United States Senate election in Wisconsin, 2010

United States Senate election in Wisconsin, 2010
Wisconsin
November 2, 2010
 
Nominee Ron Johnson Russ Feingold
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 1,125,932 1,020,841
Percentage 51.9% 47.0%

County results
U.S. Senator before election

Russ Feingold
Democratic

 Elected U.S. Senator
Elections in Wisconsin

The 2010 United States Senate election in Wisconsin was held on November 2, 2010. Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Russ Feingold ran for re-election to a fourth term, but was defeated by political newcomer[1] Republican Ron Johnson.

Republican primary

Candidates

On the ballot
Declined

Campaign

Former Republican Governor of Wisconsin Tommy Thompson had expressed an interest in challenging Feingold,[6] but ruled himself out of the race in April 2010.[7]

Johnson, a millionaire manufacturer and Tea Party movement favorite who was running for his first political office, was the front runner. In response to controversy over his ownership of stock in British Petroleum (BP), Johnson said he would sell it when market conditions were favorable and possibly use the proceeds to help finance his Senate campaign.[8] Johnson was endorsed by the national GOP establishment as well as the fiscally conservative 501(c)4 organization Club for Growth. Former Wisconsin Republican Lt. Governor Margaret Farrow and Republican U.S. Senator Jim DeMint of South Carolina endorsed Johnson,[9][10] as did Wisconsin Republican U.S. Representatives Jim Sensenbrenner, Tom Petri and Paul Ryan.[11] Westlake was endorsed by the Republican Liberty Caucus.[12] According to the Center for Responsive Politics, as of August 25, 2010, Johnson had invested $4.3 million of his own money into his campaign, which represented 71 percent of his campaign funds, while 27 percent of his campaign funds ($1.6 million) came from individual contributions.[13]

Polling

Poll Source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size		 Margin of
Error		 Ron Johnson Dave Westlake Other Undecided
Public Policy Polling (report) June 26-27, 2010 400 ± 4.9% 49% 11% –– 40%

Results

Republican Primary results[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Ron Johnson 500,821 84.7
Republican David Westlake 61,287 10.4
Republican Stephen M. Finn 29,002 4.9
Total votes 591,107 100

General election

Candidates

Campaign

Feingold's first television ad was a positive ad released in March. In July 2010, Feingold's second 2010 television election ad attacked Johnson for alleged support for offshore drilling in the Great Lakes. Johnson quickly countered Feingold with a television ad of his own.[17] Feingold's logo was Moving Forward. In one ad he emphasized independence and called himself a "Penny Pincher." [18] Johnson argued that his professions, manufacturer and accountant were underrepresented in the U.S. Senate, and there were too many lawyers (57 out of 100 members), including Feingold.[19] Feingold received the endorsements of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and the Green Bay Press-Gazette.[20] The Beloit Daily News endorsed Johnson.[21]

Debates

Predictions

Source Ranking As of
Cook Political Report Leans R[24] October 31, 2010
Rothenberg Leans R[25] October 28, 2010
RealClearPolitics Leans R[26] October 31, 2010
Rasmussen Reports Leans R[27] October 30, 2010
Sabato's Crystal Ball Leans R[28] October 28, 2010
CQ Politics Leans R[29] October 31, 2010

Polling

Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size		 Margin of
error		 Russ
Feingold (D)		 Ron
Johnson (R)		 Other Undecided
Rasmussen Reports May 25, 2010 500 ± 4.5% 46% 44% 3% 6%
Rasmussen Reports June 21, 2010 500 ± 4.5% 46% 45% 3% 6%
Public Policy Polling June 26-27, 2010 638 ± 3.9% 45% 43% –– 12%
Rasmussen Reports July 13, 2010 750 ± 4.0% 46% 47% 2% 6%
University of Wisconsin, Madison July 15, 2010 500 ± 3.9% 33% 28% –– 44%
Magellan Strategies July 20, 2010 1,145 ± 2.9% 45% 43% 3.7% 8%
Rasmussen Reports July 27, 2010 500 ± 4.0% 46% 48% 2% 5%
Rasmussen Reports August 11, 2010 750 ± 4.0% 46% 47% 2% 5%
Rasmussen Reports August 24, 2010 750 ± 4.0% 46% 47% 1% 5%
Rasmussen Reports September 15, 2010 750 ± 4.0% 44% 51% 1% 4%
Public Policy Polling September 18-19, 2010 –– ± 3.8% 41% 52% –– 7%
CNN/Time/Opinion Research September 17-21, 2010 963 ± 3.0% 45% 51% 2% 2%
McClatchy/Marist September 26-28, 2010 806 ± 3.5% 45% 52% 1% 3%
Rasmussen Reports September 29, 2010 750 ± 4.0% 42% 54% 2% 2%
We the People September 29-Oct. 4, 2010 400 ± 5.0% 41% 49% –– ––
We the People/Ispos October 8, 2010 400 ± 5.0% 44% 51% –– ––
Rasmussen Reports October 11, 2010 750 ± 4.0% 45% 52% –– 2%
CNN/Time/Opinion Research October 8-12, 2010 1,506 ± 2.5% 44% 52% 1% ––
St. Norbert College/WPR October 12-15, 2010 402 ± 5.0% 47% 49% –– 4%
Rasmussen Reports October 25, 2010 750 ± 4.0% 46% 53% 0% 1%
We the People October 24-27, 2010 400 ± 5.0% 44% 48% –– 6%
Public Policy Polling October 26-28, 2010 1,372 ± 2.6% 44% 53% –– 3%
Marist College October 26-28, 2010 811 ± 4.5% 45% 52% 1% 2%

Fundraising

Through 12/31/2010

Candidate (Party) Net Receipts Disbursements Beginning Cash Latest Cash On Hand Debt
Russ Feingold (D) $13,947,563 $15,544,093 $2,516,119 $919,585 $0
Ron Johnson (R) $15,509,297 $15,316,651 $0 $192,646 $8,708,465
Source: Federal Election Commission[30]

Results

2010 Fall General election results[31]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Ron Johnson 1,125,999 51.86 +7.75
Democratic Russ Feingold (incumbent) 1,020,958 47.02 -8.33
Constitution Rob Taylor 23,473 1.08 N/A
Write-In Votes 901 0.04 N/A
Majority 105,041 4.84 -6.4
Turnout 2,170,430 100 -26.4
Republican gain from Democratic

References

  1. 1 2 Umhoefer, Dave and Don Walker. "Johnson leads race for GOP Senate bid: 2 lesser-known foes fight for recognition, funds" Milwaukee Journal Sentinel September 4, 2010
  2. 1 2 "GOP’s Ron Johnson announces Senate run while in La Crosse". WKOW. April 15, 2010. Retrieved May 19, 2010.
  3. ↑ Drake, Bruce (January 28, 2010). "Feingold May Be Vulnerable If Thompson Seeks His Wisconsin Senate Seat". Politics Daily. Retrieved January 28, 2010.
  4. ↑ "Leinenkugel abruptly exits - David Catanese". Politico.Com. Retrieved 2010-06-14.
  5. ↑ Giroux, Greg (2010-05-27). "Wisconsin: Wall Confirms Decision To End Senate Bid - The Eye (CQ Politics)". Blogs.cqpolitics.com. Archived from the original on October 29, 2010. Retrieved 2010-06-14.
  6. ↑ "Ex-Gov Thompson Being Pushed To Run For Senate". WTAQ. January 26, 2010. Retrieved January 28, 2010.
  7. ↑ "Thompson tells tea party rally he won't run for U.S. Senate". JS Online. April 15, 2010. Retrieved April 16, 2010.
  8. ↑ "Attack Ad Puts Feingold Foe On Defensive Over Great Lakes Drilling - The Eye (CQ Politics)". Blogs.cqpolitics.com. 2010-07-14. Archived from the original on July 19, 2010. Retrieved 2010-08-21.
  9. ↑ "Ron Johnson". Ronjohnsonforsenate.com. Archived from the original on July 24, 2010. Retrieved 2010-08-21.
  10. ↑ "Club For Growth Puts Muscle Into More Races - The Eye (CQ Politics)". Blogs.cqpolitics.com. 2010-07-14. Retrieved 2010-08-21.
  11. ↑ "Ron Johnson". Ronjohnsonforsenate.com. 2010-07-12. Archived from the original on July 27, 2010. Retrieved 2010-08-21.
  12. ↑ "Endorsed Candidates – 2010 | Republican Liberty Caucus". Rlc.org. Archived from the original on August 13, 2010. Retrieved 2010-08-21.
  13. ↑ Center for Responsive Politics, Aug 25 2010, accessed Oct 1 2010, http://www.opensecrets.org/races/summary.php?id=WIS2&cycle=2010
  14. ↑ The 2010 Results Maps - POLITICO.com
  15. ↑ Rob Taylor for Senate website
  16. ↑ "Real estate developer launches Senate campaign". WQOW. January 20, 2010. Retrieved January 28, 2010.
  17. ↑ https://web.archive.org/20100718092659/http://www2.wnct.com:80/news/2010/jul/14/johnson-quick-to-counterattack-feingold-on-oil-ad-ar-300367/. Archived from the original on July 18, 2010. Retrieved July 15, 2010. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  18. ↑ Washington-based group airs ad attacking Feingold - JSOnline
  19. ↑ PolitiFact Wisconsin | Ron Johnson says there are 57 lawyers, including Russ Feingold, in the U.S. Senate
  20. ↑ |url=http://www.wisn.com/r/25508115/detail.html |date=20120306010005 Wis. Newspapers Unveil Election Endorsements - Milwaukee News Story - WISN Milwaukee Archive copy at the Wayback Machine
  21. ↑ https://web.archive.org/20101028091430/http://www.620wtmj.com:80/news/local/105655088.html. Archived from the original on October 28, 2010. Retrieved October 27, 2010. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  22. ↑ http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/wire/chi-ap-wi-wisconsin-ussenat,0,7967199.story. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  23. ↑ Feingold holds roundtable discussion in Eau Claire - WQOW TV: Eau Claire, WI NEWS18 News, Weather, and Sports
  24. ↑ "Senate". Cook Political Report. Retrieved October 31, 2010.
  25. ↑ "Senate Ratings". Rothenberg Political Report. Retrieved October 31, 2010.
  26. ↑ "Battle for the Senate". RealClearPolitics. Retrieved October 31, 2010.
  27. ↑ "Election 2010: Senate Balance Of Power". Rasmussen Reports. Retrieved October 31, 2010.
  28. ↑ "2010 Senate Ratings". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved October 31, 2010.
  29. ↑ "Race Ratings Chart: Senate". CQ Politics. Retrieved October 31, 2010.
  30. ↑ "Summary Reports Search Results - 2009-2010 Cycle". fec.gov. Retrieved July 9, 2011.
  31. ↑ "2010 Fall General Election" (PDF). State of Wisconsin. 2010-12-01. Retrieved 2015-03-30.

External links

Official campaign websites
This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Friday, April 15, 2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.