2010 United States Senate elections

United States Senate Elections, 2010

November 2, 2010
Class III (34 of the 100) seats to the United States Senate and three mid-term vacancies from Class I and Class II
Majority party Minority party   Leader Harry Reid Mitch McConnell Party Democratic Republican Leader's seat Nevada Kentucky Last election 59 seats (including 2 independents) 41 seats Seats before 59 seats (including 2 independents) 41 seats (per realignment of Sen. Specter and Scott Brown's victory in Massachusetts)
Senate Seats up for Election:   Two Democratic incumbents   Democratic incumbent   Retiring Democrat   Republican incumbent   Retiring Republican   No election
Majority Leader before election Harry Reid Democratic Elected Majority Leader TBD

Elections to the United States Senate will be held on November 2, 2010, for 36 of the 100 seats in the United States Senate. A special election for a 37th seat was held in Massachusetts on January 19, 2010.

Thirty-four of the seats are for six-year terms, beginning January 3, 2011, and ending January 2017. They will join Senate Class III, which traces its roots back to the Senators who served full six-year terms from March 4, 1789 to March 3, 1795. The other two races are for shorter terms: Delaware ending 2015 and New York ending 2013.

After the 2008 elections and their subsequent events, the Senate is composed of 57 Democrats, 41 Republicans, and two independents who caucus with the Democrats. Of the remaining seats currently up for election in 2010, 18 are held by Democrats (5 of whom are retiring) and 18 are held by Republicans (6 of whom are retiring).

Polling and predictions

The following 15 seats are considered safe in all current predictions. Therefore, to reduce visual clutter, they do not appear in the table below:

Democratic (5): Hawaii, Maryland, New York (Schumer*), Oregon, Vermont

Republican (10): Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Georgia, Idaho, Kansas, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah

Source	Safe Democratic	Likely Democratic	Leans Democratic	Tossup	Leans Republican	Likely Republican	Safe Republican
The Cook Political Report (updates) as of February 18, 2010	Wisconsin Washington	New York*	California Connecticut	Arkansas Colorado Illinois Nevada Pennsylvania Kentucky Missouri New Hampshire Ohio	Indiana	Florida Louisiana North Carolina Delaware	Iowa North Dakota
The Rothenberg Political Report (updates) as of February 24, 2010	New York* Wisconsin Washington	California Connecticut		Colorado Illinois Indiana Pennsylvania Kentucky Missouri New Hampshire Ohio	North Carolina Arkansas Delaware Nevada North Dakota	Florida Louisiana	Iowa
Larry Sabato's Crystal Ball (updates) as of February 15, 2010	Wisconsin Washington	Connecticut New York*	California	Colorado Illinois Indiana Pennsylvania Kentucky Missouri New Hampshire Ohio	Texas** Arkansas Delaware Nevada	Florida Iowa Louisiana North Carolina	North Dakota
The Swing State Project (updates) as of March 9, 2010	New York* Wisconsin Washington	California Connecticut		Colorado Illinois Indiana Pennsylvania Kentucky Missouri New Hampshire Ohio	North Carolina Arkansas Delaware Nevada	Iowa Louisiana Florida North Dakota
CQ Politics (updates) as of February 15, 2010	New York* Wisconsin Washington	California Connecticut		Colorado Illinois Nevada Pennsylvania Kentucky Missouri New Hampshire Ohio	Indiana Louisiana North Carolina Arkansas	Florida Delaware North Dakota	Iowa
Campaign Diaries (updates) as of February 12, 2010		California Connecticut New York* Wisconsin Washington	Indiana	Colorado Illinois Pennsylvania Missouri New Hampshire Ohio	Florida Kentucky North Carolina Arkansas Nevada	Louisiana Delaware North Dakota	Iowa

* There are two elections in New York: Schumer (safe) and Gillibrand (* in the table above).
** This prediction is based on the assumption that Kay Bailey Hutchison will resign after the Texas gubernatorial primary to be held on March 2, 2010, which Rick Perry won. Before the primary, Senator Hutchison made it "crystal clear" that she will leave the Senate after the primary regardless of whether she or Perry wins the gubernatorial nomination. This reference to Texas applies only to the polling in the table above; it is not reflected in any of the other sections of this article.

Other polls and rankings

• FiveThirtyEight — Run by pollster Nate Silver, this site ranks the races in terms of volatility, i.e. Senators most likely to lose their election, and thus for the seat to undergo a party change. Rankings are updated monthly.

Overview of races (36 seats)

• Retiring Democrats (5 seats)
• Retiring Republicans (6 seats)
• Democratic incumbents (13 seats)
• Republican incumbents (12 seats)

A special election for a 37th seat was held in Massachusetts on January 19, 2010.

Retiring Democratic Senators (5 seats)

Christopher Dodd of Connecticut

Main article: United States Senate election in Connecticut, 2010

Five-term Democratic incumbent Christopher Dodd was reelected with 66% of the vote in 2004. Facing grim prospects for reelection, Dodd announced on Jan 6, 2010, that he is not running for reelection. Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal (D) plans to run for the seat, which is expected to improve the Democrats' chances of holding the seat in November.

On the Republican side, Euro Pacific Capital President and noted financial pundit Peter Schiff, an outspoken libertarian who has gained attention for correctly predicting the subprime mortgage crisis despite mockery from other industry analysts, announced he is running for Senate on September 17, 2009, after raising more than a million dollars.. Additionally, former Congressman Rob Simmons and former CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment Linda McMahon have announced their candidacies.

Vincent Forras and Dr. John Mertens have filed paperwork to run as independents.

Barack Obama won Connecticut with 60.59% of the vote in 2008.

Ted Kaufman of Delaware

Main article: United States Senate special election in Delaware, 2010

Democratic Senator Joe Biden was simultaneously reelected to the U.S. Senate and elected Vice President of the United States on November 4, 2008. Although Biden was sworn in for his seventh term on January 6, 2009, he tendered his resignation effective January 15 in preparation for taking office as Vice President on January 20, 2009.

On November 24, 2008, Democratic Governor Ruth Ann Minner announced Biden would be replaced by Democrat Ted Kaufman, his former chief of staff, sometime in January 2009. He was subsequently sworn in on January 15. A special election for the remainder of the term, which expires on January 3, 2015, will be held in 2010. Kaufman announced that he will not be a candidate in the special election.

Popular former Republican Governor and U.S. Representative Mike Castle, who represents the state at large in the U.S. House, announced in October, 2009 that he would run for the seat. Christine O'Donnell, the Republican nominee who ran against and lost to Joe Biden in 2008, has announced that she will run again.

On the Democratic side, Vice President Biden's son, Beau Biden, the current Attorney General of Delaware who returned September 25, 2009 from serving in Iraq with the Delaware National Guard, has declined to run for the Democratic nomination. Instead, Newcastle County Executive Chris Coons is likely to be the Democratic candidate.

Barack Obama won Delaware with 61.91% of the vote in 2008.

The seat will be up for election again in 2014 for a full six-year term.

Roland Burris of Illinois

Main article: United States Senate election in Illinois, 2010

The primary elections on Feb. 2, 2010 had the following winners:

• Alexi Giannoulias, the state treasurer, was the Democrat,
• Representative Mark Kirk was the Republican,
• Author LeAlan Jones was the Green.

The Libertarian Party has selected Michael Labno as its candidate. To qualify for the ballot Labno's campaign will have to gather 25,000 valid signatures by June 21, 2010.

Barack Obama won Illinois with 61.85% of the vote in the presidential election of 2008.

Evan Bayh of Indiana

Main article: United States Senate election in Indiana, 2010

Two-term incumbent and former two-term Governor Evan Bayh was reelected with 62% of the vote in 2004.

Senator Bayh is not running for re-election in 2010. Congressman Brad Ellsworth has declared himself as a candidate for the Democratic nomination.

The declared Republican candidates are former Congressman John Hostettler, state Senator Marlin Stutzman, and Don Bates, Jr., a branch manager for Wachovia Securities. On February 10, 2010, former Republican Senator Dan Coats announced that he will come out of retirement to run for the seat.

Barack Obama narrowly won Indiana with 49.86% of the vote in 2008.

Byron Dorgan of North Dakota

Main article: United States Senate election in North Dakota, 2010

Senator Byron Dorgan of North Dakota announced on January 5, 2010 that he will not seek re-election. In 2004, he won the election with 68% of the vote.

State Senator Tracy Potter is the only Democrat to have formally announced a candidacy for Senate. All other major candidates have announced that they will not be running, including former Attorney General Heidi Heitkamp, and 2006 secretary of State nominee Kristen Hedger.

On the Republican side, North Dakota Governor John Hoeven has announced his candidacy. Republican Navy veteran Duane Sand announced his bid before Dorgan's announcement.

Republican presidential nominee John McCain won North Dakota with 53.15% of the vote in 2008.

Retiring Republican Senators (6 seats)

George LeMieux of Florida

Main article: United States Senate election in Florida, 2010

Republican George LeMieux was originally appointed to replace Mel Martinez, who resigned on September 9, 2009. He has stated that he would not seek reelection in 2010. On the Republican side:

• Incumbent Republican Governor Charlie Crist announced his candidacy and was considered to be the favorite in the race, initially holding a large double-digit lead over challenger Marco Rubio. Former Republican Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives
• Marco Rubio is running and positioning himself as a more conservative candidate than Crist. As of February 3, Rubio has overtaken Crist and now holds a 12 point advantage.
• Former New Hampshire U.S. Senator Bob Smith is also a declared candidate.
• U.S. Congressman Vern Buchanan, who represents Florida's 13th congressional district, former Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives

Announced Democratic candidates:

• U.S. Representative Kendrick Meek, who represents Florida's 17th congressional district
• North Miami Mayor Kevin Burns,
• Marine Corps veteran George Lovenguth,
• Pastor Tyrone Brown,
• Key West resident "Trinidad Joe" Allen

Bernie DeCastro is the Constitution Party Nominee.

Alexander Snitker is the Libertarian Party Nominee.

In addition to the above candidates Piotr Blass and Dave Roberts have filed as independent candidates, while Lewis Jerome Armstrong, Bobby Bean and Todd Oifer will be listed as No Party Affiliation

Barack Obama won Florida with 50.91% of the vote in 2008.

Sam Brownback of Kansas

Main article: United States Senate election in Kansas, 2010

2008 Republican presidential candidate and two-term incumbent Sen. Sam Brownback has stated that he will not run for reelection in 2010 because of self-imposed term limits.

On the Republican side, U.S. Representative Jerry Moran of Kansas's 1st congressional district has filed papers with the Federal Elections Commission (FEC) to run for the U.S. Senate seat. Another Republican U.S. Representative, Todd Tiahrt of Kansas's 4th congressional district, has also announced his candidacy for the seat, setting up what is expected to be a bruising GOP primary.

Democratic retired advertising executive Charles Schollenberger plans to wage a grassroots campaign for the Democratic nomination.

Former Democratic Governor Kathleen Sebelius was seen as a potential candidate with name recognition because of term limits preventing her from seeking another term as Governor. Instead, Sebelius accepted the nomination by President Barack Obama to be Secretary of Health and Human Services, laying to rest the possibility that she will run for the U.S. Senate.

Republican presidential nominee John McCain won Kansas with 56.50% of the vote in 2008.

Jim Bunning of Kentucky

Main article: United States Senate election in Kentucky, 2010

Baseball Hall of Famer and two-term Republican incumbent Sen. Jim Bunning was narrowly reelected by 51% to 49% in 2004 against his Democratic opponent, then-state Senator Daniel Mongiardo, after several of Bunning's controversial actions made the race close. Bunning had intended to run for reelection, but the Republican Party had long been lukewarm to his relatively weak candidacy. On July 27, 2009, Bunning announced that he would retire rather than seek a third term. Bunning continued to make controversial comments in 2009, such as predicting that Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg would be dead in nine months. Secretary of State Trey Grayson and eye surgeon Rand Paul, son of U.S. Representative and 2008 presidential candidate Ron Paul, stated they would be interested in running if Bunning decided to retire. Paul formed an exploratory committee, then announced that he would seek the Senate seat, and has raised almost two million dollars.

Two Democrats, both of whom have won statewide elections, have announced their candidacies. Lieutenant Governor Daniel Mongiardo, a practicing surgeon, announced in January 2009 that he would run for the seat and received the endorsement of Democratic Governor Steve Beshear. In April, Attorney General Jack Conway announced that he would enter the race, with the support of Kentucky's Democratic Congressmen, Ben Chandler and John Yarmuth, as well as state Auditor Crit Luallen and state House Speaker Greg Stumbo. Former U.S. Customs Agent Darlene Fitzgerald Price has also announced her candidacy.

Republican presidential nominee John McCain won Kentucky with 57.37% of the vote in 2008.

Kit Bond of Missouri

Main article: United States Senate election in Missouri, 2010

Four-term incumbent Republican Senator Kit Bond was reelected with 56% of the vote in 2004. He has announced that he will not seek reelection.

Republican U.S. Representative Roy Blunt, who represents Missouri's 7th congressional district (Southwest Missouri), has announced his candidacy. Former State Treasurer Sarah Steelman, who sought but narrowly lost the Republican gubernatorial nomination in August 2008 to Kenny Hulshof, is also considering a run for the Republican nomination. Former U.S. Senator Jim Talent, who was narrowly unseated in 2006 by Democrat Claire McCaskill, has announced that he will not run.

The Progressive Party of Missouri has selected Midge Potts as their candidate. She announced in June 2009.

On the Democratic side, Secretary of State Robin Carnahan (daughter of former U.S. Senator Jean Carnahan and former Governor Mel Carnahan) entered the race on February 3, 2009, and is widely considered the front-runner for the Democratic nomination. In 2008, Carnahan won her second term as Secretary of State with near 1.7 million votes, the most votes ever cast for a single candidate in Missouri state history, and winning all but 4 of Missouri's 114 counties.

Republican presidential nominee John McCain narrowly defeated Barack Obama 49.36% to 49.23% in Missouri in 2008.

Judd Gregg of New Hampshire

Main article: United States Senate election in New Hampshire, 2010

Three-term Republican incumbent U.S. Senator Judd Gregg was reelected in 2004 with 66% of the vote. Gregg had originally announced his intention to run for a fourth term, but was nominated to the position of United States Secretary of Commerce by President Barack Obama in early February 2009. However, Gregg withdrew his nomination on February 12, 2009, citing "irresolvable conflicts" over policy related to the Commerce Department. Gregg has stated he will not run again.

Democratic U.S. Representative Paul Hodes is running for this seat. The state's other U.S. Representative, Carol Shea-Porter, also a Democrat, announced on Monday March 16, 2009, that she would not run for the seat. Her decision averted a primary battle and cleared the way for Hodes.

On the Republican side: On July 7, 2009, state Attorney General Kelly Ayotte announced that she was seriously considering running, and on July 20, she filed paperwork to form an exploratory committee. Businessmen Bill Binnie and Jim Bender, and 1996 gubernatorial nominee and attorney Ovide Lamontagne are challenging Ayotte in the Republican primary.

The Libertarian Party of New Hampshire has nominated self-employed realtor and perennial candidate Kenneth Blevens.

George Voinovich of Ohio

Main article: United States Senate election in Ohio, 2010

Two-term Republican incumbent George Voinovich was reelected with 64% of the vote in 2004. Voinovich, a former Mayor of Cleveland, Lieutenant Governor and Governor of Ohio, announced that he was going to retire rather than seek reelection to a third term in 2010.

On the Republican side, former U.S. Representative, U.S. Trade Representative and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Rob Portman announced his candidacy and appears to be the consensus choice among establishment Republicans Businessman Tom Ganley is also running.

On the Democratic side, Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner and Lieutenant Governor Lee Fisher, have announced their candidacies. U.S. Representative Marcy Kaptur of Ohio's 9th congressional district is also a possible candidate.

There are also three independent candidates who have announced that they will run: Eric Deaton, Eric Gregory, and Adam Shaffer.

Barack Obama won Ohio in 2008 by 51.38% to 46.80%.

Democratic incumbents (13 seats)

Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas

Main article: United States Senate election in Arkansas, 2010

Two term Democratic incumbent Blanche Lincoln was reelected with 56% of the vote in 2004. Lincoln will seek reelection and has already held a major fundraiser with Vice President Joe Biden.

In the Democratic primary, Lincoln faces two announced opponents: Bill Halter, the state's Lieutenant Governor, who entered the race on March 1st, and raised more than $1 million dollars in his first 48 hours; and Drew Pritt, Director of Equality Arkansas and local businessman. Pritt is openly gay and ran as a Democrat for Arkansas Lt. Governor in 2006, becoming the first openly gay individual to run statewide.

On the Republican side, state senators Kim Hendren and Gilbert Baker; as well as retired US Army colonel Conrad Reynolds; Little Rock Businessman Curtis Coleman, real estate investment firm owner Fred Ramey, Harvard alumnus Tom Cotton, University of Arkansas Housing Director and Washington County Tea Party Vice-Chair Randy Alexander, Tom Cox, founder of the state branch of the Tea Party movement, former state Senator Jim Holt,, and Congressman John Boozman are all running.

Former Green Beret Trevor Drown has announced his candidacy as an independent

Greenland Mayor John Gray is seeking the Green Party nomination.

Republican presidential nominee John McCain won Arkansas with 58.72% of the vote in 2008.

Barbara Boxer of California

Main article: United States Senate election in California, 2010

Three-term Democratic incumbent Barbara Boxer was reelected with 58% of the vote in 2004. In February 2007, she announced that she would seek a fourth term in 2010.

On the Republican side, state Assemblyman Chuck DeVore of California's 70th State Assembly district has announced his candidacy. Telecommunications sales executive Al Ramirez announced the formation of an exploratory committee to test the waters starting in November 2008 and officially launched his campaign to challenge Boxer on October 28, 2009 at the National Republican Senatorial Committee Headquarters. Former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina announced on August 18, 2009 that she had begun the "formal process" of exploring a challenge for the seat. On January 13, 2010, current law professor and former US Congressman Tom Campbell, who had earlier declared himself a candidate for the state's governorship, announced he would seek the Senate seat instead.

Republican Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has ruled out a run for U.S. Senate when his term as Governor expires.

Donald J. "Don" Grundmann has filed paperwork for the American Independent nomination.

Jerry L. Carroll has filed as an Independent.

Barack Obama won California with 60.94% of the vote in 2008.

Michael Bennet of Colorado

Main article: United States Senate election in Colorado, 2010

Following the resignation of first term Democratic Senator Ken Salazar to become President Barack Obama's Secretary of the Interior, Democratic Governor Bill Ritter selected Michael Bennet, the former Superintendent of Denver Public Schools, to fill Salazar's seat for the remainder of his term. Bennet has stated that he will run for a full term in 2010.

Former Speaker of the Colorado House of Representatives Andrew Romanoff has indicated that he will challenge Bennet in the Democratic primary, creating an exploratory committee in September 2009.

On the Republican side, Former Lieutenant Governor Jane Norton, Weld County District Attorney Ken Buck,, former state Senator Tom Weins , and businessman Cleve Tidwell have announced their candidacies. In addition, radio talk-show host Dan Caplis is considered a potential candidate.

Barack Obama won Colorado with 53.66% of the vote in 2008.

Daniel Inouye of Hawaii

Main article: United States Senate election in Hawaii, 2010

Eight-term incumbent Senator Daniel Inouye was reelected with 76% of the vote in 2004 and has announced that he will seek another term.

Inouye is being challenged in the Democratic Primary by Andy Woerner, a political outsider who has never served in government; outgoing Republican Governor Linda Lingle is considered a possible GOP candidate.

Barack Obama won Hawaii with 71.85% of the vote in 2008.

Barbara Mikulski of Maryland

Main article: United States Senate election in Maryland, 2010

Four-term incumbent Sen. Barbara Mikulski was reelected with 65% of the vote in 2004.. After 24 years in office, the incumbent Senator is seeking a 5th term.

Republican challengers include:

• Carmen Amedori, a former member of the Maryland House of Delegates representing Carroll County
• Corrogan Vaughn, a political consultant.
• Eric Wargotz, a physician currently serving as president of the Queen Anne's County Commission.
• Jim Rutledge III, an attorney from Jarrettsville.
• Daniel McAndrew, an engineer from Forest Hill

Robert Brookman is listed on the ballot as Unaffiliated

Barack Obama won Maryland with 61.92% of the vote in 2008.

Harry Reid of Nevada

Main article: United States Senate election in Nevada, 2010

Four-term incumbent and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid was reelected with 61% of the vote in 2004. He will seek a fifth term in 2010.

Dr. Robin L. Titus, a prominent physician from Wellington who has served as Lyon County's health officer since 1989, has declared her candidacy as a Republican. Attorney Danny Tarkanian of Las Vegas, State Senator Mark Amodei of Carson City, former state Representative Sharron Angle, former Nevada Republican Party chairwomen Sue Lowden, attorney Chuck Kozak, conservative activists Mike Wiley and Bill Parson, banker John Chachas, former Nevada Board of Education member Greg Dagani, and blogger Mark Noonan are also competing for the Republican nomination.

Jerry Carter and Jeffrey Durbin are currently on the ballots as Independents.

Wil Stand is currently listed on the ballot as No Party Designation.

Barack Obama won Nevada with 55.15% of the vote in 2008.

Kirsten Gillibrand of New York

Main article: United States Senate special election in New York, 2010

Incumbent Democrat Kirsten Gillibrand was appointed by Democratic Governor David Paterson to fill this seat on January 23, 2009, after former Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton resigned to take up her appointment as U.S. Secretary of State. Gillibrand will serve until the seat is filled in a 2010 special election. The winner of the 2010 election may then decide whether or not to run for a full term in 2012. Gillibrand has filed paperwork to run in the 2010 election. Former Tennessee congressman Harold Ford, Jr. was considered a potential primary challenger to Gillibrand, but he eventually opted not to run.

On the Republican side, Former Governor George Pataki has met with Republican officials about a possible campaign, but officials say it is unlikely he will run.

Barack Obama won New York with 62.88% of the vote in 2008.

Chuck Schumer of New York

Main article: United States Senate election in New York, 2010

Two-term incumbent Democrat Chuck Schumer, the former chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) was reelected with 71% of the vote in 2004. He is unlikely to face strong competition in 2010.

Barack Obama won New York with 62.88% of the vote in 2008.

Ron Wyden of Oregon

Main article: United States Senate election in Oregon, 2010

Two-term incumbent Sen. Ron Wyden (D) was reelected with 64% of the vote in 2004.

James Huffman, a Lewis and Clark Law professor, entered the race as a Republican. In a February 2010 Rasmussen poll Huffman trailed Wyden 49% to 35%.

Barack Obama won Oregon with 56.75% of the vote in 2008.

Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania

Main article: United States Senate election in Pennsylvania, 2010

Five-term incumbent Arlen Specter was reelected as a Republican by a 53% to 42% margin in 2004. On April 28, 2009, Specter announced he was leaving the Republican Party and would seek a sixth term in 2010 as a Democrat.

Based on polling, the 2004 primary results and a smaller, more conservative Pennsylvania Republican 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 decided to switch parties. As a long-standing moderate, Specter has had tensions with the conservative base of the GOP dating back to 1987 when he played a key role in derailing President Ronald Reagan's nomination of Robert Bork to the U.S. Supreme Court. Recently, Specter had further antagonized the GOP base in Pennsylvania by voting in favor of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 otherwise known as the economic stimulus bill. In return for joining the Democratic Party, President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid have all discouraged candidates from challenging Specter in the Democratic primary.

For the Democrats, retired U.S. Navy Rear Admiral and current U.S. Representative Joe Sestak (PA-7) announced on August 4, 2009 that he would challenge Specter for the nomination despite the support for Specter amongst the Democratic leadership..

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, has announced that he will run for the Republican nomination. Mitt Romney has announced his support for Toomey Other Republican candidates include businessman Larry Murphy, who challenged Specter in the 1998 primary, 1994 and 1998 Constitution Party gubernatorial candidate Peg Luksik, and Retired Federal Air Marshal Robert Townsend.

Barack Obama won Pennsylvania with 54.47% of the vote in 2008.

Patrick Leahy of Vermont

Main article: United States Senate election in Vermont, 2010

Six-term incumbent Democrat Patrick Leahy was reelected with 71% of the vote in 2004. Leahy will run for reelection.

Leahy faces a primary challenger in the form of Daniel Freilich; currently a Captain in the United States Naval Reserve and a physician specializing in internal medicine.

Cannabis legal reform activist and perennial candidate Cris Ericson has announced her candidacy as an independent. John A. LaPierre has also announced his candidacy as an independent.

Len Britton has announced his candidacy as a Republican.

Barack Obama won Vermont with 67.46% of the vote in 2008.

Patty Murray of Washington

Main article: United States Senate election in Washington, 2010

Three-term incumbent Democrat Patty Murray was reelected with 55% of the vote in 2004. She has announced she will be seeking reelection.

So far the announced Republican candidates are energy trader and nuclear engineer Craig Williams , physician Art Coday , Army Vet Wayne Glover , 2000 Congressional Candidate Sean Salazar , electrical engineering instructor Scott Johnson , electrician and former US Marine Rod Rieger , and former pro football player Clint Didier. Motivational speaker Chris Widener, also a Republican, has set up an exploratory committee for a possible candidacy

Barack Obama won Washington with 57.34% of the vote in 2008.

Russ Feingold of Wisconsin

Main article: United States Senate election in Wisconsin, 2010

Three-term incumbent Democrat Russ Feingold was reelected with 55% of the vote in 2004.

Feingold has announced his campaign staff for reelection and is expected to announce his formal election intentions soon.

He is being challenged by Republican businessman Dave Westlake of Watertown and Republican Terrence Wall, a real estate developer from Middleton.

Constitution Party candidate Rob Taylor is also running.

Barack Obama won Wisconsin with 56% of the vote in 2008.

Republican incumbents (12 seats)

Richard Shelby of Alabama

Main article: United States Senate election in Alabama, 2010

Four-term incumbent Republican Richard Shelby, a former Democrat who switched parties in 1994 when Republicans took control of both the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate, was reelected with 68% of the vote in 2004. Shelby's 2010 campaign committee had over $13 million on hand as of September 30, 2008, and will stand for reelection in 2010.

John McCain won Alabama with 61% of the vote in 2008.

Lisa Murkowski of Alaska

Main article: United States Senate election in Alaska, 2010

Incumbent Republican Lisa Murkowski, appointed in 2002, was reelected to a full term in 2004 with 48.6% of the vote.

Murkowski has announced that she will seek reelection and will have fundraising aid from former Governor Sarah Palin.

Republican presidential nominee John McCain won Alaska with 60% of the vote in 2008.

John McCain of Arizona

Main article: United States Senate election in Arizona, 2010

2008 Republican presidential nominee and four-term incumbent John McCain was reelected with 77% of the vote in 2004. McCain has signaled his intention to run for a fifth term in 2010.

Two Republicans have announced that they will challenge McCain in the primary:

• former Arizona congressman J. D. Hayworth, who announced on Feb. 15, 2010 that he was running .
• U.S. Navy veteran and businessman Jim Deakin.

On the Democratic side:

• The only declared candidate so far is Rudy Garcia, the former mayor of Bell Gardens, California.
• Another Democrat, Tucson City Councilman Rodney Glassman, is thinking of running [5].

During his presidential campaign, McCain won Arizona with 54% of the vote.

Johnny Isakson of Georgia

Main article: United States Senate election in Georgia, 2010

Freshman Republican Johnny Isakson was elected with 58% of the vote in 2004. Isakson has announced that he will run for reelection.

Republican Congressman Paul Broun may challenge Isakson in the Republican primary.

On the Democratic side, RJ Hadley, the chief of staff to the Rockdale County Commission, has indicated that he will seek the Democratic nomination.

Republican presidential nominee John McCain won Georgia with 52% of the vote in 2008.

Mike Crapo of Idaho

Main article: United States Senate election in Idaho, 2010

Two-term Republican incumbent Mike Crapo was reelected against only token write-in opposition with 99% of the vote in 2004 after Idaho Democrats failed to produce a candidate before the filing deadline.

Republican presidential nominee John McCain won Idaho with 61% of the vote in 2008.

Chuck Grassley of Iowa

Main article: United States Senate election in Iowa, 2010

Five-term Republican incumbent Chuck Grassley was reelected with 70% of the vote in 2004. Grassley will run for reelection. Conservative Republicans suggest Grassley may face a primary challenge due to his lack of support for their issues. Among those is conservative activist Bill Salier, who said "Grassley was the dominant force and had an enormous amount of loyalty. That has so eroded out from underneath him" during an interview on WHO-AM radio.

Lawyer Roxanne Conlin, former state legislators Bob Krause, and Tom Fiegen are running for the Democratic nomination. Krause has said that Grassley's more than half-century in public office is too long. "As a good farmer, Sen. Grassley must recognize that 51 years, or 58 years at the end of his term, is a long time to go without rotating crops," Krause told about 50 supporters in Des Moines. Krause cited Grassley's support in 1999 for legislation that allowed banks and insurance companies to begin offering other investment products. "Please remember that Farmer Grassley was one that opened the barn door and let the cow out at AIG," Krause said.

Barack Obama won Iowa with 54% of the vote in 2008.

David Vitter of Louisiana

Main article: United States Senate election in Louisiana, 2010

Freshman Republican David Vitter was elected with 51% of the vote in 2004. This was actually an impressive victory considering Louisiana's election process in 2004 was an "open primary" where candidates of all parties and independents run together in the same election. In receiving 51% of the vote Vitter won the election outright without the need for a run-off election. Congressman Chris John, a Democrat, finished second to Vitter with only 29% of the vote. Five other candidates completed the field receiving 20% combined. Vitter has announced that he will seek reelection, though his reelection bid may become complicated by a prostitution scandal that was revealed in 2007.

Republican Secretary of State Jay Dardenne is a potential challenger to Vitter in the Republican primary, as is pornographic actress Stormy Daniels. Retired Lieutenant General Russel L. Honoré is strongly considering running in 2010 as a Republican, with one source saying that the ex-United States Army commander was "more than 50% sure that he will run."

Democratic United States Congressman Charles Melancon (LA-03) announced on August 27, 2009 that he would seek the Democratic nomination for the seat.

Libertarian from Mandeville Anthony "Tony G" Gentile announced on June 16, 2009 that he would seek the Libertarian nomination for the seat. Gentile was a candidate for Governor in 2007 and U.S. House District 1 in 2008.

Republican presidential nominee John McCain won Louisiana with 59% of the vote in 2008.

Richard Burr of North Carolina

Main article: United States Senate election in North Carolina, 2010

Freshman Republican Richard Burr was elected with 52% of the vote in 2004. Burr is considered a potentially vulnerable incumbent due to his poor approval ratings and low profile statewide. Burr will be challenged in the May Republican primary by Asheboro businessman, community leader, and sitting City Council Member Eddie Burks.

Army veteran and frequent candidate John Hendrix, attorney Kenneth Lewis, former state Senator Cal Cunningham and North Carolina Secretary of State Elaine Marshall are running for the Democratic nomination.

Dr. Mike Beitler is seeking the nomination of the Libertarian Party.

Barack Obama narrowly won North Carolina with 50% of the vote in 2008.

Tom Coburn of Oklahoma

Main article: United States Senate election in Oklahoma, 2010

Freshman Republican Tom Coburn was elected with 53% of the vote in 2004. Coburn raised less than $20,000 in the fourth quarter of 2008 and reports less than $55,000 "cash on hand." Coburn announced on June 1 that he would be running for a second, and final term.

Former Republican Party Activist Stephen Wallace is challenging Coburn as an Independent.

Republican presidential nominee John McCain won Oklahoma with 66% of the vote in 2008.

Jim DeMint of South Carolina

Main article: United States Senate election in South Carolina, 2010

Freshman Republican Jim DeMint was elected with 54% of the vote in 2004. DeMint has raised $2.2 million for his intended reelection bid.. DeMint is considered safe, but there is some criticsms from some Democrats for blaming him on holding up the confirmation of Erroll Southers to the TSA Airplane Board. DeMint also said in July 2009, that the end of health care reform would be Obama's waterloo. Republicans are focused on the gubernatorial contest.

Republican presidential nominee John McCain won South Carolina with 54% of the vote in 2008.

John Thune of South Dakota

Main article: United States Senate election in South Dakota, 2010

Freshman Republican John Thune was elected with 51% of the vote in 2004. Thune will likely run for a second term in 2010.. Thune is critized by Democrats for being an obstructionist and not working with President Obama and his agenda.

Republican presidential nominee John McCain won South Dakota with 53% of the vote in 2008.

Bob Bennett of Utah

Main article: United States Senate election in Utah, 2010

Three-term Republican Bob Bennett was reelected with 69% of the vote in 2004. Bennett intends to run for reelection. Bennett was rated one of the ten most liberal Republicans in the Senate, Top 10 Senate RINOs by the conservative magazine Human Events. In May 2009, Bennett released an early advertisement, in which former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney expresses his support for Bennett, to discourage a primary challenge.

Bennett will face competition from Constitutional attorney Mike Lee, Conservative businesswoman Cherilyn Eagar as well as James Russell Williams, and Tim Bridgwater.

Bennett may also face a competitive primary from former Juab County prosecutor David Leavitt, an undeclared Republican candidate.

Republican presidential nominee John McCain won Utah with 63% of the vote in 2008.

Senate contests in 2010

Party column: R is Republican, D is Democratic.
Re-election is also indicated by shading in the Incumbent column, which indicates a retiring Senator.
Like many Wikipedia tables, click on the column header to sort the table accordingly.

State	Incumbent	Party	Re- election?	Other candidates	Primary Date	Last election results
AL	Richard Shelby	R	Y		2010 06 01	Richard Shelby (R) 67.55% Wayne Sowell (D) 32.35%
AK	Lisa Murkowski	R	Y		2010 05 18	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%
AZ	John McCain	R	Y	Jim Deakin (R) J. D. Hayworth (R) Rudy Garcia (D)	2010 08 24	John McCain (R) 76.74% Stuart Starky (D) 20.62% Ernest Hancock (L) 2.64%
AR	Blanche Lincoln	D	Y	Kim Hendren (R) Tom Cox (R) Chris Coleman (R) Fred Ramey (R) Conrad Reynolds (R) Gilbert Baker (R) Tom Cotton (R) Jim Holt (R) John Boozman (R) John Gray (G)	2010 05 18	Blanche Lincoln (D) 55.90% Jim Holt (R) 44.07%
CA	Barbara Boxer	D	Y	Chuck DeVore (R) Al Ramirez (R) Carly Fiorina (R) Tom Campbell (R)	2010 06 08	Barbara Boxer (D) 57.71% Bill Jones (R) 37.80% Marsha J. Feinland (P&F) 2.02% James P. Gray (L) 1.80%
CO	Michael Bennet	D	Y	Ken Buck (R) Ryan Frazier (R) Cleve Tidwell (R)	2010 08 10	Ken Salazar (D) 51.30% Pete Coors (R) 46.53%
CT	Chris Dodd	D	N	Merrick Alpert (D) Richard Blumenthal (D) Rob Simmons (R) Peter Schiff (R) Linda McMahon (R)	2010 08 10	Chris Dodd (D) 66.35% Jack Orchulli (R) 32.13%
DE A	Ted Kaufman	D	N	Christine O'Donnell (R)	2010 09 14	Joe Biden (D) 64.69% Christine O'Donnell (R) 35.31%
FL	George LeMieux	R	N	Bob Coggins (R) Charlie Crist (R) Linda Vasquez Littlefield (R) Gwendolyn McClellan (R) Marco Rubio (R) Bob Smith (R) Marion Thorpe (R) Tom Walsh (R) Joe Allen (D) Tyrone Brown (D) Kevin Burns (D) Alexander Snitker(L) George Lovenguth (I) Kendrick Meek (D)	2010 08 24	Mel Martinez (R) 49.43% Betty Castor (D) 48.32% Dennis F. Bradley (V) 2.24%
GA	Johnny Isakson	R	Y		2010 07 20	Johnny Isakson (R) 57.88% Denise Majette (D) 39.98% Allen Buckley (L) 2.14%
HI	Daniel Inouye	D	Y		2010 09 18	Daniel Inouye (D) 75.51% Campbell Cavasso (R) 20.99% Jim Brewer (I) 2.23% Lloyd Jeffrey Mallan (L) 1.27%
ID	Mike Crapo	R			2010 05 25	Mike Crapo (R) 99.18% Write-ins 0.82%
IL	Roland Burris	D	N	Primary held Feb, 2010: Alexi Giannoulias (D) Mark Kirk (R) LeAlan Jones (G)	2010 02 02	Barack Obama (D) 69.97% Alan Keyes (R) 27.05% Albert Franzen (I) 1.58% Jerry Kohn (L) 1.35%
IN	Evan Bayh	D	N	Marlin Stutzman (R) Don Bates, Jr. (R) John Hostettler (R) Dan Coats (R) Brad Ellsworth (D)	2010 05 04	Evan Bayh (D) 61.65% Marvin Scott (R) 37.23% Albert Barger (L) 1.13%
IA	Chuck Grassley	R	Y	Bob Krause (D) Tom Fiegen (D) Roxanne Conlin (D)	2010 06 08	Chuck Grassley (R) 70.18% Arthur Small (D) 27.88% Christy Ann Welty (L) 1.03%
KS	Sam Brownback	R	N	Jerry Moran (R) Todd Tiahrt (R)	2010 08 03	Sam Brownback (R) 69.16% Lee Jones (D) 27.49% Steven Rosile (L) 1.93% George Cook (Ref) 1.42%
KY	Jim Bunning	R	N	Jack Conway (D) Daniel Mongiardo (D) Darlene Fitzgerald Price (D) Rand Paul (R)	2010 05 18	Jim Bunning (R) 50.66% Daniel Mongiardo (D) 49.34%
LA	David Vitter	R	Y	Charlie Melancon (D) Anthony "Tony G" Gentile (L)	2010 08 28	David Vitter (R) 51.03% Chris John (D) 29.34% John Neely Kennedy (D) 14.92% Arthur Morrell (D) 2.56%
MD	Barbara Mikulski	D	Y	Carmen Amedori(R),Corrogan R. Vaughn (R) Eric Wargotz (R) Jim Rutledge (R)	2010 09 14	Barbara Mikulski (D) 64.77% E. J. Pipkin (R) 33.71% Maria Allwine (G) 1.07%
MAC	Paul Kirk	D	N (note C)	Elected Jan, 2010 Scott Brown	2009 12 08	Ted Kennedy (D) 69.5% Kenneth Chase (R) 30.5%
MO	Kit Bond	R	N	Roy Blunt (R) Robin Carnahan (D) Midge Potts (G)	2010 08 03	Kit Bond (R) 56.09% Nancy Farmer (D) 42.80% Other 1%
NV	Harry Reid	D	Y	Robin L. Titus (R) Mark Amodei (R) John Chachas (R) Danny Tarkanian (R) Sharron Angle (R) Sue Lowden (R) Chuck Kozak (R) Mike Wiley (R) Bill Parson Greg Dagini Mark Noonan (R)	2010 06 08	Harry Reid (D) 61.08% Richard Ziser (R) 35.14% None 1.60% Thomas L. Hurst (L) 1.18%
NH	Judd Gregg	R	N	Paul Hodes (D) Kelly Ayotte (R) Bill Binnie (R) Jim Bender (R) Ovide Lamontagne (R)	2010 09 14	Judd Gregg (R) 66.18% Doris Haddock (D) 33.72%
NY	Chuck Schumer	D	Y		2010 09 14	Chuck Schumer (D) 71.16% Howard Mills (R) 24.24% Marilyn F. O'Grady (C) 3.30%
NY B	Kirsten Gillibrand	D	Y		2010 09 14	Hillary Rodham Clinton (D) 67.00% John Spencer (R) 31.01% Howie Hawkins (G) 1.24%
NC	Richard Burr	R	Y	John Hendrix (D) Kenneth Lewis (D) Elaine Marshall (D) Cal Cunningham (D)	2010 05 04	Richard Burr (R) 51.60% Erskine Bowles (D) 47.02% Tom Bailey (L) 1.38%
ND	Byron Dorgan	D	N	Duane Sand (R)	2010 06 08	Byron Dorgan (D) 68.28% Mike Liffrig (R) 31.72%
OH	George Voinovich	R	N	Rob Portman (R) Jennifer Brunner (D) Lee Fisher (D) Thomas Ganley (R)	2010 05 04	George Voinovich (R) 63.85% Eric Fingerhut (D) 36.14%
OK	Tom Coburn	R	Y		2010 07 27	Tom Coburn (R) 52.77% Brad Carson (D) 41.24% Sheila Bilyeu (I) 5.99%
OR	Ron Wyden	D	Y	Pavel Goberman (D)	2010 05 18	Ron Wyden (D) 63.39% Al King (R) 31.75% Teresa Kean (G) 2.42% Dan Fitzgerald (L) 1.66%
PA	Arlen Specter	D	Y	Joe Sestak (D) Peg Luksik (R) Larry Murphy (R) Pat Toomey (R) Robert Townsend (R)	2010 05 18	Arlen Specter (R) 52.62% Joe Hoeffel (D) 41.99% James N. Clymer (C) 3.96% Betsy Summers (L) 1.43%
SC	Jim DeMint	R	Y		2010 06 08	Jim DeMint (R) 53.67% Inez Tenenbaum (D) 44.10%
SD	John Thune	R	Y		2010 06 08	John Thune (R) 50.58% Tom Daschle (D) 49.42%
UT	Bob Bennett	R	Y		2010 09 14	Bob Bennett (R) 68.73% Paul Van Dam (D) 28.40% Gary R. Van Horn (C) 1.90%
VT	Patrick Leahy	D	Y	Cris Ericson (I)	2010 09 14	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%
WA	Patty Murray	D		Art Coday (R) Wayne Glover (R) Dr. Sean Salazar (R) Scott Johnson (R) Rod Rieger (R) Craig Williams (R) Chris Widener (R) Clint Didier	2010 08 17	Patty Murray (D) 54.98% George Nethercutt (R) 42.74% J. Mills (L) 1.21% Mark B. Wilson (G) 1.08%
WI	Russ Feingold	D	Y	Rob Taylor (C) Dave Westlake (R)	2010 09 14	Russ Feingold (D) 55.35% Tim Michels (R) 44.11%

A. Special election (to be held Nov, 2010) due to the resignation of Joe Biden to become Vice President of the United States. The term will end Jan, 2015.
B. Special election (to be held Nov, 2010) due to the resignation of Hillary Rodham Clinton to become United States Secretary of State. The term will end Jan 3, 2013.
C. Special election (held in January 19, 2010) due to the death of Ted Kennedy in Aug, 2009, and his appointed replacement Paul Kirk. The term will end Jan 3, 2013

See also

• United States House of Representatives elections, 2010. Similarly, United States presidential election, 2012 shows a list of states which will probably gain or lose House seats in the elections of 2012, due to the census of 2010.
• United States gubernatorial elections, 2010
• Party in Power - Shows which party controlled the Senate (as well as the House and Presidency) going back to 1945.
• Senate pickups - Contains a graph of how many Senate seats each party gained, during each election from 1946-2008.

Runup to the 2010 election

A change of party is indicated by underlining

• Jan 3, 2009. Immediately after the 2008 elections, the following senators were sworn in. This left a Senate of 99, composed of 56 Democrats, 40 Republicans, and 2 Independents who caucus as Democrats. One seat from Minnesota remained vacant.
  • Udall, Mark (D-CO)
  • Udall, Tom (D-NM)
  • Johanns, Mike (R-NE)
  • Shaheen, Jeanne (D-NH)
  • Warner, Mark (D-VA)
  • Risch, Jim (R-ID)
  • Hagan, Kay (D-NC)
  • Merkley, Jeff (D-OR)
  • Begich, Mark (D-AK)

• Jan 12, 2009
  • Burris, Roland (D-IL) appointed to replace Senator Obama.

• Jan 15, 2009
  • Kaufman, Edward (D-DE) appointed to replace Senator Biden.

• Jan 21, 2009
  • Bennet, Michael (D-CO) appointed to replace Senator Ken Salazar, who became Secretary of the Interior.

• Jan 26, 2009
  • Gillibrand, Kirsten (D-NY) appointed to replace Senator Hilary Clinton, who became Secretary of State.

• Apr 28, 2009
  • Specter, Arlen (PA) announced that he would switch from the Republican to the Democratic party. This left a Senate composed of 57 Democrats, 40 Republicans, and 2 Independents who caucus as Democrats.

• July 7, 2009
  • Franken, Al (D-MN) after the 2008 election was settled by the Minnesota Supreme Court. This left a Senate composed of 58 Democrats, 40 Republicans, and 2 Independents who caucus as Democrats.

• Sept 10, 2009
  • LeMieux, George (R-FL) appointed to replace Senator Mel Martinez, who resigned.

• Sept 24, 2009
  • Kirk, Paul G, Jr. (D-MA) appointed to replace Senator Ed Kennedy, who died. Massachusetts held a special election Jan 19, 2010, in which Senator Kirk chose not to run; thus his term ended Feb 4, 2010.

• Feb 4, 2010
  • Brown, Scott P. (R-MA) won the Massachusetts special election Jan 19, 2010. This left a Senate composed of 57 Democrats, 41 Republicans, and 2 Independents who caucus as Democrats.