In 2012, 33 senate races will be contested. Some look like landslides, some look closer. In this article, I look at the ones that appear to be landslides (in alphabetical order)
California is a reliably Democratic state in both national and senatorial elections, although they did elect a Republican governor. In 2008, Obama got 61 percent of the vote. In the 2012 Senate race, incumbent Diane Feinstein is running for re-election; two Democrats are running against her in the primary, but should pose no problem. In 2006 she beat Richard Mountjoy 59-43. Many Republicans are considering running, but polling shows Feinstein well-ahead.
Minnesota senate race 2012
Minnesota went for Obama 54-44. Both senators are Democrats (Al Franken and Amy Klobuchar) as is its governor (Mark Dayton). In 2012, Sen. Klobuchar is running for re-election, she faces a primary from Dick Franson and at least 7 Republicans are vying for the chance to run against her in November. In 2006, Klobuchar beat Republican Mark Kennedy 58-38. A January poll showed her up by 20 or more points against various opponents.
Delaware senate race 2012
Delaware is one of the most Democratic states. Obama won 62-37. Both its senators (Tom Carper and Chris Coons) are Democrats, as is its governor (Jack Markell). In 2012, Sen. Carper is running for re-election. His only confirmed opponent is Kevin Wade. In 2006, he beat Republican Jan Ting 67-27. I did not find any polling on this race.
Maryland senate race 2012
Maryland is another solid Democratic state. Obama beat McCain 62-36. Both its senators are Democrats (Ben Cardin and Barbara Mikulski), as is its governor (Martin O’Malley). In 2012, Cardin is running for re-election. In 2006, Cardin beat Michael Steele 54-44. Polls show him beating a generic Republican by close to 20 points.
Mississippi senate race 2012
Mississippi is part of the “solid south”. McCain beat Obama 56-43. Both its senators are Republican (Thad Cochran and Roger Wicker) and so is its governor (Phil Bryant). Polls show Wicker winning easily against all opponents.
New York senate race 2012
New York gave Obama a huge 63-36 win over McCain. Both its senators (Kirsten Gillibrand and Chuck Schumer) are Democrats, as its governor (Andrew Cuomo). In 2012, Sen. Gillibrand is running for re-election; she won the seat vacated by Hillary Clinton in 2010, beating Joseph DioGuardi 57-34. Three Republicans are vying to face her in November. Recent polls show her winning by 30 points or more.
Rhode Island was Obama’s second best state (after Hawaii), he won 63-35. Both its senators are Democrats (Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse). Its governor is independent Lincoln Chaffee. In 2012, Whitehouse beat incumbent Chafee 53-46. Polls show him beating all Republicans by at least 10 points.
Tennessee senate race 2012
McCain won here, 57-42. Both of Tennessee’s senators are Republican (Bob Corker and Lamar Alexander) and its governor (Bill Haslam). In 2012, Corker is running for re-election. He beat Harold Ford Jr. 51-48 in 2006. Polls show Corker winning easily against all opponents.
Texas senate race 2012
Texas, although strongly Republican, is not as strongly so as some other states. McCain won 55-44, a narrower win than the other two Republican states mentioned here, and also less than many other states. But its senators (John Cornyn and Kay Bailey Hutchison) are both Republicans, as is its governor (Rick Perry). Hutchison is not running for re-election in 2012, and the Republican field for the primary is very crowded. Three Democrats are running, as well. However, polls show all the leading Republicans beating all the leading Democrats fairly handily. The leading Republicans are David Dewhurst and Ted Cruz; Dewhurst is leading, but his lead is diminishing.
Sources:
Election results:
Who is running, opencongress wiki for each state,
e.g. California http://www.opencongress.org/wiki/CA-Senate_Class_I_Seat
