2010 United States Senate election in Louisiana explained

Election Name:2010 United States Senate election in Louisiana
Country:Louisiana
Type:presidential
Ongoing:Yes
Previous Election:2004 United States Senate election in Louisiana
Previous Year:2004
Next Election:2016 United States Senate election in Louisiana
Next Year:2016
Election Date:November 2, 2010
Image1:File:DVitterOfficial.jpg
Nominee1:David Vitter
Party1:Republican Party (United States)
Popular Vote1:715,415
Percentage1:56.55%
Nominee2:Charlie Melançon
Party2:Democratic Party (United States)
Popular Vote2:476,572
Percentage2:37.67%
Map Size:280px
U.S. Senator
Before Election:David Vitter
Before Party:Republican Party (United States)
After Election:David Vitter
After Party:Republican Party (United States)

The 2010 United States Senate election in Louisiana was held on November 2, 2010. Republican incumbent U.S. Senator David Vitter won re-election to a second term, becoming the first Republican ever to be re-elected to the United States Senate from Louisiana.

Background

Vitter faced a potentially serious challenge in the Republican primary as well as the general election. Lieutenant General Russel L. Honoré, who is best known for serving as commander of Joint Task Force Katrina responsible for coordinating military relief efforts for Hurricane Katrina-affected areas across the Gulf Coast, was allegedly mulling over whether or not to challenge Vitter in the Republican Primary.[1] Tony Perkins, a former Louisiana state representative and current president of the socially conservative Family Research Council, acknowledged interest in running against Vitter because of the prostitution scandal.[2] [3] Nonetheless, Perkins decided not to run and endorsed Vitter for reelection.[4]

Some speculated that Vitter's reelection might have become complicated, by the prostitution scandal revealed in 2007, but he continued to lead in aggregate polling against potential opponents.[5]

Following a movement to draft him into the race,[6] John Cooksey, a former U.S. Representative, appeared poised to put together a challenge, planning on spending $200,000 of his own money.[7] Cooksey, however, pulled back and did not qualify.

A campaign to draft porn actress Stormy Daniels began in early 2009. She considered whether to run even though at age 31, she was four years too young to be a Senator and ultimately declined to qualify.[8] [9] [10]

On June 14, 2009, Congressman Charlie Melançon announced his intentions to run for Senate in 2010. Melançon, who was representing Louisiana's 3rd Congressional District since 2005, released the announcement to his supporters, saying that "Louisiana needs a different approach, more bi-partisan, more disciplined, more honest and with a whole lot more common sense." Melançon was a leader of the Blue Dog Coalition, a group of fiscally conservative Democrats who aim to lower the deficit and reform the budget.[11] [12]

In the weeks before the election a major concern for Vitter's camp was possibly voter apathy about the race. For example, publisher Rolfe H. McCollister Jr., in his Greater Baton Rouge Business Report, endorsed fellow Republican Jay Dardenne over Democrat Caroline Fayard in the simultaneous race for Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana, but then explicitly made "no endorsement" for U.S. Senate:

I have talked with a number of voters who are just not very excited about this race—the candidates or the tone. I'm not either. You're on your own here.[13]

Democratic primary

Candidates

Results

Republican primary

Candidates

Polling

Poll SourceDates administeredDavid Vitter (R)Chet Traylor (R)Undecided
Clarus Research GroupAugust 15–16, 201074%5%18%
Public Policy Polling[15] August 21–22, 201081%5%9%

Results

Libertarian primary

Candidates

Results

General election

Candidates

Major

Minor

Campaign

Melançon heavily criticized Vitter for prostitution sex scandal.[18] [19] Vitter released television advertising criticizing Melançon for his support for Obama's stimulus package and his support for amnesty for illegal immigrants.[20]

Debates

Melançon claimed "In August, Melançon challenged Vitter to a series of five live, televised town hall-style debates across the state. In his 2004 campaign for Senate, Vitter committed to five live, televised debates. Since Melançon issued the challenge, Vitter and Melançon have been invited to a total of seven live, televised debates. Vitter only accepted invitations to debates hosted by WWL-TV and WDSU-TV, both in New Orleans."[21]

Predictions

SourceRankingAs of
Cook Political Report[25] October 26, 2010
Rothenberg[26] October 22, 2010
RealClearPolitics[27] October 26, 2010
Sabato's Crystal Ball[28] October 21, 2010
CQ Politics[29] October 26, 2010

Polling

Poll sourceDavid
Vitter (R)		Charlie
Melançon (D)
Research 2000[30] March 2–4, 200948%41%
Public Policy Polling[31] July 17–19, 200944%32%
Rasmussen Reports[32] October 5, 200946%36%
Rasmussen Reports[33] January 14, 201053%35%
YouGovPolimetrix[34] January 6–11, 201052%32%
Rasmussen Reports[35] February 10, 201057%33%
Rasmussen Reports[36] March 10, 201057%34%
Rasmussen ReportsApril 7, 201052%36%
Magellan Strategies[37] June 10–13, 201051%31%
Public Policy Polling[38] June 12–13, 201046%37%
Rasmussen Reports[39] June 24, 201053%35%
Clarus Research GroupAugust 15–16, 201048%36%
Public Policy Polling[40] August 21–22, 201051%41%
Rasmussen Reports[41] August 30, 201054%33%
Magellan Strategies[42] September 19, 201052%34%
Magellan StrategiesOctober 10, 201051%35%
Anazalone[43] October 22, 201046%43%
Clarus Research Group[44] October 21–24, 201050%38%
Magellan Strategies[45] October 24, 201052%35%

Fundraising

Candidate (Party)ReceiptsDisbursementsCash On HandDebt
David Vitter (R)$8,384,938$6,833,900$3,555,994$0
Charles Melançon (D)$3,711,556$4,043,362$445,853$0
Source: Federal Election Commission[46]

Results

External links

Notes and References

  1. http://www.bayoubuzz.com/News/Louisiana/Politics/General_Russell_Honore_To_Run_Vs_David_Vitter_In_Louisiana_US_Race__9439.asp General Russell Honore To Run Vs David Vitter In Louisiana US Race?
  2. Web site: Perkins, Toomey for Senate? . Politico.com . April 7, 2008 . December 16, 2008.
  3. News: Perkins, porn star eye Vitter's seat . Daniel . Libit . Politico . February 25, 2009.
  4. News: Perkins not challenging Vitter . Josh . Kraushaar . The Scorecard . . March 13, 2009.
  5. News: Senator's Number on 'Madam' Phone List . Washington Post . July 10, 2007 . Shailagh . Murray . May 27, 2010.
  6. News: Draft Cooksey Campaign To Replace Louisiana David Vitter . BayouBuzz.com . February 27, 2009 . February 27, 2009 . March 1, 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090301063106/http://www.bayoubuzz.com/News/Louisiana/Politics/Draft_Cooksey_Campaign_To_Replace_Louisiana_David_Vitter__8443.asp . dead .
  7. News: Louisiana heats up with potential Vitter challenger . The Hill.com . Aaron . Blake . February 27, 2009 . February 27, 2009 . March 2, 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090302072239/http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/louisiana-heats-up-with-potential-vitter-challenger-2009-02-27.html . dead .
  8. Web site: Church . Glenn . Porn Star To Run Against Vitter In Louisiana Senate Race? . Foolocracy . January 26, 2009 . June 14, 2010.
  9. Web site: ryan . And the nominee is ... Stormy Daniels!publisher=Daily Kingfish . June 14, 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110708220900/http://www.dailykingfish.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=1108 . July 8, 2011 . dead .
  10. Web site: Porn Actress Considers Run For La. Senate Seat - New Orleans News Story - WDSU New Orleans . Wdsu.com . February 9, 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110927225302/http://www.wdsu.com/news/18673367/detail.html . September 27, 2011 . May 5, 2015.
  11. Web site: Melancon running against Vitter - The Scorecard . Politico.Com . June 14, 2010.
  12. Web site: Blue Dogs - 15 Years of Leadership . House.gov . June 14, 2010 . June 15, 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100615173134/http://www.house.gov/melancon/BlueDogs/10%20Years%20of%20Leadership.html . dead .
  13. News: Making choices on Nov. 2 . October 19, 2010 . October 26, 2010 . Rolfe . McCollister . Greater Baton Rouge Business Report . 6 . https://web.archive.org/web/20101027132711/http://businessreport.com/news/2010/oct/18/making-choices-nov-2/ . October 27, 2010 . dead . mdy-all.
  14. https://web.archive.org/web/20100822165153/http://www.wwltv.com/news/WWLTV-poll-shows-Vitter-leading-Melancon-by-double-digits.html Clarus Research Group
  15. https://web.archive.org/web/20110504104132/http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/PPP_Release_LA_826.pdf Public Policy Polling
  16. Web site: GentileForSenator.com . GentileForSenator.com . June 14, 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100619035856/http://www.gentileforsenator.com/ . June 19, 2010 . dead .
  17. Web site: Randall Todd Hayes US Senate . anti-politician.com . June 14, 2010.
  18. http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/08/melancons-first-tv-ad-david-vitter-hasnt-been-honest-with-louisiana-video.php Melancon's First TV Ad: 'David Vitter Hasn't Been Honest With Louisiana' (VIDEO) | TPMDC
  19. http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/09/melancon-turns-vitter-prostitute-reenactment-video-into-two-minute-tv-ad.php Melancon Turns Vitter Prostitutution Reenactment Video Into Two-Minute TV Ad (VIDEO) | TPMDC
  20. http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2010/08/david_vitter_slams_charlie_mel.html David Vitter slams Charlie Melancon in new Senate TV ad | NOLA.com
  21. Web site: Louisiana Politics: Vitter Agrees to Second Televised Debate in New Orleans . November 1, 2010 . March 13, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120313221513/http://www.bayoubuzz.com/buzz/latest-buzz/82514-louisiana-politics-vitter-agrees-to-second-televised-debate-in-new-orleans . dead .
  22. Web site: Vitter, Melancon meet for first debate wwltv.com WWL Home Page . November 1, 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100914083354/http://www.wwltv.com/home/Vitter-Melancon-meet-for-first-debate-102405019.html . September 14, 2010 . dead .
  23. http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2010/10/david_vitter_charlie_melancon_1.html David Vitter, Charlie Melancon will debate tonight | NOLA.com
  24. Web site: Senate candidates face off for final time on WWL-TV in heated debate New Orleans News, Local News, Breaking News, Weather wwltv.com Political News . November 1, 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110622034553/http://www.wwltv.com/news/politics/Senate-candidates-face-off-for-final-time-on-WWL-TV-106231978.html . June 22, 2011 . dead .
  25. Web site: Senate . . October 26, 2010.
  26. Web site: Senate Ratings . . October 26, 2010.
  27. Web site: Battle for the Senate . . October 26, 2010.
  28. Web site: 2010 Senate Ratings . . October 26, 2010 . October 28, 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20101028092918/http://www.centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/articles/category/2010-senate/ . dead .
  29. Web site: Race Ratings Chart: Senate . . October 26, 2010 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20101028234525/http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=ratings-senate . October 28, 2010 .
  30. https://web.archive.org/web/20090310171407/http://www.dailykos.com/statepoll/2009/3/4/LA/262 Research 2000
  31. https://web.archive.org/web/20090824043638/http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/PPP_Release_Louisiana_721.pdf Public Policy Polling
  32. http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections2/election_2010/election_2010_senate_elections/louisiana/toplines/toplines_election_2010_louisiana_senate_race_october_5_2009 Rasmussen Reports
  33. http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections2/election_2010/election_2010_senate_elections/louisiana/election_2010_louisiana_senate Rasmussen Reports
  34. http://media.economist.com/images/pdf/StatesTables20100121.pdf YouGovPolimetrix
  35. http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections2/election_2010/election_2010_senate_elections/louisiana/toplines/toplines_2010_louisiana_senate_february_10_2010 Rasmussen Reports
  36. http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections2/election_2010/election_2010_senate_elections/louisiana/toplines/toplines_2010_louisiana_senate_march_10_2010 Rasmussen Reports
  37. http://www.magellanstrategies.com/web/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/Magellan-Louisiana-Oil-Spill-Survey-Release-0614101.pdf Magellan Strategies
  38. https://web.archive.org/web/20120327025912/http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/PPP_Release_LA_616.pdf Public Policy Polling
  39. http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections/election_2010/election_2010_senate_elections/louisiana/toplines/toplines_2010_election_louisiana_senate_june_24_2010 Rasmussen Reports
  40. https://web.archive.org/web/20111020105939/http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/PPP_Release_LA_825.pdf Public Policy Polling
  41. http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections/election_2010/election_2010_senate_elections/louisiana/toplines/toplines_louisiana_senate_august_30_2010 Rasmussen Reports
  42. http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections/election_2010/election_2010_senate_elections/louisiana/toplines/toplines_louisiana_senate_august_30_2010 Magellan Strategies
  43. http://www.magellanstrategies.com/web/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/Magellan-Louisiana-US-Senate-Survey-Release-102510.pdf Anazalone
  44. http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2010/10/david_vitter_holds_12-point_le.html Clarus Research Group
  45. http://www.magellanstrategies.com/web/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/Magellan-Louisiana-US-Senate-Survey-Release-102510.pdf Magellan Strategies
  46. Web site: 2010 House and Senate Campaign Finance for Louisiana . fec.gov . August 22, 2010 .

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