Changes

*'''Arkansas'''

*'''Arkansas'''

Moderate Democrat [[Blanche Lincoln]] will be one of Republicans top targets in 2010. In the [[2008 Presidential Election]], Arkansas was one of the few states where [[John McCain]] exceeded [[George W. Bush]]’s margin, despite the national trend favoring Democrats. In an attempt to appeal to her conservative constituents Lincoln voted against the [[Employee Free Choice Act]] (card check) and has stated opposition to the public option in [[health care]]. She began airing TV ads in March touting her independence from President Obama and national Democrats. Lincoln defeated [[Lieutenant Governor]] [[Bill Halter]] in a close runoff for the Democratic nomination.

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

Third district Congressman [[John Boozman]] easily won the Republican nomination, defeating State Senator [[Gilbert Baker]] and former State Senator Jim Holt. A May Rasmussen Reports poll shows Boozman well ahead of both Lincoln and Halter <ref>http://arkansasmatters.com/content/Election2010Text_Fulltext?cid=315551</ref>

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

   

   

*'''California'''

*'''California'''

Although [[California]] is a solidly Democratic state, conservatives see outspoken liberal Senator [[Barbara Boxer]] as vulnerable. Governor [[Arnold Schwarzenegger]], who’s term-limited in 2010, has announced he will not run. Former Hewlett-Packard Company President [[Carly Fiorina]] defeated former U.S. Rep. [[Tom Campbell]] and Assemblyman [[Chuck DeVore]] in the Republican primary.

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

*'''Colorado'''

*'''Colorado'''

Appointed Senator [[Michael Bennet]] is expected to face a competitive reelection in 2010. Former Speaker of the Colorado House of Representatives [[Andrew Romanoff]] was defeated in his bid to challenge Bennet for the Democratic nomination, while Weld County District Attorney [[Ken Buck]] defeated former Lieutenant Governor [[Jane Norton]] in the Republican primary.  

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

*'''Hawaii'''

*'''Hawaii'''

Democrat [[Daniel Inouye]] is expected to easily win reelection.

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

*'''Maryland'''

*'''Maryland'''

Entrenched incumbent [[Barbara Mikulski]] is expected to easily win reelection. Republicans will more likely be focused on defeating unpopular Governor [[Martin O’Malley]]. Physician and Queen Anne’s County Commissioner [[Eric Wargotz]] is seeking the Republican nomination.

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

*'''Nevada'''

*'''Nevada'''

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

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

After recieving the endorsement of the [[Tea Party Express]] and [[Club for Growth]], former Assemblywoman [[Sharron Angle]] defeated former State Senator [[Sue Lowden]] and businessman [[Danny Tarkanian]] in the Republican primary.

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

*'''New York'''

*'''New York'''

Senior Senator [[Charles Schumer]] may be the safest incumbent of 2010 and is expected to face no top-tier challenger. Republicans are more likely to target New York’s junior Senator [[Kirsten Gillibrand]], who is running in a special election.

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

*'''New York-Special Election'''

*'''New York-Special Election'''

Democrat [[Kirsten Gillibrand]] was appointed by Governor [[David Patterson]] to replace [[Hillary Clinton]] after much confusion on his part. Patterson mishandled the proposed appointment of [[Caroline Kennedy]], gaining ridicule for both of them.  Gillibrand’s moderate views alienated the left wing of the Democratic Party. 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 trying to recruit former Governor [[George Pataki]], who runs ahead in the polls with Gillibrand. When asked about the speculation, Pataki said that "you never say never." <ref>http://race42008.com/2009/09/22/to-further-complicate-matters-pataki/</ref> 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]] has declined to seek the Senate seat. <ref>http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2009/12/21/2009-12-21_rudy_giuliani_will_not_run.html</ref>

Nine-term Congressman [[Peter King]] has declined to run. Republicans are tried but failed to recruit former Governor [[George Pataki]], who ran ahead in the polls with Gillibrand. Real estate billionaire [[Mort Zuckerman]], despite having a record of supporting liberal causes, was mentioned as a possible Republican or Independent candidate to avoid a primary, however announced that he would not run. Former New York City Mayor [[Rudy Giuliani]] declined to seek the Senate seat. <ref>http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2009/12/21/2009-12-21_rudy_giuliani_will_not_run.html</ref> Instead, Republicans nominated former Congressman [[Joseph DioGuardi]], whom Gillibrand defeated by a 62%-36% margin.

*'''Oregon'''

*'''Oregon'''

A Rasmussen Reports poll showed Democratic Senator [[Ron Wyden]] is leading an unheard of Republican challenger, Lewis & Clark College law professor Jim Huffman by a modest 49%-35% margin. <ref>http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections2/election_2010/election_2010_senate_elections/oregon/toplines/toplines_oregon_senate_february_16_2010/</ref>

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

*'''Pennsylvania'''

*'''Pennsylvania'''

   

   

After polls showed him losing the Republican primary by as much as 20 points, [[Arlen Specter]] simply changed party affiliation and is now a Democrat. Despite full support by President Obama and virtually every elected Democrat in Pennsylvania as well as nearly every major newspaper, Specter went on to lose the Democratic nomination to 7th-district Congressman [[Joe Sestak]] in the Democratic primary, and will face former 15th district Congressman and [[Club for Growth]] President [[Pat Toomey]] in the general election. Recent polls have shown Toomey leading both Specter and Sestak. <ref>http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections2/election_2010/election_2010_senate_elections/pennsylvania/2010_senate_election/election_2010_pennsylvania_senate/</ref><ref>http://media.economist.com/images/pdf/StatesTables20100121.pdf</ref><ref>http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/01/27/toomey-surges-specter-poll-fundraising-shows-strong-fourth-quarter-draw/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%253A+foxnews%252Fpolitics+%2528Text+-+Politics%2529&utm_content=My+Yahoo</ref>

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

*'''Vermont'''

*'''Vermont'''

[[Patrick Leahy]], the third most senior U.S. Senator, has announced his candidacy and is expected to easily win reelection in heavily Democratic [[Vermont]]. The only serious challenge to Leahy would be if Governor [[Jim Douglas]] runs, but he appears to have no interest in seeking the seat.  

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

*'''Washington'''

*'''Washington'''

Polls show that Senator [[Patty Murray]], once considered well positioned for reelection in 2010, could face a competitive race against Washington's former state Senator, [[Dino Rossi]]. In November, Dino Rossi will face Patty Murray for the 2010 Midterm Elections.<ref>http://hotlineoncall.nationaljournal.com/archives/2010/01/murrays_seat_in.php</ref><ref>http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections2/election_2010/election_2010_senate_elections/washington/toplines/toplines_2010_washington_senate_february_11_2010</ref>

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

*'''Wisconsin'''

*'''Wisconsin'''

Three-term incumbent [[Russ Feingold]] had positioned himself for a comfortable reelection after former governor and Health and Human Services Secretary [[Tommy Thompson]] announced he would not run. However, likely Republican nominee, Oshkosh businessman [[Ron Johnson]], is in a dead heat with Feingold in the polls. <ref>http://www.redstate.com/rrreaganite/2010/05/27/doom-watch-feingold-in-a-dead-heat/</ref>

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

===Republican incumbents===

===Republican incumbents===