2015 United States elections explained

Year:	2015
Type:	Off-year elections
Election Day:	November 3
Special Elections:	Congressional special elections
Special Elections Seats Contested:	3 House mid-term vacancies
Special Elections Net Change:	0
Special Elections Map Caption:	Map of the 2015 House special elections
Governor Seats Contested:	3
Governor Net Change:	0
Governor Map Caption:	Map of the 2015 gubernatorial races

The 2015 United States elections were held (for the most part) on Tuesday, November 3. The off-year election included a special election for Speaker of the House. There were also gubernatorial and state legislative elections in a few states; as well as numerous citizen initiatives, mayoral races, and a variety of other local offices on the ballot.

None of the three congressional seats that were up for special elections changed party hands. The Democrats picked up the governorship in Louisiana, while the Republicans picked up the one in Kentucky and held onto the governorship in Mississippi. The Republicans also picked up other various statewide offices. This led NPR to call the 2015 elections "a stinging rebuke to President Obama ... cap[ping] off yet another disappointing election cycle for Democrats", who have performed poorly against the Republicans in midterm and off-year elections during Obama's tenure.^[1] According to The Washington Post, the election results were characterized by deepening political polarization, as the Democrats held their own or even gained ground in Democratic-leaning cities and states, while Republican gains were concentrated in Republican-leaning states.^[2]

Federal elections

The following special elections were held to replace Senators or House Representatives who either died or resigned while in office:

• Illinois's 18th congressional district: Representative Aaron Schock announced his resignation on March 17, 2015.^[3] The election was held on September 10, 2015, and won by Republican Darin LaHood, who was sworn in on September 17, 2015.^[4]
• Mississippi's 1st congressional district: Representative Alan Nunnelee died on February 6, 2015.^[5] The election was won by Republican Trent Kelly, who was sworn into office on June 2, 2015.^[6]
• New York's 11th congressional district: Representative Michael Grimm resigned from Congress on January 5, 2015, after pleading guilty to tax evasion.^[7] The election was won by Republican Daniel M. Donovan, Jr., who was sworn into office on May 12, 2015.^{[8] [9]}

Congressional leadership election

See main article: October 2015 Speaker of the United States House of Representatives election.

After John Boehner of Ohio's 8th congressional district announced his resignation from the position of Speaker of the House on September 25, a special election to replace him was initially scheduled for October 8.^[10] However, after initial frontrunner Kevin McCarthy, the current House Majority leader of California's 23rd congressional district, suddenly withdrew from the race the day of the nomination vote, Republican leadership decided to move the election further back, to an unknown date later in October, if not beyond that.^[11] Both the second Republican frontrunner, Jason Chaffetz of Utah's 3rd congressional district, and Chairman of the Government Oversight and Reform Committee, and Bill Flores of Texas's 17th congressional district, withdrew on October 20 and 22, respectively, to express their support for Paul Ryan, the vice presidential candidate in 2012, Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, and representative of Wisconsin's 1st congressional district, who entered the race on October 22 after long being considered a potential frontrunner.^{[12] [13] [14]} The only other Republican candidate was Daniel Webster of Florida's 10th congressional district, a member of the highly-conservative Freedom Caucus that caused both Boehner to resign and McCarthy to withdraw.^[15] The Democratic candidate was current Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi of California's 12th congressional district.^[16] On October 29, Ryan was elected Speaker with 236 of the 432 votes cast. Pelosi received 184, and Webster received 9. Jim Cooper, John Lewis, and Colin Powell all received 1 each.^[17]

State elections

Gubernatorial

See main article: 2015 United States gubernatorial elections. Three states held gubernatorial elections in 2015.

• Kentucky: Democrat Steve Beshear is term-limited and could not run for re-election to a third term in office.^[18] Republican Matt Bevin won the election.
• Louisiana: Republican Bobby Jindal is term-limited and could not run for re-election to a third term in office.^[19] Democrat John Bel Edwards won the election.
• Mississippi: Republican Phil Bryant ran for re-election to a second term in office.^[20] Bryant was re-elected.

Statewide executive offices

Three states held elections for statewide executive offices in 2015:

• Kentucky: Elections were held for the offices of Attorney General, Secretary of State, State Auditor, State Treasurer and Agriculture Commissioner.
• Louisiana: Elections were held for the offices of Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, State Treasurer, Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry and Commissioner of Insurance.
• Mississippi: Elections were held for the offices of Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, State Treasurer, State Auditor, Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce, Commissioner of Insurance and the Mississippi Public Service Commission.

State legislatures

See main article: 2015 United States state legislative elections. Seven legislative elections were held for four states in 2015: Louisiana, Mississippi, New Jersey, and Virginia.^[21] In New Jersey, only the lower house of the legislature held elections. Republicans maintained control of both chambers of the Louisiana, Mississippi, and Virginia legislatures, while Democrats maintained control of the New Jersey General assembly.

Local elections

Various elections were held for officeholders in numerous cities, counties, school boards, special districts and others around the country.

Mayoral elections

Some of the large cities holding mayoral elections include:^[22]

• Anchorage, AK: Republican Dan Sullivan is term-limited and cannot run for re-election to a third term in office.^[23] Democrat Ethan Berkowitz was elected to replace Sullivan.
• Arlington, TX: Republican Robert Cluck was defeated for a seventh term as mayor by Jeff Williams.^{[24] [25]}
• Boise, ID: Democrat David H. Bieter won re-election to a fourth term in office.^[26]
• Cary, NC: Democrat Harold Weinbrecht won re-election to a third term in office.^[27]
• Charlotte, NC: Democrat Dan Clodfelter was defeated in the Democratic primary.^[28] Jennifer Roberts won the Democratic primary and election.
• Chicago, IL: Democrat Rahm Emanuel won re-election to a second term in office.^[29]
• Colorado Springs, CO: Republican Steve Bach is retiring rather than running for re-election to a second term.^[30] Republican John Suthers was elected to replace Bach.
• Columbus, OH: Democrat Michael B. Coleman is retiring rather than running for re-election to a fifth term in office.^[31] Democrat Andrew Ginther was elected to replace Coleman.
• Dallas, TX: Democrat Mike Rawlings won re-election to a second term in office.^[32]
• Denver, CO: Democrat Michael Hancock won re-election to a second full term in office.^[33]
• Duluth, MN: Democrat Don Ness is retiring rather than running for re-election to a third term in office.^[34]
• Fort Wayne, IN: Democrat Tom Henry is running for re-election to a third term.^[35]
• Fort Worth, TX: Republican Betsy Price won re-election to a third term in office.^[36]
• Greensboro, NC: Democrat Nancy Vaughan is running for re-election to a second term.^[37]
• Hartford, CT: Incumbent Pedro Segarra was defeated in the Democratic primary election by Luke Bronin.^[38] Bronin then defeated independent Joel Cruz, Jr. in the general election.^[39]
• Houston, TX: Democrat Annise Parker is term-limited and could not run for re-election to a fourth term in office.^[40] A run off was held on December 12, 2015. Democrat Sylvester Turner won the election.
• Indianapolis, IN: Republican Greg Ballard is retiring rather than running for re-election to a third term in office.^[41] Democrat Joe Hogsett was elected to replace Ballard.
• Jacksonville, FL: Democrat Alvin Brown was defeated for a second term in office by Republican Lenny Curry.^[42]
• Kansas City, MO: Incumbent Sly James won re-election to a second term in office.^[43]
• Knoxville, TN: Democrat Madeline Rogero is running for re-election to a second term.^[44]
• Las Vegas, NV: Incumbent Democrat Carolyn Goodman won re-election to a second term in office.^[45]
• Lincoln, NE: Democrat Chris Beutler won re-election to an unprecedented third term in office.^[46]
• Madison, WI: Democrat Paul Soglin won re-election to an eighth term in office.^{[47] [48]}
• Memphis, TN: Democrat A C Wharton lost re-election to a fifth full term in office.^[49] Mayor-elect Jim Strickland won the election, with 41.5% of the votes cast, compared to Wharton's 22%.^{[50] [51] [52]}
• Montgomery, AL: Republican Todd Strange won re-election to a third term in office.^[53]
• Nashville, TN: Democrat Karl Dean is term-limited and could not run for re-election to a third term in office.^[54] Democrat Megan Barry was elected to replace Dean.
• Orlando, FL: Incumbent Democrat Buddy Dyer won re-election for a fourth term.
• Philadelphia, PA: Democrat Michael Nutter is term-limited and could not run for re-election to a third term in office.^[55] Democrat James F. Kenney was elected to replace Nutter.
• Phoenix, AZ: Democrat Greg Stanton won re-election to a second term in office.^[56]
• Portland, ME: Incumbent Democrat Michael Brennan was defeated for reelection by fellow Democrat Ethan Strimling.^[57]
• Raleigh, NC: Incumbent Nancy McFarlane won re-election to a second term in office.^[58]
• Salt Lake City, UT: Democrat Jackie Biskupski defeated Incumbent Democrat Ralph Becker.
• San Antonio, TX: Democrat Ivy Taylor won election to a first full term in office.^{[59] [60] [61] [62]}
• San Francisco, CA: Democrat Ed Lee won re-election to a second term in office.^[63]
• South Bend, IN: Democrat Peter Buttigieg won re-election to a second term in office.^[64]
• Springfield, MO: Libertarian Robert Stephens won re-election.^[65]
• Tampa, FL: Democrat Bob Buckhorn was re-elected to a second term in office.^[66]
• Toledo, OH: Democrat Paula Hicks-Hudson (acting mayor) is running in a special election to fill the remainder of the term of late Mayor D. Michael Collins.^{[67] [68] [69]}
• Tucson, AZ: Democrat Jonathan Rothschild is running for re-election to a second term.^[70]
• West Palm Beach, FL: Democrat Jeri Muoio won re-election to a second term in office.^[71]
• Wichita, KS: Democrat Carl Brewer is term-limited and could not run for re-election to a third term in office.^[72] Republican Jeff Longwell was elected to replace Brewer.

Other local elections

Other city offices

• Chicago Alderman

Local propositions

• Houston, Texas Proposition 1: A referendum on an anti-discrimination ordinance known as the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance. Houston voters rejected this measure.

Tables of partisan control results

See also: Political party strength in U.S. states. These tables show the partisan results of the Congressional special elections and gubernatorial races in 2015. Bold indicates a change in control.

House Congressional seats

	Before 2015 elections^[73]		After 2015 elections^[74]
District	Incumbent	State delegation	Winner	State delegation
Illinois 18th		Rep		Dem 10–8		Rep		Dem 10–8
Mississippi 1st		Rep		Rep 3–1		Rep		Rep 3–1
New York 11th		Dem		Dem 18–9		Dem		Dem 18–9
	United States	Rep 247–188		Rep 247–188

Governorships

State	Incumbent	Winner
Kentucky		Dem		Rep
Louisiana		Rep		Dem
Mississippi		Rep		Rep
	United States

Notes and References

1. News: November 4, 2015 . Voters Rebuke Democrats At Polls In Another Blow To Obama . NPR.
2. [E. J. Dionne|E.J. Dionne, Jr.]
3. Web site: Aaron Schock resigns after new questions about mileage expenses. Politico. Jake. Sherman. Jake Sherman (journalist). March 17, 2015. March 17, 2015.
4. News: LaHood takes seat in Congress once occupied by Schock . . September 18, 2015 . October 10, 2015.
5. News: Alan Nunnelee, Mississippi congressman, dies at 56. . February 6, 2015. February 6, 2015.
6. News: Mississippi: District Attorney Wins Special Election for Seat in Congress. June 2, 2015. The New York Times. June 6, 2015. The Associated Press.
7. Web site: Rep. Michael Grimm to resign after admitting to tax evasion. Fox News. December 30, 2014. December 30, 2014. Chad. Pergram.
8. Web site: Special Election 2015: Final vote count, turnout, district breakdown. May 6, 2015. May 6, 2015. S.I. News.
9. Web site: NYC Republican Donovan Wins U.S. House Seat Vacated by Grimm. May 6, 2015. May 31, 2015. Bloomberg News.
10. News: John Boehner Will Resign From Congress. Jennifer . Steinhauer . The New York Times. September 25, 2015. October 10, 2015.
11. News: Kevin McCarthy drops out of House speaker race. Tal . Kopan. Deirdre . Walsh. Manu . Raju. Dana. Bash. Dana Bash. October 8, 2015. CNN. October 10, 2015.
12. Web site: Ryan to run for House Speaker if he gets full party support. Fox News. October 21, 2015.
13. News: Most Texas Republicans backing Paul Ryan for House speaker. Dallas Morning News. October 23, 2015.
14. News: DeBonis. Mike. Paul Ryan goes all in: ‘I am ready and eager to be our speaker’. October 22, 2015. The Washington Post. October 23, 2015.
15. Web site: U.S. Rep. Dan Webster 'running hard' to replace House Speaker John Boehner. Tampa Bay Times. October 10, 2015.
16. Web site: House leadership: Nancy Pelosi seeks support for speaker. Politico. October 10, 2015.
17. News: Paul Ryan Is Elected House Speaker, Hoping to Manage Chaos. Jennifer. Steinhauer. October 29, 2015. October 30, 2015. The New York Times.
18. Web site: Brammer . Jack . Mongiardo considers running for governor | Politics and Government . Kentucky.com . 2012-11-30 . 2012-12-07.
19. News: John Bel Edwards announces he is running for governor in 2015. Jeff. Adelson. The New Orleans Times-Picayune. 10 February 2013. 21 February 2013.
20. Web site: Power Rankings: Top Session Issues. January 18, 2015. January 28, 2015. The Clarion-Ledger. Geoff Pender.
21. Web site: State legislative elections, 2015. Ballotpedia. 4 March 2013.
22. Web site: Mayors of the largest US cities. City Mayors. 4 March 2013.
23. Web site: "CEO of the City" Campaigns to Bring Anchorage Business Acumen to Governor’s Cabinet. Alaska Public Media. October 28, 2014. January 19, 2015.
24. News: Arlington mayor already faces challenger in next May’s race. Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Schrock. Susan. September 29, 2014. February 19, 2015.
25. News: Arlington Mayor Cluck to seek re-election. https://web.archive.org/web/20150220002710/http://fwbusinesspress.com/fwbp/article/1/7720/News-Categories-Law/Arlington-Mayor-Cluck-to-seek-re-election.aspx. dead. February 20, 2015. Fort Worth Business Press. Graham. A. Lee. November 12, 2014. February 18, 2015.
26. http://www.ktvb.com/story/news/politics/elections/2015/11/04/boise-mayoral-city-council-incumbents-track-victories/75138028/ "Boise mayor, City Council incumbents win their races"
27. https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/community/cary-news/article37079241.html/ Cary mayor, at-large council member unopposed in election
28. Web site: Charlotte Mayor Dan Clodfelter eases into new role. The Charlotte Observer. October 23, 2014. December 8, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141118230132/http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2014/10/22/5259963/mayor-clodfelter-eases-into-new.html. November 18, 2014. dead.
29. News: Grove. Lloyd. Rahm Emanuel may be toying with 2016 presidential run. The Daily Beast. February 14, 2013. March 4, 2013.
30. News: Colorado Springs Mayor Steve Bach: It's time to step aside. The Gazette. Heilman. Wayne. December 16, 2014. February 19, 2015.
31. News: Siegel. Jim. Released email shows potential mayoral interest by Hughes. The Columbus Dispatch. 5 March 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20121105050039/http://dispatchpolitics.dispatch.com/content/blogs/the-daily-briefing/2012/11/11-2-12-hughes-email.html. 2012-11-05. dead.
32. Web site: Updated: Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings seeks re-election, lays out agenda - Dallas Business Journal. 28 November 2016.
33. News: Meyer. Jeremy. Denver Mayor Michael Hancock building a war chest for possible re-election?. 5 March 2013. The Denver Post. 11 November 2012.
34. News: Duluth Mayor Don Ness won't run again. Minneapolis Star Tribune. Louwagie. Pam. October 12, 2014. August 8, 2015.
35. News: Mayor Henry announces re-election bid. The News-Sentinel. Krieg. Sheryl. January 6, 2015. February 19, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150219222350/http://www.news-sentinel.com/article/2015150109834. 2015-02-19. dead.
36. News: Fort Worth's Mayor Price running again, says she has unfinished business. https://web.archive.org/web/20150220000832/http://fwbusinesspress.com/fwbp/article/1/8634/News-Categories-Government/Fort-Worths-Mayor-Price-running-again-says-she-has-unfinished-business.aspx. dead. February 20, 2015. Fort Worth Business Press. Krieg. Sheryl. January 28, 2015. February 19, 2015.
37. News: Inside Scoop: The Thunderdome District. Greensboro News & Record. Killian. Joe. February 4, 2015. February 19, 2015.
38. Web site: McKeever . Jim . Bernstein . Jen . Bronin takes Hartford mayoral primary over incumbent Segarra . Fox61 . . 24 September 2019 . 16 September 2015.
39. Web site: Election results . City of Hartford Registrar of Voters . 24 September 2019 . 6 November 2015.
40. Web site: Mayor Annise Parker reveals her third term agenda — and what she'd do with the Astrodome . Culture Map Houston . January 2, 2014 . December 9, 2014.
41. Web site: Shella. Jim. Will this be Greg Ballard's last term?. WishTV.com. 4 March 2013.
42. News: Early look at 2015 mayor's race: Republicans seek candidate to challenge Alvin Brown . The Florida Times-Union . January 11, 2014 . December 10, 2014.
43. Web site: With KCMO on a roll, Mayor James says he's going for two - Kansas City Business Journal. 28 November 2016.
44. News: Georgiana Vines: Rogero revs up re-election campaign. Knoxville News Sentinel. Vines. Georgiana. June 16, 2014. February 19, 2015.
45. Web site: Anthony to Goodman: I'm running against you. Ralston Reports. January 18, 2015. January 20, 2015.
46. News: Beutler wins bid for historic third term as Lincoln mayor. Lincoln Journal Star. May 5, 2015. November 11, 2015.
47. News: Paul Soglin formally announces re-election campaign. Wisconsin State Journal. Mosiman. Dean. January 13, 2015. February 19, 2015.
48. News: Paul Soglin wins 5-way primary for Madison mayor; Scott Resnick comes in second. Wisconsin State Journal. Mosiman. Dean. January 13, 2015. February 18, 2015.
49. Web site: Strickland defeats Wharton in Memphis mayor’s race. 28 November 2016.
50. Web site: 2015 Memphis Election Results. 28 November 2016.
51. News: Wharton to Run for Re-election. MyFoxMemphis. August 29, 2012. December 19, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141219174321/http://www.myfoxmemphis.com/story/19401775/wharton-to-run-for-reelection. December 19, 2014. dead. mdy-all.
52. News: Wharton Raising Funds For Re-Election Bid. MyFoxMemphis. Greg Coy. November 18, 2014. December 19, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141219180444/http://www.myfoxmemphis.com/story/27411232/wharton-raising-funds-for-re-election-bid. December 19, 2014. dead. mdy-all.
53. News: Joe Hubbard mulling run for Montgomery mayor. Brian Lyman, Montgomery Advertiser. November 8, 2014. Montgomery Advertiser. November 17, 2014.
54. News: Nashville 2015 mayor's race chatter begins . The Tennessean . December 3, 2012 . December 10, 2014 . https://archive.today/20141102070834/http://archive.tennessean.com/article/20121203/NEWS0202/312030027/Nashville-2015-mayor-s-race-chatter-begins . November 2, 2014 . dead . mdy-all .
55. News: Lucey. Catherine. 1 of these 5 could be the city's next mayor. The Philadelphia Inquirer. March 4, 2013. November 8, 2012.
56. http://www.azcentral.com/story/news/12-news/2014/05/18/arizona-phoenix-mayor-greg-stanton-running-for-reelection/9254607/ Phoenix Mayor Stanton running for re-election
57. News: Brennan unseated by Strimling after one term as Portland mayor . Portland Press Herald . 5 November 2015 . 7 November 2015 . Billings, Randy.
58. News: Raleigh Mayor Nancy McFarlane running for re-election. Indy Week. Geary. Bob. February 4, 2015. February 19, 2015.
59. News: Baugh. Josh. San Antonio chooses Ivy Taylor as new mayor. San Antonio Express-News. Hearst Corporation. August 6, 2014. July 22, 2014.
60. News: Baugh. Josh. Ivy Taylor becomes mayor. San Antonio Express-News. Hearst Corporation. August 6, 2014. July 22, 2014.
61. Web site: Rivard. Robert. San Antonio's New Mayor, Ivy Taylor. therivardreport.com. Rivard Report. August 6, 2014. July 30, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140914091905/http://therivardreport.com/conversation-san-antonio-new-mayor-ivy-taylor/. September 14, 2014. dead.
62. News: Ivy Taylor running for mayor of San Antonio, joining a crowded field. San Antonio Express-News. Baugh. Josh. February 16, 2015. February 19, 2015.
63. Web site: Once-reluctant S.F. Mayor Ed Lee says he’ll run for 2nd term. 28 November 2016.
64. News: Bell. Kyle. Mayor Buttigieg Announces Re-Election Bid. South Bend Voice. November 18, 2014. November 18, 2014.
65. Web site: Summary Report for April 07, 2015. April 7, 2015. December 15, 2016.
66. Web site: Tampa mayor Buckhorn files to run for re-election. Tampa Tribune. September 12, 2014. September 29, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140913173551/http://tbo.com/news/politics/tampa-mayor-buckhorn-files-to-run-for-re-election-20140912/. September 13, 2014. dead.
67. News: Toledo to hold special election after mayor’s death. Fox 8 Cleveland. Kelly. Andrea. February 7, 2015. February 19, 2015.
68. News: Hicks-Hudson vows continuity as acting mayor. Toledo Blade. Messina. Ignazio. February 7, 2015. February 19, 2015.
69. Web site: Toledo Mayor Hicks-Hudson announces candidacy for November mayoral election . . March 18, 2015 . March 18, 2015 . Zepeda, Michelle . https://web.archive.org/web/20150321010919/http://www.toledonewsnow.com/story/28551636/toledo-mayor-hicks-hudson-announces-candidacy-for-november-mayoral-election . March 21, 2015 . dead .
70. News: Tucson Elections Will Be Vote-By-Mail Again. Arizona Public Media. Kelly. Andrea. January 23, 2015. February 19, 2015.
71. Web site: WPB Mayor Muoio: I’ll seek reelection in 2015 - West Palm Beat. Eliot. Kleinberg. 28 November 2016.
72. News: Field shaping up for Wichita mayor’s race. The Wichita Eagle. Ryan. Kelsey. January 16, 2015. February 19, 2015.
73. Web site: 2015 State and Legislative Partisan Composition. National Conference of State Legislatures. November 19, 2017.
74. Web site: 2015 Election Results. National Conference of State Legislatures. November 19, 2017.