2010 United States Senate election in Wisconsin

The 2010 United States Senate election in Wisconsin was held on November 2, 2010. Incumbent Democratic Senator Russ Feingold lost re-election to a fourth term to Republican challenger Ron Johnson, a businessman and first-time candidate. Johnson was the first Republican to win a Senate election in Wisconsin since 1986. Feingold also became the fifth senator in a row from Wisconsin's Class 3 Senate seat to be defeated for re-election in the general election, and the seventh in a row overall to lose by a defeat in either the primary or general elections. Johnson was re-elected in 2016 in a rematch with Feingold.

As of 2026, this was one of three elections in the past eight midterm cycles to involve the incumbent president's party losing a Senate seat in a state that leaned more than 10 points towards them. The other races were the 2006 United States Senate election in Montana and the 2010 United States Senate election in Illinois.

Republican primary Candidates On the ballot Stephen Finn, plumber Ron Johnson, businessman Dave Westlake, businessman

Declined Ted Kanavas, state senator Dick Leinenkugel (dropped out), former State Commerce Secretary Tommy Thompson, former governor of Wisconsin Terrence Wall (dropped out), real estate developer

Campaign Former Republican Governor of Wisconsin Tommy Thompson had expressed an interest in challenging Feingold, but ruled himself out of the race in April 2010.

Johnson, a millionaire manufacturer and Tea Party movement favorite running for political office for the first time, was the frontrunner. In response to controversy over his ownership of stock in BP, Johnson said he would sell it when market conditions were favorable and possibly use the proceeds to help finance his Senate campaign. Johnson was endorsed by: the Club for Growth, a fiscally conservative advocacy organization; former Wisconsin Republican Lt. Governor Margaret Farrow; Republican U.S. Senator Jim DeMint of South Carolina; and Wisconsin Republican U.S. Representatives Jim Sensenbrenner, Tom Petri and Paul Ryan. Businessman David Westlake was endorsed by the Republican Liberty Caucus. According to OpenSecrets, as of August 25, 2010, Johnson had invested $4.3 million of his own money into his campaign; this amount represented 71 percent of his campaign funds, while 27 percent of his campaign funds ($1.6 million) came from individual contributions.OpenSecrets, August 25, 2010, accessed October 1, 2010, http://www.opensecrets.org/races/summary.php?id=WIS2&cycle=2010

Polling Poll Source RonJohnson DaveWestlake Other Undecided Public Policy Polling (report) June 26–27, 2010 400 ± 4.9% 49% 11% –– 40%

Results

General election Candidates Russ Feingold (D), incumbent U.S. senator Ron Johnson (R), businessman Dave Rutowski (I) Rob Taylor (I) self-described Constitution Party candidate

Campaign Feingold's first television ad was a positive ad released in March. In July 2010, Feingold's second 2010 television election ad attacked Johnson for alleged support for offshore drilling in the Great Lakes. Johnson quickly countered Feingold with a television ad of his own. Feingold's logo was Moving Forward. In one ad, he emphasized independence and called himself a "penny pincher." Johnson argued that manufacturers and accountants were underrepresented in the U.S. Senate, and there were too many lawyers (57 out of 100 members, including Feingold). Feingold received the endorsements of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and the Green Bay Press-Gazette. The Beloit Daily News endorsed Johnson.

Debates October 8 in Milwaukee October 11 in Wausau October 22 in Eau Claire on WQOW

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 RussFeingold (D) RonJohnson (R) Other UndecidedRasmussen ReportsRasmussen Reports May 25, 2010 500 ± 4.5% 46% 44% 3% 6%Rasmussen ReportsRasmussen Reports June 21, 2010 500 ± 4.5% 46% 45% 3% 6%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling June 26–27, 2010 638 ± 3.9% 45% 43% –– 12%Rasmussen ReportsRasmussen Reports July 13, 2010 750 ± 4.0% 46% 47% 2% 6%University of Wisconsin, MadisonUniversity of Wisconsin, Madison July 15, 2010 500 ± 3.9% 33% 28% –– 44%Magellan StrategiesMagellan Strategies July 20, 2010 1,145 ± 2.9% 45% 43% 3.7% 8%Rasmussen Reports July 27, 2010 500 ± 4.0% 46% 48% 2% 5%Rasmussen Reports August 11, 2010 750 ± 4.0% 46% 47% 2% 5%Rasmussen ReportsRasmussen Reports August 24, 2010 750 ± 4.0% 46% 47% 1% 5%Rasmussen Reports September 15, 2010 750 ± 4.0% 44% 51% 1% 4%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling September 18–19, 2010 –– ± 3.8% 41% 52% –– 7%CNN/Time/Opinion ResearchCNN/Time/Opinion Research September 17–21, 2010 963 ± 3.0% 45% 51% 2% 2%McClatchy/MaristMcClatchy/Marist September 26–28, 2010 806 ± 3.5% 45% 52% 1% 3%Rasmussen Reports September 29, 2010 750 ± 4.0% 42% 54% 2% 2%We the PeopleWe the People September 29 – October 4, 2010 400 ± 5.0% 41% 49% –– ––We the People/IsposWe the People/Ispos October 8, 2010 400 ± 5.0% 44% 51% –– ––Rasmussen Reports October 11, 2010 750 ± 4.0% 45% 52% –– 2%CNN/Time/Opinion ResearchCNN/Time/Opinion Research October 8–12, 2010 1,506 ± 2.5% 44% 52% 1% ––St. Norbert College/WPRSt. Norbert College/WPR October 12–15, 2010 402 ± 5.0% 47% 49% –– 4%Rasmussen Reports October 25, 2010 750 ± 4.0% 46% 53% 0% 1%We the PeopleWe the People October 24–27, 2010 400 ± 5.0% 44% 48% –– 6%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling October 26–28, 2010 1,372 ± 2.6% 44% 53% –– 3%Marist CollegeMarist College October 26–28, 2010 811 ± 4.5% 45% 52% 1% 2%

Poll source RussFeingold (D) DavidWestlake (R) Other Undecided Public Policy Polling (report) June 26–27, 2010 638 ± 3.9% 45% 38% -- 17% Rasmussen Reports (report) June 21, 2010 500 ± 4.5% 47% 41% 4% 7% Rasmussen Reports (report) May 25, 2010 500 ± 4.5% 47% 38% 7% 8% Public Policy Polling (report) March 23, 2010 700 ± 3.7% 48% 31% — 21% Rasmussen Reports (report) March 16, 2010 500 ± 4.5% 51% 35% 5% 10% Rasmussen Reports (report) February 17, 2010 500 ± 4.5% 47% 37% 6% 10% Public Policy Polling (report) November 20–22, 2009 767 ± 3.5% 47% 32% — 21% Poll source Error RussFeingold (D) TommyThompson (R) Other Undecided WPRI (report) September 27–29, 2009 700 ± 3.8% 39% 43% — 18% Public Policy Polling (report) November 20–22, 2009 767 ± 3.5% 50% 41% — 10% Rasmussen Reports (report) January 26, 2010 500 ± 4.5% 43% 47% 6% 4% Rasmussen Reports (report) February 17, 2010 500 ± 4.5% 43% 48% 3% 5% WPRI (report) March 9, 2010 600 ± 4.0% 39% 51% — 9% Rasmussen Reports (report) March 16, 2010 500 ± 4.5% 45% 47% 3% 4% Public Policy Polling (report) March 23, 2010 700 ± 3.7% 47% 44% — 9% Poll source Error RussFeingold (D) TerrenceWall (R) Other Undecided Public Policy Polling (report) November 20–22, 2009 767 ± 3.5% 48% 34% — 19% Rasmussen Reports (report) February 17, 2010 500 ± 4.5% 47% 39% 6% 7% WPRI (report) March 9, 2010 600 ± 4.0% 47% 32% 6% 7% Rasmussen Reports (report) March 16, 2010 500 ± 4.5% 49% 40% 3% 9% Public Policy Polling (report) March 23, 2010 700 ± 3.7% 48% 34% — 18%

Fundraising Through December 31, 2010: Candidate (Party) Net Receipts Disbursements Beginning Cash Latest Cash On Hand Debt Russ Feingold (D) $13,947,563 $15,544,093 $2,516,119 $919,585 $0 Ron Johnson (R) $15,509,297 $15,316,651 $0 $192,646 $8,708,465 Source: Federal Election Commission

Results

Counties that flipped Democratic to Republican Barron (largest city: Rice Lake) Brown (largest city: Green Bay) Burnett (largest village: Grantsburg) Clark (largest city: Neillsville) Chippewa (largest city: Chippewa Falls) Iron (largest city: Hurley) Jefferson (largest city: Watertown) Kewaunee (largest city: Algoma) Langlade (largest city: Antigo) Manitowoc (largest city: Manitowoc) Marathon (largest city: Wausau) Monroe (largest city: Sparta) Oneida (largest city: Rhinelander) Outagamie (largest city: Appleton) Rusk (largest city: Ladysmith) Washburn (largest city: Spooner) Buffalo (largest city: Mondovi) Columbia (largest city: Portage) Door (largest city: Sturgeon Bay) Dunn (largest city: Menomonie) Forest (largest city: Crandon) Grant (largest city: Platteville) Jackson (largest city: Black River Falls) Juneau (largest city: Mauston) Kenosha (largest city: Kenosha) Lafayette (largest city: Darlington) Lincoln (largest city: Merrill) Pepin (largest city: Durand) Price (largest city: Park Falls) Racine (largest city: Racine) Richland (largest city: Richland Center) Sawyer (largest city: Hayward) Trempealeau (largest city: Arcadia) Winnebago (largest city: Oshkosh) Adams (largest city: Adams) Polk (Largest city: Amery) St. Croix (Largest city: Hudson) Taylor (Largest city: Medford)

References

2010 United States Senate election in Wisconsin

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