The 2010 United States Senate election in Utah took place on November 2, 2010, along with other midterm elections throughout the United States. Incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Bob Bennett was seeking re-election to a fourth term, but lost renomination at the Republican Party's state convention. Mike Lee proceeded to win the Republican primary against Tim Bridgewater and the general election against Democrat Sam Granato. As of , this is the most recent U.S. Senate election in which a political party held the seat after denying renomination to the incumbent senator.
Process The filing period for candidates began March 12, 2010 and ended March 19, 2010. Candidates who had not filed by that date cannot appear on the ballot in November. Eleven candidates filed with the Office of the Lieutenant Governor.
Both the Utah State Democratic Party and the Utah State Republican Party held statewide caucus meetings on March 23, 2010. Caucus meetings are grouped by legislative district and divided by precincts with each precinct electing delegates who attend their respective party's state nominating convention.
The Utah State Democratic and Republican Parties held their conventions on May 8, 2010. At the Republican convention, incumbent Senator Bob Bennett finished third in balloting among delegates and was eliminated from the race. Business owner Tim Bridgewater finished first and attorney Mike Lee finished second, but Bridgewater did not receive enough votes (he needed at least 60 percent) to avoid a primary election runoff against Lee. At the Democratic convention, delegates nominated businessman Sam Granato, who received 77.5 percent of the vote.
In the Republican primary election, held on June 22, 2010, Lee became the Republican nominee by winning 51 percent of the vote against Bridgewater's 49 percent.
The general election was held on November 2, 2010. Lee won the election with 62 percent of the vote to Granato's 33 percent and 6 percent for Constitution Party candidate Scott Bradley.
Republican nomination
Convention
Candidates On Ballot Bob Bennett, incumbent U.S. Senator Tim Bridgewater, businessman and candidate for UT-02 in 2002 and 2004 David Chiu Merrill Cook, former U.S. Representative Cherilyn Eagar, businesswoman Leonard Fabiano Jeremy Friedbaum Mike Lee, attorney
Withdrew Mark Shurtleff State Attorney General
Endorsements The following are endorsements made before the convention
Bennett
Lee
Polling Poll Source Dates Administered Bob Bennett Tim Bridgewater Merrill Cook Cherilyn Eagar Mike LeeRasmussen ReportsRasmussen Reports April 8, 2010 14% 14% 6% 4% 37%Mason DixonMason Dixon April 22–25, 2010 16% 20% 1% 11% 37%
Results State Republican Convention results, 2010Senate Race: 1st Round Results Accessed May 10, 2010Senate Race: 2nd Round Results Accessed May 10, 2010Senate Race: 3rd Round Results Accessed May 10, 2010CandidateFirst ballotPct.Second ballotPct.Third ballotPct. 982 28.75% 1225 35.99% 1383 42.72% 917 26.84% 1274 37.42% 1854 57.28% 885 25.91% 905 26.99% 541 15.84% 49 1.43% 22 0.64% 16 0.47% 4 0.12% Total
Primary
Candidates Tim Bridgewater, businessman Mike Lee, attorney
Endorsements Bridgewater
Lee
Polling Poll Source Dates Administered Tim Bridgewater Mike LeeWilson ResearchWilson Research June 10, 2010 30% 39%Deseret News/KSL-TVDeseret News/KSL-TV June 12–17, 2010 42% 33%
Results
Democratic nomination
Candidates Sam Granato, businessman Christopher Stout, accountant
Results
General election
Candidates Scott Bradley (C), businessman Sam Granato (D), businessman Mike Lee (R), attorney
Campaign Granato emphasized his opposition to nuclear weapon tests in neighboring Nevada. In addition, he criticized Lee for his support of raising the retirement age and for questioning the constitutionality of Social Security.
Predictions Source Ranking As of Cook Political Report October 26, 2010 Rothenberg October 22, 2010 RealClearPolitics October 26, 2010 Sabato's Crystal Ball October 21, 2010 CQ Politics October 26, 2010
Polling Poll source Sam Granato (D) Mike Lee (R) Other UndecidedRasmussen ReportsRasmussen Reports June 23, 2010 500 ± 4.5% 28% 58% 5% 9%Rasmussen ReportsRasmussen Reports August 23, 2010 500 ± 4.5% 29% 54% 5% 12%Rasmussen ReportsRasmussen Reports October 13, 2010 500 ± 4.5% 28% 61% 4% 8%Deseret News/KSL-TVDeseret News/KSL-TV October 11–14, 2010 600 ± 4.0% 31% 53% 1% 11%Mason-DixonMason-Dixon October 27, 2010 625 ± 4.0% 32% 48% 5% 15%Deseret News/KSL-TVDeseret News/KSL-TV October 25–28, 2010 1,206 ± 3.0% 30% 57% 6% 7%
Fundraising Candidate (Party) Receipts Disbursements Cash On Hand Debt Mike Lee (R) $1,595,383 $1,423,494 $165,314 $57,691 Sam Granato (D) $250,607 $219,776 $30,831 $15,000 Source: Federal Election Commission
Results
Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic Summit (largest municipality: Park City)
References
External links Utah Government Services - Elections U.S. Congress candidates for Utah at Project Vote Smart Utah U.S. Senate 2010 from OurCampaigns.com Campaign contributions from Open Secrets
Election 2010: Utah Senate from Rasmussen Reports Utah Senate - Lee vs. Granato from Real Clear Politics from CQ Politics Race profile from The New York Times Debates Utah Senate Republican Primary Debate, C-SPAN, June 2, 2010 Utah Senate Debate, C-SPAN, September 16, 2010 Official campaign sites (Archived) Scott Bradley for U.S. Senate