State senate elections, 2012

43 state senates held general elections in November, 2012.

In the 50 states, there are 1,971 state senators. The seven state senates that did not hold a general election in 2012 are Alabama, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, New Jersey and Virginia.

See also: State legislative elections and State house elections

By the numbers

Number of seats in all 50 senates:	1,972
Number of seats up for election in the 43 senates with November 2012 elections:	1,301
% of total (all 50 states) senate seats up for election in 2012:	65.97%

Illinois State Senate elections, 2012

See also: Partisan composition of state senates

Heading into the November 6 election, the Democratic Party held the majority in the Illinois State Senate:

Illinois State Senate
Party		As of November 5, 2012	After the 2012 Election
	Democratic Party	35	40
	Republican Party	24	19
Total		59	59

California State Senate elections, 2012

See also: Partisan composition of state senates

Heading into the November 6 election, the Democratic Party held the majority in the California State Senate:

California State Senate
Party		As of November 5, 2012	After the 2012 Election
	Democratic Party	25	26
	Republican Party	15	12
	Vacancy	0	2
Total		40	40

Iowa State Senate elections, 2012

See also: Partisan composition of state senates

Heading into the November 6 election, the Democratic Party held the majority in the Iowa State Senate:

Iowa State Senate
Party		As of November 5, 2012	After the 2012 Election
	Democratic Party	26	26
	Republican Party	24	23
	Vacancy	0	1
Total		50	50

See also: Ballotpedia:"Game-changers" in the 2012 state legislative elections

Alaska State Senate elections, 2012

See also: Partisan composition of state senates

Heading into the November 6 election, the majority was split in the Alaska State Senate:

Alaska State Senate
Party		As of November 5, 2012	After the 2012 Election
	Democratic Party	10	7
	Republican Party	10	13
Total		20	20

Game-changers

Alaska State Senate: The State Senate was in the unique position of being equally split between Democrats and Republicans, with each party holding 10 seats. Republicans controlled the redistricting process, increasing the likelihood that they would gain control of the Upper Chamber in 2012. Republicans did ultimately take the majority after the 2012 election with a 13-7 split in the senate.

Primaries

Senate

• In District 13(M) incumbent Bettye Davis defeated Harry Crawford, Jr. in the Democratic primary. The winner, Davis, was defeated by incumbent Anna Fairclough (R) in the general election.

House

• Incumbent Pete Petersen defeated Lynette Moreno Hinz in the Democratic primary in District 25. The winner, Peterson, was defeated by incumbent Republican Lance Pruitt in the general election.

• In District 33, incumbent Peggy Wilson (R) defeated Patricia Mackey and Agnes Moran. Wilson went on to defeat incumbent Kyle Johansen (I) and challenger Matt Olsen (D) in the general election.

General election

Senate

• In District 1(A), Joe Thomas (D) was defeated by John Coghill, Jr. (R).

• In District 17(Q), Albert Kookesh (D) was defeated by Bert Stedman (R).

House

• In District 2, incumbent Democrat Bob Miller was defeated by Republican Tammie Wilson.

• In District 38, incumbent David Guttenberg (D) defeated incumbent Alan S. Dick (R).

Arizona State Senate elections, 2012

See also: Partisan composition of state senates

Heading into the November 6 election, the Republican Party held the majority in the Arizona State Senate:

Arizona State Senate
Party		As of November 5, 2012	After the 2012 Election
	Democratic Party	9	13
	Republican Party	21	17
Total		30	30

Arkansas State Senate elections, 2012

See also: Partisan composition of state senates

Heading into the November 6 election, the Democratic Party held the majority in the Arkansas State Senate:

Arkansas State Senate
Party		As of November 5, 2012	After the 2012 Election
	Democratic Party	20	14
	Republican Party	15	21
Total		35	35

Colorado State Senate elections, 2012

See also: Partisan composition of state senates

Heading into the November 6 election, the Democratic Party held the majority in the Colorado State Senate:

Colorado State Senate
Party		As of November 5, 2012	After the 2012 Election
	Democratic Party	20	19
	Republican Party	15	16
Total		35	35

Connecticut State Senate elections, 2012

See also: Partisan composition of state senates

Heading into the November 6 election, the Democratic Party held the majority in the Connecticut State Senate:

Connecticut State Senate
Party		As of November 5, 2012	After the 2012 Election
	Democratic Party	22	22
	Republican Party	14	14
Total		36	36

Delaware State Senate elections, 2012

See also: Partisan composition of state senates

Heading into the November 6 election, the Democratic Party held the majority in the Delaware State Senate:

Delaware State Senate
Party		As of November 5, 2012	After the 2012 Election
	Democratic Party	14	13
	Republican Party	7	8
Total		21	21

Florida State Senate elections, 2012

See also: Partisan composition of state senates

Heading into the November 6 election, the Republican Party held the majority in the Florida State Senate:

Florida State Senate
Party		As of November 5, 2012	After the 2012 Election
	Democratic Party	12	14
	Republican Party	28	26
Total		40	40

Georgia State Senate elections, 2012

See also: Partisan composition of state senates

Heading into the November 6 election, the Republican Party held the majority in the Georgia State Senate:

Georgia State Senate
Party		As of November 5, 2012	After the 2012 Election
	Democratic Party	20	18
	Republican Party	36	38
Total		56	56

Hawaii State Senate elections, 2012

See also: Partisan composition of state senates

Heading into the November 6 election, the Democratic Party held the majority in the Hawaii State Senate:

Hawaii State Senate
Party		As of November 5, 2012	After the 2012 Election
	Democratic Party	24	24
	Republican Party	1	1
Total		25	25

Idaho State Senate elections, 2012

See also: Partisan composition of state senates

Heading into the November 6 election, the Republican Party held the majority in the Idaho State Senate:

Idaho State Senate
Party		As of November 5, 2012	After the 2012 Election
	Democratic Party	7	6
	Republican Party	28	29
Total		35	35

Indiana State Senate elections, 2012

See also: Partisan composition of state senates

Heading into the November 6 election, the Republican Party held the majority in the Indiana State Senate:

Indiana State Senate
Party		As of November 5, 2012	After the 2012 Election
	Democratic Party	13	13
	Republican Party	37	37
Total		50	50

Kansas State Senate elections, 2012

See also: Partisan composition of state senates

Heading into the November 6 election, the Republican Party held the majority in the Kansas State Senate:

Kansas State Senate
Party		As of November 5, 2012	After the 2012 Election
	Democratic Party	8	9
	Republican Party	32	31
Total		40	40

Kentucky State Senate elections, 2012

See also: Partisan composition of state senates

Heading into the November 6 election, the Republican Party held the majority in the Kentucky State Senate:

Kentucky State Senate
Party		As of November 5, 2012	After the 2012 Election
	Democratic Party	14	14
	Republican Party	21	22
	Independent	1	1
	Vacancy	2	1
Total		38	38

Maine State Senate elections, 2012

See also: Partisan composition of state senates

Heading into the November 6 election, the Republican Party held the majority in the Maine State Senate:

Maine State Senate
Party		As of November 5, 2012	After the 2012 Election
	Democratic Party	15	21
	Republican Party	19	13
	Independent	1	1
Total		35	35

Massachusetts State Senate elections, 2012

See also: Partisan composition of state senates

Heading into the November 6 election, the Democratic Party held the majority in the Massachusetts State Senate:

Massachusetts State Senate
Party		As of November 5, 2012	After the 2012 Election
	Democratic Party	35	36
	Republican Party	4	4
	Vacancy	1	0
Total		40	40

Missouri State Senate elections, 2012

See also: Partisan composition of state senates

Heading into the November 6 election, the Republican Party held the majority in the Missouri State Senate:

Missouri State Senate
Party		As of November 5, 2012	After the 2012 Election
	Democratic Party	8	10
	Republican Party	26	24
Total		34	34

Montana State Senate elections, 2012

See also: Partisan composition of state senates

Heading into the November 6 election, the Republican Party held the majority in the Montana State Senate:

Montana State Senate
Party		As of November 5, 2012	After the 2012 Election
	Democratic Party	22	23
	Republican Party	27	27
	Vacancy	1	0
Total		50	50

Nevada State Senate elections, 2012

See also: Partisan composition of state senates

Heading into the November 6 election, the Democratic Party held the majority in the Nevada State Senate:

Nevada State Senate
Party		As of November 5, 2012	After the 2012 Election
	Democratic Party	10	11
	Republican Party	9	10
	Vacancy	2	0
Total		21	21

New Hampshire State Senate elections, 2012

See also: Partisan composition of state senates

Heading into the November 6 election, the Republican Party held the majority in the New Hampshire State Senate:

New Hampshire State Senate
Party		As of November 5, 2012	After the 2012 Election
	Democratic Party	5	11
	Republican Party	19	13
Total		24	24

New Mexico State Senate elections, 2012

See also: Partisan composition of state senates

Heading into the November 6 election, the Democratic Party held the majority in the New Mexico State Senate:

New Mexico State Senate
Party		As of November 5, 2012	After the 2012 Election
	Democratic Party	28	25
	Republican Party	14	17
Total		42	42

North Carolina State Senate elections, 2012

See also: Partisan composition of state senates

Heading into the November 6 election, the Republican Party held the majority in the North Carolina State Senate:

North Carolina State Senate
Party		As of November 5, 2012	After the 2012 Election
	Democratic Party	19	18
	Republican Party	31	32
Total		50	50

North Dakota State Senate elections, 2012

See also: Partisan composition of state senates

Heading into the November 6 election, the Republican Party held the majority in the North Dakota State Senate:

North Dakota State Senate
Party		As of November 5, 2012	After the 2012 Election
	Democratic Party	12	13
	Republican Party	35	33
	Vacancy		1
Total		47	47

Ohio State Senate elections, 2012

See also: Partisan composition of state senates

Heading into the November 6 election, the Republican Party held the majority in the Ohio State Senate:

Ohio State Senate
Party		As of November 5, 2012	After the 2012 Election
	Democratic Party	10	10
	Republican Party	23	23
Total		33	33

Oklahoma State Senate elections, 2012

See also: Partisan composition of state senates

Heading into the November 6 election, the Republican Party held the majority in the Oklahoma State Senate:

Oklahoma State Senate
Party		As of November 5, 2012	After the 2012 Election
	Democratic Party	16	12
	Republican Party	32	36
Total		48	48

Oregon State Senate elections, 2012

See also: Partisan composition of state senates

Heading into the November 6 election, the Democratic Party held the majority in the Oregon State Senate:

Oregon State Senate
Party		As of November 5, 2012	After the 2012 Election
	Democratic Party	16	16
	Republican Party	14	14
Total		30	30

Pennsylvania State Senate elections, 2012

See also: Partisan composition of state senates

Heading into the November 6 election, the Republican Party held the majority in the Pennsylvania State Senate:

Pennsylvania State Senate
Party		As of November 5, 2012	After the 2012 Election
	Democratic Party	20	23
	Republican Party	29	27
	Vacancy	1	0
Total		50	50

Rhode Island State Senate elections, 2012

See also: Partisan composition of state senates

Heading into the November 6 election, the Democratic Party held the majority in the Rhode Island State Senate:

Rhode Island State Senate
Party		As of November 5, 2012	After the 2012 Election
	Democratic Party	29	32
	Republican Party	8	5
	Independent	1	1
Total		38	38

South Carolina State Senate elections, 2012

See also: Partisan composition of state senates

Heading into the November 6 election, the Republican Party held the majority in the South Carolina State Senate:

South Carolina State Senate
Party		As of November 5, 2012	After the 2012 Election
	Democratic Party	19	18
	Republican Party	27	28
Total		46	46

South Dakota State Senate elections, 2012

See also: Partisan composition of state senates

Heading into the November 6 election, the Republican Party held the majority in the South Dakota State Senate:

South Dakota State Senate
Party		As of November 5, 2012	After the 2012 Election
	Democratic Party	5	7
	Republican Party	30	28
Total		35	35

Tennessee State Senate elections, 2012

See also: Partisan composition of state senates and Tennessee Game Changers

Heading into the November 6 election, the Republican Party held the majority in the Tennessee State Senate:

Tennessee State Senate
Party		As of November 5, 2012	After the 2012 Election
	Democratic Party	13	7
	Republican Party	20	26
Total		33	33

Game-changers

See also: Ballotpedia:"Game-changers" in the 2012 state legislative elections

Tennessee State Senate: Heading into the election, Republicans held a 20-13 majority in the Senate. Out of a total of four retirements, three were Democrats and one was a Republican.

Tennessee House of Representatives: Of the 99 seats in the House, Republicans held 64, Democrats held 34, and one was vacant. Seven Democrats retired, as did four Republicans.

Primaries

Senate

• The crowded Republican primary in District 8 featured five candidates: Jeffrey D. Brantley, Cynthia Bundren Jackson, Frank Niceley, Hobart L. Rice, and Michael Williams. Niceley beat out his opponents, winning 45% of the vote.

• District 10 was open due to the retirement of Democrat Andy Berke. The primary contest featured three Democrats and two Republicans. Andrae McGary won the Democratic primary.

• District 16 was open, as incumbent Jim Tracy (R) ran in District 14. Six Democrats and four Republicans sought their parties' nomination. Janice Bowling won the Republican nomination.

• The only primary contest between two incumbents was in District 30. Veteran Democrat Jim Kyle, who assumed office in 1983, faced a challenge from Beverly Marrero. Kyle won.

House

• District 12: Incumbent Richard Montgomery (R) faced primary challenger Dale Carr. Carr moved into the district after the new redistricting map placed his home in another House district. In May, Gov. Bill Haslam stated his support for Montgomery.Despite this endorsement, Carr emerged victorious.

• District 28: Incumbent Tommie F. Brown faced a challenge from current District 29 incumbent JoAnne Favors in the Democratic primary. Favors upset Brown, who had been in the House since 1993.

• District 58: Mary Pruitt, a member of the House since 1985, faced primary challengers Harold M. Love and Steven Turner in the Democratic primary. Love defeated both of his opponents, in another upset that sent an incumbent packing.

• District 84 incumbent Joe Towns, Jr. (D) faced one primary challenger, Hendrell Remus. He kept his seat, defeating Remus.

• The Democratic primary in District 90 features two incumbents and a challenger: Incumbents John J. Deberry, Jr. and Jeanne D. Richardson, and challenger Ian L. Randolph. Deberry, in office since 1995, defeated his less seasoned opponents.

• In District 93, incumbent Goffrey A. Hardaway (D) faced Mike Kernell, a veteran lawmaker who has been a member of the House since 1975. In perhaps the biggest shock of the primary, Kernell, in office for nearly 40 years, was defeated by Hardaway.

General election

Senate

• District 10 was an open seat due to the retirement of Andy Berke (D). Andrae McGary (D) was defeated by Todd Gardenhire (R).

House

• District 13: This seat saw a three way battle between Republican Gary Loe, Independent Nick H. Cazana, and Democrat Gloria Johnson. Johnson won.

• District 53 had potential to be a swing district, with incumbent Janis Baird Sontany (D) retiring. Republicans nominated Ben Claybaker to face Democrat Jason Powell. Powell won.

Utah State Senate elections, 2012

See also: Partisan composition of state senates

Heading into the November 6 election, the Republican Party held the majority in the Utah State Senate:

Utah State Senate
Party		As of November 5, 2012	After the 2012 Election
	Democratic Party	7	5
	Republican Party	22	24
Total		29	29

Vermont State Senate elections, 2012

See also: Partisan composition of state senates

Heading into the November 6 election, the Democratic Party held the majority in the Vermont State Senate:

Vermont State Senate
Party		As of November 5, 2012	After the 2012 Election
	Democratic Party	20	21
	Republican Party	8	7
	Vermont Progressive Party	2	2
Total		30	30

Washington State Senate elections, 2012

See also: Partisan composition of state senates

Heading into the November 6 election, the Democratic Party held the majority in the Washington State Senate:

Washington State Senate
Party		As of November 5, 2012	After the 2012 Election
	Democratic Party	27	26
	Republican Party	22	23
Total		49	49

West Virginia State Senate elections, 2012

See also: Partisan composition of state senates

Heading into the November 6 election, the Democratic Party held the majority in the West Virginia State Senate:

West Virginia State Senate
Party		As of November 5, 2012	After the 2012 Election
	Democratic Party	28	24
	Republican Party	6	10
Total		34	34

Wisconsin State Senate elections, 2012

See also: Partisan composition of state senates

Heading into the November 6 election, the Democratic Party held the majority in the Wisconsin State Senate. The party took control of the chamber after the successful recall of Van Wanggaard on June 5, 2012:

Wisconsin State Senate
Party		As of November 5, 2012	After the 2012 Election
	Democratic Party	17	15
	Republican Party	15	18
	Vacancy	1	0
Total		33	33

Wyoming State Senate elections, 2012

See also: Partisan composition of state senates

Heading into the November 6 election, the Republican Party held the majority in the Wyoming State Senate:

Wyoming State Senate
Party		As of November 5, 2012	After the 2012 Election
	Democratic Party	4	4
	Republican Party	26	26
Total		30	30

Texas State Senate elections, 2012

See also: Partisan composition of state senates

Heading into the November 6 election, the Republican Party held the majority in the Texas State Senate:

Texas State Senate
Party		As of November 5, 2012	After the 2012 Election
	Democratic Party	12	12
	Republican Party	19	19
Total		31	31

Minnesota State Senate elections, 2012

See also: Partisan composition of state senates

Heading into the November 6 election, the Republican Party held the majority in the Minnesota State Senate:

Minnesota State Senate
Party		As of November 5, 2012	After the 2012 Election
	Democratic Party	30	39
	Republican Party	37	28
Total		67	67

New York State Senate elections, 2012

See also: Partisan composition of state senates

Heading into the November 6 election, the Republican Party held the majority in the New York State Senate:

New York State Senate
Party		As of November 5, 2012	After the 2012 Election
	Democratic Party	29	33
	Republican Party	33	30
Total		62	63

See also

• State legislative elections, 2012
• State house elections, 2012

Footnotes

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