[AL-GA]  [HI-MD]  [MA-NJ]  [NM-SC]  [SD-WY]                                                                                                                               revised December 28, 2010

Alabama [1, 2]

[Primary June 1; Runoff July 13]. 
Active Registered Voters: 2,586,282.  Ballots Cast: 1,388,934 (53.70%).
Governor: In the race to succeed Gov. Bob Riley (R), state Rep. Robert Bentley (R) defeated Ag. Comm. Ron Sparks (D) by 58.4% to 41.6%.  Republicans  also won the six other statewide offices and the three Supreme Court races.
U.S. Senate: Sen. Richard Shelby (R) easily defeated attorney Willam Barnes (D) in his bid for a fifth term, 65.7% to 34.2%. 
U.S. House: Balance goes from 5R-2D to 6R-1D; three new members elected.  In the 2nd CD (SE corner including Montgomery), freshman Rep. Bobby Bright (D) lost to Montgomery City Councilwoman Martha Roby (R) by 51.5% to 48.5%.  There were two open House seats.  In the 5th CD (northern AL), where party switcher Rep. Parker Griffith (R) lost in the primary, Madison County Commissioner Mo Brooks (R) defeated Steve Raby (D) by 57.9% to 42.1%.  In the 7th CD (western AL), open due to Rep. Artur Davis (D)'s unsuccessful campaign for the gubernatorial nomination, Birmingham attorney Terri Sewell (D) easily defeated Don Chamberlain (R) by 72.5% to 27.5% 
Legislature: Democrats lost control of both chambers of the Legislature, which they had controlled since the 1870s.  All seats were up.  The balance went from 60D-45R in the House and 20D-14R-1I/O in the Senate to 62R-43D and 22R-12D, 1I/O.
Republicans pick up one U.S. House seat and two legislative chambers.

Alaska [1, 2]

[Primary August 24].
Registered Voters: 494,876.  Ballots Cast: 205,231 (41.47%).
Lisa Murkowski became the first candidate to win election to the U.S. Senate as a write-in candidate since Strom Thurmond in 1954.
Governor: Seeking election on his own right, Gov. Sean Parnell (R) defeated former State House Minority Leader Ethan Berkowitz (D) by 58.7% to 38.1% with the remainder going to frequent candidates Don Wright (AIP) and Billy Toien (L).  Parnell ascended to the office when Gov. Palin resigned.  Berkowitz ran for lieutenant governor on the Knowles ticket in 2006 and for U.S. House in 2008.
U.S. Senate:
Having lost the Republican primary to Tea Party backed attorney Joe Miller (R), Sen. Lisa Murkowski announced on Sept. 17 that she was running as a write-in candidate.  On November 2 "write-ins" finished first, and Murkowski appeared to have defeated Miller and Sitka Mayor Scott McAdams (D), as well as David Haase (L) and petition candidates Tim Carter and Ted Gianoutsos.  The initial tally showed "write-ins" at 40.1% to 35.5% for Miller and 23.4% for McAdams; the difference was about 11,000 votes.  The saga continued however.  The Miller campaign said it was "cautiously optimistic," arguing that many write-in votes were likely to be disqualified and pointing to at least 26,000 absentee ballots.  Actual counting of the write-in ballots did not begin until November 10.  On November 9 Miller filed a lawsuit to prevent officials from exercising discretion in counting write-in votes with misspellings or other problems (a "voter intent" standard rather than the standard set out in a strict reading of the letter of the law).  During the count Miller's observers challenged thousands of votes.  The Miller campaign also brought in Floyd Brown as an advisor and on November 11 announced it had set up a voter fraud hotline.  The count of the 103,805 write-in votes showed 92,929 unchallenged votes for Murkowski, another 8,159 for Murkowski challenged and counted, and 2,016 challenged and not counted; Miller's total was 90,740.  On November 17 Murkowski declared victory.  Miller sued to stop the state from certifying the results, and on November 19 the U.S. District Court in Anchorage issued a preliminary injunction, but on December 28 the judge dismissed the suit, clearing the way for Murkowski's win to be certified.
U.S. House: Rep. Don Young (R), who has served in the House since a March 1973 special election, had no trouble defeating state Rep. Harry Crawford (D).
Legislature:
Eleven seats were up in the Senate and all seats were up in the House. The Senate remained split at 10D-10R and in the House the balance went from 22R-18D to 24R-16D. 

Arizona [+]

[Primary August 24].
Registered Voters:
3,146,418.  Ballots Cast: 1,553,832 (49.38%).
S.B. 1070, signed into law by Gov. Jan Brewer (R) in April and challenged by the U.S. Justice Department on July 6, roiled Arizona politics. (1, 2, 3, 4).
Governor: Gov. Jan Brewer (R), who ascended to office when Gov. Napolitano (D) became Secretary of Homeland Security, was seen as likely to be defeated before S.B. 1070.  She defeated Attorney General Terry Goddard (D) by 54.6% to  42.2%, with the rest going to Barry Hess (L) and Larry Gist (G).
U.S. Senate: Sen. John McCain, seeking a fifth term, defeated Tucson City Councilman Rodney Glassman (D) by 58.8% to 34.5% with David F. Nolan (L) at 4.6% and Jerry Joslyn (G) rounding out the field.
U.S. House:
Balance goes from 5D-3R to 5R-3D; three new members elected. The 3rd CD (Phoenix area) was open due to the retirement of Rep. Shadegg (R).  Businessman and attorney Ben Quayle (R) emerged from a contentious primary and defeated businessman and attorney Jon Holburd (D).  Republicans achieved pickups in the 1st CD (a huge chunk of northern and eastern Arizona), where dentist Paul Gosar (R) defeated freshman Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick (D), and the 5th CD (Phoenix area) where former Maricopa County Treasurer David Schweikert (R) defeated second-term Rep. Harry Mitchell (D).  In the 8th (Southeast AZ), Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D) narrowly fended off a challenge from construction project manager Jesse Kelly (R).  In the 7th (Southwest AZ), Rep. Raul Grijalva (D) received a scare from Ruth McClung (R).
Legislature:
All seats were up.  Republicans strengthened control in both chambers; the Senate went from 18R-11D-1v to 21R-9D and the House from 35R-25D to 40R-20D.
More: Arizonans also voted on 10 ballot propositions.

Republicans pick up two U.S. House seats.

Arkansas [+]

[Primary May 18; Runoff June 8].
Registered Voters: 1,638,135.  Ballots Cast: 780,139 (47.62%).
Governor: Gov. Mike Beebe (D) coasted to re-election, defeating businessman Jim Keet (R) by 64.4% to 33.6% and Jim Lendall (G) at 1.9%.
U.S. Senate: Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D) survived a tough primary challenge but was defeated by Rep. John Boozman (R) by 57.8% to 36.9% with votes also going to Trevor Drown (I) and  John Gray (G).
U.S. House: Balance goes from 3D-1R to 3R-1D; three new members elected. There were three open seats.  In the 1st CD, the NE Arkansas seat opened by retirement of Rep.Marion Berry (D), Rick Crawford (R) defeated Chad Causey (D); in the 2nd CD, central Arkansas seat opened by the retirement of Rep. Vic Snyder (D), Tim Griffin (R) defeated Joyce Elliott (D); and in the 3rd CD, the NW Arkansas seat held by Rep. Boozman (R), Steve Womack (R) defeated David Whitaker (D).
Legislature: All House seats and 17 of 35 Senate seats were up.  Democrats maintained control of both chambers of the General Assembly but their margins were trimmed (House went from 72D-28R to 55D-45R and Senate from 27D-8R to 22D-13R).
Republicans pick up U.S. Senate seat and two U.S. House seats.


California [1, 2]

[Primary June 8].
Registered Voters: 17,285,883.
  Ballots Cast: 1,302,324 (59.60% of registered; 43.74% of eligible).
Governor: Campaigning to succeed term-limited Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R), AG, former Oakland Mayor and former Gov. Jerry Brown (D) reclaimed the seat he held from 1975-83, defeating former e-Bay CEO Meg Whitman (R), by a 53.4% to 41.5% margin; four third-party candidates garnered under 2% each.  Whitman spent about $144 million of her money ($178.5 million total).  Democrats also swept the other six state partisan offices, making California on of their few bright spots. 
U.S. Senate: Sen. Barbara Boxer (D) was elected to a fourth term, fending off a strong challenge from former HP CEO Carly Fiorina (R) by 51.8% to 42.8% four third party candidates garnered under 2% each.
U.S. House: Balance stays at 34D, 19R; two new members elected.  The outcome in the 11th CD (East of the Bay Area) remained uncertain for several weeks after Election Day;
Rep. Jerry McNerney (D) ultimate won by about 2,400 votes (48.0% to 46.9%) over attorney David Harmer (R), while David Christiansen (AI) obtained 5.1%.  The 20th CD (Central Valley) also took several weeks; Rep. Jim Costa (D) fended off a strong challenge from Hanford cherry farmer Andy Vidak (R); Vidak had narrowly led on Election Night.  Two House seats were open due to retirements, the 19th CD and the 33rd CD.  In the 19th (52% to 46% for McCain in '08) state Senator Jeff Denham (R) easily kept the seat in GOP hands over Dr. Loraine Goodwin (D); while in the 33rd (87% Obama in '08), Assemblywoman Karen Bass (D) coasted to victory.  Democrats had targeted Rep. Dan Lungren (R) in the 3rd CD, but Dr. Ami Bera (D) fell short at 43.2% to 50.1% for Lungren. Republicans had hopes in the 47th CD, but Van Tran (R) only managed 39.3% to 53.0% for Rep. Loretta Sanchez (D) and 7.7% for an independent. 
Legislature:
20 of 40 Senate seats and all Assembly seats were up.  Democrats kept control of both chambers; the Senate went from 25D-14R-1v to 25D-14R-1 undecided and the House went from 50D-27R-1o-2v to 52D-28R.
More: California voters decided nine ballot measures; (more).  Proposition 19, which would have legalized marijuana, attracted national attention (yes | no)
; voters rejected the measure by a 54.0% to 46.0% marginAt least  Proposition 23, which would have suspended air pollution control laws until the economy improved, was one of the most costly ballot measure contests totalling at least $38.5 million spent for and against; voters rejected the measure by 61.5% to 38.5%
Democrats pick up the governorship.

Colorado

[Primary August 10].
Governor: Gov. Bill Ritter (D) opted not to seek a second term.  Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper (D) defeated former Rep. Tom Tancredo (C), by 51% to 37% while businessman Dan Maes (R) faded to about 11%; also running were Jaimes Brown (L) and unaffiliated candidates Jason R. Clark and Paul Noel Fiorino.
U.S. Senate: In one of the closest Senate races in the country, appointed Sen. Michael Bennet (D) surprised many observers by defeating Weld County district attorney Ken Buck (R) by 48% to 47%; others running included Bob Kinsey (G), Maclyn Stringer (L) as well as Charley Miller (una.), J. Moromisato (una.) and Jason Napolitano (Inr).
U.S. House: Balance goes from 5D-2R to 4R-3D; two new members elected. 
In the 3rd CD (Western Slope), Rep. John Salazar (D) lost to state Rep. Scott Tipton (R)In the 4th CD (the Eastern third of the state), freshman Rep. Betsy Markey (D), who defeated Marilyn Musgrave in 2008, lost to House Minority Whip Cory Gardner (R).  Also interesting was the 7th CD (much of Adams Co. plus Denver environs) where Ed Perlmutter (D) fended off a challenge from Ryan Frazier (R). 
Legislature:
In the General Assembly, all 65 House seats and 19 of 35 Senate seats were up.  Democrats lost their majority in the House, which went from 37D-27R-1I to 33R-32D.  The Senate went from 21D-14R to 20D-15R. 
Republicans pick up two U.S. House seats and one legislative chamber.

Connecticut

[Primary August 10].
Connecticut was a bright spot
in a bleak year for Democrats, as they picked up the governorship for the first time in 20 years, held Dodd's U.S. Senate seat and kept all five U.S. House seats.
Governor: Former Stamford Mayor Dan Malloy (D) narrowly defeated businessman Tom Foley (R); Foley did not concede until November 8 due to concern over irregularities in Bridgeport.  Tom Marsh (IP) was also on the ballot. 
U.S. Senate: Attorney General Richard Blumenthal (D) defeated former World Wrestling Entertainment CEO Linda McMahon (R), Warren Mosler (IP), and John Mertens (CFL).
U.S. House: Balance remains at 5D-0R, although the NRCC noted that, "As recently as 2006, three of Connecticut’s five congressional districts were held by Republicans."  In the 5th CD (Northwest part of the state) second-term Rep. Chris Murphy (D) staved off a challenge from state Sen. Sam Caligiuri (R), and in the 4th CD (Southwest corner of the state), freshman Rep. Jim Himes (D) defeated state Sen. Dan Debicella (R).
Legislature:
All seats in the General Assembly were up.  Democrats maintained sizeable margins in both chamber, although Republicans made gains in the House, which went from 114D-36R-1v  to 100D-51R; the Senate went from 24D-12R to 23D-13R.
Democrats pick up the governorship.

Delaware [+]

[Primary September 14].
U.S. Senate: Rep. Mike Castle (R) was seen as certain to win this seat until he lost to Tea Party-backed marketing and media consultant Christine O'Donnell (R) in the primary.  O'Donnell's win opened the door for New Castle County Executive Chris Coons (D), who won by a 56.6% to 40.0% margin, with Glenn Miller (IP) at 2.7% and Jim Rash (L) at 0.7%.
U.S. House: In the race for the at-large seat held by Castle since 1992, former Lt. Gov
John Carney (D) defeated Tea Party-backed real estate developer Glen Urquhart (R) by 56.8% to 41.0%.
Legislature: In the General Assembly,
10 of 21 Senate seats and all 41 House seats were up. Democrats kept control of both chambers; the Senate went from 15D-6R to 14D-7R and the House went from 24D-17R to 26D-15R.
Democrats pick up one U.S. House seat.


Florida [1, 2]

[Primary August 24].
Registered Voters: 11,217,384.  Ballots Cast: 5,457,546.
2010 turned out to be a banner year for Republicans in Florida despite a
spending scandal at the state Republican party and a divisive gubernatorial primary.
Governor: Health care entrepreneur Rick Scott (R) defeated CFO Alex Sink (D) by 48.87% to 47.71% or about 62,000 votes out of 5,357,813 cast; five other candidates were on the ballot.  This was a particularly cutting loss for Democrats; Scott had survived a divisive primary and was seen as vulnerable on ethics, but he spent more than $70 million of his own money to carry the race.
U.S. Senate: Former House Speaker Marco Rubio (R), a national star for conservatives, won with 48.90% to 29.71% for Gov. Charlie Crist (I) and 20.19% for Rep. Kendrick Meek (D); rounding out the field were Bernie DeCastro (C), Alex Snitker (L) and a number of other Independents.  This race had a number of dramatic angles.  First, there was Gov. Crist's decision to run as an Independent, and then in the latter part of October former President Bill Clinton tried to persuade Meek to back Crist. 
U.S. House:
Balance goes from 15R-10D to 19R-6D; Florida will be sending eight new members to Congress.  Republicans won every competitive seat, defeating four incumbents. 
   2: Rep. Alan Boyd (D) lost to funeral home director Steve Southerland (R) by 41.3% to 53.6% 
(McCain 54%-45%).
   8: Rep. Alan Grayson (D) lost to former Sen. Majority Leader Daniel Webster (R) by 38.2% to 56.1%  (Obama 53-47%).
 22: Rep. Ron Klein (D) lost to veteran Alan West (R) by 45.7% to 54.3%  (Obama 52%-48%).
 24. Rep. Suzanne Kosmas (D) lost to state Rep. Sandy Adams (R) by 40.3% to 59.7%  (McCain 51%-49%).

All five open U.S. House seats remained in the same party:
   5: Rep. Brown-Waite (R) retiring. Hernando County Sheriff Rich Nugent (R) defeated consultant Jim Piccillo (D)
 12: Rep. Putnam (R) for Ag.Comm.. former state Rep. Dennis Ross (R) defeated Sup. of Elections Lori Edwards (D).
 17: Rep. Meek (D) for Gov.. state Sen. Frederica Wilson (D) defeated Roderick Vereen (I); this was one of just a handful of districts where Republicans did not field a candidate (87%-12% for Obama).
 21: Rep. L. Diaz-Balart (R) retiring.
Rep. M.Diaz-Balart (R) moved over from the 25th and faced no opponent.
 
25: formerly held by Rep. M.Diaz-Balart (R). state Rep. David Rivera (R) defeated '08 nominee Joe Garcia (D).
Legislature: All 120 House seats and 20 of 40 Senate seats were up; Republicans added to already sizable margins in both chambers, going from 26R-14D  28R-12D in the in the Senate and 76R-43D-1v to 81R-39D in the House.
More: Floridians also voted on six Amendments and a non-binding Referendum.
Republicans pick up four U.S. House seats.

Georgia [+]

[Primary July 20; Runoff August 10].
Governor: Former Rep. Nathan Deal (R), winner of the August 10 runoff, defeated former Gov. Roy Barnes (D) [elected in 1998; defeated in re-election bid] by 53.0% to 42.9% and 4.0% for John Monds (L).
U.S. Senate: Sen. Johnny Isakson (R) easily won re-election, defeating Labor Comm. Mike Thurmond (D) by 58.3% to 39.0% and 2.7% for Chuck Donovan (L).
U.S. House:
Balance goes from 7R-6D to 8R-5D; two new members elected.  In the 8th CD (central GA), which went 56%-43% for McCain, Rep. Jim Marshall (D) lost to state Rep. Austin Scott (R) by 52.7% to 47.3%.  In the 2nd CD (southwest GA), Rep. Sanford Bishop (D) received a scare from state Rep. Mike Keown (R), 51.4% to 48.6%.  In the 7th CD (east of Atlanta), opened by Rep. John Linder (R)'s retirement, Linder's chief of staff Rob Woodall (R) defeated Doug Heckman (D) by 67.1% to 32.9% (the district went 60%-39% for McCain in 2008).
Legislature: Republicans kept control both chambers of the General Assembly by comfortable margins; the Senate went from 34R-22D to 35R-21D and the House from 105R-74D-1v to 108R-71D-1I/o.
Republicans pick up one U.S. House seat.

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