2010 Tennessee gubernatorial election explained

Election Name:	2010 Tennessee gubernatorial election
Country:	Tennessee
Type:	presidential
Ongoing:	no
Previous Election:	2006 Tennessee gubernatorial election
Previous Year:	2006
Next Election:	2014 Tennessee gubernatorial election
Next Year:	2014
Election Date:	November 2, 2010
Image1:	File:Governor Bill Haslam crop.jpg
Nominee1:	Bill Haslam
Party1:	Republican Party (United States)
Popular Vote1:	1,041,545
Percentage1:	65.03%
Nominee2:	Mike McWherter
Party2:	Democratic Party (United States)
Popular Vote2:	529,851
Percentage2:	33.08%
Map Size:	300px
Governor
Before Election:	Phil Bredesen
Before Party:	Democratic Party (United States)
After Election:	Bill Haslam
After Party:	Republican Party (United States)
Turnout:	41.32% ^[1] 8.65 pp

The 2010 Tennessee gubernatorial election took place on November 2, 2010, to elect the next governor of Tennessee, alongside other state and local elections. Incumbent Democratic Governor Phil Bredesen was term-limited, and is prohibited by the Constitution of Tennessee from seeking a third consecutive term. Knoxville mayor and Republican nominee, Bill Haslam was elected with 65.0% of the vote, defeating Democratic nominee Mike McWherter.

The primary election was held on August 5, 2010, with Haslam and McWherter winning their respective parties' nominations.^[2]

Haslam received endorsements from former U.S. Senator Howard Baker and Congressman Jimmy Duncan.^{[3] [4]} The Tennessean wrote, "Haslam appears most likely to be able to ride Gov. Phil Bredesen's pro-business coattails, despite the different party affiliation."^[5]

Haslam campaigned on his executive experience as both Knoxville's mayor and the president of a major company. His opponents attacked him as an oil executive, especially in the wake of price-gouging allegations levied against Pilot in the wake of the post-Hurricane Katrina fuel shortages, and criticized his refusal to release information related to his income while at Pilot.^[6]

With this win, Haslam flipped the state into Republican control, with the state legislature also being controlled by Republicans. The last time Republicans held a government trifecta in the state was in 1869.^[7] Ever since this election, Republicans have maintained their trifecta.

News organizations The Cook Political Report,^[8] CQ Politics,^[9] and The New York Times^[10] rated the gubernatorial election as leaning Republican, while The Rothenberg Political Report rated it as "Republican favored,"^[11] RealClearPolitics^[12] and Sabato's Crystal Ball^[13] as "Likely Republican", and Rasmussen Reports as "Solid Republican."^[14]

Republican primary

A recorded debate featuring 3 of the candidates, organized by campaign coordinator James Crenshaw, was held at the Scarett-Benett Center in Nashville, TN.^[15]

From July 1, 2009, until January 15, 2010, Haslam collected $1.8 million, Ramsey raised $1,412,593 including a $200,000 loan, Wamp raised $1,373,078 including a $61,000 loan, and Gibbons raised $225,218.

Candidates

• Bill Haslam, Mayor of Knoxville^[16]
• Joe Kirkpatrick, businessman^[17] Withdrew from race
• Basil Marceaux, Soddy Daisy resident^{[18] [19]}
• Ron Ramsey, Lieutenant Governor^[20]
• Zach Wamp, U.S. Representative, 3rd district^[21]

Polling

Poll source	Dates administered	Bill Haslam	Ron Ramsey	Zach Wamp	Undecided
Mason-Dixon	align=center	July 19–21, 2010	align=center	36%	20%	25%	17%
WSMV TV Channel 4	align=center	July 8, 2010	align=center	32%	11%	21%	align=center	36%

Results

Democratic primary

From July 1, 2009, until January 15, 2010,, State Senate Minority Leader Jim Kyle collected $741,485 including a $300,000 personal loan, McWherter raised $402,868, and McMillan raised $159,981.^[22]

Candidates

• Mike McWherter, businessman, former attorney, son of former Governor Ned McWherter^{[23] [24]}

Results

Independents

• Bayron Binkley, broker^[25]
• Brandon Dodds, optometrist^[26]
• Samuel David Duck, Independent Federalist^[27] (withdrew from race and endorsed Brandon Dodds)^[28]
• David Gatchell
• June Griffin
• Toni Hall
• Floyd Knois
• Boyce McCall
• J. David Maharrey, Tea Party
• Linda Kay Perry
• James Reesor, Tennessee author^[29]
• Thomas Smith II
• Howard Switzer,^[30] Architect^[31] (Green Party nominee; listed on the ballot as an independent)
• Carl Twofeathers Whitaker, Native American Indian Movement chief^[32]

General election

Predictions

Source	Ranking	As of
Cook Political Report^[33]		October 14, 2010
Rothenberg^[34]		October 28, 2010
RealClearPolitics^[35]		November 1, 2010
Sabato's Crystal Ball^[36]		October 28, 2010
CQ Politics^[37]		October 28, 2010

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Mike McWherter (D)	Bill Haslam (R)	Other	Unde- cided
MTSU (report)	October 24, 2010	635	± 4%	29%	align=center	51%	4%	6%
MTSU (report)	October 14, 2010	635	± 4%	19%	align=center	41.6%	4%	36%
Rasmussen Reports (report)	October 9, 2010	500	± 4.5%	31%	align=center	59%	3%	6%
Rasmussen Reports (report)	September 7, 2010	500	± 4.5%	31%	align=center	59%	2%	7%
Rasmussen Reports (report)	August 9, 2010	500	± 4.5%	31%	align=center	56%	3%	10%
Mason-Dixon (report)	July 19–21, 2010	625	± 5.0%	31%	align=center	49%	—	20%
WSMV-TV Channel 4 (report)	July 8, 2010	603	± 4.0%	34%	align=center	60%	—	6%
Rasmussen Reports (report)	June 15, 2010	500	± 4.5%	32%	align=center	50%	5%	14%
Rasmussen Reports (report)	March 22, 2010	500	± 4.5%	27%	align=center	45%	5%	23%

Results

By county

County^[38]	Bill Haslam Republican		Mike McWherter Democratic		Other votes
	%		%		%
	Anderson	72.50%	13,938	24.89%	4,785	2.61%	502
	Bedford	69.50%	6,808	28.31%	2,773	2.20%	215
	Benton	51.36%	2,590	47.23%	2,382	1.41%	71
	Bledsoe	66.26%	2,527	31.83%	1,214	1.92%	73
	Blount	79.38%	23,786	18.19%	5,449	2.42%	728
	Bradley	82.10%	17,522	16.29%	3,477	1.61%	344
	Campbell	72.75%	6,309	24.78%	2,149	2.47%	214
	Cannon	61.51%	2,412	36.09%	1,415	2.40%	94
	Carroll	56.72%	4,724	41.83%	3,484	1.44%	120
	Carter	76.98%	10,783	21.43%	3,001	1.60%	223
	Cheatham	68.92%	7,017	29.16%	2,969	1.91%	195
	Chester	69.39%	2,763	28.80%	1,147	1.80%	72
	Claiborne	74.45%	4,768	22.85%	1,463	2.71%	173
	Clay	59.07%	1,179	38.98%	778	1.95%	39
	Cocke	75.69%	6,385	22.08%	1,863	2.24%	188
	Coffee	69.43%	9,436	28.49%	3,872	2.09%	283
	Crockett	64.49%	2,818	34.42%	1,504	1.10%	48
	Cumberland	77.71%	15,550	20.29%	4,061	1.98%	399
	Davidson	48.44%	75,381	49.11%	76,427	2.44%	3,810
	Decatur	56.31%	1,820	41.80%	1,351	1.89%	61
	DeKalb	58.40%	2,870	39.62%	1,947	1.98%	97
	Dickson	64.09%	7,812	34.04%	4,150	1.87%	228
	Dyer	66.48%	6,576	28.79%	2,847	4.72%	467
	Fayette	68.78%	8,490	29.71%	3,667	1.51%	187
	Fentress	71.44%	3,630	27.04%	1,374	1.51%	77
	Franklin	63.35%	7,792	34.73%	4,272	1.92%	236
	Gibson	57.57%	8,664	40.88%	6,152	1.55%	233
	Giles	60.25%	4,936	37.52%	3,074	2.22%	183
	Grainger	74.79%	3,399	22.75%	1,034	2.46%	112
	Greene	76.83%	12,066	21.11	3,315	2.07	324
	Grundy	55.07%	1,693	42.03%	1,292	1.90%	89
	Hamblen	79.47%	10,798	19.19%	2,608	1.33%	181
	Hamilton	65.59%	57,090	32.81%	28,556	1.60%	1,393
	Hancock	73.25%	923	24.21%	305	2.54%	32
	Hardeman	50.45%	3,250	47.25%	3,044	2.28%	148
	Hardin	69.10%	4,315	28.98%	1,810	1.92%	120
	Hawkins	75.29%	9,320	22.76%	2,817	1.95%	241
	Haywood	45.70%	2,462	52.96%	2,853	1.34%	72
	Henderson	69.43%	4,328	28.73%	1,791	1.85%	115
	Henry	55.20%	5,261	43.33%	4,129	1.46%	140
	Hickman	59.80%	3,156	37.89%	2,000	1.85%	122
	Houston	47.90%	1,016	49.74%	1,055	2.36%	50
	Humphreys	53.62%	2,689	44.51%	2,232	1.88%	94
	Jackson	53.02%	1,587	44.54%	1,333	2.45%	73
	Jefferson	79.54%	8,895	18.24%	2,040	2.21%	248
	Johnson	75.59%	3,452	22.62%	1,033	1.80%	82
	Knox	81.07%	84,915	17.06%	17,869	1.87%	1,958
	Lake	47.38%	661	49.32%	688	3.35%	46
	Lauderdale	54.74%	3,369	43.64%	2,686	1.63%	100
	Lawrence	66.54%	7,722	32.00%	3,714	1.46%	169
	Lewis	63.42%	2,235	33.97%	1,197	2.61%	92
	Lincoln	72.30%	6,196	24.15%	2,070	3.55%	304
	Loudon	82.07%	12,552	15.78%	2,413	2.16%	330
	Macon	68.21%	3,349	29.84%	1,465	1.96%	96
	Madison	55.74%	15,762	43.20%	12,214	1.06%	300
	Marion	62.47%	4,579	35.69%	2,616	1.84%	135
	Marshall	63.50%	4,810	34.59%	2,620	1.93%	145
	Maury	65.50%	15,190	32.82%	7,612	1.67%	389
	McMinn	76.63%	8,711	21.66%	2,462	1.71%	194
	McNairy	64.05%	4,357	34.44%	2,343	1.51%	103
	Meigs	68.28%	1,804	29.52%	780	2.20%	58
	Monroe	75.02%	7,795	23.09%	2,399	1.88%	196
	Montgomery	61.80%	19,227	35.87%	11,159	2.33%	726
	Moore	68.59%	1,435	27.68%	579	3.73%	78
	Morgan	69.81%	3,032	27.33%	1,187	2.85%	124
	Obion	53.99%	5,063	43.21%	4,052	2.80%	263
	Overton	58.68%	3,088	39.24%	2,065	2.08%	109
	Perry	55.34%	1,057	41.83%	799	2.83%	54
	Pickett	66.20%	1,428	31.66%	683	2.13%	46
	Polk	64.86%	2,569	32.69%	1,295	2.45%	97
	Putnam	69.83%	13,031	28.44%	5,306	1.73%	323
	Rhea	76.06%	5,452	21.58%	1,547	2.35%	169
	Roane	73.79%	11,523	23.74%	3,707	2.36%	385
	Robertson	67.94%	12,151	30.28%	5,416	1.78%	318
	Rutherford	68.77%	41,999	29.33%	17,912	1.89%	1,160
	Scott	74.48%	3,522	23.41%	1,107	2.10%	100
	Sequatchie	70.74%	2,497	24.37%	966	1.89%	96
	Sevier	84.01%	16,592	13.63%	2,692	2.36%	467
	Shelby	46.74%	107,227	51.86%	118,977	1.39%	3,200
	Smith	58.36%	3,369	39.67%	2,290	1.98%	114
	Stewart	54.91%	2,120	43.05%	707	2.04%	79
	Sullivan	77.44%	30,529	21.20%	8,359	1.36%	535
	Sumner	73.17%	32,543	26.12%	13,672	2.31%	1,209
	Tipton	68.63%	10,880	29.69%	4,706	1.69%	267
	Trousdale	56.06%	1,170	41.93%	875	2.01%	42
	Unicoi	75.48%	3,334	22.66%	1.001	1.85%	82
	Union	75.15%	2,861	22.83%	869	2.02%	77
	Van Buren	57.29%	931	40.25%	654	2.46%	40
	Warren	59.61%	5,745	37.77%	3,640	2.62%	253
	Washington	76.95%	22,403	21.63%	6,296	1.42%	415
	Wayne	73.26%	2,606	25.13%	894	1.60%	57
	Weakley	51.76%	4,891	46.49%	4,393	1.74%	165
	White	64.94%	4,542	32.31%	2,260	2.75%	192
	Williamson	80.06%	48,518	18.29%	11,085	1.65%	1,000
	Wilson	72.88%	25,217	25.21%	8,724	1.91%	659

Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican

See also

• 2010 United States House of Representatives elections in Tennessee
• 2010 Tennessee elections

External links

• Tennessee Department of State – Elections
• Tennessee Governor Candidates at Project Vote Smart
• Campaign contributions for 2010 Tennessee Governor from Follow the Money
• Tennessee Governor 2010 from OurCampaigns.com
• 2010 Tennessee General Election graph of multiple polls from Pollster.com
• Election 2010: Tennessee Governor from Rasmussen Reports
• 2010 Tennessee Governor – Haslam vs. McWherter from Real Clear Politics
• 2010 Tennessee Governor's Race from CQ Politics
• Race Profile in The New York Times

Debates

• Tennessee Gubernatorial Debate on C-SPAN, July 12, 2010
• Tennessee Gubernatorial Debate including independent candidates on IRN, May 23, 2010

Official campaign websites (Archived)

• Bill Haslam for Governor
• Mike McWherter for Governor
• Samuel David Duck for Governor
• James Reesor for Governor
• Carl "Two Feathers" Whitaker for Governor

Notes and References

1. News: November 2, 2010 . Tennessee Voter Turnout in 2010 . Tennessee Secretary of State . February 28, 2023.
2. Web site: Archived copy . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20100914205436/http://www.fvap.gov/resources/media/vaghandout3.pdf . 2010-09-14 . 2010-07-30.
3. News: May 8, 2010 . Haslam Endorsed By U.S. Rep. John J. Duncan . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20100511025736/http://www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_175236.asp . May 11, 2010 . May 11, 2010 . . mdy-all.
4. Web site: Underwood . Ryan . Michael Cass . Chas Sisk . Clay Carey . December 28, 2009 . Tennessee political movers . The Tennessean . 2.
5. Web site: Underwood . Ryan . Michael Cass . Chas Sisk . Clay Carey . December 28, 2009 . Tennessee political movers . The Tennessean . 2.
6. News: Flory . Josh . January 19, 2011 . Building on Experience as Knoxville's Mayor, 'Optimistic and Enthusiastic' Haslam Begins Leading State . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110123055402/http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2011/jan/19/knoxville-mayor-haslam-tennessee-governor . 2011-01-23 . September 22, 2011 . Knoxville News Sentinel.
7. News: . Tennessee - Election Results 2010 . The New York Times . 2020-07-31.
8. Web site: 2010 governors race ratings. August 12, 2010. August 21, 2010. The Cook Political Report. https://web.archive.org/web/20100815082554/http://www.cookpolitical.com/charts/governors/raceratings_2010-08-12_10-29-33.php. August 15, 2010. dead. mdy-all.
9. Web site: Races for Governor in 2010. August 21, 2010. CQ Politics. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20100819000851/http://innovation.cqpolitics.com/atlas/gov2010. August 19, 2010.
10. Web site: Governor Race Ratings. August 21, 2010. The New York Times.
11. Web site: Governor Ratings. July 1, 2010. August 21, 2010. The Rothenberg Political Report.
12. Web site: 2010 Governor Races. August 21, 2010. RealClearPolitics.
13. Web site: Tennessee Governor 2010. June 3, 2010. August 21, 2010. Sabato's Crystal Ball.
14. Web site: Election 2010: Gubernatorial Scorecard. August 21, 2010. August 21, 2010. Rasmussen Reports.
15. Web site: Gubernatorial Debate Special! Basil Marceaux Isn't the Nuttiest Candidate — June Griffin Takes the Honor News nashvillescene.com.
16. Web site: Phil Bredesen Story Page – USATODAY.com . Content.usatoday.com . 2010-08-17 . 2010-08-21 . 2012-03-23 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120323174844/http://content.usatoday.com/topics/article/People/Politicians,+Government+Officials,+Strategists/Governors,+Mayors/Phil+Bredesen/04wf6qI3KB1GY/1 . dead .
17. Web site: Joe4Gov.com . Joe4Gov.com . 2010-08-21.
18. Web site: Basil Marceaux Campaign Coordinator James Crenshaw Responds to Skeptics News nashvillescene.com.
19. Web site: Archived copy . July 24, 2010 . April 19, 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110419105112/http://www.basilmarceaux.com/ . dead .
20. Web site: News Story . The Greeneville Sun . 2009-02-28 . 2010-08-21 . dead . https://archive.today/20130102234945/http://www.greenevillesun.com/story/301709 . 2013-01-02 .
21. News: Matt . Wilson . Rep. Wamp will run for governor of Tennessee . 2009-01-05 . . 2009-01-05 . August 23, 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100823153203/http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2009/jan/05/rep-wamp-will-run-governor-tennessee/ . dead .
22. News: Humphrey . Tom . February 3, 2010 . Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam gathers $5.8 million so far for governor's race . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20100205091327/http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2010/feb/03/haslam-gathers-58-million-for-race/ . 2010-02-05 . Knoxville News Sentinel.
23. News: DUNLAP . STANLEY . April 24, 2009 . Former governor's son makes bid for seat . The Jackson Sun .
24. News: Sher . Andy . April 23, 2009 . Tennessee: McWherter says he's running for governor . Chattanooga Times Free Press . dead . April 24, 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110723215359/http://timesfreepress.com/news/2009/apr/23/tennessee-mcwherter-says-hes-running-governor/?breakingnews . July 23, 2011.
25. Web site: Binkley4Gov Blog « Binkley for Governor 2010 . Binkley4governor.com . 2010-02-20 . 2010-08-21 . https://web.archive.org/web/20101022033048/http://binkley4governor.com/ . 2010-10-22 . dead .
26. Web site: Home . DoddsForGov . 2010-08-21 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110207143200/http://doddsforgov.com/ . 2011-02-07 . dead .
27. Web site: Samuel David Duck . Samuel David Duck, Independent for Governor of Tennessee in 2010 . Duck4gov.com . 2010-08-17 . 2010-08-21 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20100819170208/http://duck4gov.com/ . 2010-08-19 .
28. Web site: Samuel David Duck. We can't let the UN and CFR take the governorship. duck4gov.com. 2010-10-03. 2010-10-03. https://web.archive.org/web/20111009171431/http://www.duck4gov.com/resignation_speech.pdf. 2011-10-09. dead.
29. Web site: index . Jamesreesor.com . 2002-09-15 . 2010-08-21 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20100730063748/http://www.jamesreesor.com/ . 2010-07-30 .
30. Web site: Ron Noonan says . Blog Archive » Green Party has candidate on ballot for Tennessee governor – America's #1 Source for Green Party News & Views . Green Party Watch . 2010-08-21 . October 18, 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20101018113201/http://www.greenpartywatch.org/2010/04/05/green-party-has-candidate-on-ballot-for-tennessee-governor/ . dead .
31. Web site: Verenigde Staten . Gebruikersprofiel: Howard Switzer . Blogger . 2010-08-21.
32. Web site: Elect Carl Whitaker for Tennessee Governor 2010, Carl Whitaker For Governor 2010, Tennessee's Governor Race for 2010, Tennessee Governor 2010, 2010 Governor's Race, Whitaker For Governor . Carlwhitakerforgov.com . 2010-08-09 . 2010-08-21 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20100830040326/http://www.carlwhitakerforgov.com/ . 2010-08-30 .
33. Web site: 2010 Governors Race Ratings . https://web.archive.org/web/20101028141343/http://cookpolitical.com/charts/governors/raceratings_2010-10-14_12-35-09.php . dead . October 28, 2010 . . October 28, 2010.
34. Web site: Governor Ratings . . October 28, 2010.
35. Web site: 2010 Governor Races . . October 28, 2010.
36. Web site: THE CRYSTAL BALL'S FINAL CALLS . . October 28, 2010.
37. Web site: Race Ratings Chart: Governor . . October 28, 2010 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20101005231611/http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=ratings-governor . October 5, 2010 .
38. Web site: 2022-11-08 . 2022 Gubernatorial Results by County . 2023-02-18 . Tennessee Secretary of State . en.