1,125,932 1,020,841 Start date November 2, 2010 | 51.86% 47.02% | |
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The 2010 United States Senate election in Wisconsin was held on November 2, 2010. Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Russ Feingold ran for re-election to a fourth term, but was defeated by political newcomer, Republican Ron Johnson.
Contents
Candidates
Campaign
Former Republican Governor of Wisconsin Tommy Thompson had expressed an interest in challenging Feingold, but ruled himself out of the race in April 2010.
Johnson, a millionaire manufacturer and Tea Party movement favorite who was running for his first political office, was the front runner. In response to controversy over his ownership of stock in British Petroleum (BP), Johnson said he would sell it when market conditions were favorable and possibly use the proceeds to help finance his Senate campaign. Johnson was endorsed by the national GOP establishment as well as the fiscally conservative 501(c)4 organization Club for Growth. Former Wisconsin Republican Lt. Governor Margaret Farrow and Republican U.S. Senator Jim DeMint of South Carolina endorsed Johnson, as did Wisconsin Republican U.S. Representatives Jim Sensenbrenner, Tom Petri and Paul Ryan. Westlake was endorsed by the Republican Liberty Caucus. According to the Center for Responsive Politics, as of August 25, 2010, Johnson had invested $4.3 million of his own money into his campaign, which represented 71 percent of his campaign funds, while 27 percent of his campaign funds ($1.6 million) came from individual contributions.
Candidates
Campaign
Feingold's first television ad was a positive ad released in March. In July 2010, Feingold's second 2010 television election ad attacked Johnson for alleged support for offshore drilling in the Great Lakes. Johnson quickly countered Feingold with a television ad of his own. Feingold's logo was Moving Forward. In one ad he emphasized independence and called himself a "Penny Pincher." Johnson argued that his professions, manufacturer and accountant were underrepresented in the U.S. Senate, and there were too many lawyers (57 out of 100 members), including Feingold. Feingold received the endorsements of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and the Green Bay Press-Gazette. The Beloit Daily News endorsed Johnson.
Debates
Fundraising
Through 12/31/2010