2010 United States Senate election in Nevada explained

Election Name:2010 United States Senate election in Nevada
Country:Nevada
Type:presidential
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:2004 United States Senate election in Nevada
Previous Year:2004
Next Election:2016 United States Senate election in Nevada
Next Year:2016
Election Date:November 2, 2010
Image1:Harry Reid official portrait 2009 crop.jpg
Nominee1:Harry Reid
Party1:Democratic Party (United States)
Popular Vote1:362,785
Percentage1:50.29%
Nominee2:Sharron Angle
Party2:Republican Party (United States)
Popular Vote2:321,361
Percentage2:44.55%
Map Size:250px
U.S. Senator
Before Election:Harry Reid
Before Party:Democratic Party (United States)
After Election:Harry Reid
After Party:Democratic Party (United States)

The 2010 United States Senate election in Nevada took place on November 2, 2010. Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator and Majority Leader Harry Reid won re-election to a fifth and final term.[1]

Democratic primary

The Democratic primary took place on June 8, 2010. Reid won by a large margin over a field of political unknowns.

Candidates

Results

Republican primary

The Republican primary also took place on Tuesday, June 8, 2010.

Candidates

Endorsements

Angle

Polling

Includes current candidates who have polled at least 2% in at least one poll.

Dates administeredPoll sourceTarkanianLowdenAngle
August 21, 2009Mason Dixon/LVJR[10] 33%14%5%
October 8, 2009Poll[11] 21%23%9%
December 2009[12]

Mason Dixon/LVJR]

24%25%13%
January 7, 2010[13] 28%26%13%
February 24, 2010Mason Dixon/LVJR[14] 29%47%8%
April 11, 2010Mason Dixon/LVJR[15] 27%45%5%
April 26–28, 2010Research 2000[16] 28%38%13%
May 13, 2010Mason Dixon/LVJR[17] 22%30%25%
May 28, 2010Mason Dixon/LVJR23%30%29%
May 31 – June 2, 2010Research 2000[18] 24%25%34%
June 2, 2010Suffolk University[19] 26%24%33%
June 1–3, 2010[20] 24%23%32%

Results

General election

Candidates

Campaign

In January 2009, the GOP began running an advertisement attacking President Barack Obama's proposed stimulus plan and Reid for his support of the legislation.[25] Since becoming Minority Leader (in 2004), his approval ratings had dropped below 50%.[26] A November 2007 poll showed Reid's approval rating at 39%, with 49% of voters disapproving.[27]

After the primaries, the first poll showed Angle leading by a double-digit margin. CQ Politics changed their analysis of the race from leaning Republican to a toss-up because of Angle's sharply conservative views and tendency to commit verbal gaffes; however, CQ added that if the voters treat the election as a referendum on Reid, then Angle will likely win.[28]

In 2009, Reid had been endorsed by some prominent Nevada Republicans.[29] Immediately after the primary, the Republican mayor of Reno, Bob Cashell, who had backed Lowden in the Republican primary, endorsed Reid for the general election, calling Angle an "ultra-right winger."[30] [31] Other Republicans expressed doubt about supporting Angle, citing her reputation for ideological rigidity from her years in the state legislature.[32]

One of the first general election ads attacked Angle for her stance on Social Security and Medicare.[33] In response, Angle explained that "the government must continue to keep its contract with seniors, who entered into the system on good faith and now are depending on that contract." In response to accusations that she was not mainstream enough for Nevada voters, Angle explained on a KXNT radio show that she was "more mainstream than the fellow that said tourists stink, this war is lost, and light-skinned no-Negro dialect", in reference to comments that had been made by Senator Reid.[34]

In September, Tibi Ellis, the chairwoman of the Nevada Republican Hispanic Caucus, who had been a spokesperson for Angle, criticized an Angle ad related to immigration. Ellis said, "I condemned this type of propaganda, no matter who is running them, where they blame Mexicans as the only problem and where they attack them as the only source of illegal immigration."

Angle was endorsed by Nevada's largest newspaper, the Las Vegas Review-Journal.[35] Reid had the endorsement from Nevada's second largest newspaper, the Las Vegas Sun.[36] and the largest newspaper outside of Las Vegas, the Reno Gazette-Journal.[37]

On October 7, 2010, Republican State Senator and Minority Leader William Raggio endorsed Reid.[38] [39] Dema Guinn, the widow of the late Republican Nevada Governor Kenny Guinn, endorsed Reid on October 8.[40]

Debate

Angle and Reid only agreed to one debate, in which no other candidate would participate. It was held on October 14.[41] Junior Senator John Ensign played Reid during one day of debate preparation at the Trump Plaza in Las Vegas for Angle.[42]

Predictions

Reid was initially considered vulnerable, with the non-partisan Cook Political Report rating the election as a tossup[43] and the Rothenberg Political Report rating the state as tossup.[44] A June 9, 2010, Rasmussen Reports post-primary poll showed Angle leading incumbent Senator Harry Reid by a margin of 50% to 39%.[45] However, a July 2010 poll showed Senator Reid leading Angle by 7 points, following nationwide attention to some of Angle's positions,[46] as well as the endorsement of Reid by prominent Republicans. The change of margin, 18% in less than a month, is the largest in Senate elections history.[46] On July 28, 2010, Rasmussen Reports moved the race from tossup to leans Democratic.[47] Later, it moved back to tossup. Polls generally had Angle up, and thus Reid seemed like the underdog. Journalist Jon Ralston correctly predicted Reid would win based on early voting numbers and Reid running a strong campaign.[48]

SourceRankingAs of
Cook Political Report[49] October 26, 2010
Rothenberg[50] October 22, 2010
RealClearPolitics[51] October 26, 2010
Sabato's Crystal Ball[52] October 28, 2010
CQ Politics[53] October 26, 2010

Polling

Graphical summary

Dates administeredPoll sourceSharron Angle (R)Harry Reid (D)
December 9, 2009Rasmussen Reports[54] 47%43%
January 7, 201045%40%
January 11, 2010Rasmussen Reports[55] 44%40%
February 3, 2010Rasmussen Reports[56] 44%40%
March 3, 2010Rasmussen Reports[57] 47%43%
March 31, 2010Rasmussen Reports51%40%
April 27, 2010Rasmussen Reports48%40%
April 26–28, 2010Research 200044%41%
May 28, 2010Mason Dixon/LVJR[58] 39%42%
May 31 – June 2, 2010Research 2000[59] 37%42%
June 1–3, 201044%41%
June 9, 2010Rasmussen Reports[60] 50%39%
June 22, 2010Rasmussen Reports[61] 48%41%
July 12, 2010Rasmussen Reports[62] 46%43%
July 12–14, 2010Mason-Dixon[63] 37%44%
July 16–18, 2010Public Policy Polling[64] 46%48%
July 27, 2010Rasmussen Reports[65] 43%45%
July 28–30, 2010Mason-Dixon42%43%
August 3, 2010Reuters/Iposos[66] 44%48%
August 9–11, 2010Mason-Dixon44%46%
August 16, 2010Rasmussen Reports[67] 47%47%
August 23–25, 2010Mason-Dixon[68] 44%45%
September 1, 2010Rasmussen Reports[69] 45%45%
September 7–9, 2010Mason-Dixon[70] 44%46%
September 11, 2010FOX News/Pulse Opinion Research[71] 45%44%
September 13, 2010Rasmussen Reports[72] 48%48%
September 10–14, 2010CNN/Time Magazine[73] 42%41%
September 18, 2010FOX News/Pulse Opinion Research[74] 46%45%
September 20–22, 2010LVRJ/Mason-Dixon[75] 43%43%
September 21–23, 2010Public Opinion Strategies[76] 40%45%
September 28, 2010Rasmussen Reports47%48%
October 2, 2010FOX News/Pulse Opinion Research49%46%
October 4, 2010Magellan Strategies[77] 48%43%
October 5, 2010Rasmussen Reports50%46%
October 7–9, 2010Public Policy Polling[78] 45%47%
October 9, 2010Fox News/POR-Rasmussen[79] 49%47%
October 11, 2010Rasmussen Reports49%48%
October 14, 2010Las Vegas Review-Journal/Mason-Dixon[80] 47%45%
October 17, 2010Rasmussen Reports50%47%
October 25, 2010Rasmussen Reports49%45%
October 20–26, 2010CNN/Time/Opinion Research[81] 49%45%
October 25–27, 2010Mason-Dixon[82] 49%45%
October 30, 2010Fox News/Pulse Opinion Research[83] 48%45%
October 31, 2010Public Policy Polling[84] 47%46%

Fundraising

Candidate (party)ReceiptsDisbursementsCash on handDebt
Sharron Angle (R)$27,797,915$27,505,917$291,999$635,737
Harry Reid (D)$19,185,317$22,325,360$176,309$419,093
Source: Federal Election Commission[85]

Results

Despite Angle leading by three points in the polls the days leading up to the election, Reid defeated Angle by 5.74%, even defeating Angle in her own county, Washoe County. Reid also secured huge numbers out of the Democratic stronghold of Clark County, which covers the Las Vegas Metropolitan Area.

County breakdown

CountyReid%Angle%Others/None of These%
Carson City8,71444.64%9,36247.96%1,4437.39%
Churchill2,47327.80%5,63963.40%7838.80%
Clark253,61754.41%192,51641.30%20,0304.30%
Douglas7,53034.57%12,85859.04%1,3926.39%
Elko3,24625.24%8,17363.56%1,44011.20%
Esmeralda8020.15%26867.51%4912.34%
Eureka13718.05%52469.04%9812.91%
Humboldt1,60032.12%2,83656.92%54610.96%
Lander48725.60%1,20163.14%21411.25%
Lincoln44222.68%1,31167.27%19610.06%
Lyon5,65932.39%10,47359.95%1,3397.66%
Mineral85544.93%82243.19%22611.88%
Nye5,27936.66%7,82254.32%1,2989.01%
Pershing59734.39%91552.71%22412.90%
Storey84339.50%1,12452.67%1677.83%
Washoe70,52349.91%63,31644.81%7,4485.27%
White Pine70321.51%2,20167.33%36511.17%
[86]
Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican

External links

Debates

Official campaign sites

Notes and References

  1. News: Damon . Anjeanette . Sen. Harry Reid wins fifth term against anti-incumbent fervor . August 29, 2011 . Las Vegas Sun . November 2, 2010 . Demirjian, Karoun . https://web.archive.org/web/20101105122218/http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/nov/02/harry-reid-takes-lead-over-sharron-angle . November 5, 2010 . live.
  2. News: 2010 Elections, Senate, Nevada . New York Times . June 11, 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20101104043932/http://elections.nytimes.com/2010/senate/nevada . November 4, 2010 . live.
  3. http://dcpoliticalreport.com/NVPoll.htm Mellman Group
  4. Web site: Sharron Angle to Senate . June 14, 2010.
  5. Web site: Chad Christensen for U.S. Senate . Christensen2010.com . August 21, 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100409102919/http://www.christensen2010.com/cc/HOME.html . April 9, 2010 . dead .
  6. Web site: Ex-education board member plans bid for U.S. Senate seat - News . November 11, 2009 . Las Vegas Review Journal . November 16, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211116172346/https://www.reviewjournal.com/news/ex-education-board-member-plans-bid-for-u-s-senate-seat/ . November 16, 2021 . live.
  7. Web site: Chuck Flume for U.S. Senate . February 14, 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130718124111/http://chuckflumeforsenate.com/ . July 18, 2013 . dead .
  8. Web site: Noonan on the issues . Noonanfornevada.com . March 18, 2010 . June 14, 2010 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120314072918/http://www.noonanfornevada.com/?page_id=363 . March 14, 2012 .
  9. Web site: Bill Parson for U.S. Senate . Parsonforsenate2010.com . June 14, 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100220105513/http://www.parsonforsenate2010.com/ . February 20, 2010 . dead.
  10. https://web.archive.org/web/20121021115800/http://media.lvrj.com/images/3797937.jpg/ Mason Dixon/LVJR
  11. https://www.reviewjournal.com/hottopics/politics/polls/october_2009_2_polls.html Poll
  12. https://www.reviewjournal.com/hottopics/politics/polls/dec_2009_1_polls.html
  13. Web site: Reid hits new low in poll . Las Vegas Review-Journal . November 16, 2021 . January 10, 2010.
  14. https://web.archive.org/web/20121021115746/http://media.lvrj.com/images/poll.senate2.022810.WEB.jpg Mason Dixon/LVJR
  15. https://web.archive.org/web/20120705101601/http://media.lvrj.com/images/4387830-8-4.jpg Mason Dixon/LVJR
  16. http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/4/29/861948/-NV-Sen:-LowdenCare-unpopular,-Reid-anemic-still-alive Research 2000
  17. https://web.archive.org/web/20121021115720/http://media.lvrj.com/images/4472255-8-4.jpg Mason Dixon/LVJR
  18. https://web.archive.org/web/20100606115849/http://www.dailykos.com/statepoll/2010/6/2/NV/541 Research 2000
  19. http://www.suffolk.edu/research/42186.html Suffolk University
  20. Web site: Angle takes lead in GOP primary . Las Vegas Review-Journal . November 16, 2021 . June 6, 2010.
  21. News: Tea Party hopeful Ashjian gives voters third choice . Kristi . Jordan . March 8, 2010 . Las Vegas Review-Journal .
  22. Web site: IAP's Tim Fasano files for US Senate race . Independent Political Report . June 14, 2010 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20100309084949/http://www.independentpoliticalreport.com/2010/03/iaps-tim-fasano-files-for-us-senate-race . March 9, 2010 .
  23. Web site: Nevada 2010 Midterm Election . Thegreenpapers.com . August 21, 2010.
  24. Independent reeves4congress.com
  25. News: GOP targets Reid in new ad buy . CNN . May 27, 2010 . April 5, 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090405084635/http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/01/27/gop-targets-reid-in-new-ad-buy/ . dead .
  26. Web site: 2008-01-07 . One year at the helm . 2024-06-04 . Las Vegas Review-Journal . en-US.
  27. http://www.kren.com/Global/story.asp?S=7396859&nav=menu616_2_4 KREN.com
  28. Web site: McArdle . John . Rating Change: Reid's Race a Tossup . CQ Politics . June 10, 2010 . June 14, 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100612071003/http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=news-000003680861 . June 12, 2010 . dead .
  29. News: Ball. Molly . POLITICAL NOTEBOOK: Reid attracts more GOP supporters . Las Vegas Review-Journal. June 29, 2009. November 16, 2021.
  30. Web site: Reid's Angle: Attack GOP Foe Angle in Senate Bid. Associated Press story. Fox News Channel. June 16, 2010. November 16, 2021.
  31. Web site: Video: Cashell: I will support Reid. KRNV-DT. June 9, 2010. October 18, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20100617031056/http://www.mynews4.com/story.php?id=19612. June 17, 2010. dead. mdy-all.
  32. Web site: Siegel. Elyse . Tea Party Darling Sharron Angle Struggles To Persuade Some Nevada Republicans . HuffPost. July 9, 2010. November 16, 2021 .
  33. News: CNN Political Ticker: All politics, all the time Blog Archive - In new ad, Reid takes on challenger over Social Security « - Blogs from CNN.com . Politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com . June 14, 2010 . February 17, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120217005250/http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2010/06/12/in-new-ad-reid-takes-on-challenger-over-social-security/?fbid=v_9SHbhG7vl . dead .
  34. Web site: U.S. SENATE RACE: Angle not softening her views. Las Vegas Review-Journal . May 14, 2010 . November 16, 2021.
  35. Web site: Election offers clear choice. Las Vegas Review-Jputr . August 1, 2011.
  36. Web site: teamster . Harry Reid for Senate – Sunday, October 10, 2010 2:05am . October 10, 2010 . Las Vegas Sun . August 1, 2011.
  37. Web site: Reno Gazette-Journal Endorses US Sen. Reid over Angle . KOLOtv.com . November 28, 2011 . April 6, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120406021958/http://www.kolotv.com/home/headlines/Reno_Gazette_Journal_Endorses_US_Sen_Reid_over_Angle_105138024.html . dead .
  38. http://www.bostonherald.com/news/us_politics/view.bg?articleid=1287570 Top Nevada GOP lawmaker endorses Harry Reid
  39. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/bill-raggio-endorses-harry-reid-slams-angle_n_755109 Top Nevada Republican Endorses Harry Reid, Slams Sharron Angle
  40. https://www.politico.com/story/2010/10/reid-gets-top-gop-endorsements-043328 Reid gets top GOP endorsements
  41. Web site: Kleefeld. Eric. October 14, 2010. Reid And Angle Face Off In Heated (And Only) Debate TPMDC. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20101221093139/http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/10/reid-and-angle-face-off-in-heated-and-only-debate.php. December 21, 2010. August 1, 2011. Talking Points Memo DC.
  42. News: Ralston . Jon . Ensign played Reid in Angle debate prep; Angle once said dictators can have "good ideas" . . November 17, 2010 . November 18, 2010.
  43. Web site: Reid's Seat Now Rated a Toss-Up . Politicalwire.com . September 10, 2009 . June 14, 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20091231153323/http://politicalwire.com/archives/2009/09/10/reids_seat_now_rated_a_toss_up.html . December 31, 2009 . dead . mdy-all .
  44. Web site: Rothenberg . The . The Rothenberg Political Report: CA Senate moved to Clear Advantage from Safe . Rothenbergpoliticalreport.blogspot.com . February 24, 2010 . June 14, 2010.
  45. Web site: Election 2010: Nevada Senate polling . Rasmussenreports.com . July 9, 2010.
  46. News: Harry Reid takes the lead over Sharron Angle in Nevada . The Washington Post . July 16, 2010.
  47. Web site: Election 2010: Nevada Senate . Rasmussenreports.com . July 28, 2010 . July 28, 2010.
  48. Web site: Ralston . Jon . 2010-10-31 . Atmospherics are terrible for Reid, but he will hold on - Las Vegas Sun Newspaper . 2022-12-14 . lasvegassun.com . en.
  49. Web site: Senate . . October 26, 2010.
  50. Web site: Senate Ratings . . October 26, 2010.
  51. Web site: Battle for the Senate . . October 26, 2010.
  52. Web site: The Crystal Ball's Final Calls . October 28, 2010 . . October 28, 2010.
  53. 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 .
  54. http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections2/election_2010/election_2010_senate_elections/nevada/toplines/toplines_2010_nevada_senate_december_9_2009 Rasmussen Reports
  55. http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections2/election_2010/election_2010_senate_elections/nevada/toplines/toplines_2010_nevada_senate_january_11_2010 Rasmussen Reports
  56. http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections2/election_2010/election_2010_senate_elections/nevada/election_2010_nevada_senate Rasmussen Reports
  57. http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections2/election_2010/election_2010_senate_elections/nevada/toplines/toplines_2010_nevada_senate_march_3_2010 Rasmussen Reports
  58. https://web.archive.org/web/20121021115703/http://media.lvrj.com/images/4512010-5-4.jpg Mason Dixon/LVJR
  59. http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/6/3/132844/1783 Research 2000
  60. http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections/election_2010/election_2010_senate_elections/nevada/toplines/toplines_2010_nevada_senate_june_9_2010 Rasmussen Reports
  61. http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections/election_2010/election_2010_senate_elections/nevada/toplines/toplines_2010_nevada_senate_june_22_2010 Rasmussen Reports
  62. http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections/election_2010/election_2010_senate_elections/nevada/toplines/toplines_2010_nevada_senate_july_12_2010 Rasmussen Reports
  63. http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0710/39842.html Mason-Dixon
  64. http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/news/stories/0710/39842.html Public Policy Polling
  65. http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections/election_2010/election_2010_senate_elections/nevada/election_2010_nevada_senate Rasmussen Reports
  66. https://www.reuters.com/news/stories/0710/39842.html Reuters/Iposos
  67. http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections/election_2010/election_2010_senate_elections/nevada/toplines/toplines_nevada_senate_august_16_2010 Rasmussen Reports
  68. https://www.reviewjournal.com/news/poll-voters-wish-for-other-choices/ Mason-Dixon
  69. http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections/election_2010/election_2010_senate_elections/nevada/toplines/toplines_nevada_senate_september_1_2010 Rasmussen Reports
  70. https://www.reviewjournal.com/news/poll-reid-angle-still-neck-and-neck/ Mason-Dixon
  71. http://www.foxnews.com/projects/pdf/091410_NVpoll1.pdf FOX News/Pulse Opinion Research
  72. http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections/election_2010/election_2010_senate_elections/nevada/nevada_senate_reid_d_48_angle_r_48 Rasmussen Reports
  73. http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/09/15/nv-oh-wa-poll2.pdf CNN/Time Magazine
  74. http://www.foxnews.com/projects/pdf/NV_Topline.pdf FOX News/Pulse Opinion Research
  75. http://www.lvrj.com/hottopics/politics/polls/september_2010_4_polls.html LVRJ/Mason-Dixon
  76. http://media.lasvegassun.com/media/pdfs/blogs/documents/2010/09/24/NVStatewideRANSeptemberInterviewSchedule.pdf Public Opinion Strategies
  77. http://www.magellanstrategies.com/web/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/NVSEN-100410-US-Senate-Survey-Topline-Results-Release-100410.pdf Magellan Strategies
  78. https://web.archive.org/web/20110504103221/http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/PPP_Release_NV_10121023.pdf Public Policy Polling
  79. http://www.foxnews.com/projects/pdf/NV_Topline.pdf Fox News/POR-Rasmussen
  80. https://www.reviewjournal.com/news/entering-tonights-debate-poll-shows-angle-ahead-of-reid/ Las Vegas Review-Journal/Mason-Dixon
  81. http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/10/27/topstate8.pdf CNN/Time/Opinion Research
  82. https://www.reviewjournal.com/news/angle-poll-data-improve/ Mason-Dixon
  83. http://www.foxnews.com/projects/pdf/NV_Topline.pdf Fox News/Pulse Opinion Research
  84. http://publicpolicypolling.blogspot.com/2010/11/nevada-going-down-to-wire.html Public Policy Polling
  85. Web site: 2010 House and Senate Campaign Finance for Nevada . fec.gov . July 24, 2010 .
  86. Web site: 2010 Official Statewide General Election Results. Nevada Secretary of State. March 21, 2023.