View source for 2010 United States Senate elections

{{future election in the United States}}
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[[Image:2010 Senate election map.PNG|thumb|320px|''' Senate Seats up for election:'''<br>{{legend|#d53034|Republican incumbent}}{{legend|#f99|Retiring Republican}}{{legend|#3072af|Democratic incumbent}}<!--{{legend|#39f|Retiring Democrat}}-->{{legend|#d5d3d5|No election}}]]

'''Elections to the [[United States Senate]]''' will be held on [[November 2]], [[2010]], with 34 of the 100 seats in the Senate being contested. Since Senators are elected for six-year terms, those elected will serve from [[January 3]], [[2011]] until [[January 3]], [[2017]]. They will join [[Classes of United States Senators#Class III|Senate Class III]], which traces its roots back to the Senators who served full six-year terms from [[March 4]], [[1789]] until [[March 3]], [[1795]].  Current Class III Senators, who were [[United States Senate elections, 2004|elected in 2004]], will seek re-election or retire in 2010. The [[United States House elections, 2010|House elections]] will occur on the same date, as well as some state and local elections.

The composition of the Senate going into the 2010 election will depend on the results of the 2008 elections. Of the seats up for election, 19 are held by Republicans and 15 by Democrats.

There may be some additional changes of incumbent to the list below if Senators die or resign. If Senators in other classes die or resign in 2009 or 2010, there may be additional special elections in 2010.

==Overview of races==
=== Retiring Senators ===

====Sam Brownback (R) of Kansas====
{{main|Kansas United States Senate election, 2010}}
Elected in 1996 to the Senate seat once held by [[Bob Dole]] and running for his party's presidential nomination in 2008, incumbent conservative Republican [[Sam Brownback]] has stated he will not run in 2010 because of self-imposed term limits.<ref>{{cite news |first=Robert |last=Behre |title=For GOP, Upstate's the prize |url=http://www.charleston.net/assets/webPages/departmental/news/Stories.aspx?section=localnews&tableId=132318&pubDate=2/27/2007 |work=[[The Post and Courier]] |date=2007-02-27 |accessdate=2007-03-06}}</ref> [[Kansas]] is one of the most Republican states in the nation, as no Democrat has been elected to serve the Sunflower State since 1932. Possible successors to Brownback include Republican congressman [[Jerry Moran]] and Democratic Governor [[Kathleen Sebelius]].

===Possible retiring Senators===
====Bob Bennett (R) of Utah====
{{main|Utah United States Senate election, 2010}}
Former entrepreneur-turned-Republican Senator [[Robert Foster Bennett|Bob Bennett]] may retire. He will have served three terms in the Senate and will be 77 in 2010. [[Utah]] has not elected a Democrat to the Senate since 1970, when [[Frank Moss (politician)|Frank Moss]] won his third term; he was succeeded in 1976 by Republican [[Orrin Hatch]], who continues to hold what is the state's other Senate seat (Bennett is a Class III Senator; Hatch is a Class I Senator).

However, there are still a handful of popular Democrats who could be strong contenders, especially Congressman [[Jim Matheson]], whose popularity in a strongly Republican district and experience with difficult campaigns would make him the strongest possible Democratic candidate in the state.  Another possibility would be former Attorney General Jan Graham. Matheson's congressional colleagues, [[Rob Bishop]] and [[Chris Cannon]], would be strong contenders for the Republican nomination should Bennett step down. Given the strong Mormon presence in Utah (it has an all-Mormon congressional delegation), it is widely expected that Bennett's successor, regardless of party affiliation, will likewise be Mormon.

====Kit Bond (R) of Missouri====
{{main|Missouri United States Senate election, 2010}}
Four-term Republican [[Kit Bond]] may retire. Bond, who will be 71 in 2010, has usually attracted a Democratic challenger holding statewide office, as was the case in 2004 with then-State Treasurer [[Nancy Farmer (politician)|Nancy Farmer]]. [[Missouri]] is a swing state that re-elected Bond and gave its electoral votes to [[George W. Bush]] in 2000 and '04, but  Democrat [[Claire McCaskill]] won Missouri's other Senate seat in 2006 in a close victory over incumbent [[Jim Talent]].

State Attorney General [[Jay Nixon]], who has won re-election to his position several times despite being a Democrat in what had been a Republican-trending state before McCaskill's successful Senate bid, would be a frontrunner for the Democrats if he loses his 2008 bid for the Governor's Mansion against unpopular Republican incumbent [[Matt Blunt]].

Former Governor [[Roger Wilson]] recently stepped down as Chairman of the state Democratic Party, fueling speculation that he may run for Bond's seat. Other Democratic possibilities include Secretary of State [[Robin Carnahan]], Rep [[Russ Carnahan]], and [[St. Louis Cardinals]] manager [[Tony La Russa]].

If Bond retires, Talent would be a strong contender.

====Jim Bunning (R) of Kentucky====
{{main|Kentucky United States Senate election, 2010}}
[[Kentucky]] Republican and [[Baseball Hall of Fame]]r [[Jim Bunning]] is one of the most unpopular Senators in the country and is expected to face a difficult re-election or retire from Congress instead. Bunning will be 79 in 2010, and has become notorious for his erratic behavior, including using a [[teleprompter]] in a television debate during his 2004 race against his lesser-known opponent, [[Daniel Mongiardo]], among other major gaffes, which led to Bunning's near-defeat.

The most popular elected Democrat in Kentucky is [[U.S. Representative|Rep]] and former Kentucky Attorney General [[Ben Chandler]], who would be a formidable candidate should he challenge Bunning. The main reasons for this is that Chandler is highly popular in his strongly Republican district, has very high name recognition (due to the fact that he hails from the Chandler political dynasty and his multiple statewide campaigns) and his previous statewide victories (though he was defeated in a race for Governor in 2003). Other contenders for the Democrats include popular former Governor  [[Brereton Jones]], State Auditor [[Crit Luallen]], and Louisville Mayor [[Jerry Abramson]], and Mongiardo who is a 2007 candidate for Lt. Governor.

====Christopher Dodd (D) of Connecticut====
{{main|Connecticut United States Senate election, 2010}}
First elected in 1980, [[Christopher Dodd]], the longest-serving U.S. Senator in [[Connecticut]] history, announced in a letter to the [[FEC]] on January 17, 2007 that he is no longer a candidate for re-election to the U.S. Senate in 2010.<ref>{{cite news |title=Sen. Dodd Not To Run for Re-Election In 2010, Uses PAC to Buy NH and IA Voter Files |url=http://www.cqpolitics.com/2007/01/sen_dodd_not_to_run_for_reelec.html |publisher=CQPolitics.com |date=2007-02-19 |accessdate=2007-03-06}}</ref>
However, this is just a technicality in order to transfer funds to his presidential campaign, the declaration could be reversed at any time, and a Dodd spokesman said "It's a legality that isn't an indication of future plans." A strong challenge to Dodd would be Republican Governor [[Jodi Rell]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Dodd: About His "Retirement" Announcement |url=http://hotlineblog.nationaljournal.com/archives/2007/01/dodd_about_his.html |work=The Hotline |publisher=National Journal |date=2007-02-20 |accessdate=2007-03-07}}</ref>  Potential Democratic successors to Dodd are Rep. [[John Larson]] and Rep. [[Rosa DeLauro]], though Larson may be reluctant to give up his position as Vice Chair of the Democratic Caucus, the fifth ranking leadership position in the House. Other Democratic possibilities include state Attorney General [[Richard Blumenthal]] and Rep. [[Chris Murphy (politician)|Chris Murphy]].

====Chuck Grassley (R) of Iowa====
{{main|Iowa United States Senate election, 2010}}
Longtime Republican senator [[Chuck Grassley]] was the chair of the Senate Finance Committee until Democrats won control of the Senate in 2006. Grassley, who will be 77 in 2010 and is one of the most powerful members of the Senate, may retire from Congress, having served five terms as a Senator. [[Iowa]] is known to be a traditional populist state when it comes to its politics, with issues such as the economy, health care and education considered very important among its constituents. Thus, if Grassley retires, his potential successors are expected to be of a populist nature, whether the candidate is a Republican or a Democrat.  

Former Governor [[Tom Vilsack]], who recently dropped out of the 2008 presidential race, would be a strong contender for the Democrats.

====Daniel Inouye (D) of Hawaii====
{{main|Hawaii United States Senate election, 2010}}
Veteran Democrat [[Daniel Inouye]] will be 86 in 2010 and will have served eight terms in the Senate and compiled a career in Washington spanning over two generations from [[Hawaii]]'s first years of statehood to the present day. Even were Inouye to retire, the seat would favor the Democrats, who have traditionally dominated the Hawaii delegation; Hawaii last elected a Republican Senator in 1970, and its delegation currently consists entirely of Democrats.

Republican Governor [[Linda Lingle]] may run for the seat if Inouye retires. Representatives [[Mazie Hirono]] and [[Neil Abercrombie]] would both be potential Democratic candidates.

====Johnny Isakson (R) of Georgia====
{{main|Georgia United States Senate election, 2010}}
There is some speculation that freshman [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] senator [[Johnny Isakson]] may run for [[Governor of Georgia]] to succeed popular Republican [[Sonny Perdue]], who is term-limited. Isakson is a popular senator whose first bid for the Senate (in 1996 to succeed retiring Democrat [[Sam Nunn]]) ended with a defeat in the Republican primary after Isakson listed himself as the pro-choice primary candidate, which is considered taboo as [[Georgia (U.S. State)|Georgia]] Republicans are overwhelmingly pro-life.

If Isakson does run for Governor, large numbers of candidates from both parties would line up for his seat.  Though Republicans have recently done very well and the Democratic Party is in a state of somewhat disarray, the race is expected to be competitive as Democrats still constitute a significant enough minority in the state.

For Republicans, potential candidates if Isakson runs for Governor include businessman [[Herman Cain]], who finished second to Isakson in the Republican primary for the Senate in 2004, and fellow Congressman [[Tom Price (US politician)|Tom Price]], who holds the same congressional seat that was held by Isakson before he became a Senator (the same congressional seat was also held by [[Newt Gingrich]]).  Sophomore Republican [[Lynn Westmoreland]], who is also rumored to be considering a gubernatorial bid, might also run. The biggest name on the GOP side would be popular Governor [[Sonny Perdue]], who is rumored to be interested in the seat; Perdue will be term-limited and prevented from seeking reelection in 2010. 

Democratic possibilities include Congressmen [[Jim Marshall (U.S. politician)|Jim Marshall]] and [[John Barrow (U.S. politician)|John Barrow]], both of whom represent vulnerable districts and thus likely to consider higher office in hopes of coming out as more appealing to voters. Other possibilities are Attorney General [[Thurbert Baker]], former Governor [[Roy Barnes]] and attorney [[Jim Butler]].

====Patrick Leahy (D) of Vermont====
{{main|Vermont United States Senate election, 2010}}
Six-term [[Vermont]] Senator [[Patrick Leahy]] may retire from the Senate; he will be 70 in 2010. However, as Leahy is now the Chairman of the powerful [[Senate Judiciary Committee]], such a move would be unlikely as Democrats now control the Senate and Republicans control a majority of seats up for election in 2008 and 2010, which could result in larger Democratic Senate majorities that would discourage Leahy from retiring.  Former governor and 2004 presidential candidate and current DNC Chairman [[Howard Dean]] may seek the seat should Leahy retire, as might Representative [[Peter Welch]], a Democrat, and Governor [[Jim Douglas]], a Republican.

====John McCain (R) of Arizona====
{{main|Arizona United States Senate election, 2010}}

Currently a leading candidate for the Republican nomination for president in the [[United States presidential election, 2008|2008 presidential election]], Sen. [[John McCain]]'s seat would become open early should he win his party's nomination and be elected president. McCain will be 74 in 2010 and has previously struggled with cancer. It is likely that 2008 will be his last chance to become president. Should he fail to do so, he may choose to retire from politics at the end of his current Senate term. Possible Democratic contenders for McCain's open seat include Arizona governor [[Janet Napolitano]], and 8th District Congresswoman [[Gabrielle Giffords]]. It is possible that wealthy real estate developer [[Jim Pederson]], who unsuccessfully challenged Sen. [[Jon Kyl]] in 2006, may also be interested.

====Barbara Mikulski (D) of Maryland====
{{main|Maryland United States Senate election, 2010}}
The dean of women in the United States Senate, Democrat [[Barbara Mikulski]] may retire. The 70-year-old Mikulski has often been elected by large margins, which is no surprise given [[Maryland]]'s traditional Democratic politics. An open seat will open the doors for Democrats, as well as Republicans, to run for this seat. Former Governor [[Robert  Ehrlich]], former Lieutenant Governor [[Michael Steele]], who ran a strong Senate candidacy in 2006,and 2004 challenger, [[E.J. Pipkin]],  would be among the GOP's candidates, while Democratic Reps. [[John Sarbanes]], [[Dutch Ruppersberger]], [[Al Wynn]] and [[Chris Van Hollen]], former congressman and NAACP president [[Kweisi Mfume]] and Lt. Gov. [[Anthony G. Brown]] would be some of the Democratic candidates for the seat.

====Barack Obama (D) of Illinois====
{{main|Illinois United States Senate election, 2010}}
One-term Senator [[Barack Obama]] has emerged as a potential presidential candidate in 2008. If he becomes President or Vice President, his seat will become open and thus result in an all-out primary for both parties. Though [[Illinois]] is considered a Democratic stronghold state, Republicans still have some potential candidates, including Rep. [[Mark Kirk]]. Potential Democratic candidates include Attorney General [[Lisa Madigan]], Rep. [[Jesse Jackson Jr.]]  and [[Rahm Emanuel]], State Treasurer [[Alexi Giannoulias]], and Lieutenant Governor [[Pat Quinn]]. 

If Obama runs, he will most likely be easily reelected.

====Richard Shelby (R) of Alabama==== 
{{main|Alabama United States Senate election, 2010}}
[[Richard Shelby]], a former Democrat who switched parties in 1994 when Republicans took control of both the House and Senate, may retire. He will be 76 in 2010. Though [[Alabama]] is a solidly Republican state in presidential elections, Democrats control majorities in the [[Alabama Legislature]] and have some high-profile officeholders that would be strong candidates for Shelby's seat should it come up, as it is unlikely any of them will challenge for the seat if Shelby decides to run for a fifth term. However, Congressman [[Artur Davis]], who represents Alabama's 7th Congressional District, is openly considering running against Shelby. He may opt to run in Alabama's open gubernatorial race, as Gov. [[Bob Riley]] is term limited.

====George Voinovich (R) of Ohio====
{{main|Ohio United States Senate election, 2010}}
Moderate Republican and former Cleveland mayor [[George Voinovich]] may retire. He will be 74 in 2010 and his party is currently struggling to rebuild its image following the infamous [[Coingate]] scandal and the fallout from the unpopularity of former [[Ohio]] Governor [[Bob Taft]]. Even though the scandals will be behind the GOP's backs in 2010, its impact could still be felt well into that year.  Possible Democrats who might run include State Treasurer [[Richard Cordray]], former Congressional candidate [[Paul Hackett]], Governor [[Ted Strickland]] and Representatives [[Tim Ryan]], [[Dennis Kucinich]], [[Betty Sutton]] and [[Zack Space]], although Strickland will be 69 years old in 2010.  Should Voinovich retire, possible Republican candidates include former Congressmen [[John Kasich]] and [[Rob Portman]].

===Democratic Incumbent Races===
====Blanche Lincoln (D) of Arkansas====
{{main|Arkansas United States Senate election, 2010}}
Incumbent Senator [[Blanche Lincoln]] was reelected with 56% of the vote in 2004, a year when President [[George W. Bush]]  carried the state easily in a landslide and GOP candidates nationwide won in what was termed as a GOP year. Lincoln is extremely popular in [[Arkansas]] and is very well-known. Former Gov. [[Mike Huckabee]], who is a 2008 Presidential candidate, may run, since he remains a relatively well-liked figure. Regardless of Huckabee's position, Arkansas has elected only one Republican Senator since [[Reconstruction]], who was defeated in a GOP landslide year of 2002.

====Barbara Boxer (D) of California====
{{main|California United States Senate election, 2010}}
The Chairwoman of the [[U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works|Environment and Public Works Committee]], [[California]] Democrat [[Barbara Boxer]] announced on [[February 19]], 2007, that she will seek a fourth term in 2010.<ref>{{cite news |author=Associated Press |url=http://www.newsmax.com/archives/ic/2007/2/20/123257.shtml?s=po |title=Barbara Boxer Running for Re-election in 2010 |date=2007-02-20 |accessdate=2007-02-21 |publisher=NewsMax.com}}</ref>. Boxer will turn 70 one week after election night in 2010. She  is one of the most progressive and liberal members of the U.S. Senate, and is the first Democratic senator to officially announce plans for the 2010 race. It is unlikely that she will face any major opposition in the Democratic primary. 

Republican Governor [[Arnold Schwarzenegger]] may seek the seat, as he would be ineligible to run again in the Gubernatorial race due to term limits. [[David Dreier]], the ranking member of the [[U.S. House Rules Committee|House Rules Committee]], could also seek the seat for Republicans, as would Rep. [[Darrell Issa]]. However, most members of the California GOP House delegation are regarded as too conservative for the state as a whole. 

It remains to be seen if conservative State Senator [[Tom McClintock]] will consider a run for the seat, as he is experienced in statewide contests (including a third-place finish in the 2003 California gubernatorial recall election), though his status is unclear.

====Ken Salazar (D) of Colorado====
{{main|Colorado United States Senate election, 2010}}
[[Ken Salazar]] narrowly defeated [[Pete Coors]] in 2004. [[Colorado]] has experienced a shift in politics, with the Democratic Party making significant gains throughout the state in 2006.  There has been talk by activists on the left on launching a primary challenge to the centrist Salazar. Former Gov. [[Bill Owens]], who won't run in '08 for the Senate, may run this time around, as might retired football quarterback [[John Elway]], who hinted at a future run for office despite choosing not to run in 2008.

==== Evan Bayh (D) of Indiana ====
{{main|Indiana United States Senate election, 2010}}
[[Evan Bayh]], a former two-term Governor of Indiana and now in his second Senate term, was originally considering running for President in 2008, and but quickly pulled out in December 2006.  He has not yet indicated whether he will seek a third term in 2010, but he is very popular and won re-election with 62% of the vote in 2004.

==== Ron Wyden (D) of Oregon ====
{{main|Oregon United States Senate election, 2010}}
[[Ron Wyden]] is expected to win re-election easily in Oregon, unless [[Ron Saxton]] who almost unseated Governor [[Ted Kulongoski]] in 2006 runs. However, Saxton lost by eight points to an unpopular Governor, and Wyden would most likely defeat him in a landslide.

==== Patty Murray (D) of Washington ====
{{main|Washington United States Senate election, 2010}}
[[Patty Murray]] defeated Rep. [[George Nethercutt]] by 10 percent in 2004. She may face a credible challenge in 2010, such as Nethercutt's successor, [[Cathy McMorris Rodgers]] ([[Washington's 5th congressional district|WA-5]]). Still, no Washington Senator has come from the eastern part of the state since 1916. Other Republican candidates may include Rep. [[Dave Reichert]] ([[Washington's 8th congressional district|WA-8]]), who has been able to win in a Democratic-leaning district in the suburbs of Seattle, or [[Washington Attorney General]] [[Rob McKenna]].

====Russ Feingold (D) of Wisconsin====
{{main|Wisconsin United States Senate election, 2010}}
In 2004, Russ Feingold won a double-digit victory, outperforming the Democratic nominee for President substantially.

===Republican Incumbent Races===
====Lisa Murkowski (R) of Alaska====
{{main|Alaska United States Senate election, 2010}}
[[Lisa Murkowski]] narrowly defeated former Governor [[Tony Knowles]] in 2004, but a lack of strong Democratic challengers make for an easier race in 2010, considering the fact that Alaska is heavily Republican, and that the really only strong Democrat in the state, [[Tony Knowles (politician)|Tony Knowles]], has been defeated two elections in a row.

====Mel Martinez (R) of Florida====
{{main|Florida United States Senate election, 2010}}

Republican [[Mel Martinez]] was elected in a very close contest against Democrat [[Betty Castor]] in 2004. Martinez, a former [[Secretary of Housing and Urban Development]] in the [[Bush administration]] and general chairman of the [[Republican National Committee]] for the 2007–2008 election cycle, may be vulnerable in 2010 to a strong challenger. 

Potential Democratic challengers include U.S. Rep. [[Kathy Castor]] ([[Florida's 11th congressional district|FL-11]]), the daughter of Martinez's 2004 opponent, [[Chief Financial Officer of Florida]] [[Alex Sink]], unsuccessful [[Florida gubernatorial election, 2006|2006 gubernatorial candidate]] and former Rep. [[Jim Davis (politician)|Jim Davis]] ([[Florida's 11th congressional district|FL-11]]), and Reps. [[Allen Boyd]] ([[Florida's 2nd congressional district|FL-2]]), [[Kendrick Meek]] ([[Florida's 17th congressional district|FL-17]]), [[Debbie Wasserman Schultz]] ([[Florida's 20th congressional district|FL-20]]), and [[Robert Wexler]] ([[Florida's 19th congressional district|FL-19]]). Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio is said to be very interested in running and is touting Jim Davis as a candidate for Mayor of Tampa in order to steer him away from the Senate race.

Another intriguing possibility is Rep. [[Tim Mahoney]] ([[Florida's 16th congressional district|FL-16]]). If Mahoney is reelected in the [[United States House elections, 2008|2008 House election]], he will have proved his ability to win in a strongly Republican House district, which would make him a strong potential candidate in a statewide run, probably the strongest after Sink.

====Mike Crapo (R) of Idaho==== 
{{main|Idaho United States Senate election, 2010}}
Crapo faced only token write-in opposition in 2004 after Idaho Democrats failed to produce a candidate before the filing deadline. The [[Idaho Falls, Idaho|Idaho Falls]] attorney, who will be 59 in 2010, is unlikely to face serious opposition from either party should he run for a third term.

====David Vitter (R) of Lousiana====
{{main|Louisiana United States Senate election, 2010}}
[[David Vitter]], Republican of Louisiana, was elected to the US Senate in 2004 over Democrat [[Chris John]] due to Lousiana's strengthening Republican nature in federal elections. Vitter is unlikely to face a difficult challenge, though Rep. [[Charlie Melancon]] ([[Louisiana's 3rd congressional district|LA-3]]) could give him a race.

====Judd Gregg (R) of New Hampshire====
{{main|New Hampshire United States Senate election, 2010}}
Former Governor and incumbent Senator [[Judd Gregg]] remains popular amongst voters in New Hampshire. However, New Hampshire has been the site of Democratic gains in 2006, who now control both legislative chambers in the state for the first time since 1911, as well as electing Democrats to the state's only two Congressional districts. Governor [[John Lynch]] was reelected with 74% of the vote in 2006, and thus would likely be a strong challenger for Gregg, should he choose to run.

====Richard Burr (R) of North Carolina====
{{main|North Carolina United States Senate election, 2010}}
[[Richard Burr]] was elected in 2004 with 52% of the vote over former White House Chief of Staff [[Erskine Bowles]].  Since then, he has consistently registered low approval ratings in his home state, which was carried with 56% of the vote by George W. Bush in 2000 and 2004.  However, Democrats dominate state-level elections, controlling the Governorship. a majority of the U.S. House delegation, and both houses of the state legislature.  There are many Democrats in North Carolina who could pose a strong challenge to Burr.  They include Governor [[Mike Easley]], state Attorney General [[Roy Cooper]], Congressman and former NFL quarterback [[Heath Shuler]], congressional candidate [[Larry Kissell]](who would become an even more viable candidate should he be elected to Congress in 2008), Secretary of State [[Elaine Marshall]], Congressman [[Mike McIntyre]] and state Senator [[Kay Hagan]].

====Tom Coburn (R) of Oklahoma====
{{main|Oklahoma United States Senate election, 2010}}
[[Tom Coburn]] was elected in 2004 with 53% of the vote.  He may face a strong challenge in 2010.  The Democrats have several strong candidates to challenge in Oklahoma, including Governor [[Brad Henry]], Congressman [[Dan Boren]], and state Attorney General [[Drew Edmondson]].

====Arlen Specter (R) of Pennsylvania====
{{main|Pennsylvania United States Senate election, 2010}}
Longtime moderate Republican [[Arlen Specter]] announced on March 19, 2007 that he will seek a sixth term in 2010. Specter expects to start off his campaign on April 4, 2007, with a big fundraiser in [[Harrisburg]], [[Pennsylvania]]. The five-term [[Pennsylvania]]n will be 80 in 2010 and, following the 2006 elections, lost his chairmanship of the powerful [[Senate Judiciary Committee]]. In 2005, Specter underwent chemotherapy for [[Hodgkin's lymphoma]], one year after coming off a hotly contested race pitting Specter against Reps. [[Pat Toomey]] (R) and [[Joe Hoeffel]] (D) in the primary and general election, respectively.

There is a slight possibility that Specter will face an internal challenge, but no substantive news have been made. He defeated his opponent, Joe Hoeffel, 53%-42% in the general election in 2004. Representative [[Allyson Schwartz]] might run; she has been noted for raising vasts amount of money in short time periods.

Governor [[Ed Rendell]] had ruled out a run when he announced that his re-election campaign in 2006 would be the last one of his career.

====Jim DeMint (R) of South Carolina====
{{main|South Carolina United States Senate election, 2010}}
[[Jim DeMint]] was elected in 2004 with 54 percent of the vote, defeating Democrat [[Inez Tennenbaum]].  In 2010 he is unlikely to face a serious challenge, as there are only one or two Democrats left in South Carolina who could give him a race.  These would be State Education Superintendent [[Jim Rex]], the only Democrat who currently holds statewide elected office in the Palmetto State, and Joe Erwin, the wealthy and charismatic state [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]] chairman.

====John Thune (R) of South Dakota====
{{main|South Dakota United States Senate election, 2010}}
[[John Thune]] barely defeated Senate Minority Leader [[Tom Daschle]] in 2004, and he may face a strong challenge in 2010.  However, this would likely only come to pass if Congresswoman [[Stephanie Herseth Sandlin]] is his opponent.

==Senate contests in 2010==
{| class=wikitable
! State
! Incumbent
! Party
! Status
! Opposing candidates
! 2004 Election Results<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fec.gov/pubrec/fe2004/2004congresults.pdf |title=2004 Official Election Results for United States Senate |accessdate=2007-02-19 |format=PDF |publisher=Federal Election Commission }}</ref>
|- 
| [[Alabama]]
| [[Richard Shelby]]
| Republican
|
|
| '''Richard Shelby ([[United States Republican Party|R]]) 68%'''; [[Wayne Sowell]] ([[United States Democratic Party|D]]) 32%
|-
| [[Alaska]]
| [[Lisa Murkowski]]
| Republican
|
|
| '''Lisa Murkowski ([[United States Republican Party|R]]) 49%'''; [[Tony Knowles (politician)|Tony Knowles]] ([[United States Democratic Party|D]]) 46%; Other 5%
|-
| [[Arizona]]
| [[John McCain]]
| Republican
|
| 
| '''John McCain ([[United States Republican Party|R]]) 77%'''; Stuart Starky ([[United States Democratic Party|D]]) 21%; Other 3%
|-
| [[Arkansas]]
| [[Blanche Lincoln]]
| Democrat
| 
|
| '''Blanche Lincoln ([[United States Democratic Party|D]]) 56%'''; [[Jim Holt]] ([[United States Republican Party|R]]) 44%
|-
| [[California]] 
| [[Barbara Boxer]]
| Democrat
| Running for re-election
|
| '''Barbara Boxer ([[United States Democratic Party|D]]) 58%'''; [[Bill Jones]] ([[United States Republican Party|R]]) 38%; Other 4%
|-
| [[Colorado]] 
| [[Ken Salazar]] 
| Democrat 
| Running for re-election
| 
| '''Ken Salazar ([[United States Democratic Party|D]]) 51%'''; [[Pete Coors]] ([[United States Republican Party|R]]) 47%; Other 2%
|-
| [[Connecticut]] 
| [[Chris Dodd]] 
| Democrat 
| 
| 
| '''Chris Dodd ([[United States Democratic Party|D]]) 66%'''; [[Jack Orchulli]] ([[United States Republican Party|R]]) 32%; Other 2%
|-
| [[Florida]] 
| [[Mel Martinez]]
| Republican 

|                                                              

   

|-
| [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]] 
| [[Johnny Isakson]] 
| Republican 
| 
|
| '''Johnny Isakson ([[United States Republican Party|R]]) 58%'''; [[Denise Majette]] ([[United States Democratic Party|D]]) 40%; Other 2%
|-
| [[Hawaii]] 
| [[Daniel Inouye]] 
| Democrat 
| 
|
| '''Daniel Inouye ([[United States Democratic Party|D]]) 76%'''; [[Campbell Cavasso]] ([[United States Republican Party|R]]) 21%; Other 3%
|-
| [[Idaho]] 
| [[Mike Crapo]] 
| Republican 
|  
| 
| '''Mike Crapo ([[United States Republican Party|R]]) 99%'''; Other 1%
|-
| [[Illinois]] 
| [[Barack Obama]] 
| Democrat 
|  
| 
| '''Barack Obama ([[United States Democratic Party|D]]) 70%'''; [[Alan Keyes]] ([[United States Republican Party|R]]) 27%; Other 3%
|-
| [[Indiana]] 
| [[Evan Bayh]] 
| Democrat 
|  
|
| '''Evan Bayh ([[United States Democratic Party|D]]) 62%'''; [[Marvin Scott]] ([[United States Republican Party|R]]) 37%; Other 1%
|-
| [[Iowa]] 
| [[Chuck Grassley]] 
| Republican 
| 
| 
| '''Chuck Grassley ([[United States Republican Party|R]]) 70%''' Arthur Small 28%; Other 2%
|-
| [[Kansas]] 
| [[Sam Brownback]] 
| Republican 
| Retiring<ref>{{cite news |first=Liz |last=Sidoti |title=Brownback to Move on Presidential Bid |url=http://www.abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=2774442 |publisher=ABC News |page=2 |date=2007-01-06 |accessdate=2007-02-19 }}</ref>
| 
| '''Sam Brownback ([[United States Republican Party|R]]) 69%'''; Lee Jones ([[United States Democratic Party|D]]) 28%; Other 3% 
|-
| [[Kentucky]] 
| [[Jim Bunning]] 
| Republican 
|
| 
| '''Jim Bunning ([[United States Republican Party|R]]) 51%'''; [[Daniel Mongiardo]] ([[United States Democratic Party|D]]) 49%
|-
| [[Louisiana]] 
| [[David Vitter]] 
| Republican 
|  
| 
| '''David Vitter ([[United States Republican Party|R]]) 51%'''; [[Chris John]] ([[United States Democratic Party|D]]) 29%; John Kennedy ([[United States Democratic Party|D]])15%; Other 5%
|-
| [[Maryland]] 
| [[Barbara Mikulski]] 
| Democrat 
|  
|
| '''Barbara Mikulski ([[United States Democratic Party|D]]) 65%'''; [[Edward Pipkin]] ([[United States Republican Party|R]]) 34%; Other 1%  
|-
| [[Missouri]] 
| [[Kit Bond]] 
| Republican
|  
| 
| '''Kit Bond ([[United States Republican Party|R]]) 56%'''; [[Nancy Farmer (politician)|Nancy Farmer]] ([[United States Democratic Party|D]]) 43%; Other 1%
|-
| [[Nevada]] 
| [[Harry Reid]] 
| Democrat
|
| 
| '''Harry Reid ([[United States Democratic Party|D]]) 61%'''; [[Richard Ziser]] ([[United States Republican Party|R]]) 35%; Other 4% 
|-
| [[New Hampshire]] 
| [[Judd Gregg]] 
| Republican 
|  
| 
| '''Judd Gregg ([[United States Republican Party|R]]) 66%'''; [[Doris Haddock]] ([[United States Democratic Party|D]]) 34%
|-
| [[New York]] 
| [[Chuck Schumer]] 
| Democrat 
| 
| 
| '''Chuck Schumer ([[United States Democratic Party|D]]) 71%'''; [[Howard Mills]] ([[United States Republican Party|R]]) 24%; Other 5%
|-
| [[North Carolina]] 
| [[Richard Burr]]
| Republican 
| 
| 
| '''Richard Burr ([[United States Republican Party|R]]) 52%'''; [[Erskine Bowles]] ([[United States Democratic Party|D]]) 47%; Other 1% 
|-
| [[North Dakota]] 
| [[Byron Dorgan]] 
| Democratic
|  
| 
| '''Byron Dorgan ([[United States Democratic Party|D]]) 68%'''; [[Mike Liffrig]] ([[United States Republican Party|R]]) 32%
|-
| [[Ohio]] 
| [[George Voinovich]] 
| Republican 
|  
| 
| '''George Voinovich ([[United States Republican Party|R]]) 64%'''; [[Eric Fingerhut]] ([[United States Democratic Party|D]]) 36%
|-
| [[Oklahoma]] 
| [[Tom Coburn]] 
| Republican 
|  
| 
| '''Tom Coburn ([[United States Republican Party|R]]) 53%'''; [[Brad Carson]] ([[United States Democratic Party|D]]) 41%; [[Sheila Bilyeu ]] (Independent) 6%
|-
| [[Oregon]] 
| [[Ron Wyden]] 
| Democrat 
|  
| 
| '''Ron Wyden ([[United States Democratic Party|D]]) 63%'''; Al King ([[United States Republican Party|R]]) 32%; Other 5% 
|-
| [[Pennsylvania]] 
| [[Arlen Specter]] 
| Republican 
|  
| 
| '''Arlen Specter ([[United States Republican Party|R]]) 53%'''; [[Joe Hoeffel]] ([[United States Democratic Party|D]]) 42%; Other 5%
|-
| [[South Carolina]] 
| [[Jim DeMint]] 
| Republican 
|  
| 
| '''Jim DeMint ([[United States Republican Party|R]]) 54%'''; [[Inez Tenenbaum]] ([[United States Democratic Party|D]]) 44%; Other 2%
|-
| [[South Dakota]] 
| [[John Thune]] 
| Republican 
|  
| 
| [[Tom Daschle]] ([[United States Democratic Party|D]]) 49%; '''John Thune ([[United States Republican Party|R]]) 51%'''
|-
| [[Utah]] 
| [[Robert Foster Bennett|Robert Bennett]] 
| Republican 
|  
| 
| '''Robert Bennett ([[United States Republican Party|R]]) 69%'''; Paul Van Dam ([[United States Democratic Party|D]]) 28%; Other 3%
|-
| [[Vermont]] 
| [[Patrick Leahy]] 
| Democrat 
|  
| 
| '''Patrick Leahy ([[United States Democratic Party|D]]) 71%'''; [[Jack McMullen]] ([[United States Republican Party|R]]) 25%; Other 4%
|-
| [[Washington]] 
| [[Patty Murray]] 
| Democrat 
|  
| 
| '''Patty Murray ([[United States Democratic Party|D]]) 55%'''; [[George Nethercutt]] ([[United States Republican Party|R]]) 43%; Other 2%
|-
| [[Wisconsin]] 
| [[Russ Feingold]] 
| Democrat 
|  
|
| '''Russ Feingold ([[United States Democratic Party|D]]) 56%'''; [[Tim Michels]] ([[United States Republican Party|R]]) 44%
|}

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{US senate elections}}

[[Category:2010 elections in the United States]]
[[Category:United States Senate elections]]