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2010 United States Senate election in New Hampshire

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2010 United States Senate election in New Hampshire

← 2004 November 2, 2010 2016 →
 
Nominee Kelly Ayotte Paul Hodes
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 273,218 167,545
Percentage 60.09% 36.85%

Ayotte:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%
Hodes:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      >90%
Tie:      40–50%

U.S. senator before election

Judd Gregg
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Kelly Ayotte
Republican

The 2010 United States Senate election in New Hampshire was held on November 2, 2010, alongside other midterm elections to the United States Senate in other states as well as to the United States House of Representatives. Primaries were held on September 14. Incumbent Senator Judd Gregg (R) retired instead of seeking a fourth term, and was succeeded by Kelly Ayotte, who won the open seat by over 23 points. This is the last time that Republicans won a U.S. Senate election in New Hampshire. This was also the first open seat election in the state since 1992. With Democrat Jeanne Shaheen serving in the state's other Senate seat, New Hampshire became the first state in the union to be represented in the Senate simultaneously by two women of opposite parties.

Background

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Gregg was reelected with 66% of the vote in 2004, and indicated that he would seek a fourth term in 2010.[1] New Hampshire trended Democratic in the 2006 and 2008 elections, with Republican incumbents losing both of the state's House seats and its other Senate seat to Democrats, but polling conducted in late December 2008 showed Gregg defeating both of the state's U.S. Representatives in a hypothetical match-up.

In February 2009, President Barack Obama offered, and Gregg accepted, nomination to the position of United States Secretary of Commerce.[2] New Hampshire's Democratic Governor John Lynch announced he would appoint Bonnie Newman, former Assistant Secretary of Commerce for economic development in the Reagan administration, to serve as Senator for New Hampshire until the election in 2010.[2] Newman announced that she would not run for election in 2010, nor would she endorse any candidate in the race.[3]

On February 12, 2009, however, Gregg withdrew his nomination for Commerce Secretary. He cited "irresolvable conflicts" over policy related to the Commerce Department as the main reasons for his withdrawal, but also indicated support for President Obama.[4] Gregg continued to serve as a senator from New Hampshire, as he did not resign from the Senate during the nomination process. At the time of the withdrawal, Gregg indicated that he would not run for reelection in 2010. However, at a subsequent press conference, Gregg clarified that he would "probably not" run for reelection, leading to speculation that was not eliminating the possibility completely.[5][6]

On April 1, 2009, Gregg reaffirmed that he would not run.[7]

Meanwhile, Democratic U.S. Representative Paul Hodes began his Senate campaign. He was the only major announced candidate until Attorney General Kelly Ayotte announced her bid for the Republican nomination in early July 2009. On November 9, 2009, Republican Ovide Lamontagne joined the race as well.

Republican primary

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Candidates

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Endorsements

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Kelly Ayotte
Ovide Lamontagne

Polling

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Poll source Dates administered Kelly Ayotte Jim Bender Bill Binnie Ovide Lamontagne Undecided/other
Tarrance Group[28] January 13–14, 2010 43% 3% 5% 11% 37%
Research 2000[29] February 1–3, 2010 36% –– 4% 27% 33%
Public Policy Polling[30] April 21, 2010 43% 11% 19% 5% 21%
Magellan Strategies[31] May 28, 2010 38% 4% 29% 9% 15%
Public Policy Polling[32] July 23–25, 2010 47% 6% 14% 8% 20%
Magellan Strategies[33] September 1, 2010 34% 13% 17% 21% 15%
Public Policy Polling[34] September 11–12, 2010 37% 12% 13% 30% 5%
Magellan Strategies[35] September 12, 2010 35% 10% 14% 31% 10%

Results

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Results by county:
  Ayotte—40–50%
  Ayotte—30–40%
  Lamontagne—30–40%
  Lamontagne—40–50%
Republican primary results[36]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Kelly Ayotte 53,056 38.21%
Republican Ovide Lamontagne 51,397 37.01%
Republican Bill Binnie 19,508 14.05%
Republican Jim Bender 12,611 9.08%
Republican Dennis Lamare 1,388 1.00%
Republican Tom Alciere 499 0.36%
Republican Gerard Beloin 402 0.29%
Total votes 138,861 100.00%

General election

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Candidates

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Campaign

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Hodes called himself a fiscal conservative, which was mocked by Ayotte in a TV ad. Hodes was criticized for supporting President Obama's Economic Recovery package, a carbon energy tax, and Affordable Care Act.[37][38][39] Hodes criticized Ayotte for numerous controversies. One ad questioned Ayotte's honesty in dealing with the Lakes Region Ponzi scheme which defrauded investors of almost $80 million.[40]

Ayotte was endorsed by the Concord Monitor and the Nashua Telegraph.[41]

Debates

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Predictions

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Source Ranking As of
Cook Political Report[44] Lean R October 26, 2010
Rothenberg[45] Safe R October 22, 2010
RealClearPolitics[46] Lean R October 26, 2010
Sabato's Crystal Ball[47] Likely R October 21, 2010
CQ Politics[48] Lean R October 26, 2010

Polling

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Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin
of error
Kelly Ayotte (R) Paul Hodes (D) Other Undecided
Granite State Poll[49] June 24 – July 1, 2009 558 ± 4.1% 39% 35% 2% 24%
Research 2000[50] July 13 – 15, 2009 600 ± 4.0% 39% 38% 2% 21%
Rasmussen Reports[51] September 14, 2009 500 ± 4.5% 46% 38% 5% 12%
American Research Group[52] September 30, 2009 566 ± 4.1% 41% 34% –– 25%
Granite State Poll[53] October 2, 2009 503 ± 4.4% 40% 33% 2% 25%
American Research Group[54] December 29, 2009 566 ± 4.1% 43% 36% –– 21%
Rasmussen Reports[55] January 12, 2010 500 ± 4.5% 49% 40% 3% 8%
Granite State Poll[56] January 27 – February 3, 2010 500 ± 4.4% 41% 33% 1% 25%
Research 2000[29] February 1–3, 2010 600 ± 4.0% 46% 39% –– 11%
Rasmussen Reports[57] February 10, 2010 500 ± 4.5% 46% 39% 3% 13%
Rasmussen Reports[58] March 8, 2010 500 ± 4.5% 47% 37% 4% 12%
Rasmussen Reports[59] April 7, 2010 500 ± 4.5% 50% 35% 4% 11%
Public Policy Polling[60] April 17–18, 2010 1,474 ± 2.6% 47% 40% –– 13%
Granite State Poll[61] April 12–21, 2010 512 ± 4.4% 47% 32% –– 21%
Rasmussen Reports[62] May 11, 2010 500 ± 4.5% 50% 38% 3% 9%
Rasmussen Reports[63] July 12, 2010 500 ± 4.5% 49% 37% 7% 7%
Public Policy Polling[64] July 23–25, 2010 900 ± 3.26% 45% 42% –– 13%
WMUR Granite State Poll[65] July 19–27, 2010 453 ± 4.4% 45% 37% 1% 17%
Rasmussen Reports[66] August 5, 2010 500 ± 4.5% 51% 38% 4% 6%
Public Policy Polling[67] September 11–12, 2010 1,959 ± 2.2% 47% 43% –– 9%
Rasmussen Reports[63] September 15, 2010 500 ± 4.5% 51% 44% 1% 4%
American Research Group[54] September 22–26, 2010 800 ± 3.5% 46% 32% 2% 20%
American Research Group[54] October 3–5, 2010 600 ± 4.0% 47% 42% 4% 7%
Rasmussen Reports[63] October 10, 2010 750 ± 4.0% 51% 44% 3% 2%
WMUR/UNH[68] October 7–12, 2010 709 ± 3.7% 50% 35% 1% 12%
Rasmussen Reports[69] October 27, 2010 750 ± 4.0% 56% 41% 2% 1%
Public Policy Polling[70] October 27–29, 2010 1,308 ± 2.7% 56% 41% –– 3%
WMUR/UNH[71] October 27–30, 2010 885 ± 3.3% 54% 36% 2% 8%
WMUR/UNH[71] October 31, 2010 885 ± 3.3% 55% 32% 2% 2%
The Concord[72] October 31, 2010 885 ± 3.3% 56% 32% 2% 4%
Hypothetical polling
Poll Source Dates
Administered
Sample
size
Margin of
Error
Paul
Hodes (D)
Jim
Bender (R)
Other Undecided
WMUR Granite State Poll[65] July 19–27, 2010 453 ± 4.4% 39% 36% -- 25%
Public Policy Polling[64] July 23–25, 2010 900 ± 3.26% 43% 42% -- 16%
Rasmussen Reports[63] July 12, 2010 500 ± 4.5% 39% 43% 10% 8%
Rasmussen Reports[62] May 11, 2010 500 ± 4.5% 41% 39% 8% 13%
Granite State Poll[61] April 12–21, 2010 512 ± 4.4% 37% 34% -- 29%
Public Policy Polling[60] April 17–18, 2010 1474 ± 2.6% 43% 39% -- 18%
Granite State Poll[56] January 27 – February 3, 2010 500 ± 4.4% 36% 27% 2% 35%
Poll Source Dates
Administered
Sample
size
Margin of
Error
Paul
Hodes (D)
Bill
Binnie (R)
Other Undecided
Rasmussen Reports[66] August 5, 2010 500 ± 4.5% 40% 46% 8% 7%
WMUR Granite State Poll[65] July 19–27, 2010 453 ± 4.4% 38% 41% -- 21%
Public Policy Polling[64] July 23–25, 2010 900 ± 3.26% 41% 46% -- 13%
Rasmussen Reports[63] July 12, 2010 500 ± 4.5% 38% 49% 7% 8%
Rasmussen Reports[73] May 11, 2010 500 ± 4.5% 37% 49% 6% 8%
Granite State Poll[61] April 12–21, 2010 512 ± 4.4% 36% 38% -- 26%
Public Policy Polling[60] April 17–18, 2010 1474 ± 2.6% 42% 45% -- 13%
Rasmussen Reports[59] April 7, 2010 500 ± 4.5% 37% 49% 4% 10%
Rasmussen Reports[58] March 8, 2010 500 ± 4.5% 36% 46% 4% 14%
Rasmussen Reports[74] February 10, 2010 500 ± 4.5% 41% 42% 3% 13%
Research 2000[29] February 1–3, 2010 600 ± 4.0% 45% 35% -- 15%
Granite State Poll[56] January 27 – February 3, 2010 500 ± 4.4% 34% 30% 2% 33%
Rasmussen Reports[55] January 12, 2010 500 ± 4.5% 43% 37% 5% 15%
Poll Source Dates
Administered
Sample
size
Margin of
Error
Paul
Hodes (D)
Ovide
Lamontagne (R)
Other Undecided
WMUR Granite State Poll[65] July 19–27, 2010 453 ± 4.4% 42% 36% 1% 21%
Public Policy Polling[64] July 23–25, 2010 900 ± 3.26% 43% 38% -- 18%
Rasmussen Reports[63] July 12, 2010 500 ± 4.5% 40% 43% 9% 9%
Rasmussen Reports[62] May 11, 2010 500 ± 4.5% 43% 38% 8% 11%
Granite State Poll[61] April 12–21, 2010 512 ± 4.4% 36% 37% -- 26%
Public Policy Polling[60] April 17–18, 2010 1474 ± 2.6% 44% 37% -- 19%
Rasmussen Reports[59] April 7, 2010 500 ± 4.5% 39% 44% 7% 11%
Rasmussen Reports[58] March 8, 2010 500 ± 4.5% 42% 38% 5% 15%
Rasmussen Reports[57] February 10, 2010 500 ± 4.5% 44% 38% 4% 13%
Research 2000[29] February 1–3, 2010 600 ± 4.0% 46% 36% -- 13%
Granite State Poll[56] January 27 – February 3, 2010 500 ± 4.4% 38% 29% 2% 30%
Rasmussen Reports[75] January 12, 2010 500 ± 4.5% 45% 38% 6% 11%
American Research Group[54] December 29, 2009 566 ± 4.1% 31% 37% -- 32%

Fundraising

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Candidate (party) Receipts Disbursements Cash on hand Debt
Kelly Ayotte (R) $4,403,599 $3,397,934 $1,005,664 $26,944
Paul Hodes (D) $4,596,642 $4,346,539 $248,003 $0
Source: Federal Election Commission[76]

Results

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United States Senate election in New Hampshire, 2010[77][78]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Kelly Ayotte 273,218 60.09% −6.15%
Democratic Paul Hodes 167,545 36.85% +3.10%
Independent Chris Booth 9,194 2.02% N/A
Libertarian Ken Blevens 4,753 1.04% +1.04%
Total votes 454,710 100.0%
Republican hold

References

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  1. ^ "Gregg confirms 2010 bid for re-election: Calls Dem sweep 'repudiation' of Bush". FOS News. November 5, 2008. Archived from the original on May 25, 2011. Retrieved November 6, 2008.
  2. ^ a b "GOP's Gregg accepts commerce secretary post". CNN.com. February 3, 2009. Archived from the original on February 6, 2009.
  3. ^ Rhee, Foon (February 3, 2009). "Newman named to replace Gregg". Boston Globe.
  4. ^ "BREAKING: Gregg withdraws". CNN.com. February 12, 2009. Archived from the original on June 3, 2012. Retrieved February 12, 2009.
  5. ^ "Judd Gregg withdraws as nominee for Commerce secretary, says he won't run in 2010". New Hampshire Union Leader. February 13, 2009. Archived from the original on October 28, 2011. Retrieved February 12, 2009.
  6. ^ Martin Kady II & David Rogers (February 12, 2009). "'I couldn't be Judd Gregg'". Politico.
  7. ^ J. Taylor Rushing (April 1, 2009). "Gregg says he definitely won't run again". The Hill. Archived from the original on April 5, 2009. Retrieved April 2, 2009.
  8. ^ "Republicans land top recruit in New Hampshire - The Scorecard". Politico. Retrieved June 14, 2010.
  9. ^ Michael McCord (November 4, 2009). "Rye's Binnie makes official his run for U.S. Senate". Sea Coast Online. Archived from the original on May 25, 2010. Retrieved November 21, 2009.
  10. ^ Kraushaar, Josh (November 8, 2009). "Lamontagne announces Senate campaign - The Scorecard". Politico. Retrieved June 14, 2010.
  11. ^ "Radio Ad: Judd Gregg Supports Kelly Ayotte in New Radio Spot". Ayotteforsenate.com. Retrieved August 21, 2010.
  12. ^ Palin endorses Ayotte, hits rivals in Senate race, Kevin Landrigan, The Nashua Telegraph, July 20, 2010
  13. ^ "Kelly Ayotte Statement on Endorsement from Gov. Sarah Palin". Ayotteforsenate.com. Retrieved August 21, 2010.
  14. ^ "Kelly Ayotte". Tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com. Archived from the original on August 1, 2010. Retrieved August 21, 2010.
  15. ^ "John McCain Endorses Republican Senate Candidate Kelly Ayotte In Nashua, New Hampshire". YouTube. March 13, 2010. Archived from the original on December 15, 2021. Retrieved August 21, 2010.
  16. ^ "Candidate - William H. Zeliff, Jr". Our Campaigns. Retrieved June 14, 2010.
  17. ^ "Senator Warren Rudman Announces Support for Kelly Ayotte". Ayotteforsenate.com. Retrieved August 21, 2010.
  18. ^ "Former New Hampshire U.S. Marshal Joins Team Ayotte". Ayotteforsenate.com. Retrieved August 21, 2010.
  19. ^ "Niet compatibele browser". Facebook. Retrieved June 14, 2010.
  20. ^ "Rico Petrocelli Endorses Ayotte". RedHampshire.com. July 6, 2010. Archived from the original on August 5, 2010. Retrieved August 21, 2010.
  21. ^ "Senator Jim DeMint Endorses Ovide for Senate". Ovide for Senate. September 1, 2010. Retrieved September 16, 2010.
  22. ^ McQuaid, Joseph W. (August 29, 2010). "Joseph W. McQuaid: Lamontagne for U.S. Senate". New Hampshire Union Leader. UnionLeader.com. Archived from the original on December 4, 2010. Retrieved September 16, 2010.
  23. ^ "Candidate - Dan Quayle". Our Campaigns. Retrieved June 14, 2010.
  24. ^ "Ovide Lamontagne for U.S. Senate » Blog Archive". Ovide2010.com. June 10, 2010. Archived from the original on February 21, 2010. Retrieved June 14, 2010.
  25. ^ Tuck, Amos (March 18, 2010). "Gordon Humphrey endorses Ovide Lamontagne. John Babiarz endorses Jim Bender". RedHampshire.com. Archived from the original on January 3, 2011. Retrieved June 14, 2010.
  26. ^ "Former State Sen. Joe Kenney Endorses Ovide". RedHampshire.com. January 27, 2012. Archived from the original on January 4, 2011. Retrieved December 11, 2012.
  27. ^ Zarrabizadeh, Payam. "Free Stuff". Laura Ingraham. Archived from the original on July 16, 2011. Retrieved June 14, 2010.
  28. ^ Tarrance Group
  29. ^ a b c d Research 2000
  30. ^ Public Policy Polling
  31. ^ Magellan Strategies Archived May 31, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
  32. ^ Public Policy Polling
  33. ^ Magellan Strategies
  34. ^ Public Policy Polling
  35. ^ Magellan Strategies
  36. ^ "Home - NHSOS" (PDF). www.sos.nh.gov. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 25, 2017. Retrieved April 13, 2018.
  37. ^ "Hodes gets prize for funniest TV ads - NashuaTelegraph.com". Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved October 24, 2010.
  38. ^ "Dem Paul Hodes In NH-SEN TV Ad: I'm A 'Fiscal Conservative' Video". Vodpod.com. Archived from the original on April 3, 2012. Retrieved December 11, 2012.
  39. ^ Rayfield, Jillian (September 21, 2010). "Rove-Backed Group Attacks Hodes For 'Fiscal Conservative' Claim (VIDEO) | TPMDC". Tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com. Retrieved December 11, 2012.
  40. ^ "Hodes launches 2nd attack ad against Ayotte - NashuaTelegraph.com". Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved October 24, 2010.
  41. ^ "Kelly receives endorsements from Concord Monitor and Nashua Telegraph | Kelly Ayotte". Archived from the original on October 23, 2010. Retrieved October 24, 2010.
  42. ^ Love, Norma (October 11, 2010). "NH's Hodes, Ayotte clash in 1st debate". The Boston Globe.
  43. ^ Writer, Staff. "Hodes, Ayotte debate in N.H. Senate race". Portsmouth Herald. Retrieved June 4, 2024.
  44. ^ "Senate". Cook Political Report. Retrieved October 26, 2010.
  45. ^ "Senate Ratings". Rothenberg Political Report. Retrieved October 26, 2010.
  46. ^ "Battle for the Senate". RealClearPolitics. Retrieved October 26, 2010.
  47. ^ "2010 Senate Ratings". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Archived from the original on October 28, 2010. Retrieved October 26, 2010.
  48. ^ "Race Ratings Chart: Senate". CQ Politics. Archived from the original on October 28, 2010. Retrieved October 26, 2010.
  49. ^ Granite State Poll
  50. ^ Research 2000
  51. ^ Rasmussen Reports
  52. ^ American Research Group
  53. ^ Granite State Poll
  54. ^ a b c d American Research Group
  55. ^ a b Rasmussen Reports
  56. ^ a b c d Granite State Poll
  57. ^ a b Rasmussen Reports
  58. ^ a b c Rasmussen Reports
  59. ^ a b c Rasmussen Reports
  60. ^ a b c d Public Policy Polling
  61. ^ a b c d Granite State Poll
  62. ^ a b c Rasmussen Reports
  63. ^ a b c d e f Rasmussen Reports
  64. ^ a b c d Public Policy Polling
  65. ^ a b c d WMUR Granite State Poll
  66. ^ a b Rasmussen Reports
  67. ^ Public Policy Polling
  68. ^ WMUR/UNH
  69. ^ Rasmussen Reports
  70. ^ Public Policy Polling
  71. ^ a b WMUR/UNH Archived March 23, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
  72. ^ The Concord Archived March 23, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
  73. ^ Rasmussen Reports
  74. ^ Rasmussen Reports
  75. ^ Rasmussen Reports
  76. ^ "2010 House and Senate Campaign Finance for New Hampshire". fec.gov. Retrieved September 6, 2010.[permanent dead link]
  77. ^ "New Hampshire Election Results". The New York Times.
  78. ^ "2010 General Election". New Hampshire Department of State.
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Official campaign websites (Archived)