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Ind. Includes two independents (VT, CT) who caucus with the Democrats. |
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Elections to the United States Senate were held on November 2, 2010, for 37 of the total of 100 seats. A special election for a 38th seat was held in Massachusetts on January 19, 2010, for a term that ends in January 2013. Thirty-four of the seats were for six-year terms to the Senate's "class three", while three (in Delaware, New York, and West Virginia) were special elections for shorter terms.
After the 2008 elections and their subsequent events, the United States Senate was composed of 57 Democrats, 41 Republicans, and two independents who caucus with the Democrats. Of the above 37 seats up for election in 2010, 19 were held by Democrats (seven of whom retired or were defeated in the primary) and 18 were held by Republicans (eight of whom retired or were defeated in the primary).
As in most midterm elections, the party not controlling the White House gained ground. Republicans defeated two Democratic incumbents: Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas and Russ Feingold of Wisconsin; they also won open seats in Illinois, Indiana, North Dakota and Pennsylvania. This was the largest number of Senate gains for the party since the 1994 election and also the first time since that election that they successfully defended all of their own seats. However, Democrats retained a 53-47 majority.
Twelve incumbents chose not to run for re-election.
Democrats (6) | Republicans (6) |
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Twenty-five incumbents sought re-election.
Democrats (13) | Republicans (12) |
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Summary of the November 2, 2010 United States Senate election results
Parties | Last election: 2008 |
Before this election |
End of last (111th) Congress |
Not Up |
Up | Incumbent retired | Incumbent ran | Summary | Popular Vote | Result | Change | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Held by same party |
Replaced by other party |
Won re-election |
Lost re-election |
Lost renomination, but held by same party |
Won | Lost | Gained | Elected | Votes | Share | |||||||||
Democratic | 57 | 57 | 56 | 38 | 19 | 3 | 3 | 10A | 3 | 0 | 13 | 6 | 13 | 33,883,538 | 45.10% | 51 | 6 | ||
Republican | 41 | 41 | 42 | 23 | 18 | 6 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 1 | 18 | 6 | 24 | 37,057,491 | 49.32% | 47 | 6 | ||
Independent | 2ID | 2ID | 2ID | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1,909,449 | 2.54% | 2 | ||
Libertarian | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 871,238 | 1.16% | — | ||
Green | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 651,275 | 0.87% | — | ||
Constitution | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 205.031 | 0.27% | — | ||
Others | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 555,508 | 0.77% | — | ||
Total | 100 | 100 | 100 | 63 | 37 | 9 | 3 | 21 | 3 | 1 | 31 | 6 | 6 | 37 | 75,133,530 | 100% | 100 |
A Includes incumbent appointees who won elections to finish their term or to the next full term.
ID The two Independents joined with the Democrats in their caucus.
Source: The Green Papers 2010 U.S. Senate Popular Vote and FEC Total Receipts by Party
Senate composition before the elections: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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57 | 2 | 41 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
^ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Senate composition after the elections and before the beginning of the 112th Congress. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
56 | 2 | 42 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
^ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Senate composition at the beginning of the 112th Congress: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
51 | 2 | 47 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
^ |
Key: | Democratic |
---|---|
Independent (caucuses with the Democrats) | |
Republican |
R1 | R11 | R21 | R31 | R41 | D48 | D38 | D28 | D18 | D8 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
R2 | R12 | R22 | R32 | D57 | D47 | D37 | D27 | D17 | D7 | |
R3 | R13 | R23 | R33 | D56 | D46 | D36 | D26 | D16 | D6 | |
R4 | R14 | R24 | R34 | D55 | D45 | D35 | D25 | D15 | D5 | |
R5 | R15 | R25 | R35 | D54 | D44 | D34 | D24 | D14 | D4 | |
R6 | R16 | R26 | R36 | D53 | D43 | D33 | D23 | D13 | D3 | |
R7 | R17 | R27 | R37 | D52 | D42 | D32 | D22 | D12 | D2 | |
R8 | R18 | R28 | R38 | D51 | D41 | D31 | D21 | D11 | D1 | |
R9 | R19 | R29 | R39 | D50 | D40 | D30 | D20 | D10 | I2 | |
R10 | R20 | R30 | R40 | D49 | D39 | D29 | D19 | D9 | I1 |
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Four Senators were elected in special elections to serve through the end of the 111th Congress. Two of those four simultaneously ran in general elections, held contemporaneously with their special elections, and both won so they therefore began new terms with the new class of Senators at the beginning of the 112th Congress.
|
R1 | R11 | R21 | R31 √ | R41 + | D48 √ | D38 | D28 | D18 | D8 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
R2 | R12 | R22 | R32 √ | R42 + | D47 √ | D37 | D27 | D17 | D7 | |
R3 | R13 | R23 | R33 √ | R43 + | D46 √ | D36 | D26 | D16 | D6 | |
R4 | R14 | R24 √ | R34 √ | R44 + | D45 √ | D35 | D25 | D15 | D5 | |
R5 | R15 | R25 √ | R35 O | R45 + | D44 √ | D34 | D24 | D14 | D4 | |
R6 | R16 | R26 √ | R36 O | R46 + | D43 √ | D33 | D23 | D13 | D3 | |
R7 | R17 | R27 √ | R37 O | R47 + | D42 √ | D32 | D22 | D12 | D2 | |
R8 | R18 | R28 √ | R38 O | D51 O | D41 √ | D31 | D21 | D11 | D1 | |
R9 | R19 | R29 √ | R39 O | D50 O | D40 √ | D30 | D20 | D10 | I2 | |
R10 | R20 | R30 √ | R40 O | D49 O | D39 √ | D29 | D19 | D9 | I1 |
Key | Parties | Results |
---|---|---|
R = Republican | √ = Party hold: Incumbent re-elected | |
D = Democratic | O = Party hold: New Senator elected from same party | |
I = Independent, caucused with Democrats | + = Party gain: New Senator elected from different party | |
No tag = Seat not up for election this year |
Date | State | Incumbent | Party | Result | Candidates |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
January 19, 2010 |
Massachusetts (Class 1: Special[3]) |
Paul Kirk | Democratic | Appointee retired Republican gain |
Scott Brown (R) 51.9% Martha Coakley (D) 47.1% Joseph L. Kennedy (L) 1.0% |
Source: http://elections.nytimes.com/2010/results/senate
State | Incumbent | Party | Result | Candidates | Previous election result[4] |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Alabama | Richard Shelby | Republican | Incumbent re-elected | Richard Shelby (R) 65.3% William G. Barnes (D) 34.7% |
Richard Shelby (R) 67.55% Wayne Sowell (D) 32.35% |
Alaska | Lisa Murkowski | Republican | Incumbent lost renomination, but re-elected as write-in candidate |
Lisa Murkowski (R) (Write-in) 39.3% Joe Miller (R) 35.3% Scott McAdams (D) 23.3% |
Lisa Murkowski (R) 48.58% Tony Knowles (D) 45.55% Marc Millican (I) 2.88% Jerry Sanders (AKI) 1.23% Jim Sykes (G) 0.99% |
Arizona | John McCain | Republican | Incumbent re-elected | John McCain (R) 59.2% Rodney Glassman (D) 34.7% David Nolan (L) 4.7% Jerry Joslyn (G) 1.4% |
John McCain (R) 76.74% Stuart Starky (D) 20.62% Ernest Hancock (L) 2.64% |
Arkansas | Blanche Lincoln | Democratic | Incumbent lost re-election Republican gain |
John Boozman (R) 58.0% Blanche Lincoln (D) 36.9% Trevor Drown (I) 3.3% John Gray (G) 1.9% |
Blanche Lincoln (D) 55.90% Jim Holt (R) 44.07% |
California | Barbara Boxer | Democratic | Incumbent re-elected | Barbara Boxer (D) 52.1% Carly Fiorina (R) 42.5% Gail Lightfoot (L) 1.8% Marsha Feinland (P&F) 1.3% Edward Noonan (AIP) 1.3% Duane Roberts (G) 1.2% |
Barbara Boxer (D) 57.71% Bill Jones (R) 37.80% Marsha J. Feinland (P&F) 2.02% James P. Gray (L) 1.80% |
Colorado (Class 3: Special) and (Class 3: General) |
Michael Bennet | Democratic | Incumbent elected to finish term and elected to next full term |
Michael Bennet (D) 47.7% Ken Buck (R) 46.8% Bob Kinsey (G) 2.2% Maclyn Stringer (L) 1.3% |
Ken Salazar (D) 51.30% Pete Coors (R) 46.53% |
Connecticut | Christopher Dodd | Democratic | Incumbent retired Democratic hold |
Richard Blumenthal (D) 55.1% Linda McMahon (R) 43.3% Warren Mosler (I) 1.0% John Mertens (CfL) 0.6% |
Chris Dodd (D) 66.35% Jack Orchulli (R) 32.13% |
Delaware (Class 2: Special) |
Ted Kaufman | Democratic | Incumbent retired Democratic hold (Winner elected to finish term) |
Chris Coons (D) 56.6% Christine O'Donnell (R) 40.0% Glenn Miller (I) 2.7% James Rash (L) 0.7% |
Joe Biden (D) 64.69% Christine O'Donnell (R) 35.31% |
Florida | George LeMieux | Republican | Incumbent retired Republican hold |
Marco Rubio (R) 48.9% Charlie Crist (I) 29.7% Kendrick Meek (D) 20.1% Alexander Snitker (L) 0.5% |
Mel Martinez (R) 49.43% Betty Castor (D) 48.32% Dennis F. Bradley (V) 2.24% |
Georgia | Johnny Isakson | Republican | Incumbent re-elected | Johnny Isakson (R) 58.1% Michael Thurmond (D) 39.2% Chuck Donovan (L) 2.7% |
Johnny Isakson (R) 57.88% Denise Majette (D) 39.98% Allen Buckley (L) 2.14% |
Hawaii | Daniel Inouye | Democratic | Incumbent re-elected | Daniel Inouye (D) 74.8% Campbell Cavasso (R) 21.6% James Brewer (G) 2.1% Jeff Mallan (L) 0.8% |
Daniel Inouye (D) 75.51% Campbell Cavasso (R) 20.99% Jim Brewer (I) 2.23% Lloyd Jeffrey Mallan (L) 1.27% |
Idaho | Mike Crapo | Republican | Incumbent re-elected | Mike Crapo 71.1% Tom Sullivan (D) 25.0% Randy Bergquist (C) 3.9% |
Mike Crapo (R) 99.18% Write-ins 0.82% |
Illinois (Class 3: Special) and (Class 3: General) |
Roland Burris |
Democratic | Incumbent retired Republican gain (Winner elected to finish term and elected to next full term) |
Mark Kirk (R) 48.2% Alexi Giannoulias (D) 46.3% LeAlan Jones (G) 3.2% Mike Labino (L) 2.4% |
Barack Obama (D) 69.97% Alan Keyes (R) 27.05% Albert Franzen (I) 1.58% Jerry Kohn (L) 1.35% |
Indiana | Evan Bayh | Democratic | Incumbent retired Republican gain |
Dan Coats (R) 56.4% Brad Ellsworth (D) 38.1% Rebecca Sink-Burris (L) 5.4% |
Evan Bayh (D) 61.65% Marvin Scott (R) 37.23% Albert Barger (L) 1.13% |
Iowa | Chuck Grassley | Republican | Incumbent re-elected | Chuck Grassley (R) 64.5% Roxanne Conlin (D) 33.2% John Heiderscheit (L) 2.3% |
Chuck Grassley (R) 70.18% Arthur Small (D) 27.88% Christy Ann Welty (L) 1.03% |
Kansas | Sam Brownback | Republican | Incumbent retired Republican hold |
Jerry Moran (R) 70.3% Lisa Johnston (D) 26.2% Michael Dann (L) 2.1% Joe Bellis (Reform) 1.4% |
Sam Brownback (R) 69.16% Lee Jones (D) 27.49% Steven Rosile (L) 1.93% George Cook (Ref) 1.42% |
Kentucky | Jim Bunning | Republican | Incumbent retired Republican hold |
Rand Paul (R) 55.8% Jack Conway (D) 44.2% |
Jim Bunning (R) 50.66% Daniel Mongiardo (D) 49.34% |
Louisiana | David Vitter | Republican | Incumbent re-elected | David Vitter (R) 56.6% Charles Melancon (D) 37.7% Randall Hayes (L) 1.1% Michael Brown (I) 0.8% |
David Vitter (R) 51.03% Chris John (D) 29.34% John Neely Kennedy (D) 14.92% Arthur Morrell (D) 2.56% |
Maryland | Barbara Mikulski | Democratic | Incumbent re-elected | Barbara Mikulski (D) 61.8% Eric Wargotz (R) 36.3% Kenniss Henry (G) 1.1% Richard Shawver (C) 0.8% |
Barbara Mikulski (D) 64.77% E. J. Pipkin (R) 33.71% Maria Allwine (G) 1.07% |
Missouri | Kit Bond | Republican | Incumbent retired Republican hold |
Roy Blunt (R) 54.3% Robin Carnahan (D) 40.6% Jonathan Dine (L) 3.0% Jerry Beck (C) 2.1% |
Kit Bond (R) 56.09% Nancy Farmer (D) 42.80% Other 1% |
Nevada | Harry Reid | Democratic | Incumbent re-elected | Harry Reid (D) 50.2% Sharron Angle (R) 44.6% None of These Candidates 2.2% Scott Ashjian (Tea) 0.8% |
Harry Reid (D) 61.08% Richard Ziser (R) 35.14% None 1.60% Thomas L. Hurst (L) 1.18% |
New Hampshire | Judd Gregg | Republican | Incumbent retired Republican hold |
Kelly Ayotte (R) 60.2% Paul Hodes (D) 36.7% Chris Booth (I) 2.0% Ken Blevens (L) 1.0% |
Judd Gregg (R) 66.18% Doris Haddock (D) 33.72% |
New York (Class 1: Special) |
Kirsten Gillibrand | Democratic | Incumbent elected to finish term | Kirsten Gillibrand (D) 62.0% Joseph DioGuardi (R) 35.8% Cecile Lawrence (G) 0.8 Joseph Huff (I) 0.5% |
Hillary Rodham Clinton (D) 67.00% John Spencer (R) 31.01% Howie Hawkins (G) 1.24% |
New York | Chuck Schumer | Democratic | Incumbent re-elected | Chuck Schumer (D) 65.4% Jay Townsend (R) 33.0% Colia Clark (G) 1.0% Randy Credico (L) 0.6% |
Chuck Schumer (D) 71.16% Howard Mills (R) 24.24% Marilyn F. O'Grady (C) 3.30% |
North Carolina | Richard Burr | Republican | Incumbent re-elected | Richard Burr (R) 55.0% Elaine Marshall (D) 42.9% Mike Beitler (L) 2.1% |
Richard Burr (R) 51.60% Erskine Bowles (D) 47.02% Tom Bailey (L) 1.38% |
North Dakota | Byron Dorgan | Democratic-NPL | Incumbent retired Republican gain |
John Hoeven (R) 76.2% Tracy Potter (D) 22.2% Keith Hanson (L) 1.6% |
Byron Dorgan (D) 68.28% Mike Liffrig (R) 31.72% |
Ohio | George Voinovich | Republican | Incumbent retired Republican hold |
Rob Portman (R) 57.3% Lee Fisher (D) 39.0% Eric Deaton (C) 1.7% Michael Pryce (I) 1.3% |
George Voinovich (R) 63.85% Eric Fingerhut (D) 36.14% |
Oklahoma | Tom Coburn | Republican | Incumbent re-elected | Tom Coburn (R) 70.5% Jim Rogers (D) 26.1% Stephen Wallace (I) 2.5% Ronald Dwyer (I) 0.9% |
Tom Coburn (R) 52.77% Brad Carson (D) 41.24% Sheila Bilyeu (I) 5.99% |
Oregon | Ron Wyden | Democratic | Incumbent re-elected | Ron Wyden (D) 57.2% Jim Huffman (R) 39.4% Bruce Cronk (W.F.) 1.3% Marc Delphine (Libertarian) 1.1% Rick Staggenborg (Progressive) 1.0% |
Ron Wyden (D) 63.39% Al King (R) 31.75% Teresa Kean (G) 2.42% Dan Fitzgerald (L) 1.66% |
Pennsylvania | Arlen Specter | Democratic | Incumbent lost renomination Republican gain |
Pat Toomey (R) 51.01% Joe Sestak (D) 48.99% |
Arlen Specter (R) 52.62% Joe Hoeffel (D) 41.99% James N. Clymer (C) 3.96% Betsy Summers (L) 1.43% |
South Carolina | Jim DeMint | Republican | Incumbent re-elected | Jim DeMint (R) 62.4% Alvin Greene (D) 28.2% Tom Clements (G) 9.4% |
Jim DeMint (R) 53.67% Inez Tenenbaum (D) 44.10% |
South Dakota | John Thune | Republican | Incumbent re-elected | John Thune (R) 100% (Unopposed) | John Thune (R) 50.58% Tom Daschle (D) 49.42% |
Utah | Bob Bennett | Republican | Incumbent lost renomination Republican hold |
Mike Lee (R) 61.6% Sam Granato (D) 32.8% Scott Bradley (C) 5.7% |
Bob Bennett (R) 68.73% Paul Van Dam (D) 28.40% Gary R. Van Horn (C) 1.90% |
Vermont | Patrick Leahy | Democratic | Incumbent re-elected | Patrick Leahy (D) 64.4% Len Britton (R) 30.9% Daniel Freilich (I) 1.5% Cris Ericson (I) 1.1% Stephen Cain (I) 1.0% |
Patrick Leahy (D) 70.63% Jack McMullen (R) 24.54% Cris Ericson (M) 2.11% Craig Hill (G) 1.30% Keith Stern (I) 1.07% |
Washington | Patty Murray | Democratic | Incumbent re-elected | Patty Murray (D) 52.4% Dino Rossi (R) 47.6% |
Patty Murray (D) 54.98% George Nethercutt (R) 42.74% J. Mills (L) 1.21% Mark B. Wilson (G) 1.08% |
Wisconsin | Russ Feingold | Democratic | Incumbent lost re-election Republican gain |
Ron Johnson (R) 51.9% Russ Feingold (D) 47.0% Rob Taylor (C) 1.1% |
Russ Feingold (D) 55.35% Tim Michels (R) 44.11% |
West Virginia (Class 1: Special) |
Carte Goodwin | Democratic | Incumbent retired Democratic hold |
Joe Manchin (D) 53.5% John Raese (R) 43.4% Jesse Johnson (Mountain) 1.9% Jeff Becker (C) 1.2% |
Robert Byrd (D) 64.4% John Raese (R) 33.7% |
State | Incumbent | Party | Result | Candidates | Previous election result |
Jump to |
Democrats retiring (6 seats) | Republicans retiring (6 seats) |
---|---|---|
Democrats seeking re-election (13 seats) | Republicans seeking re-election (12 seats) |
Note: A special election for a 38th seat was held in Massachusetts on January 19, 2010, and is not otherwise covered in this article.
Three Democratic seats were kept by Democrats, and three were won by Republicans.
Five-term incumbent Democrat Christopher Dodd was re-elected with 66% of the vote in 2004.[5] Dodd announced, on January 6, 2010, his intention not to run for re-election.[6] State Attorney General Richard Blumenthal ran as a Democrat, which was expected to improve the Democrats' chances for keeping the seat in the general election,[7] until revelations emerged that he had exaggerated his military record. Former CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment Linda McMahon won the GOP primary.[8] Blumenthal won the general election with 55.1% of the vote.
Kaufman was appointed to continue Joe Biden's term. In 2008, Biden had been simultaneously re-elected and elected Vice President. Biden began his seventh term on January 3, 2009,[9] and he resigned January 15, 2009. Democrat Ted Kaufman, Biden's former chief of staff, was appointed to replace Biden. A special election for the remainder of Biden's term, which expires on January 3, 2015, was held in 2010. Kaufman announced that he would not be a candidate in the special election.[10] The seat will be up for election again in 2014 for a full six-year term. Biden's 2008 opponent, Republican Christine O'Donnell, won an upset primary victory on September 14, 2010 against Representative Mike Castle by 6%.[11] Joe Biden's son, Beau Biden, the incumbent Delaware Attorney General who returned in 2009 from serving in Iraq with the Delaware National Guard, declined to run for the Democratic nomination,[12] New Castle County Executive Chris Coons won the Democratic nomination. Libertarian Jim Rash also ran.[13] The race had been leaning Republican until O'Donnell upset Castle in the Republican primary election.[14] Chris Coons won the special election with 56.6% of the vote.
Burris was appointed to continue Barack Obama's term, and he did not seek re-election in 2010. The election featured both a special election to finish the term ending January 3, 2011, and a general election to begin that day. Candidates included Democratic State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, Republican congressman Mark Kirk, Green party journalist LeAlan Jones and Libertarian Michael Labno.[15] Also running as a write-in candidate was Independent Conservative Robert L. "Bob" Zadek. Mark Kirk won the general election with 48.4% of the vote.
Evan Bayh, two-term incumbent Democratic senator and former two-term Governor of Indiana, announced that he wouldn't seek re-election.[16] U.S. Representative Brad Ellsworth of Indiana's 8th congressional district was the Democratic nominee.[17] Lobbyist and former U.S. Senator Dan Coats was the Republican nominee.[18] Running under the Libertarian Party was Rebecca Sink-Burris, a former teacher from Bloomington, Indiana. Two independents attempted to make the ballot for the general election: Don Harris[19] and Timothy Frye.[20] Dan Coats won the general election with 54.6% of the vote.
Incumbent Democrat Byron Dorgan announced on January 5, 2010 that he would not seek re-election in 2010.[21][22] In 2004, he won with 68%. Independent Ralph Nader received 1.32% in North Dakota. State Senator Tracy Potter was the only Democrat to run for the nomination,[23] and he won the Democratic primary election with no competition. Republican former Governor John Hoeven ran[24] and won the Republican nomination at the state primary convention on March 22. Keith Hanson ran as a Libertarian.[25] John Hoeven won the general election with 76.2% of the vote.
Senator Robert Byrd (D) died on June 28, 2010. Democratic Governor Joe Manchin appointed Carte Goodwin to serve until the special election. Goodwin announced that he would not run in the special election. Both parties held their primaries on August 28. Manchin ran[26] against 95-year old former representative and former Secretary of State Ken Hechler[27] and 2008 Senate candidate Sheirl Fletcher.[28] Manchin won the primary nomination with over 70% of the Democratic vote. 2006 Republican nominee against Robert Byrd, John Raese ran in the GOP primary.[29] State Senator Clark Barnes was another potential candidate. Representative Shelley Moore Capito announced that she would not seek the seat. Raese won the Republican nomination with over 70% of that vote. Jesse Johnson ran as the Mountain Party's nominee. Joe Manchin won the special election with 53.5% of the vote.
Eight Democrats were re-elected, one appointee was elected to finish her term, and one appointee was elected to the next full term. Two lost re-election. One lost renomination and his seat was subsequently won by a Republican.
Two-term incumbent Democrat Blanche Lincoln had been re-elected with 56% in 2004.[30] Lincoln sought re-election and received a tough primary challenge from Lieutenant Governor Bill Halter[31] who raised more than $1 million in his first 48 hours.[32] In the primary, Lincoln finished with less than a majority and faced a runoff with Halter. On June 8, Lincoln won the runoff by a 52% to 48% margin.[33] In the GOP primary, Congressman John Boozman of Arkansas's 3rd congressional district based in northwest Arkansas won a majority to become the Republican nominee.[34] Former Green Beret Trevor Drown ran as a Libertarian,[35] and Mayor John Gray of Greenland ran for the Green Party.[36] John Boozman won the general election with 57.9% of the vote.
Three-term incumbent Democrat Barbara Boxer had been re-elected with 58% in 2004.[37] The last time California elected a Republican to the U.S. Senate was in 1988, when Pete Wilson won a second term. He resigned in 1992 upon being elected governor, and the state has since had both its Senate seats occupied by Democrats. Boxer won the Democratic Senate primary on June 8 with 80% and Boxer faced a tough challenge in the general election from Republican businesswoman Carly Fiorina,[38] a former Hewlett-Packard CEO who defeated State Assemblyman Chuck DeVore, as well as former Congressman Tom Campbell, for the GOP nomination. Donald J. "Don" Grundmann was nominated by the American Independent Party,[39] and Jerry L. Carroll ran as an independent.[40] Barbara Boxer won re-election with 52.2% of the vote to Fiorina's 42.2%.
Following the resignation of one-term U.S. Senator Ken Salazar (D) to become U.S. Secretary of the Interior,[41] Governor Bill Ritter selected Michael Bennet, the former Superintendent of Denver Public Schools, to fill Salazar's seat for the remainder of his term.[42]
Both Democrats and Republicans had close fights in their primaries, with Bennet winning the Democratic nomination despite his opponent's receiving prominent support from Bill Clinton.[43] Romanoff received the endorsement of former President Bill Clinton while Bennet has been endorsed by President Obama. Weld County District Attorney Ken Buck[44] won the GOP nomination over former Lieutenant Governor Jane Norton. Michael Bennet won the general election by a plurality, with 48.1% of the vote
Eight-term incumbent Democrat Daniel Inouye had been re-elected with 76% in 2004[45] and announced he would seek re-election.[46] Daniel Inouye won re-election with 75% of the vote.
Four-term incumbent Democrat Barbara Mikulski had been re-elected with 65% in 2004.[47] Mikulski faced nominal competition in her primary and was easily renominated. Eleven Republicans dueled for the nomination including Eric Wargotz, president of the Queen Anne's County Commission,[48] and Jim Rutledge III, an attorney from Jarrettsville. Wargotz won the GOP nomination, joining Richard Shawver (Constitution) and Kenniss Henry (Green). Barbara Mikulski won re-election with 62.2%.
Four-term incumbent and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid was re-elected with 61% in 2004.[45] As Reid began his re-election bid,[49] he was considered one of the most vulnerable incumbents in the 2010 election cycle. He faced a tough challenge in the general election from former State Assemblywoman Sharron Angle, who received much support and enthusiasm from the Tea Party and who defeated Nevada Republican Party chairperson Sue Lowden for the GOP nomination. Harry Reid won re-election, 50.3% to Angle's 44.5%.
Incumbent Democrat Kirsten Gillibrand had been appointed on January 23, 2009 by the Governor, after then-Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton resigned to become U.S. Secretary of State.[50] The appointment lasted until this special election, the winner of which will serve to the end of the term in January 2013.[51] Gillibrand won the primary against attorney Gail Goode by a margin of three-to-one. In the Republican primary, former Congressman Joe DioGuardi [52] beat two strong challengers for the GOP nomination. Kirsten Gillibrand won the special election with 62.0%.
Two-term incumbent Democrat Chuck Schumer had been re-elected with 71% in 2004.[53][54] Chuck Schumer won re-election with 66% of the vote.
Two-term incumbent Democrat Ron Wyden had been re-elected with 64% in 2004. Wyden easily won the Democratic primary nomination, and faced law professor Republican Jim Huffman, in the general election.[55] Ron Wyden won re-election with 57.3% of the vote.
Six-term incumbent Democrat Patrick Leahy was re-elected with 71% in 2004.[56] Leahy easily fended off a primary challenge and went on to the general election against Republican Len Britton. Leahy won re-election with 64.4% of the vote.
Five-term incumbent Democrat Arlen Specter had been re-elected in 2004 as a Republican by a 53% to 42% margin.[57] On April 28, 2009, Specter announced that he would leave the Republican Party and seek a sixth term in 2010 as a Democrat.[58] Based on polling, the 2004 primary results and a smaller, more conservative Pennsylvania Republican primary electorate, Specter judged that he would lose the Republican primary, and since Pennsylvania law would bar him from running as an independent under such circumstances, he switched parties in 2009 in anticipation of this election. He lost the Democratic primary, however, to retired U.S. Navy Rear Admiral and current U.S. Representative Joe Sestak of Pennsylvania's 7th congressional district, despite Specter's support from the Democratic establishment.[59] On the Republican side, former U.S. Representative and former President of the Club for Growth Pat Toomey, who came within 1.7% of defeating Specter in the 2004 GOP primary, easily won the GOP nomination. Pat Toomey won the general election with 51.0% of the vote.
Three-term incumbent Democrat Patty Murray was re-elected with 55% in 2004.[60] Republican Dino Rossi, who narrowly lost the 2004 and 2008 gubernatorial elections, ran as a Republican. Murray and Rossi advanced to the general election, taking the top two spots in the blanket primary. Patty Murray won re-election with 52.4% of the vote.
Three-term incumbent Democrat Russ Feingold had been re-elected with 55% in 2004.[61] Ron Johnson, a Fox Valley millionaire businessman and political novice, was the Republican nominee. Rob Taylor ran as the Constitution Party nominee.[62] Ron Johnson won the general election with 51.9% of the vote.
All six retiring Republicans were replaced by Republicans.
Republican Senator Mel Martinez resigned from this seat on September 9, 2009. Governor Charlie Crist appointed George LeMieux to finish Martinez's term.[63] LeMieux did not seek election to the full term in 2010.[64] Crist ran against former Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives Marco Rubio for the Republican nomination, but Crist later decided to run as an independent.[65][66] The initial polls taken after Crist's announcement showed him leading both Rubio and either Democratic candidate. Later polling showed Rubio taking a lead of more than 50%. Rubio beat nine other Republicans for the nomination. Democratic Congressman Kendrick Meek of Florida's 17th congressional district won the Democratic nomination beating several other Democrats including real estate executive Jeff Greene.[67] Marco Rubio won the general election with a 48.9% plurality.
Two-term incumbent Republican Sam Brownback retired and ran for Governor of Kansas.[68] Republican Jerry Moran of Kansas's 1st congressional district[69] narrowly won the GOP primary against Congressman Todd Tiahrt of Kansas's 4th congressional district.[70] Baker University Assistant Dean Lisa Johnston was the Democratic nominee and Joe Bellis[71] ran as the Reform Party candidate. Jerry Moran won the general election with 70.3% of the vote.
Two-term incumbent Republican Jim Bunning had been narrowly re-elected (51-49%) in 2004 against his Democratic opponent, then-State Senator Daniel Mongiardo.[72] Bunning had intended to run for re-election, but state Republican leaders were not supportive.[73] On July 27, 2009, Bunning announced that he would retire.[74] In the primary elections, Republican physician Rand Paul, son of libertarian-leaning U.S. Representative and 2008 Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul (R-Texas), defeated Kentucky Secretary of State Trey Grayson despite Grayson's support by Kentucky's Senior Senator and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.[75][76] Democratic Kentucky Attorney General Jack Conway was nominated in his primary over Lieutenant Governor Daniel Mongiardo. Rand Paul won the general election with 55.7% of the vote.
Four-term incumbent Republican Kit Bond was re-elected with 56% in 2004, and this time he did not seek re-election.[77] Congressman Roy Blunt, the former House Majority Whip from Missouri's 7th congressional district, won the Republican nomination beating 10 other Republicans. Democratic Secretary of State Robin Carnahan beat two other candidates for her party's nomination. Midge Potts[78] was the nominee of the Progressive Party of Missouri. The Constitution Party of Missouri had three candidates, and it nominated Jerry Beck.[79] The Libertarian Party had two candidates, and it nominated Jonathan Dine.[80] Glenn Miller sought election as a write-in candidate.[81] Roy Blunt won the general election with 54.3% of the vote.
Three-term incumbent Republican Judd Gregg was re-elected in 2004 with 66%.[82] Gregg did not seek re-election in 2010.[83] The only Democratic candidate was Congressman Paul Hodes of New Hampshire's 2nd congressional district.[84] Republican State Attorney General Kelly Ayotte won the Republican nomination narrowly beating Ovide Lamontagne[85] Self-employed realtor and perennial candidate Kenneth Blevens ran as the Libertarian.[86] Kelly Ayotte won the general election with 60.2% of the vote.
Two-term incumbent Republican George Voinovich was re-elected with 64% in 2004. Voinovich did not seek re-election in 2010.[87][88] Republicans nominated Rob Portman, former Congressman, U.S. Trade Representative, and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director and the Democrats nominated Lieutenant Governor Lee Fisher. Eric Deaton, a field service engineer with General Electric, ran as the Constitution Party candidate and Dan La Botz was nominated by the Socialist Party of Ohio, a state-affiliate of the Socialist Party USA.[89] Rob Portman won the general election with 57.3%.
Ten Republicans won re-election. One Republican lost renomination, but the seat was still held by the GOP. One republican seat is still undecided.
Four-term incumbent Republican Richard Shelby, a former Democrat who had switched parties in 1994 when Republicans took control of Congress, was re-elected with 68% of the vote in 2004.[90] The Democratic nominee was William Barnes, a lawyer and Vietnam veteran. Shelby won re-election with 65.2% of the vote.
Incumbent Republican Lisa Murkowski, who was appointed in 2002 by Governor Frank Murkowski (her father), was elected to a full term in 2004 with 48.6% of the vote,[91] sought re-election with fundraising aid from former Governor Sarah Palin.[92] In the 2008 Senate election, Democrat Mark Begich beat incumbent Republican Ted Stevens by a narrow margin, due to an ethics scandal. Palin endorsed and supported Joe Miller instead of Murkowski in the Republican primary. Miller defeated Murkowski in the close primary contest.[93] Sitka Mayor Scott McAdams ran as the Democrat. Murkowski then ran a write-in campaign against both Miller and McAdams,[94] remaining a Republican, not an Independent.[95] Murkowski was re-elected with a plurality of approximately 40% of the votes (these results were originally contested by Miller; he dropped his suit in December 2010, however, and Murkowski's victory was certified on December 30, 2010).[92]
2008 Republican presidential nominee and four-term incumbent Republican John McCain had been re-elected with 77% of the vote in 2004.[96] In the Republican primary, McCain defeated two opponents: former U.S. Representative J.D. Hayworth and U.S. Navy veteran and businessman Jim Deakin. Rodney Glassman, former Vice-Mayor of Tucson took the Democratic nomination.[97][98] John McCain won re-election with 58.7% of the vote.
One-term incumbent Republican Johnny Isakson was elected with 58% of the vote in 2004.[99] Isakson won renomination unopposed.[100] Labor Commissioner Mike Thurmond was the Democratic nominee. Isakson won re-election with 58.1% of the vote.
Two-term incumbent Republican Mike Crapo was reelected against only token write-in opposition in 2004.[101] The Democratic nominee in 2010 was Tom Sullivan and the Constitution Party nominee was Randy Lynn Bergquist. Crapo won re-election with 71.1% of the vote.
Five-term incumbent Republican Chuck Grassley was re-elected with 70% in 2004. Grassley ran for re-election and was renominated. Former U.S. Attorney Roxanne Conlin[102] won the Democratic nomination.[103] Grassley won re-election with 64.4% of the vote.
One-term incumbent Republican David Vitter was elected with 51% in 2004,[104] overcoming Louisiana's jungle primary system. Vitter sought re-election in 2010,[105] despite being involved in a prostitution scandal.[106] Congressman Charles Melancon of Louisiana's 3rd congressional district was the Democratic nominee. Vitter won re-election with 56.6% of the vote.
One-term incumbent Republican Richard Burr was elected with 52% in 2004.[107] Burr sought re-election and won his party's nomination.[108] Secretary of State Elaine Marshall secured the Democratic nomination. Michael Beitler ran as the Libertarian candidate.[109] Burr won re-election with 54.8% of the vote.
One-term incumbent Republican Tom Coburn was elected with 53% in 2004.[110] Coburn announced that he would be running for a second and final term.[111] Former Republican Party activist Stephen Wallace challenged Coburn as an independent. Coburn won re-election with 70.64%.
Incumbent Republican Jim DeMint was elected with 54% in 2004.[112] DeMint raised $2.2 million for his intended reelection bid.[113] DeMint was easily renominated. He stated in July 2009 that the defeat of health care reform would be Obama's Waterloo. In a surprise, unemployed military veteran Alvin Greene won the Democratic primary. Greene reported no fundraising by mid-October and made few campaign appearances. Tom Clements ran as the candidate of the Green Party. DeMint won re-election with 61.48%.
One-term incumbent Republican John Thune was elected with 51% in 2004, ousting former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle.[114] Thune ran unopposed and was re-elected.
Three-term incumbent Republican Bob Bennett was re-elected with 69% in 2004.[115] Bennett lost renomination, and the GOP nominated Mike Lee, who faced Utah Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission Chairman, Democrat Sam Granato, in the general election.[116][117] Lee won the general election with 61.6% of the vote.
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