Georgia Governor Republican Primary Map

The following county map shows the results of the Georgia Governor Republican Primary race between former Representative Nathan Deal and GA Secretary of State Karen Handel which took place on July 20, 2010. Deal narrowly beat Handel with 50.2% against Handel's 49.8%.

As the map shows, it is no surprise that the race was very close. Deal carried most of the rural counties throughout the state; while Handel carried the population centers and suburbs of Atlanta, Savannah, Augusta, and Columbus. Handel was also able to carry many rural counties as well, mostly those near the population centers.

Kentucky Senate Democratic Primary Map

The following county map shows the results of the Kentucky Senate Democratic Primary race between KY Attorney General Jack Conway and KY Lt. Governor Dan Mongiardo which took place on May 18, 2010. Conway barely won with 44% of the vote, to 43% for Mongiardo. The other votes in the contest were for minor candidates, of which they were 3.

As the map shows, Conway was able to win the contest by winning the major population centers of Louisville and Lexington, as well as many of the counties surrounding those areas. Mongiardo's support was primarily located in the southeast and southwest corners of the state.

This primary took place at the same time as the Republican primary which garnered nationwide attention because of the candidacy of Rand Paul, son of Ron Paul (R-TX). Interestingly, the Democratic primary actually garnered more votes than the Republican primary. Mongiardo was the Democratic Senate candidate in 2004, which he lost with 49% of the vote.

Arkansas Senate Democratic Primary Map

The following county map shows the results of the Arkansas Senate Democratic Primary Runoff between incumbent Senator Blanche Lincoln and AR Lt. Governor Bill Halter which took place on June 8, 2010. Lincoln won the runoff with 52% of the vote, to 48% for Halter.

As the map shows, Lincoln was able to beat Halter by winning most of the population centers in AR, as well as many of the rural counties throughout the state. Halter's only stronghold was in the southwest portion of the state; while Lincoln's support was spread throughout most of the state.

This primary runoff became an important test for union groups and liberal activists because they invested millions of dollars into the Halter campaign, hoping that he would beat Lincoln. They were ultimately disappointed by his loss. The result proves that liberal groups should not spend their resources trying to get liberals elected to represent conservative-leaning states like AR.

2010 Senate Elections Overview

2010 Senate Elections Overview

The following map is of the U.S. Senate seats up for election in 2010. States colored blue have a Democratic seat up for election. States colored red have a Republican seat up for election. States colored purple have both a Democratic and Republican seat up for election. There is a listing of the seats up for election in 2010. Next to each state, there is the name of the current senator and the percentage they recieved in their last election Open seats are noted as such.

Democratic Seats (17)

1. Indiana - Bayh, 62%

2. Colorado - Bennet, Appointed

3. California - Boxer, 58%

4. Illinois - Burris, Appointed, Open Seat

5. Connecticut - Dodd, 66%, Open Seat

6. North Dakota - Dorgan, 68%, Open Seat

7. Wisconsin - Feingold, 55%

8. Hawaii - Inouye, 73%

9. Vermont - Leahy, 71%

10. Arkansas - Lincoln, 56%

11. Maryland - Mikulski, 65%

12. Washington - Murray, 55%

13. Nevada - Reid, 61%

14. New York - Schumer, 71%

15. Pennsylvania - Specter, 53% [Elected as a Republican]

16. New York - Gillibrand, Appointed

17. Oregon - Wyden, 64%

Republican Seats (18)

1. Utah - Bennett, 68%

2. Missouri - Bond, 56%, Open Seat

3. Kansas - Brownback, 69%, Open Seat

4. Kentucky - Bunning, 51%, Open Seat

5. North Carolina - Burr, 52%

6. Oklahoma - Coburn, 53%

7. Idaho - Crapo, Uncontested

8. South Carolina - DeMint, 54%

9. Iowa - Grassley, 70%

10. New Hampshire - Gregg, 66%, Open Seat

11. Georgia - Isakson, 58%

12. Florida - LeMieux, Appointed, Open Seat

13. Arizona - McCain, 77%

14. Alaska - Murkowski, 49%

15. Alabama - Shelby, 68%

16. South Dakota - Thune, 51%

17. Louisiana - Vitter, 51%

18. Ohio - Voinovich, 64%, Open Seat

Analysis

The 2010 midterm elections will be the first barometer of how the American people feel since Obama's election in 2008. That being said, Obama himself is not so much to credit or blame for whatever the results may be in 2010 because for the most part these races will be decided based on the concerns of that state. In order for Democrats to hold onto their 59 seat majority in the Senate, they need to either keep all of their seats within the Democratic party or pick up at least as many Republican seats as they lose.

The best opportunities for Democrats are (in no particular order): Missouri, Kentucky, New Hampshire, Louisiana, and Ohio. Of these, the races the Democrats should focus their energy on are New Hampshire and Ohio. Kentucky is included because of the fact that it is an open seat and Democrats are likely to nominate a moderate candidate, and Louisiana is included because Democrats are likely to put forth a popular moderate candidate. The best opportunities for Republicans are (in no particular order): North Dakota, Arkansas, Nevada, and Colorado. Of these, the races Republicans should focus their energy on are North Dakota and Arkansas. Republicans are almost certain to win North Dakota because they are expected to pick the current popular governor to run, and Democrats have no prominent candidates up to this point.