2010 United States Senate election in Georgia

Summary

The 2010 United States Senate election in Georgia took place on November 2, 2010. Incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson won re-election to a second term.[1]

2010 United States Senate election in Georgia

← 2004 November 2, 2010 2016 →
 
Nominee Johnny Isakson Mike Thurmond
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 1,489,904 996,516
Percentage 58.31% 39.00%

Isakson:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%
Thurmond:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%
Tie:      40–50%      50%
     No data

U.S. senator before election

Johnny Isakson
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Johnny Isakson
Republican

Democratic primary edit

Candidates edit

Polling edit

Poll source Dates administered Michael Thurmond RJ Hadley Undecided
Survey USA June 14–17, 2010 68% 11% 22%
Survey USA July 7–8, 2010 64% 13% 23%

Results edit

Democratic primary results[2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Michael Thurmond 297,226 84.3%
Democratic RJ Hadley 55,159 15.7%
Total votes 352,385 100.0%

Republican primary edit

Candidates edit

Results edit

Republican primary results[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Johnny Isakson (incumbent) 558,298 100.00%
Total votes 558,298 100.00%

General election edit

Candidates edit

Campaign edit

Thurmond was the underdog in trying to become the first African-American to serve Georgia in the U.S. Senate. Thurmond claimed, "Polls are irrelevant. As everyone knows, the only poll that counts is the election on November 2."[5] Isakson defended his record, saying, "Big business is not evil. If you didn't have big business, you wouldn't have jobs in America today."[6] Despite the fact all political prognosticators classified the race as being safe for Isakson by August 20, he stated that Thurmond was a potentially formidable candidate, and that he would take nothing for granted.[7]

Debates edit

Predictions edit

Source Ranking As of
Cook Political Report[9] Solid R October 26, 2010
Rothenberg[10] Safe R October 22, 2010
RealClearPolitics[11] Safe R October 26, 2010
Sabato's Crystal Ball[12] Safe R October 21, 2010
CQ Politics[13] Safe R October 26, 2010

Polling edit

Poll source Dates administered Johnny Isakson (R) Michael Thurmond (D) Chuck Donovan (L) Other* Undecided
Rasmussen Reports April 22, 2010 51% 35% –– –– ––
Rasmussen Reports[permanent dead link] May 20, 2010 57% 30% –– 6% 8%
Rasmussen Reports August 11, 2010 55% 41% –– 2% 2%
Insider Advantage August 17, 2010 47% 35% 7% –– 11%
Survey USA September 10–12, 2010 56% 34% 6% –– 4%
Mason-Dixon September 19, 2010 52% 33% 4% –– 11%
Rasmussen Reports September 21, 2010 52% 36% 6% –– 6%
Insider Advantage September 27, 2010 61% 29% 3% –– 7%
Rasmussen Reports October 6, 2010 53% 38% 5% 1% 3%
SurveyUSA October 21–24, 2010 58% 34% 5% –– 3%
Rasmussen Reports October 24, 2010 59% 29% 5% 3% 4%
Mason-Dixon[permanent dead link] October 26–28, 2010 56% 33% 4% 0% 7%
* Note: There is only one "other" candidate: Chuck Donovan.

Fundraising edit

Candidate (party) Receipts Disbursements Cash on hand Debt
Johnny Isakson (R) $5,943,285 $5,650,138 $2,588,284 $0
Michael Thurmond (D) $288,666 $202,610 $86,055 $5,220
Source: Federal Election Commission[14]

Results edit

United States Senate election in Georgia, 2010[15]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Johnny Isakson (incumbent) 1,489,904 58.31% +0.43%
Democratic Michael Thurmond 996,516 39.00% -0.98%
Libertarian Chuck Donovan 68,750 2.69% +0.55%
Write-in 88 0.00% N/A
Total votes 2,555,258 100.00%
Republican hold

Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic edit

Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican edit

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ Galloway, Jim (May 8, 2008). "Isakson says he won't run for governor, will seek re-election to U.S. Senate". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
  2. ^ "7/20/2010 - United States Senator, Isakson". Sos.georgia.gov. Archived from the original on August 22, 2010. Retrieved August 21, 2010.
  3. ^ "7/20/2010 - United States Senator, Isakson". Sos.georgia.gov. Archived from the original on August 22, 2010. Retrieved August 21, 2010.
  4. ^ "Online Guide to Georgia Politics". Politics1. Retrieved June 14, 2010.
  5. ^ "Thurmond looks to oust senator". OnlineAthens.com.
  6. ^ For incumbent Sen. Isakson, it's all business » Local News » The Daily Citizen, Dalton, GA
  7. ^ Race looks tough for Isakson's competitors | ajc.com
  8. ^ US Senate debate in Atlanta October 24 – Submit your questions
  9. ^ "Senate". Cook Political Report. Retrieved October 26, 2010.
  10. ^ "Senate Ratings". Rothenberg Political Report. Retrieved October 26, 2010.
  11. ^ "Battle for the Senate". RealClearPolitics. Retrieved October 26, 2010.
  12. ^ "2010 Senate Ratings". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved October 26, 2010.
  13. ^ "Race Ratings Chart: Senate". CQ Politics. Archived from the original on October 28, 2010. Retrieved October 26, 2010.
  14. ^ "2010 House and Senate Campaign Finance for Georgia". fec.gov. Retrieved May 1, 2010.[permanent dead link]
  15. ^ 11/2/2010 - United States Senator, Isakson

External links edit

  • Elections Division of the Georgia Secretary of State
  • U.S. Congress candidates for Georgia at Project Vote Smart
  • Georgia U.S. Senate from OurCampaigns.com
  • Campaign contributions from Open Secrets
  • 2010 Georgia Senate General Election: Sen. Johnny Isakson (R) vs Michael Thurmond (D) graph of multiple polls from Pollster.com
  • Election 2010: Georgia Senate from Rasmussen Reports
  • 2010 Georgia Senate Race from Real Clear Politics
  • 2010 Georgia Senate Race from CQ Politics
  • Race profile from The New York Times
Official campaign websites (archived)
  • Chuck Donovan for U.S. Senate
  • RJ Hadley for U.S. Senate
  • Johnny Isakson for U.S. Senate incumbent
  • Mike Thurmond for U.S. Senate