2010 United States House of Representatives elections in Tennessee
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All 9 Tennessee seats to the United States House of Representatives
Turnout41.32% Decrease[1] 25.02 pp
  Majority party Minority party
 
Party Republican Democratic
Last election 4 5
Seats won 7 2
Seat change Increase 3 Decrease 3
Popular vote 955,078 541,527
Percentage 61.3% 34.7%
Swing Increase 18.83% Decrease 17.24%
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The 2010 United States House of Representatives elections in Tennessee was held on November 2, 2010, to elect the nine U.S. representatives from the state of Tennessee, one from each of the state's nine congressional districts.

During the general elections, the Republicans flipped Tennessee's 4th, 6th, and 8th congressional districts, which changed Tennessee's House delegation from a 5-4 Democratic majority to a 7-2 Republican majority.

Overview

United States House of Representatives elections in Tennessee, 2010[2]
Party Votes Percentage Seats Before Seats After +/–
Republican 955,078 61.26% 4 7 +3
Democratic 541,527 34.73% 5 2 -3
Independent 62,524 4.01% 0 0 0
Totals 1,559,129 100.00% 9 9 —
Popular vote
Republican
 
 61.26%
Democratic
 
 34.73%
Other
 
 4.01%
House seats
Republican
 
 77.78%
Democratic
 
 22.22%

By district

Results of the 2010 United States House of Representatives elections in Tennessee by district:[3]

District Republican Democratic Others Total Result
Votes % Votes % Votes % Votes %
District 1 123,006 80.84% 26,045 17.12% 3,110 2.04% 152,161 100.0% Republican hold
District 2 141,796 81.78% 25,400 14.65% 6,184 3.57% 173,380 100.0% Republican hold
District 3 92,032 56.79% 45,387 28.01% 24,637 15.20% 162,056 100.0% Republican hold
District 4 103,969 57.07% 70,254 38.56% 7,968 4.37% 182,191 100.0% Republican gain
District 5 74,204 42.07% 99,162 56.23% 2,996 1.70% 176,362 100.0% Democratic hold
District 6 128,517 67.26% 56,145 29.38% 6,422 3.36% 191,084 100.0% Republican gain
District 7 158,916 72.37% 54,347 24.75% 6,320 2.88% 219,583 100.0% Republican hold
District 8 98,759 58.99% 64,960 38.80% 3,686 2.20% 167,405 100.0% Republican gain
District 9 33,879 25.11% 99,827 74.00% 1,201 0.89% 134,907 100.0% Democratic hold
Total 955,078 61.26% 541,527 34.73% 62,524 4.01% 1,559,129 100.0%

District 1

See also: Tennessee's 1st congressional district

This district covers northeast Tennessee, including all of Carter, Cocke, Greene, Hamblen, Hancock, Hawkins, Johnson, Sullivan, Unicoi, and Washington counties and parts of Jefferson County and Sevier County. It had been represented by Republican Phil Roe since 2009. The winner of the GOP primary was all but assured of representing the district in Congress as this is one of the safest seats for the GOP; it had held the seat continuously since 1881 and, since prior to the Civil War, the GOP or its predecessors had held the seat for all but four years.

Democratic primary

Democratic primary results[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Michael Clark 9,012 100.0
Total votes 9,012 100.0

Republican primary

Republican primary results[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Phil Roe (incumbent) 78,862 95.7
Republican Mahmood "Michael" Sabri 3,546 4.3
Total votes 82,408 100.0

General election

Tennessee's 1st congressional district, 2010[6]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Phil Roe (incumbent) 123,006 80.84%
Democratic Michael Clark 26,045 17.12%
Independent Kermit Steck 3,110 2.04%
Total votes 152,161 100.0%
Republican hold

District 2

See also: Tennessee's 2nd congressional district

This district lies in the east central part of the state, based in Knoxville and is largely coextensive with that city's metropolitan area. It had been represented by Republican Jimmy Duncan since November, 1988. The winner of the GOP primary was all but assured of representing the district in Congress as this was one of the safest seats for the GOP (even safer than the neighboring First District); the GOP or its predecessors had held the seat continuously since prior to the Civil War.

Democratic primary

Democratic primary results[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Dave Hancock 9,778 100.0
Total votes 9,778 100.0

Republican primary

Republican primary results[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Jimmy Duncan (incumbent) 92,414 100.0
Total votes 92,414 100.0

General election

Tennessee's 2nd congressional district, 2010[6]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Jimmy Duncan (incumbent) 141,796 81.78%
Democratic Dave Hancock 25,400 14.65%
Independent Joseph R. Leinweber Jr. 2,497 1.44%
Independent D.H. "Andy" Andrew 1,993 1.15%
Independent Greg Samples 1,185 0.68%
Independent H. James Headings 509 0.30%
Total votes 173,380 100.0%
Republican hold

District 3

See also: Tennessee's 3rd congressional district

Republican Representative Zach Wamp announced that he would be running for governor in 2010, leaving the third district open.[7]

Democratic primary

Democratic primary results[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic John Wolfe Jr. 7,006 38.92
Democratic Brenda Freeman Short 4,530 25.17
Democratic Brent Davis Staton 4,530 21.19
Democratic Alicia Mitchell 2,647 14.71
Democratic Larry J. Abeare, Sr. (write-in) 3 0.01
Total votes 18,000 100.0

Republican primary

Republican primary results[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Chuck Fleischmann 26,869 29.67
Republican Robin Smith 25,454 28.11
Republican Tim Gobble 14,274 15.76
Republican Van Irion 10,492 11.59
Republican Tommy Crangle 5,149 5.69
Republican Art Rhodes 4,552 5.03
Republican Jean Howard-Hill 1,259 1.39
Republican Rick Kernea 739 0.82
Republican Harvey Howard 670 0.74
Republican Basil Marceaux 655 0.72
Republican Grover Travillian 440 0.48
Total votes 90,553 100.0

General election

Tennessee's 3rd congressional district, 2010[6]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Chuck Fleischmann 92,032 56.79%
Democratic John Wolfe Jr. 45,387 28.01%
Independent Savas T. Kyriakidis 17,077 10.54%
Independent Mark DeVol 5,773 3.56%
Independent Don Barkman 811 0.50%
Independent Gregory C. Goodwin 380 0.23%
Independent Robert Humphries 380 0.23%
Independent Mo Kiah 216 0.14%
Total votes 162,056 100.0%
Republican hold

District 4

See also: Tennessee's 4th congressional district

Democratic incumbent Lincoln Davis ran for re-election, challenged by Republican nominee Scott DesJarlais, a physician in Jasper, and Independents Paul H. Curtis (PVS), James Gray (campaign site, PVS), Richard S. Johnson (PVS), and Gerald York (campaign site, PVS).

Davis had represented the district since 2003. He turned down a run for governor, deciding to run for re-election instead.[9]

This district lies in Middle and East Tennessee.

Scott DesJarlais (R) won the election.

General election

Tennessee's 4th congressional district, 2010[6]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Scott DesJarlais 103,969 57.07%
Democratic Lincoln Davis 70,254 38.56%
Independents (politician) Others 7,968 4.37%
Total votes 182,191 100.0%
Republican gain from Democratic

District 5

See also: Tennessee's 5th congressional district

This district lies in Middle Tennessee, including almost all of Davidson County, half of Wilson County, and half of Cheatham County. Nearly two-thirds of the district's voting population lives in Nashville. It had been represented by Democrat Jim Cooper since 2003.

Jim Cooper (D) won re-election.

General election

Tennessee's 5th congressional district, 2010[6]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Jim Cooper 99,162 56.23%
Republican David Hall 74,204 42.07%
Independents (politician) Others 2,996 1.70%
Total votes 176,362 100.0%
Democratic hold

District 6

See also: Tennessee's 6th congressional district

This district lies in Middle Tennessee, including all of Bedford, Cannon, Clay, DeKalb, Jackson, Macon, Marshall, Overton, Putnam, Robertson, Rutherford, Smith, Sumner, and Trousdale Counties, as well as a portion of Wilson County. It had been represented by Democrat Bart Gordon since 1985. Gordon announced on December 14, 2009 that he would not be seeking another term, leaving the sixth district open.[9]

State Senator Jim Tracy, State Senator Diane Black, Rutherford County Republican Chairwoman Lou Ann Zelenik, United States Army Reserve Major General Dave Evans, realtor Gary Mann, and businessman Kerry Roberts ran for the Republican nomination.[10] Democratic candidates included lawyer and Iraq veteran Brett Carter, aviation safety inspector George Erdel, ex-marine Ben Leming, Henry Barry, and Devora Butler.

The nominees were Brett Carter (D) and Diane Black (R).

Diane Black (R) won the election.

General election

Tennessee's 6th congressional district, 2010[6]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Diane Black 128,517 67.26%
Democratic Brett Carter 56,145 29.38%
Independents (politician) Others 6,422 3.36%
Total votes 191,084 100.0%
Republican gain from Democratic

District 7

See also: Tennessee's 7th congressional district

This district lies in Middle and southwestern Tennessee, connecting suburbs of Memphis and Nashville. It had been represented by Republican Marsha Blackburn since 2003. She faced a challenge from Austin Peay University professor and Democrat Dr. Greg Rabidoux.[11]

Marsha Blackburn (R) won re-election.

General election

Tennessee's 1st congressional district, 2010[6]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Marsha Blackburn (incumbent) 158,916 72.37%
Democratic Greg Rabidoux 54,347 24.75%
Independents (politician) Others 6,320 2.88%
Total votes 219,583 100.0%
Republican hold

District 8

See also: Tennessee's 8th congressional district

Democratic incumbent John S. Tanner, who had represented the district since 1989, announced his retirement in December 2009 leaving the eighth district open.[9]

Steve Fincher was the Republican nominee,[12] and State Senator Roy Herron was the Democratic nominee.[13] Also on the ballot are Tea Party candidate Donn Janes (campaign site, PVS), who earlier dropped out of the Republican primary, and Independent Mark J. Rawles (campaign site, PVS).[14]

This district covers roughly the northwestern part of the state.

Stephen Fincher (R) won the election.

Endorsements

Herron had been endorsed by the state's two largest newspapers, the Memphis Commercial Appeal[15] and the Nashville Tennessean.[16]

Fincher had been endorsed by former Governor Winfield Dunn, Citizens United, Eagle Forum, Family Research Council, Concerned Women for America, and State Senator Dolores Gresham.[17]

Forecasts

As of October 22, 2010, Rothenberg Political Report rated the race as "Lean Republican",[18] Real Clear Politics as "Leans GOP".[19] Charlie Cook as "Lean Republican",[20] CQ Politics as "Likely Republican",[21] Larry Sabato as "Likely R",[22] and Chris Cillizza of The Washington Post placed the race at number 23 of the races most likely to change party hands.[23]

District 8 has a PVI of R+13. In the 2008 presidential election, Republican U.S. Senator John McCain carried the district with 56% of the vote.[24]

Polling

Poll Source Dates Administered Stephen Fincher (R) Roy Herron (D) Donn Janes (I) Undecided
Memphisnewsblog.com August 10–11, 2010 47% 37% 5% 11%

General election

2010 Tennessee's 8th congressional district election[6]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Steve Fincher 98,759 58.99%
Democratic Roy Herron 64,960 38.80%
Independents (politician) Others 3,686 2.20%
Total votes 167,405 100.0%
Republican gain from Democratic

By county

County[25] Stephen Fincher
Republican		 Roy Herron
Democratic		 Other votes Total
votes
% # % # % #
Benton 50.79% 2,525 47.74% 2,373 1.47% 73
Carroll 64.70% 5,258 34.60% 2,856 1.70% 140
Crockett 77.24% 3,360 21.75% 946 1.01% 44
Dickson 77.24% 7,512 21.75% 3,959 1.01% 316
Gibson 63.99% 9,230 33.80% 4,875 2.22% 320
Haywood 47.69% 2,524 51.16% 2,708 1.15% 61
Henry 58.54% 5,460 39.55% 3,689 1.91% 178
Houston 48.01% 991 49.66% 1,025 2.33% 48
Humphreys 52.23% 2,536 45.11% 2,190 2.66% 129
Lake 47.55% 651 51.13% 700 1.31% 18
Lauderdale 60.63% 3,611 37.98% 2,262 1.39% 83
Madison 57.11% 15,939 40.74% 11,372 2.15% 600
Montgomery 57.32% 4,120 39.29% 2,824 3.39% 244
Obion 58.15% 5,363 40.40% 3,726 1.45% 134
Shelby 35.85% 4,468 62.16% 7,747 1.98% 247
Stewart 52.99% 1,967 44.32% 1,645 2.69% 100
Tipton 69.65% 10,628 26.15% 3,991 4.20% 641
Weakley 59.75% 5,575 38.73% 3,614 1.52% 142

District 9

See also: Tennessee's 9th congressional district

This district lies in southwestern Tennessee, located entirely within Shelby County and including most of the city of Memphis. It had been represented by Democrat Steve Cohen since 2007. The Republicans nominated Charlotte Bergmann, who owns a Memphis-based marketing firm, Effective PMP, LLC.

Steve Cohen (D) won re-election.

General election

Tennessee's 5th congressional district, 2010[6]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Steve Cohen 99,827 74.00%
Republican Charlotte Bergmann 33,879 25.11%
Independents (politician) Others 1,201 0.89%
Total votes 134,907 100.0%
Democratic hold

See also

References

  1. ^ "Tennessee Voter Turnout in 2010". Tennessee Secretary of State. November 2, 2010. Retrieved February 28, 2023.
  2. ^ "Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives". Archived from the original on May 4, 2015. Retrieved May 27, 2012.
  3. ^ Haas, Karen L. (June 3, 2011). "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 2, 2010". Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives. Archived from the original on January 3, 2013. Retrieved November 12, 2019.
  4. ^ a b c "DemUSHouseCounty" (PDF). State of Tennessee, August 5, 2010, Democratic Primary. Tennessee Secretary of State. August 5, 2010. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 30, 2019. Retrieved July 28, 2019.
  5. ^ a b c "RepUSHouseCounty" (PDF). State of Tennessee, August 5, 2010, Republican Primary. Tennessee Secretary of State. August 5, 2010. Archived (PDF) from the original on January 24, 2019. Retrieved July 28, 2019.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i "USHCounty" (PDF). State of Tennessee, November 2, 2010, State General. Tennessee Secretary of State. November 2, 2010. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 30, 2019. Retrieved July 28, 2019.
  7. ^ "Tennessee: Wamp touts poll saying he's top GOP pick for governor | Chattanooga Times Free Press". Timesfreepress.com. Archived from the original on August 23, 2010. Retrieved August 21, 2010.
  8. ^ Isenstadt, Alex (July 27, 2009). "Divisive Tennesseean seeks seat". Politico. Archived from the original on July 31, 2019. Retrieved July 30, 2019.
  9. ^ a b c John McArdle (December 22, 2009). "Rating Change Signifies Challenge to Tenn.'s Davis". CQ Politics. Archived from the original on December 26, 2009. Retrieved December 23, 2009.
  10. ^ McArdle, John (December 14, 2009). "Tracy to Enter Race to Replace Gordon - The Eye (CQ Politics)". Blogs.cqpolitics.com. Archived from the original on February 16, 2010. Retrieved August 21, 2010.
  11. ^ "Dr. Greg Rabidoux files for U.S. 7th Congressional District » Clarksville, TN Online". Clarksvilleonline.com. June 4, 2009. Archived from the original on October 30, 2009. Retrieved August 21, 2010.
  12. ^ Locker, Richard. "Jackson, Tenn., doctor weighing run for Congress". The Commercial Appeal. Archived from the original on January 14, 2010. Retrieved August 21, 2010.
  13. ^ Dunlap, Stanley (December 8, 2009). "Mercer plans to run for Tanner's seat". The Jackson Sun. Jackson, Tennessee.
  14. ^ "Donn Janes Announces He Will Run as a Tea Party Candidate; Pulls Out of Republican Party Primary". Marketwire.com. Archived from the original on January 18, 2010. Retrieved August 21, 2010.
  15. ^ "Editorial: Herron ready for Washington". Memphis Commercial Appeal. October 12, 2010. Archived from the original on June 15, 2011. Retrieved October 12, 2010.
  16. ^ "Herron targets jobs, broadband and infrastructure". Nashville Tennessean. October 11, 2010. Archived from the original on July 13, 2012. Retrieved October 11, 2010.
  17. ^ "Stephen Fincher for Congress - Endorsements". Archived from the original on October 22, 2010. Retrieved October 22, 2010.
  18. ^ "House Ratings". insideelections.com. Archived from the original on November 7, 2018. Retrieved October 14, 2021.
  19. ^ "2010 - Tennessee 8th District - Fincher vs. Herron | RealClearPolitics". www.realclearpolitics.com. Archived from the original on November 23, 2020. Retrieved October 14, 2021.
  20. ^ "Charlie Cook Political Report". Archived from the original on July 2, 2008. Retrieved July 2, 2008.
  21. ^ "CQ Politics". Archived from the original on February 24, 2009. Retrieved August 21, 2010.
  22. ^ Wood, Issac. House Race Changes Archived 2010-10-23 at the Wayback Machine, Sabato's Crystal Ball
  23. ^ Cillizza, Chris.The Fix 50: The Battle for House control Archived 2010-10-02 at the Wayback Machine, The Washington Post
  24. ^ "Tennessee - 8th District". CQ Politics. Archived from the original on July 28, 2012. Retrieved September 14, 2010.
  25. ^ "USHCounty" (PDF). State of Tennessee, November 2, 2010, State General. Tennessee Secretary of State. November 2, 2010. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 30, 2019. Retrieved July 28, 2019.

External links

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