2010 United States Senate special election in Delaware

none March 2026 December 2017 2010 United States Senate special election in Delaware Delaware presidential No 2008 United States Senate election in Delaware 2008 2014 United States Senate election in Delaware 2014 November 2, 2010 150x150px Chris Coons, official portrait, 112th Congress (cropped).jpg Chris Coons Democratic Party (United States) 174,012 56.61% Christine O'Donnell by Gage Skidmore.jpg Christine O'Donnell Republican Party (United States) 123,053 40.03% 110px County results 110px State House district results Coons: #A5B0FF 40–50% #7996e2 50–60% #6674de 60–70% #584cde 70–80% #3933e5 80–90% #0D0596 >90%O'Donnell: #E27F7F 50–60% #d75d5d 60–70% U.S. Senator Ted KaufmanIn January 2009, Kaufman was appointed by Governor Ruth Ann Minner to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Senator Joe Biden, who had elected Vice President of the United States. Democratic Party (United States) Chris Coons Democratic Party (United States) The 2010 United States Senate special election in Delaware took place on November 2, 2010, concurrently with elections to the United States Senate in other states, as well as elections to the United States House of Representatives and various state and local elections. It was a special election to fill Delaware's Class II Senate seat, then held by Democrat Ted Kaufman, an appointee. The seat had been previously held by the state's longest-serving senator, Democrat Joe Biden, who vacated it when he became Vice President of the United States in 2009. The state's primary election occurred on September 14, 2010.2010 Delaware Election Calendar https://web.archive.org/web/20100317211752/http://elections.delaware.gov/pdf/2010%20Election%20Calendar.pdf March 17, 2010 Delaware Commissioner of Elections Republican U.S. Representative and former Governor Mike Castle was believed to be heavily favored to win both the primary and the general election.Kraushaar Josh 2009-10-06 Castle enters big race in small state https://www.politico.com/story/2009/10/castle-enters-big-race-in-small-state-027977 https://web.archive.org/web/20230627161055/https://www.politico.com/story/2009/10/castle-enters-big-race-in-small-state-027977 June 27, 2023 2023-06-27 Politico en However, Castle was upset by Christine O'Donnell in a primary contest that had national visibility. During the general election campaign, O'Donnell, a Tea Party candidate, drew media attention for making several false claims and gaffes, as well as an unusual campaign ad in which she denied that she was a witch. In the general election, O'Donnell lost to Democratic nominee Chris Coons by a vote of 57% to 40%.Evans Ben Chase Randall https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=12037826 Coons Beats O'Donnell in Delaware Senate Race ABC News November 2, 2010 November 3, 2010 November 5, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20101105065011/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=12037826 live Coons was sworn in on November 15, 2010, and served out the remainder of the term ending in 2015. Background In this seat's most recent election in 2008, longtime Democratic incumbent Joe Biden had defeated Republican Christine O'Donnell.https://www.smh.com.au/world/north-america/biden-wins-7th-senate-term-but-may-not-serve-20081106-gdt1o5.html Biden wins 7th Senate term but may not serve Nuckols Ben Associated Press November 6, 2008 February 25, 2019 December 8, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20241208152600/https://www.smh.com.au/world/north-america/biden-wins-7th-senate-term-but-may-not-serve-20081106-gdt1o5.html live However, Biden was also elected Vice President of the United States in 2008 and was required to resign from the Senate by Article I, Section 6 of the United States Constitution in order to assume the Vice Presidency. Although Biden was sworn in for a seventh term early in January 2009, he resigned from the Senate on January 15, 2009, and was succeeded by Kaufman the following day.J. Taylor Rushing January 15, 2009 Biden bids farewell to Senate https://thehill.com/homenews/news/17761-biden-bids-farewell-to-senate The Hill Washington, D.C. February 25, 2019 February 26, 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20190226050040/https://thehill.com/homenews/news/17761-biden-bids-farewell-to-senate live Those discussed as possible appointees to replace Biden included his son, Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden, outgoing Lt. Gov. John Carney, Delaware Supreme Court Chief Justice Myron T. Steele, Delaware Secretary of State Harriet Smith Windsor, Delaware Correction Commissioner Carl C. Danberg, former Delaware House of Representatives member Robert L. Byrd, and New Castle County Executive Chris Coons.Jeff Montgomery Minner taps Kaufman for Biden's seat November 24, 2008 http://delawareonline.com/article/20081124/NEWS/81124041 Delaware News-Journal November 24, 2008 July 2018 InternetArchiveBot yes On November 24, 2008, after Biden's election to the vice presidency but before his resignation, outgoing Governor Ruth Ann Minner announced that she would appoint Biden's former chief of staff, a member of the Broadcasting Board of Governors named Ted Kaufman, as Biden's temporary successor.http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/11/24/former-biden-advisor-senate-replacement-picked/#more-31280 Former Biden advisor picked as Senate replacement Kornreich, Lauren CNN November 24, 2008 November 24, 2008 January 25, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160125221929/http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/11/24/former-biden-advisor-senate-replacement-picked/#more-31280 dead Minner said, "I believe Ted Kaufman meets every test I set for this office. His political views are close to Sen. Biden's, and he has agreed to focus solely on doing the people's work, not seeking re-election." Biden resigned in January 2009; Minner formally appointed Kaufman to the seat shortly thereafter. Republican primary Candidates Mike Castle, U.S. Representative from DE AL t; former governor and lieutenant governor of Delaware Christine O'Donnell, political commentator and perennial candidate Campaign In April 2009, Representative Mike Castle stated, "there's probably a better chance I'll run for the Senate than the House. [But] I said there's a chance I won't run at all."http://www.rollcall.com/news/34239-1.html Castle More Likely to Run for Senate Than Re-Election McArdle John Roll Call April 23, 2009 On October 6, 2009, Castle announced that he would in fact run for the Senate seat.http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/10/06/delaware-gop-congressman-seek-bidens-senate-seat https://web.archive.org/web/20091009003153/http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/10/06/delaware-gop-congressman-seek-bidens-senate-seat/ dead October 9, 2009 Delaware GOP Congressman to Run for Biden's Former Senate Seat Fox News October 6, 2009 June 14, 2010 After her 2008 loss to Biden, Christine O'Donnell had indicated she would strongly consider running for the seat again in 2010, asking supporters on her website to "save your yard sign!!"http://christineodonnell08.com/ Dear Supporters O'Donnell, Christine Christine O'Donnell for U.S. Senate December 17, 2008 December 17, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20081217183156/http://christineodonnell08.com/ live On February 12, 2009, O'Donnell had announced her candidacy.http://www.ledgerdelaware.com/articles/2009/02/12/news/doc49943c78b863f784263070.txt The Delaware Business Ledger - Newark, DE Ledgerdelaware.com June 14, 2010September 2010 H3llBot yes She reiterated that she was in the race even after Castle announced his candidacy in October 2009,O'Donnell: Won't drop out for Castle http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20091006/NEWS/91006074 October 7, 2009 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20091011024356/http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20091006/NEWS/91006074 October 11, 2009 and formally launched her campaign on March 10, 2010.http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20100309/NEWS/100309008 https://web.archive.org/web/20150923213733/http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20100309/NEWS/100309008 dead September 23, 2015 Delaware politics: Christine O'Donnell to announce primary bid against Rep. Mike Castle for Senate seat March 9, 2010 March 9, 2010 The News Journal In her remarks, O'Donnell criticized excessive government spending, said that Castle was the most liberal Republican in the House, and said that the Tea Party movement and grassroots anti-incumbent trends would be in her favor.http://www.wboc.com/Global/story.asp?S=12118077 O'Donnell Announces Run Against Castle Tucker, Jeremy WBOC-TV March 11, 2010 March 15, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100918220944/http://www.wboc.com/Global/story.asp?S=12118077 September 18, 2010 dead mdy-all http://whyy.org/cms/news/government-politics/2010/03/10/odonnell-takes-aim-at-castle-in-senate-campaign-kick-off/32928 O'Donnell takes aim at Castle in Senate campaign kick-off Eichmann, Mark WHYY-TV March 10, 2010 March 15, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20101114211009/http://whyy.org/cms/news/government-politics/2010/03/10/odonnell-takes-aim-at-castle-in-senate-campaign-kick-off/32928 November 14, 2010 dead mdy-all When a report from The News Journal in March 2010 detailed O'Donnell's fiscal difficulties, she attributed the problems to misunderstandings and errors, and said, "I think the fact that I have struggled financially is what makes me so sympathetic."http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20100320/NEWS02/3200342/O-Donnell-faces-debt-tax-issues Delaware politics: O'Donnell faces campaign debt, back-tax issues Gibson, Ginger The News Journal Wilmington March 20, 2010 March 25, 2010 September 2010 H3llBot yeshttp://blogs.cqpolitics.com/eyeon2010/2010/03/been-there-vote-for-me.html Been There, Vote For Me CQ Politics March 22, 2010 March 26, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100327205429/http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/eyeon2010/2010/03/been-there-vote-for-me.html March 27, 2010 dead mdy-all http://wjz.com/wireapnewsmd/Conservative.activist.challenging.2.1577763.html GOP Senate Candidate Admits Financial Woes Associated Press WJZ-TV March 20, 2010 March 26, 2010 October 2010 H3llBot yes Nevertheless, her financial problems became a focal point of establishment Republican attacks against her. A July 2010 Rasmussen Reports poll showed O'Donnell running ahead of Democratic Senate candidate Chris Coons by a margin of 41 to 39 percent in a hypothetical matchup.http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections2/election_2010/election_2010_senate_elections/delaware/election_2010_delaware_senate Election 2010: Delaware Senate Rasmussen Reports July 15, 2010 February 8, 2010 January 26, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100208134019/http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections2/election_2010/election_2010_senate_elections/delaware/election_2010_delaware_senate live During this time she picked up the endorsements of the Susan B. Anthony List, the Tea Party Express, which called her a "strong voice for conservative constitutionalist principles",http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0710/40275.html O'Donnell gets Tea Party backing Catanese, David Politico July 27, 2010 August 1, 2010 December 26, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20101226164101/http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0710/40275.html live and the Family Research Council.http://www.frcaction.org/frcapacinternal/frc-action-pac-endorses-christine-odonnell-for-senate FRC Action PAC Endorses Christine O'Donnell for Senate Family Research Council Action PAC July 27, 2010 August 14, 2010 July 28, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100728221143/http://www.frcaction.org/frcapacinternal/frc-action-pac-endorses-christine-odonnell-for-senate live O'Donnell supporters were heartened by the late August primary victory in Alaska of little-known, Tea Party-backed insurgent Joe Miller over incumbent Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski.https://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2010/08/30/tea-party-endorses-odonnell-in-delaware Tea Party Backs O'Donnell in Delaware Weisman, Jonathan The Wall Street Journal August 30, 2010 September 1, 2010 November 14, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20101114161840/http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2010/08/30/tea-party-endorses-odonnell-in-delaware/ live The Tea Party Express said it might spend as much as $600,000 backing O'Donnell. The added buzz about her campaign and the possibility that another establishment Republican figure might be defeated by an insurgent brought national attention to the race.http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-delaware-tea-party-20100912,0,7537808.story 'Tea party' candidate in Delaware rattles the Republican Party Mascaro, Lisa Los Angeles Times September 12, 2010 September 12, 2010 October 22, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20101022071724/http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-delaware-tea-party-20100912,0,7537808.story live The same attention also brought additional scrutiny on her record and financial history, including a contentious interview on WGMD radio. She had claimed that she beat or tied Joe Biden in two of the state's three counties in their 2008 campaign. Later, she admitted this was inaccurate, and that she had lost all three counties.http://www.wgmd.com/?p=9496 Dan Gaffney Audio: Christine O'Donnell for Senate Interview WGMD September 2, 2010 September 28, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100906144047/http://www.wgmd.com/?p=9496 September 6, 2010 dead mdy-all http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0910/41716.html Christine O'Donnell plays defense on radio Catanese, Dan Politico September 2, 2010 September 2, 2010 September 5, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100905094509/http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0910/41716.html live As September began, the tone of the race grew nastier, with Delaware Republican Party chair Tom Ross saying, "Is Christine O'Donnell actually this unhinged from reality? Or is she simply a liar, whose total lack of respect for Delaware voters leads her to deliberately and repeatedly deny the clear facts surrounding her many personal and professional failures?"https://www.foxnews.com/politics/60-days-to-decide-delaware-gop-suggests-tea-party-senate-challenger-is-a-liar Delaware GOP Suggests Tea Party Senate Challenger Is a 'Liar' Fox News September 3, 2010 September 4, 2010 Ross also said, "She's not a viable candidate for any office in the state of Delaware. She could not be elected dog catcher."http://www.nbcnews.com/id/39131646 GOP tries to take out tea party-backed candidate NBC News Elliott, Philip September 12, 2010 September 15, 2010August 2024 medicmedic The O'Donnell campaign generated controversy in early September when a political consulting firm hired by O'Donnell released a web video insinuating that her opponent Castle was having a gay affair.Smith Ben http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0910/ODonnell_backer_makes_sex_charge_in_Delaware_race.html O'Donnell backer makes sex charge in Delaware race Politico September 1, 2010 September 28, 2010 September 4, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100904035336/http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0910/ODonnell_backer_makes_sex_charge_in_Delaware_race.html live O'Donnell quickly distanced herself from the claims, pointing out that the firm in question was no longer working for her campaign, though the manner in which she denied involvement in the rumor led some to suspect that she was intentionally engaging in a whisper campaign by deliberately repeating the rumor while denying it.http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26315908/ns/msnbc_tv-rachel_maddow_show/#39108270 https://web.archive.org/web/20090526094755/http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26315908/ns/msnbc_tv-rachel_maddow_show#39108270 dead May 26, 2009 Rachel Maddow Show MSNBC September 28, 2010 O'Donnell later appeared on Mark Levin's radio show, where she blasted Castle's "unmanly tactics" during the campaign, saying, "this is not a bake-off, put your man-pants on."Kleefeld Eric http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/09/odonnell-blasts-castles-un-manly-tactics-audio.php O'Donnell Blasts Castle's 'Un-Manly' Tactics (AUDIO) Tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com September 10, 2010 September 28, 2010 November 15, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20101115142912/http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/09/odonnell-blasts-castles-un-manly-tactics-audio.php dead Kristen Murray, O'Donnell's 2008 campaign manager, starred in a Delaware Republican Party-funded robocall in which she accused O'Donnell of misusing campaign funds.http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26315908//vp/39185011#39185011 Can O'Donnell Pivot to the Center? The Rachel Maddow Show MSNBC Live September 14, 2010 September 15, 2010 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20130124232000/http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26315908 January 24, 2013 Says Murray, "This is her third senate race in five years. As O'Donnell's manager, I found out she was living on campaign donations — using them for rent and personal expenses, while leaving her workers unpaid and piling up thousands in debt. She wasn't concerned about conservative causes. O'Donnell just wanted to make a buck." O'Donnell denied most of what Murray said and stated that she had fired Murray.https://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/16/us/politics/16odonnell.html Rebel Republican Marching on, With Baggage Steinhauer, Jennifer Rutenberg, Jim The New York Times September 15, 2010 September 15, 2010 January 15, 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20170115120747/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/16/us/politics/16odonnell.html live With days to go before the primary, O'Donnell was bolstered by an endorsement from former Governor of Alaska and Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin.http://www.slate.com/blogs/blogs/weigel/archive/2010/09/09/palin-endorses-o-donnell-in-delaware.aspx Palin Endorses O'Donnell in Delaware Weigel, David Slate September 9, 2010 September 11, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100910145521/http://www.slate.com/blogs/blogs/weigel/archive/2010/09/09/palin-endorses-o-donnell-in-delaware.aspx September 10, 2010 dead A few days later, The Weekly Standard broke new details of O'Donnell's 2005 $6.95 million gender discrimination and wrongful termination lawsuit against her former employer, the conservative Intercollegiate Studies Institute.http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/citing-mental-anguish-christine-odonnell-sought-69-million-gender-discrimination-lawsuit-again https://web.archive.org/web/20100913072548/http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/citing-mental-anguish-christine-odonnell-sought-69-million-gender-discrimination-lawsuit-again dead September 13, 2010 Citing 'Mental Anguish,' Christine O'Donnell Sought $6.9 Million in Gender Discrimination Lawsuit Against Conservative Group John McCormack The Weekly Standard September 12, 2010 Castle was considered the favorite to prevail in the general election.https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129862743 Stunning Primary Season Reaches A Stunning End Liz Halloran September 14, 2010 NPR December 29, 2021 December 29, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20211229031509/https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129862743 livehttps://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/10/13/chris.coons.profile/index.html A locked-up win for Chris Coons in Delaware? CNNhttps://www.politico.com/story/2010/09/gop-nightmare-odonnell-prevails-042172 GOP nightmare: O'Donnell prevails Politico December 29, 2021 December 29, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20211229033351/https://www.politico.com/story/2010/09/gop-nightmare-odonnell-prevails-042172 live Polls that considered a matchup of Castle against Democrat Chris Coons indicated that Castle would defeat Coons by a significant margin.https://www.npr.org/sections/itsallpolitics/2010/11/02/131023701/chris-coons-defeats-christine-o-donnell-in-delaware-cnn Chris Coons Defeats Christine O'Donnell In Delaware: CNN, AP Frank James November 2, 2010 NPR December 29, 2021 December 29, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20211229025536/https://www.npr.org/sections/itsallpolitics/2010/11/02/131023701/chris-coons-defeats-christine-o-donnell-in-delaware-cnn live In September, a poll by Public Policy Polling showed Castle leading Coons by a 10-point margin.https://www.publicpolicypolling.com/polls/coons-leads-first-state-could-decide-senate-control/ Coons Leads, First State Could Decide Senate Control PublicPolicyPolling.com September 13, 2010 December 29, 2021 December 29, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20211229025538/https://www.publicpolicypolling.com/polls/coons-leads-first-state-could-decide-senate-control/ live However, on September 14, O'Donnell won an upset victory over Castle in the Republican primary.https://elections.delaware.gov/archive/elect10/elect10_Primary/html/election.shtml State of Delaware - Department of Elections - State Of Delaware elections.delaware.gov December 29, 2021 November 11, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20181111120517/https://elections.delaware.gov/archive/elect10/elect10_Primary/html/election.shtml deadhttps://www.nytimes.com/elections/2010/results/primaries/delaware.html Delaware Primary Results - Election 2010 The New York Times December 29, 2021 March 1, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210301104446/https://www.nytimes.com/elections/2010/results/primaries/delaware.html live O'Donnell was considered far less electable in a general election than Castle; Politico reported, "The path to a Republican Senate takeover narrowed to the point of vanishing Tuesday night, as marketing consultant Christine O’Donnell upset Rep. Mike Castle in Delaware’s Senate primary and likely dashed the GOP’s hopes of capturing the seat in the process". Results 2010 United States Senate election in Delaware Republican primary Delaware presidential No 2008 United States Senate election in Delaware 2008 2014 United States Senate election in Delaware#Republican primary 2014 September 14, 2010 x155px File:Mike Castle official portrait (cropped).jpg DE0100 DE0100 Mike Castle 27,021 46.9% Christine O'Donnell by Gage Skidmore.jpg Christine O'Donnell 30,561 53.1% 110px County results 110px State House district results O'Donnell: #5fd35f 50–60% #37c837 60–70% #2ca02c 70–80%Castle: #E27F7F 50–60% #D75D5D 60–70% #D72F30 70–80% #C21B18 80–90% Republican primary resultsState of Delaware State of Delaware General Election Official Results https://elections.delaware.gov/results/html/elect10.shtml Office of the State Election Commissioner November 2, 2010 June 4, 2026 Christine O'Donnell Republican Party (United States) 30,561 53.07% Mike Castle Republican Party (United States) 27,021 46.93% 57,582 100.00% General election Candidates Chris Coons (D) Christine O'Donnell (R) Glenn Miller (I) James Rash (L) Campaign Incumbent U.S. Senator Ted Kaufman opted not to seek election for the remainder of the term in 2010.Susan Brumfield Longtime Biden aide picked to fill his Senate seat November 24, 2008 https://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5ikXdkhGpxM9rLnLYzrmagNZhJMIAD94LLTKO0 Associated Press November 25, 2008June 2024 medicmedic Former Lieutenant Governor John Carneyhttp://www.johncarneyforcongress.com/main.cfm?actionId=globalShowStaticContent&screenKey=cmpNews&htmlID=12081&s=carney John Carney Johncarneyforcongress.com April 15, 2009 June 14, 2010 September 15, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090915211906/http://www.johncarneyforcongress.com/main.cfm?actionId=globalShowStaticContent&screenKey=cmpNews&htmlID=12081&s=carney dead and State Attorney General Beau Biden,Silva Mark http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/dcnow/2010/01/beau-biden-takes-a-pass-on-a-senate-run.html Beau Biden takes a pass on a Senate run Los Angeles Times January 25, 2010 June 14, 2010 January 28, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100128205156/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/dcnow/2010/01/beau-biden-takes-a-pass-on-a-senate-run.html live both Democrats, opted not to seek the Senate seat, either. New Castle County Executive Chris Coons became the Democratic Party nominee by default, as he did not face a primary challenge. Following her upset victory in the Republican primary, O'Donnell continued to face a split reaction from the leaders in the local, state, and national Republican Party. Castle said he would not support O'Donnell.http://www.3news.co.nz/Christine-ODonnell-in-spotlight-after-primary-victory/tabid/417/articleID/176409/Default.aspx Christine O'Donnell in spotlight after primary victory Chase Randal 3 News (New Zealand) September 16, 2010 September 16, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20120929003634/http://www.3news.co.nz/Christine-ODonnell-in-spotlight-after-primary-victory/tabid/417/articleID/176409/Default.aspx September 29, 2012 dead mdy-all The National Republican Senatorial Committee similarly released a statement almost immediately following O'Donnell's primary win, stating that they would not spend money to support her or her campaign.https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748703376504575491290566809902?mod=WSJ_hpp_LEFTTopStories Tea Party Claims Big Win Wallsten, Peter King, Neil Jr. amp The Wall Street Journal September 15, 2010 September 15, 2010 December 15, 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20171215221519/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748703376504575491290566809902?mod=WSJ_hpp_LEFTTopStories live However, Texas Senator John Cornyn, chairman of the NRSC, released a statement later stating he did not know where the release from within his organization originated. He then offered the maximum $42,000 donation to her campaign; Cornyn acknowledged, however, that he was not sure if she could win.http://politics.blogs.foxnews.com/2010/09/15/cornyn-nrsc-aides-dont-speak-me-odonnell-gop-nominee-not-sure-she-can-win Cornyn: NRSC Aides Don't Speak For Me - O'Donnell is GOP Nominee; Not Sure She Can Win Fox News Turner, Trish September 15, 2010 September 15, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100921000300/http://politics.blogs.foxnews.com/2010/09/15/cornyn-nrsc-aides-dont-speak-me-odonnell-gop-nominee-not-sure-she-can-win September 21, 2010 dead mdy-all Former Governor of Massachusetts and future 2012 presidential nominee Mitt Romney also contributed to O'Donnell's general election funds. However, former White House adviser and Republican strategist Karl Rove said following O'Donnell's primary victory, "This is not a race we're going to be able to win." The morning following the primary, Public Policy Polling released a tweet indicating that their polling found that primary voters who voted for Mike Castle supported Coons, the Democratic opponent, over O'Donnell 44 percent to 28 percent in a general election.https://twitter.com/ppppolls/status/24529455223 Twitter PublicPolicyPolling: Castle primary voters supp Twitter September 28, 2010 October 4, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151004085339/https://twitter.com/ppppolls/status/24529455223 live December 2021 An October 16 report by CNN indicated that Coons was leading O'Donnell by double digits in polls. In September 2010, comedian and television host Bill Maher aired a 1999 clip of O'DonnellMcGreal Chris Christine O'Donnell: I dabbled in witchcraft September 20, 2010 The Guardian London https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/sep/20/christine-o-donnell-dabbled-witchcraft September 20, 2010 September 22, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100922011030/http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/sep/20/christine-o-donnell-dabbled-witchcraft live in which O'Donnell said, "I dabbled into witchcraft — I never joined a coven. ... I hung around people who were doing these things... We went to a movie and then had a little midnight picnic on a satanic altar. And I didn't know it."Christine O'Donnell Practiced Witchcraft September 17, 2010 Politically Incorrect YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5iWRw3oZdg4&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1 April 18, 2011 July 6, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150706025819/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5iWRw3oZdg4&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1 live Mooney Alexander O'Donnell in 1999: I dabbled in witchcraft September 18, 2010 Political Ticker CNN http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2010/09/18/o%E2%80%99donnell-in-1999-i-dabbled-in-witchcraft/ April 18, 2011 November 25, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20101125162922/http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2010/09/18/o%E2%80%99donnell-in-1999-i-dabbled-in-witchcraft/ dead MacAskill Ewen Christine O'Donnell keeps rightwingers spellbound despite witchcraft claim September 20, 2010 The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/sep/20/christine-odonnell-witchcraft-republican-right September 20, 2010 LondonChristine O'Donnell Condemned Witchcraft Politically Incorrect YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P33APxgi4kE July 5, 2011 July 9, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150709121828/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P33APxgi4kE live Her admission received widespread media coverage,Bauder David https://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5g4RSQ56a3WTiFTp5aeSm9-hts8MAD9ICFDMG2 https://web.archive.org/web/20100924044613/http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5g4RSQ56a3WTiFTp5aeSm9-hts8MAD9ICFDMG2 dead September 24, 2010 O'Reilly, Maher both have old O'Donnell footage Associated Press September 1, 2010 September 23, 2010 and O'Donnell explained that she had been referring to high school experiences.Chase Randall O'Donnell makes light of witchcraft comment Associated Press September 19, 2010 The Buffalo News http://www.buffalonews.com/wire-feeds/24-hour-national-news/article195045.ece September 19, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20110610220819/http://www.buffalonews.com/wire-feeds/24-hour-national-news/article195045.ece June 10, 2011 dead mdy Stelter Brian Political Cauldron Stirred by Old Video of Candidate The New York Times September 19, 2010 https://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/20/us/politics/20odonnell.html?_r=1&hpw September 20, 2010 October 7, 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20171007070306/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/20/us/politics/20odonnell.html?_r=1&hpw live During her campaign for the general election, O'Donnell followed up with a TV advertisement which featured her declaring, "I'm not a witch." This ad inspired many video parodies,https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/10/20/elvira-christine-odonnell_n_770527.html Elvira Spoofs Christine O'Donnell's 'I'm Not A Witch' Ad HuffPost October 20, 2010 December 3, 2010 Katla McGlynnhttp://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/10/26/im-not-a-witch-the-remix/ "I'm Not A Witch" — The Remix The Ca10-2626-10 December 3, 2010 Ashley Parker October 26, 2010 October 31, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20101031052226/http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/10/26/im-not-a-witch-the-remix/ live most famously by comedian Kristen Wiig on Saturday Night Live.http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/10/09/kristen-wiig-parodies-chr_n_757116.html 'SNL' Does The Best Parody Of Christine O'Donnell's 'Not A Witch' Ad Yet HuffPost McGlynn Katia October 10, 2010 December 3, 2010 January 1, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110101012152/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/10/09/kristen-wiig-parodies-chr_n_757116.html live An October 19, 2010, debate between Coons and O'Donnell at Widener University School of Law featured an exchange about separation of church and state in the United States and whether it is explicitly in the U.S. constitution. O'Donnell said it was not;Chicago Tribune October 20, 2010 Section 1, page 3 It's really not debatable afterward her campaign manager said, "Christine O'Donnell was not questioning the concept of separation of church and state as subsequently established by the courts. She simply made the point that the phrase appears nowhere in the Constitution." (That phrase was "substantively" read into the First Amendment in the U.S. Supreme Court case Engel v. Vitale in 1962 and does not appear verbatim in the Constitution.Shear Michael D. http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/10/19/odonnell-questions-church-state-separation/?scp=1&sq=first%20amendment%20christine&st=cse O'Donnell Questions Church-State Separation Thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com October 19, 2010 November 3, 2010 February 17, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120217011341/http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/10/19/odonnell-questions-church-state-separation/?scp=1&sq=first%20amendment%20christine&st=cse live ) On election day, Coons defeated O'Donnell by nearly 17 percentage points. Fundraising Candidate (Party) Receipts Disbursements Cash On Hand Debt Date Chris Coons (D) $4,207,479 $3,479,819 $727,660 $250,000 through 11/22/10 Christine O'Donnell (R) $7,340,167 $6,406,246 $924,745 $2,692 through 11/22/10 Source: Federal Election Commissionhttp://www.fec.gov/DisclosureSearch/HSProcessCandList.do?category=stateS_all&stateName=DE&election_yr=2010 2010 House and Senate Campaign Finance for Delaware fec.gov October 31, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100809230202/http://www.fec.gov/DisclosureSearch/HSProcessCandList.do?category=stateS_all&stateName=DE&election_yr=2010 August 9, 2010 dead mdy-all Predictions Source Ranking As of Cook Political Reporthttp://cookpolitical.com/senate Senate Cook Political Report October 30, 2010 September 19, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100919160658/http://www.cookpolitical.com/senate live Likely D October 30, 2010 Rothenberghttp://rothenbergpoliticalreport.com/ratings/senate Senate Ratings Rothenberg Political Report October 30, 2010 September 28, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100928183435/http://rothenbergpoliticalreport.com/ratings/senate live Likely D October 28, 2010 RealClearPoliticshttp://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2010/senate/2010_elections_senate_map.html Battle for the Senate RealClearPolitics October 30, 2010 October 20, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20101020073819/http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2010/senate/2010_elections_senate_map.html live Likely D October 30, 2010 Sabato's Crystal Ballhttp://www.centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/articles/category/2010-senate 2010 Senate Ratings Sabato's Crystal Ball October 30, 2010 October 28, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20101028092918/http://www.centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/articles/category/2010-senate/ dead Likely D October 28, 2010 CQ Politicshttp://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=ratings-senate Race Ratings Chart: Senate CQ Politics October 30, 2010 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20101028234525/http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=ratings-senate October 28, 2010 Likely D October 30, 2010 Rasmussen Reportshttps://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections/election_2010/election_2010_senate_elections/election_2010_senate_balance_of_power Election 2010: Senate Balance Of Power Rasmussen Reports October 30, 2010 Safe D October 27, 2010 Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error ChrisCoons (D) ChristineO'Donnell (R) GlennMiller (I) Other Undecided RefusedResearch 2000http://www.dailykos.com/statepoll/2010/2/24/DE/455 Research 2000 August 9, 2010 September 12, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100912104513/http://www.dailykos.com/statepoll/2010/2/24/DE/455 live February 22–24, 2010 600 ± 4.0% 47% 31% –– 22% ––Rasmussen Reportshttp://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections/election_2010/election_2010_senate_elections/delaware/toplines/toplines_delaware_senate_july_14_2010 Rasmussen Reports July 15, 2010 July 23, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100723163856/http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections/election_2010/election_2010_senate_elections/delaware/toplines/toplines_delaware_senate_july_14_2010 live July 14, 2010 500 ± 4.5% 39% 41% –– 7% 12%Rasmussen Reportshttp://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections/election_2010/election_2010_senate_elections/delaware/election_2010_delaware_senate Rasmussen Reports August 6, 2010 August 31, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100831202836/http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections/election_2010/election_2010_senate_elections/delaware/election_2010_delaware_senate live August 5, 2010 500 ± 4.5% 46% 36% –– 10% 8%Public Policy Pollinghttp://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/8/10/891639/-DE-Sen,-DE-AL:-Castle-(R)-under-50,-Coons-(D)-still-unknown Public Policy Polling August 10, 2010 August 15, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100815212214/http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/8/10/891639/-DE-Sen,-DE-AL:-Castle-(R)-under-50,-Coons-(D)-still-unknown? live August 7–8, 2010 600 ± 4.0% 44% 37% –– –– 19%Rasmussen ReportsRasmussen Reports September 2, 2010 500 ± 4.5% 47% 36% –– 8% 9%Public Policy Pollinghttp://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/PPP_Release_DE_915424.pdf Public Policy Polling September 15, 2010 September 11, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110911080734/http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/PPP_Release_DE_915424.pdf live September 11–12, 2010 958 ± 3.2% 50% 34% –– –– 16%Rasmussen Reports September 16, 2010 500 ± 4.5% 53% 42% –– 1% 4%CNNCNN https://web.archive.org/web/20100923125027/http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2010/09/22/cnntime-poll-coons-up-16-over-odonnell/ September 23, 2010 September 17–21, 2010 703 ± 3.5% 55% 39% –– –– ––Rasmussen Reports September 26, 2010 500 ± 4.5% 49% 40% 5% 0% 5%Fairleigh Dickinson University's Public Mindhttp://publicmind.fdu.edu/desenate Fairleigh Dickinson University's Public Mind October 6, 2010 October 9, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20101009154816/http://publicmind.fdu.edu/desenate/ live September 27 – October 3, 2010 801 ± 3.5% 53% 36% –– –– 8% 3%FOX News/Pulse Opinion ResearchFOX News/Pulse Opinion Research October 9, 2010 1,000 ± 3.0% 54% 38% –– 3% 5%Magellanhttp://www.magellanstrategies.com/web/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/Magellan-Delaware-US-Senate-Survey-Topline-Results-101010.pdf Magellan October 13, 2010 January 1, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110101163002/http://www.magellanstrategies.com/web/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/Magellan-Delaware-US-Senate-Survey-Topline-Results-101010.pdf live October 10, 2010 928 ± 3.3% 54% 36% –– 3% 7%MonmouthMonmouth October 8–11, 2010 790 ± 3.5% 57% 38% –– 5% ––Survey USA/University of Delawarehttp://big.assets.huffingtonpost.com/delawareresults.pdf Survey USA/University of Delaware October 13, 2010 August 12, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110812110551/http://big.assets.huffingtonpost.com/delawareresults.pdf live October 11–12, 2010 2,355 ± 2.1% 54% 33% –– 5% 9%Rasmussen Reports October 14, 2010 500 ± 4.5% 51% 40% –– 5% 4%Fairleigh Dickinson Universityhttp://publicmind.fdu.edu/winsome Fairleigh Dickinson University October 28, 2010 November 1, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20101101184831/http://publicmind.fdu.edu/winsome/ live October 20–26, 2010 797 ± 3.5% 57% 36% –– –– ––Monmouth UniversityMonmouth University October 25–27, 2010 1,171 ± 2.9% 51% 41% –– 4% 4% background:#cff Hypothetical polling border:solid 1px silver; padding:8px; background:var(--background-color-base); color:var(--color-base); Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error MikeCastle (R) ChrisCoons (D) Other UndecidedResearch 2000http://www.dailykos.com/statepoll/2009/10/14/DE/395 Research 2000 October 15, 2009 October 18, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20091018203334/http://www.dailykos.com/statepoll/2009/10/14/DE/395 live October 12–14, 2009 600 ± 4.0% 51% 39% –– 10%Rasmussen Reportshttp://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections/election_2010/election_2010_senate_elections/delaware/toplines/toplines_delaware_senate_january_25_2010 Rasmussen Reports June 24, 2010 June 3, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120603161008/http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections/election_2010/election_2010_senate_elections/delaware/toplines/toplines_delaware_senate_january_25_2010 live January 25, 2010 500 ± 4.5% 56% 27% 5% 13%Rasmussen Reportshttp://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections/election_2010/election_2010_senate_elections/delaware/toplines/toplines_delaware_senate_february_22_2010 Rasmussen Reports June 24, 2010 June 3, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120603161001/http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections/election_2010/election_2010_senate_elections/delaware/toplines/toplines_delaware_senate_february_22_2010 live February 22, 2010 500 ± 4.5% 53% 32% 8% 8%Research 2000 February 22–24, 2010 600 ± 4.0% 53% 35% –– 12%Rasmussen ReportsRasmussen Reports April 29, 2010 500 ± 4.5% 55% 32% 7% 7%Rasmussen Reports July 14, 2010 500 ± 4.5% 47% 36% 6% 11%Rasmussen Reports August 5, 2010 500 ± 4.5% 49% 37% 5% 9%Public Policy Polling August 7–8, 2010 600 ± 4.0% 48% 35% –– 17%Rasmussen Reports September 2, 2010 500 ± 4.5% 48% 37% 6% 9%Public Policy Polling September 11–12, 2010 958 ± 3.2% 45% 35% –– 20% Results United States Senate special election in Delaware, 2010Official Election Results - General Elections - 11/02/10 - Statewide Offices By County State Of Delaware Elections System November 5, 2010 http://elections.delaware.gov/archive/elect10/elect10_General/html/stwoff_kns.shtml January 12, 2012 June 7, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230607024626/https://elections.delaware.gov/archive/elect10/elect10_General/html/stwoff_kns.shtml dead Democratic Party (United States) Chris Coons 174,012 56.61% -8.07% Republican Party (United States) Christine O'Donnell 123,053 40.03% +4.72% Independent Party of Delaware Glenn Miller 8,201 2.67% N/A Libertarian Party (United States) James Rash 2,101 0.69% N/A 307,367 100.0% Democratic Party (United States) By county CountyChris CoonsDemocraticChristine O'DonnellRepublicanAll Others#%#%#%Kent22,31545.1225,05950.664250.86New Castle123,67866.1257,64930.821,2710.68Sussex28,01939.5340,34556.922,5203.55 Totals174,01256.61123,05340.034,2161.69 Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican Kent (largest city: Dover) Sussex (largest city: Seaford) right 110px Swing by county 110px Trend relative to the state by county Legend #d40000 Republican — >15% #ff0000 Republican — +12.5−15% #ff2a2a Republican — +10−12.5% #ff5555 Republican — +7.5−10% #ff8080 Republican — +5−7.5% #ffaaaa Republican — +2.5−5% #ffd5d5 Republican — +0−2.5% #d5f6ff Democratic — +0−2.5% #aaeeff Democratic — +2.5−5% #77e3ff Democratic — +5−7.5% #4bdbff Democratic — +7.5-10% #09ceff Democratic — +10−12.5% #00bdec Democratic — +12.5−15% #00a1c8 Democratic — >15% 110px County flips Legend Democratic #92c5de Hold Republican #ca0120 Flip Aftermath After O'Donnell's poor performance, there was considerable discussion within Republican circles regarding whether the party had lost a sure Senate seat by nominating her instead of Castle.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2010/09/13/5102646-castle-if-odonnells-nominated-republicans-lose-automatically https://web.archive.org/web/20100915045646/http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2010/09/13/5102646-castle-if-odonnells-nominated-republicans-lose-automatically dead September 15, 2010 Castle: If O'Donnell's nominated, Republicans lose 'automatically' MSNBC September 13, 2009 August 20, 2011 Party pragmatists said that this was the case, pointing to other races in Nevada and Colorado where Tea Party-favored candidates had lost races against Democratic rivals.http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/62628/20100915/tea-party-win-hurts-republicans-senate-chances.htm Tea Party win hurts Republicans' Senate chances International Business Times September 15, 2010 August 20, 2011 April 6, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120406202650/http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/62628/20100915/tea-party-win-hurts-republicans-senate-chances.htm dead For her own part, O'Donnell criticized divisions within the Delaware Republican Party following her primary win and said the consequent lack of support had led to her defeat.Siegel Elyse https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/11/04/christine-odonnell-election-results_n_778699.html Christine O'Donnell Bashes GOP 'Cannibalism' For Killing Her Campaign HuffPost November 4, 2010 August 20, 2011http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2010/11/03/odonnell-says-republican-cannibalism-one-reason-for-loss O'Donnell says 'Republican cannibalism' one reason for loss CNN November 3, 2010 August 20, 2011 January 4, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120104232811/http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2010/11/03/odonnell-says-republican-cannibalism-one-reason-for-loss/ dead Notes References External links Delaware Commissioner of Elections Official candidate listings https://web.archive.org/web/20101103063129/http://elections.delaware.gov/services/candidate/candidate_list.shtml November 3, 2010 U.S. Congress candidates for Delaware https://web.archive.org/web/20101023074011/http://www.votesmart.org/election_congress_state.php?state_id=DE October 23, 2010 at Project Vote Smart Delaware U.S. Senate - Special Election from OurCampaigns.com Campaign contributions from Open Secrets 2010 Delaware Senate General Election: Christine O'Donnell (R) vs. Chris Coons (D) graph of multiple polls from Pollster.com Election 2010: Delaware Senate from Rasmussen Reports Delaware Senate - Castle vs. Biden from Real Clear Politics 2010 Delaware Senate Race from CQ Politics Race profile from The New York Times Election 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100918100005/http://www.delawareonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/99999999/NEWS/100817025/1006&theme=ELECTION2010&template=theme September 18, 2010 at The News Journal Official candidate websites (Archived) Mike Castle for U.S. Senate Chris Coons for U.S. Senate Christine O'Donnell for U.S. Senate Delawareans for Miller for U.S. Senate Senate Delaware 2010 Delaware 2010 Delaware Senate (Class II) United States Senate 2010