Secretary of State elections, 2010

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Secretary of State 2010 elections

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Candidates for Secretary of State, 2010

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Polls, 2010 Secretary of State elections

2010 Election information
Primary election dates
Statewide elections, 2010
November 2nd General Election results

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State Executive Official news headlines

|  Legend

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a \- Designates the winner of the state's general election.
\- Endorsed by the Secretary of State Project

Twenty-six secretary of state elections were scheduled for November 2, 2010. Of the 26 seats that were up for election, 15 had been held by a Democrat and 11 by a Republican.

## Background[edit]

In four of the seats that were up for election, the incumbent could not run again because of term limits. Of the incumbent but limited-out secretaries of state, 1 was Democratic and 3 were Republican.

* The Democratic Secretary of State who was limited-out was Charlie Daniels (Arkansas)
* The Republican Secretaries of State Todd Rokita (Indiana), Terri Lynn Land (Michigan), and Chris Nelson (South Dakota) were term limited-out

Several incumbent secretaries of state chose not to run for re-election, in most cases because they ran for a different office. In mid-November 2009, it was estimated that 5 incumbent secretaries of state who could run again (three Democrats and two Republicans) voluntarily choose not to seek re-election. Three months later, however, only the three Democrats remained on the list as both of the Republicans (Karen Handel of Georgia and Ron Thornburgh of Kansas) resigned from office resulting in the governor from each of the respective states having to appoint a replacement; both appointees in these instances were already candidates seeking the statewide office in November.

* Democratic Secretaries of State who voluntarily choose not to run for re-election were Susan Bysiewicz (Connecticut), Jennifer Brunner (Ohio) and Deborah L. Markowitz (Vermont). Bysiewicz, who over the course of two years switched campaigns from the gubernatorial race to the state attorney general contest, had decided to seek neither higher office nor re-election, Markowtiz sought to become governor and Brunner was in the hunt for her party's nomination for United States Senate, though she ultimately lost to the Lieutenant Governor Lee Fisher.

## Election outcome predictions[edit]

For the methodology of this racetracking analysis, see Secretaries of State/Election Racetracking

With a week left until the 2010 midterm elections, Ballotpedia made its predictions regarding the twenty-six Secretary of State contests, believing that Republicans would win 17 of these races while the Democrats would walk away with 9. Additionally, Ballotpedia also contended that of these eighteen elections the Republican Party was projected to win, 6 of them - Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, New Mexico, and Ohio \- will have been offices that were previously in possession of the Democrats.

Month  | Safe D  | Likely D  | Lean D  | Tossup  | Lean R  | Likely R  | Safe R

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August | 0  | 7  | 4  | 6  | 1  | 8  | 0
September | 0  | 7  | 1  | 2  | 4  | 9  | 0
October | 0  | 7  | 3  | 1  | 6  | 9  | 0

As of Tuesday, November 9, 2010, the accuracy of Ballotpedia's Secretary of State Race Tracker stood at 96.2% having correctly predicted 25 out of the 26 contests on the ballot in 2010.

## Impact of 2010 Gubernatorial/Legislative elections[edit]

See also: Gubernatorial elections, 2010; State legislative elections, 2010

### Pre-Election Analysis[edit]

In 9 states, the party affiliation of the Secretary of State was considered likely to change after the November 2nd elections for reasons other than the direct popular election of new public officials. There are two different situations that would lead to a change in party affiliation under these circumstances - either through the election of a new governor or a change in majority control of both houses of a state's legislature, or, in some cases, both.

* In 6 states with a 2010 gubernatorial election (Florida, Maryland, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and Texas), the governor appoints the Secretary of State and normally appoints an individual from his/her own political party.

* Florida's incumbent SOS was Dawn K. Roberts (R). She had served as interim secretary following the sudden resignation of Kurt Browning on April 30, 2010. Although the state's 2010 gubernatorial election appeared to have tightened a bit in the last few weeks of the election, Republican Rick Scott, according to Mason-Dixon and Rasmussen, was expected to win, so the post of Florida Secretary of State was considered likely to remain in the Republican column.
* Maryland's incumbent SOS was John P. McDonough (D). He was appointed by Democrat Martin O'Malley. O'Malley was predicted to win re-election in the state's 2010 gubernatorial election; and so it was not surprising he retained McDonough as Secretary of State.
* New York's incumbent SOS was Lorraine Cortes-Vazquez (D). She was first appointed to the statewide position by disgraced former Governor Elliot Spitzer in 2007. With self-inflicted implosion of Carl P. Paladino's campaign, Democrat Andrew Cuomo was anticipated to run away with the election.
* Oklahoma's incumbent SOS was M. Susan Savage (D). She was initially named to the office in 2003 during the first term of Democrat Brad Henry's governorship. Republican United States Congresswoman Mary Fallin was widely expected to win the state's 2010 gubernatorial election. If she did, then it was very likely that the post of Oklahoma Secretary of State would move into the Republican column.
* Pennsylvania's incumbent SOS was Basil L. Merenda (D). He was nominated to the statewide position by Governor Ed Rendell in June 2010 following the sudden resignation of Pedro A. Cortés.[1] Republican State Attorney General Tom Corbett was anticipated to win the state's 2010 gubernatorial election, though Rasmussen stated that the contest had tightened in the final two weeks.
* The incumbent SOS of Texas was Hope Andrade (R). She was appointed by Governor Rick Perry and sworn into office on July 23, 2008, succeeding Phil Wilson, who resigned to "pursue other opportunities."[2] Hope was the sixth individual and the second woman to have served in this position since Perry assumed the governorship in December 2000. Perry was widely expected to win re-election in the state's 2010 gubernatorial election, so the position was considered likely to remain Republican.

* Each of the other 3 states - Maine, New Hampshire, and Tennessee \- had their legislature appoint an individual to the statewide position and all of them were up for election in 2010.

* Though the State Senate in Maine was considered a "toss-up" in projections made by Ballotpedia, majority control of the State House was widely expected to remain in Democratic control, so there was not anticipated to be change in partisan possession of the office.
* Both houses of the New Hampshire State Legislature were deemed "toss-ups" going into Election Day. And while the incumbent SOS, William Gardner, had held the office under both Democratic and Republican assemblies, there was still a possibility this could have changed if the GOP gained a majority.
* Both houses of the Tennessee State Legislature were considered "Likely Republican," so there was no anticipation that the statewide office here would switch columns.

Effect of 2010 Elections on SOS Make-up

Category  | Democrats  | Republicans
Current party of SOS with 2010 elections  | 15  | 11
Gubernatorial appointment/Gov with 2010 election  | 4  | 2
Gubernatorial appointment/Gov without 2010 election  | 1  | 2
Elected by State Legislature/Leg with 2010 election  | 2  | 1
SOS with no 2010 impact  | 5  | 4
Total  | 27  | 20

### Post-Election Analysis[edit]

After the dust had settled following the inauguration of new state officials at the start of the new year, the party affiliation of only two secretaries of state that were considered likely to change for reasons other than the direct popular election of new public officials occurred:

* Republican Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin named outgoing Republican State Senator Glenn Coffee as Secretary of State, replacing Democrat M. Susan Savage.[3]
* After gaining majority control in both houses of the Maine State Legislature in addition to winning the Governor's Office, Republican State Legislators named Charles Summers to the statewide public position, the first time a Republican had served in the office in thirty-five years.[4]

Effect of 2010 Elections on SOS Make-up

Category  | Democrats  | Republicans
Current party of SOS with 2010 elections  | 9  | 17
Gubernatorial appointment/Gov with 2010 election  | 2  | 4
Gubernatorial appointment/Gov without 2010 election  | 1  | 2
Elected by State Legislature/Leg with 2010 election  | 1  | 2
SOS with no 2010 impact  | 6  | 3
Total  | 19  | 28

The one post-election political affiliation change that did occur, which had not been anticipated, was the resignation of Republican Kentucky Secretary of State, Trey Grayson. Grayson, who lost the Republican United States Senate nomination against Rand Paul earlier in the year, had stated before the start of the new year that he did not intend to seek re-election to his statewide public position when it would come up for election in November 2011. However, he surprisingly chose to leave office several months earlier after he had been hired to serve as director of the Institute of Politics at Harvard University. Democratic Governor Steve Beshear selected a Democrat, Bowling Green Mayor Elaine Walker, to replace him.[5] Walker stated that she intended to seek public election to the office in November 2011.

## Election results[edit]

See also: 2010 Secretary of State Election results; November 2, 2010 election results
Partisan breakdown of Secretaries of State

Party  | Before November 2010 election | After November 2010 election
With 2010 elections  | Unelected SOS  | Total SOS  | Post 2010 elections  | Unelected SOS  | Total SOS  | Gain/loss legislators
Democratic | 15  | 11  | 26  | 9  | 10  | 19  | -7
Republican | 11  | 10  | 21  | 17  | 11  | 28  | +7

##  Alabama[edit]

See also: Alabama Secretary of State election, 2010

In the Alabama Secretary of State election of 2010, held on November 2, 2010, Republican incumbent Beth Chapman defeated Democratic challenger Scott Gilliland. Neither candidate was opposed in the primary election.

### Republican[edit]

a Incumbent Republican Beth Chapman[6]

### Democrat[edit]

* Scott Gilliland

##  Arizona[edit]

See also: Arizona Secretary of State election, 2010

The Arizona Secretary of State election of 2010 was held on November 2, 2010. Incumbent Ken Bennett, former President of the Arizona State Senate, was appointed to the statewide position of secretary of state in January 2009 by exiting officer holder Jan Brewer.[7] Brewer had ascended to the gubernatorial office following the resignation of Janet Napolitano, who would go on to head the federal Department of Homeland Security.

Bennett ran unopposed in the Republican primary election. On the other side of the ticket, Democratic state Representative Christopher Deschene beat former Arizona Real Estate Commissioner Sam Wercinski, but fell to Bennett in November. Originally on the ballot, Green Party candidate Michelle Lochmann withdrew from the race in September.

### Republican[edit]

a Incumbent Ken Bennett

### Democrat[edit]

* State Representative Christopher Deschene[8] (November 2009)

### Green Party[edit]

* Michelle Lochmann (Withdrew from race on 9/1/2010)

### Drop outs[edit]

Democrats

* Former Arizona Real Estate Commissioner Sam Wercinski lost in the Democratic primary contest on Tuesday, August 24, 2010.[9]

##  Arkansas[edit]

See also: Arkansas Secretary of State election, 2010

The Arkansas Secretary of State election of 2010 was held on November 2, 2010. Incumbent Democrat Charlie Daniels was prevented from running for a third term in office by state term-limit laws, and four candidates vied for his seat.

In the Democratic primary election on May 18, Pulaski County Clerk Pat O'Brien beat out Commissioner of State Lands Mark Wilcox and Sebastian County Clerk Doris Tate, but did not capture the requisite majority of the vote to clinch his spot on the November ballot. The results forced a primary runoff election between O'Brien and Wilcox, and though O'Brien won 61.58% of the vote and the endorsement of the Democratic party, he fell to Republican State Repsesentative Mark Martin, who was unopposed in the primary contest.

### Republican[edit]

a State Representative Mark Martin[10] (January 2010)

### Democrat[edit]

* Pulaski County Clerk and Obama delegate Pat O'Brien[11] (May 2009)

### Drop outs[edit]

Democrats

* Commissioner of State Lands Mark Wilcox lost to Wilcox in the Democratic primary runoff
* Sebastian County clerk Doris Tate placed third in the Democratic primary contest and did not make it to the Democratic primary runoff.[12]

##  California[edit]

See also: California Secretary of State election, 2010

The California Secretary of State election of 2010 was held on November 2, 2010. Democratic incumbent Debra Bowen, unopposed in the primary election, successfully defended her seat against five challengers, capturing 53.2% of the vote.

Her Republican challenger, Damon Dunn, earned his spot on the November ballot by defeating Orly Taitz and write-in candidate Roy V. Allmond, Jr. in the June 8 primary. He had a strong showing in the general election, garnering 38.2% of the vote. The remainder of the vote was split between third-party candidates Ann Menasche, Christina Tobin, Marylou Cabral, and Merton D. Short.

### Democrat[edit]

a Incumbent Debra Bowen

### Republican[edit]

* Damon Dunn, former Arizona Cardinal wide receiver and kick return specialist[13] (January 2010)

### Green Party[edit]

* Ann Menasche

### Libertarian[edit]

* Christina Tobin

### American Independent[edit]

* Merton Short

### Peace and Freedom[edit]

* Marylou Cabral

### Drop Outs[edit]

Republicans

* California State Assemblywoman for the 37th Congressional District, Audra Strickland, had filed paperwork in January 2009 to start raising money to run for Secretary of State in 2010, but as of November 2009 decided to run for treasurer of Ventura County instead.[14][15]
* Attorney and Leading Birther Figure, Orly Taitz[16] (March 2010)

##  Colorado[edit]

See also: Colorado Secretary of State election, 2010

The Colorado Secretary of State election of 2010 was held on November 2, 2010. Incumbent Bernie Buescher was named as Secretary of State by Governor Bill Ritter in December 2009 to fill the vacancy left behind by Mike Coffman, who resigned following his election to the United States House of Representatives.[17] He faced off in the general election against Republican Scott Gessler and Constitution Party candidate Amanda Campbell, but fell to Gessler after Gessler captured 49.52% of the vote. None of the candidates were challenged in the primary election on August 10.

### Democrat[edit]

* Incumbent Bernie Buescher

### Republican[edit]

a Attorney Scott Gessler[18] (January 2009)

### American Constitution Party[edit]

* Amanda Campbell

##  Connecticut[edit]

See also: Connecticut Secretary of State election, 2010

The Connecticut Secretary of State election of 2010 was held on November 2, 2010. State representative Denise Merrill announced her candidacy for the statewide office in December of 2009.[19] The Connecticut Democratic Party endorsed her campaign at its state convention on May 27, 2010,[20][21] and she officially captured the party nomination after defeating former 9th ward alderman Gerry Garcia in the primary election on August 10.

On the general election ballot, Merrill ran on both the Democratic and Working Families tickets. She was met in the general election by Jerry Farrell, the Commissioner of the State Department of Consumer Protection, who was unopposed in the primary election and officially received the endorsement of the Connecticut Republican Party at their state convention on May 22, 2010,[22] Green Party candidate S. Michael DeRose, and Libertarian Ken Mosher.

Despite a strong showing from Farrell, who received nearly 44% of the vote, Merrill won the seat with 52.9%.

### Democrat[edit]

a State Representative and Majority Leader Denise Merrill[23] (December 2009) (Received the endorsement of the Connecticut Democratic Party)[24][25]

### Republican[edit]

* Consumer Protection Commissioner Jerry Farrell[26] (January 2010) (Received the endorsement of the Connecticut Republican Party)[27]

### Green Party[edit]

* S. Michael "Mike" DeRosa

### Libertarian[edit]

* Ken Mosher

### Independent[edit]

* Michael Telesca

### Drop outs[edit]

Republicans

* Hartford attorney Corey Brinson, who had announced his candidacy on June 29, 2009, withdrew his name from consideration a little under a year later and endorsed Farrell for the statewide position.[28][29]

Democrats

* State Representative James Field Spallone ended his exploratory campaign on March 23, 2010 and endorsed Denise Merrill.
* In spite of receiving the requisite 15% at the state convention to force a primary, State Senator Jonathan Harris chose instead to drop out of the race.[30][31]
* Former alderman Gerry Garcia lost in the Democratic primary contest on Tuesday, August 10, 2010.[32]

##  Georgia[edit]

See also: Georgia Secretary of State election, 2010

Incumbent Republican Karen Handel announced in March 2009 that she was officially entering the governor's race in her home state.[33] Brian Kemp, a former state senator who had already announced his candidacy for the statewide office, was appointed Secretary of State by Republican Governor Sonny Perdue in January 2010 to fill the vacancy left behind by when Handel formally resigned to work full time on her gubernatorial campaign.[34][35]

In the primary election on July 20, Kemp defeated Doug MacGinnitie, commissioner of the Sandy Springs City Council, earning the Republican nomination for the general election. Libertarian David Chastain was unopposed in his party's primary. On the Democratic ticket, five candidates competed for the party's nomination: former state senator Gail Buckner, former member of the Georgia House of Representatives Georganna Sinkfield, small business owner Angela Moore, president of the nonprofit PR 1776 Michael Mills, and Gary Horlacher, a partner with the largest certified minority-owner law firm in the country, Adorno & Yoss. Buckner garnered 35.1% of the votes in the Democratic primary, but needed more than 50% to secure her party's nomination. She and Sinkfield (the runner-up, with 22.6% of the vote) went head-to-head in a primary runoff contest on August 10, and Sinkfield won that contest with 61.8%, securing the Democratic nomination.

In November, Kemp was re-elected to his seat for a full term. Chastain claimed 4.2% of the vote, and despite her success in the primary runoff, Sinkfield fell short with 39.4% of the vote.

### Republican[edit]

a Former State Senator and current Secretary of State Brian Kemp[36]

### Democrat[edit]

* State Representative Georganna Sinkfield[37]

### Libertarian[edit]

* David Chastain

### Drop outs[edit]

Republicans

* Sandy Springs City Commissioner Doug MacGinnite lost in the Republican primary contest on Tuesday, July 20, 2010.[38]

Democrats

* Former press secretary to then-Gov. Roy Barnes and attorney Gary Horlacher lost in the Democratic primary contest on Tuesday, July 20, 2010.[39]
* Small business owner Michael Mills lost in the Democratic primary contest on Tuesday, July 20, 2010.
* Angela Moore lost in the Democratic primary contest on Tuesday, July 20, 2010.[40]
* State Senator Gail Buckner lost in the Democratic primary runoff contest on Tuesday, August 10, 2010.[41]

##  Idaho[edit]

See also: Idaho Secretary of State election, 2010

In the Idaho Secretary of State election of 2010, held on November 2, 2010, Republican incumbent Ben Ysursa defeated Democratic challenger Mack Sermon. Ysursa captured 74.3% of the vote, with the remaining 25.7% cast for Sermon.

Neither candidate was opposed in the May 25th primary election.

### Republican[edit]

a Incumbent Ben Ysursa

### Democrat[edit]

* Mack Sermon

##  Illinois[edit]

See also: Illinois Secretary of State election, 2010

The Illinois Secretary of State election of 2010 was held on November 2, 2010. Winning 69.9% of the vote, Democratic incumbent Jesse White defeated two challengers: Republican Robert Enriquez and Libertarian Josh Hanson.

Neither White nor Enriquez was opposed in the primary election on February 2, and Hanson did not appear on the ballot. There was another third-party candidate, Adrian Frost (Green Party) in the primary election, but the 0.33% of the vote he won was not enough to earn a spot on the ballot in the November general election.

### Democrat[edit]

a Incumbent Democrat Jesse White[42]

### Republican[edit]

* Businessman Robert Enriquez[43]

### Libertarian[edit]

* Josh Hanson

### Drop outs[edit]

* Adrian Frost, (Green Party)

##  Indiana[edit]

See also: Indiana Secretary of State election, 2010

The Indiana Secretary of State election of 2010 was held on November 2, 2010. Incumbent Republican Todd Rokita was barred by Indiana state term limit laws from running for a third term.

In Indiana, candidates for secretary of state are nominated either by party conventions or by petition; this office does not appear on the ballot in the state's primary election. Minor Party status and accompanying ballot access is secured for the candidates respective parties by securing between 2% and 10% of the vote for Secretary of State.[44]

Democrat Vop Osili and Republican Charlie White were both nominated by their respective parties at their fall state conventions. The two were joined by in the general election by Libertarian Mike Wherry. White won the election with 57.1% of the vote.

### Republican[edit]

a Current Chairman of the Hamilton County GOP, Charlie White[45] (September 2009)

### Democrat[edit]

* Vop Osili, founder and president of A2SO4, an Indianapolis-based architectural firm[46] (October 2009)

### Libertarian[edit]

* Mike Wherry

##  Iowa[edit]

See also: Iowa Secretary of State election, 2010

In the Iowa Secretary of State election of 2010 held on November 2, Democratic incumbent Michael Mauro faced two challengers: Council Bluffs City Councilman Matt Schultz (Republican) and Jake Porter (Libertarian).

Iowa's primary elections were held on June 8. Mauro was unopposed in the race, but Schultz faced former state representative George Eichhorn and small business owner Chris Sanger in the Republican primary. Schultz secured his spot on the ballot in November, and went on to defeat Mauro with 49.8% of the vote.

### Democrat[edit]

* Incumbent Democrat Michael Mauro[47]

### Republican[edit]

a Council Bluffs City Councilman Matt Schultz[48]

### Libertarian[edit]

* Jake Porter

### Drop outs[edit]

Republicans

* Former State Representative George Eichhorn lost in the Republican primary contest on Tuesday,  June 8, 2010.[49]
* Chris Sanger lost in the Republican primary contest on Tuesday,  June 8, 2010.[50]

##  Kansas[edit]

See also: Kansas Secretary of State election, 2010

The Kansas Secretary of State election of 2010 was held on November 2, 2010. The incumbent, former Kansas Securities Commissioner Chris Biggs (Democrat), was appointed to office by Democratic Governor Mark Parkinson on March 17, 2010 - less than five months before the primary elections. Biggs' appointment was prompted by the resignation of Republican Ron Thornburgh, who had served in the office for nearly sixteen years.[51][52]

On August 3, Biggs faced Chris Steineger in the primary election and won the Democratic party nomination with 60.2% of the vote. At the same time, three Republican candidates vied for their party's seat on the ballot. Kris Kobach won 50.6% of the vote, dashing the election hopes of Shawnee County Election Commissioner Elizabeth Ensley and J.R. Claeys, former President and CEO of the National Association of Government Contractors.

In the general election in November, Kobach and Biggs were met by Libertarian Phillip Horatio Lucas and Reform Party candidate Derek Langseth. With 59% of the vote, Kobach unseated Biggs, who received 37.2% of the vote, while Lucas and Langseth claimed 2.0% and 1.6%, respectively.

### Republican[edit]

a Past Chairman of Kansas Republican Party Kris Kobach[53] (May 2009)

### Democrat[edit]

* Former Kansas Securities Commissioner and current Secretary of State Chris Biggs[54] (June 2009)

### Libertarian[edit]

* Phillip Horatio Lucas

### Reform[edit]

* Derek Langseth

### Drop outs[edit]

Republicans

* Former Salina resident J.R. Claeys lost in the Republican primary contest on Tuesday, August 3, 2010.[55]
* Shawnee County election commissioner Elizabeth Ensley lost in the Republican primary contest on Tuesday, August 3, 2010.[56]

Democrats

* State Senator Chris Steineger lost in the Democratic primary contest on Tuesday, August 3, 2010.[57]

##  Massachusetts[edit]

See also: Massachusetts Secretary of State election, 2010

The Massachusetts Secretary of State election of 2010 was held on November 2, 2010. Democratic incumbent William F. Galvin defeated Republican challenger William C. Campbell and third-party candidate James D. Henderson.

None of the candidates was opposed in the September 14 primary election.

### Democrat[edit]

a Incumbent William F. Galvin

### Republican[edit]

* Woburn City Clerk William C. Campbell[58]

### Independent[edit]

* Jim Henderson

##  Michigan[edit]

See also: Michigan Secretary of State election, 2010

The Michigan Secretary of State election of 2010 was held on November 2, 2010. Term limit laws prevented incumbent Republican Terri Lynn Land from seeking a third term in office, and there were several candidates eager to take her place.

Democrat Jocelyn Benson and Republican Ruth Johnson were both nominated by their respective parties at their fall state conventions. The two were joined by in the general election by three third-party candidates: John LaPietra (Green Party), Robert Gale (U.S. Taxpayers Party), and Scotty Boman (Libertarian). Ultimately, Johnson won the seat with 50.7% of the vote.

### Republican[edit]

a Oakland County Clerk Ruth Johnson[59][60]

### Democrat[edit]

* Full time Assistant Professor of Law at Wayne State University Law School Jocelyn Benson[61]

### Green Party[edit]

* John Anthony La Pietra

### Libertarian[edit]

* Scotty Boman

### U.S. Taxpayers[edit]

* Robert Gale

### Drop outs[edit]

Republicans

* State Senator Michelle McManus failed to win the nomination at the state party convention on Friday, August 28, 2010.[62]
* State Senator Cameron Brown failed to win the nomination at the state party convention on Friday, August 28, 2010.[63]
* Calhoun County Clerk Anne Norlander failed to win the nomination at the state party convention on Friday, August 28, 2010.[64]
* Former State Representative Judy Emmons failed to win the nomination at the state party convention on Friday, August 28, 2010.[65]
* State Representative Paul Scott failed to win the nomination at the state party convention on Friday, August 28, 2010.[66]

##  Minnesota[edit]

See also: Minnesota Secretary of State election, 2010

The Minnesota Secretary of State election of 2010 was held on November 2, 2010. Democratic incumbent Mark Ritchie was challenged by Republican Dan Severson and Independence Party of America candidate Jual Carlson. Ritchie won with 49.10% of the vote.

In the primary election on August 10, Ritchie defeated Richard "Dick" Franson, a former Alderman in the 12th Ward of Minneapolis and retired 1st Sergeant in the U.S. Army. Neither Severson nor Carlson was unopposed in the primary election.

### Democrat[edit]

a Incumbent Mark Ritchie[67]

* Dick Franson (lost in the primary election)

### Republican[edit]

* State Representative Dan Severson[68]

### Independence Party[edit]

* Jual Carlson

##  Nebraska[edit]

See also: Nebraska Secretary of State election, 2010

The Nebraska Secretary of State election of 2010 was held on November 2, 2010. Republican incumbent John A. Gale defeated Democratic challenger Janet Stewart, capturing 69.8% of the vote. Neither candidate was opposed in the May 11 primary election.

### Republican[edit]

a Incumbent Republican John Gale[69]

### Democrat[edit]

* Fremont attorney and former Mutual of Omaha corporate counsel, Janet Stewart[70]

### Drop outs[edit]

Democrats

* Former executive director of the Douglas County Democratic Party Kris Pierce, four months after announcing his candidacy for Nebraska Secretary of State, withdrew from the race in order to fill a vacant seat on the Omaha City Council.[71][72]

##  Nevada[edit]

See also: Nevada Secretary of State election, 2010

In the Nevada Secretary of State election of 2010, held on November 2, 2010, Democratic incumbent Ross Miller defeated Republican challenger Rob Lauer and Independent American Party candidate John Wagner. Miller won with 53.17% of the overall vote.

None of the three candidates were opposed in the June 8 primary election.

### Democrat[edit]

a Incumbent Ross Miller

### Republican[edit]

* Robert Leslie "Rob" Lauer[73]

### Independent American[edit]

* John Wagner

##  New Mexico[edit]

See also: New Mexico Secretary of State election, 2010

In the New Mexico Secretary of State election of 2010 held on November 2, 2010, Democratic incumbent Mary Herrera fell to Republican challenger Dianna Duran in the general election. Neither candidate was opposed in the June 1 primary election.

### Democrat[edit]

* Incumbent Mary Herrera[74]

### Republican[edit]

a State Senator Dianna Duran[75] (February 2010)

##  North Dakota[edit]

See also: North Dakota Secretary of State election, 2010

The North Dakota Secretary of State election of 2010 was held on November 2, 2010. Republican incumbent Al Jaeger won 62.44% of the vote, defeating his challenger, Democrat Corey Mock. Neither candidate was opposed in the June 8 primary election.

### Republican[edit]

a Incumbent Al Jaeger[76]

### Democrat[edit]

* State Representative Corey Mock[77]

##  Ohio[edit]

See also: Ohio Secretary of State election, 2010

In the Ohio Secretary of State election of 2010 held on November 2, 2010, Republican Jon Husted defeated Democrat Maryellen O'Shaughnessy and Libertarian Charlie Earl. In the primary election on May 4, Husted won the Republican contest over Sandra O'Brien. O'Shaughnessy and Earl were unopposed in the primaries.

Incumbent Ohio Secretary of State, Democrat Jennifer Brunner, announced in February 2009 that she would challenge Lieutenant Governor of Ohio Lee Fisher for the Democratic nomination in the race for the United States Senate seat occupied by retiring Republican Senator George Voinovich,[78] but lost in the primary election on May 4, 2010.[79][80]

### Democrat[edit]

* Franklin County Clerk of Courts Maryellen O'Shaughnessy[81] (February 2010)

### Republican[edit]

a State Senator for the 6th Congressional District Jon A. Husted[82] (April 2009)

### Libertarian[edit]

* Former State Legislator Charles R. "Charlie" Earl

### Drop Outs[edit]

Democrats

* Franklin County Commissioner Marilyn Brown, who announced her candidacy in March 2009, withdrew seven months later to focus instead on her re-election campaign.[83][84]
* State Representative for the 93rd Congressional District Jennifer Garrison, who launched her campaign in August 2009, dropped out of the race on January 30, 2010[85][86]

Republicans

* Former Ashtabula County Auditor Sandy O'Brien, who announced her candidacy in June 2009, lost in the state's Republican primary on May 4, 2010.[87]

##  Rhode Island[edit]

See also: Rhode Island Secretary of State election, 2010

The Rhode Island Secretary of State election of 2010 was held on November 2, 2010. Following a primary election on September 14, 2010, Democratic incumbent Ralph Mollis defeated Republican challenger Catherine Terry Taylor in the general election.

On September 14, 2010, Mollis won his party's primary election over then-State Senator Leonidas Raptakis. Taylor ran unopposed in the Republican primary.

### Democrat[edit]

a Incumbent Ralph Mollis[88]

### Republican[edit]

* Catherine Terry Taylor[89]

### Drop outs[edit]

Democrats

* State Senator Leonidas Raptakis lost in the Democratic primary contest on Tuesday, September 14, 2010.[90]

##  South Carolina[edit]

See also: South Carolina Secretary of State election, 2010

In the South Carolina Secretary of State election of 2010, held on November 2, 2010, incumbent Republican Mark Hammond secured a third term in office by defeating his Democrat challenger, retired public relations executive Marjorie L. Johnson.[91] Neither candidate was opposed in the primary election on June 8.

### Republican[edit]

a Mark Hammond

### Democrat[edit]

* Marjorie Johnson

##  South Dakota[edit]

See also: South Dakota Secretary of State election, 2010

State term limit laws prevented incumbent Chris Nelson from running for a third term in office. He was a candidate for South Dakota's at-large seat in the United States House of Representatives in 2010, but fell to Kristi Noem in the Republican primary election.[92] Following state conventions held by both major political parties in the last weekend of June, state senators Ben Nesselhuf (Democrat) and Jason Gant (Republican) received the endorsement from their respective parties. Gant and Nesselhul were joined in the general election by Constitution Party candidate Lori Stacey as the three competed for the seat vacated by incumbent Republican Chris Nelson.

Candidates for this office are nominated at the state conventions of each political party, and therefore do not appear on the ballot in the primary election.

### Republican[edit]

a State Senator Jason Gant[93] (September 2009) (Received endorsement of the South Dakota Republican Party)[94]

* Deputy Secretary of State Teresa Bray failed to receive the Republican nomination at the State Party Convention.
* State Representative Thomas Deadrick failed to receive the Republican nomination at the State Party Convention.

### Democrat[edit]

* State Senator Ben Nesselhuf[95] (October 2009) (Received the endorsement of the South Dakota Democratic Party)[96]

### Constitution[edit]

* Lori Stacey

##  Vermont[edit]

See also: Vermont Secretary of State election, 2010

Vermont's former Secretary of State, Democrat Deborah L. Markowitz, vacated the position in order to run for governor of Vermont in November 2010; she lost in the state gubernatorial primary election.

Three candidates vied for the office in the general election: Democrat Jim Condos defeated Republican Jason Gibbs and Liberty Union Party candidate Leslie Marmorale. Both Condos and Gibbs won their partisan primary elections on August 24. A Progressive party candidate, Peter A. Cooper, also won his party's primary election, but did not appear on the ballot in November.

### Republican[edit]

* Commissioner of Forests, Parks and Recreation Jason Gibbs[97] (April 2010)

### Democrat[edit]

a Former State Senator Jim Condos[98] (April 2010)

### Liberty Union[edit]

* Leslie Marmorale

### Progressive Party[edit]

* Peter Cooper

### Drop outs[edit]

Republicans

* Attorney Chris Roy lost in the Democratic primary contest on Tuesday, August 24, 2010.[99]

Democrats

* Attorney Charles Merriman lost in the Democratic primary contest on Tuesday, August 24, 2010.[100]

##  Wisconsin[edit]

See also: Wisconsin Secretary of State election, 2010

In the Wisconsin Secretary of State election of 2010, held on November 2, 2010, Democrat incumbent Douglas La Follette defeated Republican challenger David D. King.

In the primary election on September 14, both candidates ran unopposed.

### Democrat[edit]

a Incumbent Douglas La Follette[101]

### Republican[edit]

* David D. King[102]

##  Wyoming[edit]

See also: Wyoming Secretary of State election, 2010

In the Wyoming Secretary of State election of 2010, held on November 2, 2010, Republican incumbent Max Maxfield defeated both Democrat Andrew Simons and Libertarian Candice De Laat. In the primary election on August 17, both Maxfield and Simons ran unopposed.

### Republican[edit]

a Incumbent Max Maxfield[103] (February 2010)

### Democrat[edit]

* Andrew Simons[104] (May 2010)

### Libertarian[edit]

* Candice De Laat

## Footnotes[edit]

1. ↑ Gant Daily, "Rendell Nominates Basil Merenda as Secretary of Commonwealth" 4 June, 2010
2. ↑ Governor of Texas Rick Perry - Press Release - July 23, 2008
3. ↑ The Oklahoman, "Mary Fallin appoints Glenn Coffee as Oklahoma secretary of state" 4 Jan. 2010
4. ↑ Star Courier, "Summers named Maine’s secretary of state" 1 Dec. 2010
5. ↑ Lexington Herald-Leader, "Bowling Green mayor to replace Trey Grayson as secretary of state" 8 Jan. 2011
6. ↑ Birmingham News, "Alabama Secretary of State Beth Chapman seeking re-election," April 6, 2009
7. ↑ AZ Central, "Brewer picks Ken Bennett for sec. of state" 9 Jan. 2009
8. ↑ Phoenix New Times, "Chris Deschene's Eyeing Run for Arizona Secretary of State" 12 Nov. 2009
9. ↑ All Business, "Former Arizona Real Estate Commissioner Sam Wercinski announces candidacy for Secretary of State" 31 Aug. 2009
10. ↑ Arkansas Business, "Rep. Mark Martin To Make Bid For Secretary Of State" 7 Jan. 2010
11. ↑ The Tolbert Report, "Pat O’Brien is now officially running for Secretary of State" 27 May, 2009
12. ↑ Times Record Online, "Clerk Seeks Statewide Office" 18 June, 2009
13. ↑ The Bootleg, "Damon Dunn for CA Sec. of State!" 11 Jan. 2010
14. ↑ Brian Dennert Here, "Assembly Member Audra Strickland Preparing To Run For Secretary Of State Against Debra Bowen" 19 Jan. 2009
15. ↑ Ventura County Star, "Audra Strickland to run for county treasurer" 11 Nov. 2009
16. ↑ Daily Kos, "Orly Taitz running for CA Secretary of State" 3 March, 2010
17. ↑ The Colorado Statesman, "Buescher wins secretary of state nod" 26 Dec. 2008
18. ↑ Face the State, "Gessler files for 2010 secretary of state election" 8 Jan. 2009 (dead link)
19. ↑ Connecticut News Junkie, "Majority Leader Will Run For Statewide Office" 18 Dec. 2009
20. ↑ YouTube, "Denise Merrill accepts endorsement" 27 May, 2010
21. ↑ Connecticut Bob, "Denise Merrill's Acceptance Speech" 28 May, 2010
22. ↑ The Connecticut Mirror, "Republicans back Farrell for SOTS. Brinson qualifies for primary" 22 May, 2010
23. ↑ Connecticut News Junkie, "Majority Leader Will Run For Statewide Office" 18 Dec. 2009
24. ↑ YouTube, "Denise Merrill accepts endorsement" 27 May, 2010
25. ↑ Connecticut Bob, "Denise Merrill's Acceptance Speech" 28 May, 2010
26. ↑ Hartford Courant, "Consumer Protection Commissioner Jerry Farrell Jr. To Seek Secretary Of State Position" 16 Jan. 2010
27. ↑ The Connecticut Mirror, "Republicans back Farrell for SOTS. Brinson qualifies for primary" 22 May, 2010
28. ↑ Connecticut Public Broadcast Network, "Republican Announces Candidacy for Secretary of the State" 29 June, 2009
29. ↑ My Record Journal, "Farrell will not face primary challenge" 24 May, 2010
30. ↑ West Hartford News, "Sen. Harris announces candidacy for Secretary of State" 1 April, 2010
31. ↑ West Hartford News, "Harris ends bid for secretary of state" 11 June, 2010
32. ↑ Capitol Watch, "Gerry Garcia Running For Secretary Of The State" 30 Oct. 2009
33. ↑ Fresh Loaf, "Karen Handel enters governor’s race" 27 March, 2009
34. ↑ Athens Banner-Herald, "Brian Kemp appointed Georgia secretary of state" 4 Jan. 2010
35. ↑ Red State, "Karen Handel Aims to Win the GOP Gubernatorial Nomination in Georgia" 22 Dec. 2009
36. ↑ Atlanta Journal-Constitution, "Kemp jumps into secretary of state race, shows backing" 4 March, 2009
37. ↑ Atlanta Journal-Constitution, "Qualifying suprises — and Roy Barnes hits TV today" 30 April, 2010
38. ↑ Peach Pundit, "Doug MacGinnitie Enters the SoS Race" 5 March, 2009
39. ↑ Fresh Loaf, "Gary Horlacher to run for Secretary of State" 28 April, 2009
40. ↑ Georgia Federation of Democratic Women GRAPEVINE "Angela Moore announces for SOS" 15 Dec. 209 (dead link)
41. ↑ Georgia Federation of Democratic Women GRAPEVINE "Sen. Gail Buckner -- Candidate for Secretary of State" 16 Dec. 2009
42. ↑ Chicago Tribune, "Jesse White, Illinois secretary of state, kicks off re-election campaign" 30 Sept. 2009
43. ↑ NBC Chicago, "Illinois Races: Robert Enriquez for Sec. of State" 3 Nov. 2009
44. ↑ Indiana Code, "3-8-4"
45. ↑ Hoosier Access, "Charlie White announces 2010 run for Indiana secretary of state" 15 Sept. 2009
46. ↑ Blue Indiana, "Vop Osili to launch campaign in October" 1 Oct. 2009
47. ↑ Price of Politics ... etc. "Mauro to Seek Re-Election" 29 Jan. 2009
48. ↑ Des Moines Register, "Republican Schultz to announce bid for secretary of state Saturday" 30 Oct. 2009
49. ↑ Iowa Republican, "George Eichhorn Announces for Iowa Secretary of State" 17 Dec. 2009
50. ↑ The Iowa Republican, "Sanger Joins Secretary of State Campaign" 9 March, 2010
51. ↑ Kansas City Star, "Kansas secretary of state resigns" 8 Feb. 2010 (dead link)
52. ↑ The Wichita Eagle, "Parkinson names Biggs as secretary of state" 17 March, 2010
53. ↑ The Topeka Capital-Journal, "GOP primary assured" 26 May, 2009
54. ↑ Kansas Jackass, "KS-SoS: Chris Biggs to run for Secretary of State" 4 June, 2009 (dead link)
55. ↑ Salina Journal, "Claeys makes progress on statewide election" 20 April, 2009
56. ↑ Kansas City Star, "Republican Elizabeth Ensley announces candidacy for Kansas secretary of state" 19 Jan. 2010
57. ↑ El Dorado Times, "Chris Steineger Announces Candidacy for Kansas Secretary of State" 22 Jan. 2010
58. ↑ Woburn Advocate, "City Clerk Campbell running for secretary of state" 9 March, 2010
59. ↑ Crain's Detroit Business, "Oakland County Clerk Ruth Johnson joins secretary of state field" 23 April, 2010
60. ↑ Flint Journal, "Paul Scott loses secretary of state nomination, says he's focusing on state House campaign" 28 Aug. 2010
61. ↑ The Detroit News, "WSU professor to run for Secretary of State" 5 Oct. 2009
62. ↑ Right Michigan, "RightMichigan Exclusive: An Interview with 2010 Secretary of State Candidate Michelle McManus " 16 Jan. 2009
63. ↑ MLive, "State Sen. Cameron Brown announces bid for secretary of state" 11 Feb. 2009
64. ↑ Anne Norlander for Secretary of State - Norlander Launches Bid for Secretary of State
65. ↑ The Michigan Messenger, "McManus makes run for secretary of state official" 22 July, 2009
66. ↑ The Michigan Messenger, "Paul Scott targets transgendered people in race for Secretary of State" 21 January, 2010 (dead link)
67. ↑ Politics in Minnesota, "Ritchie says: Act now! Time is running out!" 18 June, 2009
68. ↑ St. Cloud Times, "Severson ponders secretary of state bid" 7 Oct. 2009
69. ↑ 1011 Now, "Secretary of State John Gale to Seek Third Term" 16 Oct. 2009
70. ↑ Omaha World Herald, "Second Dem to run for state sec." 30 Oct. 2009
71. ↑ Nebraska Democratic Party, "Democrat Kris Pierce to launch campaign for Secretary of State" 28 Oct. 2009
72. ↑ KMTV - Action 3 News, "Pierce drops out of state race to seek Omaha seat" 1 March, 2010 (dead link)
73. ↑ The Record Courier, "Lauer to run for secretary of state" 13 Feb. 2010
74. ↑ Roots Wire, "Re-Election Campaign Kickoff for NM Secretary of State Mary Herrera" 15 April, 2009
75. ↑ The New Mexico Independent, "Sen. Dianna Duran to run for Secretary of State" 9 Feb. 2010
76. ↑ Grand Forks Herald, "ND GOP CONVENTION: Jaeger will be secretary of state candidate" 21 March, 2010
77. ↑ KX Net, "Mock Runs for Secretary of State," February 23, 2010
78. ↑ Cleveland.com, "Jennifer Brunner announces candidacy for U.S. Senate" 17 Feb. 2009
79. ↑ Ohio Politics, "Senate 2010: Brunner & Fisher Eye DC" 17 Feb. 2009
80. ↑ Ohio Secretary of State - 2010 Democratic Primary Election Results
81. ↑ The Columbus Dispatch, "O'Shaughnessy gets into secretary of state race" 1 Feb. 2010 (dead link)
82. ↑ Buckeye Firearms Association, "Jon Husted makes his run for Secretary of State official" 3 April, 2009
83. ↑ Progress Ohio, "Announcement: Marilyn Brown for Secretary of State" 26 March, 2009
84. ↑ The Review, "Marilyn Brown withdraws from Secretary of State race" 5 Oct. 2009
85. ↑ Glass City Jungle, "Jennifer Garrison announces campaign for Ohio Secretary of State" 3 Aug. 2009
86. ↑ Marietta Times, "Garrison envisions politics in her future" 2 Feb. 2010
87. ↑ Weapons of Mass Discussion, "Sandy O'Brien Announces for Ohio Secretary of State" 11 June, 2009
88. ↑ The Providence Journal, "R.I. politicians planning ahead" 12 May, 2009
89. ↑ The Providence Journal, "Edward Fitzpatrick: She’s on the verge of ‘taking the plunge" 24 June, 2010
90. ↑ The Providence Journal, "R.I. Sen. Leonidas Raptakis to run for secretary of state" 9 Jan. 2010
91. ↑ The State, "Woman running for S.C. secretary of state" 8 Oct. 2009
92. ↑ [http://electionresults.sd.gov/applications/st25cers3/resultsSW.aspx?type=swr&eid=2 South Dakota Secretary of State, "Election night results - June 8th, 2010," July 1, 2010
93. ↑ Hog House, "Jason Gant sending SOS signals" 23 Sept. 2009
94. ↑ The Republic, "SD GOP nominates state Sen. Jason Gant for secretary of state" 26 June, 2010
95. ↑ Keloland Television, "Nesselhuf Running For Secretary Of State" 16 Oct. 2009
96. ↑ Black Hills FOX "Nesselhuf gets Dems' nod for secretary of state" 26 June, 2010 (dead link)
97. ↑ The Burlington Free Press, "Gibbs to run for Vermont secretary of state" 30 April, 2010
98. ↑ VT Digger, "On video: Jim Condos announces bid for Vermont Secretary of State; runs on transparency platform" 1 April, 2010
99. ↑ Rutland Herald, "Chris Roy announces he will run for secretary of state" 14 Feb. 2009
100. ↑ Times Argus, "Roy, Merriman eye secretary of state's race" 10 March, 2009
101. ↑ WisPolitics, "La Follette Campaign: La Follete announces his bid for re-election" 28 April, 2010
102. ↑ Badger Blogger, "Pastor David King to run for Wisconsin Secretary of State" 28 Aug. 2009
103. ↑ Red State, "My Take on the 2010 WY Races" 2 Feb. 2010
104. ↑ Star Tribune, "Dem enters secretary of state race" 21 May, 2010

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