Changes

*'''Connecticut'''

*'''Connecticut'''

30-year Senate veteran [[Chris Dodd]] was ranked the most vulnerable Senator in the 2010 election cycle by National Journal. He has announced he will not seek a sixth term. Dodd’s approval ratings had plummeted after his failed presidential campaign in 2008, his controversial mortgage deal from Countrywide, and revelations about the $165 million bonuses for AIG executives that he attached in an amendment to the economic stimulus package, despite receiving federal [[bailout]] money. State Attorney General [[Richard Blumenthal]] is seeking the Democratic nomination, increasing 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 Democrats' chances of holding the seat. However, his poll numbers dropped after a [[New York Times]] report revealed that he exaggerated, his military record.

World Wrestling Entertainment CEO [[Linda McMahon]] won the August 10th Republican primary, defeating former Congressman [[Rob Simmons]] and financial services executive [[Peter Schiff]].

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]]. Moderate Republican nine-term Congressman [[Michael Castle]], former governor and lieutenant governor, has entered the race and is heavily favored to win the election with State Attorney General [[Beau Biden]] not running. <ref>http://rothenbergpoliticalreport.blogspot.com/2009/10/delaware-senate-moved-to-lean-takeover.html</ref> Polls show Castle leads Biden by a conformable margin. <ref>http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/PPP_Release_DE_310.pdf</ref> <ref>https://secure.townnews.com/shared-content/subscription/authenticate/index.php?mode=start&domain=ledgerdelaware.com&usereg=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ledgerdelaware.com%2F%2Farticles%2F2009%2F05%2F04%2Fnews%2Fdoc49ffa1c1afca0453799066.txt%2F&discover=0&amex=0</ref> <ref>http://www.castleforsenate.com/archives/313</ref>Republican political analyst [[Christine O'Donnell]] (who ran against Biden in 2008 and received 35% of the vote) has also announced her candidacy. The Democratic nominee will likely be New Castle County Executive [[Chris Coons]], who trails Castle in the polls. <ref>http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/2/25/840648/-DE-SEN:-Castle-Leads,-But-</ref>

[[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.

*'''Florida'''

*'''Florida'''

Republican Governor [[Charlie Crist]], who once enjoyed high approval ratings, appointed [[George LeMieux]] upon the resignation of Senator [[Mel Martinez]]. LeMieux is holding the seat temporarily for Governor Crist who is running for the Senate in 2010. He was the establishment pick for the Republican nomination, but was challenged by conservative Florida House Speaker [[Marco Rubio]], who is leading by 32 points according to Public Policy Polling. <ref>[http://www.rollcall.com/news/43979-1.html Poll Shows Rubio Ahead by 32 Points in Florida, RollCall.com, March 9, 2010]</ref> Crist has announced he will drop out of the Republican primary and run as an Independent.  

Republican Governor [[Charlie Crist]], who once enjoyed high approval ratings, appointed [[George LeMieux]] upon the resignation of Senator [[Mel Martinez]]. LeMieux held the seat temporarily for Governor Crist who decided to run for the Senate. He was the establishment pick for the Republican nomination, but was challenged by conservative Florida House Speaker and Tea Party backed candidate [[Marco Rubio]], who led by 32 points according to Public Policy Polling. <ref>[http://www.rollcall.com/news/43979-1.html Poll Shows Rubio Ahead by 32 Points in Florida, RollCall.com, March 9, 2010]</ref> Crist announced he would drop out of the Republican primary and run as an Independent.  

Crist alienated conservatives when he campaigned with President Obama in support for the $787 billion economic stimulus package, which was entirely opposed by the Florida Republican federal delegation. Democrats have recruited lesser known candidates, including 17th district Representative [[Kendrick Meek]] and North Miami Mayor [[Kevin Burns]]. Public Opinion Shows show both Crist and Rubio would lead their Democratic opponents. <ref>http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections2/election_2010/election_2010_senate_elections/florida/election_2010_florida_senate</ref>

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

*'''Indiana'''

*'''Indiana'''

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

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

8th district Congressman [[Brad Ellsworth]] is the Democratic nominee. A March Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of likely voters in the state found Hostettler with a 50% to 32% lead over Ellsworth. Coats posted a 49% to 34% lead over Ellsworth, with 12% undecided. Stutzman leads by just seven points, 41% to 34%. Ellsworth supported President Obama’s health care plan in a state where opposition to the legislation is higher than it is nationally. <ref>http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections2/election_2010/election_2010_senate_elections/indiana/election_2010_indiana_senate</ref>

8th district Congressman [[Brad Ellsworth]] was the Democratic nominee. Dan Coats defeated Ellsworth by a 55%-40% margin. Ellsworth supported President Obama’s health care plan in a state where opposition to the legislation is higher than it was nationally. <ref>http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections2/election_2010/election_2010_senate_elections/indiana/election_2010_indiana_senate</ref>

*'''Illinois'''

*'''Illinois'''

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

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

Republicans see this as a pickup opportunity. National Journal ranked Illinois the second most likely seat to change party. Moderate-GOP Congressman [[Mark Kirk]], representing a Democratic-leaning district that covers suburban [[Chicago]], easily won the Republican nomination, while Illinois State Treasurer [[Alexi Giannoulias]] defeated Chicago Inspector General [[David Hoffman]] in a close primary. A February 2010 Rasmussen poll has Kirk leading Giannoulias 46%-40%. <ref>http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections2/election_2010/election_2010_senate_elections/illinois/election_2010_illinois_senate</ref>

Moderate-GOP Congressman [[Mark Kirk]], representing a Democratic-leaning district that covers suburban [[Chicago]], easily won the Republican nomination, while Illinois State Treasurer [[Alexi Giannoulias]] defeated Chicago Inspector General [[David Hoffman]] in a close primary. Kirk defeated Giannoulias by a 48%-46% margin.

*'''Kansas'''

*'''Kansas'''