2012 United States Senate elections
Template:Future election in the United States
Elections for the United States Senate will be held on November 4 2008, with 34 of the 100 seats in the Senate being contested. Thirty-three seats are regular elections; the winners will serve six-year terms from January 3 2009 until January 3 2015. The one special election is for a seat from Wyoming; the winner will serve the remainder of the term that expires on January 3 2013, part of Senate Class I.
Elections to the United States Senate will be held on November 8, 2012, with 33 of the 100 seats in the Senate being contested. Because Senators are elected for six-year terms, those elected will serve from January 3, 2013 until January 3, 2019. They will join Senate Class I, which traces its roots back to the Senators who served two-year terms from March 4, 1789 until March 3, 1791. Current Class I Senators, who were elected in 2006, will seek re-election or retire in 2012.
The 2012 presidential election will also be held on this date, as well as elections for governors and the House of Representatives, will occur on the same date, as well as many state and local elections.
Composition
The composition of the Senate going into the 2012 election will depend on the results of the 2008 and 2010 elections. Among the Senators up for election in 2012, there will be 23 Democrats, 9 Republicans, and 1 Independent. The Democrats include "Independent Democrat" Joe Lieberman, who ran and won as an independent in 2006 after losing the Connecticut Democratic primary. Lieberman and Independent Bernie Sanders of Vermont both caucus with the Democratic Party.
There may be some additional changes if Senators die or resign. If Senators in other classes die, resign, or retire between 2006 and 2012, there may be additional special elections between the beginning of the 110th Congress (on January 3, 2007), and the 2012 election. The dates between which the death or resignation of a Senator would lead a special election during this time period vary from state to state.
Races
Retiring Senators
None announced yet.
Notes
Deaths
On June 4, 2007, Republican U.S. Senator Craig L. Thomas of Wyoming died. John Barrasso replaced him in the Senate on June 25, 2007. Whoever wins a special election in 2008, is eligible to run in 2012.
Possible retiring Senators
Hillary Clinton of New York
Two term incumbent Senator Hillary Clinton may retire. She is a major candidate for President in 2008, and if wins, would have to resign and Gov. Spitzer would appoint a successor until a special election is held in 2010. If she does win, a potential Democratic candidate is Governor Eliot Spitzer as well as Congressman Jerry Nadler, Congressman Gregory Meeks and Congresswoman Nita Lowey. Republican candidates include Former Governor George Pataki, Former Massachusetts Governor William Weld, and 2006 Governor candidate John Faso.
Dianne Feinstein of California
Dianne Feinstein first won election to the Senate in a special election in 1992. She has not announced if she will seek another term. Republicans could put up several challengers such as Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, actor Bruce Willis Comedian and libertarian activist Dennis Miller, and Republican congressmen such as David Drier, the ranking Republican on the House Rules Committee.
Democrats could turn to Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez, or San Francisco mayor Gavin Newsom if Feinstein seeks retirement.
Daniel Akaka of Hawaii
Daniel Akaka was first appointed to the Senate in 1990 and first elected in 1994. He was reelected by a wide margin in 2006. At 82, he is one of the oldest Senators, sparking speculation that he may retire. Former Congressman Ed Case, who unsuccessful ran against Akaka in the 2006 Senate election, has hinted that he might run for Akaka's seat in 2012, and he has already started fundraising for such a run [1]. Republican Governor Linda Lingle may run for the seat if Akaka retires.
Jon Kyl of Arizona
Jon Kyl was re-elected with 53% of the vote in 2006. He has yet to announce if he will seek a fourth term.
Kay Bailey Hutchison of Texas
Kay Bailey Hutchison was re-elected in 2006 with 62% of the vote.
Hutchison could be on the national ticket in 2008 and thus be Vice President in 2012. She also has not ruled out a run for Governor of Texas in 2010.
Ted Kennedy of Massachusetts
Ted Kennedy was first elected to the Senate in 1962. He was reelected by a wide margin in 2006. As the second-longest-serving Senator, he is occasionally speculated to be planning retirement in 2012. If this was to occur, the most practical Republican candidate would be former governor, 1994 senate candidate, and current presidential prospect Mitt Romney. A probable Democrat would be current governor Deval Patrick, any of the Democratic congressman, or current state senate president Therese Murray.
Robert Byrd of West Virginia
Robert Byrd, the longest serving U.S Senator in history, may retire. Byrd has been serving in the Senate since 1959, and would be running for a ninth term. Byrd will be 95 in 2012, leaving many to speculate he may retire. If he does run for re-election, he is a favorite for a tenth term. If he retires, Republicans could have a chance of taking the seat with U.S. Representative Shelley Moore Capito or State Delegate Jonathan Miller.
Kent Conrad of North Dakota
Kent Conrad, a four term Democratic Senator from North Dakota, may retire. Conrad has been in the Senate since 1986. In 1992, Conrad retired from the Senate, but ran for North Dakota's other Senate seat. He is the only Senator in Senate history to hold both of a state's Senate seats on the same day. Potential Republican candidates are Governor of North Dakota John Hoeven, Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem, Senate Majority Leader Bob Stenehjem, and Lieutenant Governor Jack Dalrymple. Dalrymple in fact ran in 1992 for the Senate against Conrad, but was soundly defeated 63.22% to 33.80%.
Democratic incumbent elections
Joe Lieberman of Connecticut
Joe Lieberman first won election to the Senate in 1988. He sat as a Democrat until 2006, when he was defeated by Ned Lamont in the Democratic primary. He won reelection in 2006 as an independent under the Connecticut for Lieberman party and has since caucused with the Democrats. It is safe to say that he will either run as an independent, as a Republican, or retire in 2012. Republicans could field Governor Jodi Rell or Representative Christopher Shays should Lieberman retire or resign to become homeland security secretary in a presidential administration.
Tom Carper of Delaware
Tom Carper was first elected to the Senate in 2000 and was reelected by a wide margin in 2006.
Bill Nelson of Florida
Bill Nelson was first elected to the Senate in 2000 and was reelected by a wide margin in 2006. Congresswoman Ginny Brown-Waite could be a strong contender for this seat. Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum and Governor Charlie Crist could also run.
If Nelson retires, Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz could run for the seat, as could State Senator Dave Aronberg or Congressman Robert Wexler.
Ben Cardin of Maryland
Ben Cardin was first elected to the Senate in 2006 against Lt. Gov. Michael S. Steele. Steele may run again.
Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota
Amy Klobuchar was first elected to the Senate in 2006 by a wide margin, held by retiring Democratic Senator Mark Dayton. Senator Klobuchar's approval ratings have steadily risen since her electing in November of 2006. Last reported around 64% Her quick response to the I 35W bridge collapse in her home city of Minneapolis, and her travels around the state seem to have kept the senator's numbers up with the citizens of Minnesota
Claire McCaskill of Missouri
Claire McCaskill was first elected to the Senate in 2006 by a narrow margin, defeating then-incumbent Jim Talent.
Jon Tester of Montana
Jon Tester was first elected to the Senate in 2006 by a narrow margin, defeating then-incumbent Conrad Burns in an upset. Tester could face a strong Republican challenge from the U.S. Representative for Montana's At-Large district.
Sherrod Brown of Ohio
Sherrod Brown was first elected to the Senate in 2006 by a wide margin, defeating then-incumbent Mike DeWine.
Bob Casey, Jr. of Pennsylvania
Bob Casey, Jr. was first elected to the Senate in 2006 by a wide margin, defeating then-incumbent Rick Santorum.
Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island
Sheldon Whitehouse was first elected to the Senate in 2006 by a narrow margin, defeating then-incumbent Lincoln Chafee. Republicans have an exceptionally small force in Rhode Island, so Chafee, who has strong name recognition may run again. Also, the current governor could run.
Bernie Sanders of Vermont
Bernie Sanders is an independent Senator who caucuses with the Democrats. He won election to the Senate after Jim Jeffords, also an independent, retired.
Jim Webb of Virginia
Jim Webb was first elected to the Senate in 2006 by a margin of .6 percent, defeating then-incumbent George Allen in the biggest upset of the 2006 election. He could face a tough reelection bid against a well-funded and powerful challenger, but Virginia's changing electorate could harm future GOP chances of retaking this seat.
Republican incumbent elections
Dick Lugar of Indiana
Unopposed by a Democrat in 2006, Dick Lugar easily won re-election with 87% of the vote. He will be 81 years old on Election Day 2012.
Lugar's 2012 re-election website:*Dick Lugar for U.S. Senate
Olympia Snowe of Maine
Widely popular moderate Republican Olympia Snowe was re-elected in 2006 with 73% of the vote, the largest margin of any incumbent in 2006, barring Indiana Senator Dick Lugar.
Trent Lott of Mississippi
Former Senate Majority Leader and currently the Senate Minority Whip, Trent Lott was re-elected in 2006 with a comfortable 64% of the vote.
John Ensign of Nevada
John Ensign was re-elected with 55% of the vote in 2006 against Jack Carter, son of former Democratic President Jimmy Carter.
Bob Corker of Tennessee
Bob Corker narrowly defeated Harold Ford, Jr. in 2006, and has been raising money for reelection since.
Orrin Hatch of Utah
Former Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch was re-elected in 2006 with 62% of the vote, but has been named as a possible replacement for the office of Attorney General if Alberto Gonzales steps down.
John Barrasso of Wyoming
John Barrasso was appointed to the Senate seat with the passing of Craig L. Thomas. There will be a special election in 2008. The winner of that election will face an election in 2012. Barrasso is a strong favorite to win re-election if he is officially elected 2008. There is also the possibility he may face a challenge from another Republican, who may be disgruntled with him being appointed. Among those are Former State Treasurer Cynthia Lummis, Former U.S. Attorney Matt Mead, and Former State House Speaker Randall Luthi. Governor Dave Freudenthal is widely seen as a possible candidate for the U.S. Senate for the Democrats, because of his popularity. Freudenthal appointed Barrasso to the U.S. Senate in 2007. Freudenthal will be term limited in 2010.
Fundraising
Senator Bob Corker (R, TN) set up "the Bob Corker for Senate 2012 committee" on Nov. 8, 2006, one day after winning a six year term. Massie Ritsch, communications director for the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics said that fundraising is almost a full-time job.[1]
Senate contests in 2012
References
- ^ Michael Davis "Corker sets up re-election panel 1 day after win. Action called necessary for 'full-time job' of fundraising." Chattanooga Times/Free Press, Tenn. Knight Ridder Tribune Business News. Washington: Dec 12, 2006. pg. 1. Source type: Wire Feed. ProQuest document ID: 1178614851 Text Word Count 261 Document URL: http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=1178614851&sid=1&Fmt=3&clientId=76566&RQT=309&VName=PQD (subscription)