United States Senate election in New Hampshire, 2010
Encyclopedia
The 2010 United States Senate election in New Hampshire was held on November 2, 2010, alongside other midterm elections to the United States Senate
in other states as well as to the United States House of Representatives
. A primary election was held on September 14th. Incumbent Republican
U.S. Senator Judd Gregg
decided to retire instead of seeking a fourth term. Republican nominee Kelly Ayotte
won the open seat by over 23 points.
, and indicated that he would seek a fourth term in 2010. New Hampshire trended Democratic
in the 2006 and 2008 elections, with Republican incumbents losing both of the state's House
seats and its other Senate
seat to Democrats, but polling conducted in late December 2008 showed Gregg defeating both of the state's U.S. Representatives in a hypothetical match-up.
In February 2009, President
Barack Obama
offered, and Gregg accepted, nomination to the position of United States Secretary of Commerce
. New Hampshire's Democratic Governor
John Lynch announced he would appoint Bonnie Newman
, former Assistant Secretary of Commerce for economic development in the Reagan administration
, to serve as Senator for New Hampshire until the election in 2010. Newman announced that she would not run for election in 2010, nor would she endorse any candidate in the race.
On February 12, 2009, however, Gregg withdrew his nomination for Commerce Secretary. He cited "irresolvable conflicts" over policy related to the Commerce Department as the main reasons for his withdrawal, but also indicated support for President Obama. Gregg continues to serve as a senator from New Hampshire, as did not resign from the Senate during the nomination process. At the time of the withdrawal, Gregg indicated that he would not run for reelection in 2010, but at a subsequent press conference, Gregg stated that he would "probably not" run for reelection, leading to speculation that he had left the door open to changing his mind.
On April 1, 2009, Gregg reaffirmed that he would not run.
Meanwhile, Democratic U.S. Representative Paul Hodes
began his Senate campaign. He was the only major announced candidate until Attorney General Kelly Ayotte
announced her bid for the Republican nomination in early July 2009. On November 9, 2009, Republican Ovide Lamontagne joined the race as well.
Ayotte has been endorsed by the Concord Monitor
and the Nashua Telegraph.
Official campaign websites
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
in other states as well as to the United States House of Representatives
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
. A primary election was held on September 14th. Incumbent Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
U.S. Senator Judd Gregg
Judd Gregg
Judd Alan Gregg is a former Governor of New Hampshire and former United States Senator from New Hampshire, who served as chairman of the Senate Budget Committee. He is a member of the Republican Party and was a businessman and attorney in Nashua before entering politics...
decided to retire instead of seeking a fourth term. Republican nominee Kelly Ayotte
Kelly Ayotte
Kelly A. Ayotte is the junior United States Senator from New Hampshire and a member of the Republican Party. She earlier served as the Attorney General of New Hampshire.-Early life, education and career:...
won the open seat by over 23 points.
Background
Gregg was reelected with 66% of the vote in 2004United States Senate election in New Hampshire, 2004
The 2004 United States Senate election in New Hampshire was held November 2, 2004. Incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Judd Gregg won re-election to his third term.-Results:...
, and indicated that he would seek a fourth term in 2010. New Hampshire trended Democratic
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
in the 2006 and 2008 elections, with Republican incumbents losing both of the state's House
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
seats and its other Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
seat to Democrats, but polling conducted in late December 2008 showed Gregg defeating both of the state's U.S. Representatives in a hypothetical match-up.
In February 2009, President
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
offered, and Gregg accepted, nomination to the position of United States Secretary of Commerce
United States Secretary of Commerce
The United States Secretary of Commerce is the head of the United States Department of Commerce concerned with business and industry; the Department states its mission to be "to foster, promote, and develop the foreign and domestic commerce"...
. New Hampshire's Democratic Governor
Governor of New Hampshire
The Governor of the State of New Hampshire is the supreme executive magistrate of the U.S. state of New Hampshire.The governor is elected at the biennial state general election in November of even-numbered years. New Hampshire is one of only two states, along with bordering Vermont, to hold...
John Lynch announced he would appoint Bonnie Newman
Bonnie Newman
Jane Ellen "Bonnie" Newman is an American administrator and business executive who was selected to be the United States Senator from New Hampshire but did not take office when the vacancy she was to fill did not materialize....
, former Assistant Secretary of Commerce for economic development in the Reagan administration
Reagan Administration
The United States presidency of Ronald Reagan, also known as the Reagan administration, was a Republican administration headed by Ronald Reagan from January 20, 1981, to January 20, 1989....
, to serve as Senator for New Hampshire until the election in 2010. Newman announced that she would not run for election in 2010, nor would she endorse any candidate in the race.
On February 12, 2009, however, Gregg withdrew his nomination for Commerce Secretary. He cited "irresolvable conflicts" over policy related to the Commerce Department as the main reasons for his withdrawal, but also indicated support for President Obama. Gregg continues to serve as a senator from New Hampshire, as did not resign from the Senate during the nomination process. At the time of the withdrawal, Gregg indicated that he would not run for reelection in 2010, but at a subsequent press conference, Gregg stated that he would "probably not" run for reelection, leading to speculation that he had left the door open to changing his mind.
On April 1, 2009, Gregg reaffirmed that he would not run.
Meanwhile, Democratic U.S. Representative Paul Hodes
Paul Hodes
Paul Hodes is an attorney, musician, and the former U.S. Representative for , serving fom 2007 until 2011. He is a member of the Democratic Party. He was New Hampshire's first Jewish representative....
began his Senate campaign. He was the only major announced candidate until Attorney General Kelly Ayotte
Kelly Ayotte
Kelly A. Ayotte is the junior United States Senator from New Hampshire and a member of the Republican Party. She earlier served as the Attorney General of New Hampshire.-Early life, education and career:...
announced her bid for the Republican nomination in early July 2009. On November 9, 2009, Republican Ovide Lamontagne joined the race as well.
Candidates
- Kelly AyotteKelly AyotteKelly A. Ayotte is the junior United States Senator from New Hampshire and a member of the Republican Party. She earlier served as the Attorney General of New Hampshire.-Early life, education and career:...
, former New Hampshire Attorney GeneralNew Hampshire Attorney GeneralThe New Hampshire Attorney General is a constitutional officer of the U.S. state of New Hampshire who serves as head of the Department of Justice... - Tom Alciere, state representativeNew Hampshire House of RepresentativesThe New Hampshire House of Representatives is the lower house in the New Hampshire General Court. The House of Representatives consists of 400 members coming from 103 districts across the state, created from divisions of the state's counties. On average, each legislator represents about 3,300...
- Gerard Beloin
- Jim Bender, businessman
- Bill BinnieWilliam Harrison BinnieWilliam Harrison "Bill" Binnie is a New Hampshire industrialist, investment banker, and former political candidate who currently serves as president of Carlisle Capital Corporation and was formerly chairman of Carlisle Plastics, Inc...
, businessman - Dennis Lamare
- Ovide Lamontagne, 1992 congressional candidate and 1996 gubernatorial nominee; chairman of 2004 platform committee
Endorsements
Polling
| Poll source | Dates administered | Kelly Ayotte | Jim Bender | Bill Binnie | Ovide Lamontagne | Undecided/other |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tarrance Group | January 13–14, 2010 | 43% | 3% | 5% | 11% | 37% |
| Research 2000 | February 1–3, 2010 | 36% | –– | 4% | 27% | 33% |
| Public Policy Polling | April 21, 2010 | 43% | 11% | 19% | 5% | 21% |
| Magellan Strategies | May 28, 2010 | 38% | 4% | 29% | 9% | 15% |
| Public Policy Polling | July 23–25, 2010 | 47% | 6% | 14% | 8% | 20% |
| Magellan Strategies | September 1, 2010 | 34% | 13% | 17% | 21% | 15% |
| Public Policy Polling | September 11–12, 2010 | 37% | 12% | 13% | 30% | 5% |
| Magellan Strategies | September 12, 2010 | 35% | 10% | 14% | 31% | 10% |
Results
Candidates
- Kelly AyotteKelly AyotteKelly A. Ayotte is the junior United States Senator from New Hampshire and a member of the Republican Party. She earlier served as the Attorney General of New Hampshire.-Early life, education and career:...
(R), former state Attorney General - Ken Blevens (L), (campaign site, PVS)
- Chris Booth (I), (campaign site, PVS)
- Paul HodesPaul HodesPaul Hodes is an attorney, musician, and the former U.S. Representative for , serving fom 2007 until 2011. He is a member of the Democratic Party. He was New Hampshire's first Jewish representative....
(D), current U.S. Congressman
Campaign
Hodes has called himself a fiscal conservative, which has been mocked by Ayotte in a TV ad. Hodes has been criticized for supporting Obama's stimulus package, a carbon energy tax, and "Obamacare." Hodes has criticized Ayotte for numerous controversies. One ad was questioned Ayotte's honesty in dealing with the Lakes Region Ponzi scheme which defrauded investors of almost $80 million.Ayotte has been endorsed by the Concord Monitor
Concord Monitor
The Concord Monitor is the daily newspaper for Concord, the state capital of New Hampshire. It also covers substantial portions of surrounding Merrimack and Belknap counties in New Hampshire's Lakes Region...
and the Nashua Telegraph.
Debates
- October 11 in HennikerHenniker, New HampshireHenniker is a town in Merrimack County, New Hampshire, United States. As of the 2010 census, the town had a total population of 4,836. Henniker is home to New England College, Ames State Forest and Craney Hill State Forest....
at New England CollegeNew England CollegeNew England College is a private four-year college in Henniker, New Hampshire, enrolling a total of approximately 1800 undergraduate and graduate students.-History:The school was created in 1946 for students attending college on the G.I... - October 28 in ManchesterManchester, New HampshireManchester is the largest city in the U.S. state of New Hampshire, the tenth largest city in New England, and the largest city in northern New England, an area comprising the states of Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. It is in Hillsborough County along the banks of the Merrimack River, which...
Predictions
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| Cook Political Report Cook Political Report The Cook Political Report is an independent, non-partisan online newsletter that analyzes elections and campaigns for the United States House of Representatives, the United States Senate, Governor's offices and the American Presidency. The Cook Political Report is led by a staff of five... |
Leans R | October 28, 2010 |
| Rothenberg Stuart Rothenberg Stuart Rothenberg is an American editor, publisher, and political analyst best known for his Washington-based, biweekly, self-proclaimed non-partisan political newsletter The Rothenberg Political Report... |
Safe R | October 22, 2010 |
| Swing State Project | Leans R | |
| RealClearPolitics RealClearPolitics RealClearPolitics is a political news and polling data aggregator based in Chicago, Illinois. The site's founders say their goal is to give readers "ideological diversity." They have described themselves as frustrated with what they perceive as anti-conservative, anti-Christian media bias, and... |
Leans R | October 28, 2010 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball Sabato's Crystal Ball Sabato’s Crystal Ball is a free, nonpartisan weekly online newsletter and comprehensive website in the United States that analyzes the current American political scene and predicts electoral outcomes for U.S House of Representatives, U.S. Senate, governors, and U.S. president races... |
Likely R | October 28, 2010 |
| CQ Politics Congressional Quarterly Congressional Quarterly, Inc., or CQ, is a privately owned publishing company that produces a number of publications reporting primarily on the United States Congress... |
Leans R | October 28, 2010 |
| New York Times | R | October 28, 2010 |
Polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Kelly Ayotte (R) | Paul Hodes (D) | Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Granite State Poll | June 24–July 1, 2009 | 558 | ± 4.1% | 39% | 35% | 2% | 24% |
| Research 2000 | July 13–July 15, 2009 | 600 | ± 4.0% | 39% | 38% | 2% | 21% |
| Rasmussen Reports | September 14, 2009 | 500 | ± 4.5% | 46% | 38% | 5% | 12% |
| American Research Group | September 30, 2009 | 566 | ± 4.1% | 41% | 34% | –– | 25% |
| Granite State Poll | October 2, 2009 | 503 | ± 4.4% | 40% | 33% | 2% | 25% |
| American Research Group | December 29, 2009 | 566 | ± 4.1% | 43% | 36% | –– | 21% |
| Rasmussen Reports | January 12, 2010 | 500 | ± 4.5% | 49% | 40% | 3% | 8% |
| Granite State Poll | January 27–February 3, 2010 | 500 | ± 4.4% | 41% | 33% | 1% | 25% |
| Research 2000 | February 1–3, 2010 | 600 | ± 4.0% | 46% | 39% | –– | 11% |
| Rasmussen Reports | February 10, 2010 | 500 | ± 4.5% | 46% | 39% | 3% | 13% |
| Rasmussen Reports | March 8, 2010 | 500 | ± 4.5% | 47% | 37% | 4% | 12% |
| Rasmussen Reports | April 7, 2010 | 500 | ± 4.5% | 50% | 35% | 4% | 11% |
| Public Policy Polling | April 17–18, 2010 | 1,474 | ± 2.6% | 47% | 40% | –– | 13% |
| Granite State Poll | April 12–21, 2010 | 512 | ± 4.4% | 47% | 32% | –– | 21% |
| Rasmussen Reports | May 11, 2010 | 500 | ± 4.5% | 50% | 38% | 3% | 9% |
| Rasmussen Reports | July 12, 2010 | 500 | ± 4.5% | 49% | 37% | 7% | 7% |
| Public Policy Polling | July 23–25, 2010 | 900 | ± 3.26% | 45% | 42% | –– | 13% |
| WMUR Granite State Poll | July 19–27, 2010 | 453 | ± 4.4% | 45% | 37% | 1% | 17% |
| Rasmussen Reports | August 5, 2010 | 500 | ± 4.5% | 51% | 38% | 4% | 6% |
| Public Policy Polling | September 11–12, 2010 | 1,959 | ± 2.2% | 47% | 43% | –– | 9% |
| Rasmussen Reports | September 15, 2010 | 500 | ± 4.5% | 51% | 44% | 1% | 4% |
| American Research Group | September 22–26, 2010 | 800 | ± 3.5% | 46% | 32% | 2% | 20% |
| American Research Group | October 3–5, 2010 | 600 | ± 4.0% | 47% | 42% | 4% | 7% |
| Rasmussen Reports | October 10, 2010 | 750 | ± 4.0% | 51% | 44% | 3% | 2% |
| WMUR/UNH | October 7–12, 2010 | 709 | ± 3.7% | 50% | 35% | 1% | 12% |
| Rasmussen Reports | October 27, 2010 | 750 | ± 4.0% | 56% | 41% | 2% | 1% |
| Public Policy Polling | October 27–29, 2010 | 1,308 | ± 2.7% | 56% | 41% | –– | 3% |
| WMUR/UNH | October 27–30, 2010 | 885 | ± 3.3% | 54% | 36% | 2% | 8% |
| WMUR/UNH | October 31, 2010 | 885 | ± 3.3% | 55% | 32% | 2% | 2% |
| The Concord | October 31, 2010 | 885 | ± 3.3% | 56% | 32% | 2% | 4% |
| Poll Source | Dates Administered |
Sample size |
Margin of Error |
Paul Hodes (D) |
Jim Bender (R) |
Other | Unde- cided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WMUR Granite State Poll | July 19-27, 2010 | 453 | ± 4.4% | 39% | 36% | -- | 25% |
| Public Policy Polling | July 23-25, 2010 | 900 | ± 3.26% | 43% | 42% | -- | 16% |
| Rasmussen Reports | July 12, 2010 | 500 | ± 4.5% | 39% | 43% | 10% | 8% |
| Rasmussen Reports | May 11, 2010 | 500 | ± 4.5% | 41% | 39% | 8% | 13% |
| Granite State Poll | April 12–21, 2010 | 512 | ± 4.4% | 37% | 34% | -- | 29% |
| Public Policy Polling | April 17–18, 2010 | 1474 | ± 2.6% | 43% | 39% | -- | 18% |
| Granite State Poll | January 27-February 3, 2010 | 500 | ± 4.4% | 36% | 27% | 2% | 35% |
| Poll Source | Dates Administered |
Sample size |
Margin of Error |
Paul Hodes (D) |
Bill Binnie (R) |
Other | Unde- cided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rasmussen Reports | August 5, 2010 | 500 | ± 4.5% | 40% | 46% | 8% | 7% |
| WMUR Granite State Poll | July 19-27, 2010 | 453 | ± 4.4% | 38% | 41% | -- | 21% |
| Public Policy Polling | July 23-25, 2010 | 900 | ± 3.26% | 41% | 46% | -- | 13% |
| Rasmussen Reports | July 12, 2010 | 500 | ± 4.5% | 38% | 49% | 7% | 8% |
| Rasmussen Reports | May 11, 2010 | 500 | ± 4.5% | 37% | 49% | 6% | 8% |
| Granite State Poll | April 12–21, 2010 | 512 | ± 4.4% | 36% | 38% | -- | 26% |
| Public Policy Polling | April 17–18, 2010 | 1474 | ± 2.6% | 42% | 45% | -- | 13% |
| Rasmussen Reports | April 7, 2010 | 500 | ± 4.5% | 37% | 49% | 4% | 10% |
| Rasmussen Reports | March 8, 2010 | 500 | ± 4.5% | 36% | 46% | 4% | 14% |
| Rasmussen Reports | February 10, 2010 | 500 | ± 4.5% | 41% | 42% | 3% | 13% |
| Research 2000 | February 1–3, 2010 | 600 | ± 4.0% | 45% | 35% | -- | 15% |
| Granite State Poll | January 27-February 3, 2010 | 500 | ± 4.4% | 34% | 30% | 2% | 33% |
| Rasmussen Reports | January 12, 2010 | 500 | ± 4.5% | 43% | 37% | 5% | 15% |
| Poll Source | Dates Administered |
Sample size |
Margin of Error |
Paul Hodes (D) |
Ovide Lamontagne (R) |
Other | Unde- cided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WMUR Granite State Poll | July 19-27, 2010 | 453 | ± 4.4% | 42% | 36% | 1% | 21% |
| Public Policy Polling | July 23-25, 2010 | 900 | ± 3.26% | 43% | 38% | -- | 18% |
| Rasmussen Reports | July 12, 2010 | 500 | ± 4.5% | 40% | 43% | 9% | 9% |
| Rasmussen Reports | May 11, 2010 | 500 | ± 4.5% | 43% | 38% | 8% | 11% |
| Granite State Poll | April 12–21, 2010 | 512 | ± 4.4% | 36% | 37% | -- | 26% |
| Public Policy Polling | April 17–18, 2010 | 1474 | ± 2.6% | 44% | 37% | -- | 19% |
| Rasmussen Reports | April 7, 2010 | 500 | ± 4.5% | 39% | 44% | 7% | 11% |
| Rasmussen Reports | March 8, 2010 | 500 | ± 4.5% | 42% | 38% | 5% | 15% |
| Rasmussen Reports | February 10, 2010 | 500 | ± 4.5% | 44% | 38% | 4% | 13% |
| Research 2000 | February 1–3, 2010 | 600 | ± 4.0% | 46% | 36% | -- | 13% |
| Granite State Poll | January 27-February 3, 2010 | 500 | ± 4.4% | 38% | 29% | 2% | 30% |
| Rasmussen Reports | January 12, 2010 | 500 | ± 4.5% | 45% | 38% | 6% | 11% |
| American Research Group | December 29, 2009 | 566 | ± 4.1% | 31% | 37% | -- | 32% |
Fundraising
| Candidate (party) | Receipts | Disbursements | Cash on hand | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kelly Ayotte (R) | $4,403,599 | $3,397,934 | $1,005,664 | $26,944 |
| Paul Hodes (D) | $4,596,642 | $4,346,539 | $248,003 | $0 |
| Source: Federal Election Commission | ||||
Results
External links
- New Hampshire State Board of Elections
- U.S. Congress candidates for New Hampshire at Project Vote SmartProject Vote SmartProject Vote Smart is a non-profit, non-partisan research organization that collects and distributes information on candidates for public office in the United States...
- New Hampshire U.S. Senate 2010 from OurCampaigns.com
- Campaign contributions from Open SecretsOpen SecretsOpen Secrets is a book of short stories by Alice Munro published by McClelland and Stewart in 1994. It was nominated for the 1994 Governor General's Award for English Fiction.-Stories:* "Carried Away"* "A Real Life"...
- 2010 New Hampshire Senate General Election: All Head-to-Head Matchups graph of multiple polls from Pollster.com
- Election 2010: New Hampshire Senate from Rasmussen ReportsRasmussen ReportsRasmussen Reports is an American media company that publishes and distributes information based on public opinion polling. Founded by pollster Scott Rasmussen in 2003, the company updates daily indexes including the President's job approval rating, and provides public opinion data, analysis, and...
- 2010 New Hampshire Senate Race - Ayotte vs. Hodes from Real Clear Politics
- 2010 New Hampshire Senate Race from CQ PoliticsCongressional QuarterlyCongressional Quarterly, Inc., or CQ, is a privately owned publishing company that produces a number of publications reporting primarily on the United States Congress...
- Race profile from The New York TimesThe New York TimesThe New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
Official campaign websites