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Iowa State Senate elections, 2010
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Elections for the office of Iowa State Senate were held in Iowa on November 2, 2010. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was March 19, 2010, and the primary election day was on June 8, 2010.
Iowa State Senators serve four-year terms and are not subject to term limits. Half of the Senate is up for re-election every two years.
Out of the 25 districts up for re-election, incumbents ran in 22 of them.
Democrats lost five seats in the 2010 elections and retained a majority in the chamber by a margin of four seats.
- See also: Iowa State Senate and State legislative elections, 2010
November 2 General Election Results
The following candidates won election on November 2, 2010:
- Kent Sorenson
- Daryl Beall
- Robert Hogg
- Amanda Ragan
- Bill Anderson (Iowa)
- Bill Dix
- Dennis Black (Iowa)
- Herman Quirmbach
- Hubert Houser
- Joe Bolkcom
- Joe Seng
- Larry Noble
- Matt McCoy (Iowa)
- Robert Dvorsky
- Nancy Boettger
- Rick Bertrand
- Robert Bacon (Iowa)
- Roby Smith
- Sandra Greiner
- Tod Bowman
- Wally Horn
- William Dotzler
- David Johnson (Iowa Senate)
- Jack Hatch
Majority control
- See also: Partisan composition of state senates
Heading into the November 2 election, the Democratic Party held the majority in the Iowa State Senate:
| Iowa State Senate | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | As of November 1, 2010 | After the 2010 Election | |
| Democratic Party | 32 | 27 | |
| Republican Party | 18 | 23 | |
| Total | 50 | 50 | |
Campaign contributions
This chart shows how many candidates ran for state senate in Iowa in past years and the cumulative amount of campaign contributions in state senate races, including contributions in both primary and general election contests. All figures come from Follow The Money.[1]
| Year | Number of candidates | Total contributions |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 55 | $5,058,528 |
| 2008 | 79 | $6,045,502 |
| 2006 | 75 | $7,456,412 |
| 2004 | 74 | $7,217,102 |
| 2002 | 98 | $4,266,190 |
In 2010, a total of $5,058,528 was raised in campaign contributions by those running for state senate. The top donors were:[2]
| Donor | Amount |
|---|---|
| Iowa Democratic Party | $1,540,045 |
| Iowa Republican Party | $607,907 |
| Iowans for Tax Relief | $112,250 |
| Associated General Contractors of Iowa | $89,750 |
| Iowa Credit Union League | $80,000 |
| Iowa Dental Association | $71,550 |
| Iowa Bankers Association | $69,500 |
| Iowa Farm Bureau | $66,779 |
| Iowa Healthcare Association | $66,250 |
| Butler County Republican Central Cmte | $61,300 |
Incumbency
Unopposed incumbents
Eight incumbents (36%) faced no competition in the November 2 general election.
- 5 Democratic incumbents faced no November challenger.
- 3 GOP incumbents faced no November challenger.
Primary challenges
One incumbent faced competition in the June 8 primary. One incumbent -- Republican David Hartsuch lost to his challenger, Roby Smith. The following 21 incumbents (17 Democrats, 4 Republicans) won their primaries:
- District 3: Incumbent Republican David Johnson
- District 5: Incumbent Democrat Rich Olive
- District 7: Incumbent Democrat Amanda Ragan
- District 9: Incumbent Democrat Bill Heckroth
- District 11: Incumbent Democrat William Dotzler
- District 15: Incumbent Democrat Robert Dvorsky
- District 17: Incumbent Democrat Wally Horn
- District 19: Incumbent Democrat Robert Hogg
- District 21: Incumbent Democrat Dennis Black
- District 23: Incumbent Democrat Herman Quirmbach
- District 25: Incumbent Democrat Daryl Beall
- District 29: Incumbent Republican Nancy Boettger
- District 31: Incumbent Democrat Matt McCoy
- District 33: Incumbent Democrat Jack Hatch
- District 35: Incumbent Republican Larry Noble
- District 37: Incumbent Democrat Staci Appel
- District 39: Incumbent Democrat Joe Bolkcom
- District 43: Incumbent Democrat Joe Seng
- District 45: Incumbent Democrat Becky Schmitz
- District 47: Incumbent Democrat Keith Kreiman
- District 49: Incumbent Republican Hubert Houser
Retiring incumbents
Three incumbent senators did not run for re-election, while 22 incumbents (13%) ran for re-election. Of the 3 incumbents who did not seek re-election, 2 were Democrats and 1 was a Republican.
Incumbents who retired were:
- District 1: Incumbent Democrat Steve Warnstadt
- District 13: Incumbent Democrat Roger Stewart
- District 27: Incumbent Republican Ron Wieck
Qualifications
The Iowa Constitution states, "Senators shall be chosen for the term of four years, at the same time and place as representatives; they shall be twenty-five years of age, and possess the qualifications of representatives as to residence and citizenship."[3]
List of candidates
| Partisan dominance in state senates heading into the 2010 state legislative elections |
 |
| 2010 State senate elections
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| Parties with candidates |
| Impact of term limits |
| Successful challengers |
| Defeated incumbents |
| State house elections |
| State senate elections |
| State legislative elections |
No minor-party candidates filed to run in Iowa's 2010 State Senate elections; see: Political parties with candidates in the 2010 legislative elections.
District 1
June 8 Democratic primary result:
- Rick Mullin (D) 831
- Rick Mullin (D) 831
June 8 GOP primary result:
- Rick Bertrand (R) 2,046
- Rick Bertrand (R) 2,046
- Note: Incumbent Steve Warnstadt (D) did not run for re-election.
November 2 General election candidates:
- Rick Mullin 7,359
- Rick Bertrand 7,581
District 3
- June 8 Democratic primary result:
- No Democrats filed to run for this seat..
- June 8 GOP primary result:
- David Johnson (R) 6,597 Incumbent Johnson was first elected in 2002.
- David Johnson (R) 6,597
November 2 General election candidates:
- David Johnson 17,770
District 5
- June 8 Democratic primary result:
- Rich Olive (D) 1,117 Incumbent Olive was first elected in 2007.
- Rich Olive (D) 1,117
- June 8 GOP primary result:
- Robert Bacon (R) 3,819
- Robert Bacon (R) 3,819
November 2 General election candidates:
- Rich Olive 10,510
- Robert Bacon 12,368
District 7
- June 8 Democratic primary result:
- Amanda Ragan (D) 1,222 Incumbent Ragan was first elected in 2002.
- Amanda Ragan (D) 1,222
- June 8 GOP primary result:
- James Mills (R) 2,580
- James Mills (R) 2,580
November 2 General election candidates:
- Amanda Ragan 12,908
- James Mills 8,452
District 9
- June 8 Democratic primary result:
- Bill Heckroth (D) 838 Incumbent Heckroth was first elected in 2006.
- Bill Heckroth (D) 838
- June 8 GOP primary result:
- Bill Dix (R) 4,689
- Bill Dix (R) 4,689
November 2 General election candidates:
- Bill Heckroth 9,605
- Bill Dix 13,189
District 11
- June 8 Democratic primary result:
- William Dotzler (D) 1,019 Incumbent Dotzler was first elected in 2002.
- William Dotzler (D) 1,019
- June 8 GOP primary result:
- Ron Welper (R) 1,526
- Ron Welper (R) 1,526
November 2 General election candidates:
- William Dotzler 10,459
- Ron Welper 6,126
District 13
- June 8 Democratic primary result:
- Tod Bowman (D) 1,573
- Brian Moore (D) 729
- Ed O'Neill (D) 232
- Paul Feller (D) 54
- Tod Bowman (D) 1,573
- June 8 GOP primary result:
- Andrew Naeve (R) 1,722
- Andrew Naeve (R) 1,722
- Note: Incumbent Roger Stewart (D) did not run for re-election.
November 2 General election candidates:
- Tod Bowman 10,017
- Andrew Naeve 9947
District 15
- June 8 Democratic primary result:
- Robert Dvorsky 1,846 Incumbent Dvorsky was first elected in 2002.
- Robert Dvorsky 1,846
- June 8 GOP primary result:
- No Republicans filed to run for this seat.
Libertarian result:
November 2 General election candidates:
- Robert Dvorsky 17,964
- Chris Peters 6,092
District 17
- June 8 Democratic primary result:
- Wally Horn 1,105 Incumbent Horn was first elected in 2002.
- Wally Horn 1,105
- June 8 GOP primary result:
- No Republicans filed to run for this seat.
November 2 General election candidates:
- Wally Horn 13,842
District 19
- June 8 Democratic primary result:
- Robert Hogg 1,319 Incumbent Hogg was first elected in 2006.
- Robert Hogg 1,319
- June 8 GOP primary result:
- No Republicans filed to run for this seat.
November 2 General election candidates:
- Robert Hogg 15,481
District 21
- June 8 Democratic primary result:
- Dennis Black 1,695 Incumbent Black was first elected in 1994.
- Dennis Black 1,695
- June 8 GOP primary result:
- Joe Pirillo 1,898
- Wes Enos 1,497
- Michael Adams, Jr. 960
- Joe Pirillo 1,898
November 2 General election candidates:
- Dennis Black 13,517
- Joe Pirillo 12,321
District 23
- June 8 Democratic primary result:
- Herman Quirmbach (D) 1,801 Incumbent Quirmbach was first elected in 2002.
- Herman Quirmbach (D) 1,801
- June 8 GOP primary result:
- Timothy Gartin (R) 2,522
- Timothy Gartin (R) 2,522
November 2 General election candidates:
- Herman Quirmbach 11,767
- Timothy Gartin 10,488
District 25
- June 8 Democratic primary result:
- Daryl Beall (D) 1,641 Incumbent Beall was first elected in 2002.
- Daryl Beall (D) 1,641
- June 8 GOP primary result:
- Chris McGonegle (R) 2,429
- Larry Aden (R) 1,025
- Chris McGonegle (R) 2,429
November 2 General election candidates:
- Daryl Beall 10,504
- Chris McGonegle 8,861
District 27
- June 8 Democratic primary result:
- Marty Pottebaum (D) 706
- Marty Pottebaum (D) 706
- June 8 GOP primary result:
- Bill Anderson (R) 3,320
- Bill Anderson (R) 3,320
- Note: Incumbent Ron Wieck (R) did not run for re-election.
November 2 General election candidates:
- Marty Pottebaum 7,744
- Bill Anderson 12,867
District 29
- June 8 Democratic primary result:
- No Democrats filed to run for this seat.
- June 8 GOP primary result:
- Nancy Boettger (R) 5,354 Incumbent Boettger was first elected in 1994.
- Nancy Boettger (R) 5,354
November 2 General election candidates:
- Nancy Boettger 16,127
District 31
- June 8 Democratic primary result:
- Matt McCoy (D) 1,968 Incumbent McCoy was first elected in 1996.
- Matt McCoy (D) 1,968
- June 8 GOP primary result:
- Dave Leach (R) 2,093
- Dave Leach (R) 2,093
November 2 General election candidates:
- Matt McCoy 13,385
- Dave Leach 7,064
District 33
- June 8 Democratic primary result:
- Jack Hatch (D) 1,545 Incumbent Hatch was first elected in 2002.
- Jack Hatch (D) 1,545
- June 8 GOP primary result:
- No Republicans filed to run for this seat.
November 2 General election candidates:
- Jack Hatch 10,565
District 35
- June 8 Democratic primary result:
- No Democrats filed to run for this seat.
- June 8 GOP primary result:
- Larry Noble (R) 5,688 Incumbent Noble was first elected in 2006.
- Larry Noble (R) 5,688
November 2 General election candidates:
- Larry Noble 27,563
District 37
- June 8 Democratic primary result:
- Staci Appel (D) 1,113 Incumbent Appel was first elected in 2006.
- Staci Appel (D) 1,113
- June 8 GOP primary result:
- Kent Sorenson (R) 4,851
- Kent Sorenson (R) 4,851
November 2 General election candidates:
- Staci Appel 11,646
- Kent Sorenson 16,748
District 39
- June 8 Democratic primary result:
- Joe Bolkcom (D) 1,887 Incumbent Bolkcom was first elected in 2002.
- Joe Bolkcom (D) 1,887
- June 8 GOP primary result:
- No Republicans filed to run for this seat.
November 2 General election candidates:
- Joe Bolkcom 19,485
District 41
- June 8 Democratic primary result:
- Richard Clewell (D) 596
- Dave Thede (D) 479
- Richard Clewell (D) 596
- June 8 GOP primary result:
- Roby Smith (R) 2,487
- David Hartsuch (R) 2,307 Incumbent Hartsuch was first elected in 2006.
- Roby Smith (R) 2,487
November 2 General election candidates:
- Richard Clewell 9,432
- Roby Smith 13,865
District 43
- June 8 Democratic primary result:
- Joe Seng (D) 828 Incumbent Seng was first elected in 2002.
- Joe Seng (D) 828
- June 8 GOP primary result:
- Mark Riley (R) 840
- Mark Holloway (R) 634
- Mark Riley (R) 840
November 2 General election candidates:
- Joe Seng 9,894
- Mark Riley 5,991
District 45
- June 8 Democratic primary result:
- Becky Schmitz (D) 1,137 Incumbent Schmitz was first elected in 2006.
- Becky Schmitz (D) 1,137
- June 8 GOP primary result:
- Sandra Greiner (R) 3,811
- Randy Besick (R) 1,261
- Rick Marlar (R) 672
- Sandra Greiner (R) 3,811
- Iowa Party result:
November 2 General election candidates:
- Becky Schmitz 10,196
- Sandra Greiner 11,664
- Iowa Party Douglas Phillips 1,131
District 47
- June 8 Democratic primary result:
- Keith Kreiman (D) 2,178 Incumbent Kreiman was first elected in 2002.
- Keith Kreiman (D) 2,178
- June 8 GOP primary result:
- Mark Chelgren (R) 3,110
- Mark Chelgren (R) 3,110
November 2 General election candidates:
- Keith Kreiman 9,572
- Mark Chelgren 9,582
District 49
- June 8 Democratic primary result:
- Scott Schondelmeyer (D) 734
- Scott Schondelmeyer (D) 734
- June 8 GOP primary result:
- Hubert Houser (R) 4,277 Incumbent Houser was first elected in 2002.
- Hubert Houser (R) 4,277
November 2 General election candidates:
- Scott Schondelmeyer 5,281
- Hubert Houser 15,017
See also
- Iowa State Senate
- Iowa State Legislature
- State legislative elections, 2010
- Primary election dates in 2010
External links
- Official Iowa State Senate November 2, 2010 Election Results
- List of 2010 candidates for Iowa State Senate
- 2010 Iowa Primary Results
- Iowa Republican Party's list of state senate candidates
- Project Vote Smart list of candidates for Iowa State Senate in the November 2, 2010 election
Footnotes
