United States Senate special election in West Virginia, 2010
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| November 2, 2010 (2010-11-02) |
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The 2010 United States Senate special election in West Virginia was held on November 2, 2010. Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Robert C. Byrd died in office on June 28, 2010. Democrat Governor Joe Manchin appointed Carte Goodwin to temporarily fill the vacancy. Goodwin pledged to not run for election to the seat in exchange for the appointment. Governor Joe Manchin won the open seat and served out the remainder of Byrd's elected term, which ended on January 3, 2013.[1]
Background
Byrd's career
Byrd had held his seat in the U.S. Senate since 1959, after having served in the House of Representatives since 1953, making him the longest-serving person in Congress. Byrd led his party in the Senate from 1977 to 1989, as Majority Leader or Minority Leader. Afterwards, as the most senior Democrat in the Senate, he served as President pro tempore of the Senate whenever his party was in the majority, including at the time of his death. The Democrats held a 59-41 seat majority in the Senate at the time of Byrd's death.
State politics
West Virginia had not elected a Republican to the U.S. Senate since 1956,[2] but has voted Republican in presidential elections since 2000. Seventy-seven percent of voters in the state approve of Democratic governor Joe Manchin, but only 35% approve of Democratic President Barack Obama.[3]
Additionally, the Mountain (Green), Libertarian, and Constitution Parties have been slowly growing forces in the state, hoping to capitalize on discontent from both political parties. All three minor parties fielded ballot-qualified candidates in the 2014 U.S. Senate election to fill the open seat of retiring longtime Senator Jay Rockefeller.[4]
Interim appointment
State law allowed Governor Joe Manchin to make a temporary appointment to the vacant seat. Manchin named a former aide, 36-year-old Carte Goodwin, an attorney and fellow Democrat. Goodwin was sworn in on July 20, 2010, and chose not to run in the special election.[5] Hours later, Manchin announced his intention to seek Byrd's seat.[6]
Timing of the election
Gov. Manchin urged the West Virginia Legislature to pass legislation scheduling the special election for 2010.[7] Without a revision, West Virginia Secretary of State Natalie Tennant believed that state law would not allow an election to be held until 2012.[8] On July 19, legislators hammered out a compromise bill setting an Aug. 28 special primary and Nov. 2 special election to elect a senator for the roughly two years and five months remaining in Byrd's term. The bill only changes election law for 2010 and will not apply to other future elections. It also allows a West Virginian who is on the November general election ballot for some other office to also run in the special election.[9]
Democratic primary
Candidates
Campaign
Despite Manchin's very high popularity in the state, he received two politically experienced challengers. Hechler is a former Secretary of State and U.S. Representative, who at the age of 95 campaigned across the state on an anti-mountaintop removal platform.[13]
Results
| Democratic Primary results[14] |
| Party |
Candidate |
Votes |
% |
|
Democratic |
Joe Manchin |
67,498 |
72.9 |
|
Democratic |
Ken Hechler |
16,039 |
17.3 |
|
Democratic |
Sheirl Fletcher |
9,035 |
9.8 |
| Total votes |
92,572 |
100 |
Republican primary
Candidates
- John Raese, businessman[15]
- Harry C. Bruner Jr., attorney[16]
- Kenneth Culp, Vietnam War veteran and accountant[17]
- Albert Howard, and candidate in the 2008 New Hampshire Republican presidential primary[18]
- Frank Kubic, epigrammatist author[19]
- Lynette Kennedy McQuain, substitute teacher's aide[20]
- Daniel Scott Rebich, concrete contracting business owner[21]
- Thomas Ressler, retired officer of the Maryland Department of Corrections[22]
- Mac Warner, businessman[23]
- Scott H. Williams, wood products industry supervisor and manager[24]
Campaign
During the Republican primary campaign, only Raese and Warner released television advertisements.[25]
Results
General election
Candidates
Campaign
Manchin's campaign ads emphasized his support from labor unions and Cecil Roberts (President of United Mine Workers of America), while criticizing Raese for "putting profits before people,",[28] supporting the elimination of the minimum wage, and supporting the FairTax.[29] Manchin has been endorsed by both the AFL-CIO and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.[30] Raese has been endorsed from numerous pro-life PACs[31] and Freedom Works.[32] Raese has criticized Manchin for supporting House Bill 103, which is similar to Cap and trade.[33]
Debates
The first and only debate was held October 18. It featured all four Senate candidates.[34] Raese wanted at least three debates.[35]
Predictions
Polling
| Poll source |
Date(s)
administered |
Sample
size |
Margin of
error |
Joe Manchin (D) |
John Raese (R) |
Other |
Undecided |
| Rasmussen Reports (report) |
October 31, 2010 |
750 |
± 4.0% |
50% |
46% |
1% |
3% |
| Public Policy Polling (report) |
October 30–31, 2010 |
1,676 |
± 2.4% |
51% |
46% |
— |
3% |
| Rasmussen Reports (report) |
October 26, 2010 |
750 |
± 4.0% |
49% |
46% |
2% |
4% |
| Public Policy Polling (report) |
October 23–24, 2010 |
1,246 |
± 2.8% |
50% |
44% |
— |
6% |
| Fox News/Pulse Opinion Research (report) |
October 23, 2010 |
1,000 |
± 3.0% |
46% |
48% |
3% |
3% |
| Rasmussen Reports (report) |
October 19, 2010 |
750 |
± 4.0% |
43% |
50% |
2% |
5% |
| Fox News/Pulse Opinion Research (report) |
October 16, 2010 |
1,000 |
± 3.0% |
45% |
48% |
2% |
4% |
| Rasmussen Reports (report) |
October 12, 2010 |
750 |
± 4.0% |
46% |
49% |
2% |
3% |
| Marshall University Poll conducted by Orion Strategies (report) |
October 11–12, 2010 |
450 |
± 4.6% |
48% |
38% |
— |
12% |
| CNN/Time/Opinion Research (report) |
October 8–12, 2010 |
1,507 |
± 2.5% |
44% |
44% |
4% |
— |
| Public Policy Polling (report) |
October 9–10, 2010 |
1,247 |
± 2.8% |
48% |
45% |
— |
7% |
| Rasmussen Reports (report) |
October 6, 2010 |
750 |
± 4.0% |
44% |
50% |
2% |
5% |
| Fox News/Pulse Opinion Research (report) |
October 2, 2010 |
1,000 |
± 3.0% |
43% |
48% |
3% |
6% |
| Rasmussen Reports (report) |
September 27, 2010 |
500 |
± 4.5% |
46% |
48% |
2% |
4% |
| Public Policy Polling (report) |
September 19, 2010 |
1,397 |
± 2.6% |
43% |
46% |
— |
10% |
| Rasmussen Reports (report) |
September 19, 2010 |
750 |
± 4.0% |
50% |
43% |
1% |
5% |
| Rasmussen Reports (report) |
September 8, 2010 |
500 |
± 4.5% |
50% |
45% |
2% |
3% |
| Rasmussen Reports (report) |
August 29, 2010 |
500 |
± 4.5% |
48% |
42% |
4% |
7% |
| MindField Poll (report) |
August 6, 2010 |
413 |
± 6.0% |
54% |
32% |
— |
14% |
| Rasmussen Reports (report) |
July 22, 2010 |
500 |
± 4.5% |
51% |
35% |
5% |
9% |
Fundraising
| Candidate (Party) |
Receipts |
Disbursements |
Cash On Hand |
Debt |
| John Raese (R) |
$3,071,909 |
$2,728,034 |
$343,876 |
$3,273,959 |
| Joe Manchin (D) |
$3,351,829 |
$2,746,439 |
$605,390 |
$3,568 |
| Source: Federal Election Commission[42] |
Results
| United States Senate special election in West Virginia, 2010 results[43] |
| Party |
Candidate |
Votes |
% |
±% |
|
Democratic |
Joe Manchin |
283,358 |
53.47% |
-10.96% |
|
Republican |
John Raese |
230,013 |
43.40% |
+9.69% |
|
Mountain |
Jesse Johnson |
10,152 |
1.92% |
+0.06% |
|
Constitution |
Jeff Becker |
6,425 |
1.21% |
N/A |
| Majority |
53,345 |
10.07% |
|
| Total votes |
529,948 |
100 |
|
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Democratic hold |
Swing |
|
|
References
- ↑ "Democrat Manchin wins key W. Va. Senate race". Chicago Sun-Times. Associated Press. November 2, 2010.
- ↑ See List of United States Senators from West Virginia
- ↑ "Election 2010: West Virginia Senate Special Election". Rasmussen Reports. July 9, 2010. Retrieved July 13, 2010.
- ↑ "Candidate Listing By Office, 2014". West Virginia Secretary of State. August 19, 2014. Retrieved August 19, 2014.
- ↑ Capehart, Jonathan (July 16, 2010). "Sen. Carte Goodwin (D-Caretaker-W.Va.)". The Washington Post. Retrieved July 21, 2010.
- ↑ "The Swamp: Manchin Makes WV Senate Run Official". Swamppolitics.com. 2010-07-20. Retrieved 2011-03-23.
- ↑ Font size Print E-mail Share 0 Comments (2010-07-19). "Manchin Fights for Fall Special Election". Cbsnews.com. Retrieved 2011-03-23.
- ↑ Eric Kleefeld (June 28, 2010). "Talking Points Memo: West Virginia Sec. of State: No Election for Byrd's Seat Until 2012". Tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com. Retrieved 2011-03-23.
- ↑ "Charleston Gazette: Compromise reached in Byrd replacement process". Wvgazette.com. 1969-12-31. Retrieved 2011-03-23.
- ↑ Toeplitz, Shira (July 20, 2010). "Joe Manchin's in, with nod to Robert Byrd". Politico. Retrieved July 21, 2010.
- ↑ "Sheirl Fletcher Announces Run for Senate Seat". WOWK-TV. July 21, 2010. Retrieved July 22, 2010.
- ↑ Toeplitz, Shira (July 21, 2010). "Manchin gets veteran Dem challenger". Politico. Retrieved July 21, 2010.
- ↑ "Hechler ready for rough terrain - State News - Charleston Daily Mail - West Virginia News and Sports". Dailymail.com. 2010-08-12. Retrieved 2010-08-21.
- 1 2 "U.S. Senate Special Election (Unofficial Results)". Secretary of State of West Virginia. Retrieved August 29, 2010.
- ↑ Toeplitz, Shira (July 22, 2010). "Raese is in for W.Va. Senate special". Politico. Retrieved August 28, 2010.
- ↑ "Harry C. Bruner Jr.". The Herald-Dispatch. Retrieved August 28, 2010.
- ↑ "Kenneth A. Culp". The Herald-Dispatch. Retrieved August 28, 2010.
- ↑ "Albert Howard". The Herald-Dispatch. Retrieved August 28, 2010.
- ↑ John McVey (July 24, 2010). "Kubic files for Senate position". The Journal. Retrieved April 8, 2015.
- ↑ "Lynette Kennedy McQuain". The Herald-Dispatch. Retrieved August 28, 2010.
- ↑ "Daniel Scott Rebich". The Herald-Dispatch. Retrieved August 28, 2010.
- ↑ "Thomas Ressler". The Herald-Dispatch. Retrieved August 28, 2010.
- ↑ "Mac Warner". The Herald-Dispatch. Retrieved August 28, 2010.
- ↑ "Scott H. Williams". The Herald-Dispatch. Retrieved August 28, 2010.
- ↑ "Special Election Ads Slow to Start - WOWK-TV". WOWKTV.com. 2010-08-17. Retrieved 2010-08-21.
- ↑ webmaster@wvmh.com (2010-09-02). "Constitution Party Candidate on Ballot for Senate Seat - WVNS-TV". WVNSTV.com. Retrieved 2011-03-23.
- ↑ "Jesse Johnson". The Herald-Dispatch. Retrieved August 28, 2010.
- ↑ "Joe Manchin for Senate :: West Virginia :: News". Joemanchinwv.com. Retrieved 2011-03-23.
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/20100922015803/http://www.joemanchinwv.com:80/news/what-does-john-raese-really-believe-in. Archived from the original on September 22, 2010. Retrieved September 23, 2010.
- ↑ Sep 20, 2010 (2010-09-20). "Joe Manchin for Senate :: West Virginia :: Manchin Receives Endorsements from State and U.S. Chamber". Joemanchinwv.com. Retrieved 2011-03-23.
- ↑ "John Raese Proudly Announces the Primary Endorsement of West Virginians for Life! | John Raese For Senate". Raeseforsenate.org. 2010-08-24. Retrieved 2011-03-23.
- ↑ "WCHS Radio 58". 58wchs.com. Retrieved 2011-03-23.
- ↑ "Manchin vs. Raese on the Coal Controversy". Wsaz.com. Retrieved 2011-03-23.
- ↑ "All candidates for WV Senate seat agree to debate". WVPubcast.org. 2010-12-24. Retrieved 2011-03-23.
- ↑ http://www.dailymail.com/election10/201009161291
- ↑ "Senate". Cook Political Report. Retrieved October 31, 2010.
- ↑ "Senate Ratings". Rothenberg Political Report. Retrieved October 31, 2010.
- ↑ "Election 2010: Senate Balance Of Power". Rasmussen Reports. Retrieved October 31, 2010.
- ↑ "Battle for the Senate". RealClearPolitics. Retrieved October 31, 2010.
- ↑ "2010 Senate Ratings". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved October 31, 2010.
- ↑ "Race Ratings Chart: Senate". CQ Politics. Retrieved October 31, 2010.
- ↑ "Discloser Search: WV 2010". Retrieved October 20, 2010.
- ↑ "WV SOS - Elections". Apps.sos.wv.gov. 2010-11-02. Retrieved 2011-03-23.
External links
- Official candidate sites
