates include State Representative Robert Bentley, State Treasurer [[Kay Ivey]], businessman Tim James and former state Supreme Court chief justice Roy Moore, while announced Democratic candidates are 7th district Congressman [[Artur Davis]] and state Agriculture Commissioner Ron Sparks. Republicans have won 5 out of the last 6 gubernatorial elections in Alabama, and John McCain won its 9 electoral votes by over 60-percentage points.
+
*'''Vermont'''
  
−
*'''Alaska'''
+
Although a solidly Democratic state (Barack Obama won it with over 67% of the vote) Republican [[Jim Douglas]] was elected governor in 2002 and reelected in 2004, 2006, and 2008. Douglas announced he would not run for another term, and Republicans nominated Lieutenant Governor [[Brian Dubie]]. Democratic State Senator Peter Shumlin defeated Dubie by a 50%-48% margin in the general election.
  
−
[[Sarah Palin]], one-term Governor and former Vice-Presidential nominee, resigned on July 3rd, 2009 and Lieutenant Governor [[Sean Parnell]] inherited the governorship. Although Alaska has strong Republican-leanings, Parnell is being challenged by Speaker of the Alaska House of Representatives John Harris, while Democrat candidates include State Senator Hollis French and former State Representative Ethan Berkowitz.
+
===Independent Gains===
  
−
*'''Arkansas'''
+
*'''Rhode Island'''
  
−
Democrat [[Mike Beebe]] has high approval ratings and is favored to win a second term, despite Arkansas trending Republican in presidential politics. No Republicans have announced their candidacy, although former Congressman Asa Hutchinson may run.
+
Although Democrats have dominated Rhode Island politics, they have voted Republican for 7 of the last 10 gubernatorial elections. As Rhode Island was hit hard by the national recession, Republican Governor [[Donald Carcieri]] suffered in the polls, and was barred from seeking a third term because of term-limits. [[Lincoln Chafee]], former Senator who was known as the most liberal Republican in [[Congress]], was elected Governor as an Independent, defeating Republican John Robitaille and Democrat Frank Caprio. After President Obama refused to endorse Caprio, he caused controversy by telling Obama to take his endorsement and "shove it." <ref>[http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101026/ap_on_el_gu/us_ri_governor_caprio]</ref>
  
−
*'''Arizona''' 
+
===Republican Gains===
  
−
After Democratic Governor [[Janet Napolitano]] was nominated by President Obama to serve as Secretary of Homeland Security, Arizona Secretary of State [[Janice K. Brewer]], a Republican, succeeded her. She has announced that she will seek a full term. <ref>http://phoenix.bizjournals.com/phoenix/stories/2009/11/02/daily52.html</ref>Brewer may be one of the most vulnerable Republican Governors in 2010. State Attorney General Terry Goddard has stated he has plans to run, while other possible Democratic candidates include Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon and former Tempe Mayor Neil Giuliano.
+
*'''Florida'''
  
−
*'''California'''
+
Republican turned Independent Governor [[Charlie Crist]] announced he would not seek a second term and instead run for the [[United States Senate]], resulting in an open race. State Attorney General [[Bill McCollum]] was heavily favored to win the Republican nomination, but was defeated by [[Rick Scott]], a millionaire health care executive and activist against federal health care legislation. Democrats nominated Chief Financial Officer [[Alex Sink]], who led Scott in most of the polls following the primary. Scott's campaign emphasized conservative policies such as expanding school choice, abolishing the corporate income tax, and firing state employees.<ref>http://www.slate.com/id/2279447/slideshow/2279496/</ref> He won the general election by a narrow 49%-48% margin.
  
−
Incumbent Republican [[Arnold Schwarzenegger]] is prohibited from seeking reelection because of term-limits. Schwarzenegger was elected in 2003 after a recall of Governor [[Gray Davis]] and reelected in a landslide in 2006. However, Schwarzenegger's popularity, along with the Democratic assembly, have fallen since the California budget crisis. State Attorney General and former Governor [[Jerry Brown]] is running for the Democratic nomination. Additionally, Democrats are waiting if senior Senator [[Dianne Feinstein]] runs. On the Republican side, businesswoman [[Meg Whitman]] has announced her candidacy, and could easily self-finance her campaign. State Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner and former Congressman Tom Campbell have formed exploratory committees.
+
*'''Iowa'''
  
−
[[San Francisco]] Mayor [[Gavin Newsom]] was seeking the Democratic nomination, however dropped out in October 2009 after lackluster poll numbers and meager fund-raising receipts. <ref>http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-newsom-out31-2009oct31,0,7017003.story</ref>
+
Chet Culver, who was elected governor in 2006 riding on a Democratic wave, was defeated in a competitive reelection. Culver governed as a progressive in a swing state, increasing the minimum wage and raising the cigarette tax. His job approval ratings fell as the economy continued to falter. Former Governor [[Terry Branstad]] defeated Culver by a 53%-43% margin.
  
−
*'''Colorado'''      
+
*'''Kansas'''
  
−
Despite recent success for Democrats in [[Colorado]], incumbent Governor [[Bill Ritter]] is expected to face a difficult reelection. His policies of higher taxes and unionization of state employees has earned him criticism from the business community, and his approval ratings have fallen to 45%. <ref>http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/jul/23/speakout-midway-in-first-term-ritter-struggles/</ref>. Announced Republican challengers include Scott McInnis, who represented western and southern Colorado in the U.S. House from 1993 through 2005, Colorado Senate Minority Leader Josh Penry, and businessman Dan Maes. Public opinion polls show McInnis leading Ritter by 5-8 points <ref>http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/PPP_Release_CO_423.pdf</ref> <ref>http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/PPP_Release_CO_820925.pdf</ref> <ref>http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections2/election_2010/election_2010_governor_elections/colorado/toplines/toplines_colorado_governor_s_race_september_9_2009/</ref> <ref>http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections2/election_2010/election_2010_governor_elections/colorado/election_2010_colorado_governor_s_race</ref>, while Ritter and Penry are in a dead heat.
+
[[Kathleen Sebelius]], a Democratic Governor from the Republican-stronghold of Kansas, stepped down after being nominated to serve as Secretary of Health and Human Services in the [[Obama administration]]. Lieutenant Governor Mark Parkinson, a former Republican, took her place, and announced he would not seek a full term. Senator [[Sam Brownback]] was the Republican nominee, and defeated Democratic state Senator Tom Holland by a 63%-32% margin.
  
−
*'''Connecticut'''
+
*'''Maine'''
  
−
M. [[Jodi Rell]], despite being a Republican Governor from a blue state, was reelected with 63% of the vote in 2006 and currently has a 75% approval rating. Despite her high approval ratings, she will not run for another term in 2010. <ref>http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1109/29346.html</ref> Republican Lieutenant Governor [[Michael Fedele]] is widely expected to announce his candidacy. Announced Democrats include Stamford Mayor Dan Malloy, former Speaker of the Connecticut House of Representatives James Amann, and Connecticut Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz. Former Senate candidate [[Ned Lamont]] may run.
+
Democrat Governor [[John Baldacci]] was term-limited by state law, and Republicans saw it as an opportunity to gain the governorship. Republicans nominated Waterville, Maine Mayor Paul LePage, who defeated Independent candidate Eliot Cutler and Democratic state Senate President Libby Mitchell with a 38% plurarly.  
  
−
*'''Florida'''
+
*'''Michigan'''
  
−
Republican Governor [[Charlie Crist]] has announced he will not seek a second term and instead run for the [[United States Senate]], meaning there will be an open race. Republican state Attorney General [[Bill McCollum]] and Democrat chief financial officer [[Alex Sink]] are strongly favored to win their party's nomination. Although Barack Obama won Florida's 27 electoral votes with 51% of the vote, they typically elected Republicans to state offices. Public opinion polls have McCollum leading Sink by 1-11 points. <ref>http://www.sayfiereview.com/sayfiereviewcompowerplay-poll-1.php/</ref> <ref>http://www.ronsachs.com/docs/may2009poll.pdf</ref> <ref>http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections2/election_2010/election_2010_governor_elections/florida/election_2010_florida_governor</ref> <ref>http://blogs.tampabay.com/buzz/2009/08/gop-poll-bill-mccollum-47-alex-sink-38.html/</ref> <ref>http://www.quinnipiac.edu/x1297.xml?ReleaseID=1366/</ref><ref>http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections2/election_2010/election_2010_governor_elections/florida/election_2010_florida_governor</ref>
+
Democratic Governor [[Jennifer Granholm]] suffered in her job approval ratings as the Michigan economy, heavily dependent of the auto industry, continued to falter throughout the 2000s. She was legally barred from seeking a third-term under state law. The Republican nominee, former President and COO of Gateway, Inc. Rick Snyder, easily defeated Democrat Lansing Mayor Virgil Bernero by a 58%-40% margin in the general election.
  
−
*'''Georgia'''
+
*'''New Mexico'''
  
−
Republican [[Sonny Perdue]], who was elected with 51% of the vote in 2002 and easily reelected in 2006, is term-limited in 2010. There is a crowded field of Republican candidates, including 9th district Congressman Nathan Deal, Georgia Secretary of State Karen Handel, George Senate President Pro Tempore Eric Johnson, state Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine, state Representative Austin Scott, and State Senator Jeff Chapman. Democrats have a series of formidable candidates as well, including state Attorney General Thurbert Baker, former one-term Governor Roy Barnes, Assembly Minority Leader DuBose Porter, Ray City Mayor Carl Camon, and former Commander of the Georgia National Guard David Poythress. Grady County [[NAACP]] President John Monds is seeking the [[Libertarian Party]] nomination. In 2008 Monds ran for Public Service Commissioner, and although he lost he became the first Libertarian to ever receive over 1 million votes (33%).
+
Democratic Governor [[Bill Richardson]] was nominated by President Obama to serve as Secretary of Commerce, however was forced to resign after it was exposed that his administration had a "pay-to-play" deal with a defense contractor. Richardson denied any wrongdoing. Although he was popular for most of his tenure, and handedly reelected in 2006, his approval ratings fell to 28% as the economy declined.<ref>http://www.koat.com/news/22663973/detail.html</ref> As he was term-limited in 2010, Lieutenant Governor [[Diane Denish]] won the Democratic Party nomination. The Republican nomination went to District Attorney [[Susana Martinez]], and narrowly led in the polls throughout the campaign. She defeated Denish by a 54%-46% margin, becoming the first [[Hispanic]] woman elected governor in the United States.  
  
−
*'''Guam'''
+
*'''Ohio'''
  
−
Guam Governor Felix P. Camacho, a Republican, is term limited in 2010. Announced Republican candidates include Lieutenant Governor Michael W. Cruz, and State Senator Eddie B. Calvo. Former Governor Carl Gutierrez is seeking the Democratic nomination. D.C.'s political report has predicted the office will remain if Republican control. <ref>http://www.dcpoliticalreport.com/GU.htm</ref>
+
Incumbent Democrat [[Ted Strickland]] faced sagging approval ratings and tough reelection prospects as Ohio lost jobs and population during his governorship. His Republican opponent, [[John Kasich]] – a former Congressman and Chairman of the House Budget Committee in the 1990s – campaigned on phasing out the state income tax, leasing the state's toll roads, cutting 15-20 percent of the state's higher education funds, and relaxing sentences on nonviolent offenders to cut down prison costs.<ref>[http://www.slate.com/id/2279447/slideshow/2279496/fs/0//entry/2279502/]</ref> He defeated Strickland by a 49%-47% margin.
  
−
*'''Hawaii'''  
+
*'''Oklahoma'''
  
−
Republican Governor [[Linda Lingle]] is term-limited in 2010. James Aiona, who has served as the state's [[Lieutenant Governor]] since 2002, is heavily favored to win the Republican nomination, while 10-term Congressman [[Neil Abercrombie]] is seeking the Democratic nomination. Hawaii Senate President Colleen Hanabusa and Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann may also run. A June Research 2000 poll shows Abercrombie leading Aiona by 9-percentage points, with 19% undecided. <ref>http://www.dailykos.com/statepoll/2009/6/17/HI/311/</ref>
+
Democratic Governor [[Brad Henry]] could not run for reelection because of term limits. Republicans nominated U.S. Representative Marry Fallin, who defeated Lieutenant Governor Jari Askins, becoming the first woman elected governor of Oklahoma.
  
−
*'''Idaho'''
+
*'''Pennsylvania'''
 +
 
 +
Democratic Governor [[Ed Rendell]] was term limited in 2010. Democrats nominated Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato. Republicans nominated Attorney General Tom Corbett. 6th district Congressman Jim Gerlach was a Republican candidate, however dropped out in January and sought reelection instead. In the general election Corbett defeated Onorato by a 55%-45% margin.
  
−
[[Butch Otter]], governor of one of the most conservative states in the nation, has not indicated whether he will seek a second term (although he has held a number of fundraisers). If not Lieutenant Governor Brad Little may run. Announced GOP candidates include Ada County commissioner Sharon Ullman, and rancher Rex Rammell, who received 5.4% of the vote when he ran for Governor as an Independent in 2008. No Democrat has announced their candidacy, although Boise Mayor David Bieter has been mentioned as a potential candidate.
+
*'''Tennessee'''
  
−
*'''Illinois'''
+
Democratic Governor [[Phil Bredesen]] was term limited and unable to seek reelection. Tennessee, a conservative-leaning state, elected Knoxville Republican mayor Bill Haslam over Democrat [[Mike McWherter]].
  
−
Democratic Governor Pat Quinn was installed as governor after the impeachment of [[Rod Blagojevich]]. Quinn has announced he will seek a full term in 2010. Quinn is being challenged for the Democratic nomination by State Comptroller Dan Hynes. Republican candidates include State Senators Bill Brady and Kirk Dillard, and former State GOP chair Andrew McKenna. 
+
===Democratic Holds===
  
−
*'''Iowa'''
+
*'''Arkansas'''
  
−
Chet Culver, who was elected governor in 2006 riding on a Democratic wave, will likely face a competitive challenge in 2010. Culver's job approval rating has fallen as the economy continues to falter. Public opinion polls show he would lose by double digits if former Governor Terry Branstad, a Republican, runs. <ref>http://theiowarepublican.com/home/2009/07/17/former-governor-branstad-defeats-culver-53-to-37-in-head-to-head-matchup/</ref> <ref>http://blogs.desmoinesregister.com/dmr/index.php/2009/08/21/republican-survey-says-branstad-the-strongest-culver-challenger/</ref> <ref>http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections2/election_2010/election_2010_governor_elections/iowa/toplines/toplines_iowa_governor_s_race_september_22_2009/</ref> Announced GOP candidates include State Rep. Christopher Rants, state Senate Minority Leader Paul McKinley, and state Rep. Rod A. Roberts. U.S. Congressman Steve King may also run.  
+
Centrist Democrat [[Mike Beebe]] enjoyed high approval ratings throughout his tenure as Governor. He was reelected by a 65%-34% margin against former Republican State Senate Jim Keet, despite Republicans making strong inroads in the traditionally Democratic supporting Arkansas during the 2010 election.
  
−
*'''Kansas'''
+
*'''Colorado'''      
  
−
[[Kathleen Sebelius]], a Democratic Governor from the Republican-stronghold of Kansas, stepped down after being nominated to serve as Secretary of Health and Human Services in the [[Obama administration]]. Lieutenant Governor [[Mark Parkinson]], a Democrat who assumed the office of Governor after Sebelius' resignation, will not seek a term in his own right. Republican Senior Senator [[Sam Brownback]] has officially announced his candidacy for Governor. As of now no Democrat is running.  
+
Despite Democratic success in [[Colorado]] during the 2006 and 2008 elections, incumbent Governor [[Bill Ritter]] announced his retirement after the prospects of a difficult reelection. His policies of higher taxes and unionization of state employees earned him criticism from the business community, and his approval ratings fell to 45%.<ref>http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/jul/23/speakout-midway-in-first-term-ritter-struggles/</ref> Former Congressman [[Scott McInnis]] was favored to win the Republican nomination, however fell in the polls after a controversy regarding plagiarizing an article, and was defeated by businessman and political newcomer Dan Maes, who also received criticism for misrepresenting his law enforcement background in the 1980s. Meanwhile, former Congressman [[Tom Tancredo]] entered the race in the American Constitution Party, and surged towards the end of the campaign. The turmoil made is easier for Denver Mayor [[John Hickenlooper]] to hold the Governors office for the Democrats, and was elected 50% of the vote, to Tancredo's 37% and Maes 11%.
  
−
*'''Maryland'''
+
*'''Illinois'''
  
−
Democrat Martin O'Malley will likely run for a second term in 2010. O'Malley's approval rating has fallen to 33% after a series of tax increases. The race could become competitive if former Governor Robert Ehrlich seeks a rematch.    
+
Democratic Governor Pat Quinn was installed as governor after the impeachment of [[Rod Blagojevich]], and announced he would seek a full term. Quinn narrowly won the Democratic nomination against State Comptroller Dan Hynes. State Senator Bill Brady won the Republican nomination, defeating State Senator Kirk Dillard, and former State GOP chair Andrew McKenna. In the general election, Quinn pulled somewhat of an upset, winning reelection by a 47%-46% margin.
  
−
*'''Maine'''
+
*'''Maryland'''
  
−
Democrat Governor [[John Baldacci]] is term-limited by state law. Republicans see this as an opportunity to gain the governorship. Candidates include Matt Jacobson, President of Maine & Company, mayor of Waterville Paul LePage, State Senator Peter Mills, and Les Otten, former co-owner of the [[Boston Red Sox]]. Democrat candidates include State Senate President Elizabeth Mitchell, former Maine Attorney General Steven Rowe, State Representative Dawn Hill, and Biddeford Mayor Donna Dion.
+
Democrat Martin O'Malley will likely run for a second term in 2010. O'Malley's approval ratings fell to 33% after a series of tax increases. The race was expected to be competitive with former Governor Robert Ehrlich seeking a rematch, however O'Malley was reelected by 14 percentage points.  
  
 
*'''Massachusetts'''
 
*'''Massachusetts'''
  
−
Governor [[Deval Patrick]], although a Democratic Governor from a blue state, will likely face a difficult reelection after a disappointing performance as governor. Republican candidates include health care executive Charlie Baker and businessman Christy Mihos. Polls show Deval trailing both of his Republican opponents. <ref>http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/specials/072609_poll/</ref> <ref>http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections2/election_2010/election_2010_governor_elections/massachusetts/election_2010_massachusetts_governor</ref> <ref>http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections2/election_2010/election_2010_state_toplines/massachusetts/toplines_election_2010_massachusettes_governor_august_10_2009/</ref> 
+
[[Deval Patrick]], although a Democratic Governor from a blue state, faced a difficult reelection after a disappointing performance as governor. The Republican nominee was health care executive Charlie Baker. Patrick was reelected with a 48% plurality, with Baker receiving 42% and Independent Paul Loscocco 8%.
  
−
*'''Michigan'''
+
*'''New York'''
  
−
Democratic Governor [[Jennifer Granholm]] has suffered in her job approval ratings as the Michigan economy, heavily dependent of the auto industry, continues to falter. She is legally barred from seeking a third-term under state law. Announced Republican candidates include 9th district Congressman Peter Hoekstra, state Attorney General Mike Cox, Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard, State Senator Tom George, and former Huron County Commissioner Timothy Rujan. Rock star [[Ted Nugent]] has expressed interest in seeking the Republican nomination. <ref>http://www.knac.com/article.asp?ArticleID=4181</ref> Lieutenant Governor John Cherry was mentioned as a Democratic candidate, but dropped out after poor poll numbers. Public opinion polls had Mike Cox leading John Cherry by 5-8 points. <ref>http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/PPP_Release_Michigan_730.pdf/</ref> <ref>http://www.freep.com/Story_not_found</ref> <ref>http://detnews.com/article/20090925/POLITICS02/909250376/Poll-shows-edge-for-Cox-as-GOP-opens-leadership-conference/</ref>A December 2009 Rasmussen Poll showed Bouchard leading Cherry 42%-32%, and Pete Hoekstra leading 46%-32%.<ref>http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/dpp/news/Polls-on-Granholm-2010-Governor's-Race</ref> State Representative Alma Smith, former Flint Mayor Don Williamson, and former State Representative John Freeman are seeking the Democratic nomination.  
+
After Democratic Governor [[Eliot Spitzer]] resigned in disgrace when it was revealed that he was involved in a prostitution ring, Lieutenant Governor [[David Paterson]] took office. Governor Paterson's approval ratings plummeted to 21% <ref>http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/16/no-recovery-in-patersons-poll-numbers/?hp</ref> after his handling of the state budget crisis, his mismanagement of filling in the appointment of [[Hillary Clinton]]'s vacant Senate seat, and a proposed number of tax increases. Former New York City Mayor [[Rudy Giuliani]] declined to seek the governorship and endorsed former Congressman [[Rick Lazio]].  
  
−
*'''Minnesota'''
+
President Barack Obama in Sept. 2009 contacted Paterson, asking him not to seek reelection in 2010 in that he cannot recover from his dismal political standing. Democrats nominated a stronger candidate, State Attorney General [[Andrew Cuomo]]. Republicans nominated Tea Party favorite and real estate developer Carl Paladino. Polls originally showed a tightening race, however a series of missteps resulted in Cuomo being handedly elected with over 60-percent of the vote. 
  
−
Two-term Governor [[Tim Pawlenty]] has announced he will not seek another term and has become a potential 2012 GOP presidential candidate. Upon his announcement, several Republican jumped in the race, including State House Minority Leader Marty Seifert, former Minnesota State Auditor Patricia Anderson, State Representatives Paul Kohls and Tom Emmer, State Senator Mike Jungbauer, Minnesota Senate Minority Whip David Hann, and former State Representative Bill Haas. Former U.S. Senator [[Norm Coleman]] may run. Announced [[Democratic-Farmer-Labor-Party]] (DFL) candidates include Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives Margaret Anderson Kelliher, former State House Minority Leader Matt Entenza, State Senators Tom Bakk and John Marty, and State Representatives Paul Thissen and Tom Rukavina. Former United States Senator Mark Dayton, who left office as one of the most unpopular Senators in the nation, is also seeking the Democratic nomination.
+
*'''Oregon'''
  
−
*'''Nebraska'''
+
Incumbent Governor [[Ted Kulongoski]] could not seek a third term. Democrats nominated John Kitzhaber, who served as governor from 1995 until 2003. He defeated former NBA player Chris Dudley in the general election by a 49%-48% margin.
  
−
Republican Governor [[Dave Heineman]], who was easily reelected with 73% of the vote in 2006, is expected to easily win a another term.
+
===Republican Holds===
  
−
*'''Nevada'''
+
*'''Alabama'''
  
−
Republican Governor [[Jim Gibbons]] may be vulnerable for his reelection after a series of scandals in his administration, a messy divorce and lawsuit, his failure to examine Yucca Mountain nuclear waste site, and his handling of the budget has brought his approval ratings down. Several Republicans are challenging him in a primary, including former Nevada Attorney General Brian Sandoval, former State Senator Joe Heck, and North Las Vegas Mayor Mike Montandon. Reno Mayor Bob Cashell may also run. No Democrats have announced their candidacy, although many have expressed interest, including Clark County Commissioner Rory Reid — son of Senate Majority Leader [[Harry Reid]] and state Assembly Speaker Barbara Buckley. [[Las Vegas]] Mayor Oscar Goodman may run as a Democrat or independent.  
+
Republican Governor [[Bob Riley]] is term-limited after two terms, and both parties faced a competitive primary. State Agriculture Commissioner Ron Sparks trounced 7th district Congressman Artur Davis for the Democratic nomination, while State Representative and physician [[Robert Bentley]] defeated former State Senator Bradley Byrne in the Republican runoff. Bentley led in the polls by twenty points throughout the campaign, and was elected by a 58%-42% margin. Republicans have won 6 out of the last 7 gubernatorial elections in Alabama, and John McCain won its 9 electoral votes by 60-percentage points.
  
−
*'''New Mexico'''
+
*'''Alaska'''
  
−
Democratic Governor [[Bill Richardson]] was nominated by the President Obama to serve as Secretary of Commerce, however was forced to resign after it was exposed that his administration had a "pay-to-play" deal with a defense contractor. Richardson denies any wrong doing, and as he is term-limited in 2010, Lieutenant Governor Diane Denish is seeking the Democratic Party nomination. Albuquerque financial adviser Greg Zanetti and State Representative Janice Arnold-Jones have announced their candidacy for the Republican Party nomination. Possible candidates include former state GOP chair Allen Weh, former U.S. Representative Heather Wilson and Bernalillo County Sheriff Darren White.
+
[[Sarah Palin]], one-term Governor and former Vice-Presidential nominee, resigned on July 3, 2009 and Lieutenant Governor [[Sean Parnell]] inherited the governorship. Although Democrats nominated a formidable challenger, former State House Minority Leader Ethan Berkowitz, Parnell was elected to a full term by a 59%-38% margin.
  
−
*'''New York'''
+
*'''Arizona'''
  
−
After Democratic Governor [[Eliot Spitzer]] resigned in disgrace when was revealed he was involved in a prostitution ring, Lieutenant Governor [[David Paterson]] took office. Governor Paterson's approval ratings have plummeted to 21% <ref>http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/16/no-recovery-in-patersons-poll-numbers/?hp</ref> after his handling of the state budget crisis, his mismanagement of filling in the appointment of [[Hillary Clinton]]'s vacant Senate seat, and a proposed number of tax increases. Former New York City Mayor [[Rudy Giuliani]] has declined to seek the governorship. President [[Barack Obama]] in Sept. 2009 contacted Paterson, asking him not to seek reelection in 2010 in that he cannot recover from his dismal political standing. Democrats hope that a stronger candidate, such as State Attorney General [[Andrew Cuomo]] runs.
+
After Democratic Governor [[Janet Napolitano]] was nominated by President Obama to serve as Secretary of Homeland Security, Arizona Secretary of State [[Janice K. Brewer]], a Republican, succeeded her. She announced that she would seek a full term.<ref>[http://phoenix.bizjournals.com/phoenix/stories/2009/11/02/daily52.html]</ref> In the beginning of 2010, Brewer was considered to be one of the most vulnerable Republican Governors up for reelection. However, her popularity rose after signing a controversial illegal immigration law, and was reelected against state Attorney General Terry Goddard by a 55%-42% margin.
  
−
*'''Oklahoma'''
+
*'''Georgia'''
  
−
Democratic Governor [[Brad Henry]] cannot run for reelection because of term limits. Lieutenant Governor Jari Askins and Attorney General Drew Edmondson are seeking the Democratic nomination, while Republicans are united behind Congresswoman Mary Fallin. A Public Policy Poll shows Fallin leading both Askins and Edmondson. <ref>http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/PPP_Release_OK_520.pdf</ref>
+
In 2002, [[Sonny Perdue]] became the first Republican elected Governor of Georgia since reconstruction, and was reelected in 2006. However, he was term-limited in 2010. With an open race, former Governor Roy Barnes handedly defeated Attorney General Thurbert Baker in the Democratic primary, while Republicans narrowly nominated Congressman Nathan Deal over Secretary of State Karen Handel. Deal defeated Barnes by a 53%-43% margin+.
  
−
*'''Ohio'''
+
*'''Guam'''
  
−
Incumbent Democratic Governor [[Ted Strickland]] may be vulnerable in his reelection as Ohio suffers from over 10% [[unemployment]], the 10th highest out of 50 states and crippling taxes, the 4th worst in the nation. [[John Kasich]], former Congressman from the 12th district from 1983-2001 and host of the Ohio-based talk television program Heartland with John Kasich, is seeking the Republican nomination. A December 2009 Rasmussen poll has Kasich leading by a 48%-39% margin. <ref>http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections2/election_2010/election_2010_governor_elections/ohio/election_2010_ohio_governor</ref>
+
Guam Governor Felix P. Camacho, a Republican, was term limited in 2010. The Governors office stayed in Republican hands with the election of State Senator Eddie Calvo.  
  
−
*'''Oregon'''
+
*'''Idaho'''
  
−
Democratic Governor [[Ted Kulongoski]] cannot seek a third term. Former Governor John Kitzhaber is seeking the governorship again. Former Oregon Secretary of State Bill Bradbury is also running. Republicans have lessor-known candidates, including Businessman Allen Alley, State Senator Jason Atkinson, and former Oregon State Senator John Lim.  
+
[[Butch Otter]], governor of one of the most conservative states in the nation, was reelected by a 59%-33% margin.
  
−
*'''Pennsylvania'''
+
*'''Nebraska'''
  
−
Democratic Governor [[Ed Rendell]] is term limited in 2010. Announced Republican candidates include Attorney General Tom Corbett and 6th district Congressman Jim Gerlach. Democrat Auditor General Jack Wagner is running. A December 2009 Quinnipiac poll showed Corbett leading Wagner by a 43%-33% margin. <ref>http://www.pollster.com/blogs/pa_2010_gov_quinnipiac_12814.php</ref>
+
Republican Governor [[Dave Heineman]], who was easily reelected with 73% of the vote in 2006, was easily won another term with 74% of the vote.
  
−
*'''Rhode Island'''
+
*'''Nevada'''
  
−
Although Democrats have dominated Rhode Island politics, they have voted Republican for 7 of the last 9 gubernatorial elections. As Rhode Island has been hit hard by the national recession, Republican Governor [[Donald Carcieri]] has suffered in the polls, however is barred from seeking a third term because of term-limits. [[Lincoln Chafee]], former Senator who was known as the most liberal Republican in [[Congress]], is running for Governor as an Independent, and is a formidable candidate because of his name recognition. Possible Democratic candidates include state Attorney General Patrick Lynch and state General Treasurer Frank Caprio. State Representative Joseph Trillo will seek the Republican nomination, while former state Attorney General Arlene Violet, the first woman ever elected Attorney General, may also run. <ref>http://www.projo.com/news/efitzpatrick/edward_fitzpatrick_0820_08-20-09_BGFE6HF_v26.3987b72.html</ref>
+
Republican Governor [[Jim Gibbons]] was defeated in the primary by former State Attorney General Brian Sandovalby. Gibbons was vulnerable for his reelection after a series of scandals in his administration, a messy divorce and lawsuit, his failure to examine the Yucca Mountain nuclear waste site, and his handling of the budget, brought his approval ratings down. Clark County Commissioner Rory Reid — son of Senate Majority Leader [[Harry Reid]] - won the Democratic nomination. In the general election, Sandovalby defeated Reid by a 53%-42% margin.  
  
 
*'''South Carolina'''
 
*'''South Carolina'''
  
−
Republican Governor [[Mark Sanford]]'s possible presidential ambitions in 2012 ended after it was exposed he was having an extramarital affair with a woman from [[Argentine]]. Sanford will not resign, however is barred from seeking a third term because of term limits. Both parties have prepared for an open race. Announced Republican candidates include state Attorney General Henry McMaster, 3rd district Congressman Gresham Barrett, State Senator Larry Grooms, and State Representative Nikki Haley. Lieutenant Governor Andre Bauer will likely run. On the Democratic side, candidates include state Superintendent of Education Jim Rex, State Senators Robert Ford and Vincent Sheheen, lobbyist Dwight Drake, and lawyer Mullins McLeod.
+
Republican Governor [[Mark Sanford]]'s possible presidential ambitions for 2012 ended after it was exposed he was having an extramarital affair with a woman from [[Argentine]]. Sanford would not resign, however was barred from seeking a third term because of term limits. Both parties prepared for an open race. State Representative [[Nikki Haley]] defeated Congressman Gresham Barrett in the Republican primary. State Senator Vincent Sheheen won the Democratic nomination. Haley defeated Sheheen bu a 51%-47% margin, becoming the first woman elected Governor of South Carolina, and the second Indian-American elected Governor, next to [[Bobby Jindal]] of [[Louisiana]].  
  
 
*'''South Dakota'''
 
*'''South Dakota'''
  
−
Two-term Republican Governor [[Mike Rounds]] cannot run for a third-term because of term limits. Republican candidates include Lieutenant Governor Dennis Daugaard and State Senate Majority Leader Dave Knudson. For the Democrats State Senate Minority Leader Scott Heidepriem is running. A December 2009 Public Policy Polling survey showed both Daugaard and Knudson leading Heidepriem by double digit margins. <ref>http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/PPP_Release_SD_1217.pdf</ref>
+
Two-term Republican Governor [[Mike Rounds]] could not run for a third-term because of term limits. Republicans nominated Lieutenant Governor Dennis Daugaard and Democrats nominated state Senate Minority Leader Scott Heidepriem. Daugaard defeated Heidepriem by a 62%-38% margin.  
  
−
*'''Tennessee'''
+
*'''Texas'''
 +
 
 +
Former Lieutenant Governor under [[George W. Bush]] and now Governor, [[Rick Perry]] was elected for an unprecedented third consecutive term. Perry alienated some citizens with his support of the Trans-Texas Corridor and social conservatives with an executive order mandating vaccine for school girls. Still, he defeated Senior Senator [[Kay Bailey Hutchison]] for the Republican nomination, after attacking her as a Washington insider and big spender. The Democratic nominee was former Houston Mayor [[Bill White]]. 
  
−
Democratic Governor [[Phil Bredesen]] is term limited and unable to seek reelection. Tennessee, a Republican-leaning state, will likely have a competitive contest. Announced Republican candidates are 3rd district Congressman Zach Wamp, Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam, and Lieutenant Governor Ron Ramsey. Democrats include Tennessee Senate Minority Leader Jim Kyle, former State House Majority Leader Kim McMillan, State Senator Roy Herron, and former attorney Mike McWherter.
+
*'''Utah'''
  
−
*'''Texas''' 
+
Lieutenant Governor [[Gary Herbert]], Republican, inherited the governorship after Governor [[Jon Huntsman, Jr.]] resigned to serve as U.S Ambassador to [[China]]. In a state that has not elected a Democrat Governor since 1980, Herbert was elected to a full term.
  
−
Former Lieutenant Governor under [[George W. Bush]] and now Governor, [[Rick Perry]] is running for an unprecedented third consecutive term. Perry has alienated some citizens with his support of the Trans-Texas Corridor and social conservatives with an executive order mandating vaccine for school girls. Texas' Senior Senator [[Kay Bailey Hutchison]] is challenging Perry in a primary. Although likable with a large constituency, she has taken some unpopular positions when voting for [[TARP]]. Larry Kilgore, who advocates that Texas succeeds from the union, is running. Democratic candidates include [[Kinky Friedman]], who is running in a second attempt for the governorship, and former State Representative Tom Schieffer.
+
== 2010 Midterm elections and wave of anti-abortion laws due to the red wave election ==
 +
[[File:Red-wave-election.jpg|right|thumbnail|300px|In the United States, a red wave election is an election where there is a surge of voters supporting Republican candidates which results in an unusually high number being elected to office.  
 +
<br />
 +
<br />
 +
In the United States, the Republican Party is associated with the color red.<ref>[https://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/red+wave Red wave], thefreedictionary.com</ref>]]
 +
The ''[[New York Times]]'' in a news article about [[Roe vs. Wade]] entitled ''How Did Roe Fall: Before a Decisive Ruling, A Powerful [[Red wave|Red Wave]]'' stated:
 +
{{Cquote|The beginning of the end of Roe v. Wade arrived on election night in November 2010.
  
−
*'''Utah'''
+
That night, control of state houses across the country flipped from Democrat to Republican, almost to the number: Democrats had controlled 27 state legislatures going in and ended up with 16; Republicans started with 14 and ended up controlling 25. Republicans swept not only the South but Democratic strongholds in the Midwest, picking up more seats nationwide than either party had in four decades. By the time the votes had been counted, they held their biggest margin since the [[Great Depression]].
  
−
Lieutenant Governor [[Gary Herbert]], Republican, inherited the governorship after Governor [[Jon Huntsman, Jr.]] resigned to serve as U.S Ambassador to [[China]]. In a state that has not elected a Democrat Governor since 1980, Herbert is favored to win a full term.
+
There had been a time, in the 15 years after Roe, when Republicans were as likely as Democrats to support an absolute right to legal abortion, and sometimes even more so. But 2010 swept in a different breed of Republican, powered by [[Tea Party]] supporters, that locked in a new conservatism. While Tea Party-backed candidates had campaigned on fiscal discipline and promised indifference to social issues, once in office they found it difficult to cut state budgets. And a well-established network was waiting with model anti-abortion laws.
  
−
*'''Vermont'''
+
In legislative sessions starting the following January, Republican-led states passed a record number of restrictions: 92, or nearly three times as many as the previous high, set in 2005.
 +
The three years following the 2010 elections would result in 205 anti-abortion laws across the country, more than in the entire previous decade.
  
−
Although a solidly Democratic state (Barack Obama won it by over 67% of the vote) Republican [[Jim Douglas]] was elected governor in 2002 and reelected in 2004, 2006, and 2008. Douglas has announced he will not run for another term, and Republicans are hoping for Lieutenant Governor [[Brian Dubie]] to enter the race. Randy Brock, an African-American conservative who served as State Auditor and in the Vermont Senate, may also run. Democrat candidates include Doug Racine, Lieutenant Governor under [[Howard Dean]], as well as Vermont Secretary of State Deborah Markowitz.
+
“A watershed year in the defense of life,” Charmaine Yoest, at the time president of the anti-abortion group Americans United for Life, proclaimed when the sessions were over, noting that 70 of the laws — restrictions on abortion pills and hurdles for women getting abortions and clinics providing them — had adopted the group’s model legislation. “And that is just the beginning.”<ref>[https://archive.ph/DKB2b#selection-377.0-553.33 ''How Did Roe Fall: Before a Decisive Ruling, A Powerful Red Wave''] by Kate Zernike, New York Times, June 25, 2022</ref>}}
  
 
==Further reading==
 
==Further reading==
 
* Michael Barone, ''The Almanac of American Politics: 2010'' (2009) 1726pp; in-depth covereage of every seat in Congress.
 
* Michael Barone, ''The Almanac of American Politics: 2010'' (2009) 1726pp; in-depth covereage of every seat in Congress.
  
−
====references====
+
== See also ==
 +
*[[Liberals Who Refuse To Debate]]
 +
*[[Jobsgate]]
 +
 
 +
====References====
 
<references/>
 
<references/>
  
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[[category:Politics]]
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[[Category:Politics]]
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[[category:Obama Presidency]]
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[[Category:Obama Presidency]]
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[[category:Republican Party]]
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[[Category:Republican Party]]
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[[category:Democratic Party]]
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[[Category:Democratic Party]]
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[[Category: 111th United States Congress]]
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[[Category:111th United States Congress]]
 
[[Category:2010 Midterm Elections]]
 
[[Category:2010 Midterm Elections]]
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[[Category:Featured articles]]

Latest revision as of 00:16, December 11, 2025

Midterm-losses-1960-2010.png

In the 2010 Midterm Elections, the Republican Party gained 63 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives and six seats in the U.S. Senate from the Democratic Party. Republicans also gained six governorships, including Florida, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Michigan. Republicans gained 680 seats in state legislatures, the most in the modern era.[1]

Republicans gained the most House seats since the 1938 Midterm Elections, giving Republicans their biggest House majority, and Democrats their smallest minority, since 1946. When blue dog Democrats are added to the Republicans on certain issues like gun control or marriage, the Republican majority is even greater than in 1946.

Democratic loses could be attributed to public rejection of the socialistic policies of the Obama administration. The public disapproved of President Obama's economic policies. In the days leading up to the election, a majority of voters supported repealing/replacing The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, sixty-five percent of voters said that the economic stimulus package either hurt the economy or did no good,[2] and fifty-four percent of those voting said they were dissatisfied with the performance of Barack Obama. Given the high level of Democratic success in the 2006 and 2008 elections, they were also put in the position of having to defend a large number of seats.

John Boehner (R-Ohio), become Speaker of the House in the 112th Congress, exchanging places with Nancy Pelosi (D-California). By tradition Pelosi would be expected to resign her leadership position after such a stunning repudiation by the electorate, but as a self-centered liberal she insisted on becoming the next Minority Leader.

2009 elections

In the Nov. 3, 2009, off-year elections, defeat was the fate of Democrats in New York City, New Jersey and Virginia. Mayor Michael Bloomberg, an independent, spent his way to a third term in New York City while Republican Bob McDonnell won in a landslide for governor of Virginia; in New Jersey Republican Christopher Christie ousted the incumbent Democrat Jon Corzine despite his millions and Obama's campaigning.

Conservatives scored a major internal party victory in Oct. 2009 by forcing the Republican candidate Dede Scozzafava out of a House race in New York's 23rd district, for being too liberal. The Conservative Party candidate was defeated by the Democrat, however, opening up recriminations between GOP officials and conservatives on why the district was lost for the first time since 1992. Conservative activists zeroed in on the 2010 race for Florida's open Senate seat, in which the Republican party Senate campaign committee endorsed moderate Gov. Charlie Crist but the more conservative Marco Rubio mounted a successful challenge. "If I were Charlie Crist in Florida, what's happening in New York 23 would make me extremely nervous," GOP strategist Todd Harris said. "A lot of the establishment Republicans underestimated the grass-roots anger across the country about spending and the expansion of the federal government. The anger is boiling over now, but a lot of the seeds of discontent were planted over the last five to six years."[3]

Ad campaigns

Cartoonist Michael Ramirez of Investor's Business Daily captures the tone of the 2010 Midterm elections.

In late 2009 national money was being poured into nine districts, where Democrats who voted for their party's health care reform may be in trouble. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, representing business, has spent at least $1.6 million in November. Liberals shoot back against the Chamber and 60 Plus Association with ads targeting 12 Democrats and one Republican who supported health reform. Three liberal groups, Americans United for Change and the labor unions AFSCME and SEIU are teaming up for $1.75 million worth of counter-messaging on broadcast and cable TV in the districts of Reps. Berry, Cao, Connolly, Donnelly, Ellsworth, Hill, Hodes, Michaud, Murphy, Perriello, Pomeroy, Snyder and Titus.

In mid-October the Democratic National Committee, echoing charges debunked[4] by the New York Times, insinuated that the U.S. Chamber of Commerce was using "foreign money" to fund ads criticizing Democrats. The president said in a Maryland stump speech, "we learned that one of the largest groups paying for these ads regularly takes in money from foreign corporations. So groups that receive foreign money are spending huge sums to influence American elections, and they won't tell you where the money for their ads comes from…. This is a threat to our democracy."[5]

The president himself has received $543,219 from Swiss banking giant UBS AG,[6] a foreign banking corporation which was later fined a record $780 million for its part in helping the rich evade U.S. income taxes.[7] Columnist Ruben Navarrette warned the pitfalls of playing the "foreign card" is

“ both offensive and dangerous. It exploits people's fears of the unknown and appeals to the prejudice that many of us feel toward those who are different. It also fuels ugly nativist instincts that -- once unleashed -- can do real damage....Democrats know this better than anyone ... The birther movement, which suggests that Obama was actually born in Kenya and thus not eligible to serve as a president, is all about playing the foreign card...[8] ”

Commentator Charles Krauthammer called the unfounded attacks on the Chamber of Commerce a baseless McCarthyite smear,[9] while columinst Jacob Sullum wrote,

“ Obama's attempt to discredit his opponents by linking them to sinister outsiders reminds us that neither major party has a monopoly on xenophobia. To some extent, crying "foreigner" reflects the president's desperation in the face of the Democrats' looming midterm losses.[10] ”

Pre-election Forecasts

In recent years, as the chart shows, the incumbent party loses an average of 16 House seats. The GOP needed 39 seats to win back the House.

Midterm.jpg

Democrats had to defend about 60 marginal House seats in 2010, as opposed to about 40 for Republicans. At high risk were 27 Democratic seats and just 13 Republican seats that may see a party switch.

Election forecasters in September 2009 were revising their predictions downward for the Democrats, as Obama's popularity continues to plunge. From April to August, Obama lost 10 points across the board—suffering losses in every group except blacks, who remain loyal to him.[11] The popularity of Congress remains low. Starting in January 2010 the number of Americans who identify themselves as Democrats was at a seven-year low.[12] The Republican party, however, suffers from a lack of leaders and its own poor reputation in voter esteem.

"No question, August proved cathartic for voters and chaotic for congressional Democrats. But way before the town hall meetings during recess, there were ample signs for Democrats to fear for their careers in 2010," concluded Cook Political Report House analyst David Wasserman, who predicts the Democrats will lose 20 seats in the House, but retain control.[13] Wasserman concludes that a major shift has been underway among "angry white seniors" (over age 60), who strongly dislike the Obama health care proposals because they fear they will lose benefits they now have.

Analyst Stuart Rothenberg reported that, "Growing public concern about spending, taxes and the size of government has started to shift the national landscape away from the Democrats to a more neutral position, and quite possibly toward the GOP."[14] Furthermore, an advantage for Republicans was that 48 House Democrats, 8 more than the size of their majority, come from districts that voted for both George W. Bush and John McCain.[15]

Columnist Rich Galen observed,

“ He railroaded his signature legislation - Obamacare - through the Congress costing his party 60+ seats in the 2010 mid-term election and guaranteeing GOP control of the House for the foreseeable future. Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi will go down in history as enablers of the sacrifice of Obama's Congressional allies on the alter of his enormous ego.[16] ”

House Races

Republicans won twelve House seats from retiring Democrats and defeated 52 Democratic incumbents. Democrats won one Republican-held open seat and defeated two Republican incumbents.

Defeated Incumbents

Senate

Texas Senator John Cornyn, the head of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, quietly put Senate Republicans in a position to benefit as the national political environment went negative toward Democrats, and was successful in narrowing the Democratic majority. Without losing any of their seats, the Republican Party defeated two incumbents, Blanche Lincoln (D-Arkansas) and Russ Feingold (D-Wisconsin), and won four Democratic-held open seats: Illinois, Indiana, North Dakota, and Pennsylvania. Additionally, Republican Scott Brown was elected to replace the late Senator Ted Kennedy (D-Massachusetts) in a January special election.

Republican Gains

  • Arkansas

Moderate Democrat Blanche Lincoln was defeated by 21 percentage points after Republicans made her one of their top targets in 2010. In the 2008 Presidential Election, Arkansas was one of the few states where John McCain exceeded George W. Bush’s margin, despite the national trend favoring Democrats. Generally, she voted the party line with President Obama, which angered her conservative constituents, but also voted against the Employee Free Choice Act (card check) and opposed to the public option in health care, which angered liberals. She began airing TV ads in March touting her independence from President Obama and national Democrats. Lincoln defeated Lieutenant Governor Bill Halter in a close runoff for the Democratic nomination.

Third district Congressman John Boozman easily won the Republican nomination, defeating State Senator Gilbert Baker and former State Senator Jim Holt. Boozman comfortably led thoughout the entire campaign.

  • Indiana

Two-term Democrat Evan Bayh dropped out of his reelection in February after polls showed he may be vulnerable after his vote for the economic stimulus package and government-run health care. Former Republican U.S. Senator Dan Coats, who predeced Bayh after retiring in 1998, announced his candidacy for his old Senate seat. Former six-term Congressman John Hostettler, State Senator Marlin Stutzman and businessman Don Bates Jr. were defeated for the Republican nomination. Conservative Congressman Mike Pence considered running, but instead chose to seek reelection in the House.

8th district Congressman Brad Ellsworth was the Democratic nominee. Dan Coats defeated Ellsworth by a 55%-40% margin. Ellsworth supported President Obama’s health care plan in a state where opposition to the legislation is higher than it was nationally.[17]

  • Illinois

Democratic Senator Roland Burris had been plagued by controversies. Burris was appointed to replace Barack Obama by Governor Rod Blagojevich, who had been arrested on a variety of federal corruption charges (including for trying to "sell" Obama's Senate seat). Burris was then accused of committing perjury after he admitted to not testifying truthfully at a committee investigating Governor Blagojevich. Burris announced he would not seek a full term in 2010.

Moderate-GOP Congressman Mark Kirk, representing a Democratic-leaning district that covers suburban Chicago, easily won the Republican nomination, while Illinois State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias defeated Chicago Inspector General David Hoffman in a close primary. Both candidates faced negative media publicity, Giannoulias for the collapse of his family bank, and Kirk for exaggerating his military record. In the general election, Kirk defeated Giannoulias by a 48%-46% margin.

  • Massachusetts

Republican State Senator Scott Brown pulled a major upset when he defeated Attorney General Martha Coakley by a 52%-47% margin.

Liberal icon Ted Kennedy, the third longest-serving Senator in U.S. history, died in August 2009, marking the end of an era. During the 2004 Presidential Election the Democratic super-majority in the state legislator blocked the right of Republican Governor Mitt Romney to appoint an interim senator had John Kerry been elected President. After changing the law to allow Governor Deval Patrick, a Democrat, the right to appoint a temporary replacement for Kennedy, he choose former Democratic National Committee chairman Paul Kirk. He did not seek a full term of his own, and a special election was held on January 19, 2010.

State Attorney General Martha Coakley won the Democratic primary, defeating businessman Alan Khazei, Representative Mike Capuano, and Boston Celtics co-owner Stephen Pagliuca. Charismatic State Senator Scott Brown was the Republican nominee.[18]

a last minute appeal

It was a safe Democratic seat until January, when Democrats reeled in shock as Coakley lost her 30-point lead and trailed by 5-10 points in the closing hours. Coakley was an ineffective machine-style insider candidate who was unable to reach independents. Brown's main theme was that he would be the 41st senator and would block the Obama health care plan—which Massachusetts did not need, he explained, because it had its own plan in operation. Coakley responded by attacking bankers and bringing in big guns like Bill Clinton, John Kerry and Barack Obama. They appealed to regular Democrats and alienated the equally numerous independents, who preferred Brown by more than 2-1.

The defeat for Coakley, coming on the heels of the Democrats' loss of Virginia and New Jersey in Nov. 2009, was a major blow to the liberal caused and reinvigorated the Republican party nationally.

  • North Dakota

Byron Dorgan, a three-term Democrat Senator from North Dakota, announced he would not seek reelection. Dorgan's announcement represented an opportunity for Republicans, after popular Governor John Hoeven announced his candidacy.[19] Hoeven defeated State Senator Tracy Potter by a 76%-22% margin, carrying every county.

  • Pennsylvania

After polls showed him losing the Republican primary by as much as 20 points, Arlen Specter simply changed party affiliation to Democrat. Despite full support by President Obama and virtually every elected Democrat in Pennsylvania as well as nearly every major newspaper, Specter went on to lose the Democratic nomination to 7th-district Congressman Joe Sestak in the primary, and faced former 15th district Congressman and Club for Growth President Pat Toomey, known for his economic conservatism. In the general election, Toomey defeated Sestak by a 51%-49% margin.

  • Wisconsin

Three-term incumbent Russ Feingold had positioned himself for a comfortable reelection after former governor and Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson announced he would not run. However, Tea Party activist and Oshkosh businessman Ron Johnson defeated Feingold by a 52%-47% margin.

Democratic Holds

  • California

Although California is a solidly Democratic state, conservatives originally saw outspoken liberal Senator Barbara Boxer as vulnerable. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, who was term-limited in 2010, announced he would not run. Former Hewlett-Packard Company President Carly Fiorina defeated former U.S. Rep. Tom Campbell and Assemblyman Chuck DeVore in the Republican primary. Boxer defeated Fiorina by ten percentage points.

  • Colorado

Appointed Democratic Senator Michael Bennet was narrowly reelected. Former Speaker of the Colorado House of Representatives Andrew Romanoff was defeated in his bid to challenge Bennet for the Democratic nomination, while Weld County District Attorney Ken Buck defeated former Lieutenant Governor Jane Norton in the Republican primary.

  • Connecticut

30-year Senate veteran Chris Dodd announced he would not seek a sixth term. Dodd's approval ratings plummeted after his failed presidential campaign in 2008, his controversial mortgage deal from Countrywide, and revelations about the $165 million bonuses for AIG executives that he attached in an amendment to the economic stimulus package, despite receiving federal bailout money. Popular state Attorney General Richard Blumenthal won the Democratic nomination, increasing the Democrats' chances of holding the seat. However, his poll numbers dropped after a New York Times report revealed that he exaggerated his military record.

Republicans nominated World Wrestling Entertainment CEO Linda McMahon, defeating former Congressman Rob Simmons and libertarian-leaning economist Peter Schiff, a stock broker and adviser to Ron Paul’s 2008 presidential campaign. Blumenthal won the general election by a 55%-43% margin.

  • Delaware

Joe Biden was simultaneously elected to a seventh term in the Senate and Vice President at the same time. Democratic Governor Ruth Ann Minner appointed a "caretaker" Senator, Ted Kaufman. Michael Castle, a moderate Republican who also served as Governor and Lieutenant Governor, was heavily favored to win the Republican nomination. However, Tea Party backed insurgent Christine O’Donnell ousted Castle in the primary, improving New Castle County Executive Chris Coons chances in holding the seat for Democrats. The Republican Party had a mixed reaction to O’Donnell's victory. She had caused controversy regarding her views on creationism and Christian values. Coons defeated O’Donnell by a 57%-40% margin.

  • Hawaii

Democrat Daniel Inouye easily won reelection against Republican Representative Campbell Cavasso.

  • Maryland

Entrenched incumbent Barbara Mikulski easily won reelection, defeating physician and Queen Anne's County Commissioner Eric Wargotz.

  • Nevada

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid faced a competitive reelection in 2010. The "Cook Political Report" in September 2009 rateed the contest as "Toss Up." His status weakened in summer 2009, as discontent with President Obama and the Democrats' health plan mounted, and as the Recession of 2008 continues to batter Las Vegas and the entire Nevada economy, with no relief in sight from the stimulus bill Reid pushed through the Senate. Reid's inability to improve his standing in the polls, coupled with the deteriorating political environment for Democrats nationally, were clear indications that his political problems are deep and will be difficult (though not impossible) to fix, says Cook.

After receiving the endorsement of the Tea Party Express and Club for Growth, former Assemblywoman Sharron Angle defeated former State Senator Sue Lowden and businessman Danny Tarkanian in the Republican primary. Reid defeated Angle by a 50%-45% margin.

  • New York

Senior Senator Charles Schumer was considered the safest incumbent of 2010 and won his reelection by a 66%-33% margin against Republican Jay Townsend.

  • New York-Special Election

Democrat Kirsten Gillibrand was appointed by Governor David Patterson to replace Hillary Clinton after much confusion on his part. Patterson mishandled the proposed appointment of Caroline Kennedy, gaining ridicule for both of them. Gillibrand's moderate views alienated the left wing of the Democratic Party. Former Tennessee Congressman Harold Ford, Jr. has announced he will not seek a primary challenge to Gillibrand.

Nine-term Congressman Peter King has declined to run. Republicans are tried but failed to recruit former Governor George Pataki, who ran ahead in the polls with Gillibrand. Real estate billionaire Mort Zuckerman, despite having a record of supporting liberal causes, was mentioned as a possible Republican or Independent candidate to avoid a primary, however announced that he would not run. Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani declined to seek the Senate seat.[20] Instead, Republicans nominated former Congressman Joseph DioGuardi, whom Gillibrand defeated by a 62%-36% margin.

  • Oregon

Democratic Senator Ron Wyden defeated his Republican challenger, Lewis & Clark College law professor Jim Huffman by a 57%-39% margin.

  • Vermont

Patrick Leahy, the third most senior U.S. Senator, was reelected by a 64%-40% margin against Republican Len Britton.

  • Washington

Polls show that Senator Patty Murray, once considered well positioned for reelection, would face a competitive race against Washington's former state Senator, Dino Rossi. In November, Murray defeated Rossi by a 52%-48% margin.

  • West Virginia

Popular Democratic Governor Joe Manchin was elected to replace the late Exalted Cyclops Senator Robert Byrd. Businessman and 2006 nominee John Raese made the race surprisingly close by tying Manchin to the Obama administration.

Republican Holds

  • Alabama

Senior Senator Richard Shelby, who was originally elected as a conservative Democrat but changed party affiliation to Republican after the 1994 Republican Revolution, was handedly reelected, as he was in 1992, 1998, and 2004.

  • Alaska

Lisa Murkowski won a term for the U.S. Senate in her own right in 2004 by a close 48%-45% margin, however, in 2010 she lost the Primary Election against Joe Miller, a Conservative candidate and Tea Party favorite. Democrats nominated Sitka, Alaska Mayor Scott McAdams. Murkowski pursued her campaign as a write-in candidate, and was reelected with a 39% plurality, while Miller received 35% and McAdams 23%. She has the distinction of being the first person elected to the Senate via write-in since Strom Thurmond in 1954.

  • Arizona

Senior Senator John McCain, the Republicans presidential nominee in 2008, caught a break when Democratic Governor Janet Napolitano was appointed Secretary of Homeland Security. However, former Congressman J. D. Hayworth challenged McCain in a primary, but was defeated by a 56%-32% margin. McCain went on to defeat Tucson City Councilor Rodney Glassman by a 59%-35% margin.

  • Florida

Republican Governor Charlie Crist, who once enjoyed high approval ratings, appointed George LeMieux upon the resignation of Senator Mel Martinez. LeMieux held the seat temporarily for Governor Crist who decided to run for the Senate. He was the establishment pick for the Republican nomination, but was challenged by conservative Florida House Speaker and Tea Party backed candidate Marco Rubio, who led by 32 points according to Public Policy Polling.[21] Crist announced he would drop out of the Republican primary and run as an Independent.

Crist alienated conservatives when he campaigned with President Obama in support for the $787 billion economic stimulus package, which was entirely opposed by the Florida Republican federal delegation. Democrats nominated 17th district Congressman Kendrick Meek, who defeated billionaire businessman Jeff Greene. Rubio was elected with a 49% plurality, defeating Crist who received 30% and Meek who received 20%.

  • Georgia

First-term Senator Johnny Isakson's had solid standing for his reelection. His most formidable Democratic opponent, state Attorney General Thurbert Baker, instead sought a campaign for Governor. Isakson defeated Labor Commissioner Mike Thurmond by a 58%-39% margin.

  • Idaho

Mike Crapo's conservative voting record goes along with the Republican stronghold of Idaho. In 2004, he faced no Democratic challenger and won reelection with over 99% of the vote. Crapo's seat was one of the safest in the 2010 election cycle, and he won reelection by a 71%-25% margin.

  • Iowa

30-year incumbent Charles Grassley is one of the most distinguished and influential Republican Senators in Washington (he serves as ranking member of the Finance Committee). He was reelected by a 65%-33% margin against former U.S. Attorney Roxanne Conlin, carrying all but one county.

  • Kansas

Incumbent Republican Sam Brownback honored his campaign pledge to serve only two terms. 1st district Congressman Jerry Moran defeated 4th district Congressman Todd Tiahrt for the Republican nomination by a 50%-45% margin, while Democrats nominated Lisa Johnston, an administrator at Baker University. Moran defeated Johnston by a 70%-26% margin.

  • Kentucky

Republicans had a victory when unpopular incumbent Senator Jim Bunning announced he would not seek a third term. Kentucky Secretary of State Trey Grayson sought the Republican nomination, however was defeated by Tea Party activist Rand Paul, an eye surgeon who is the son of Texas Congressman Ron Paul. Paul received the endorsment of former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin.[22] On the Democratic side, Lieutenant Governor Daniel Mongiardo (who lost to Bunning in 2004) was defeated by Attorney General Jack Conway. Paul campaigned on a reducation in taxion and spending, and won the support of conservatives and libertarians alike. Paul defeated Conway by a 56%-44% margin.

  • Louisiana

Louisiana, a conservative state, was not effected by the national trend for Democrats in 2006 and 2008. Republican Bobby Jindal was elected Governor by a landslide in 2007, in 2008 John McCain received a larger margin of victory in the state than George W. Bush in 2004, while the GOP gained two House seats from the Democrats. Yet first-term Republican David Vitter was considered to be vulnerable for his reelection after he confessed in 2007 to seeing an escort service, which has tainted his career. Third-district Congressman Charlie Melancon won the Democratic nomination. Vitter defeated Melancon by a 57%-38% margin.

  • Missouri

Incumbent Republican Senator Kit Bond announced he will not seek fifth term. Former House Majority Whip Roy Blunt announced his candidacy. Blunt benefited from strong fundraising numbers and President Obama's dismal approval ratings in Missouri. Secretary of State Robin Carnahan won the Democratic nomination. BLunt defeated Carnahan by a 54%-41% margin.

  • New Hampshire

Senior Republican Senator Judd Gregg, after withdrawing from a position in the Obama administration, announced he will not seek a fourth term. 2nd district Congressman Paul Hodes won the Democratic nomination, while Republicans nominated former New Hampshire Attorney General Kelly Ayotte. Ayotte defeated Hodes by a 60%-37% margin.

  • North Carolina

First-term Republican Richard Burr was considered vulnerable after Barack Obama won North Carolina's 15 electoral votes by a narrow margin, and Democrat Kay Hagan defeated Republican Senator Elizabeth Dole. It is also worth noting that no Senator has held this seat for more than one term since 1974. Secretary of State Elaine Marshall defeated former State Senator Cal Cunningham and Attorney Ken Lewis in the Democratic primary. Burr was reelected by a 55%-43% margin.

  • Ohio

Moderate Republican George Voinovich announced he would not seek a third term. Lieutenant Governor Lee Fisher won the Democratic nomination over Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner with 55% of the vote, a much closer margin than polls had shown.[23] Fisher received the endorsement of Democratic Governor Ted Strickland. Meanwhile, Republicans rallied behind Rob Portman, former Congressman and Director of the Office of Management and Budget. Although polls originally showed a tight race, Portman defeated Fisher by a 57%-39% margin.

  • Oklahoma

Tom Coburn was elected to a second term by a 71%-26% margin against Democrat Jim Rogers.

  • South Carolina

First-term Republican Jim DeMint, whose reputation as an outspoken conservative, has not hurt him in the Republican stronghold of South Carolina. Democrats nominated an unconventional candidate, Alvin Greene, an unemployed Army veteran who was indicted on criminal charges for showing pornographic pictures to a teenage college student.[24] DeMint defeated Greene by a 61%-28% margin.

  • South Dakota

In 2004, John Thune defeated Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle, and his victory quickly made him a rising star in the Republican Party. Thune ran unopposed in his reelection.[25]

  • Utah

Three-term Senator Robert Bennett represents a state that John McCain won by over thirty-percentage points and was expected to win reelection by a comfortable margin. However, he was defeated in the Republican caucus to Mike Lee and Tim Bridgewater after his vote for TARP. Bennett ruled out a write-in campaign, and Lee went on to win the Republican primary and general election.

Governors

In the 2010 gubernatorial elections, the Democratic Party won five governorships held by retiring Republicans: California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Minnesota, and Vermont. The Republican Party won nine governorships from retiring Democrats: Kansas, Oklahoma, Maine, Michigan, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Wyoming, and defeated two incumbents, Chet Culver of Iowa and Ted Strickland of Ohio. An Independent was elected Governor of Rhode Island to replace a retiring Republican, and a Republican was elected Governor of Florida to replace an Independent. Thus, Republicans had a net gain of six governorships, and the majority of Governors in the United States flipped from Democrat to Republican. Republicans also won the governorships of New Jersey and Virginia from the Democrats in the 2009 elections.

Democratic Gains

  • California

Incumbent Republican Arnold Schwarzenegger was prohibited from seeking reelection because of term-limits. Schwarzenegger was elected in 2003 after a recall of Governor Gray Davis and reelected in a landslide in 2006. However, Schwarzenegger's popularity, along with the Democratic assembly, fell because of the California budget crisis. State Attorney General and former Governor Jerry Brown won the Democratic nomination. On the Republican side, former Ebay CEO Meg Whitman defeated State Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner.

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom was seeking the Democratic nomination, however dropped out in October 2009 after lackluster poll numbers and meager fund-raising receipts.[26] In the general election, Brown defeated Whitman by a 53%-42% margin.

  • Connecticut

M. Jodi Rell, despite being a Republican Governor from a blue state, was reelected with 63% of the vote in 2006 and had high approval ratings throughout her tenure as governor. However, she announced she would not run for another term.[27] Lieutenant Governor Michael Fedele announced his candidacy, but was defeated for the Republican nomination by former U.S. Ambassador Tom Foley. Democrats chose Stamford Mayor Dan Malloy over former U.S. Senate candidate Ned Lamont. After a recount, Malloy was confirmed to have won the governorship by a 50%-49% margin.

  • Hawaii

Republican Governor Linda Lingle was term-limited. James Aiona, who served as the state's Lieutenant Governor eight years, ran to become her successor, but was defeated by 10-term Congressman Neil Abercrombie by a 58%-41% margin.

  • Minnesota

Two-term Governor Tim Pawlenty announced he would not seek another term, and became a potential 2012 GOP presidential candidate. Republican State Representative Tom Emmer and former Democratic U.S. Senator Mark Dayton won their parties nominations, respectively. After a recount, Dayton was confirmed to have won by a 0.5% margin.

  • Vermont

Although a solidly Democratic state (Barack Obama won it with over 67% of the vote) Republican Jim Douglas was elected governor in 2002 and reelected in 2004, 2006, and 2008. Douglas announced he would not run for another term, and Republicans nominated Lieutenant Governor Brian Dubie. Democratic State Senator Peter Shumlin defeated Dubie by a 50%-48% margin in the general election.

Independent Gains

  • Rhode Island

Although Democrats have dominated Rhode Island politics, they have voted Republican for 7 of the last 10 gubernatorial elections. As Rhode Island was hit hard by the national recession, Republican Governor Donald Carcieri suffered in the polls, and was barred from seeking a third term because of term-limits. Lincoln Chafee, former Senator who was known as the most liberal Republican in Congress, was elected Governor as an Independent, defeating Republican John Robitaille and Democrat Frank Caprio. After President Obama refused to endorse Caprio, he caused controversy by telling Obama to take his endorsement and "shove it." [28]

Republican Gains

  • Florida

Republican turned Independent Governor Charlie Crist announced he would not seek a second term and instead run for the United States Senate, resulting in an open race. State Attorney General Bill McCollum was heavily favored to win the Republican nomination, but was defeated by Rick Scott, a millionaire health care executive and activist against federal health care legislation. Democrats nominated Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink, who led Scott in most of the polls following the primary. Scott's campaign emphasized conservative policies such as expanding school choice, abolishing the corporate income tax, and firing state employees.[29] He won the general election by a narrow 49%-48% margin.

  • Iowa

Chet Culver, who was elected governor in 2006 riding on a Democratic wave, was defeated in a competitive reelection. Culver governed as a progressive in a swing state, increasing the minimum wage and raising the cigarette tax. His job approval ratings fell as the economy continued to falter. Former Governor Terry Branstad defeated Culver by a 53%-43% margin.

  • Kansas

Kathleen Sebelius, a Democratic Governor from the Republican-stronghold of Kansas, stepped down after being nominated to serve as Secretary of Health and Human Services in the Obama administration. Lieutenant Governor Mark Parkinson, a former Republican, took her place, and announced he would not seek a full term. Senator Sam Brownback was the Republican nominee, and defeated Democratic state Senator Tom Holland by a 63%-32% margin.

  • Maine

Democrat Governor John Baldacci was term-limited by state law, and Republicans saw it as an opportunity to gain the governorship. Republicans nominated Waterville, Maine Mayor Paul LePage, who defeated Independent candidate Eliot Cutler and Democratic state Senate President Libby Mitchell with a 38% plurarly.

  • Michigan

Democratic Governor Jennifer Granholm suffered in her job approval ratings as the Michigan economy, heavily dependent of the auto industry, continued to falter throughout the 2000s. She was legally barred from seeking a third-term under state law. The Republican nominee, former President and COO of Gateway, Inc. Rick Snyder, easily defeated Democrat Lansing Mayor Virgil Bernero by a 58%-40% margin in the general election.

  • New Mexico

Democratic Governor Bill Richardson was nominated by President Obama to serve as Secretary of Commerce, however was forced to resign after it was exposed that his administration had a "pay-to-play" deal with a defense contractor. Richardson denied any wrongdoing. Although he was popular for most of his tenure, and handedly reelected in 2006, his approval ratings fell to 28% as the economy declined.[30] As he was term-limited in 2010, Lieutenant Governor Diane Denish won the Democratic Party nomination. The Republican nomination went to District Attorney Susana Martinez, and narrowly led in the polls throughout the campaign. She defeated Denish by a 54%-46% margin, becoming the first Hispanic woman elected governor in the United States.

  • Ohio

Incumbent Democrat Ted Strickland faced sagging approval ratings and tough reelection prospects as Ohio lost jobs and population during his governorship. His Republican opponent, John Kasich – a former Congressman and Chairman of the House Budget Committee in the 1990s – campaigned on phasing out the state income tax, leasing the state's toll roads, cutting 15-20 percent of the state's higher education funds, and relaxing sentences on nonviolent offenders to cut down prison costs.[31] He defeated Strickland by a 49%-47% margin.

  • Oklahoma

Democratic Governor Brad Henry could not run for reelection because of term limits. Republicans nominated U.S. Representative Marry Fallin, who defeated Lieutenant Governor Jari Askins, becoming the first woman elected governor of Oklahoma.

  • Pennsylvania

Democratic Governor Ed Rendell was term limited in 2010. Democrats nominated Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato. Republicans nominated Attorney General Tom Corbett. 6th district Congressman Jim Gerlach was a Republican candidate, however dropped out in January and sought reelection instead. In the general election Corbett defeated Onorato by a 55%-45% margin.

  • Tennessee

Democratic Governor Phil Bredesen was term limited and unable to seek reelection. Tennessee, a conservative-leaning state, elected Knoxville Republican mayor Bill Haslam over Democrat Mike McWherter.

Democratic Holds

  • Arkansas

Centrist Democrat Mike Beebe enjoyed high approval ratings throughout his tenure as Governor. He was reelected by a 65%-34% margin against former Republican State Senate Jim Keet, despite Republicans making strong inroads in the traditionally Democratic supporting Arkansas during the 2010 election.

  • Colorado

Despite Democratic success in Colorado during the 2006 and 2008 elections, incumbent Governor Bill Ritter announced his retirement after the prospects of a difficult reelection. His policies of higher taxes and unionization of state employees earned him criticism from the business community, and his approval ratings fell to 45%.[32] Former Congressman Scott McInnis was favored to win the Republican nomination, however fell in the polls after a controversy regarding plagiarizing an article, and was defeated by businessman and political newcomer Dan Maes, who also received criticism for misrepresenting his law enforcement background in the 1980s. Meanwhile, former Congressman Tom Tancredo entered the race in the American Constitution Party, and surged towards the end of the campaign. The turmoil made is easier for Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper to hold the Governors office for the Democrats, and was elected 50% of the vote, to Tancredo's 37% and Maes 11%.

  • Illinois

Democratic Governor Pat Quinn was installed as governor after the impeachment of Rod Blagojevich, and announced he would seek a full term. Quinn narrowly won the Democratic nomination against State Comptroller Dan Hynes. State Senator Bill Brady won the Republican nomination, defeating State Senator Kirk Dillard, and former State GOP chair Andrew McKenna. In the general election, Quinn pulled somewhat of an upset, winning reelection by a 47%-46% margin.

  • Maryland

Democrat Martin O'Malley will likely run for a second term in 2010. O'Malley's approval ratings fell to 33% after a series of tax increases. The race was expected to be competitive with former Governor Robert Ehrlich seeking a rematch, however O'Malley was reelected by 14 percentage points.

  • Massachusetts

Deval Patrick, although a Democratic Governor from a blue state, faced a difficult reelection after a disappointing performance as governor. The Republican nominee was health care executive Charlie Baker. Patrick was reelected with a 48% plurality, with Baker receiving 42% and Independent Paul Loscocco 8%.

  • New York

After Democratic Governor Eliot Spitzer resigned in disgrace when it was revealed that he was involved in a prostitution ring, Lieutenant Governor David Paterson took office. Governor Paterson's approval ratings plummeted to 21% [33] after his handling of the state budget crisis, his mismanagement of filling in the appointment of Hillary Clinton's vacant Senate seat, and a proposed number of tax increases. Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani declined to seek the governorship and endorsed former Congressman Rick Lazio.

President Barack Obama in Sept. 2009 contacted Paterson, asking him not to seek reelection in 2010 in that he cannot recover from his dismal political standing. Democrats nominated a stronger candidate, State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo. Republicans nominated Tea Party favorite and real estate developer Carl Paladino. Polls originally showed a tightening race, however a series of missteps resulted in Cuomo being handedly elected with over 60-percent of the vote.

  • Oregon

Incumbent Governor Ted Kulongoski could not seek a third term. Democrats nominated John Kitzhaber, who served as governor from 1995 until 2003. He defeated former NBA player Chris Dudley in the general election by a 49%-48% margin.

Republican Holds

  • Alabama

Republican Governor Bob Riley is term-limited after two terms, and both parties faced a competitive primary. State Agriculture Commissioner Ron Sparks trounced 7th district Congressman Artur Davis for the Democratic nomination, while State Representative and physician Robert Bentley defeated former State Senator Bradley Byrne in the Republican runoff. Bentley led in the polls by twenty points throughout the campaign, and was elected by a 58%-42% margin. Republicans have won 6 out of the last 7 gubernatorial elections in Alabama, and John McCain won its 9 electoral votes by 60-percentage points.

  • Alaska

Sarah Palin, one-term Governor and former Vice-Presidential nominee, resigned on July 3, 2009 and Lieutenant Governor Sean Parnell inherited the governorship. Although Democrats nominated a formidable challenger, former State House Minority Leader Ethan Berkowitz, Parnell was elected to a full term by a 59%-38% margin.

  • Arizona

After Democratic Governor Janet Napolitano was nominated by President Obama to serve as Secretary of Homeland Security, Arizona Secretary of State Janice K. Brewer, a Republican, succeeded her. She announced that she would seek a full term.[34] In the beginning of 2010, Brewer was considered to be one of the most vulnerable Republican Governors up for reelection. However, her popularity rose after signing a controversial illegal immigration law, and was reelected against state Attorney General Terry Goddard by a 55%-42% margin.

  • Georgia

In 2002, Sonny Perdue became the first Republican elected Governor of Georgia since reconstruction, and was reelected in 2006. However, he was term-limited in 2010. With an open race, former Governor Roy Barnes handedly defeated Attorney General Thurbert Baker in the Democratic primary, while Republicans narrowly nominated Congressman Nathan Deal over Secretary of State Karen Handel. Deal defeated Barnes by a 53%-43% margin+.

  • Guam

Guam Governor Felix P. Camacho, a Republican, was term limited in 2010. The Governors office stayed in Republican hands with the election of State Senator Eddie Calvo.

  • Idaho

Butch Otter, governor of one of the most conservative states in the nation, was reelected by a 59%-33% margin.

  • Nebraska

Republican Governor Dave Heineman, who was easily reelected with 73% of the vote in 2006, was easily won another term with 74% of the vote.

  • Nevada

Republican Governor Jim Gibbons was defeated in the primary by former State Attorney General Brian Sandovalby. Gibbons was vulnerable for his reelection after a series of scandals in his administration, a messy divorce and lawsuit, his failure to examine the Yucca Mountain nuclear waste site, and his handling of the budget, brought his approval ratings down. Clark County Commissioner Rory Reid — son of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid - won the Democratic nomination. In the general election, Sandovalby defeated Reid by a 53%-42% margin.

  • South Carolina

Republican Governor Mark Sanford's possible presidential ambitions for 2012 ended after it was exposed he was having an extramarital affair with a woman from Argentine. Sanford would not resign, however was barred from seeking a third term because of term limits. Both parties prepared for an open race. State Representative Nikki Haley defeated Congressman Gresham Barrett in the Republican primary. State Senator Vincent Sheheen won the Democratic nomination. Haley defeated Sheheen bu a 51%-47% margin, becoming the first woman elected Governor of South Carolina, and the second Indian-American elected Governor, next to Bobby Jindal of Louisiana.

  • South Dakota

Two-term Republican Governor Mike Rounds could not run for a third-term because of term limits. Republicans nominated Lieutenant Governor Dennis Daugaard and Democrats nominated state Senate Minority Leader Scott Heidepriem. Daugaard defeated Heidepriem by a 62%-38% margin.

  • Texas

Former Lieutenant Governor under George W. Bush and now Governor, Rick Perry was elected for an unprecedented third consecutive term. Perry alienated some citizens with his support of the Trans-Texas Corridor and social conservatives with an executive order mandating vaccine for school girls. Still, he defeated Senior Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison for the Republican nomination, after attacking her as a Washington insider and big spender. The Democratic nominee was former Houston Mayor Bill White.

  • Utah

Lieutenant Governor Gary Herbert, Republican, inherited the governorship after Governor Jon Huntsman, Jr. resigned to serve as U.S Ambassador to China. In a state that has not elected a Democrat Governor since 1980, Herbert was elected to a full term.

2010 Midterm elections and wave of anti-abortion laws due to the red wave election

In the United States, a red wave election is an election where there is a surge of voters supporting Republican candidates which results in an unusually high number being elected to office.

In the United States, the Republican Party is associated with the color red.[35]

The New York Times in a news article about Roe vs. Wade entitled How Did Roe Fall: Before a Decisive Ruling, A Powerful Red Wave stated:

“ The beginning of the end of Roe v. Wade arrived on election night in November 2010.

That night, control of state houses across the country flipped from Democrat to Republican, almost to the number: Democrats had controlled 27 state legislatures going in and ended up with 16; Republicans started with 14 and ended up controlling 25. Republicans swept not only the South but Democratic strongholds in the Midwest, picking up more seats nationwide than either party had in four decades. By the time the votes had been counted, they held their biggest margin since the Great Depression.

There had been a time, in the 15 years after Roe, when Republicans were as likely as Democrats to support an absolute right to legal abortion, and sometimes even more so. But 2010 swept in a different breed of Republican, powered by Tea Party supporters, that locked in a new conservatism. While Tea Party-backed candidates had campaigned on fiscal discipline and promised indifference to social issues, once in office they found it difficult to cut state budgets. And a well-established network was waiting with model anti-abortion laws.

In legislative sessions starting the following January, Republican-led states passed a record number of restrictions: 92, or nearly three times as many as the previous high, set in 2005. The three years following the 2010 elections would result in 205 anti-abortion laws across the country, more than in the entire previous decade.

“A watershed year in the defense of life,” Charmaine Yoest, at the time president of the anti-abortion group Americans United for Life, proclaimed when the sessions were over, noting that 70 of the laws — restrictions on abortion pills and hurdles for women getting abortions and clinics providing them — had adopted the group’s model legislation. “And that is just the beginning.”[36]

”

Further reading

  • Michael Barone, The Almanac of American Politics: 2010 (2009) 1726pp; in-depth covereage of every seat in Congress.

See also

References

  1. ↑ [1]
  2. ↑ https://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20021591-503544.html
  3. ↑ Karl Vick and Philip Rucker, "In a war within GOP, the right wins a battle," Washington Post Nov. 1, 2009
  4. ↑ [2]
  5. ↑ What Democrats really mean by "Our Democracy"
  6. ↑ https://www.opensecrets.org/pres08/contrib.php?cycle=2008&cid=N00009638
  7. ↑ https://abcnews.go.com/Business/story?id=6910350&page=1
  8. ↑ [3]
  9. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZm0qZnk5N0&feature=related
  10. ↑ Logical Farce: Obama's wild attacks on "foreign money" reek of desperation, Jacob Sullum, Reason.com, October 13, 2010.
  11. ↑ For details see Pew Report, Sept. 2009
  12. ↑ [4]
  13. ↑ See Politico, "Cook Political Report: ‘A dangerous slide’ for Democrats" Sept 3, 2009 online
  14. ↑ Stuart Rothenberg, "All Signs Point to Another Top-Notch Election Cycle in 2010," Roll Call Sept. 8, 2009
  15. ↑ http://www.nationaljournal.com/njmagazine/cookreport.php
  16. ↑ http://www.mullings.com/11-02-12.htm
  17. ↑ [5]
  18. ↑ Many high-profile Republicans declined to fight the odds, including former White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card, former Governor Mitt Romney, former Lieutenant Governor Kerry Healey and former Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling, a conservative. See news
  19. ↑ http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/eyeon2010/2010/01/hoeven-makes-senate-run-offici.html
  20. ↑ http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2009/12/21/2009-12-21_rudy_giuliani_will_not_run.html
  21. ↑ Poll Shows Rubio Ahead by 32 Points in Florida, RollCall.com, March 9, 2010
  22. ↑ https://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/wire/sns-ap-us-palin-ky-senate-race,0,6228585.story
  23. ↑ https://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/dem-primaries/96111-fisher-wins-ohio-dem-senate-primary-will-face-portman
  24. ↑ http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/aug/13/alvin-greene-charged-pornographic-pictures
  25. ↑ http://www.rapidcityjournal.com/news/article_ac1faf7e-3da6-11df-96fd-001cc4c03286.html
  26. ↑ https://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-newsom-out31-2009oct31,0,7017003.story
  27. ↑ https://www.politico.com/news/stories/1109/29346.html
  28. ↑ [6]
  29. ↑ http://www.slate.com/id/2279447/slideshow/2279496/
  30. ↑ http://www.koat.com/news/22663973/detail.html
  31. ↑ [7]
  32. ↑ http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/jul/23/speakout-midway-in-first-term-ritter-struggles/
  33. ↑ http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/16/no-recovery-in-patersons-poll-numbers/?hp
  34. ↑ [8]
  35. ↑ Red wave, thefreedictionary.com
  36. ↑ How Did Roe Fall: Before a Decisive Ruling, A Powerful Red Wave by Kate Zernike, New York Times, June 25, 2022
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