2010 United States Senate election in Washington

Senate elections held in Washington in 2010 March 2026 December 2017 2010 United States Senate election in Washington Washington presidential Yes 2004 United States Senate election in Washington 2004 2016 United States Senate election in Washington 2016 November 2, 2010 File:Patty Murray, official portrait, 113th Congress (cropped).jpg 150x150px Patty Murray Democratic Party (United States) 1,314,930 52.36% File:Dino Rossi (cropped).jpg Dino Rossi Republican Party (United States) 1,196,164 47.64% 275px County results 275px Congressional district results 1 Murray: #7996e2 50–60% #6674de 60–70% #3933e5 80–90%Rossi: #e27f7f 50–60% #d75d5d 60–70% #d72f30 70–80% U.S. Senator Patty Murray Democratic Party (United States) Patty Murray Democratic Party (United States) The 2010 United States Senate election in Washington was held on November 2, 2010, alongside other elections to the United States Senate in other states, elections to the United States House of Representatives, and various state and local elections. Incumbent Democratic Senator Patty Murray won re-election to a fourth term by a margin of 52.4% to 47.6% over Republican Dino Rossi, who had run for governor in 2004 and 2008. This was the last U.S. Senate election in Washington in which the margin of victory was single digits. Primary election Candidates Democrats Charles Allenhttp://images.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/fecimg/?S0WA00332 REPORTS IMAGE INDEX FOR CANDIDATE ID S0WA00332 Images.nictusa.com May 13, 2010 June 14, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20160303204530/http://images.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/fecimg/?S0WA00332 March 3, 2016 dead http://images.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/fecimg/?C00483461 REPORTS IMAGE INDEX FOR COMMITTEE ID C00483461 Images.nictusa.com May 13, 2010 June 14, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20160303232131/http://images.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/fecimg/?C00483461 March 3, 2016 dead http://wei.secstate.wa.gov/osos/en/candidatefiling/Pages/Candidateswhohavefiled.aspx Candidates who have filed Wei.secstate.wa.gov June 14, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100611202147/http://wei.secstate.wa.gov/osos/en/candidatefiling/Pages/Candidateswhohavefiled.aspx June 11, 2010 dead mdy-all Bob Burr Patty Murray, incumbent U.S. senator Republicans Paul Akers, salesmanhttp://www.akersforussenate.com Home Akers for US Senate June 14, 2010 February 9, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100209214045/http://www.akersforussenate.com/ dead William Chovilhttp://images.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/fecimg/?S4WA00466 REPORTS IMAGE INDEX FOR CANDIDATE ID S4WA00466 Images.nictusa.com June 14, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20160303165536/http://images.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/fecimg/?S4WA00466 March 3, 2016 dead Clint Didier, former NFL football playerhttp://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politicsnorthwest/2010697994_ex-footballer_latest_gop_chall.html Ex-footballer latest GOP challenger to Murray's Senate seat January 4, 2010 January 30, 2010 The Seattle Times Kyung Song Norma Gruber Michael Latimerhttp://images.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/fecimg/?S0WA00340 https://archive.today/20120723234014/http://images.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/fecimg/?S0WA00340 dead July 23, 2012 REPORTS IMAGE INDEX FOR CANDIDATE ID S0WA00340 Images.nictusa.com June 14, 2010 Dino Rossi, former state senator and gubernatorial candidateRothenberg Stuart http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=news-000003556981&cpage=2 Reasons to Keep Your Eye on Patty Murray CQ Politics June 14, 2010 August 2019 InternetArchiveBot yes Others Will Baker (Reform Party) Schalk Leonard Skip Mercer, professorSpokesman-Review http://www.spokesman.com/blogs/spincontrol/2010/jun/01/mercer-staying-us-senate-race Mercer staying in U.S. Senate race – Spin Control – Spokesman.com – June 1, 2010 Spokesman.com June 1, 2010 June 14, 2010 Mohammad Said (Centrist Party) Polling Poll source Dates administered Patty Murray (D) Dino Rossi (R) Clint Didier (R) Paul Akers (R) UndecidedElway ResearchElway Research April 29 – May 2, 2010 48% –– 4% 8% 36%Elway ResearchElway Research https://web.archive.org/web/20120219081331/http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2010/06/16/poll-rossi-front-runner-in-washington-gop-senate-race/?fbid=Qud4ibig5dO February 19, 2012 June 13, 2010 43% 31% 5% 2% 17%Survey USASurvey USA June 30, 2010 37% 33% 5% 3% 19%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling July 27 – August 1, 2010 47% 33% 10% 4% 6%Survey USASurvey USA August 6–9, 2010 41% 33% 11% 5% 4% Results thumb|275px|Results by county #7996e2 Murray #bdd3ff 30–40% #a5b0ff 40–50% #7996e2 50–60% #6674de 60–70% #e27f7f Rossi #ffc8cd 30–40% #ffb2b2 40–50% #e27f7f 50–60% #FF9A50 Didier #FFCCA9 30–40% #FFB580 40–50% Blanket primary election resultshttps://results.vote.wa.gov/results/20100817/us-senator.html https://web.archive.org/web/20251003202921/https://results.vote.wa.gov/results/20100817/us-senator.html October 3, 2025 live U.S. Senator Reed Sam Sam Reed August 17, 2010 Secretary of State of Washington October 21, 2025 Patty Murray (incumbent) Democratic Party (United States) 670,284 46.22% Dino Rossi Republican Party (United States) 483,305 33.33% Clint Didier Republican Party (United States) 185,034 12.76% Paul Akers Republican Party (United States) 37,231 2.57% Skip Mercer Independent 12,122 0.84% Charles Allen Democratic Party (United States) 11,525 0.79% Bob Burr Democratic Party (United States) 11,344 0.78% Norma Gruber Republican Party (United States) 9,162 0.63% Michael Latimer Republican Party (United States) 6,545 0.45% Mike the Mover Democratic Party (United States) 6,019 0.42% Goodspaceguy Democratic Party (United States) 4,718 0.33% William Baker Reform Party (United States) 4,593 0.32% Mohammad Said Independent 3,387 0.23% Schalk Leonard Independent 2,818 0.19% William Chovil Republican Party (United States) 2,039 0.14% 1,450,126 100.00% General election Candidates The top two candidates from the blanket primary advanced to the general election. Patty Murray (D), incumbent U.S. senator Dino Rossi (R), former state senator and gubernatorial candidate Campaign Rossi heavily criticized Murray for her support of the 2009 economic stimulus package; however, Rossi's economic promises were nearly identical to those of President Bush, who asked for the stimulus.http://www.dinorossi.com/the-stimulus-18-month-check-up-murray-plan-means-big-debt-few-jobs The Stimulus 18-Month Check Up: Murray Plan Means Big Debt, Few Jobs Dino Rossi for Senate September 1, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20101111191726/http://www.dinorossi.com/the-stimulus-18-month-check-up-murray-plan-means-big-debt-few-jobs/ November 11, 2010 dead mdy-all Rossi supported repealing the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. He also criticized Murray for her support for earmarks. In response, Murray said, "You bet that seniority and leadership has a big thing to do with it, but the other part of it is, I get up every day and I work hard and I believe in this and I am going to continue fighting for the community I represent."http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2012565369_murray08m.html The Seattle Times Murray touts bringing home the bucks Jim Brunner August 7, 2010 The National Rifle Association spent $414,100 supporting Rossi and opposing Murray in the 2010 senatorial contest.https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/campaign/2010/spending/National-Rifle-Association.html?tid=a_mcntx Campaign cash: National Rifle Association (washingtonpost.com) www.washingtonpost.com 2018-02-16 Debates Rossi offered six debates, five of which were in-state, and one national.http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politicsnorthwest/2012680105_rossi_wants_six_debates_with_m.html The Seattle Times Rossi wants six debates with Murray Jim Brunner August 20, 2010 Murray agreed to two debates, and only two were held.http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politicsnorthwest/2012739501_murray_agrees_to_two_debates_r.html The Seattle Times Murray agrees to two debates Jim Brunner August 27, 2010 Seattle on KOMO-TV. Spokane on KSPS-TV and KXLY-TV. Fundraising Candidate (party) Receipts Disbursements Cash on hand Debt Patty Murray (D) $10,951,403 $12,438,133 $1,032,034 $0 Dino Rossi (R) $7,365,098 $4,331,414 $2,960,039 $0 Source: Federal Election Commissionhttp://www.fec.gov:80/DisclosureSearch/HSRefreshCandList.do?category=stateS_all&stateName=WA&election_yr=2010 2010 House and Senate Campaign Finance for Washington fec.gov May 28, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100522083654/http://www.fec.gov/DisclosureSearch/HSRefreshCandList.do?category=stateS_all&stateName=WA&election_yr=2010 May 22, 2010 dead Predictions Source Ranking As of Cook Political Reporthttp://cookpolitical.com/senate Senate Cook Political Report October 26, 2010 Tossup October 26, 2010 Rothenberghttp://rothenbergpoliticalreport.com/ratings/senate Senate Ratings Rothenberg Political Report October 26, 2010 Tossup November 1, 2010 RealClearPoliticshttp://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2010/senate/2010_elections_senate_map.html Battle for the Senate RealClearPolitics October 26, 2010 Tossup October 26, 2010 Sabato's Crystal Ballhttp://www.centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/articles/category/2010-senate 2010 Senate Ratings Sabato's Crystal Ball October 26, 2010 October 28, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20101028092918/http://www.centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/articles/category/2010-senate/ dead Lean D October 21, 2010 CQ Politicshttp://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=ratings-senate Race Ratings Chart: Senate CQ Politics October 26, 2010 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20101028234525/http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=ratings-senate October 28, 2010 Tossup October 26, 2010 Endorsements Patty Murray (D) Newspapers The Seattle Timeshttps://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/the-times-endorses-the-re-election-of-sen-patty-murray/ https://web.archive.org/web/20241201211517/https://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/the-times-endorses-the-re-election-of-sen-patty-murray/ 2024-12-01 live The Times endorses the re-election of Sen. Patty Murray Editorial Board The Seattle Times October 8, 2010 The Seattle Times October 22, 2025 subscription Polling Aggregate polls Source of pollaggregationDatesadministeredDatesupdated PattyMurray (D) DinoRossi (R) Other/UndecidedCalculated by taking the difference of 100% and all other candidates combined.MarginReal Clear PoliticsReal Clear PoliticsOctober 24–31, 2010October 31, 201048.3%48.0%3.7%Murray +0.3% Poll source Date(s) administered Samplesize Marginof error PattyMurray (D) DinoRossi (R) Other UndecidedMoore InformationMoore Information January 23–24, 2010 500 ± 4.4% 43% 45% –– ––Rasmussen ReportsRasmussen Reports February 11, 2010 500 ± 4.5% 46% 48% 1% 5%Rasmussen ReportsRasmussen Reports March 9, 2010 500 ± 4.5% 46% 49% 3% 2%Research 2000Research 2000 March 22–24, 2010 600 ± 4.0% 52% 41% –– 7%Rasmussen ReportsRasmussen Reports April 6, 2010 500 ± 4.5% 48% 46% 3% 4%Survey USASurvey USA April 22, 2010 517 ± 4.4% 42% 52% –– 7%The Washington PollThe Washington Poll May 3–23, 2010 626 ± 3.9% 44% 40% –– 16%Rasmussen Reports May 4, 2010 500 ± 4.5% 48% 46% 2% 3%Rasmussen ReportsRasmussen Reports May 25, 2010 500 ± 4.5% 48% 47% 2% 4%The Washington PollThe Washington Poll May 24–28, 2010 221 ± 6.6% 39% 42% 5% 13%The Washington Poll May 28 – June 7, 2010 848 ± 3.3% 42% 40% –– 12%Elway Researchhttps://archive.today/20130201011826/http://www.pollster.com/blogs/wa_2010_sen_elway_6913.php Elway Research June 13, 2010 405 ± 5.0% 47% 40% –– 13%Rasmussen ReportsRasmussen Reports June 22, 2010 500 ± 4.5% 47% 47% 3% 3%Rasmussen ReportsRasmussen Reports July 14, 2010 750 ± 4.0% 45% 48% 3% 3%Rasmussen Reports July 30, 2010 750 ± 4.0% 49% 47% 2% 2%Public Policy Polling July 27 – August 1, 2010 1,204 ± 2.8% 49% 46% –– 5%Rasmussen ReportsRasmussen Reports August 18, 2010 750 ± 4.0% 48% 44% 4% 4%Survey USASurvey USA August 18, 2010 618 ± 4.0% 45% 52% –– ––Rasmussen ReportsRasmussen Reports August 31, 2010 750 ± 4.0% 46% 48% 3% 3%Elway ResearchElway Research September 9–12, 2010 500 ± 4.5% 50% 41% 3% 7%CNN/TimeCNN/Time September 10–14, 2010 906 ± 3.5% 53% 44% 2% 1%Rasmussen ReportsRasmussen Reports September 16, 2010 750 ± 4.0% 51% 46% 1% 2%SurveyUSASurveyUSA September 22, 2010 609 ± 4.1% 50% 48% –– 3%Fox NewsFox News September 25, 2010 1,000 ± 3.0% 48% 47% 2% 3%Rasmussen Reports September 28, 2010 750 ± 4.0% 47% 48% 2% 3%Rasmussen Reports October 6, 2010 750 ± 4.0% 46% 49% 3% 2%Fox NewsFox News October 9, 2010 1,000 ± 3.0% 46% 47% 7% 0%ElwayElway August 2019 InternetArchiveBot yes October 7–11, 2010 450 ± 4.6% 55% 40% 0% 5%CNN/Opinion ResearchCNN/Opinion Research October 8–12, 2010 850 ± 3.5% 51% 43% 2% 0%The Washington PollThe Washington Poll October 4–14, 2010 500 ± 4.3% 50% 42% –– 8%SurveyUSASurveyUSA October 11–14, 2010 606 ± 4.1% 50% 47% 0% 3%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling October 14–16, 2010 1,873 ± 2.3% 49% 47% –– 4%McClatchy/MaristMcClatchy/Marist October 14–17, 2010 589 ± 4.0% 48% 47% 1% 5%Rasmussen ReportsRasmussen Reports October 17, 2010 750 ± 4.0% 49% 46% 2% 3%Rasmussen Reports October 27, 2010 750 ± 4.0% 47% 48% 3% 2%SurveyUSASurveyUSA October 24–27, 2010 678 ± 3.8% 47% 47% –– 6%The Washington PollThe Washington Poll October 18–28, 2010 500 ± 4.3% 51% 45% –– 4%Marist CollegeMarist College October 26–28, 2010 838 ± 3.5% 49% 48% 2% 1%Fox News/Pulse Opinion ResearchFox News/Pulse Opinion Research October 30, 2010 1,000 ± 3.0% 49% 47% 4% 0%YouGovYouGov October 25–30, 2010 850 ± 4.1% 50% 48% 0% 2%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling October 29–31, 2010 2,055 ± 2.2% 48% 50% 0% 2% Results Murray defeated Rossi by about 119,000 votes. King County, the home of Seattle, likely gave Murray a victory. 2010 United States Senate election in Washingtonhttps://results.vote.wa.gov/results/20101102/us-senator.html https://web.archive.org/web/20250210202230/https://results.vote.wa.gov/results/20101102/us-senator.html February 10, 2025 live U.S. Senator Reed Sam Sam Reed November 2, 2010 Secretary of State of Washington October 18, 2025 Democratic Party (United States) Patty Murray (incumbent) 1,314,930 52.36% -2.62% Republican Party (United States) Dino Rossi 1,196,164 47.64% +4.90% 2,511,094 100.00% N/A Democratic Party (United States) By county By county yes #B0CEFF;line-height:135%; none Countyhttps://results.vote.wa.gov/results/20101102/us-senator_bycounty.html https://web.archive.org/web/20250303210745/https://results.vote.wa.gov/results/20101102/us-senator_bycounty.html March 3, 2025 live U.S. Senator - County Results Reed Sam Sam Reed November 2, 2010 Secretary of State of Washington August 7, 2025Patty Murray DemocraticDino Rossi RepublicanMarginTotal%#%#%#Adams27.26%1,02872.74%2,743–45.48%–1,7153,771Asotin39.20%3,29260.80%5,105–21.59%–1,8138,397Benton35.67%22,30564.33%40,230–28.66%–17,92562,535Chelan36.75%10,08263.25%17,349–26.49%–7,26727,431Clallam47.05%15,63952.95%17,602–5.91%–1,96333,241Clark45.75%67,05254.25%79,499–8.49%–12,447146,551Columbia31.21%66568.79%1,466–37.59%–8012,131Cowlitz47.13%17,33152.87%19,443–5.74%–2,11236,774Douglas32.66%4,28767.34%8,838–34.67%–4,55113,125Ferry36.01%1,14463.99%2,033–27.98%–8893,177Franklin34.53%5,91265.47%11,209–30.94%–5,29717,121Garfield29.26%34070.74%822–41.48%–4821,162Grant28.97%6,88471.03%16,880–42.06%–9,99623,764Grays Harbor51.73%13,08648.27%12,2093.47%87725,295Island49.74%17,79450.26%17,980–0.52%–18635,774Jefferson62.99%10,91737.01%6,41325.99%4,50417,330King64.92%489,19035.08%264,36829.83%224,822753,558Kitsap51.23%52,95248.77%50,4142.46%2,538103,366Kittitas38.63%5,83861.37%9,276–22.75%–3,43815,114Klickitat42.89%3,71757.11%4,950–14.23%–1,2338,667Lewis33.71%10,35266.29%20,354–32.57%–10,00230,706Lincoln31.23%1,66668.77%3,668–37.53%–2,0025,334Mason48.97%12,06151.03%12,568–2.06%–50724,629Okanogan39.37%5,76660.63%8,881–21.27%–3,11514,647Pacific53.11%5,15646.89%4,5526.22%6049,708Pend Oreille37.56%2,16562.44%3,599–24.88%–1,4345,764Pierce49.79%132,92450.21%134,025–0.41%–1,101266,949San Juan65.24%5,99434.76%3,19430.47%2,8009,188Skagit48.55%23,22351.45%24,609–2.90%–1,38647,832Skamania46.72%2,11853.28%2,415–6.55%–2974,533Snohomish51.86%137,36548.14%127,5313.71%9,834264,896Spokane43.73%78,98456.27%101,628–12.54%–22,644180,612Stevens32.79%6,37967.21%13,076–34.42%–6,69719,455Thurston56.16%58,95043.84%46,01412.32%12,936104,964Wahkiakum45.14%91554.86%1,112–9.72%–1972,027Walla Walla38.84%8,18061.16%12,882–22.32%–4,70221,062Whatcom52.49%44,78347.51%40,5394.97%4,24485,322Whitman43.04%5,77656.96%7,644–13.92%–1,86813,420Yakima36.78%22,71863.22%39,044–26.43%–16,32661,762Total52.36%1,314,93047.64%1,196,1644.73%118,7662,511,094 Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican Clallam (largest city: Port Angeles) Cowlitz (largest city: Longview) Island (largest city: Oak Harbor) Mason (largest city: Shelton) Pierce (largest city: Tacoma) Skagit (largest city: Mount Vernon) Skamania (largest city: Carson) Wahkiakum (largest city: Puget Island) right 275px Swing by county Legend #ffd5d5 Republican — +0-2.5% #ffaaaa Republican — +2.5-5% #ff8080 Republican — +5-7.5% #ff5555 Republican — +7.5-10% #ff2a2a Republican — +10-12.5% #ff0000 Republican — +12.5-15% #d40000 Republican — +>15% 275px Trend relative to the state by county Legend #77e3ff Democratic — +5-7.5% #aaeeff Democratic — +2.5–5% #d5f6ff Democratic — +0-2.5% #ffd5d5 Republican — +0–2.5% #ffaaaa Republican — +2.5–5% #ff8080 Republican — +5–7.5% #ff5555 Republican — +7.5-10% 275px County flips Legend Democratic #92c5de Hold Republican #f48882 Hold #ca0120 Flip By congressional district Murray won five of nine congressional districts.2010 General Data https://www.sos.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2022-05/2010-general-data.zip sos.wa.gov live https://web.archive.org/web/20240520231002/https://www.sos.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2022-05/2010-general-data.zip 2024-05-20 District Murray Rossi RepresentativeWashington 1 1st 56% 44%Jay InsleeWashington 2 2nd 51% 49%Rick LarsenWashington 3 3rd47%53%Brian BairdJaime Herrera BeutlerWashington 4 4th 36% 64%Doc HastingsWashington 5 5th 41% 59%Cathy McMorris RodgersWashington 6 6th 53% 47%Norm DicksWashington 7 7th 81% 19%Jim McDermottWashington 8 8th 49% 51%Dave ReichertWashington 9 9th 53% 47%Adam Smith Notes References External links Elections and Voting at the Washington Secretary of State U.S. Congress candidates for Washington https://web.archive.org/web/20101030164219/https://www.votesmart.org/election_congress_state.php?state_id=WA October 30, 2010 at Project Vote Smart Campaign contributions from Open Secrets 2010 Washington Senate General Election: All Head-to-Head Matchups graph of multiple polls from Pollster.com Election 2010: Washington Senate from Rasmussen Reports 2010 Washington Senate Race from Real Clear Politics 2010 Washington Senate Race from CQ Politics Race profile from The New York Times Editorial board endorsement interview: Senate 2010 from The Seattle Times Official campaign websites (archived) Patty Murray for U.S. Senate incumbent Dino Rossi for U.S. Senate Category:2010 Washington (state) elections Washington 2010