United States Senate election in Louisiana, 2010
Encyclopedia
The 2010 United States Senate election in Louisiana was held on November 2, 2010. Republican
incumbent U.S. Senator
David Vitter
won re-election to a second term.
Vitter faced a potentially serious challenge in the Republican primary as well as the general election. Tony Perkins
, a former Louisiana state representative and current president of the socially conservative Family Research Council
, acknowledged interest in running against Vitter because of the prostitution scandal. Nonetheless, Perkins decided not to run; Perkins endorses Vitter for reelection.
Some speculated that Vitter's reelection might have become complicated, by the prostitution scandal revealed in 2007, but he continued to lead in aggregate polling against potential opponents.
Following a movement to draft him into the race, John Cooksey
, a former U.S. Representative
, appeared poised to put together a challenge, planning on spending $200,000 of his own money. Cooksey, however, pulled back and did not qualify.
A campaign to draft porn actress Stormy Daniels
began in early 2009. She considered whether to run but ultimately declined to qualify.
On August 27, 2009, Congressman Charlie Melançon
announced his intentions to run for Senate in 2010. Melançon, who has been representing Louisiana's 3rd Congressional District since 2005, released the announcement to his supporters, saying that "Louisiana needs a different approach, more bi-partisan, more disciplined, more honest and with a whole lot more common sense." Melancon has been a leader of the Blue Dog Coalition, a group of fiscally conservative
Democrats who aim to lower the deficit and reform the budget.
In the weeks before the election a major concern for Vitter's camp was possibly voter apathy about the race. For example, publisher Rolfe H. McCollister Jr., in his Greater Baton Rouge Business Report, endorsed fellow Republican Jay Dardenne
over Democrat Caroline Fayard
in the simultaneous race for lieutenant governor
of Louisiana, but then explicitly made "no endorsement" for U.S. Senate:
. Vitter has released television advertising criticizing Melancon for his support for Obama's stimulus package and his support for amnesty
for illegal immigrants
.
Official campaign websites
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
incumbent U.S. Senator
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
David Vitter
David Vitter
David Vitter is the junior United States Senator from Louisiana and a member of the Republican Party. Previously, he served in the United States House of Representatives, representing the suburban Louisiana's 1st congressional district. He served as a member of the Louisiana House of...
won re-election to a second term.
Background
- Party primaries: Saturday, August 28, 2010
- Runoffs (if necessary): Saturday, October 2, 2010
- General Election: Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Vitter faced a potentially serious challenge in the Republican primary as well as the general election. Tony Perkins
Tony Perkins (politician)
Anthony Richard "Tony" Perkins is president of the Family Research Council, a conservative Christian think tank and public policy foundation based in Washington, D.C...
, a former Louisiana state representative and current president of the socially conservative Family Research Council
Family Research Council
The Family Research Council is a conservative or right-wing Christian group and lobbying organization formed in the United States in 1981 by James Dobson. It was fully incorporated in 1983...
, acknowledged interest in running against Vitter because of the prostitution scandal. Nonetheless, Perkins decided not to run; Perkins endorses Vitter for reelection.
Some speculated that Vitter's reelection might have become complicated, by the prostitution scandal revealed in 2007, but he continued to lead in aggregate polling against potential opponents.
Following a movement to draft him into the race, John Cooksey
John Cooksey
John Charles Cooksey, M.D. is an ophthalmologist who was a Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Louisiana from 1997 to 2003.-Early life:...
, a former U.S. Representative
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
, appeared poised to put together a challenge, planning on spending $200,000 of his own money. Cooksey, however, pulled back and did not qualify.
A campaign to draft porn actress Stormy Daniels
Stormy Daniels
Stormy Daniels , also known as Stormy Waters and simply Stormy, is an American pornographic actress, screenwriter, and director. She chose her stage name to reflect her love of Mötley Crüe, whose bassist, Nikki Sixx, named his daughter Storm...
began in early 2009. She considered whether to run but ultimately declined to qualify.
On August 27, 2009, Congressman Charlie Melançon
Charlie Melancon
Charles Joseph "Charlie" Melancon was the U.S. Representative for , serving from 2005 to 2011, and the unsuccessful 2010 Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Republican David Vitter.-Early life, education and career:...
announced his intentions to run for Senate in 2010. Melançon, who has been representing Louisiana's 3rd Congressional District since 2005, released the announcement to his supporters, saying that "Louisiana needs a different approach, more bi-partisan, more disciplined, more honest and with a whole lot more common sense." Melancon has been a leader of the Blue Dog Coalition, a group of fiscally conservative
Fiscal conservatism
Fiscal conservatism is a political term used to describe a fiscal policy that advocates avoiding deficit spending. Fiscal conservatives often consider reduction of overall government spending and national debt as well as ensuring balanced budget of paramount importance...
Democrats who aim to lower the deficit and reform the budget.
In the weeks before the election a major concern for Vitter's camp was possibly voter apathy about the race. For example, publisher Rolfe H. McCollister Jr., in his Greater Baton Rouge Business Report, endorsed fellow Republican Jay Dardenne
Jay Dardenne
John Leigh "Jay" Dardenne, Jr. , has been Louisiana's Republican lieutenant governor since November 22, 2010. He won a special election to the position held in conjunction with the regular November 2 general election. At the time, Dardenne was Louisiana secretary of state...
over Democrat Caroline Fayard
Caroline Fayard
Cathryn Caroline Fayard , daughter of Cynthia Felder Fayard and Calvin Clifford Fayard, Jr., of Springfield, Louisiana, is a Democrat who sought the office of lieutenant governor of Louisiana in the 2010 elections....
in the simultaneous race for lieutenant governor
Lieutenant governor
A lieutenant governor or lieutenant-governor is a high officer of state, whose precise role and rank vary by jurisdiction, but is often the deputy or lieutenant to or ranking under a governor — a "second-in-command"...
of Louisiana, but then explicitly made "no endorsement" for U.S. Senate:
- I have talked with a number of voters who are just not very excited about this race—the candidates or the tone. I'm not either. You're on your own here.
Candidates
- Charlie MelançonCharlie MelanconCharles Joseph "Charlie" Melancon was the U.S. Representative for , serving from 2005 to 2011, and the unsuccessful 2010 Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Republican David Vitter.-Early life, education and career:...
, U.S. RepresentativeUnited States House of RepresentativesThe United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution... - Neeson Chauvin
- Cary Deaton
Polling
| Poll Source | Dates administered | Charlie Melançon | Neeson Chauvin | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clarus Research Group | August 15–16, 2010 | 43% | 3% | 52% |
Results
Candidates
- David VitterDavid VitterDavid Vitter is the junior United States Senator from Louisiana and a member of the Republican Party. Previously, he served in the United States House of Representatives, representing the suburban Louisiana's 1st congressional district. He served as a member of the Louisiana House of...
, incumbent U.S. Senator - Nick Accardo
- Chet D. TraylorChet D. TraylorChet D. Traylor is a retired associate justice of the Louisiana Supreme Court from Monroe, Louisiana, who was defeated in the Republican primary election on August 28, 2010, for the U.S. Senate seat held since 2005 by the incumbent David Vitter of New Orleans...
, former Louisiana Supreme CourtLouisiana Supreme CourtThe Supreme Court of Louisiana is the highest court and court of last resort in the U.S. state of Louisiana. The modern Supreme Court, composed of seven justices, meets in the French Quarter of New Orleans....
justice
Polling
| Poll Source | Dates administered | David Vitter (R) | Chet Traylor (R) | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling | August 21–22, 2010 | 81% | 5% | 9% |
| Clarus Research Group | August 15–16, 2010 | 74% | 5% | 18% |
Results
Results
Major
- Charlie MelançonCharlie MelanconCharles Joseph "Charlie" Melancon was the U.S. Representative for , serving from 2005 to 2011, and the unsuccessful 2010 Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Republican David Vitter.-Early life, education and career:...
(D), U.S. Congressman - David VitterDavid VitterDavid Vitter is the junior United States Senator from Louisiana and a member of the Republican Party. Previously, he served in the United States House of Representatives, representing the suburban Louisiana's 1st congressional district. He served as a member of the Louisiana House of...
(R), incumbent U.S. Senator
Minor
- Michael Karlton Brown (I)
- Skip Galan (I)
- Milton Gordon (I)
- Randall Todd Hayes (L)
- Tommy LaFargue (I)
- Bob Lang (I)
- William McShan (Reform)
- Sam Houston Melton Jr. (I)
- Mike Spears (I)
- Ernest Wooton (I)
Campaign
Melançon has heavily criticized Vitter for prostitution sex scandalDeborah Jeane Palfrey
Deborah Jeane Palfrey operated Pamela Martin and Associates, an escort agency in Washington, D.C. Although she argued that the company's services were legal, she was convicted on April 15, 2008 of racketeering, using the mail for illegal purposes, and money laundering...
. Vitter has released television advertising criticizing Melancon for his support for Obama's stimulus package and his support for amnesty
Amnesty
Amnesty is a legislative or executive act by which a state restores those who may have been guilty of an offense against it to the positions of innocent people, without changing the laws defining the offense. It includes more than pardon, in as much as it obliterates all legal remembrance of the...
for illegal immigrants
Illegal immigrant population of the United States
The actual size and the origin of the Illegal immigrant population in the United States is uncertain and difficult to ascertain because of difficulty in accurately counting individuals in this population...
.
Debates
Melancon claimed “In August, Melancon challenged Vitter to a series of five live, televised town hall-style debates across the state. In his 2004 campaign for Senate, Vitter committed to five live, televised debates. Since Melancon issued the challenge, Vitter and Melancon have been invited to a total of seven live, televised debates. Vitter has only accepted invitations to debates hosted by WWL-TV and WDSU-TV, both in New Orleans.”- September 7: Sponsored by the Alliance for Good Government at Loyola UniversityLoyola University New OrleansLoyola University New Orleans is a private, co-educational and Jesuit university located in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States. Originally established as Loyola College in 1904, the institution was chartered as a university in 1912. It bears the name of the Jesuit patron, Saint Ignatius of Loyola...
. - October 27: Sponsored by League of Women Voters-New OrleansLeague of Women VotersThe League of Women Voters is an American political organization founded in 1920 by Carrie Chapman Catt during the last meeting of the National American Woman Suffrage Association approximately six months before the Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution gave women the right to vote...
, National Council of Jewish Women-New OrleansNational Council of Jewish WomenThe National Council of Jewish Women defines itself as a grassroots organization of volunteers and advocates who turn progressive ideals into action...
Junior League-New OrleansJunior LeagueThe Association of Junior Leagues International, Inc. is a non-profit organization of 292 Junior Leagues in Canada, Mexico, United Kingdom and the United States. Junior Leagues are educational and charitable women's organizations aimed at improving their communities through volunteerism and...
, and the American Association of University Women-LouisianaAmerican Association of University WomenThe American Association of University Women advances equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, and research. It was founded in 1882 by Ellen Swallow Richards and Marion Talbot...
. Televised on WDSU-TV in New OrleansNew Orleans, LouisianaNew Orleans is a major United States port and the largest city and metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana. The New Orleans metropolitan area has a population of 1,235,650 as of 2009, the 46th largest in the USA. The New Orleans – Metairie – Bogalusa combined statistical area has a population...
. - October 28: CBS NewsCBS NewsCBS News is the news division of American television and radio network CBS. The current chairman is Jeff Fager who is also the executive producer of 60 Minutes, while the current president of CBS News is David Rhodes. CBS News' flagship program is the CBS Evening News, hosted by the network's main...
sponsored the debate. It was televised on WWL-TVWWL-TVWWL-TV, virtual channel 4, is the CBS-affiliated television station serving New Orleans, Louisiana, southeast Louisiana and parts of southern and coastal Mississippi, and is the primary CBS station for South and Coastal Mississippi. It broadcasts on UHF digital channel 36...
and C-SPANC-SPANC-SPAN , an acronym for Cable-Satellite Public Affairs Network, is an American cable television network that offers coverage of federal government proceedings and other public affairs programming via its three television channels , one radio station and a group of websites that provide streaming...
in New OrleansNew Orleans, LouisianaNew Orleans is a major United States port and the largest city and metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana. The New Orleans metropolitan area has a population of 1,235,650 as of 2009, the 46th largest in the USA. The New Orleans – Metairie – Bogalusa combined statistical area has a population...
Predictions
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| Cook Political Report Cook Political Report The Cook Political Report is an independent, non-partisan online newsletter that analyzes elections and campaigns for the United States House of Representatives, the United States Senate, Governor's offices and the American Presidency. The Cook Political Report is led by a staff of five... |
Lean R | October 31, 2010 |
| Rothenberg Stuart Rothenberg Stuart Rothenberg is an American editor, publisher, and political analyst best known for his Washington-based, biweekly, self-proclaimed non-partisan political newsletter The Rothenberg Political Report... |
R favored | October 28, 2010 |
| Swing State Project | Likely R | |
| RealClearPolitics RealClearPolitics RealClearPolitics is a political news and polling data aggregator based in Chicago, Illinois. The site's founders say their goal is to give readers "ideological diversity." They have described themselves as frustrated with what they perceive as anti-conservative, anti-Christian media bias, and... |
Likely R | October 31, 2010 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball Sabato's Crystal Ball Sabato’s Crystal Ball is a free, nonpartisan weekly online newsletter and comprehensive website in the United States that analyzes the current American political scene and predicts electoral outcomes for U.S House of Representatives, U.S. Senate, governors, and U.S. president races... |
Likely R | October 28, 2010 |
| CQ Politics Congressional Quarterly Congressional Quarterly, Inc., or CQ, is a privately owned publishing company that produces a number of publications reporting primarily on the United States Congress... |
Likely R | October 31, 2010 |
Polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
David Vitter (R) |
Charlie Melancon (D) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Magellan Strategies | October 24, 2010 | 52% | 35% |
| Clarus Research Group | October 21–24, 2010 | 50% | 38% |
| Anazalone | October 22, 2010 | 46% | 43% |
| Magellan Strategies | October 10, 2010 | 51% | 35% |
| Magellan Strategies | September 19, 2010 | 52% | 34% |
| Rasmussen Reports | August 30, 2010 | 54% | 33% |
| Public Policy Polling | August 21–22, 2010 | 51% | 41% |
| Clarus Research Group | August 15–16, 2010 | 48% | 36% |
| Rasmussen Reports | June 24, 2010 | 53% | 35% |
| Public Policy Polling | June 12–13, 2010 | 46% | 37% |
| Magellan Strategies | June 10–13, 2010 | 51% | 31% |
| Rasmussen Reports | April 7, 2010 | 52% | 36% |
| Rasmussen Reports | March 10, 2010 | 57% | 34% |
| Rasmussen Reports | February 10, 2010 | 57% | 33% |
| YouGovPolimetrix | January 6–11, 2010 | 52% | 32% |
| Rasmussen Reports | January 14, 2010 | 53% | 35% |
| Rasmussen Reports | October 5, 2009 | 46% | 36% |
| Public Policy Polling | July 17–19, 2009 | 44% | 32% |
| Research 2000 | March 2–4, 2009 | 48% | 41% |
Fundraising
| Candidate (Party) | Receipts | Disbursements | Cash On Hand | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| David Vitter (R) | $8,384,938 | $6,833,900 | $3,555,994 | $0 |
| Charles Melancon (D) | $3,711,556 | $4,043,362 | $445,853 | $0 |
| Source: Federal Election Commission | ||||
Results
External links
- Louisiana Secretary of State - Elections
- U.S. Congress candidates for Louisiana at Project Vote SmartProject Vote SmartProject Vote Smart is a non-profit, non-partisan research organization that collects and distributes information on candidates for public office in the United States...
- Louisiana U.S. Senate 2010 from OurCampaigns.com
- Campaign contributions from Open SecretsOpen SecretsOpen Secrets is a book of short stories by Alice Munro published by McClelland and Stewart in 1994. It was nominated for the 1994 Governor General's Award for English Fiction.-Stories:* "Carried Away"* "A Real Life"...
- 2010 Louisiana Senate General Election: All Head-to-Head Matchups graph of multiple polls from Pollster.com
- Election 2010: Louisiana Senate from Rasmussen ReportsRasmussen ReportsRasmussen Reports is an American media company that publishes and distributes information based on public opinion polling. Founded by pollster Scott Rasmussen in 2003, the company updates daily indexes including the President's job approval rating, and provides public opinion data, analysis, and...
- 2010 Louisiana Senate Race from Real Clear Politics
- 2010 Louisiana Senate Race from CQ PoliticsCongressional QuarterlyCongressional Quarterly, Inc., or CQ, is a privately owned publishing company that produces a number of publications reporting primarily on the United States Congress...
- Race profile from The New York TimesThe New York TimesThe New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
Official campaign websites