Changes

*'''Connecticut'''

*'''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.

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.

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'''

*'''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.

[[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'''

*'''Hawaii'''

*'''Maryland'''

*'''Maryland'''

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

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

*'''Nevada'''

*'''Nevada'''

*'''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. Former Tennessee Congressman [[Harold Ford, Jr.]] has announced he will not seek a primary challenge to Gillibrand.

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.

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.

*'''Florida'''

*'''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.<ref>http://www.slate.com/id/2279447/slideshow/2279496/</ref> He won the general election by a narrow 49%-48% margin.  

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.  

*'''Iowa'''

*'''Iowa'''

*'''Ohio'''

*'''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.<ref>[http://www.slate.com/id/2279447/slideshow/2279496/fs/0//entry/2279502/]</ref> He defeated Strickland by a 49%-47% margin.

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.

*'''Oklahoma'''

*'''Oklahoma'''

*'''Colorado'''         

*'''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%.<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%.

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%.

*'''Illinois'''

*'''Illinois'''