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2010 Midterm Elections (view source)
Revision as of 00:58, September 19, 2009
, 00:58, September 19, 2009no edit summary
Senior Republican Senator [[Kay Bailey Hutchison]] has announced she will resign from the Senate in fall 2009 to pursue a campaign for Governor. As a result, Republican Governor [[Rick Perry]] must appoint a replacement, and under Texas law, a special election will be held on May 8th. The only announced Republican candidate is Texas Railroad Commissioner [[Michael Williams]]. Other possible GOP candidates include 6th district Representative Joe Barton, Lieutenant Governor [[David Dewhurst]], [[Dallas]] Mayor Tom Leppert, Former Texas Secretary of State Roger Williams, and State Senator Florence Shapiro. Former State Comptroller John Sharp and Houston Mayor Bill White have announced they will seek the Democrat nomination. Texas is considered a Republican state. In the [[2008 Presidential Election]], [[John McCain]] won it's 34 electoral votes with 56 percent of the vote.
Senior Republican Senator [[Kay Bailey Hutchison]] has announced she will resign from the Senate in fall 2009 to pursue a campaign for Governor. As a result, Republican Governor [[Rick Perry]] must appoint a replacement, and under Texas law, a special election will be held on May 8th. The only announced Republican candidate is Texas Railroad Commissioner [[Michael Williams]]. Other possible GOP candidates include 6th district Representative Joe Barton, Lieutenant Governor [[David Dewhurst]], [[Dallas]] Mayor Tom Leppert, Former Texas Secretary of State Roger Williams, and State Senator Florence Shapiro. Former State Comptroller John Sharp and Houston Mayor Bill White have announced they will seek the Democrat nomination. Texas is considered a Republican state. In the [[2008 Presidential Election]], [[John McCain]] won it's 34 electoral votes with 56 percent of the vote.
===Open Seats===
*'''Delaware'''
[[Joe Biden]] was simultaneously elected to a seventh term in the Senate and Vice President at the same time. Democrat Governor [[Ruth Ann Minner]] appointed a "caretaker" Senator, [[Ted Kaufman]]. If state Attorney General [[Beau Biden]] runs in the 2010 special election he would be the favorite in the Democratic nomination, but not necessarily the general election if [[moderate Republican]] nine-term Congressman [[Michael Castle]], former governor and lieutenant governor, enters the race. Polls show Castle would lead 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> Republican political analyst Christine O'Donnell (who ran against Biden in 2008 and received 35% of the vote) has also announced her candidacy.
*'''Florida'''
Republican Governor [[Charlie Crist]], who enjoys high approval ratings, appointed [[George LeMieux]] upon the resignation of Senator [[Mel Martinez]]. LeMieux is holding the seat temporarily for Governor Crist who will run for the Senate in 2010. He is the front-runner for the Republican nomination, but is being challenged by conservative Florida House Speaker [[Marco Rubio]]. 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 Democrat opponents. <ref>http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections2/election_2010/election_2010_senate_elections/florida/election_2010_florida_senate</ref>
*'''Illinois'''
Democrat 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.
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]], has announced his candidacy and is expected to easily win the Republican nomination. Democratic candidates include Illinois State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, Chicago Urban League President Cheryle Jackson, Chicago Inspector General David Hoffman, and attorney Jacob Meister.
*'''Missouri'''
Incumbent Republican Senator [[Kit Bond]] has announced he will not seek fifth term. Former House Majority Whip [[Roy Blunt]] has announced his candidacy. Blunt benefits from raising a strong $1.44 million in the second quarter and as of now has no serious primary challenger. Missouri Secretary of State Robin Carnahan is seeking the Democratic nomination.
*'''Kansas'''
Incumbent Republican [[Sam Brownback]] is honoring his campaign pledge to serve only two terms. One of the most conservative states in the country, no prominent Democrats have announced their candidacy. The Cook Political Report lists this race as "solid Republican." <ref>http://www.cookpolitical.com/races/senate/ratings.php</ref> The competitive race will be the Republican primary between 1st district Congressman Jerry Moran and 4th district Congressman Todd Tiahrt. Public Opinion Polls show Moran and Tiahrt in a dead heat. <ref>http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2009/2/5/145250/8955/1003/693618</ref> <ref>http://www.surveyusa.com/client/PollReport.aspx?g=8f81dfbd-e5cb-4de9-abd9-25a3f36cb619/</ref> <ref>http://www.surveyusa.com/client/PollReport.aspx?g=b3d19e14-c0c6-4bf9-9820-a605c88f57f8/</ref>
*'''Kentucky'''
Republicans had a victory when unpopular incumbent Senator [[Jim Bunning]] announced he would not seek a third term. Kentucky Secretary of State [[Trey Grayson]] is seeking the Republican nomination, however is being challenged by [[Libertarian Republican]] [[Rand Paul]], an eye surgeon who is the son of Texas Congressman [[Ron Paul]]. On the Democratic side, Lieutenant Governor [[Daniel Mongiardo]] (who lost to Bunning in 2004) and state Attorney General Jack Conway are running.
*'''Ohio'''
Moderate Republican [[George Voinovich]] has announced he will not seek a third term. The Democratic field includes Lieutenant Governor Lee Fisher and Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner. Fisher has received the endorsement of Democratic Governor [[Ted Strickland]]. Meanwhile, Republicans has rallied behind [[Rob Portman]], former Congressman and Director of the Office of Management and Budget. The race is expected to be one of the most competitive in the election cycle.
==Governors==
==Governors==