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2010 United States Senate election in Colorado

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Nominee Michael Bennet Ken Buck Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 854,685 824,789 Percentage 48.08% 46.40%

County results Precinct resultsBennet:      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 Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Michael Bennet Democratic

Elections in Colorado
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v t e

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. After Salazar resigned from his seat, 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. 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

• Michael Bennet, incumbent U.S. Senator

Eliminated in primary

• Andrew Romanoff, former speaker of the Colorado House of Representatives

Endorsements

Bennet

• President Barack Obama
• U.S. Senator Russ Feingold
• Congresswoman Diana DeGette
• Congressman Ed Perlmutter
• Congresswoman Betsy Markey
• U.S. Senator Mark Udall
• Congressman Jared Polis
• Congressman John Salazar
• Former U.S. Senator Gary Hart
• Governor Bill Ritter

Romanoff

• Former president Bill Clinton

Polling

Results

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Ken Buck, Weld County District Attorney

Eliminated in primary

• Jane Norton, former Lieutenant Governor of Colorado

Eliminated in convention

• Cleve Tidwell, businessman
• Robert Greenheck
• Steve Barton

Withdrew

• Tom Wiens, former state senator

Declined

• Bob Beauprez, former U.S. Representative for Colorado's 7th congressional district
• Troy Eid, U.S. Attorney for United States District Court for the District of Colorado
• Ryan Frazier, Aurora city councilman

Endorsements

• Jim DeMint, U.S. Senator
• Erick Erickson, blogger
• Tom Wiens, state senator

According to her website:

• American Conservative Union
• Family Research Council
• Susan B. Anthony List
• Bill Owens, Governor
• Sarah Palin, former Governor
• William L. Armstrong, former U.S. Senator
• Hank Brown, former U.S. Senator
• Sam Brownback, U.S. Senator
• Tom Coburn, U.S. Senator
• Bob Beauprez, former U.S. Congressman
• John Suthers, State Attorney General
• Mark Hillman, former state treasurer
• Jan Brewer, Arizona Governor
• Wayne Allard, Former U.S. Senator
• Orrin Hatch, U.S. Senator
• Josh Penry, state senator
• United States Chamber of Commerce

Polling

Results

Libertarian primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Mac Stringer

Eliminated in primary

• John Finger

Results

General election

Candidates

Major

• Michael Bennet (D), incumbent U.S. Senator
• Ken Buck (R), Weld County DA

Minor

• Bob Kinsey (G) (campaign site, archived November 4, 2010, PVS)
• Charley Miller (I) (campaign site, PVS)
• J. Moromisato (I) (campaign site, PVS)
• Jason Napolitano (I) (PVS)
• Mac Stringer (L) (campaign site Archived October 29, 2010, at the Wayback Machine, PVS)
• Bruce E. Lohmiller (G) (Write-in) (Congress.org)
• Michele M. Newman (I) (Write-in) ()
• Robert Rank (R) (Write-in) () campaign site, () YouTube campaign video

Source: Official Candidate List

Campaign

This was one of the most expensive elections in the nation, as more than $30 million was spent by outside organizations. 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. 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 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.

Debates

• September 12: Sponsored by Club 20 in Grand Junction

Predictions

Polling

Fundraising

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

Results

Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican

• Garfield (largest municipality: Glenwood Springs)
• Bent (Largest city: Las Animas)
• Mineral (Largest city: Creede)
• Rio Grande (Largest city: Monte Vista)
• Archuleta (Largest city: Pagosa Springs)

Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic

• Chaffee (largest city: Salida)
• Ouray (largest city: Ouray)

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. ^ Public Policy Polling
12. Survey USA
13. ^ Survey USA
14. ^ Public Policy Polling
15. ^ "Colorado Primary Results". Politico. August 10, 2010. Retrieved August 11, 2010.
16. ^ "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. ^ Magellan
32. ^ 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. ^ 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. ^ 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. ^ 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.
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.

External links

• Colorado Secretary of State - Elections Center Archived July 1, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
• U.S. Congress candidates for Colorado at Project Vote Smart
• Colorado U.S. Senate 2010 from OurCampaigns.com
• Campaign contributions from Open Secrets
• 2010 Colorado Senate General Election: All Head-to-Head Matchups graph of multiple polls from Pollster.com
• Election 2010: Colorado Senate from Rasmussen Reports
• 2010 Colorado Senate Race from Real Clear Politics
• 2010 Colorado Senate Race from CQ Politics
• Race profile from The New York Times
• Collected news and commentary at Election 2010 at The Denver Post

Debate

• Colorado Senate Republican Primary Debate on C-SPAN, July 23, 2010
• Colorado Senate Debate on C-SPAN, September 11, 2010

Official campaign websites (Archived)

• Steven Barton for U.S. Senate
• Michael Bennet for U.S. Senate incumbent
• Ken Buck for U.S. Senate
• Gary Kennedy for U.S. Senate
• Bob Kinsey for U.S. Senate
• Vincent Martinez for U.S. Senate
• Jane Norton for U.S. Senate
• Andrew Romanoff for U.S. Senate
• Cleve Tidwell for U.S. Senate
• Tom Wiens for U.S. Senate
• Michele M. Newman for U.S. Senate

v t e Elections in Colorado
Presidential elections	1876 1880 1884 1888 1892 1896 1900 1904 1908 1912 1916 1920 1924 1928 1932 1936 1940 1944 1948 1952 1956 1960 1964 1968 1972 1976 1980 1984 1988 1992 1996 2000 2004 2008 2012 2016 2020 2024
Senate elections	Class 2 1912 1918 1924 1930 1936 1942 1948 1954 1960 1966 1972 1978 1984 1990 1996 2002 2008 2014 2020 Class 3 1912 1914 1920 1926 1932 1938 1944 1950 1956 1962 1968 1974 1980 1986 1992 1998 2004 2010 2016 2022
House elections	2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 2020 2022 2024
State elections	2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 2020 2022 2024
Gubernatorial elections	1876 1878 1880 1882 1884 1886 1888 1890 1892 1894 1896 1898 1900 1902 1904 1906 1908 1910 1912 1914 1916 1918 1920 1922 1924 1926 1928 1930 1932 1934 1936 1938 1940 1942 1944 1946 1948 1950 1952 1954 1956 1958 1962 1966 1970 1974 1978 1982 1986 1990 1994 1998 2002 2006 2010 2014 2018 2022
Legislative elections	State Senate 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 2020 2022 2024 State House 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 2020 2022 2024

• 2010 Colorado elections
• 2010 United States Senate elections
• United States Senate elections in Colorado
• Michael Bennet