2010 U.S. Congressional election

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In November 2010, all seats in the U.S. House of Representatives and 36 U.S. Senate seats were contested, resulting in a Republican majority in the House but continued Democratic control of the Senate.

A number of incumbents announced they will not run for re-election. Some incumbants declared their candidacy for other offices, while others are retiring from politics. The election, in general, is expected to reflect national opinion (whether satisfaction or dissatisfaction) with the Obama Administration. To some extent, it may also reflect feelings about the major political parties, both of which are reshuffling and subject to protests such as the Tea Party Movement.

The attitudes and participation of young voters, crucial to Barack Obama's win in 2008, may also be an important factor in the upcoming Congressional elections. In 2008, one of the factors which helped secure Barack Obama;s victory was an unusually large turnout among young voters who generally supported him in preference to his Republican opponent. Since then, however, pollsters and commentators have noted a distinct fall-off in both support among this group and in the enthusiasm for political participation.^[1]

On one thing, regardless of political affiliation, everyone seems to agree: The gridlock now clutching Washington is unacceptable.

Health-care reform is now about the November election. It's about gamesmanship. And though the parties differ in fundamental ways that really do matter, a growing majority of Americans no longer care who's up or down, who wins or loses. A pox on everyone's house, they say.

...more and more Americans are abandoning traditional political parties, with about 40 percent of the electorate identifying as independents. A perfect storm this way comes. ^[2]

Some analysts saw effect of change and pressure in the Republican Party, especially from the Tea Party Movement, as splitting the Republican vote. In a special election to fill a vacancy caused by an Obama Administration appointment of Congressman John McHugh to be U.S. Secretary of the Army, the Republican candidate, Dede Scozzafava to dropped out and endorsed Bill Owens, the winning Democratic contender. Tea Party support had gone to the Conservative Party candidate. ^[3] Others interpret the Summer 2009 upset victory of Senator Scott Brown (R-Massachusetts) in the interim election to determine who would occupy the seat vacated by the death of longtime Democratic Senator Edward Kennedy in Massachusetts, as a Republican trend.^[4]

House of Representatives[edit]

Adding to the perceived Democratic Party woes in the early months of 2010 was the continuing Congressional fight over the Health Care Reform package and vocal opposition to the projected reforms. Some commentators were raising the possibility that the losses could be significant enough to shift control of the House and possibly the Senate.

Much of the health care activity centered in the House, where the vote count was close until the final hours. Some, such as Mike Arcuri (D-New York have been told that key allies in close races, such as the Service Employees International Union, will throw their support to challengers due to the health care vote.

Historically, the party in control of the White House has lost seats in the mid-term Congressional elections. On occasion, the losses were large enough to shift the balance of power in the House and/or Senate. A number of commentators raised the possibility that the upcoming elections would be a repeat of the 1994 mid-term elections in which the Democrats lost 54 seats in the house (and with it control of the House) and 9 seats in the Senate. Comparisons to 1994 were disputed by, among others, Bill Clinton, in a September 2009 interview on Meet the Press.^[5]

Sarah Palin has been a strong motivator on both sides. She targeted 20 House seats held by Democrats for defeat, using the controversial metaphor "Don't retreat, reload."^[6] Four of those Representatives, however, have launched counter-appeals to "send a message to Sarah", such as Suzanne Kosmas of Florida, Chris Carney and Kathy Dahlkemper of Pennsylvania, and Betsy Markey of Colorado. ^[7]

Retirements[edit]

Reasons for retirement range from running for higher office, to scandal, to long tenure and simply being tired of the process. Sen. Evan Bayh (D-Indiana), a favorite to be reelected, announced his retirement in frustration with the Senate.

Democrats retiring[edit]

The following Democrats are retiring thus leaving their Congressional seats "open:":

+candidate for Governor

§ candidate for U.S. Senate

Republicans[edit]

On the Republican side, the following retirements have been announced:

+candidate for Governor

§ candidate for U.S. Senate or other elective office

Strongly contested seats[edit]

Currently held by Democrats[edit]

Currently held by Republicans[edit]

Strong incumbents[edit]

Certain incumbents are relatively confident of reelection, but can help candidates outside their constitutencies.

• Michele Bachmann

Senate[edit]

Retirements[edit]

The following Senators are retiring thus leaving their Congressional seats "open:":

+candidate for Governor

§ candidate for U.S. Senate

Strongly contested seats[edit]

References[edit]