Midterm 2010 Election Outcomes: A Shifting Balance of Power

by | Nov 3, 2010

112th Congress, 1st Session

U.S. Senate maintains a Democratic majority of 52 (including 2 independents who caucus with Democrats) with a Republican  minority of 46 (previously, Democrats 59-41 majority).  At press time 2 seats were still undecided; however outcomes to these races will not affect the balance of power in the Senate.

U.S. House of Representatives attains a Republican majority of 239 with a Democratic minority of 186 (previously, Democrats had a 257-178 majority).  At press time 10 seats were still undecided; however outcomes to these races will not affect the balance of power in the House.

Wisconsin’s Delegation to the 112th Congress

Senate–Split one Democrat (holdover Sen. Herb Kohl who did not face re-election) and one Republican.  Ron Johnson (R) defeated current Sen. Russ Feingold (D) with 52% of the vote.

House–Split 5 Republicans and 3 Democrats (had been the reverse in the 111th Congress).  Results by district follow.  The 6 returning incumbents are denoted with an asterisk (*).

  • District 1: Rep. Paul Ryan (R)* over  John Heckenlively (D) with 68% of the vote.
  • District 2: Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D)* over Chad Lee (R) with 62% of the vote.
  • District 3: Rep. Ron Kind (D)* over Dan Kapanke (R) with 50% of the vote.
  • District 4: Rep. Gwen Moore (D)* over Dan Sebring (R) with 69% of the vote.
  • District 5: Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R)* over Todd Kolosso (D) with 69% of the vote.
  • District 6: Rep. Tom Petri (R)* over Joseph Kallas (D) with 71% of the vote.
  • District 7: Newcomer Sean Duffy (R) over Julia Lassa (D) with 52% of the vote.  Current representative Chairman Dave Obey (D) is retiring and did not seek re-election.
  • District 8: Newcomer Reid Ribble (R) over incumbent Rep. Steve Kagen (D) with 55% of the vote.

State of Wisconsin Constitutional Officers

Governor—Scott Walker (R) over Tom Barrett (D) with 52% of the vote.
Lieutenant Governor—Rebecca Kleefisch (R) over Tom Nelson (D).  Incumbant Barbara Lawton (D) did not seek re-election.
Attorney General–Incumbent J.B. Van Hollen (R) over Scott Hassett (D) with 58%of the vote.
Secretary of State–Incumbent Doug LaFollette (D) over David King (R) with 52% of the vote.
Treasurer—Kurt Schuller (R) over incumbent Dawn Sass (D) with 53% of the vote.

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