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Governor, U.S.
Senate and
U.S. House Races
Details: U.S. Senate
|
U.S. House
| Governors
this
page
updated
November
17,
2016
Democrats'
Hopes
After sustaining setbacks at all levels in 2014, Democrats hoped for major gains in 2016. The thinking was that Clinton blowout and high turnout would help Democratic candidates in down ballot races. On the flip side, some Republicans argued the need for GOP majorities in Congress to stand up to likely President Clinton. Aversion among some Republicans to Trump's candidacy may have caused money that might otherwise have gone to the Republican presidential campaign to flow to Republican House and Senate committees and down ballot races. Ultimately Democrats hopes were dashed as they lost not only the presidential race, but fell short at every level.
U.S. Senate
At the top of their list after the White House, Democrats wanted to reclaim the majority in the U.S. Senate. Democrats anticipated Hillary Clinton woud win the White House, and a majority in the Senate would help her implement her policies (+). The balance heading into election day was 54R, 44D and 2I. Of the 34 seats up 10 were held by Democrats and 24 by Republicans. There were about half a dozen competitive races.
The most expensive U.S. Senate race in American history unfolded in Pennsylvania where $113.8 million had been spent as of Nov. 4. The next most expensive races as of Nov. 4 were in Nevada ($84.7 million), North Carolina ($56.9 million), Ohio ($49.5 million), Indiana (4$2.2 million) and Missouri ($40.9 million).
After sustaining setbacks at all levels in 2014, Democrats hoped for major gains in 2016. The thinking was that Clinton blowout and high turnout would help Democratic candidates in down ballot races. On the flip side, some Republicans argued the need for GOP majorities in Congress to stand up to likely President Clinton. Aversion among some Republicans to Trump's candidacy may have caused money that might otherwise have gone to the Republican presidential campaign to flow to Republican House and Senate committees and down ballot races. Ultimately Democrats hopes were dashed as they lost not only the presidential race, but fell short at every level.
U.S. Senate
At the top of their list after the White House, Democrats wanted to reclaim the majority in the U.S. Senate. Democrats anticipated Hillary Clinton woud win the White House, and a majority in the Senate would help her implement her policies (+). The balance heading into election day was 54R, 44D and 2I. Of the 34 seats up 10 were held by Democrats and 24 by Republicans. There were about half a dozen competitive races.
The most expensive U.S. Senate race in American history unfolded in Pennsylvania where $113.8 million had been spent as of Nov. 4. The next most expensive races as of Nov. 4 were in Nevada ($84.7 million), North Carolina ($56.9 million), Ohio ($49.5 million), Indiana (4$2.2 million) and Missouri ($40.9 million).
Top
Outside Spenders in Senate Races - Party
Committees and Other Groups
Republicans |
millions |
Democrats |
millions |
Senate Leadership
Fund |
$83.2 |
Senate Majority
PAC |
$59.0 |
National
Republican Senatorial
Committee |
$37.8 |
Democratic
Senatorial Campaign
Committee |
$55.6 |
U.S. House
In the
U.S. House the balance was 246R, 186D and 3v;
Republicans were
optimistic
about holding on to their majority. The most
expensive races as
of Nov. 4 were:
PA-8:
Brian Fitzpatrick (R) v. Steven Santarsiero (D) -
$14.8 million. ...open-Mike
Fitzpatrick (R)
NV-3: Danny Tarkanian (R) v. Jacky Rosen (D) - $14.7 million. ...open-Danny Heck (R)
VA-10: Rep. Barbara Comstock (R) v. LuAnn Bennett (D) - $13.7 million.
CO-6: Rep. Mike Coffman (R) v. Morgan Carroll (D) - $12.7 million.
NV-3: Danny Tarkanian (R) v. Jacky Rosen (D) - $14.7 million. ...open-Danny Heck (R)
VA-10: Rep. Barbara Comstock (R) v. LuAnn Bennett (D) - $13.7 million.
CO-6: Rep. Mike Coffman (R) v. Morgan Carroll (D) - $12.7 million.
Top
Outside Spenders in House Races - Party
Committees and Other Groups
Republicans |
millions |
Democrats |
millions |
National
Republican
Congressional Committee |
$73.3 |
Democratic
Congressional
Campaign Committee |
$69.5 |
Congressional
Leadership Fund |
$39.5 |
House Majority
PAC |
$59.0 |
Governors
Republicans hedld the majority of governorships, 31R, 18D and 1I; there were races in 12 states. Six of these were seen as close, of which five were open:
NC: Gov. Pat McCrory (R) v. Roy Cooper (D).
IN [Pence-R]: Eric Holcomb (R) v. John Gregg (D).
MO [Nixon-D]: Chris Koster (D) v. Eric Grietens (R).
NH [Hassan-D]: Colin Van Ostern (D) v. Chris Sununu (R).
VT [Shumlin-D]: Sue Minter (D) v. Phl Scott (R).
WV [Tombin-D]: Jim Justice (D) v. Bill Cole (R).
More Races
Additionally
many
other
statewide
offices
were
up.
In
the state legislatures, control of a number of
chambers switched, but the net result was similar to
prior to the
election. The balance went from Republicans
holding 67 chambers
and Democrats 31 chambers pre-election to
Republicans 66, Democrats 30,
1 tied, and New York Senate undecided immediately
after. The
National Conference of State Legislatures noted,
"Republicans will
control both chambers of the legislature in 32
states, which is an all
time high for the party," Finally, voters
decided 154 ballot
measures.
The Trump
Effect
Donald Trump's candidacy created difficulties for many Republican candidates around the country. In race after race Democrats sought to tie GOP candidates to Trump. Republican candidates tried to finesse the matter, saying for example that while they would vote for Trump, they would not endorse him. The Access Hollywood recording firestorm that broke on Oct. 7 forced quite a few Republicans who had endorsed Trump to withdraw their support. On Oct. 10 House Speaker Paul Ryan, while not rescinding his endorsement, told members of the House Republican Conference that he woulldn't defend Trump or campaign with him.
Donald Trump's candidacy created difficulties for many Republican candidates around the country. In race after race Democrats sought to tie GOP candidates to Trump. Republican candidates tried to finesse the matter, saying for example that while they would vote for Trump, they would not endorse him. The Access Hollywood recording firestorm that broke on Oct. 7 forced quite a few Republicans who had endorsed Trump to withdraw their support. On Oct. 10 House Speaker Paul Ryan, while not rescinding his endorsement, told members of the House Republican Conference that he woulldn't defend Trump or campaign with him.
Oct. 19, 2016 - Signs in Nevada Democratic Party HQ seek to link Republican U.S. Senate nominee Dr. Joe Heck to
Donald Trump. Heck announced he was rescinding his endorsement of Trump on Oct. 8, angering Trump supporters
whose backing may prove critical in the swing state contest.
and see also: Roll Call's Casualty List
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