2010 United States Senate election in Wisconsin

none March 2026 December 2017 2010 United States Senate election in Wisconsin Wisconsin presidential Yes 2004 United States Senate election in Wisconsin 2004 2016 United States Senate election in Wisconsin 2016 November 2, 2010 150x150px Ron Johnson, official portrait, 112th Congress (3x4b).jpg Ron Johnson Republican Party (United States) 1,125,932 51.86% Russ Feingold Official Portrait 3.jpg Russ Feingold Democratic Party (United States) 1,020,841 47.02% 260px County results 260px Precinct results 1 Johnson: #FFB2B2 40–50% #E27F7F 50–60% #d75d5d 60–70% #D72F30 70–80% #C21B18 80–90% #A80000 >90%Feingold: #A5B0FF 40–50% #7996e2 50–60% #6674de 60–70% #584cde 70–80% #3933e5 80–90% #0D0596 >90%Tie: #D2B1D9 U.S. Senator Russ Feingold Democratic Party (United States) Ron Johnson Republican Party (United States) The 2010 United States Senate election in Wisconsin was held on November 2, 2010. Incumbent Democratic Senator Russ Feingold lost re-election to a fourth term to Republican challenger Ron Johnson, a businessman and first-time candidate. Johnson was the first Republican to win a Senate election in Wisconsin since 1986. Feingold also became the fifth senator in a row from Wisconsin's Class 3 Senate seat to be defeated for re-election in the general election, and the seventh in a row overall to lose by a defeat in either the primary or general elections. Johnson was re-elected in 2016 in a rematch with Feingold.Meyer Theodoric 2016-11-09 Johnson upsets Feingold to keep Wisconsin Senate seat https://www.politico.com/story/2016/11/johnson-feingold-wisconsin-senate-race-2016-election-results-231027 2024-02-10 POLITICO en As of 2026, this was one of three elections in the past eight midterm cycles to involve the incumbent president's party losing a Senate seat in a state that leaned more than 10 points towards them. The other races were the 2006 United States Senate election in Montana and the 2010 United States Senate election in Illinois. Republican primary Candidates On the ballot Stephen Finn, plumberhttp://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/102233174.html Johnson leads race for GOP Senate bid www.jsonline.com Ron Johnson, businessmanhttp://www.lacrossetribune.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_fd9b4a24-62ff-11df-b2e1-001cc4c03286.html GOP's Ron Johnson announces Senate run while in La Crosse April 15, 2010 May 19, 2010 WKOW Dave Westlake, businessmanhttp://www.politicsdaily.com/2010/01/28/feingold-may-be-vulnerable-if-thompson-seeks-his-wisconsin-senat Feingold May Be Vulnerable If Thompson Seeks His Wisconsin Senate Seat January 28, 2010 January 28, 2010 Politics Daily Bruce Drake Declined Ted Kanavas, state senator Dick Leinenkugel (dropped out), former state commerce secretaryhttps://www.politico.com/story/2010/05/leinenkugel-abruptly-exits-037665 Leinenkugel abruptly exits – David Catanese May 23, 2010 Politico.Com June 14, 2010 Tommy Thompson, former governor of Wisconsin Terrence Wall (dropped out), real estate developerGiroux Greg http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/eyeon2010/2010/05/wisconsin-wall-confirms-decisi.html Wisconsin: Wall Confirms Decision To End Senate Bid – The Eye (CQ Politics) Blogs.cqpolitics.com May 27, 2010 June 14, 2010 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20101029181729/http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/eyeon2010/2010/05/wisconsin-wall-confirms-decisi.html October 29, 2010 Campaign Former Republican Governor of Wisconsin Tommy Thompson had expressed an interest in challenging Feingold,http://new.wtaq.com/news/articles/2010/jan/26/ex-gov-thompson-being-pushed-run-senate Ex-Gov Thompson Being Pushed To Run For Senate January 26, 2010 January 28, 2010 WTAQ https://web.archive.org/web/20110718122447/http://wtaq.com/news/articles/2010/jan/26/ex-gov-thompson-being-pushed-run-senate July 18, 2011 but ruled himself out of the race in April 2010.http://www.jsonline.com/news/wisconsin/90943939.html Thompson tells tea party rally he won't run for U.S. Senate April 15, 2010 April 16, 2010 JS Online Johnson, a millionaire manufacturer and Tea Party movement favorite running for political office for the first time, was the frontrunner. In response to controversy over his ownership of stock in BP, Johnson said he would sell it when market conditions were favorable and possibly use the proceeds to help finance his Senate campaign.http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/eyeon2010/2010/07/feingold-senate-wisconsin-dril.html Attack Ad Puts Feingold Foe On Defensive Over Great Lakes Drilling – The Eye (CQ Politics) Blogs.cqpolitics.com July 14, 2010 August 21, 2010 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20100719070417/http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/eyeon2010/2010/07/feingold-senate-wisconsin-dril.html July 19, 2010 Johnson was endorsed by: the Club for Growth, a fiscally conservative advocacy organization; former Wisconsin Republican Lt. Governor Margaret Farrow; Republican U.S. Senator Jim DeMint of South Carolina;http://www.ronjohnsonforsenate.com/home/category/blog/endorsements Ron Johnson Ronjohnsonforsenate.com August 21, 2010 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20100724011044/http://www.ronjohnsonforsenate.com/home/category/blog/endorsements July 24, 2010 http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/eyeon2010/2010/07/club-for-growth-lee-utah-johns.html Club For Growth Puts Muscle Into More Races – The Eye (CQ Politics) Blogs.cqpolitics.com July 14, 2010 August 21, 2010November 2011 and Wisconsin Republican U.S. Representatives Jim Sensenbrenner, Tom Petri and Paul Ryan.http://www.ronjohnsonforsenate.com/home/2010/07/johnson-collects-gop-endorsements Ron Johnson Ronjohnsonforsenate.com July 12, 2010 August 21, 2010 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20100727084116/http://www.ronjohnsonforsenate.com/home/2010/07/johnson-collects-gop-endorsements July 27, 2010 Businessman David Westlake was endorsed by the Republican Liberty Caucus.http://www.rlc.org/endorsed-candidates-2010 Endorsed Candidates – 2010 Republican Liberty Caucus Rlc.org August 21, 2010 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20100813170153/http://www.rlc.org/endorsed-candidates-2010 August 13, 2010 According to OpenSecrets, as of August 25, 2010, Johnson had invested $4.3 million of his own money into his campaign; this amount represented 71 percent of his campaign funds, while 27 percent of his campaign funds ($1.6 million) came from individual contributions.OpenSecrets, August 25, 2010, accessed October 1, 2010, http://www.opensecrets.org/races/summary.php?id=WIS2&cycle=2010 Polling Poll Source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error RonJohnson DaveWestlake Other Undecided Public Policy Polling (reportNovember 2011) June 26–27, 2010 400 ± 4.9% 49% 11% –– 40% Results Republican primary resultshttps://www.politico.com/2010/maps/#/Senate/2010/WI The 2010 Results Maps POLITICO September 17, 2019 August 23, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100823031212/http://www.politico.com/2010/maps/#/Senate/2010/WI dead Ron Johnson Republican Party (United States) 500,821 84.7% David Westlake Republican Party (United States) 61,287 10.4% Stephen M. Finn Republican Party (United States) 29,002 4.9% 591,107 100.0% General election Candidates Russ Feingold (D), incumbent U.S. senator Ron Johnson (R), businessman Dave Rutowski (I) Rob Taylor (I) self-described Constitution Party candidatehttp://robtaylorforsenate.com/?p=688 Rob Taylor for Senate website September 11, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20160126154650/http://robtaylorforsenate.com/?p=688 January 26, 2016 dead http://www.wqow.com/Global/story.asp?S=11854770 https://archive.today/20130209210341/http://www.wqow.com/Global/story.asp?S=11854770 dead February 9, 2013 Real estate developer launches Senate campaign January 20, 2010 January 28, 2010 WQOW Campaign Feingold's first television ad was a positive ad released in March. In July 2010, his second 2010 television election ad attacked Johnson for alleged support for offshore drilling in the Great Lakes. Johnson quickly countered Feingold with a television ad of his own.http://www2.wnct.com/news/2010/jul/14/johnson-quick-to-counterattack-feingold-on-oil-ad-ar-300367 July 15, 2010 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20100718092659/http://www2.wnct.com/news/2010/jul/14/johnson-quick-to-counterattack-feingold-on-oil-ad-ar-300367 Johnson Quick to Counterattack Feingold on Oil Ad WNCT July 18, 2010 Feingold's logo was Moving Forward. In one ad, he emphasized independence and called himself a "penny pincher."http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/101409589.html Washington-based group airs ad attacking Feingold Don Walker 2010-08-24 Johnson argued that manufacturers and accountants were underrepresented in the U.S. Senate, and there were too many lawyers (57 out of 100 members, including Feingold).https://www.politifact.com/wisconsin/statements/2010/oct/22/ron-johnson/ron-johnson-says-there-are-57-lawyers-including-ru/ Ron Johnson says there are 57 lawyers, including Russ Feingold, in the U.S. Senate @politifact Feingold received the endorsements of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and Green Bay Press-Gazette.Wis. Newspapers Unveil Election Endorsements WISN.com 2012-03-06 http://www.wisn.com/r/25508115/detail.html https://web.archive.org/web/20120306010005/http://www.wisn.com/r/25508115/detail.html 2012-03-06 dead 2019-09-17 The Beloit Daily News endorsed Johnson.http://www.620wtmj.com/news/local/105655088.html Johnson Leads Polls, Feingold Leads Endorsements 620 WTMJ October 27, 2010 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20101028091430/http://www.620wtmj.com/news/local/105655088.html October 28, 2010 Debates October 8 in Milwaukee October 11 in WausauRamde Dinesh October 12, 2010 Feingold and Johnson spar over funding of attack ads http://chippewa.com/news/local/feingold-and-johnson-spar-over-funding-of-attack-ads/article_672eff72-d618-11df-8f27-001cc4c03286.html Chippewa Herald Associated Press June 16, 2016 October 22 in Eau Claire on WQOWhttp://www.wqow.com/Global/story.asp?S=13326651 https://web.archive.org/web/20110718121900/http://www.wqow.com/Global/story.asp?S=13326651 dead July 18, 2011 Feingold holds roundtable discussion in Eau Claire – WQOW TV: Eau Claire, WI NEWS18 News, Weather, and Sports Predictions Source Ranking As of Cook Political Reporthttp://cookpolitical.com/senate Senate Cook Political Report October 26, 2010 Lean R Flip October 26, 2010 Rothenberghttp://rothenbergpoliticalreport.com/ratings/senate Senate Ratings Rothenberg Political Report October 26, 2010 Lean R Flip October 22, 2010 RealClearPoliticshttp://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2010/senate/2010_elections_senate_map.html Battle for the Senate RealClearPolitics October 26, 2010 Lean R Flip 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 R Flip 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 Lean R Flip October 26, 2010 Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error RussFeingold (D) RonJohnson (R) Other UndecidedRasmussen ReportsRasmussen Reports May 25, 2010 500 ± 4.5% 46% 44% 3% 6%Rasmussen ReportsRasmussen Reports June 21, 2010 500 ± 4.5% 46% 45% 3% 6%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling June 26–27, 2010 638 ± 3.9% 45% 43% –– 12%Rasmussen ReportsRasmussen Reports July 13, 2010 750 ± 4.0% 46% 47% 2% 6%University of Wisconsin, MadisonUniversity of Wisconsin, Madison July 15, 2010 500 ± 3.9% 33% 28% –– 44%Magellan StrategiesMagellan Strategies July 20, 2010 1,145 ± 2.9% 45% 43% 3.7% 8%Rasmussen Reports July 27, 2010 500 ± 4.0% 46% 48% 2% 5%Rasmussen Reports August 11, 2010 750 ± 4.0% 46% 47% 2% 5%Rasmussen ReportsRasmussen Reports August 24, 2010 750 ± 4.0% 46% 47% 1% 5%Rasmussen Reports September 15, 2010 750 ± 4.0% 44% 51% 1% 4%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling September 18–19, 2010 –– ± 3.8% 41% 52% –– 7%CNN/Time/Opinion ResearchCNN/Time/Opinion Research September 17–21, 2010 963 ± 3.0% 45% 51% 2% 2%McClatchy/MaristMcClatchy/Marist September 26–28, 2010 806 ± 3.5% 45% 52% 1% 3%Rasmussen Reports September 29, 2010 750 ± 4.0% 42% 54% 2% 2%We the PeopleWe the People September 29 – October 4, 2010 400 ± 5.0% 41% 49% –– ––We the People/IsposWe the People/Ispos October 8, 2010 400 ± 5.0% 44% 51% –– ––Rasmussen Reports October 11, 2010 750 ± 4.0% 45% 52% –– 2%CNN/Time/Opinion ResearchCNN/Time/Opinion Research October 8–12, 2010 1,506 ± 2.5% 44% 52% 1% ––St. Norbert College/WPRSt. Norbert College/WPR October 12–15, 2010 402 ± 5.0% 47% 49% –– 4%Rasmussen Reports October 25, 2010 750 ± 4.0% 46% 53% 0% 1%We the PeopleWe the People October 24–27, 2010 400 ± 5.0% 44% 48% –– 6%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling October 26–28, 2010 1,372 ± 2.6% 44% 53% –– 3%Marist CollegeMarist College October 26–28, 2010 811 ± 4.5% 45% 52% 1% 2% 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 Margin ofError RussFeingold (D) DavidWestlake (R) Other Undecided Public Policy Polling (report) June 26–27, 2010 638 ± 3.9% 45% 38% -- 17% Rasmussen Reports (report) June 21, 2010 500 ± 4.5% 47% 41% 4% 7% Rasmussen Reports (report) May 25, 2010 500 ± 4.5% 47% 38% 7% 8% Public Policy Polling (report) March 23, 2010 700 ± 3.7% 48% 31% — 21% Rasmussen Reports (report) March 16, 2010 500 ± 4.5% 51% 35% 5% 10% Rasmussen Reports (report) February 17, 2010 500 ± 4.5% 47% 37% 6% 10% Public Policy Polling (reportJanuary 2025 medicmedic) November 20–22, 2009 767 ± 3.5% 47% 32% — 21% Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin ofError RussFeingold (D) TommyThompson (R) Other Undecided WPRI (report) September 27–29, 2009 700 ± 3.8% 39% 43% — 18% Public Policy Polling (reportJanuary 2025 medicmedic) November 20–22, 2009 767 ± 3.5% 50% 41% — 10% Rasmussen Reports (report) January 26, 2010 500 ± 4.5% 43% 47% 6% 4% Rasmussen Reports (report) February 17, 2010 500 ± 4.5% 43% 48% 3% 5% WPRI (report) March 9, 2010 600 ± 4.0% 39% 51% — 9% Rasmussen Reports (report) March 16, 2010 500 ± 4.5% 45% 47% 3% 4% Public Policy Polling (report) March 23, 2010 700 ± 3.7% 47% 44% — 9% Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin ofError RussFeingold (D) TerrenceWall (R) Other Undecided Public Policy Polling (reportJanuary 2025 medicmedic) November 20–22, 2009 767 ± 3.5% 48% 34% — 19% Rasmussen Reports (report) February 17, 2010 500 ± 4.5% 47% 39% 6% 7% WPRI (report) March 9, 2010 600 ± 4.0% 47% 32% 6% 7% Rasmussen Reports (report) March 16, 2010 500 ± 4.5% 49% 40% 3% 9% Public Policy Polling (report) March 23, 2010 700 ± 3.7% 48% 34% — 18% Fundraising Through December 31, 2010: Candidate (party) Net receipts Disbursements Beginning cash Latest cash on hand Debt Russ Feingold (D) $13,947,563 $15,544,093 $2,516,119 $919,585 $0 Ron Johnson (R) $15,509,297 $15,316,651 $0 $192,646 $8,708,465 Source: Federal Election Commissionhttp://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/cancomsrs/?_10+CAN+WI https://archive.today/20120713233612/http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/cancomsrs/?_10+CAN+WI dead July 13, 2012 Summary Reports Search Results – 2009–2010 Cycle fec.gov July 9, 2011 Results General election resultshttp://gab.wi.gov/sites/default/files/percent%20results%20post%20recount_120710.pdf 2010 Fall General Election State of Wisconsin December 1, 2010 March 30, 2015 May 21, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120521140507/http://gab.wi.gov/sites/default/files/percent%20results%20post%20recount_120710.pdf dead Republican Party (United States) Ron Johnson 1,125,999 51.86% +7.75% Democratic Party (United States) Russ Feingold (incumbent) 1,020,958 47.02% -8.33% Constitution Party (United States) Rob Taylor 23,473 1.08% N/A 901 0.04% N/A 2,170,430 100.00% -26.4% Republican Party (United States) Democratic Party (United States) Counties that flipped Democratic to Republican Barron (largest city: Rice Lake) Brown (largest city: Green Bay) Burnett (largest village: Grantsburg) Clark (largest city: Neillsville) Chippewa (largest city: Chippewa Falls) Iron (largest city: Hurley) Jefferson (largest city: Watertown) Kewaunee (largest city: Algoma) Langlade (largest city: Antigo) Manitowoc (largest city: Manitowoc) Marathon (largest city: Wausau) Monroe (largest city: Sparta) Oneida (largest city: Rhinelander) Outagamie (largest city: Appleton) Rusk (largest city: Ladysmith) Washburn (largest city: Spooner) Buffalo (largest city: Mondovi) Columbia (largest city: Portage) Door (largest city: Sturgeon Bay) Dunn (largest city: Menomonie) Forest (largest city: Crandon) Grant (largest city: Platteville) Jackson (largest city: Black River Falls) Juneau (largest city: Mauston) Kenosha (largest city: Kenosha) Lafayette (largest city: Darlington) Lincoln (largest city: Merrill) Pepin (largest city: Durand) Price (largest city: Park Falls) Racine (largest city: Racine) Richland (largest city: Richland Center) Sawyer (largest city: Hayward) Trempealeau (largest city: Arcadia) Winnebago (largest city: Oshkosh) Adams (largest city: Adams) Polk (largest city: Amery) St. Croix (largest city: Hudson) Taylor (largest city: Medford) References Further reading Canon David T. Feingold vs. Johnson in Wisconsin's Senate Race: The Maverick Icon Meets His Match Cases in Congressional Campaigns: Riding the Wave https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780415895170/ registration 2012 Routledge 978-0-415-89516-3 Adkins Randall E. Dulio David A. 2nd 201–218 Peterson Geoffrey Ron Johnson: The Accidental Tea Partier Key States, High Stakes: Sarah Palin, the Tea Party, and the 2010 Elections https://archive.org/details/keystateshighsta0000unse/ registration 2012 Rowman & Littlefield Publishers 978-1-4422-1095-0 Bullock Charles S. 91–100 External links Elections & Voting https://web.archive.org/web/20121107175743/http://gab.wi.gov/elections-voting November 7, 2012 at the Wisconsin Government Accountability Board Candidate list https://web.archive.org/web/20100826084101/http://gab.wi.gov/elections-voting/results/candidates-on-ballot August 26, 2010 U.S. Congress candidates for Wisconsin at Project Vote Smart Wisconsin U.S. Senate from OurCampaigns.com Campaign contributions from Open Secrets https://archive.today/20130131190333/http://www.pollster.com/polls/wi/10-wi-sen-ge.php el 2010 Wisconsin Senate General Election: All Head-to-Head Matchups]May 2020 InternetArchiveBot yes graph of multiple polls from Pollster.com Election 2010: Wisconsin Senate from Rasmussen Reports 2010 Wisconsin Senate Race from Real Clear Politics 2010 Wisconsin Senate Race from CQ Politics Race profile from The New York Times Election 2010 news coverage at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Official campaign websites (archived) Russ Feingold for U.S. Senate incumbent Ron Johnson for Senate Dave Westlake for U.S. Senate Wisconsin 2010 Category:2010 Wisconsin elections Category:Russ Feingold