2010 United States Senate election in Colorado

For related races, see 2010 United States Senate elections.

2010 United States Senate election in Colorado
← 2004 November 2, 2010 2016 →
 
Nominee Michael Bennet Ken Buck
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 854,685 824,789
Percentage 48.08% 46.40%
Bennet:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%
Buck:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%
Tie:      40–50%      No votes
U.S. senator before election

Michael Bennet[a]
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Michael Bennet
Democratic

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The 2010 United States Senate election in Colorado took place on November 2, 2010, alongside other elections to the United States Senate in other states as well as elections to the United States House of Representatives and various state and local elections. In December 2008, President-elect Barack Obama nominated incumbent U.S. Senator Ken Salazar as Secretary of the Interior.[1] After Salazar resigned from his seat,[2] Democratic governor Bill Ritter appointed Denver Public Schools Superintendent Michael Bennet to fill the seat.

Bennet won a full term, defeating former state House speaker Andrew Romanoff in the Democratic primary, and Republican nominee Ken Buck in the general election.[3][4] With a margin of 1.7%, this election was the second-closest race of the 2010 Senate election cycle after the concurrent one in Illinois.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

Eliminated in primary

Endorsements

Bennet

Romanoff

Polling

Poll Source Dates Administered Michael
Bennet 		Andrew
Romanoff 		Undecided
The Tarrance Group[10] September 16–17, 2009 41% 27% 32%
Public Policy Polling[11] May 19, 2010 46% 31% 23%
Survey USA[12] June 15–17, 2010 53% 36% 11%
Survey USA[13] August 1, 2010 45% 48% 7%
Public Policy Polling[14] August 7–8, 2010 49% 43% 9%

Results

Results by county:
  Bennet
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
  •   70–80%
  •   80–90%
  Romanoff
  •   50–60%
Democratic primary results[15][16]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Michael Bennet (incumbent) 184,714 54.15%
Democratic Andrew Romanoff 156,419 45.85%
Total votes 341,133 100.0%

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

Eliminated in primary

Eliminated in convention

  • Cleve Tidwell, businessman
  • Robert Greenheck
  • Steve Barton

Withdrew

Declined

Endorsements

Notable Individuals and Organizations endorsing Ken Buck
Notable Individuals and Organizations endorsing Jane Norton

According to her website:[26][27]

Polling

Poll Source Dates Administered Ken
Buck 		Jane
Norton
The Tarrance Group[29] September 16–17, 2009 15% 45%
Public Policy Polling[30] March 3, 2010 17% 34%
Magellan[31] March 14, 2010 13% 41%
Magellan[31] April 19, 2010 32% 29%
Public Policy Polling[11] May 19, 2010 26% 31%
Magellan[31] June 8, 2010 42% 32%
Survey USA[32] June 15–17, 2010 53% 37%
Public Opinion Strategies[33] June 20–21, 2010 33% 39%
Survey USA[13] August 1, 2010 50% 41%
Public Policy Polling[14] August 7–8, 2010 43% 45%

Results

Results by county:
  Buck
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
  •   70–80%
  Norton
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
Tie
  •   50%
Republican Primary results[15][16]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Ken Buck 211,099 51.57%
Republican Jane Norton 198,231 48.43%
Total votes 409,330 100.0%

Libertarian primary

Candidates

Nominee

  • Mac Stringer

Eliminated in primary

  • John Finger


Results

Libertarian Primary results[34][16]
Party Candidate Votes %
Libertarian Mac Stringer 1,186 52.45%
Libertarian John Finger 1,075 47.55%
Total votes 2,261 100.0%

General election

Candidates

Major

Minor

Source: Official Candidate List[permanent dead link‍]

Campaign

This was one of the most expensive elections in the nation, as more than $30 million was spent by outside organizations.[35] Conservative third party groups hammered Bennet for voting 92% of the time with the Democratic leadership, including voting for healthcare reform and the stimulus package.[36] Liberal third party groups called Buck extremist. Bennet focused on attacking Buck's views on abortion, which he believed should be banned including those of cases of rape and incest. He was also attacked for wanting to eliminate the Seventeenth Amendment[37] and refusing to prosecute an alleged rapist as Weld County district attorney. Planned Parenthood mounted a mail campaign, targeting women voters with the warning that "Colorado women can't trust Ken Buck." Bennet won the women vote by 17 points according to exit polls. After the election, Buck conceded to the Denver Post that the main reason why he lost is because of social issues.[38]

Debates

Predictions

Source Ranking As of
Cook Political Report[40] Tossup October 26, 2010
Inside Elections[41] Tossup October 22, 2010
RealClearPolitics[42] Tossup October 26, 2010
Sabato's Crystal Ball[43] Lean R (flip) October 21, 2010
CQ Politics[44] Tossup October 26, 2010

Polling

Poll source Date(s) administered Michael
Bennet (D) 		Ken
Buck (R)
Public Policy Polling[45] April 17–19, 2009 40% 39%
Public Policy Polling[46] August 14–16, 2009 39% 35%
Rasmussen Reports[47] September 9, 2009 43% 37%
Rasmussen Reports[48] December 8, 2009 38% 42%
Daily Kos/Research 2000[49] January 11–13, 2010 41% 38%
Rasmussen Reports[50] January 13, 2010 38% 43%
Rasmussen Reports[51] February 2, 2010 41% 45%
Rasmussen Reports[52] March 2, 2010 38% 44%
Public Policy Polling[53] March 5–8, 2010 47% 40%
Rasmussen Reports[51] April 5, 2010 40% 44%
Rasmussen Reports[51] May 3, 2010 41% 48%
Public Policy Polling[54] May 19, 2010 45% 39%
Rasmussen Reports[55] June 7, 2010 41% 46%
Survey USA[32] June 15–17, 2010 43% 46%
Rasmussen Reports[56] July 8, 2010 39% 48%
Rasmussen Reports[57] July 26, 2010 42% 48%
Survey USA[58] August 1, 2010 43% 43%
Public Policy Polling[59] August 10, 2010 46% 43%
Rasmussen Reports[60] August 11, 2010 41% 46%
Ipsos/Reuters[61] August 20–22, 2010 40% 49%
Rasmussen Reports[62] August 30, 2010 44% 47%
Rasmussen Reports[63] September 14, 2010 45% 49%
CNN/Time[64] September 17–21, 2010 44% 49%
Rasmussen Reports[60] September 27, 2010 43% 51%
Rasmussen Reports[65] September 27, 2010 43% 51%
McClatchy/Marist[66] September 26–28, 2010 42% 50%
Survey USA[67] September 28–30, 2010 43% 48%
Public Policy Polling[68] September 30 – October 2, 2010 46% 45%
Rasmussen Reports[60] October 14, 2010 45% 47%
Fox News/Pulse Opinion Research[69] October 16, 2010 45% 46%
Ipsos/Reuters[70] October 18, 2010 45% 48%
SurveyUSA[71] October 19–21, 2010 47% 47%
Public Policy Polling[72] October 21–23, 2010 47% 47%
Rasmussen Reports[60] October 25, 2010 44% 48%
CNN/Time/Opinion Research[73] October 20–26, 2010 46% 47%
Marist College[74] October 26–28, 2010 45% 49%
Fox News/Pulse Opinion Research[69] October 30, 2010 46% 50%
Public Policy Polling[75] October 30–31, 2010 48% 49%

Fundraising

These totals reflect the campaign accounts of the candidates themselves, and do not include independent expenditures by other groups.

Candidate (Party) Receipts Disbursements Cash On Hand Debt
Michael Bennet (D) $11,463,661 $10,698,578 $763,541 $887,692
Ken Buck (R) $3,827,432 $3,011,656 $1,039,994 $100,000
Source: Federal Election Commission[76]

Results

United States Senate election in Colorado, 2010[77][78][79][16]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Michael Bennet (incumbent) 854,685 48.08% −3.22%
Republican Ken Buck 824,789 46.40% −0.13%
Green Bob Kinsey 38,884 2.19% N/A
Libertarian Maclyn Stringer 22,646 1.27% +0.79%
Independent Jason Napolitano 19,450 1.09% N/A
Independent Charley Miller 11,351 0.64% N/A
Independent J. Moromisato 5,780 0.33% N/A
Write-in 83 0.07% N/A
Total votes 1,777,668 100.0%
Democratic hold

Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican

Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic

Notes

  1. ^ In January 2009, Bennet was appointed by Governor Bill Ritter to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Senator Ken Salazar, who had appointed Secretary of the Interior.

References

  1. ^ Osher, Christopher N.; Bunch, Joey (December 15, 2008). "Salazar poised to head Interior". Denver Post. Retrieved December 15, 2008.
  2. ^ "Ken Salazar Resigns From Senate". Associated Press. January 19, 2009. Archived from the original on January 22, 2009. Retrieved January 20, 2009.
  3. ^ Crummy, Karen (January 2, 2009). "Michael Bennet chosen as next Senator". Denver Post. Retrieved January 2, 2009.
  4. ^ Johnson, Kirk. "Michael Bennet News". The New York Times.
  5. ^ "Colorado's Bennet Needs to Get Better Known for 2010". CQ Politics. January 27, 2009. Archived from the original on March 9, 2009. Retrieved June 14, 2010.
  6. ^ "Who Will Face Bennet?". Roll Call. February 10, 2009. Retrieved June 14, 2010.
  7. ^ Riley, Michael (August 29, 2009). "Denver Post article on Andrew Romanoff". Denverpost.com. Retrieved June 14, 2010.
  8. ^ Riley, Michael (September 17, 2009). "Sen. Bennet wins Obama's support". The Denver Post. Archived from the original on July 21, 2024. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
  9. ^ Burns, Alexander (June 29, 2010). "Clinton rocks Colo., backs Romanoff". Politico. Archived from the original on July 21, 2024. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
  10. ^ The Tarrance Group Archived July 8, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  11. ^ a b Public Policy Polling
  12. ^ Survey USA
  13. ^ a b Survey USA
  14. ^ a b Public Policy Polling
  15. ^ a b "Colorado Primary Results". Politico. August 10, 2010. Retrieved August 11, 2010.
  16. ^ a b c d "State election results, 2010 (PDF)" (PDF). Colorado Secretary of State.
  17. ^ "The Buck starts here". Politico. April 27, 2009.
  18. ^ Bartels, Lynn (August 17, 2009). "Former Lt. Gov. Norton mulling U.S. Senate bid". The Denver Post. Retrieved June 14, 2010.
  19. ^ "Denver Daily - Wiens, U.S. Senate candidate, drops out". Thedenverdailynews.com. May 25, 2010. Retrieved June 14, 2010.
  20. ^ "Beauprez not running for Senate - The Scorecard". Politico.Com. Retrieved June 14, 2010.
  21. ^ "Troy Eid to resign, run for Colorado attorney general". Coloradoindependent.com. January 8, 2009. Retrieved August 21, 2010.
  22. ^ Fender, Jessica (October 14, 2009). "Aurora's Ryan Frazier has work cut out for him in shift to challenge U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter". The Denver Post. Retrieved June 14, 2010.
  23. ^ Eli Stokols (April 14, 2010). "Tea Party Endorsement: Tea Party idol DeMint endorses Buck in Colorado Senate race". KDVR. Archived from the original on July 16, 2011. Retrieved August 21, 2010.
  24. ^ "DeMint on Buck endorsement: 'We've got to have an earthquake election'". Coloradoindependent.com. April 23, 2010. Archived from the original on April 17, 2010. Retrieved August 21, 2010.
  25. ^ "CO US Senate - R Primary Race - August 10, 2010". Our Campaigns. Retrieved August 21, 2010.
  26. ^ "Conservatives Rally Behind Norton". Janenortonforcolorado.com. May 24, 2010. Archived from the original on August 18, 2011. Retrieved August 21, 2010.
  27. ^ "CO US Senate - R Primary Race - August 10, 2010". Our Campaigns. Retrieved August 21, 2010.
  28. ^ Catanese, David (June 28, 2010). "Chamber comes to Norton's aid". Politico. Archived from the original on July 21, 2024. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
  29. ^ The Tarrance Group Archived July 8, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  30. ^ Public Policy Polling
  31. ^ a b c Magellan
  32. ^ a b Survey USA
  33. ^ Public Opinion Strategies
  34. ^ "Colorado - County Vote Results". ap.org. August 11, 2010. Retrieved August 3, 2016.
  35. ^ [CO] Colorado Election 2010 Results [SENATE UPDATE] | CNM News Network
  36. ^ Buck for Congress (campaign website)
  37. ^ Brady, Jeff (October 27, 2010). "Money Has Poured Into Colorado's Senate Race". npr.org. Retrieved August 3, 2016.
  38. ^ Burns, Alexander (November 13, 2010). "Abortion was winning issue for Dems". politico.com. Retrieved August 3, 2016.
  39. ^ Walter, Amy (September 12, 2010). "Buck and Bennet Trade Jabs In Feisty Colorado Senate Debate". abcnews.com. Retrieved August 3, 2016.
  40. ^ "Senate". Cook Political Report. Retrieved October 26, 2010.
  41. ^ "Senate Ratings". Rothenberg Political Report. Retrieved October 26, 2010.
  42. ^ "Battle for the Senate". RealClearPolitics. Retrieved October 26, 2010.
  43. ^ "2010 Senate Ratings". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Archived from the original on October 28, 2010. Retrieved October 26, 2010.
  44. ^ "Race Ratings Chart: Senate". CQ Politics. Archived from the original on October 28, 2010. Retrieved October 26, 2010.
  45. ^ Public Policy Polling
  46. ^ Public Policy Polling
  47. ^ Rasmussen Reports
  48. ^ Rasmussen Reports
  49. ^ Daily Kos/Research 2000
  50. ^ Rasmussen Reports
  51. ^ a b c Rasmussen Reports
  52. ^ Rasmussen Reports
  53. ^ Public Policy Polling
  54. ^ Public Policy Polling
  55. ^ Rasmussen Reports
  56. ^ Rasmussen Reports
  57. ^ Rasmussen Reports
  58. ^ Survey USA
  59. ^ Public Policy Polling
  60. ^ a b c d Rasmussen Reports
  61. ^ Ipsos/Reuters
  62. ^ Rasmussen Reports
  63. ^ Rasmussen Reports
  64. ^ CNN/Time
  65. ^ Rasmussen Reports
  66. ^ McClatchy/Marist
  67. ^ Survey USA
  68. ^ Public Policy Polling
  69. ^ a b Fox News/Pulse Opinion Research
  70. ^ Ipsos/Reuters
  71. ^ SurveyUSA
  72. ^ Public Policy Polling
  73. ^ CNN/Time/Opinion Research
  74. ^ Marist College
  75. ^ Public Policy Polling
  76. ^ "2010 House and Senate Campaign Finance for Colorado". fec.gov. Retrieved August 12, 2010.[permanent dead link‍]
  77. ^ "State Cumulative Report". Archived from the original on November 29, 2010. Retrieved November 29, 2010.
  78. ^ "Colorado - Election Results 2010 - The New York Times". The New York Times. Retrieved August 3, 2016.
  79. ^ Gessler, Scott; Hobbs, William A.; Choate, Judd. "2010 Abstract of Votes Cast" (PDF). Office of Secretary of State - State of Colorado.

Debate

Official campaign websites (Archived)