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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.
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.
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.
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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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.
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.
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 |
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:
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.
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 | |||
15 | 11 | 26 | 9 | 10 | 19 | -7 | |||
11 | 10 | 21 | 17 | 11 | 28 | +7 |
In the Alabama Secretary of State election of 2010, held on November 2, 2010, Republican incumbent Beth Chapman easily defeated Democratic challenger Scott Gilliland. Neither candidate was opposed in the primary election.
Incumbent Republican Beth Chapman[6]
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.
Incumbent Ken Bennett
Democrats
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.
State Representative Mark Martin[10] (January 2010)
Democrats
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.
Incumbent Debra Bowen
Republicans
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.
Attorney Scott Gessler[18] (January 2009)
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%.
State Representative and Majority Leader Denise Merrill[23] (December 2009) (Received the endorsement of the Connecticut Democratic Party)[24][25]
Republicans
Democrats
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.
Former State Senator and current Secretary of State Brian Kemp[36]
Republicans
Democrats
In the Idaho Secretary of State election of 2010, held on November 2, 2010, Republican incumbent Ben Ysursa easily 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.
Incumbent Ben Ysursa
The Illinois Secretary of State election of 2010 was held on November 2, 2010. Winning 69.9% of the vote, Democratic incumbent Jesse White easily 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.
Incumbent Democrat Jesse White[42]
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.
Current Chairman of the Hamilton County GOP, Charlie White[45] (September 2009)
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.
Council Bluffs City Councilman Matt Schultz[48]
Republicans
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.
Past Chairman of Kansas Republican Party Kris Kobach[53] (May 2009)
Republicans
Democrats
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.
Incumbent William F. Galvin
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.
Oakland County Clerk Ruth Johnson[59][60]
Republicans
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.
Incumbent Mark Ritchie[67]
The Nebraska Secretary of State election of 2010 was held on November 2, 2010. Republican incumbent John A. Gale easily defeated Democratic challenger Janet Stewart, capturing 69.8% of the vote. Neither candidate was opposed in the May 11 primary election.
Incumbent Republican John Gale[69]
Democrats
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.
Incumbent Ross Miller
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.
State Senator Dianna Duran[75] (February 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, easily defeating his challenger, Democrat Corey Mock. Neither candidate was opposed in the June 8 primary election.
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 easily 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]
State Senator for the 6th Congressional District Jon A. Husted[82] (April 2009)
Democrats
Republicans
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 narrowly 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.
Incumbent Ralph Mollis[88]
Democrats
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.
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.
State Senator Jason Gant[93] (September 2009) (Received endorsement of the South Dakota Republican Party)[94]
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.
Former State Senator Jim Condos[98] (April 2010)
Republicans
Democrats
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.
Incumbent Douglas La Follette[101]
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.
Incumbent Max Maxfield[103] (February 2010)
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