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2010 United States House of Representatives elections in Wisconsin

← 2008 November 2, 2010 2012 →
All 8 Wisconsin seats to the United States House of Representatives
Majority party Minority party   Party Republican Democratic Last election 3 5 Seats won 5 3 Seat change 2 2 Popular vote 1,165,761 938,690 Percentage 54.46% 43.85% Swing 8.52% 6.00%
Election results by district Election results by county Republican   50-60%   60-70%   70-80% Democratic   50-60%   60-70%

Elections in Wisconsin
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v t e

The 2010 congressional elections in Wisconsin were held on November 2, 2010, to determine who would represent the state of Wisconsin in the United States House of Representatives. It coincided with the state's senatorial and gubernatorial elections. Representatives were elected for two-year terms; those elected would serve in the 112th Congress from January 2011 until January 2013. Wisconsin has eight seats in the House, apportioned according to the 2000 United States census.

Overview

By district

Results of the 2010 United States House of Representatives elections in Wisconsin by district:

District 1

Incumbent Republican Congressman Paul Ryan ran for a seventh term in this marginally conservative district based in southeastern Wisconsin. Congressman Ryan faced a nominal challenge from Democratic businessman John Heckenlively and Libertarian Joseph Kexel.

The Wisconsin State Journal sharply criticized Congressman Ryan, labeling him "a singularly ineffective representative" and lambasted his plans to privatize Social Security and Medicare, noting, "even the most anti-government extremists recognize that gambling America’s retirement security on the stock market is madness." The State Journal called for voters to vote for challenger Heckenlively, with the rationale that he "will fight for the interests of southeastern Wisconsin working families the incumbent has so neglected.

District 2

Incumbent Democratic Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin, one of the few openly gay members of Congress, ran for a seventh term from this solidly liberal district based around the city of Madison, and she faced Republican candidate Chad Lee in the general election.

The Capital Times gave Congresswoman Baldwin glowing praise, observing that she "has eschewed the celebrity circuit and focused on heavy lifting in Washington and tending to the needs of her constituents in south-central Wisconsin’s 2nd district," calling the results of her work "impressive." Ultimately, the Capital Times concluded, "Baldwin’s service merits an enthusiastic endorsement, and she has it from us."

District 3

2010 Wisconsin's 3rd congressional district election

← 20082012 →

Nominee Ron Kind Dan Kapanke Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 126,380 116,838 Percentage 50.3% 46.5%

Kind:      40–50%      50–60% Kapanke:      50–60%

U.S. Representative before election Ron Kind Democratic Elected U.S. Representative Ron Kind Democratic

The 3rd district spans the Driftless Area in southwestern Wisconsin taking in cities such as Eau Claire and La Crosse. The incumbent was Democrat Ron Kind, who was reelected with 63.19% of the vote in 2008.

Democratic primary

Nominee

• Ron Kind, incumbent U.S. Representative

Results

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Dan Kapanke, State Senator from the 32nd district (2005–2011)

Eliminated in primary

• Bruce F. Evers

Results

General election

Campaign

Democratic Congressman Ron Kind faced Republican State Senator Dan Kapanke in his bid for an eighth term from this liberal-leaning congressional district based that includes much of western Wisconsin. The campaign between Kapanke and Kind was brutal, with Kapanke and the National Republican Congressional Committee accusing Kind of charging two doctors in exchange for meeting with them to discuss a bill, a claim that Kind countered with allegations that Kapanke used $32,000 from a charity to improve a baseball stadium. In their debate, Kapanke attacked Kind for having supported much of President Obama's agenda.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel endorsed Congressman Kind for re-election, noting, "Kind is a partisan with principles instead of someone who is principally, to the virtual exclusion of reasoned compromise, partisan." The Wisconsin State Journal criticized both Kind and Kapanke, noting that while they were "unimpressed with...Ron Kind" and that Kapanke was "scandal-plagued," Kind "is preferable to his...challenger."

Results

District 4

Congresswoman Gwen Moore ran for a fourth term from this staunchly liberal district based largely in the city of Milwaukee. This district tends to give Democrats solid margins of victory, so Moore did not face a credible challenge from Republican candidate Dan Sebring or independent candidate Eddie Ayyash.

The Wisconsin State Journal strongly endorsed Congresswoman Moore in her bid for re-election, calling her "a gem with a terrific voting record and an accessible style that will earn her easy re-election."

District 5

This solidly conservative district based in the northern and western suburbs of Milwaukee, has been represented by Republican Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner since he was first elected in 1978. Running for a seventeenth term, Sensenbrenner faced a nominal challenge from Democratic businessman Todd Kolosso and independent candidate Robert R. Raymond, who had run against the Congressman in previous elections.

The Wisconsin State Journal soured on Congressman Sensenbrenner, calling him "irascible" and announcing that he "has reached his 'sell-by' date." The State Journal endorsed Kolosso, who they claimed "would be a more engaged representative."

District 6

Incumbent Republican Congressman Tom Petri has represented this conservative-leaning district based in east-central Wisconsin since he was first elected in a 1979 special election. Petri built a reputation as a moderate in Congress and was well-liked by the constituents of his district. Though he faced a challenge from Democratic candidate Joseph Kallas, Petri was in no real danger of losing his seat.

The Wisconsin State Journal has high praise for Congressman Petri, referring to him as a "moderate...who builds bipartisan coalitions on education issues and brings a thoughtful take to foreign policy debates."

District 7

2010 Wisconsin's 7th congressional district election

← 20082012 →

Nominee Sean Duffy Julie Lassa Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 132,551 113,018 Percentage 52.1% 44.4%

County results Duffy:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70% Lassa:      50–60%

U.S. Representative before election Dave Obey Democratic Elected U.S. Representative Sean Duffy Republican

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Julie Lassa, State Senator from the 24th district (2003–2017)

Eliminated in primary

• Don Raihala

Declined

• Dave Obey, incumbent U.S. Representative

Results

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Sean Duffy, Ashland County District Attorney (2002–2010)

Eliminated in primary

• Dan Mielke

Results

General election

Campaign

When long-serving Democratic Congressman Dave Obey, the dean of the Wisconsin congressional delegation and the chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, declined to seek another term in this liberal-leaning district based in northwestern Wisconsin. Democratic State Senator Julie Lassa emerged as her party's nominee, while Ashland County District Attorney Sean Duffy, who had starred on MTV’s The Real World: Boston became the Republican nominee. A contentious general election ensued, in which the candidates traded barbs and personal attacks against each other.

Duffy alleged that as a State Senator, Lassa accepted a $2,530 pay increase, even while the state was losing jobs and undergoing a budget deficit. Politifact, however, questioned the accuracy of this attack, noting that Lassa had given back half of the pay increase. Lassa returned fire with a hard-hitting television advertisement alleging that Duffy skimped on his responsibilities as a District Attorney and the quality of his office’s services declined as a result. Politifact again investigated this claim and rated it as "Barely true."

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel praised both candidates in the race, observing, "both...candidates are a good fit for the district and would make able representatives." They praised Lassa for her "good work on several issues in the legislature," but ultimately endorsed Duffy, calling him, "the kind of independent thinker who might just shake things up in Washington." The Wisconsin State Journal, on the other hand, endorsed Lassa as a "more experienced and a more independent thinker than former MTV star Sean Duffy."

Results

District 8

2010 Wisconsin's 8th congressional district election

← 20082012 →

Nominee Reid Ribble Steve Kagen Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 143,998 118,646 Percentage 54.77% 45.12%

County results Ribble:      50–60%      60–70% Kagen:      50–60%      80–90%

U.S. Representative before election Steve Kagen Democratic Elected U.S. Representative Reid Ribble Republican

The 8th district is located in northeastern Wisconsin and includes Green Bay and Appleton. The incumbent was Democrat Steve Kagen, who was reelected with 54% of the vote in 2008.

Democratic primary

Nominee

• Steve Kagen, incumbent U.S. Representative

Results

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Reid Ribble, De Pere businessman

Eliminated in primary

• Terri McCormick, former state representative from the 56th district (2001–2007) and candidate for this district in 2006
• Roger Roth, state representative from the 56th district (2007–2011) and nephew of former U.S. representative Toby Roth

Withdrawn

• Marc Savard, farmer (remained on ballot; endorsed Ribble)

Results

General election

Campaign

Seeking a third term in this marginally conservative district based in northeastern Wisconsin and the Green Bay metropolitan area, incumbent Democratic Congressman Steve Kagen faced a stiff challenge from Republican Reid Ribble, a roofing contractor and former minister from Kaukauna. Kagen and Ribble engaged in a bitterly fought general election, with Kagen accusing Ribble of wanting to privatize Social Security and Ribble responded by accusing Kagen of sending American jobs to China through his votes in Congress.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel had praise for both the Democratic and Republican candidates, describing them as "pragmatic and able, well suited to a district that skews conservative," but ultimately endorsed Congressman Kagen for re-election, observing, "he has a reliably independent streak" and noting that Kagen "got it right" on many of the issues that Ribble attacked him over, "and that makes him the better pick." The Wisconsin State Journal concurred, urging voters to "proudly re-elect" Congressman Kagen due to his opposition to the "bank bailout and bad trade deals" and his objections "to surging more troops into Afghanistan." The Green Bay Press-Gazette, however, disagreed, endorsing Ribble as a person who "would approach the major challenges facing our country with a set of fresh eyes" and criticizing Congressman Kagen because "there are no significant pieces of legislation or contributions that stand out to convince us he deserves a third term."

Results

References

1. ^ Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives. "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 2, 2010" (PDF). p. 53–55.
2. Haas, Karen L. (June 3, 2011). "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 2, 2010". Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives. Retrieved November 12, 2019.
3. ^ "Partisan Voting Index Districts of the 111th Congress." The Cook Political Report. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 June 2011. <http://www.cookpolitical.com/sites/default/files/pvistate.pdf Archived 2011-07-15 at the Wayback Machine>.
4. ^ "Keep Tammy Baldwin in House, dump Paul Ryan". October 12, 2010.
5. Results of Fall Primary Election - 09/14/2010 (Report). Wisconsin Government Accountability Board. October 4, 2010. p. 9. Retrieved February 14, 2024 – via Wisconsin Historical Society.
6. Results of Fall Primary Election - 09/14/2010 (Report). Wisconsin Government Accountability Board. October 4, 2010. p. 9. Retrieved February 14, 2024 – via Wisconsin Historical Society.
7. "NRCC forgets Dan Kapanke's past". Pretty Important. October 30, 2010. Archived from the original on March 12, 2012.
8. "Ron Kind: A good fit for his district".
9. Nichols, John (December 19, 2006). "Congressman Tom Petri ought to consider making a party switch from Republican to Democrat". Retrieved July 5, 2008.
10. Stein, Jason. "Lassa announces run for Obey's seat". JSOnline. Retrieved July 12, 2010.
11. "Obey won't seek reelection". Politico. May 5, 2010.
12. Results of Fall Primary Election - 09/14/2010 (Report). Wisconsin Government Accountability Board. October 4, 2010. p. 9. Retrieved February 14, 2024 – via Wisconsin Historical Society.
13. "Sean Duffy running for congress". WAOW. July 8, 2009. Archived from the original on May 12, 2010. Retrieved April 7, 2010.
14. Results of Fall Primary Election - 09/14/2010 (Report). Wisconsin Government Accountability Board. October 4, 2010. p. 9. Retrieved February 14, 2024 – via Wisconsin Historical Society.
15. "PolitiFact - Sean Duffy says Julie Lassa took a pay raise that other legislators gave back".
16. "PolitiFact - Congressional candidate Julie Lassa says GOP rival Sean Duffy was a "no show" on the job".
17. "A close call . . . But it's Duffy".
18. Results of Fall Primary Election - 09/14/2010 (Report). Wisconsin Government Accountability Board. October 4, 2010. p. 9. Retrieved February 14, 2024 – via Wisconsin Historical Society.
19. Jacobs, Jeremy (July 9, 2009). "Political newcomer to take on Steve Kagen". The Hill. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
20. ^ Larry Sandler, 3 vying to take on Kagen, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (August 27, 2010).
21. Results of Fall Primary Election - 09/14/2010 (Report). Wisconsin Government Accountability Board. October 4, 2010. p. 9. Retrieved February 14, 2024 – via Wisconsin Historical Society.
22. "PolitiFact - U.S. Rep. Steve Kagen says opponent Reid Ribble wants to phase out Social Security".
23. "Reid Ribble Responds to Steve Kagen". Northwoods Patriots. October 25, 2010. Archived from the original on February 28, 2011.
24. "Kagen has grown into the job".
25. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20101020/GPG0602/10200706/1269/GPG06/Editorial--Ribble-brings-fresh-perspective-to-Congress

External links

• Elections & Voting Archived 2012-11-07 at the Wayback Machine at the Wisconsin Government Accountability Board
  • Candidate list Archived 2010-08-26 at the Wayback Machine
• U.S. Congress Candidates for Wisconsin at Project Vote Smart
• Wisconsin U.S. House from OurCampaigns.com
• Campaign contributions for U.S. Congressional races in Wisconsin from OpenSecrets
• 2010 Wisconsin General Election graph of multiple polls from Pollster.com
• House - Wisconsin from the Cook Political Report
• Election 2010 at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

• 2010 Wisconsin elections
• United States House of Representatives elections in Wisconsin
• 2010 United States House of Representatives elections