Changes

Liberal icon [[Ted Kennedy]], the third longest-serving Senator in U.S. history, died from a brain tumor in August 2009, marking the end of an era. During the [[2004 Presidential Election]] the Democratic super-majority in the state legislator blocked the right of [[Republican]] Governor [[Mitt Romney]] to appoint an interim senator had [[John Kerry]] been elected President. After changing the law to allow Governor [[Deval Patrick]], a [[Democrat]], the right to appoint a temporary replacement for Kennedy, he choose former Democratic National Committee chairman [[Paul Kirk]]. He will not seek a full term of his own, and a special election will be held on January 19, 2010.  

Liberal icon [[Ted Kennedy]], the third longest-serving Senator in U.S. history, died from a brain tumor in August 2009, marking the end of an era. During the [[2004 Presidential Election]] the Democratic super-majority in the state legislator blocked the right of [[Republican]] Governor [[Mitt Romney]] to appoint an interim senator had [[John Kerry]] been elected President. After changing the law to allow Governor [[Deval Patrick]], a [[Democrat]], the right to appoint a temporary replacement for Kennedy, he choose former Democratic National Committee chairman [[Paul Kirk]]. He will not seek a full term of his own, and a special election will be held on January 19, 2010.  

Given that Massachusetts is arguably the most [[liberal]] state in the country (the federal delegation has been entirely Democratic since 1997) the real race will likely be the Democrat primary, held on December 8, 2009. Candidates include State Attorney General Martha Coakley and businessman Alan Khazei. Representative Jim McGovern and Mike Capuano have declined to run. On the Republican side, State Senator Scott Brown has declared his candidacy. Many high-profile Republicans have declined to run, such as former White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card, former Governor Mitt Romney, and former Lieutenant Governor Kerry Healey. Former [[Boston]] [[Red Sox]] pitcher [[Curt Schilling]], who has [[conservative]]-leanings, was mentioned as an [[independent]] candidate, but announced he will seek the office. <ref>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/22/AR2009092203804.html</ref>

State Attorney General Martha Coakley won the Democratic primary, defeating businessman Alan Khazei, Representative Mike Capuano, and Boston Celtics co-owner Stephen Pagliuca. State Senator Scott Brown is the Republican nominee. Many high-profile Republicans have declined to run, such as former White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card, former Governor Mitt Romney, and former Lieutenant Governor Kerry Healey. Former [[Boston]] [[Red Sox]] pitcher [[Curt Schilling]], who has [[conservative]]-leanings, was mentioned as an [[independent]] candidate, but announced he will seek the office. <ref>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/22/AR2009092203804.html</ref> Democrats are favored to maintain this Senate seat, given that Massachusetts is one of the most liberal state's in the nation (the federal delegation has been entirely Democratic since 1997).

*'''Texas'''

*'''Texas'''

*'''Connecticut'''

*'''Connecticut'''

30-year Senate veteran [[Chris Dodd]] was ranked the most vulnerable Senator in the 2010 election cycle by National Journal. Dodd’s approval ratings have 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. Former Congressman [[Rob Simmons]] is seeking the Republican nomination and is leading Dodd in public opinion polls. <ref>http://www.quinnipiac.edu/x1296.xml?ReleaseID=1353</ref> <ref>http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections2/election_2010/election_2010_senate_elections/connecticut/toplines/toplines_connecticut_senate_race_september_10_2009/</ref> <ref>http://www.dailykos.com/statepoll/2009/9/10/CT/369/</ref> <ref>http://www.quinnipiac.edu/x1296.xml?ReleaseID=1395</ref> Financial services executive [[Peter Schiff]] is also running.  

30-year Senate veteran [[Chris Dodd]] was ranked the most vulnerable Senator in the 2010 election cycle by National Journal. Dodd’s approval ratings have 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. Former Congressman [[Rob Simmons]] is seeking the Republican nomination and is leading Dodd in public opinion polls. <ref>http://www.quinnipiac.edu/x1296.xml?ReleaseID=1353</ref> <ref>http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections2/election_2010/election_2010_senate_elections/connecticut/toplines/toplines_connecticut_senate_race_september_10_2009/</ref> <ref>http://www.dailykos.com/statepoll/2009/9/10/CT/369/</ref> <ref>http://www.quinnipiac.edu/x1296.xml?ReleaseID=1395</ref> <ref>http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections2/election_2010/election_2010_senate_elections/connecticut/election_2010_connecticut_senate_race</ref>Financial services executive [[Peter Schiff]] is also running.  

*'''Hawaii'''

*'''Hawaii'''