2010 United States Senate election in Utah
2010 United States Senate election in Utah
County resultsLee: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90%Granato: 50–60%
The 2010 United States Senate election in Utah took place on November 2, 2010, along with other midterm elections throughout the United States. Incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Bob Bennett was seeking re-election to a fourth term, but lost renomination at the Republican Party 's state convention. Mike Lee proceeded to win the Republican primary against Tim Bridgewater and the general election against Democrat Sam Granato. As of 2024, this is the most recent U.S. Senate election in which a political party held the seat after denying renomination to the incumbent senator.
Process
The filing period for candidates began March 12, 2010 and ended March 19, 2010. Candidates who had not filed by that date cannot appear on the ballot in November. Eleven candidates filed with the Office of the Lieutenant Governor.[ 1]
Both the Utah State Democratic Party and the Utah State Republican Party held statewide caucus meetings on March 23, 2010. Caucus meetings are grouped by legislative district and divided by precincts with each precinct electing delegates who attend their respective party's state nominating convention.
The Utah State Democratic and Republican Parties held their conventions on May 8, 2010. At the Republican convention, incumbent Senator Bob Bennett finished third in balloting among delegates and was eliminated from the race. Business owner Tim Bridgewater finished first and attorney Mike Lee finished second, but Bridgewater did not receive enough votes (he needed at least 60 percent) to avoid a primary election runoff against Lee.[ 2] At the Democratic convention, delegates nominated businessman Sam Granato, who received 77.5 percent of the vote.[ 3]
In the Republican primary election, held on June 22, 2010, Lee became the Republican nominee by winning 51 percent of the vote against Bridgewater's 49 percent.[ 4]
The general election was held on November 2, 2010. Lee won the election with 62 percent of the vote to Granato's 33 percent and 6 percent for Constitution Party candidate Scott Bradley .[ 5]
Republican nomination
Convention
Candidates
On Ballot
Withdrew
Endorsements
The following are endorsements made before the convention
Bennett
Notable Individuals and Organizations endorsing Bob Bennett
Lee
State/local level positions (State Senators, Governors, etc.)
Former Governor Norm Bangerter of Utah
Attorney General Mark Shurtleff
State Senator Curt Bramble
State Senator Allen Christensen
State Senator Mark Madsen
State Representative John Dougall
State Representative Craig Frank
State Representative Francis Gibson
State Representative Kerry Gibson
State Representative Todd Kiser
State Representative Mike Morley
State Representative Curt Oda
State Representative Ken Sumsion
Former State Representative John Swallow
State Representative Ryan Wilcox
State Representative Carl Wimmer
Federal politicians and Organizations
Polling
Poll Source
Dates Administered
Bob Bennett
Tim Bridgewater
Merrill Cook
Cherilyn Eagar
Mike Lee
Rasmussen Reports [ 13]
April 8, 2010
14%
14%
6%
4%
37%
Mason Dixon [ 14]
April 22–25, 2010
16%
20%
1%
11%
37%
Results
Primary
Candidates
Tim Bridgewater, businessman
Mike Lee , attorney
Endorsements
Bridgewater
Lee
Federal politicians and Organizations
State/local politicians and organizations
Former Governor Norm Bangerter of Utah
Attorney General Mark Shurtleff
State Senator Curt Bramble
State Senator Allen Christensen
State Senator Mark Madsen
State Representative John Dougall
State Representative Francis Gibson
State Representative Kerry Gibson
State Representative Craig Frank
State Representative Ken Sumsion
State Representative Todd Kiser
State Representative Mike Morley
State Representative Curt Oda
State Representative Ryan Wilcox
State Representative Carl Wimmer
Former State Representative John Swallow
Most of the 9/12 and Tea Party Groups of Utah
Polling
Results
Results by county: Lee—60–70%
Lee—50–60%
Bridgewater—50–60%
Bridgewater—60–70%
Democratic nomination
Candidates
Sam Granato, businessman[ 23]
Christopher Stout, accountant[ 24]
Results
General election
Candidates
Scott Bradley (C), businessman
Sam Granato (D), businessman
Mike Lee (R), attorney
Campaign
Granato emphasized his opposition to nuclear weapon tests in neighboring Nevada. In addition, he criticized Lee for his support of raising the retirement age and for questioning the constitutionality of Social Security.[ 25]
Predictions
Polling
Fundraising
Candidate (Party)
Receipts
Disbursements
Cash On Hand
Debt
Mike Lee (R)
$1,595,383
$1,423,494
$165,314
$57,691
Sam Granato (D)
$250,607
$219,776
$30,831
$15,000
Source: Federal Election Commission[ 37]
Results
Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic
References
^ "Untitled Document" . Archived from the original on March 30, 2010. Retrieved March 28, 2010 .
^ Gehrke, Robert. "Bennett out; GOP delegates reject 18-year Senate veteran - Salt Lake Tribune" . Sltrib.com. Archived from the original on May 11, 2010. Retrieved June 14, 2010 .
^ Loomis, Brandon. "Matheson forced into runoff election - Salt Lake Tribune" . Sltrib.com. Archived from the original on May 12, 2010. Retrieved June 14, 2010 .
^ Gehrke, Robert (June 23, 2010). "Lee clinches GOP Senate nomination - Salt Lake Tribune" . Sltrib.com. Retrieved June 23, 2010 .
^ "Utah Election Results" . Archived from the original on March 2, 2012. Retrieved March 7, 2014 .
^ Bernick, Bob Jr. (December 6, 2008). "Bennett is gearing up for another Senate bid" . Deseret News . Archived from the original on December 6, 2008. Retrieved January 12, 2009 .
^ a b c "ksl.com" .
^ Steinhauser, Paul; Hamby, Peter (February 25, 2010). "Bennett gets another primary challenger" . CNN. Archived from the original on February 27, 2010. Retrieved February 25, 2010 .
^ Davidson, Lee (January 5, 2010). "Mike Lee enters Senate race against Bennett — with Shurtleff endorsement" . Deseret News . Archived from the original on July 24, 2012. Retrieved January 6, 2010 .
^ "Hatch endorses Bennett's re-election" . ksl.com. September 5, 2009. Retrieved June 14, 2010 .
^ Robert GehrkeThe Salt Lake Tribune (February 3, 2010). "Gingrich endorses Bennett re-election bid - Salt Lake Tribune" . Sltrib.com. Archived from the original on October 7, 2012. Retrieved June 14, 2010 .
^ "Romney endorses Bob Bennett in 2010 Senate race" . Heraldextra.com. April 6, 2009. Archived from the original on October 9, 2010. Retrieved June 14, 2010 .
^ Rasmussen Reports
^ Mason Dixon [permanent dead link ]
^ Senate Race: 1st Round Results Archived May 11, 2010, at the Wayback Machine Accessed May 10, 2010
^ Senate Race: 2nd Round Results Archived May 10, 2010, at the Wayback Machine Accessed May 10, 2010
^ Senate Race: 3rd Round Results Archived May 12, 2010, at the Wayback Machine Accessed May 10, 2010
^ "Tim Bridgewater Receives Key Legislative Endorsements | Bridgewater for Senate" . Timbridgewater.com. Retrieved August 21, 2010 .
^ "Bridgewater Announces Endorsements by Municipal Leaders | Bridgewater for Senate" . Timbridgewater.com. Retrieved August 21, 2010 .
^ Wilson Research
^ Deseret News/KSL-TV
^ Utah Election Results Archived June 17, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
^ "Sam Granato for U.S. Senate" .
^ "Another Democratic Challenger to Bennett" .
^ "Senate candidates take stands on Social Security reform" . Archived from the original on October 1, 2010. Retrieved September 1, 2010 .
^ "Senate" . Cook Political Report . Retrieved October 26, 2010 .
^ "Senate Ratings" . Rothenberg Political Report . Retrieved October 26, 2010 .
^ "Battle for the Senate" . RealClearPolitics . Retrieved October 26, 2010 .
^ "2010 Senate Ratings" . Sabato's Crystal Ball . Archived from the original on October 28, 2010. Retrieved October 26, 2010 .
^ "Race Ratings Chart: Senate" . CQ Politics . Archived from the original on October 28, 2010. Retrieved October 26, 2010 .
^ Rasmussen Reports
^ Rasmussen Reports
^ Rasmussen Reports
^ Deseret News/KSL-TV
^ Mason-Dixon
^ Deseret News/KSL-TV
^ "2010 House and Senate Campaign Finance for Utah" . fec.gov. Archived from the original on June 22, 2010. Retrieved July 24, 2010 .
^ "Results" . elections.utah.gov . Archived from the original on November 23, 2010. Retrieved November 2, 2019 .
External links
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