A GUIDE TO THE 2012 ELECTION NBC NEWS POLITICAL UNIT

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Overview ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 2 2012: Whats at stake ........................................................................................................................................................ 3 2012: State of play .............................................................................................................................................................. 3 Fast Facts................................................................................................................................................................................ 4 NBC News Battleground Map ........................................................................................................................................ 5 The Path to 270 ................................................................................................................................................................... 6 What if theres a tie? .......................................................................................................................................................... 9 The Money Race ................................................................................................................................................................ 10 Past Election Results (1980-2008)............................................................................................................................ 13 Voter Turnout (1980-2010) ......................................................................................................................................... 14 2008 Exit Polls ................................................................................................................................................................... 15 Decision 2012: How We Got Here.............................................................................................................................. 17 The Candidates on the Issues ...................................................................................................................................... 20 Viewers Guide ........................................................................................................................................................................ 25 7:00 PM (6): Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia .................................... 26 7:30 PM (3): North Carolina, Ohio, West Virginia .......................................................................................... 27 8:00 PM (17): Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee ............................................................................................................. 28 8:30 PM (1): Arkansas ............................................................................................................................................... 32 9:00 PM (14): Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas, Wisconsin, Wyoming ................................. 32 10:00 PM (4): Iowa, Montana, Nevada, Utah .................................................................................................... 36 11:00 PM (5): California, Hawaii, Idaho, Oregon, Washington ................................................................. 37 1:00 AM (1): Alaska..................................................................................................................................................... 38 Senate ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 39 House .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 76 Governors ................................................................................................................................................................................. 78 The States.................................................................................................................................................................................. 92 Key Ballot Measures .......................................................................................................................................................... 145

OVERVIEW:

2012: WHATS AT STAKE

This years election might not have the same huge rallies of four years ago. Or the unbridled energy and excitement. Or even Sarah Palin. But it could very well be a more consequential election with so much at stake on Nov. 6. The winner of the presidential contest between President Barack Obama and Mitt Romney could determine the fate of the Bush tax cuts (Romney wants to extend them all; Obama wants to extend them only for families making less than $250,000). The outcome also could decide the future of entitlement programs like Medicare and Medicaid (Obama wants to tinker with them; Romney wants to substantially overhaul them). And the race could impact the implementation of the 2010 federal health-care law (Romney wants to repeal it; Obama wants to keep it). Whats more, the winner could potentially fill as many as two or three Supreme Court vacancies with Ruth Bader Ginsburg at age 79, Anthony Kennedy and Antonin Scalia at 76, and Stephen Breyer at 74 which could change the courts political composition. Furthermore, whichever party wins the presidential contest will likely hold the upper hand in the fiscal cliff negotiations, which will begin immediately after the ballots are counted. And Election Day 2012 will decide the balance of power in the U.S. Senate (currently controlled by the Democrats) and the U.S. House (controlled by the Republicans), as well as the party that sits in governors mansions across the country.

2012: STATE OF PLAY

Presidency. This is a race to 270 electoral votes. Throughout the contest, President Obama has enjoyed more paths to 270 than Mitt Romney. But the Republican nominee's recent momentum has closed the gap in many of the top swing states, potentially making the race as close as the 2000 and 2004 presidential contests. A note: If there is a 269-269 electoralvote tie, which has never happened before, the new House of Representatives would determine the elections outcome. Senate. In the U.S. Senate, Democrats (and the independents who caucus with them) hold a 53-47 majority in the chamber. To win back control, Republicans must net four seats if Obama wins re-election or three seats if he doesn't. The reason: The vice president gets to break a 50-50 tie. House. Following large gains in 2010, Republicans hold a 240-190 majority in the chamber (with five vacancies). This means Democrats must pick up a net of 25 seats to win back control a doable but unlikely feat due in large part to redistricting. Both parties tried to use the once-in-a-decade process to their advantage. Republicans were better able to strengthen their incumbents and weaken opponents, but not to the level many observers predicted at the outset.

FAST FACTS
If Obama is re-elected, it would be the first time since Jefferson, Madison, Monroe that Americans have elected three two-term presidents in a row. If President Obama loses, he will join Jimmy Carter as the only incumbent Democrat to lose reelection since the turn of the 20th century. Only once since the turn of the 20th century has a sitting president lost re-election after taking over from the opposite party four years earlier. That happened in 1980 when Ronald Reagan defeated Jimmy Carter. This is the first presidential election since World War II without a candidate on either ticket who has served in the military. This presidential election marks two-straight cycles without a southerner on the ticket. The last presidential election before 2008 without a southerner was 1972. This is the first presidential election since 1984 without a sitting or recently resigned U.S. senator on the ticket.1 This is not Mitt Romneys first run for president, a trait he shares with every non-incumbent Republican nominee since 1968 other than George W. Bush in 2000. Romney is unlikely to win Michigan, the state where he was born. Bob Dole is the only Republican nominee since Reagan to win the state in which he was born. This is the first election since 1972 before the post-Watergate campaign-finance reforms in which neither candidate has accepted public funds. Iowa and New Mexico are the only two states that have voted for successively different candidates in the past three presidential elections. They both voted for Gore (2000), Bush (2004) and Obama (2008). Of the seven NBC News toss-up states, five have been decided by single digit margins in the last five presidential elections. Those states are Colorado, Ohio, Virginia, Florida and New Hampshire. So far in this election cycle, outside groups have spent $787 million, up from $301 million in 2008 and $200 million in 2004. Ten U.S. senators are not seeking re-election this cycle the most retirements since 1996. In addition, Republican Sen. Dick Lugar of Indiana was defeated in his states primary, meaning at least 11 new faces will join the Senate next January.2 Since 1832, at least one state with 10+ electoral votes has flipped from the previous cycle in 43 of 45 presidential elections. Indiana (and its 11 electoral votes) seems assured to flip this November, while Florida (29), Ohio (18), North Carolina (15), Virginia (13), and Wisconsin (10) remain candidates as well. (Via Univ. of Minnesotas Smart Politics)

1 2

Bob Dole resigned his U.S. Senate seat in June 1996 in order to focus on the presidential race. Technically two candidates would not be entirely new if they won. Nebraskas Bob Kerrey (D) and Virginias George Allen (R) have both served in the Senate previously, but are not sitting Senators.

NBC NEWS BATTLEGROUND MAP

THE PATH TO 270 Bush 2004 victory

Bush (286): Alabama (9), Alaska (3), Arizona (10), Arkansas (6), Colorado (9), Florida (27), Georgia (15), Idaho (4), Indiana (11), Iowa (7), Kansas (6), Kentucky (8), Louisiana (9), Mississippi (6), Missouri (11), Montana (3), Nebraska (5), Nevada (5), New Mexico (5), North Carolina (15), North Dakota (3), Ohio (20), Oklahoma (7), South Carolina (8), South Dakota (3), Tennessee (11), Texas (34), Utah (5), Virginia (13), West Virginia (5), Wyoming (3) Kerry (251): California (55), Connecticut (7), Delaware (3), District of Columbia (3), Hawaii (4), Illinois (21), Maine (4), Maryland (10), Massachusetts (12), Michigan (17), Minnesota (9), New Hampshire (4), New Jersey (15), New York (31), Oregon (7), Pennsylvania (21), Rhode Island (4), Vermont (3), Washington (11), Wisconsin (10)
*John Kerrys electoral vote total should have added

Obama 2008 victory

Obama (365): California (55), Colorado (9), Connecticut (7), Delaware (3), District of Columbia (3), Florida (27), Hawaii (4), Illinois (21), Indiana (11), Iowa (7), Maine (4), Maryland (10), Massachusetts (12), Michigan (17), Minnesota (10), Nebraska (1), Nevada (5), New Hampshire (4), New Jersey (15), New Mexico (5), New York (31), North Carolina (15), Ohio (20), Oregon (7), Pennsylvania (21), Rhode Island (4), Vermont (3), Virginia (13), Washington (11), Wisconsin (10) McCain (173): Alabama (9), Alaska (3), Arizona (10), Arkansas (6), Georgia (15), Idaho (4), Kansas (6), Kentucky (8), Louisiana (9), Mississippi (6), Missouri (11), Montana (3), Nebraska (4), North Dakota (3), Oklahoma (7), South Carolina (8), South Dakota (3), Tennessee (11), Texas (34), Utah (5), West Virginia (5), Wyoming (3)

up to 252, but a Minnesota Democratic elector cast a presidential ballot for Democratic vice-presidential candidate John Edwards, presumably a mistake.

A note on the 2012 electoral map

A states electoral vote total is determined by the total members in its Congressional delegation (i.e. a states U.S. House Representatives plus its two Senators). Every decade, the House reapportions the distribution of Representatives based on population changes reflected in the U.S. Census, thus shifting the electoral map. The 2012 election will be the first election that reflects the population changes observed in the 2010 Census.

2008 Obama States Florida (+2)* Nevada (+1)* Washington (+1) Iowa (-1)* Illinois (-1) Massachusetts (-1) Michigan (-1) New Jersey (-1) Pennsylvania (-1) New York (-2) Ohio (-2)*

2008 McCain States Texas (+4) Arizona (+1) Georgia (+1) So. Carolina (+1) Utah (+1) Louisiana (-1) Missouri (-1)
*Indicates toss-up state

President Obama GO BIG If Obama wins all of Kerrys states from 2004 (246 EV) plus New Mexico (5), where hes favored, and two of the three battleground states of Florida (29), Ohio (18) and Virginia (13) a.k.a. FLOHVA Obama would easily surpass 270 electoral votes. WINNING WITHOUT FLOHVA If Obama holds all the Kerry states (246) plus New Mexico
(5) and combines the small swing states New Hampshire (4), Nevada (6), Colorado (9), Iowa (6) it gets the president to 272, a scenario in which Obama could win the presidency without winning Florida, Ohio or Virginia. But if Obama loses any of the non-FLOHVA swing states Colorado (9), Iowa (6), Nevada (6), New Hampshire (4), or Wisconsin (10) he must win either Florida, Ohio, or Virginia.

OHIO PLUS (OUTSIDE THE MIDWEST). Begin with the assumption Obama holds all the
Kerry states (246) plus New Mexico (5), which gets him to 251. Add Ohio (18) and that still would not be enough. In fact, it brings us to the dreaded tie scenario of 269-269. Therefore, Obama would then need to add just one of the following: Big states. Virginia (13), Florida (29) or North Carolina (15). Small states. Iowa (6), Colorado (9) or Nevada (6), all of which were won by both Obama in 2008 and Bush in 2004. Obama is favored in Nevada, making this scenario his most likely path past 270. It underscores why Ohio is so important.

THE MIDWEST FIREWALL. In addition to the Kerry states plus New Mexico, Obama could surpass 270 electoral votes by simply winning Iowa (6), Ohio (18), and Wisconsin (10). And polls show that Obama might be running the strongest in these three states. But Romney simply picking off just one of these states breaks this firewall. THE HISPANIC FIREWALL. In poll after poll, Obama has fared very well with Hispanics, even
outpacing his 2008 numbers in some cases. The trio of Western swing states where Hispanic populations are high Nevada (6), Colorado (9), New Mexico (5) have a combined 20 electoral votes. Thats more than Ohio (18) or Virginia (13). But with the Kerry states, the Hispanic firewall only gets him to 266. He would still need one more state e.g. Iowa (6) or Ohio (18) to get past 270.

Governor Romney THE TRADITIONAL, GO BIG In this scenario the most likely winning scenario for
Romney he begins by holding the traditional red states. If he sweeps the big states of Florida (29), Ohio (18) and Virginia (13) and adds just one more swing state, he crosses 270.

WINNING WITHOUT FLOHVA? Its very difficult for Romney. Theres almost no scenario
we can come up with that gives Romney a victory without winning at least one of the FLOHVA states. Even if you give him Wisconsin (10), Michigan (16), Nevada (6), Colorado (9) and New Hampshire (4), where he owns a home, Romney is still only at 257. All of those states plus Pennsylvania (20) would put Romney just over the top at 273, but polls show Obama ahead in Pennsylvania and the Romney campaign is not spending money there on advertising. Neither is it in Michigan, making a scenario in which Romney wins without FLOHVA nearly impossible.

CAN ROMNEY WIN WITH JUST ONE OF FLOHVA? Yes, but its a narrow path. And he would
likely have to do it with the one state being Florida (29). To get there, Romney would also have to pick off Colorado (9) and Nevada (6) in the West, Wisconsin (10) and Iowa (6) in the industrial Midwest, and New Hampshire (4). That scenario would bring Romney to 270 on the nose.

FLORIDA A MUST-WIN FOR ROMNEY? If you give Florida (29) to Obama, Romneys
prospects significantly dwindle. If Romney wins every toss-up state but Florida meaning he wins Colorado (9), Iowa (6), New Hampshire (4), North Carolina (15), Ohio (18), Virginia (13) and Wisconsin (10) he is still only at 266. He would then need to win at least one state that currently leans Obama, meaning he would need to win Nevada (6), New Mexico (5), Michigan (16), Pennsylvania (20) or Minnesota (10) a very tall order.

THE INDUSTRIAL MIDWEST. The industrial Midwest is very important for Romney. If
Romney wins Florida (29) and Virginia (13), it brings him to 269. If Romney doesnt win Nevada (6) or Colorado (9), he would then need at least one industrial Midwest swing state Wisconsin (10), Michigan (16), Iowa (6), Ohio (18) to get over the top and break the tie.

WHAT IF THERES A TIE?

By Pete Williams
With 538 presidential electors, it takes 50% plus one to win, or 270 electoral votes, because the 12th Amendment requires a candidate to get a majority to be elected. But with an even number of electors, a 269-269 tie is possible. It's also possible that a presidential elector becomes "faithless," failing to vote as pledged and depriving a candidate of a majority. A federal law sets the first Monday after the second Wednesday in December (this year, Dec. 17) as the date for the electors to meet and vote. Federal law also sets Jan. 6 as the date for the votes to be counted before a joint session of Congress. Because that's a Sunday in 2013, custom calls for the votes to be counted on Monday Jan. 7. Note it's the new Congress that does the counting, because new members will have been sworn in on Jan. 3. If neither candidate gets at least 270 electoral votes, the 12th Amendment specifies what happens next, a procedure called a contingent election: The House chooses the president, with each state getting one vote and 26 needed to win. If the House were to tie 25-25, it would have to continue voting until a candidate received a majority, because there is no tie-breaking procedure in the House. Though the Constitution is silent on how each state determines its vote, it would be based on a decision of each states House delegation. Based on the state of House races across the country, a tie would likely favor Mitt Romney barring unexpectedly large pickups for House Democrats. The Senate chooses the vice president, with each senator getting one vote and 51 needed to win. If the Senate were to tie 50-50, scholars and parliamentary experts agree the sitting vice president (as Senate president) would break the tie. Because Washington, DC is not a state, it would not participate in a contingent election, even though it has three presidential electors. The full House has chosen the president twice, in 1801 (Thomas Jefferson over John Adams and Aaron Burr) and 1825 (John Quincy Adams over William Crawford and Andrew Jackson). The 1801 election preceded the 12th Amendment and the system used today. The full Senate has chosen the vice president only once, in 1837 (Richard Johnson over Francis Granger to be Martin Van Buren's vice president). Since the founding, several presidential electors have been "faithless." The most recent were in 1988, when a West Virginia elector voted for Michael Dukakis's running mate, Lloyd Bentsen, for president instead of Dukakis; in 2000, when a Washington, DC elector abstained instead of voting for Al Gore; and in 2004, when a Minnesota elector voted for John Edwards for both president and vice president. No faithless elector has ever affected an election's outcome.

THE MONEY RACE

Note: The data provided is current as of 1:00 pm ET on Oct. 24, 2012. The data provided is for the general election and it dates back to the week of March 19, when general election ads began running in earnest. Update memos will be sent around as we get closer to the election and the numbers change.

Fundraising
Romney campaign Total receipts: $361 million Total spent: $298 million Cash on hand: $63 million Debts: $5 million Candidate contribution: $52,500 Obama campaign Total receipts: $567 million Total spent: $470 million Cash on hand: $99 million Debts: $2.6 million

Ad Spending
Overall: $883 million Team Romney (includes outside groups): $510 million Team Obama (includes outside groups): $373 million Total spending by the campaigns: $490 million Obama campaign: $312 million Romney campaign: $178 million Total outside spending: $393 million (45% of total) Outside spending supporting Obama: $61 million Outside spending supporting Romney: $332 million Just how much money comes from outside groups? The $393 million spent on just TV and radio ads surpasses the record for total spending for things like mailers, staff, and keeping the lights on by outside groups in previous cycles. According to the Center for Responsive Politics, when all expenditures for outside groups are taken into account, theyve spent $728 million so far. Outside spending through the years: 2012 - $728 million 2010 - $295 million 2008 - $302 million 2006 - $69 million 2004 - $200 million 2002 - $27 million
Source: Center for Responsive Politics

2000 - $51 million 1998 - $15 million 1996 - $18 million 1994 - $10 million 1992 $19 million 1990 - $7 million

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Total TV/Radio spending by advertiser Obama campaign ............................................................................................. $312 million Romney campaign .......................................................................................... $178 million Restore Our Future (pro-Romney) .......................................................... $83 million American Crossroads (pro-Romney) ...................................................... $79 million Crossroads GPS (pro-Romney) .................................................................. $61million Priorities USA (pro-Obama)........................................................................ $55 million Americans for Prosperity (pro-Romney) .............................................. $46 million Republican National Committee (pro-Romney) ................................. $28 million Americans for Job Security (pro-Romney) ............................................ $11 million American Future Fund (pro-Romney) .................................................... $7 million Concerned Women for America (pro-Romney) .................................. $4.8 million National Rifle Association (pro-Romney).............................................. $4 million Tom Petterfy (pro-Romney) ....................................................................... $2.8 million SEIU (pro-Obama) .......................................................................................... $2.5 million American Energy Alliance (pro-Romney) ............................................. $2.5 million Planned Parenthood (pro-Obama)........................................................... $1.5 million Secure America Now (pro-Romney) ....................................................... $1.2 million League of Conservation Voters (pro-Obama) ...................................... $1.1 million Priorities/League of Conservation Voters (pro-Obama) ................. $1 million Women Speak Out (pro-Romney) ............................................................ $300,000 MoveOn.org (pro-Obama) ........................................................................... $280,000 *Jill Stein (Green Party candidate) ........................................................... $111,000 Top states 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Ohio $181 million Florida $177 million Virginia $132 million Colorado $77 million North Carolina $69 million Iowa $69 million Nevada $54 million New Hampshire $39 million 9. Wisconsin $37 million 10. Pennsylvania $19 million ($0 from Romney campaign) 11. Michigan $15 million ($0 from either campaign) 12. Minnesota $6 million 13. Maine $134,000 (all Restore Our Future) 14. New Mexico $49,000

The Swing Markets (won by Bush and Obama) There are just 17 swing markets, won by both Bush and Obama. The campaigns are only playing in 15 of those. The missing two are both in Michigan. Here are the swing markets (alphabetically by state):
Orlando-Daytona Beach, FL Tampa-St. Petersburg-Sarasota, FL Des Moines, IA Grand Rapids-Kalamazoo, MI Lansing, MI Reno, NV Raleigh-Durham, NC Columbus, OH Toledo, OH Charlottesville, VA Norfolk-Portsmouth-Newport News, VA Richmond-Petersburg, VA Green Bay, WI Milwaukee, WI

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Ad spending by month Ad spending really picked up after Labor Day and the conventions. In just a month and a half, more than half of all ad spending took place with $457 million in ads booked since then. October ........................................ $320 million* September .................................. $136 million August .......................................... $128 million July ................................................ $143 million June ............................................... $84 million May ............................................... $55 million April .............................................. $17 million
The figures for Oct. include $12 million spent on ads for the first week of November so far.
*Note:

PAST ELECTION RESULTS (1980-2008)

1980: (R) Ronald Reagan/George Bush (D) James Carter/Walter Mondale

43,903,230 (50.8%) 35,480,115 (41%)

489 electoral votes 49 electoral votes

1984: (R) Ronald Reagan/George Bush 54,455,472 (58.8%) (D) Walter Mondale/Geraldine Ferraro 37,577,352 (40.6%) 1988: (R) George Bush/Danforth Quayle (D) Michael Dukakis/Lloyd Bentsen 1992: (D) William Clinton/Albert Gore (R) George Bush/Danforth Quayle (Ref.) Ross Perot/James Stockdale 1996: (D) William Clinton/Albert Gore (R) Robert Dole/Jack Kemp (Ref.) Ross Perot/Pat Choate 2000: (R) George W. Bush/Richard Cheney (D) Albert Gore/Joseph Lieberman (G) Ralph Nader/Winona LaDuke 2004: (R) George W. Bush/Richard Cheney (D) John Kerry/John Edwards 2008: (D) Barack Obama/Joseph Biden (R) John McCain/Sarah Palin

525 electoral votes 13 electoral votes

48,886,597 (53.4%) 41,809,476 (45.7%)

426 electoral votes 111 electoral votes

44,909,806 (43%) 39,104,550 (37.5%) 19,743,821 (19%)

370 electoral votes 168 electoral votes 0 electoral votes

47,400,125 (49.2%) 39,198,755 (40.7%) 8,085,402 (8.4%)

379 electoral votes 159 electoral votes 0 electoral votes

50,460,110 (47.9%) 51,003,926 (48.4%) 2,883,105 (2.7%)

271 electoral votes 266 electoral votes 0 electoral votes

62,040,610 (50.7%) 59,028,439 (48.2%)

286 electoral votes 251 electoral votes

69,499,428 (52.9%) 59,950,323 (45.6%)

365 electoral votes 173 electoral votes

Source: Dave Leips Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections

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VOTER TURNOUT (1980-2010)

The 2008 presidential election set a record for voter turnout. With margins razor thin in many battleground states, turnout could be a deciding factor. With Obama performing better in polls among the wider universe of registered voters than likely voters, a larger turnout would probably benefit the president while a smaller turnout would help Romney.

A record 133 million voted in the 2008 presidential election. 2010 set the midterm turnout record, when 86 million went to the polls.

Midterm Elections
YEAR
2010 2006 2002 1998 1994 1990 1986 1982 AVG

Presidential Elections
YEAR
2008 2004 2000 1996 1992 1988 1984

TURNOUT %
41.0% 40.4% 39.5% 38.1% 41.1% 38.4% 38.1% 42.1% 39.7%

TOTAL TURNOUT
90 million 86 million 80 million 75 million 75 million 68 million 65 million 68 million

TURNOUT %
61.6% 60.1% 54.2% 51.7% 58.1% 52.8% 55.2% 54.2% 56%

TOTAL TURNOUT
133 million 124 million 107 million 96 million 104 million 92 million 93 million 87 million

1980 AVG

Source: George Mason University, United States Elections Project

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2008 EXIT POLLS

2008 Gender Men Women Key subgroups Suburban women Women not married Men married White working-class men (non-college, income < $50K) Race White Black Hispanic Asian Other Age 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ Education No high school diploma High school graduate Some college/assoc. degree College graduate Post-graduate study No College Degree College Graduate Income Under $30,000 $30-50,000 $50-100,000 $100-200,000 Over $200,000 McCain 55-43 (74% of total) Obama 95-4 (13% of total) Obama 67-31 (9% of total) Obama 62-35 (2% of total) Obama 66-31 (3% of total) 2008 Obama 66-32 (18% of total) Obama 52-46 (29% of total) Obama 50-49 (37% of total) McCain 53-45 (16% of total) 2008 Obama 63-35 (4% of total) Obama 52-46 (20% of total) Obama 51-47 (31% of total) Obama 50-48 (28% of total) Obama 58-40 (17% of total) Obama 53-46 (56% of total) Obama 53-45 (44% of total) 2008 Obama 65-33 (18 % of total) Obama 55-43 (19% of total) Tie 49-49 (36% of total) McCain 51-48 (20% of total) Obama 52-46 (6% of total) Bush 58-41 (77% of total) Kerry 88-11 (11% of total) Kerry 58-40 (8% of total) Kerry 56-44 (2% of total) Kerry 54-40 (2% of total) 2004 Kerry 54-45 (17% of total) Bush 53-46 (29% of total) Bush 52-47 (38% of total) Bush 52-47 (16% of total) 2004 Kerry 50-49 (4% of total) Bush 52-47 (22% of total) Bush 54-46 (32% of total) Bush 52-46 (26% of total) Kerry 55-44 (16% of total) Bush 53-47 (58% of total) Tie 49-49 (42% of total) 2004 Kerry 59-40 (23% of total) Kerry 50-49 (22% of total) Bush 56-44 (37% of total) Bush 57-42(15% of total) Bush 63-35 (3% of total) Obama 49-48 (47% of total) Obama 56-43 (53% of total) Obama 52-46 (26% of total) Obama 70-29 (20% of total) McCain 53-46 (33% of total) McCain 53-44 (8% of total) 2008 2004 Bush 55-44 (46% of total) Kerry 51-48 (54% of total) Tie 50-40 (24% of total) Kerry 62-37 (22% of total) Bush 60-39 (30% of total) Bush 57-42 (9% of total) 2004

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2008 Party identification Democrat Republican Independent Ideology Liberal Moderate Conservative Obama 89-10 (39% of total) McCain 90-9 (32% of total) Obama 52-44 (29% of total) 2008 Obama 89-10 (22% of total) Obama 60-39 (44% of total) McCain 78-20 (34% of total) 2008 RELIGION McCain 54-45 (54% of total) Obama 54-45 (27% of total) Obama 78-21 (2% of total) Obama 73-22 (6% of total) Obama 75-23 (12% of total) McCain 74-24 (26% of total) McCain 55-43 (40% of total)

2004 Kerry 89-11 (37% of total) Bush 93-6 (37% of total) Kerry 49-48 (26% of total) 2004 Kerry 85-13 (21% of total) Kerry 54-45 (45% of total) Bush 84-15 (34% of total) 2004 Bush 59-40 (54% of total) Bush 52-47 (27% of total) Kerry 74-25 (3% of total) Kerry 74-23 (7% of total) Kerry 67-31 (10% of total) Bush 78-21 (23% of total) Bush 61-39 (41% of total)

Protestant/other Christian Catholic Jewish Other None Key subgroups White evangelical Attend religious services at least weekly

2008 2004 Condition of nations economy Excellent/good McCain 72-26 (7% of total) Bush 87-13 (47% of total) Not so good McCain 59-40 (44% of total) Kerry 72-26 (35% of total) Poor Obama 66-31 (49% of total) Kerry 92-6 (17% of total) 2008 2004 FAMILY FINANCIAL SITUATION COMPARED TO FOUR YEARS AGO Better McCain 60-37 (24% of total) Bush 80-19 (32% of total) Worse Obama 71-28 (42% of total) Kerry 79-20 (28% of total) Same McCain 53-45 (34% of total) Kerry 50-49 (39% of total)

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DECISION 2012: HOW WE GOT HERE

2011 New year, new Congress

Jan. 5: The 112th Congress with Republicans now in control of the House begins. Jan. 8: 22-year-old Jared Lee Loughner kills six and injures others, including Rep. Gabby Giffords (D), in Tucson, AZ. Four days later, President Obama delivers a speech in Tucson honoring the victims and calling for civility.

2011 Spring: Springtime spending spats

Mar. 19: Western forces begin air strikes in Libya against forces loyal to Moammar Khaddafy. Apr. 4: President Obama files paperwork to launch re-election campaign. Apr. 5: Then-House Budget Committee Chair Paul Ryan unveils GOP budget, entitled The Path to Prosperity, which would overhaul Medicare and other federal entitlement programs. Apr. 27: Obama releases his long-form birth certificate to silence birther critics, including Donald Trump. May 1: Obama announces in televised speech that Osama bin Laden is dead. May 5: GOP presidential candidates participate in first debate in SC.

2011 Summer: Debt hits the ceiling, candidates hit the trail
Jun. 2: In a speech to supporters gathered at a farm in New Hampshire, Mitt Romney officially announces his presidential bid. Jul. 31: After months of contentious onagain, off-again negotiations, Congress and White House reach deal on raising the debt the ceiling. Aug. 5: S&P downgrades U.S. debt in the wake of the fractious debt-ceiling debate

2011 Fall/Winter: Campaign heats up, blazes toward Iowa

Nov. 9: GOP candidates participate in their ninth debate in MI where Texas Gov. Rick Perry has his oops moment, during which Perry fails to recall the third of three federal agencies he is in favor or eliminating. Dec. 3: Herman Cain suspends his presidential campaign about a week after a woman alleged having a 13-year affair with him. Dec. 10: GOP candidates participate in their 12th debate in IA, during which Romney offers Perry his $10,000 bet.

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2012 Winter/Spring: The GOP primary gets underway

Jan. 3: By the narrowest of margins, Romney wins the Iowa caucuses but it is later determined that Rick Santorum actually won. Jan. 10: Romney triumphs in the New Hampshire primary. Jan. 21: Gingrich wins the South Carolina primary. Jan. 31: Romney wins the Florida primary. Feb. 28: In a very close primary contest, Romney edges Santorum in Romneys native state of Michigan, 41%-38%. Romney also wins in Arizona. Mar. 6: On Super Tuesday, Romney wins Alaska, Idaho, Massachusetts, Ohio, Vermont, and Virginia; Santorum wins North Dakota, Oklahoma, and Tennessee; and Gingrich wins Georgia. Apr. 10: Days after losing the Wisconsin primary to Romney, Santorum suspends his presidential campaign, effectively bringing the GOP nomination fight to an end.

2012 Summer: Shifting toward the general election

May 1: On anniversary of bin Ladens death, Obama makes surprise visit to Afghanistan to sign security agreement calling for the withdrawal all U.S. combat troops by the end of 2014. May 9: Obama says he personally supports gay marriage, after opposing it in his 2008 campaign. Jun. 5: Gov. Scott Walker (R) defeats Tom Barrett (D) in Wisconsin recall race. Jun. 8: Republicans pounce on Obama saying, The private sector is doing fine at White House news conference. Jun. 15: Obama announces that his administration would no longer deport young illegal immigrants who have graduated from high school, served in the military, and have a clean criminal record. Jun. 28: In a 5-4 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court rules the federal healthcare law constitutional. Jul. 13: At campaign rally in Roanoke, VA, Obama delivers the You didnt build that line, and the Romney camp seized on it days later. If you were successful, somebody along the line gave you some help, he said. There was a great teacher somewhere in your life. Somebody helped to create this unbelievable American system that we have that allowed you to thrive. Somebody invested in roads and bridges. If youve got a business you didnt build that. Somebody else made that happen. Jul. 25: Romney embarks on his overseas trip to England, Israel, and Poland, which receives very mixed reviews. Aug. 11: Mitt Romney announces Wisconsin Congressman Paul Ryan as his VP pick. Aug. 19: Rep. Todd Akin, the GOPs Senate nominee in Missouri, explains his opposition to abortion in cases of rape, saying that pregnancies by rape are rare. If its a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down."

2012 Fall: The home stretch

Aug. 30: Romney delivers convention speech, from Tampa, FL, accepting the Republican Partys presidential nomination. Sep. 6: Obama delivers convention speech, from Charlotte, NC, accepting Democratic Partys presidential nomination. Sep. 11: Romney fires off statement blasting the U.S. embassy in Egypt condemning the efforts by misguided individuals to hurt the religious feelings of Muslims. Romney said in the statement: It's disgraceful that the Obama administration's first response was not to condemn attacks on our diplomatic missions, but to sympathize with those who waged the attacks. But the original embassy statement was issued before the attacks on the U.S. embassies in Egypt and Libya. Sep. 17: A surreptitiously recorded video of Romney from a fundraiser in May shows Romney telling wealthy donors that 47% of the country that doesnt pay income taxes, that is dependent on government and that believes they are victims will vote for Obama no matter what. He adds in the video, "My job is not to worry about those people. I'll never convince them they should take personal responsibility and care for their lives. Romney later holds a press conference, where he said his comments were not elegantly stated but also stood behind his remarks. He later calls his remarks completely wrong. Oct. 3: In Colorado, the presidential candidates face off in first debate, in which Romney delivers a strong performance and Obama a lackluster one. Oct. 11: In Kentucky, Biden and Ryan debate. Oct. 16: Rebounding from his first performance, Obama largely outshines Romney in their second debate from New York. Oct. 22: Obama and Romney participate in their final debate on foreign policy from Florida.

THE CANDIDATES ON THE ISSUES Abortion

ROMNEY: Although maintaining he personally didnt favor abortion, said he supported Roe v. Wade in his 1994 and 2002 bids for office. But during his 08 presidential bid, stressed his opposition to abortion, except in the cases of rape, incest, or to save the mothers life. And in 2012, said that he wanted the Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade. OBAMA: Has been a consistent supporter of abortion rights, and has used the issue of reproductive rights to hit Romney, especially in the Northern Virginia and Denver media markets. Critics have accused the federal health-care law of using taxpayer dollars to fund abortions a charge the White House denies; Obama even issued an executive order to ensure federal funds arent being used to pay for abortion services. Critics also argued that the health-care laws mandate that insurance plans provide free access to contraception violates the religious beliefs of Catholic institutions. The law exempts churches from this requirement, but it doesnt exempt religious-affiliated institutions (like universities, charities, and hospitals). In Feb. 2012, Obama announced a compromise where women who work for these religious-affiliated groups would have contraception coverage, but would obtain it directly through their insurers.

Afghanistan
ROMNEY: Has not articulated a clear position on Afghanistan. Repeatedly spoke out against issuing timelines, saying they showed President Obamas naivet. But then endorsed a 2014 drawdown the same timeline issued by the president. Also during a GOP presidential primary debate, raised eyebrows when he said, But I also think we've learned that our troops shouldn't go off and try and fight a war of independence for another nation. Only the Afghanis can win Afghanistan's independence from the Taliban. Yet in later debates, said he wouldnt negotiate with the Taliban; in fact, he said he would beat them. But that would only require a longer U.S. commitment in Afghanistan. OBAMA: In 2009, the president announced a surge of some 30,000 U.S. troops to Afghanistan. Three years later, the U.S. said troops would be drawn down by 2014 but the president also signed an agreement committing to work with Afghanis as they move to secure their own country through 2024. Also part of that agreement, the U.S. will get access to Afghan facilities, but the U.S. will not seek permanent bases there. But Afghanistan has seen an uptick in violence, and NATO forces have been faced with the problem of their security forces being killed and targeted by soldiers in Afghan uniforms.

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Economy
ROMNEY: According to the economic plan he unveiled in Sept. 2011 and the major economic speech he delivered in Feb. 2012, Romney wants to cut individual tax rates (a 20% reduction in marginal taxes), corporate tax rates (to 25%), and taxes on capital gains and dividends. In addition, he advocates reducing regulations, increasing domestic energy production, and expanding free trade. And he believes that economic growth requires spending discipline supporting a cap on spending and a constitutional amendment to balance the budget. Most recently, Romney has boiled down his economic message to five principles: 1) take advantage of domestic energy resources, 2) give Americans the job skills they need, 3) forge new trade agreements, 4) balance the budget, and 5) reduce taxes. OBAMA: His signature economic measure was the $787 billion stimulus, which non-partisan observers (like the Congressional Budget Office) believe reduced unemployment and increased economic growth but which also didnt lead to an economic boom. In Aug. 2012, the unemployment rate was at 8.1%, which is below where it was during Obamas first full month in office (and down from its high of 10.0% in Aug. 2009). The unemployment rate has been above 8% for 43-straight months. In Sept. 2011 after the bruising debt-ceiling showdown Obama introduced his American Jobs Act, which included extending the payroll tax cut and unemployment insurance, giving tax cuts to small businesses that hire new workers, and investing in transportation and new schools. Congress did pass some of the measures (like the payroll tax cut and unemployment insurance) but didnt act on others.

Health care
ROMNEY: His plan in Massachusetts is widely regarded as the blueprint for the presidents national plan. (He recently acknowledged being the grandfather of Obamacare.) Romney doesnt back away from his plan, but has drawn a very fine distinction that it was good at a state level, but shouldnt be implemented at a federal one. If elected, Romney vows to repeal the Affordable Care Act and replace it with narrower provisions like reforming medical malpractice rules and making sure people with preexisting conditions are not dropped from their health insurance. The last provision landed Romney in some controversy when, on Meet the Press, he said, I'm not getting rid of all of healthcare reform. Of course, there are a number of things that I like in healthcare reform that I'm going to put in place. He later walked that back, saying, ObamaCare must be repealed in its entirety. But added that he would push a plan that included not allowing people to be dropped from their insurance if they get ill. OBAMA: It took a lot of political capital and may have cost Democrats the U.S. House in 2010 but President Obamas Affordable Care Act represents his biggest domestic achievement. It then became the subject of state-based lawsuits and then upheld by a narrow 5-4 majority by the U.S. Supreme Court. At the heart of those cases is the so-called individual mandate, which requires all adults to have health insurance. Obamas support for a mandate might have been his biggest flip-flop. He campaigned against it for nearly two years and then implemented it as president. Though Republicans have derisively termed the Affordable Care Act ObamaCare, the president now fully embraces the moniker.

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Immigration
ROMNEY: During his GOP presidential primary fights in 2007-2008 and 2011-2012, opposed comprehensive immigration reform, even though he seemed to endorse a path to citizenship in a 2006 interview. He also advocated building a wall building a fence/wall between the U.S. and Mexico. But after President Obama announced his administrations policy to no longer deport qualified young illegal immigrants, Romney said he would work to achieve a long-term solution to immigration (yet Romney refused to say whether he would overturn this executive action if he wins the White House). Also during the 12 primary season, Romney said he would veto the DREAM Act; he touted the endorsement of Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach (who helped co-author Arizonas controversial immigration law); and he called for the self-deportation of illegal immigrants, saying: People decide they can do better by going home because they can`t find work here because they don`t have legal documentation to allow them to work here. OBAMA: In 2008, campaigned on passing comprehensive immigration reform, but was unable to achieve that blaming opposition from congressional Republicans (including some who previously backed comprehensive immigration reform). Also tried to pass the DREAM Act an effort to give some children of illegal immigrants a chance at legal status but the legislation wasnt able to get the 60 votes in the Senate needed to clear a procedural hurdle. After his administration had overseen a record number of illegal immigrant deportations, Obama announced on June 15, 2012 that it would no longer deport young illegal immigrants who have graduated from high school, served in the military, and have a clean criminal record a modification of the DREAM Act.

Iran
ROMNEY: Has taken an especially harsh tone toward Obama on this issue, calling it perhaps the presidents biggest failure. Says Obamas policies have not prevented Iran from pursuing development of a nuclear weapon. Because of the threat Iran poses to Israel, the subject of Iran was a hot topic in the OP presidential primary. Romneys plan toward Iran involves: 1) demonstrating military strength and readiness; 2) increasing military and intelligence coordination with Israel to be ready to deal with Iran; 3) pursuing a fifth round of sanctions; 4) indicting Ahmadinejad for genocide under Article III of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide; and 5) supporting the Iranian opposition. OBAMA: Under President Obama, the U.S. pursued diplomatic avenues with Iran, then tough sanctions through the United Nations, and even a degree of cyber war. (The U.S. was reportedly involved in attacking the computer system of one of Irans nuclear facilities.) The president has had a strained relationship at times with Israels Prime Minister Netanyahu, in part, because of the presidents early insistence that Israel halt settlement expansion as a condition to the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. Netanyahu has called for the U.S. to set red lines against Iran something the White House and State Department have declined to do.

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Medicare
ROMNEY: Has essentially endorsed the latest version of the Ryan budget plan, which substantially transforms Medicare by giving future seniors a payment Democrats call it a voucher, Republicans call it premium support to purchase health insurance. Under Ryan's plan, seniors would have the choice of buying private insurance or through Medicares traditional fee-for-service model. In 2011, the Congressional Budget Office said the original Ryan plan which didn't provide the choice of remaining in Medicare would force most seniors to pay more for their health care than under the current Medicare system. Romney stresses that any Medicare changes would apply to future seniors (starting in 2022) and that lower-income seniors would receive more generous benefits. But he also advocates raising Medicare's eligibility age. Romney also has issued a counterattack to Democratic charges that the Romney-Ryan plan would substantially transform Medicare he has accused Obama of raiding $716 billion from the program to pay for the health-care law. OBAMA: Instead of substantially transforming Medicare as Romney and the Republicans advocate Obama supports making tweaks to shore up the program. Those tweaks include asking wealthy seniors to pay more and reducing subsidies to drug companies. But his biggest reform came with the health-care law, which created the Independent Payment Advisory Board (whose members are chosen by the president and confirmed by the Senate) to identify additional savings in Medicare. The health-care law also found $716 billion in Medicare savings (primarily in payments to providers and insurers, not in payments to beneficiaries), which extended the solvency of the programs trust fund until 2024. During the debt-ceiling talks, according to the Huffington Post, Obama offered to increase Medicares eligibility age from 65 to 67 to get Republicans to accept increased tax revenues

Social Security
ROMNEY: Advocates raising the retirement age for future seniors to shore up Social Security's finances. Wants poor recipients to receive more generous benefits, and thinks wealthier recipients should receive less. OBAMA: Has called for a bipartisan approach to shoring up Social Security's finances. Backs raising the income cap on Social Security taxes (now at about $107,000) as a way to get more revenues for the program. Opposes increasing the retirement age.

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Syria
ROMNEY: Has called for the overthrow of the Assad regime, beginning with the U.S. and allies arming the rebels. Romneys plan boils down to: 1) arming the rebels; 2) pushing for sanctions at UN; 3) involving Saudi Arabia and Turkey to leverage political pressure to protect civilians; and 4) saying the U.S. would support a post-Assad regime. OBAMA: As he did with Libya, Obama made the decision not to get the U.S. overtly involved with military action in Syria. He instead opted to give the Annan peace process a chance to work. But when it looked destined for failure, as government-led violence increased, Obama called for Assad to step down and approved of clandestine support for the opposition though the extent of that support remains unclear. Obama said the use or movement of chemical weapons by Syria, however, would be a red line. That could change his calculus on whether to send in troops.

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VIEWERS GUIDE:
A hot races quick guide of what to watch as the polls close

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VIEWERS GUIDE: What to watch as the polls close across the country
The following is an hour-by-hour, state-by-state, race-by-race, condensed guide of what to watch as the polls close. With each race, we provide ratings from the Cook Political Report: SOLID: These races are not considered competitive and are not likely to become closely contested. LIKELY: These seats are not considered competitive at this point but have the potential to become engaged. LEAN: These are considered competitive races but one party has an advantage. TOSS UP: These are the most competitive races; either party has a good chance of winning.

POLL CLOSING TIMES

All times are Eastern Time. Some states have multiple time zones. NBC News will not call a race until all polls close in that state, even if the majority of polls close in an earlier time zone.

7:00 pm (6): Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia 7:30 pm (3): North Carolina, Ohio, West Virginia 8:00 pm (17): Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee 8:30 pm (1): Arkansas 9:00pm (14): Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas, Wisconsin, Wyoming 10:00pm (4): Iowa, Montana, Nevada, Utah 11:00 pm (5): California, Hawaii, Idaho, Oregon, Washington 1:00am (1): Alaska

7:00 PM (6): Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia GEORGIA
Governor: No election. Gov. Nathan Deal (R) is up in 2014. Senate: No election. Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R) is up in 2014. Sen. Johnny Isakson (R) is up in 2016. House: 1 race to watch out of 14. O GA-12: Redistricting made this race much more difficult for incumbent John Barrow (D), who faces off against Georgia State Sen. Lee Anderson (R). Cook Political Rating: TOSS UP.

INDIANA
Governor: Conservative star Mike Pence (R) is leaving the House of Representatives to run for Indiana governor. He faces John Gregg (D), former Speaker of the Indiana House of Representatives. The seat is open due to term limits on current Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels (R). Cook Political Rating: LIKELY R Senate: Tea Party-backed Indiana Treasurer Richard Mourdock (R) defeated six-term incumbent Sen. Dick Lugar (R) in an insurgent primary battle. But Mourdock recently stirred controversy in a debate by saying that even when life begins in that horrible situation of rape, that is something that God intended to happen. Mourdock later tried to clarify, saying he did not think god intended for rape to happen, but his non-incumbent status and controversial remark give the Democratic nominee, Rep. Joe Donnelly (D), a shot at picking up the seat. Cook Political Rating: TOSS UP House: 1 race to watch out of 9. O IN-8: Freshman Rep. Larry Bucshon (R) faces Democratic challenger Dave Crooks (D), a former state Rep. and radio talk show host. Cook Political Rating: LEAN R

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Kentucky, South Carolina, Vermont, No. Carolina KENTUCKY

7:00/7:30 PM ET

Governor: No election. The second and final term of Gov. Steve Beshear (D) ends in 2015. Senate: No election. Sen. Mitch McConnell (R), the Senate Republican Leader, is up in 2014. Freshman Sen. Rand Paul (R) is up in 2016. House: 1 race to watch out of 6. o KY-6: Four-term incumbent Rep. Ben Chandler (D) was one of the few white southern Democrats to survive the 2010 wave. He faces off in a rematch against attorney Andy Barr (R), whom Chandler beat by only 647 votes last time around. Cook Political Rating: TOSS UP.

SOUTH CAROLINA
Governor: No election. Gov. Nikki Haley (R) is up in 2014. Senate: No election. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R) is up in 2014. Sen. Jim DeMint (R) is up in 2016. House: 0 races to watch out of 7.

VERMONT
Governor: After one two-year term, incumbent Gov. Peter Shumlin (D) is up for re-election. He faces state Sen. Randy Brock (R). Given Vermonts solidly blue hue and the fact that it is a presidential year, Brock will be hard pressed to make this a competitive contest. Cook Political Rating: SOLID D Senate: First-term incumbent Sen. Bernie Sanders (I) runs as an independent but caucuses with Democrats. As such, no Democrat even filed to challenge him in November. Sanders will face John MacGovern (R), a former member of the Massachusetts state legislature. Cook Political Rating: SOLID D House: 0 races to watch out of 1.

VIRGINIA
Presidential battleground: As Virginia goes, so goes the nation? In 2008, Obama won the state by a 53%-46% margin exactly matching Obamas national win. The same could likely hold true in 2012. Governor: No election. Due to term limits, the seat currently held by Gov. Bob McDonnell (R) is up in 2013. Senate: Two former Virginia governors face off for the seat vacated by retiring Sen. Jim Webb (D) in what has emerged as one of the nations most hotly contested Senate races. Tim Kaine (D) is a former governor and former Democratic National Committee chairman. George Allen (R) is a former governor and a former Senator from Virginia. Allen held the Senate seat hes running for, but lost to Sen. Webb in 2006. Cook Political Rating: TOSS UP House: 0 races to watch out of 11.

7:30 PM (3): North Carolina, Ohio, West Virginia NORTH CAROLINA

Presidential battleground: Obama barely carried the state in 2008, and its probably Romneys easiest toss-up state to flip from blue to red in 2012. But polls in the state still show a close contest between Romney and Obama. Governor: Current North Carolina Gov. Bev Perdue (D) opted not to seek re-election, leaving the North Carolina gubernatorial seat open. The Republican nominee is former Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory (R), who narrowly lost the 2008 gubernatorial contest. The Democratic nominee is Lt. Gov. Walter Dalton (D). Cook Political Rating: LEAN R Senate: No election. Sen. Kay Hagan (D) is up in 2014. Sen. Richard Burr (R) is up in 2016.

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N. Carolina (cont.), Ohio, W. Virginia, Alabama, Conn.

7:30/8:00 PM ET

House: 1 race to watch out of 13. o NC-7: Rep. Mike McIntyre (D) was one of the few white Southern Democrats to survive 2010. He faces a tough race against state Sen. David Rouzer (R). Cook Political Rating: TOSS UP

OHIO
Presidential battleground: No Republican has ever won the presidency without winning the Buckeye State. But Ohio, according to the polls, has been more of a challenge for Romney than any other battleground state. Governor: No election. Gov. John Kasich (R) is up in 2014. Senate: Incumbent first-term Sen. Sherrod Brown (D) faces a tough challenge from state Treasurer Josh Mandel (R). Cook Political Rating: LEAN D House: 2 races to watch out of 16. o OH-6: Freshman Rep. Bill Johnson (R) faces former Rep. Charlie Wilson (D), the two-term Democrat Johnson narrowly unseated in 2010. Cook Political Rating: LEAN R o OH-16: Ohios 16th district essentially has two incumbents: two current members of Congress, Rep. Jim Renacci (R) and Rep. Betty Sutton (D), are running against each other due to their districts being merged as part of redistricting. Cook Political Rating: TOSS UP

WEST VIRGINIA
Governor: Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin (D) became governor in Nov. 2010 after then-Gov. Joe Manchin (D) resigned to assume West Virginias junior U.S. Senate seat. On Election Day, Tomblin faces businessman Bill Maloney (R), his Republican challenger from the 2011 special election to fill the remainder of Manchins term. Tomblin won that race 50 to 47. Cook Political Rating: LEAN D. Senate: Sen. Joe Manchin (D) faces Republican businessman John Raese (R), whom Manchin defeated in a 2010 special election to fill the seat of the late Sen. Robert Byrd (D). Cook Political Rating: LIKELY D House: 0 races to watch out of 3.

8:00 PM (17): Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida,

Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee

ALABAMA
Governor: No election. Gov. Robert Bentley is up in 2014. Senate: No election. Sen. Richard Shelby (R) is up in 2016. Sen. Jeff Sessions (R) is up in 2014. House: 0 races to watch out of 7.

CONNECTICUT
Governor: No election. Gov. Dannel Malloy (D) is up in 2104. Senate: Democratic Rep. Chris Murphy (D) faces off against 2010 Senate nominee and former World Wrestling Entertainment CEO Linda McMahon (R) to fill the open seat of retiring Sen. Joe Lieberman (I). Lieberman ran as an independent but caucuses with the Democrats, making Connecticut a possible pickup for Republicans. Cook Political Rating: TOSS UP House: 1 race to watch out of 5. o CT-5: Connecticuts 5th district is open due to Rep. Chris Murphy (D) running for Senate. Former state Rep. Elizabeth Esty (D) faces off against liberal GOP state Sen. Andrew Roraback (R). Cook Political Rating: LEAN D

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Delaware, Florida, Illinois DELAWARE

8:00 PM ET

Governor: Incumbent Gov. Jack Markell (D) faces nominal opposition from Republican businessman Jeff Cragg (R). Cook Political Rating: SOLID D Senate: Incumbent Sen. Tom Carper (D) should have no trouble fending off a challenge from businessman Kevin Wade (R). Cook Political Rating: SOLID D House: 0 races to watch out of 1.

FLORIDA
Presidential battleground: This state is absolutely a must-win for Romney, and the polling so far shows it to be a toss-up with a perhaps a slight advantage to Romney. Governor: No election. Gov. Rick Scott (R) is up in 2014. Senate: Two-term incumbent Sen. Bill Nelson (D) faces current Rep. Connie Mack (R), known for being married to Sonny Bonos widow, Rep. Mary Bono (R), and for being the great-grandson of Cornelius McGillicuddy, who owned and managed the Philadelphia Athletics for 50 years. Cook Political Rating: LEAN D. House: 5 races to watch out of 27. o FL-2: Rep. Steve Southerland (R) faces fmr. state Sen. Al Lawson (D). Cook Political Rating: LEAN R o FL-10: In a race that just recently tightened, Rep. Dan Webster (R) faces retired Orlando police chief Val Demings (D). Cook Political Rating: LEAN R o FL-18: Freshman Rep. Allen West (R), a prominent face of the Tea Party, faces construction executive Patrick Murphy (D). Cook Political Rating: TOSS UP o FL-22: Floridas 22nd district is a new seat to emerge out of the states redistricting process. Former state House Minority Leader and West Palm Beach Mayor Lois Frankel (D) is slightly favored over GOP state Rep. Adam Hasner (R), who dropped running for U.S. Senate to run and brought $600,000 with him. Cook Political Rating: LIKELY D o FL-26: Freshman Rep. David Rivera (R) faces challenger Joe Garcia (D), who ran as the Democrats nominee for the seat in 2008 and 2010. Cook Political Rating: LEAN D

ILLINOIS
Governor: No election. Gov. Pat Quinn (D) is up in 2014. Senate: No election. Sen. Dick Durbin (D) is up in 2014. Sen. Mark Kirk (R) is up in 2016. House: 6 races to watch out of 18. o IL-08: Freshman Rep. Joe Walsh (R) was swept into Congress in 2010 and quickly made headlines as one of the most controversial Republican critics of the president. Democrats in the Illinois legislature redistricted him into a heavily Democratic district and he is expected to lose to Iraq war veteran Tammy Duckworth (D). Cook Political Rating: LIKELY D o IL-10: No House Republican represents a more Democratic district than incumbent Rep. Bob Dold (R), who has raised over $2 million and emphasizes his support for Planned Parenthood and Israel. But after redistricting took away his best precincts, he's an underdog against businessman Brad Schneider (D). Cook Political Rating: LEAN D o IL-11: Seven-term Rep. Judy Biggert (R) faces an uphill battle after the Illinois legislature redrew her district and packed it with Democrats. Biggert, who is pro-choice and has a crossover record, faces deep-pocketed physicist and former Democratic Rep. Bill Foster (D). Cook Political Rating: LEAN D o IL-12: Current Rep. Jerry Costello (D) is retiring, leaving this seat open. After their first candidate dropped out, Democrats are fielding retired Illinois National Guard Gen. (Ret.) Bill Enyart (D), who has been playing catch up to 29-year-old GOP lumber businessman Jason Plummer (R). Cook Political Rating: TOSS UP o IL-13: Current Rep. Tim Johnson (R) announced he was retiring after the states primary, sending republicans scrambling to find a candidate. They picked Rodney Davis (R), a former top aide to Rep. John Shimkus (R). Democrats are running physician David Gill (D), a perennial loser against Johnson. Cook Political Rating: TOSS UP o IL-17: Incumbent Rep. Bobby Schilling (R), a former pizza shop owner who took this seat from Democrats in 2010, faces an uphill battle holding off Cheri Bustos (D), a former East Moline alderwoman and TV reporter who benefits from the 17th CD's strong Democratic lean postredistricting. Cook Political Rating: TOSS UP

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Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri MAINE

8:00 PM ET

Governor: No election. Gov. Paul LePage (R) is up in 2014. Senate: With three-term Sen. Olympic Snowe (R) retiring, Maine could determine the balance of power in the Senate. Former two-term Gov. Angus King (I) is running as an independent and currently leads in statewide polls. But King has said he will not decide which party hell caucus with until he is elected. National Democrats are confident King will caucus with them and are not backing the Democratic nominee, state Sen. Cynthia Dill (D). The Republican nominee, Maine Secretary of State Charlie Summers (R), is hoping King and Dill will split enough votes to leave him on top. Cook Political Rating: TOSS UP House: 0 races to watch out of 2.

MARYLAND
Governor: No election. Gov. Martin OMalley (D) is up in 2014. Senate: Incumbent Sen. Ben Cardin (D) should have no problem heading off challenger Dan Bongino (R), a former Secret Service agent. Cook Political Rating: SOLID D House: 0 races to watch out of 8.

MASSACHUSETTS
Governor: No election. Gov. Deval Patrick (D) is up in 2014. Senate: No Senate race this cycle is as high profile as the Bay States race for Ted Kennedys old seat. Sen. Scott Brown (R), who won an upset victory in a January 2010 special election for the seat, faces Harvard professor Elizabeth Warren (D), known for her role in establishing the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Cook Political Rating: TOSS UP House: 1 race to watch out of 9. o MA-6: Incumbent Rep. John Tierney (D) has been bogged down by a negative story about his wifes involvement in her brothers illegal offshore gambling enterprise. He faces state Sen. Richard Tisei (R). Cook Political Rating: LEAN R

MISSISSIPPI
Governor: No election. Gov. Phil Bryant (R) is up in 2015. Senate: Sen. Roger Wicker (R) will have little trouble fending off a challenge from Al Gore Jr. (D), a retired Methodist minister and Army chaplain said to be a distant relative of Vice President Al Gore. Cook Political Rating: SOLID R House: 0 races to watch out of 4.

MISSOURI
Governor: Incumbent Gov. Jay Nixon (D) is slightly favored to fend off a challenge from businessman Dave Spence (R). Cook Political Rating: LEAN D Senate: In one of the countrys most talked-about Senate races, Republicans had Sen. Claire McCaskill (D) as one of their top targets for Senate pickups until her challenger, U.S. Rep. Todd Akin (R), set off a firestorm after using the phrase legitimate rape in an interview discussing abortion. Cook Political Rating: LIKELY D House: 0 races to watch out of 8.

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New Hampshire, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania NEW HAMPSHIRE

8:00 PM ET

Presidential battleground: Its next door to Romneys home state of Massachusetts, but New Hampshire according to most public polls has been a challenge for him until late, when Romney has narrowed the gap. Governor: New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch (D) is retiring, setting up a close race between former state Sen. Maggie Hassan (D) and attorney and 2010 Senate nominee Ovide Lamontagne (R) to replace him. Cook Political Rating: TOSS UP Senate: No election. Sen. Jeane Shaheen (D) is up in 2014. Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R) is up in 2016. House: 2 races to watch out of 2. o NH-1: Rep. Frank Guinta (R), former Mayor of Manchester, faces former Rep. Carol SheaPorter (D), whom Guinta unseated in 2010. Cook Political Rating: TOSS UP o NH-2: Current Rep. Charlie Bass (R) was first elected in 1994, defeated in 2006 and then elected again in 2010. He faces attorney Ann McLane Kuster (D), whom he defeated for this seat in 2010. Cook Political Rating: LEAN D

NEW JERSEY
Governor: No election. Gov. Chris Christie (R) is up in 2013. Senate: Sen. Bob Menendez (D) is unlikely to face too much resistance despite having a strong opponent in state Sen. Joe Kyrillos (R). Cook Political Rating: LIKELY D House: 1 race to watch out of 12. o NJ-3: Rep. Jon Runyan (R), a former Philadelphia Eagles offensive lineman, snagged this seat from Democrat John Adler in 2010. Adler died unexpectedly in 2011 from complications arising from staph infection, but Adlers wife, former Cherry Hill, NJ Councilwoman Shelley Adler (D), is running to take back his seat. Cook Political Rating: LEAN R

OKLAHOMA
Governor: No election. Gov. Mary Fallin (R) is up in 2014. Senate: No election. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R) is up in 2014. Sen. Tom Coburn (R) is up in 2016. House: 0 races to watch out of 5.

PENNSYLVANIA
Governor: No election. Gov. Tom Corbett (R) is up in 2014. Senate: Sen. Bob Casey (D) appears to be in good shape in his re-election bid. But the Republican candidate, Tom Smith (R), is a self-made coal businessman who has been willing to put millions of his own money into the campaign. Cook Political Rating: LEAN D House: 2 races to watch out of 18. o PA-8: Republicans shored up the district of Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick (R) by about a point in the states redistricting process. Fitzpatrick, who served in the House for one term before losing his seat in 2006 and then regaining it in 2010, still faces a tough challenge from attorney Kathryn Boockvar (D). Cook Political Rating: LEAN R o PA-12: Rep. Mark Critz (D) won this seat in a May 2010 special election after the death of longtime Congressman John Murtha, for whom Critz worked. Critz survived the 2010 midterms, but he is vulnerable to a challenge from attorney Keith Rothfus (R) after GOP-led redistricting made his district more conservative. Cook Political Rating: TOSS UP

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Rhode Is., Tenn., Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado RHODE ISLAND

8:00/8:30/9:00 PM ET

Governor: No election. Gov. Lincoln Chafee (I) is up in 2014. Senate: Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D) should not have too much trouble defeating his Republican challenger, software executive Barry Hinckley (R). Cook Political Rating: SOLID D House: 1 race to watch out of 2. o RI-1: Rep. David Cicilline (D) has faced lots of recent bad press about his mismanagement of Providence finances when he served as the citys mayor. He hopes his districts solid blue leaning will help fend off a challenge from Rhode Island State Police Superintendent Brendan Doherty (R). Cook Political Rating: LEAN D

TENNESSEE
Governor: No election. Gov. Bill Haslam (R) is up in 2014. Senate: Sen. Bob Corker (R), who narrowly beat then-U.S. Rep. Harold Ford (D) for this Senate seat in 2006, should have no trouble this time around. The Democratic nominee, self-described author and anti-gay rights activist Mark Clayton (D), has been disavowed by the state Democratic Party for his affiliation with a D.C.-based advocacy organization that the Southern Poverty Law Center has labeled an active anti-gay group. Cook Political Rating: SOLID R House: 0 races to watch out of 9.

8:30 PM (1): Arkansas ARKANSAS

Governor: No election. Gov. Mike Beebe (D) is up in 2014. Senate: No election. Sen. Mark Pryor (D) is up in 2014. Sen. John Boozman (R) is up in 2016. House: 0 races to watch out of 4.

9:00 PM (14): Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska,

New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas, Wisconsin, Wyoming

ARIZONA
Governor: No election. Gov. Jan Brewer (R) is up in 2014. Senate: Arizona voters havent elected a Democrat to the U.S. Senate since 1988, but Democrats are pursuing the seat, left open by retiring three-term Sen. Jon Kyl (R). Republicans nominated U.S. Rep. Jeff Flake (R), a popular House member from outside Phoenix. Flake will face fmr. U.S. Surgeon General Richard Carmona (D). Cook Political Rating: TOSS UP House: 2 races to watch out of 9. o AZ-1: Arizonas 1st District is one of the states new districts. Former Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick (D), who lost her previous House seat in 2010, will face off against former state Sen. Jonathan Paton (R). Cook Political Rating: TOSS UP o AZ-9: Another new Congressional District for Arizona, the 9th District comprises a welleducated, liberal-leaning area around Tempe and East Phoenix. State Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D) and fmr. Paradise Valley Mayor Vernon Parker (R) are fighting it out for the new seat. Cook Political Rating: LEAN D

COLORADO
Presidential battleground: Obama won this state by nearly 9 percentage points in 2008, but it is shaping up to be one of the most competitive of all presidential battlegrounds in 2012. Governor: No election. Gov. John Hickenlooper (D) is up in 2014. Senate: No election. Sen. Mark Udall (D) is up in 2014. Sen. Michael Bennet (D) is up in 2016.

32

Colorado (cont.), Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota

9:00 PM ET

House: 2 races to watch out of 7. o CO-3: Rep. Scott Tipton (R) ousted three-term Democrat John Salazar in 2010, but he now faces a challenge from the state House Minority Leader Sal Pace (D). Cook Political Rating: LEAN R o CO-6: Rep. Mike Coffman (R) was hurt when redistricting moved GOP-leaning Douglas County out of his district. He faces a challenge from state Rep. Joe Milosi (D) for one of the Democrats top House targets out West. Cook Political Rating: TOSS UP

KANSAS
Governor: No election. Gov. Sam Brownback (R) is up in 2014. Senate: No election. Sen. Pat Roberts (R) is up in 2014. Sen. Jerry Moran (R) is up in 2016. House: 0 races to watch out of 4.

LOUISIANA
Governor: No election. Gov. Bobby Jindals (R) 2nd term ends in 2015. Senate: No election. Sen. Mary Landrieu (D) is up in 2014. Sen. David Vitter (R) is up in 2016. House: 0 races to watch out of 6.

MICHIGAN
Governor: No election. Gov. Rick Snyder (R) is up in 2014. Senate: Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D) faces fmr. Rep. Peter Hoekstra (R). Cook Political Rating: LIKELY D House: 2 races to watch out of 14. o MI-1: Freshman Rep. Dan Benishek (R) faces a rematch against his 2010 opponent, fmr. state Rep. Gary McDowell (D). Cook Political Rating: TOSS UP o MI-11: In a strange series of events, this seat is currently vacant. Then-Rep. Thaddeus McCotter (R), who launched a failed bid for the GOP presidential nomination this year, botched the signatures on his petition to get on the ballot and then abruptly resigned less than a month before the Republican primary. Republicans ended up nominating a libertarian reindeer farmer and Santa impersonator named Kerry Bentivolio (R). The mess gives the Democratic nominee, physician and Canton Township Trustee Syed Taj (D), a shot at what would have otherwise been a safe Republican seat. Cook Political Rating: LEAN R

MINNESOTA
Governor: No election. Gov. Mark Dayton (D) is up in 2014. Senate: Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D) will face state Rep. Kurt Bills (R) in her bid for a second term. Polling gives Klobuchar a healthy advantage over the unknown and underfunded Bills. Cook Political Rating: SOLID D House: 2 races to watch out of 8. o MN-6: Former GOP presidential candidate Rep. Michelle Bachmanns (R) faces hotel businessman Jim Graves (D), the strongest challenger Bachmann has faced since being elected in 2006. Cook Political Rating: LEAN R o MN-8: Freshman Rep. Chip Cravaack (R) pulled off one of the biggest upsets of 2010 when he defeated 36-year Democratic incumbent James Oberstar (D) in a district that had not been in GOP hands since the Truman administration. Cravaack now faces businessman and former Rep. Rick Nolan (D), who served in the House for three terms in the 1970s. Cook Political Rating: TOSS UP

33

Nebraska, New Mexico, New York NEBRASKA

9:00 PM ET

Governor: No election. Gov. Dave Heineman (R) is up in 2014. Senate: Two-term Sen. Ben Nelson (D) is retiring, leaving Nebraska a prime target for Republicans to pick up a Senate seat. Democrats have nominated former Nebraska Gov. and Sen. (and 1992 presidential candidate) Bob Kerrey (D) to try to hold the seat. He faces state Sen. Debra Fischer (R), who, despite little name recognition, will benefit from Nebraskas conservative electorate. Cook Political Rating: LIKELY R House: 0 races to watch out of 3.

NEW MEXICO
Governor: No election. Gov. Susana Martinez (R) is up in 2014. Senate: The retirement of five-term Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D) leaves this seat open. New Mexicos Democratic tilt will make it difficult for former U.S. Rep. Heather Wilson (R) to top U.S. Rep. Martin Heinrich (D), despite both candidates running strong races. Cook Political Rating: LEAN D House: 0 races to watch out of 3.

NEW YORK
Governor: No election. Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) is up in 2014. Senate: Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D) laid to rest any doubts about her appeal as a statewide candidate when she won a special election in 2010 with 63 percent of the vote. She has only continued to solidify her position and approaches November with $10.5 million in the bank and a healthy lead over Republican attorney Wendy Long (R). Cook Political Rating: SOLID D House: 7 races to watch out of 27. o NY-1: This will be a rematch between Rep. Tim Bishop (D) and businessman Randy Altschuler (R), whom Bishop narrowly beat in 2010. Cook Political Rating: LEAN D o NY-11: An upset 2010 victor, former FBI agent Rep. Michael Grimm (R) faces real estate investor and former actor Mark Murphy (D). Cook Political Rating: LEAN R o NY-18: Freshman Rep. Nan Hayworth (R), who has made a name for herself with an uncompromising, Tea Party style, faces former Clinton White House Staff Secretary Sean Patrick Maloney (D). Cook Political Rating: TOSS UP o NY-19: After redistricting, more than half freshman Rep. Chris Gibsons (R) district is new territory. He will have a tough battle against former CIA counsel Julian Schreibman (D). Cook Political Rating: TOSS UP o NY-21: Rep. Bill Owens (D) won this seat in a special election after then-Rep. John McHugh (R), who had represented the 23rd District since 1993, accepted President Obamas offer to become secretary of the Army. Owens has since benefitted from ideological battles between New York Republicans and the New York Conservative Party. This cycle, conservatives have united behind the 2010 Republican nominee, investment banker Matt Doheny (R). Cook Political Rating: LIKELY D o NY-24: An unlikely winner in 2010, Rep. Ann Marie Buerkle (R) will face an uphill battle in a rematch against former Rep. Dan Maffei (D), who lost to Buerkle by less than 1,000 votes last cycle. Cook Political Rating: LEAN D o NY-27: After then- Rep. Chris Lee (R) resigned following revelations he solicited sex on Craigslist, Rep. Kathy Hochul (D) won this seat in a May 2011 special election by hammering the Ryan budget as a Republican attack on Medicare. She faces former Erie County Executive Chris Collins (R). Cook Political Rating: TOSS UP

34

North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas, Wisconsin, Wyoming NORTH DAKOTA

9:00 PM ET

Governor: Gov. Jack Dalrymple (R) became Governor in Dec. 2010 when then-Gov. John Hoeven resigned to become the states junior U.S. senator. The Democratic nominee, state Senate Minority Leader Ryan Taylor (D), is unlikely to make this a truly competitive race in this solidly red state in a presidential year. Cook Political Rating: SOLID R Senate: With four-term Sen. Kent Conrad (D) retiring, former North Dakota Attorney General Heidi Heitkamp (D) is giving the states at-large U.S. Rep. Rick Berg (R) a run for his money in a state that is usually red. Cook Political Rating: TOSS UP House: 0 races to watch out of 1.

SOUTH DAKOTA
Governor: No election. Gov. Dennis Daugaard (R) is up in 2014. Senate: No election. Sen. Tim Johnson (D) is up in 2014. Sen. John Thune (R) is up in 2016. House: 0 races to watch out of 1.

TEXAS
Governor: No election. Gov. Rick Perry (R) is up in 2014. Senate: The real race to replace three-term Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R) came in the Republican primary, when Tea Party favorite and fmr. Texas Solicitor General Ted Cruz (R) defeated Lt. Gov David Dewhurst (R) in a run-off. Cruz is all but assured victory in November against fmr. state Rep. Paul Sadler (D). Cook Political Rating: SOLID R House: 2 race to watch out of 36. o TX-14: In the seat left open by the retirement of Rep. Ron Paul (R), state Rep. Randy Weber (R) faces Nick Lampson (D), a former U.S. Rep. who has lost and then come back to win a congressional seat twice before. The only other Rep. to serve three non-consecutive House terms? Ron Paul. Cook Political Rating: LEAN R o TX-23: Rep. Francisco Canseco (R) snagged this seat in 2010 from five-term Rep. Ciro Rodriguez (D) to become one of five new Hispanic Republicans elected in the House last cycle. He faces state Rep. Pete Gallego (D). Cook Political Rating: TOSS UP

WISCONSIN
Presidential battleground: Obama won this state by nearly 14 percentage points in 2008 (though John Kerry barely carried it in 04). This time around, it promises to be much closer, due to Wisconsins Paul Ryan being on the GOP ticket and the partys success in recent elections there. Governor: No election. Gov. Scott Walker (R) is up in 2014. Senate: Wisconsin has a very competitive race with Republicans looking to pick up a seat following the retirement of four-term Sen. Herb Kohl (D). Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D) faces Wisconsins popular fmr. Gov. Tommy Thompson (R), who survived a divisive ideological primary to emerge as the GOP candidate. Cook Political Rating: TOSS UP House: 2 races to watch out of 8. o WI-7: A former lumberjack champion, MTV Real World star and Ashland County prosecutor, Rep. Sean Duffy (R) won this hallowed Democratic seat that was left open by Democratic stalwart and House Appropriations Committee chairman Rep. David Obey (D), who retired after representing the district for 40 years. Duffy faces Pat Kreitlow (D), a former news anchor and former state Senator. Cook Political Rating: LEAN R o WI-8: Democrats hope business consultant Jamie Wall (D) can defeat freshman Rep. Reid Ribble (R) in this Green Bay district that tends to get swept away by the national tide. Cook Political Rating: LIKELY R

WYOMING
Governor: No election. Gov. Matt Mead (R) is up in 2014. Senate: Sen. John Barrasso (R) should coast to victory against Democratic nominee Tim Chesnut (D), commissioner of Wyomings Albany County. House: No race to watch out of 1.

35

Iowa, Montana, Nevada, Utah 10:00 PM (4): Iowa, Montana, Nevada, Utah IOWA

10:00 PM ET

Presidential battleground: Before the debates began, Obama enjoyed an advantage in the Hawkeye State. Although polls tightened for a time, recent surveys have found Obama to be in a stronger position than Romney. Governor: No election. Gov. Terry Branstad (R) is up in 2014. Senate: No election. Sen. Tom Harkin (D) is up in 2014. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R) is up in 2016. House: 3 races to watch out of 4. o IA-2: Rep. Dave Loebsack (D) finds himself in a slightly more competitive district after redistricting. He faces John Archer (R), the well-connected counsel for John Deere. Cook Political Rating: LIKELY D o IA-3: Iowas new 3rd District merges the old 3rd and 4th Districts into one. The race features a showdown between two sitting congressmen: Rep. Leonard Boswell (D) and Rep. Tom Latham (R). Cook Political Rating: LEAN R o IA-4: This race features five-term incumbent and conservative stalwart Rep. Steve King (R) and Christie Vilsack (D), wife of fmr. Iowa Gov. and current Agriculture Secy. Tom Vilsack. Cook Political Rating: LEAN R

MONTANA
Governor: Current Gov. Brian Schweitzer (D) is term-limited, leaving the states gubernatorial seat open. Montana Attorney General Steve Bullock (D) goes up against fmr. U.S. Rep. Rick Hill (R). Cook Political Rating: TOSS UP Senate: Sen. Jon Tester (D) won this seat in the 2006 Democratic wave. Now he faces a tough challenge from Montanas at-large U.S. Rep. Denny Rehberg (R). Cook Political Rating: TOSS UP House: 0 races to watch out of 1.

NEVADA
Presidential battleground: At 11.8% (Sep.), Nevada has the nations highest unemployment rate. But it also has a sizable Latino population, which could boost Obama like it did Harry Reid in 2010. Governor: No election. Gov. Brian Sandoval (R) is up in 2014. Senate: Sen. Dean Heller (R), a former congressman from Nevada, was appointed to the seat after Sen. John Ensign (R) resigned in advance of a harshly critical Senate Ethics Committee report on his extramarital affair with the wife of a former aide and allegations of hush-money. Heller defends his seat for the first time against Rep. Shelley Berkley (D). Cook Political Rating: TOSS UP House: 2 races to watch out of 4. o NV-3: The race between Rep. Joe Heck (R) and state Assembly Speaker John Oceguera (D) has been brewing for almost a year, and is already living up to its billing as the fiercest, tightest race in the state. Cook Political Rating: TOSS UP o NV-4: The 4th District is a new seat in Nevadas delegation. The race features state Sen. Steven Horsford (D) and perennial GOP candidate Danny Tarkanian (R), son of former UNLV basketball coach Jerry Tarkanian. Cook Political Rating: TOSS UP

UTAH
Governor: Gov. Gary Herbert (R) took office in 2009 when then-Governor and future presidential candidate Jon Huntsman (R) resigned to become the U.S. Ambassador to China. Herbert defended the seat in a 2010 special election and now faces Peter Cooke (D), a retired U.S. Army Reserve general and a well-respected businessman. Herbert is expected to win. Cook Political Rating: SOLID R Senate: The primary was much more important than the general election in this race. Six-term Sen. Orrin Hatch (R) fended off an insurgent primary challenge from Tea Party-backed former state Sen. Dan Liljenquist (R). Hatch is expected to win easily against fmr. state Senate Minority Leader Scott Howell (D). Cook Political Rating: SOLID R

36

Utah (cont.), California, Hawaii, Idaho

10:00/11:00 PM ET

House: 1 race to watch out of 4. o UT-4: The lone Democrat in Utahs congressional delegation, Rep. Jim Matheson (D) is facing one of the most buzzed-about House candidates this cycle Mia Love (R), the female, Mormon, African-American mayor of Saratoga Springs. Love would make history as the first black female Republican in Congress. Cook Political Rating: TOSS UP

11:00 PM (5): California, Hawaii, Idaho, Oregon, Washington CALIFORNIA

Governor: No election. Gov. Jerry Brown (D) is up in 2014. Senate: Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D) shouldnt have much trouble winning a fourth Senate term over challenger Elizabeth Emken (R), a former candidate for U.S. House and former executive at the autism advocacy group, Autism Speaks. Cook Political Rating: SOLID D House: 8 races to watch out of 53. o CA-7: Redistricting slightly hurt incumbent Rep. Dan Lungren (R), who faces a rematch against his 2010 opponent, well-funded Democratic physician Ami Bera (D). Cook Political Rating: TOSS UP o CA-9: Despite being in a strong blue district, Rep. Jerry McNerney (D) is facing a strong campaign run by his 25-year-old opponent, Ricky Gill (R). Cook Political Rating: LEAN D o CA-10: Rep. Jeff Denham (R) is running a tough campaign against opponent Jose Hernandez (D), a former migrant worker turned engineer and NASA astronaut who has received lots of national press. Denham grabbed headlines this year for a report that he swam naked in the Sea of Galilee during a Republican congressional trip to Israel. Cook Political Rating: TOSS UP o CA-24: Though still favored, Rep. Lois Capps (D) is facing her first tough challenge in more than a decade from fmr. Lt. Gov. Abel Maldonado (R). Cook Political Rating: LEAN D o CA-26: The 26th District is an open seat with Rep. Elton Gallegly (R) retiring. State Sen. Tony Strickland (R) goes up against state Assemblywoman Julia Brownley (D). Cook Political Rating: TOSS UP o CA-36: Rep. Mary Bono Mack (R) faces a challenge from emergency room physician Paul Ruiz (D). Cook Political Rating: TOSS UP o CA-41: In a new district that includes some of the most Democratic areas of Riverside County, Riverside College Trustee Mark Takano (D) goes up against GOP Riverside Supervisor John Tavaglione (R). Cook Political Rating: LEAN D o CA-52: Rep. Brian Bilbray (R) faces a challenge from self-funding centrist San Diego Port Commissioner Scott Peters (D). Cook Political Rating: TOSS UP

HAWAII
Governor: No election. Gov. Neil Abercrombie (D) is up in 2014. Senate: Despite Hawaiis solidly blue leanings, the retirement of three-term Sen. Daniel Akaka (D) has left an open seat with a race turning out to be surprisingly competitive. The Republican nominee is fmr. Gov. Linda Lingle (R), who faces U.S. Rep. Mazie Hirono (D). Cook Political Rating: LEAN D House: 0 races to watch out of 2.

IDAHO
Governor: No election. Gov. Butch Otter (R) is up in 2014. Senate: No election. Sen. Jim Risch (R) is up in 2014. Sen. Mike Crapo (R) is up in 2016. House: 0 races to watch out of 2.

37

Oregon, Washington, Alaska OREGON

10:00 PM/1:00 AM ET

Governor: No election. Gov. John Kitzhaber (D) is up in 2014. Senate: No election. Sen. Jeff Merkley (D) is up in 2014. Sen. Ron Wyden (D) is up in 2016. House: 0 races to watch out of 5.

WASHINGTON
Governor: Polls are tight in the race for this gubernatorial seat left open by the retirement of Washington Gov. Christine Gregoire (D). Fmr. Rep. Jay Inslee (D) left the U.S. House to focus on the race against state Attorney General Rob McKenna (R). Cook Political Rating: TOSS UP Senate: Sen. Maria Cantwell (D) is not expected to have too much trouble beating state Sen. Michael Baumgartner (R) for re-election for a third term. Cook Political Rating: SOLID D House: 1 race to watch out of 10. o WA-1: Rep. Jay Inslee (D) is leaving this seat to run for governor. Self-funding former Microsoft executive Suzan DelBene (D) faces off against fmr. state Rep. John Koster (R). Cook Political Rating: LEAN D

1:00 AM (1): Alaska ALASKA

Governor: No election. Gov. Sean Parnell (R) is up in 2014. Senate: No election. Sen. Mark Begich (D) is up in 2014. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R) is up in 2016. House: 0 races to watch out of 1.

38

SENATE

39

SENATE OVERVIEW Battle for the Senate

Democrats currently hold a 51-47 majority in the U.S. Senate, with both Last cycle, there were six appointed independents (Joe Lieberman and Bernie senators defending their seats for the Sanders) also caucusing with the party. first time. This cycle, there is only one That means Republicans must pick up a (Dean Heller; R-NV). net gain of four seats if Obama wins reelection and three if he doesnt to win back control of the chamber. The reason: The vice president gets to cast the tie-breaking vote in a 50-50 Senate. When the 2012 cycle began, the odds of an upcoming GOP majority looked strong. After all, 23 Democratic-held seats are up this cycle, versus just 10 Republican-held seats; Democrats had seven retirements to four for the GOP; and incumbents like Jon Tester and Claire McCaskill were facing uphill contests for re-election. But Democrats caught two big breaks. First, Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-ME) announced her retirement, giving the Democrats an excellent shot at flipping the seat. (Former Gov. Angus King, an independent, is the favorite to succeed Snowe, and hes expected to caucus with the Democrats, although thats not a sure thing.) Second, in Missouris Senate contest, Republican nominee Todd Akin boosted McCaskills chances of winning when he explained his opposition to abortion in cases of rape, saying that pregnancies by rape are rare. If its a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down." Indiana Republican hopeful Richard Mourdock stirred similar controversy when he said in a debate that even when life begins with that horrible situation of rape, that is something that God intended to happen." Mourdock later clarified, saying he did not mean to say that God intended rape to take place. On top of these developments, the political prospects for Obama and other Democratic Senate candidates have improved since earlier this summer. So here is the challenge Republicans now face: If Obama wins re-election, they will need to pick up four Senate seats to get the majority. And here are their best chances (in order): Nebraska, Montana, North Dakota, Wisconsin, Virginia, Connecticut, Ohio, Florida, New Mexico, and Missouri. If you assume that King wins in Maine and caucuses with the Democrats, then Republicans must win five of these 10 races. And if Elizabeth Warren wins in Massachusetts, then the GOP has to win six. But keep this in mind about Senate control: Assuming King wins in Maine, its very possible we wont know which party will hold the majority until King decides with which party he will caucus.

40

By the numbers
Current breakdown: 51 D, 47 R, 2 Ind. (both caucus with the Democrats) 33 Senate races 11 open seats 1 appointed senator (Dean Heller; R-NV)
STATE Arizona California Connecticut Delaware Florida Hawaii Indiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Jersey New Mexico New York North Dakota Ohio Pennsylvania Rhode Island Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming PARTY/INCUMBENT R-OPEN-Kyl D-Feinstein I-OPEN-Lieberman D-Carper D-Nelson D-OPEN-Akaka R-OPEN-Lugar R-OPEN-Snowe D-Cardin R-Brown D-Stabenow D-Klobuchar R-Wicker D-McCaskill D-Tester D-OPEN-Nelson R-Heller D-Menendez D-OPEN-Bingaman D-Gillibrand D-OPEN-Conrad D-Brown D-Casey D-Whitehouse R-Corker R-OPEN-Hutchison R-Hatch I-Sanders D-OPEN-Webb D-Cantwell D-Manchin D-OPEN-Kohl R-Barrasso COOK RATING TOSS UP SOLID D TOSS UP SOLID D LEAN D LEAN D TOSS UP TOSS UP SOLID D TOSS UP LIKELY D SOLID D SOLID R LIKELY D TOSS UP LIKELY R TOSS UP LIKELY D LEAN D SOLID D TOSS UP LEAN D LEAN D SOLID D SOLID R SOLID R SOLID R SOLID D TOSS UP SOLID D LIKELY D TOSS UP SOLID R

(by likelihood of party switch)

1. Nebraska (D)* 2. Maine (R)* 3. Montana (D) 4. North Dakota (D)* 5. Massachusetts (R) 6. Wisconsin (D)* 7. Virginia (D)* 8. Nevada (R) 9. Connecticut (D)* 10. Indiana (R)* 11. Ohio (D) 12. Florida (D) 13. New Mexico (D) 14. Missouri (D) 15. Arizona (R)* 16. Hawaii (D)* 17. New Jersey (D) 18. Michigan (D) 19. Pennsylvania (D) 20. Texas (R)*
*Indicates open seat

41

#15 ARIZONA (R-Open-Kyl)

Cook Rating: TOSS UP

About the race: Arizona voters havent elected a Democrat to the U.S. Senate since 1988, but Democrats are pursuing the seat, left open by retiring three-term Sen. Jon Kyl (R). Republicans nominated U.S. Rep. Jeff Flake (R), a popular House member from outside Phoenix. Flake will face fmr. U.S. Surgeon General Richard Carmona (D). Polls show the race getting increasingly competitive heading into November and things have gotten nasty on the TV airwaves. Past election result: Jon Kyl (R) 53%, Jim Pederson (D) 44%

U.S. Rep. Jeff Flake (R)

Age: 49, b. Dec. 31, 1962 , Snowflake, AZ Home: Mesa, AZ Education: Brigham Young U. (B.A. 1986, M.A. 1987) Religion: Mormon Family: Married (Cheryl); 5 children Career: U.S. House of Reps., 2001present; Exec. dir., The Goldwater Inst., 1992-99; Owner, Interface Pub. Affairs, 1990-92; Exec. dir., Fndtn. for Democracy (Namibia), 1989-90; Pub. policy exec., Shipley, Smoak & Henry, 1987-89

Born and raised on a ranch in Snowflake, AZ a town named, in part, after his great-great-grandfather. Did missionary work in South Africa and Zimbabwe; later moved to Namibia to run the Foundation for Democracy, a democracy promotion group. Despite a conservative voting record, Flake has broken with the GOP on things like pushing to lift travel restriction to Cuba, opposing sanctions against Sudan and, until Flake ran for Senate, supporting immigration reform.

Richard Carmona (D), fmr. U.S. Surgeon Gen.

Age: 63, b. Nov. 22, 1949, New York, NY Home: Tucson, AZ Education: City U. of NY- Bronx Comm. Coll. (A.A. 1973); U. of Cal.San Fran. (B.S. 1977, M.S. 1979); U. of Ariz. (M.P.H. 1998) Religion: Catholic Family: Wife (Diana); 4 children (two daughters, two sons) Military: U.S. Army, 1967-71 Career: Vice Chairman, Canyon Ranch, 2006-present; U.S. surgeon general, 2002-2006; clinical prof., U. of Ariz., 1985-2002; chair, Ariz. Southrn. Reg. Emgncy. Med. Sys., 1990-2002; dep. sheriff, Pima County, 1986-2002; CEO, Pima Health Care Sys., 1997-1999; CEO, Kino Cty. Comm. Hsptl., 1995-96; dir. of trauma services, Tucson Med. Ctr., 1985-93

The son of Puerto Rican immigrants, Carmona grew up poor in Harlem. Dropped out of high school but got his GED while serving in the Army. Awarded two Bronze Stars, two Purple Hearts, and a combat medical badge for his service as a combat medic with Army Special Forces in Vietnam. Once rescued a man on a cliff by rappelling from a helicopter.

42

CALIFORNIA (D-Feinstein)

Cook Rating: SOLID D

About the race: Three-term Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D) should have no trouble winning a fourth Senate term over challenger Elizabeth Emken (R), a former candidate for U.S. House and former executive at the autism advocacy group, Autism Speaks. Past election result: Dianne Feinstein (D) 59%, Dick Mountjoy (R) 35%

Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D)

First elected 1992 Age: 79, b. June 22, 1933, San Francisco, CA Home: San Francisco, CA Education: Stanford U. (B.A. 1955) Religion: Jewish Family: Married (Richard C. Blum); 4 children Career: U.S. Senate, 1993-present; San Francisco mayor, 197888; San Francisco Bd. of Supervisors, 197078 (Pres., 197071, 197475, 1978); CA Women's Parole Bd., 196066

After Feinstein sent him a paper she wrote on the justice system, CA Gov. Pat Brown appointed her to the state Womens Parole Board when she was just 27 years old. Feinstein, the first female chair of the Sen. Intel. Committee, is among lawmakers who vowed to pursue leaks they believe came from the Obama administration on the use of drones and cyber wars. Feinstein was in San Franciscos City Hall when Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk were murdered Feinstein was the person who found Milks body.

Elizabeth Emken (R), fmr. exec., Autism Speaks

Age: 49, b. April 4, 1963, Bellflower, CA Home: Danville, CA Education: U.C.L.A (B.A. 1984) Religion: Christian Family: Married (Craig Swartz); 3 children (2 daughters, 1 adult son with autism) Career: Pub. affairs consultant, 2010present; candidate, U.S. House of Reps., 2010; VP of Govt. Relations, Autism Speaks, 2007-09; Legislative consultant, Cure Autism Now, 1997-2006; mgmt. and corp. operations, IBM, 1984-96

Became an autism activist after her son, Alex, was diagnosed with autism. Ran unsuccessfully in 2010 for Congress in California's 11th District, finishing last among four candidates in the GOP primary.

43

#9 CONNECTICUT (I-Open-Lieberman)

Cook Rating: TOSS UP

About the race: Democratic Rep. Chris Murphy (D) faces off against 2010 Senate nominee and former World Wrestling Entertainment CEO Linda McMahon (R), who showed a willingness to self-fund by spending millions of her own money in her 2010 run for senate. This race is to fill the open seat of retiring Sen. Joe Lieberman (I). Lieberman ran as an independent but caucuses with the Democrats, making Connecticut a possible pickup for Republicans. Past election results: 2006: Joe Lieberman (I) 50%, Ned Lamont (D) 40%, Alan Schlesinger (R) 10% 2010: Richard Blumenthal (D) 55%, Linda McMahon (R) 43%

U.S. Rep. Chris Murphy (D)

Age: 39, b. Aug. 3, 1973, White Plains, NY Home: Cheshire, CT Education: Attended Exeter College, England (1994-95); Williams Col., (B.A. 1996); U. of CT (J.D. 2002) Religion: Protestant Family: Married (Cathy Holahan); 2 sons (Owen, Rider) Career: U.S. House of Reps., 2007-present; CT Senate, 2002-06; CT House of Reps., 1998-2002; Southington zoning commission, 1997-99; Practicing atty., 2002-06

After college, lived in a converted Southington, CT funeral home that later became the basis for the 2009 horror film, The Haunting of Connecticut. First elected to Congress in 2006, defeating 24-year-incumbent Rep. Nancy Johnson (R). Both sides of Murphys family go back four generations in Connecticut.

Linda McMahon (R), fmr. WWE CEO

Age: 64, b. Oct. 4, 1948, New Bern, NC Home: Greenwich, CT Education: East Carolina Univ. (B.S./Teacher Cert.French, 1969) Religion: Roman Catholic Family: Married (Vince); 2 children (Shane, Stephanie) Career: Appointed, CT Board of Education, 2009; Fmr. CEO, World Wrestling Entertainment, 1997-09

Ran unsuccessfully for U.S. Senate in 2010, losing to Sen. Dick Blumenthal (D), 55% to 43% despite significantly outspending him. Wife of Vince McMahon, founder of the former World Wrestling Federation, now World Wrestling Entertainment. The McMahons filed for bankruptcy decades ago for a failed non-wrestling business. Faced criticism for lax drug testing in WWE; accused of tipping off a doctor of an FBI steroid investigation.

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DELAWARE (D-Carper)

Cook Rating: SOLID D

About the race: Two-term incumbent Sen. Tom Carper (D) should have no trouble fending off a challenge from businessman Kevin Wade (R). Past election result: Tom Carper (D) 70%, Jan Ting (R) 29%

Sen. Tom Carper (D)

First elected 2000 Age: 65, b. Jan. 23, 1947, Beckley, WV Home: Wilmington, DE Education: OH St. U. (B.A. 1968); U. of DE (M.B.A. 1975) Religion: Presbyterian Family: Married (Martha); 2 sons (Christopher, Ben). Military: Navy, 196873 (Vietnam); Naval Reserves, 197391. Career: U.S. Senate, 2001-present; DE Gov. 1993-2001; U.S. House of Reps., 198393; DE treas., 197682; Industrial devel. specialist, DE Div. of Econ. Devel., 1975 76

During Vietnam, served as a Navy mission commander piloting planes that hunted submarines. Co-Chair of the moderate group, Third Way. During college worked on the 1968 presidential campaign of Sen. Eugene McCarthy.

Kevin Wade (R), business owner

Age: 60, b. Dec. 28, 1951, Reading, PA Home: New Castle, DE Education: Univ. of DE-Wilmington (B.S. 1982) Religion: Methodist Family: Married (Gail); 1 daughter Career: Pres. and founder, Philadelphia Control Systems Inc., 1982-present

Grew up in a PA factory town and went to work in a steel mill three days after his high school graduation. Worked in DuPonts engineering department during college. Served as New Castle Cty. Chairman for Rudy Giulianis 2008 presidential campaign.

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#12 FLORIDA (D-Nelson)

Cook Rating: LEAN D

About the race: Two-term incumbent Sen. Bill Nelson (D) faces current Rep. Connie Mack (R), known for being married to Sonny Bonos widow, Rep. Mary Bono (R), and for being the great-grandson of Cornelius McGillicuddy, who owned and managed the Philadelphia Athletics for 50 years. Past election result: Bill Nelson (D) 60%, Katherine Harris (R) 38%

Sen. Bill Nelson (D)

First elected 2000 Age: 70, b. Sept. 29, 1942, Miami, FL Home: Orlando, FL Education: Yale U. (B.A. 1965); U. of VA (J.D. 1968) Religion: Protestant Family: Married (Grace Cavert); 2 children Military: U.S. Army, 1968-70; U.S. Army Reserves, 1965-71 Career: U.S. Senate, 2001-present; FL treasurer, insurance comm. & fire marshal, 1994-2000; U.S. House of Reps., 1978-90; FL House of Reps., 1972-78; Practicing atty., 1970-79, 1991-94; Legis. asst., FL Gov. Reubin Askew, 1971; Crew member, Space Shuttle Columbia, 1986

In Jan. 1986, Nelson spent six days orbiting Earth as a payload specialist aboard the space shuttle Columbia just two weeks before the space shuttle Challenger exploded during takeoff. Nelsons father, a lawyer and investor in Melbourne, FL, died when Nelson was 14 years old.

U.S. Rep. Connie Mack (R)

Age: 45, b. Aug. 12, 1967, Fort Myers, FL Home: Fort Myers, FL Education: U. of FL (B.S. 1993) Religion: Catholic Family: Married (Mary Bono Mack); 4 children Career: U.S. House of Reps., 2005present; FL House, 2000-03; Marketing consultant, 1994-2004

Great-grandson of Cornelius McGillicuddy, longtime owner and manager of the Philadelphia Athletics (now the Oakland Athletics). Husband of Rep. Mary Bono-Mack, GOP congresswoman from Calif. and widow of Sonny Bono. His father Connie Mack III held the same Congressional seat for three terms in the 1980s and went on to be U.S. senator. The man who won the seat after Mack III retired is Connies opponent in this race Sen. Bill Nelson.

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#16 HAWAII (D-Open-Akaka)

Cook Rating: LEAN D

About the race: Despite Hawaiis solidly blue leanings, the retirement of three-term Sen. Daniel Akaka (D) has left an open seat with a race that is turning out to be surprisingly competitive. The Republican nominee is fmr. Gov. Linda Lingle (R), who faces U.S. Rep. Mazie Hirono (D). Past election result: Daniel Akaka (D) 61%, Cynthia Thielen (R) 37%

U.S. Rep. Mazie Hirono (D)

Age (on election day): 65, b. Nov. 3, 1947, Fukushima, Japan Home: Honolulu, HI Education: U. of HI (B.A. 1970); Georgetown U. (J.D. 1978) Religion: Buddhist Family: Married (Leighton Kim Oshima); 1 child Career: U.S. House of Reps., 2007present; HI lt. gov. 1994-2002; Practicing atty., 1984-88; HI House of Reps., 1980-94; HI Dep. atty. gen., 1978-80

Election day is just 3 days after her 65th birthday Born in Fukushima, Japan and came to Hawaii when she was 8 years old First female immigrant of Asian ancestry to be sworn into Congressional office. Would be the first Buddhist elected to the U.S. Senate.

Linda Lingle (R), fmr. HI Gov.

Age: 59, b. June 4, 1953, St. Louis, MO Home: Honolulu, HI Education: Cal. St. U.Northridge (B.A. 1975) Religion: Jewish Family: Divorced Career: HI Gov., 2002-10; Mayor, Maui Cnty., 1990-98; Maui Cnty. Cncl., 1980-90; Founder and editor, Moloka'i Free Press, 1977-80

Lingle beat Rep. Hirono in Hawaiis 2002 race for governor. First female governor in Hawaii history and the only Republican elected there in the last 50 years. As part of this race, secured her own cable channel sandwiched between CNN and FOX that runs around-theclock information on Lingle and her campaign.

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#10 INDIANA (R-Open-Lugar)

Cook Rating: TOSS UP

About the race: About the race: Tea Party-backed Indiana Treasurer Richard Mourdock (R) defeated sixterm incumbent Sen. Dick Lugar (R) in an insurgent primary battle. But because of Mourdocks uncompromising style, moderate Democratic congressman Joe Donnelly has led narrowly in several polls in this conservative-leaning state. Mourdock recently stirred controversy in a debate by saying that even when life begins in that horrible situation of rape, that is something that God intended to happen. Mourdock later tried to clarify, saying he did not think God intended for rape to happen. Mourdocks non-incumbent, nontraditional status Lugar hasnt even appeared with Mourdock or cut an ad for him and the controversial remark give the Democratic nominee, Rep. Joe Donnelly (D), a shot at picking up the seat. Past election result: Richard Lugar (R) 87%, Steve Osborn (Lib) 13%

U.S. Rep. Joe Donnelly (D)

Age: 57, b. Sept. 29, 1955, Massapequa, NY Home: Granger, IN Education: U. of Notre Dame (B.A. 1977, J.D. 1981) Religion: Catholic. Family: Married (Jill); 2 children Career: U.S. House of Reps. 2007present; Mishawaka Marian High School Board, 1997-2001; Owner, Marking Solutions, 1996-2006; Practicing atty., 1981-96

Shares a birthday (Sept. 29) with Florida Sen. Bill Nelson (D), who is up for election this year. Donnelly is anti-abortion, opposes same sex marriage and is part of the fiscally conservative Democratic Blue Dog Coalition. Owned and operated a printing and rubber stamp company for 10 years.

Richard Mourdock (R), Indiana Treasurer

Age: b. Oct. 8, 1951, Wauseon, OH Home: Darmstadt, IN Education: Defiance Coll. (B.A. 1973); Ball State Univ. (1975) Religion: Christian Family: Wife (Marilyn) Career: IN St. Treas., 2007-present; principal, R.E. Mourdock and Assoc., 2000-2006; Vanderburgh Cty. Brd. of Commsnrs., 1995-2002; exec., Koester Co., 1984-2000; geologist, Standard Oil Co., 1979-1984; field geologist, AMAX Coal Co., 1975-1979

Defeated six-term Sen. Dick Lugar (R) 61% to 49% in the states Republican primary back in May. Mourdock is a pilot, has run in eight marathons, and used to build and race "open modified" race cars. Before being elected treasurer, lost three races for Congress, between 1988 and 1992. Filed a lawsuit to block the Chrysler auto bailout that went all the way to the Supreme Court.

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#2 MAINE (R-Open-Snowe)

Cook Rating: TOSS UP

About the race: With three-term Sen. Olympic Snowe (R) retiring, Maine could determine the balance of power in the Senate. Former two-term Gov. Angus King (I) is running as an independent and currently leads in statewide polls. But King has said he will not decide which party hell caucus with until he is elected. National Democrats are confident King will caucus with them and are not backing the Democratic nominee, state Sen. Cynthia Dill (D). The Republican nominee, Maine Secretary of State Charlie Summers (R), is hoping King and Dill will split enough votes to leave him on top. Past election result: Olympia Snowe (R) 74%, Jean Hay Bright (D) 21%, William Slavick (I) 5%

Angus King (I), fmr. ME Gov.

Age: 68, b. Mar. 31, 1944, Alexandria, VA Home: Brunswick, ME Education: Dartmouth Coll. (B.A. 1966) Univ. of VA (J.D. 1969) Religion: Episcopalian Family: Married (Mary Herman); 5 children (Angus III, Duncan, James, Ben, Molly) Career: Co-founder and co-owner, Independence Wind, 2007-12; ME Gov., 1995-2003; Fndr. & Pres., NE Energy Mgmt. Inc., 1989-94; VP & Gen. Cnsl., Swift River/Hafslund Co., 1983-89; TV talk show host, 1975-93; Practicing atty., 1975-83; Chief Cnsl., U.S. Sen. William Hathaway (D), 1972-75; Staff Atty., Pine Tree Legal Assistance, 1969-72

Spent almost 20 years as host of the public affairs show Maine Watch on the Maine Public Broadcasting Network. After his governorship, took an 15,000mile RV trip through 34 states with his wife and two of his kids. King, an independent, has not announced which party he will caucus with. But national Democrats are sitting the race out, hoping he will caucus with them.

Charlie Summers (R), Maine Sec. of State

Age: 52, b. Dec. 26, 1959, Danville, IL Home: Scarborough, ME Education: Univ. of Ill. (B.S. 1984) Religion: Methodist Family: Married (Ruth); 3 children (Tricia, Chas, Thomas) Military: Lt.-Cmdr., Public Affairs, U.S. Navy Reserve, 1996-present Career: ME Sec. of State, 2010present; New Eng. Reg. Admin., U.S. Sm. Bus. Admin., 2005-07; Candidate for U.S. House of Reps., 2004, 2008; State dir., U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe, 1995-04; Owner, Charlie's Beverage Warehouse, 1992-95; ME Senate, 1990-94

His father ran a hotel and restaurant in Illinois, where Summers worked growing up. His first wife died in a car accident in 1982 after the couple moved to Maine from Illinois, leaving him to raise their two children. Served in Iraq and Afghanistan with the U.S. Navy Reserve. In Afghanistan, served as asst. to Adm. Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Wife, Ruth, is running for his previous

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Cynthia Dill (D), ME state Sen.

Age: 47, b. Jan. 6, 1965, Carmel, NY Home: Cape Elizabeth, ME Education: Univ. of VT (B.A. 1987); Northeastern U. (J.D. 1990) Religion: Congregationalist Family: Married (Tom Clarke); 2 children (Isabel, Harrison) Career: ME Senate, 2011-present; ME House of Reps., 2006-11; Cape Elizabeth Twn. Cncl., 2006-08; Practicing atty., 1990present

Founded Friends of the Maine Woods in 2011, a state group advocating for the study and creation of a Maine Woods National Park. Supports the presidents health care overhaul, the Affordable Care Act, but thinks it should have gone even further by implementing a single-payer system. National Democrats have not backed Dill, hoping King will caucus with them if he wins.

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MARYLAND (D-Cardin)

Cook Rating: SOLID D

About the race: Incumbent Sen. Ben Cardin (D) should have no problem heading off challenger Dan Bongino (R), a former Secret Service agent. Past election result: Ben Cardin (D) 54%, Michael Steele 44%

Sen. Ben Cardin (D)

First elected 2006 Age: 69, b. Oct. 5, 1943, Baltimore, MD Home: Baltimore, MD Education: U. of Pittsburgh (B.A. 1964); U. of MD (LL.B., J.D. 1967) Religion: Jewish Family: Married (Myrna); 2 children (1 deceased) Career: U.S. House of Reps., 19872007; MD House of Dels., 196686 (Speaker, 197986; Chmn., Ways & Means Committee, MD, 1974-79); MD Legal Services Corp., 1988-95; Practicing atty., 196786

In his 2006 Senate campaign, defeated then-Lt. Gov. Michael Steele (R), who went on to head the Republican National Committee for two years following the 2008 election. The son and nephew of state legislators, Cardin was elected to the state House at the age of 23as soon as he was eligible to run. Cardin was part of the House committee that brought ethics charges against then-Speaker Newt Gingrich, which resulted in Gingrich eventually being reprimanded and penalized $300,000 for admitted ethics violations.

Dan Bongino (R), fmr. Secret Service Agent

Age: 37, b. Dec. 4, 1974, New York, NY Home: Severna Park, MD Education: City U. of NY (B.A., M.A.); Penn. St. Univ. (M.B.A.) Religion: Catholic Family: Married (Paula); 2 children (Isabel, Amelia) Career: U.S. Secret Service, 1999-2008 (Pres. Protection Div., 2006-2008; Secret Agt., 1999-2002); New York Police Dept., 1995-99

Met his wife, Paula, on a blind date at a New York restaurant two weeks before September 11, 2001. Served in the presidential protection division for President Bush and President Obama.

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#5 MASSACHUSETTS (R-Brown)

Cook Rating: TOSS UP

About the race: No Senate race this cycle is as high profile as the Bay States race for Ted Kennedys old seat. The race is also shaping up to be the most expensive Senate race in Massachusetts history. Sen. Scott Brown (R), who won an upset victory in a January 2010 special election for the seat, faces Harvard professor Elizabeth Warren (D), known for her role in establishing the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Past election result (2010 Special): Scott Brown (R) 52%, Martha Coakley (D)

Sen. Scott Brown (R)

First elected 2010 (special election) Age: 53, b. Sept. 12, 1959 , Wakefield, MA Home: Wrentham, MA Education: Tufts U. (B.A. 1981); Boston Coll. (J.D. 1985) Religion: Reformed Christian Family: Married (Gail Huff); 2 daughters Military: Col., Army Natl. Guard, JAG Corps, 1979-present Career: U.S. Senate, 2010-present; MA Senate, 2004-10; MA House, 1999-2004; Wrentham town assessor; Wrentham town selectman; Practicing attorney, 1985present

Revealed in his 2011 memoir, "Against All Odds," that he had been molested as a boy at a summer camp on Cape Cod. Scored nearly 1,000 points on the Tufts University basketball team. Won a 2010 special election to fill the seat left vacant by the death of longtime Democratic Sen. Edward Kennedy. Helped pay his law school bills by posing for a centerfold in the June 1982 edition of Cosmopolitan, a gig he got after his sister entered him into a contest to appear in the magazine. (Link: http://bit.ly/3vJ3WL)

Elizabeth Warren (D), law prof. and consumer advocate

Age: 63, b. June 22, 1949, Oklahoma City, OK Home: Cambridge, MA Education: Attended George Wash. Univ.; Univ. of Houston (B.S. 1970); Rutgers University (J.D. 1976) Religion: Methodist Family: Second marriage (Bruce Mann); 2 children (Amelia, Alex) Career: Asst. to the Pres. on Consumer Fin. Protection Bur., 2010-11; law prof., Harvard Univ., 1992-present; fmr. law prof., Univ. of Houston, Univ. of Michigan, Univ. of Penn., Univ. of Texas

Warrens father sold carpeting and worked as a maintenance man; her mother answered phones at Sears. Warren began waiting tables in her aunt's Mexican restaurant when she was 13. Headed the Congressional Oversight Panel for TARP, a panel charged with reviewing the nation's financial markets and regulatory system and reporting back to Congress. Tapped by Pres. Obama to set up the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, but Republicans blocked her from heading the agency.

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#18 MICHIGAN (D-Stabenow)

Cook Rating: LIKELY D

About the race: Two-term incumbent Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D) showed anemic approval ratings for months, giving Republicans and former Rep. Peter Hoekstra (R) optimism that Michigan could be a potential pickup this cycle. But Hoekstra has failed to gain ground on Stabenow and unless the presidential race gets more competitive in Michigan, Stabenow should enjoy a strong showing in November. Past election result: Debbie Stabenow (D) 57%, Mike Bouchard (R) 41%

Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D)

First elected 2000 Age: 62, b. April 29, 1950, Gladwin, MI Home: Lansing, MI Education: Mich. St. U. (B.A. 1972, M.S.W. 1975) Religion: United Methodist Family: Divorced; 2 children Career: U.S. Senate, 2001-present; U.S. House of Reps 1997-2001; Consultant & cofounder, MI Leadership Inst., 199596; MI Senate, 199094; MI House of Reps., 197890; Ingham Cnty. Commissioner, 197578

Chair of the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee. Grew up in Clare, MI where her father was an Oldsmobile dealer and her mother was a nurse. As a young woman, marched in antiwar rallies during Vietnam and volunteered for George McGoverns 1972 presidential campaign.

Peter Hoekstra (R), fmr. U.S. Rep.

Age: 59, b. Oct. 30, 1953, Groningen, Netherlands Home: Holland, MI Education: Hope Col. (B.A. 1975); U. of MI (M.B.A. 1977) Religion: Reformed Church of America Family: Married (Diane); 3 children Career: U.S. House of Reps., 19932011; Furniture exec., Herman Miller Co., 197792

Born in Groningen, Netherlands; immigrated to the United States with his parents in 1957. Ran unsuccessfully for the Republican nomination for Michigan governor in 2010. A reliable conservative, Hoekstra helped develop the GOP's 1994 Contract with America.

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MINNESOTA (D-Klobuchar)

Cook Rating: SOLID D

About the race: Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D) will face state Rep. Kurt Bills (R) in her bid for a second term. Polling gives Klobuchar a healthy advantage over the unknown and underfunded Bills. Past election result: Amy Klobuchar 58%, Mark Kennedy (R) 38%

Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D)

First elected 2006 Age: 52, b. May 25, 1960, Plymouth, MN Home: Minneapolis, MN Education: Yale U. (B.A. 1982); U. of Chicago (J.D. 1985) Religion: Protestant Family: Married (John Bessler); 1 daughter Career: U.S. Senate, 2007-present; Hennepin Cnty. atty., 1998-2006; Practicing atty., 1985-98

Daughter of longtime Minneapolis Star Tribune columnist Jim Klobuchar. Struck a rare alliance with Rep. Michele Bachmann supporting federal funding for a replacement to the St. Croix River Bridge connecting Minnesota and Wisconsin at Stillwater. Has made a point to visit each of the state's 87 counties during every year of her Senate term. Her first job was working as a carhop at A&W.

Kurt Bills (R), MN state Sen.

Age: 42, b. Jan. 8, 1970, Sauk Prarie, WI Home: Rosemount, MN Education: Winona St. Univ. (B.S., B.A., M.A.) Religion: Christian Family: Married (Cindy); 4 children (Kyla, Cassandra, Hayden, Olivia) Career: MN House of Reps., 2010present; Rosemont City Cncl., 2008-10; Teacher, Rosemount H.S., 1996-present

Longtime economics teacher and wrestling coach at Rosemount High School. Spoke in support of Ron Paul during the GOP presidential primaries. Made a late entrance into the Senate race after it failed to attract a number of big-name GOP prospects including former Gov. Tim Pawlenty, former Sen. Norm Coleman, U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann.

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MISSISSIPPI (R-Wicker)

Cook Rating: SOLID R

About the race: Sen. Roger Wicker (R) will have little trouble fending off a challenge from Al Gore Jr. (D), a retired Methodist minister and Army chaplain said to be a distant relative of Vice President Al Gore. Past election result: Roger Wicker (R) 55%, Ronnie Musgrove (D) 45%

Sen. Roger Wicker (R)

Appointed Dec. 2007; First elected 2008 Age: 61, b. July 5, 1951, Pontotoc, MS Home: Tupelo, MS Education: U. of Miss. (B.A. 1973, J.D. 1975) Religion: Baptist Family: Married (Gayle); 3 children Military: Air Force, 197680; Air Force Reserve, 19802004 Career: U.S. Senate, 2007-present; U.S. House of Reps., 1995-2007; MS Senate, 198794; Tupelo city judge pro tem, 198687; Lee Cnty. public defender, 198487; Practicing atty., 198294; Staff, U.S. House Rules Cmte., 198082; Bd. of Visitors, U.S. Naval Academy, 2005

Appointed to the Senate in late 2007 by Gov. Haley Barbour to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Trent Lott. Served as a U.S. House page and campaign worker in the first congressional race of Thad Cochran, now his fellow U.S. Senator from Mississippi. Served as student body president at Ole Miss during college.

Albert Gore, Jr. (D), fmr. Oktibbeha Cty. Dem. Party chair
Age: 82, b. April 28, 1930, Toccopola, MS Home: Starkville, MS Education: Millsaps College (B.A.); Duke University (M.Div.) Religion: Methodist Family: First wife deceased; Remarried (Bobbie); 2 children, 2 stepchildren Military: Col. (Ret.), Chaplain, U.S. Army Spc. Forces Career: Fmr. Chmn., Oktibbeha Cty. Dem. Party; Retired Methodist minister

Says he thinks he is distantly related to former Vice President Al Gore, but does not know how. Has said he is not accepting donations from PACs and is running a "low-key campaign," mostly using his own money. At 82 years old, Gore is making his first run for elected office.

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#14 MISSOURI (D-McCaskill)

Cook Rating: LIKELY D

About the race: In one of the countrys most talked-about Senate races, Republicans had Sen. Claire McCaskill (D) as one of their top targets for Senate pickups until her challenger, U.S. Rep. Todd Akin (R), set off a firestorm after using the phrase legitimate rape in an interview discussing abortion. Past election result: Claire McCaskill (D) 50%, Jim Talent (R) 47%

Sen. Claire McCaskill (D)

First elected 2006 Age: 59, b. July 24, 1953, Rolla, MO Home: St. Louis, MO Education: U. of MO (B.S. 1975, J.D. 1978) Religion: Catholic Family: Married (Joseph Shepard); 7 children Career: U.S. Senate, 2007-present; MO auditor, 1998-2006; Jackson Cnty. prosecutor, 1992-98; Jackson Cnty. legislature, 1990-92; Practicing atty., 1983-92; MO House of Reps., 1982-88; Asst. Jackson Cnty. prosecutor, 1978-82; Law clerk, MO Court of Appeals, 1978

McCaskills father served for a time as state insurance commissioner and her mother was the first female city council member in the town of Columbia, MO. Considered a potential running mate for President Obama in 2008. Lost a 2004 gubernatorial race to GOP Secy. of State, Matt Blunt (R), son of Sen. Roy Blunt (R). The elder Blunt is now her colleague in the Senate.

U.S. Rep. Todd Akin (R)

Age: 65, b. July 5, 1947, New York, NY Home: Town and Country, MO Education: Worcester Polytech Inst. (MA), (B.S. 1971); Covenant Theological Seminary (MO), (M. Div. 1985) Religion: Presbyterian Family: Married (Lulli); 6 children (Wynn, Perry, Micah, Ezra, Hannah, Abigail) Military: Army Reserves 1972-80 Career: U.S. House of Reps., 2001-present; MO House of Reps., 1988-2000; Mgmt. dir., Laclede Steel, 1977-80; Marketing mgr., IBM, 1974-78

Still lives in his boyhood home, a 60year-old farmhouse in Town and Country, MO. Ignored calls to quit the race from Republicans, including Mitt Romney and all five living Republicans who have represented Missouri in the U.S. Senate. Started in politics in 1987, when Gov. John Ashcroft (R) (and future U.S. Atty. Gen.) appointed him to the Bicentennial Commission of the U.S. Constitution.

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#3 MONTANA (D-Tester)

Cook Rating: TOSS UP

About the race: Sen. Jon Tester (D) won this seat in the 2006 Democratic wave. Now he faces a tough challenge from Montanas at-large U.S. Rep. Denny Rehberg (R). Past election result: Jon Tester 49%, Conrad Burns (R) 48%

Sen. Jon Tester (D)

First elected 2006 Age: 56, b. Aug. 21, 1956, Havre, MT Home: Big Sandy, MT Education: U. of Great Falls (B.S. 1978) Religion: Christian Family: Married (Sharla); 2 children Career: U.S. Senate, 2007-present; MT Senate, 1998-2006 (MT Senate pres., 2005-06); Big Sandy Schl. Bd., 1982-92; Music teacher, Big Sandy Schl. Dist., 1978-80; Custom butcher, T-Bone Farms, 1978-98; Farmer, T-Bone Farms, 1978-present

Grew up on the same prairie land his grandparents homesteaded almost a century ago. Lost three fingers on his left hand in a meat grinder accident as a child. His hometown, Big Sandy, is home to Big Bud 747, the largest farm tractor in the world. Still runs his family's farm, which grows organic wheat, barley, lentils, peas, millet, buckwheat, alfalfa and hay.

U.S. Rep. Dennis Denny Rehberg (R)

Age: 57, b. Oct. 5, 1955, Billings, MT Home: Billings, MT Education: Wash. St. U. (B.A. 1977) Religion: Episcopalian Family: Married (Jan); 3 children Career: U.S. House of Reps., 2001present; MT lt. gov., 1991-96; MT House of Reps., 1984-90; Rancher, 1982-present; Leg. asst., U.S. Rep. Ron Marlenee, 1979-82

Began his political career right out of college as a staffer for Montana Rep. Ron Marlenee (R) in 1979. Rehbergs father, Jack, is a former legislator and longtime GOP activist involved in redrawing legislative districts after the 1990 and 2000 census counts. This is Rehbergs second run for the U.S. Senate; he lost a close race in 1996 to incumbent Sen. Max Baucus.

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#1 NEBRASKA (D-Open-Ben Nelson)

Cook Rating: LIKELY R

About the race: Two-term Sen. Ben Nelson (D) is retiring, leaving Nebraska a prime target for Republicans to pick up a Senate seat. Democrats have nominated former Nebraska Gov. and Sen. (and 1992 presidential candidate) Bob Kerrey (D) to try to hold the seat. He faces state Sen. Debra Fischer (R), who, despite little name recognition, will benefit from Nebraskas conservative electorate. Past election result: Ben Nelson (D) 64%, Pete Rickets (R) 36%

Bob Kerrey (D), fmr. NE Gov., fmr. U.S. Sen.

Age: 69, b. Aug 27, 1943, Lincoln, NE Home: Omaha, NE Education: U. of Neb. (B.S. 1966) Religion: First Methodist Church Family: Married (Sarah Paley); 2 children (Benjamin, Lindsey) Military: U.S. Navy SEAL, 1966-69 (Vietnam) Career: Pres., The New School, 2001-10; Presidential candidate, 1992; U.S. Senate, 1988-2000; NE Gov., 1983-1987; Small bus. owner/restaurateur, 1972-present

As a Navy SEAL in Vietnam, directed an attack after losing part of his right leg in a grenade blast, for which he was awarded the Medal of Honor. Was a registered Republican for 14 years but switched to the Democratic Party in 1978. Served on the 9/11 Commission. GOP Super PACs have already spent more than $1 million on ads criticizing Kerreys recent residency in New York City. Dated actress Debra Winger for a time while he was Nebraska Governor.

Debra Fischer (R), NE state Sen.

Age: 61, b. March 1, 1951, Lincoln, NE Home: Valentine, NE Education: U. of Neb. (B.S. 1988) Religion: Protestant Family: Married (Bruce); 3 children (Adam, Morgan, Luke) Career: NE Senate, 2004-present; Valentine School Brd., 1990-2004; Rancher, Sunny Slope Ranch, 1972present

Known for lining up numerous advocates to speak at hearings in favor of bills she supported, who some lawmakers dubbed "Fischer's army." Beat out state Attorney General Jon Bruning and state Treasurer Don Stenberg in the GOP primary despite both being better known and better financed. In the primary, garnered endorsements from Sarah Palin. Marco Rubio, John McCain and Herman Cain.

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#8 NEVADA (R-Heller)

Cook Rating: TOSS UP

About the race: Sen. Dean Heller (R), a former congressman from Nevada, was appointed to the seat after Sen. John Ensign (R) resigned in advance of a harshly critical Senate Ethics Committee report on his extramarital affair with the wife of a former aide and allegations of hush-money. Heller defends his seat for the first time against Rep. Shelley Berkley (D). Past election result: John Ensign (R) 55%, Jack Carter (D) 41%

Sen. Dean Heller (R)

Appointed May 2011 Age: 52, b. May 10, 1960, Castro Valley, CA Home: Carson City, NV Education: Univ. of So. Calif. (B.A. 1985) Religion: Mormon Family: Married (Lynne); 4 children Career: U.S. Senate, 2011-present; U.S. House of Reps., 2007-11; NV sec. of state, 1994-2006; NV Assembly, 1990-94; Public funds rep., Bank of America, 1990-95; Chief deputy state treas., 1988-90; Stockbroker, 1983-88

Got his first taste of politics as a boy when his newspaper route included deliveries at the Nevada state Capitol in Carson City. In his first House primary in 2006, Heller defeated Sharron Angle, who went on to challenge Sen. Maj. Leader Harry Reid in 2010. Heller is the only appointed Senator facing his first election this cycle.

U.S. Rep. Shelley Berkley (D)

Age: 61, b. Jan. 20, 1951, New York (Manhattan), NY Home: Las Vegas, NV Education: U.N.L.V. (B.A. 1972); U. of San Diego (J.D. 1976) Religion: Jewish Family: Married (Dr. Larry Lehrner); 4 children Career: U.S. House of Reps., 1999present; Regent, Univ. & Commnty. Col. System of NV, 1990-98; Chair, NV Hotel & Motel Assn., 1994; VP, Sands Hotel, 1989-98; NV Assembly, 1982-84; Cnsl., SW Gas Corp., 1977-82

Born on Manhattans Lower East Side but moved to Las Vegas as a child. Faced controversy in her first congressional race over a taped phone conversation in which she seemed to advise Sands owner Sheldon Adelson, now a GOP mega-donor, to trade campaign contributions for favors.

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#16 NEW JERSEY (D-Menendez)

Cook Rating: LIKELY D

About the race: Sen. Bob Menendez (D) is unlikely to face too much resistance despite having a strong opponent in state Sen. Joe Kyrillos (R). Past election result: Robert Menendez (D) 53%, Thomas Kean Jr. (R) 44%

Sen. Robert Bob Menendez (D)

Appointed Jan. 2006; First elected 2006 Age: 58, b. Jan. 1, 1954, New York, NY Home: North Bergen, NJ Education: St. Peter's Col. (B.A. 1976); Rutgers Law Schl. (J.D. 1979) Religion: Catholic Family: Divorced; 2 children Career: U.S. Senate, 2006-present; U.S. House of Reps., 1993-2006; NJ Senate, 199192; NJ Assembly, 198791; Union City mayor, 198692; Practicing atty., 1980-92; Union City Bd. of Ed., 197482

Appointed to the Senate in 2006 by then-Gov. Jon Corzine, who vacated the seat to become governor. As 2010 chair of the committee in charge of electing Democrats to the Senate, Menendez is credited with holding the Democratic Senate majority despite an overwhelming Republican wave. Got into politics early, winning election to the Union City, NJ school board at age 20.

Joe Kyrillos (R), NJ state Sen.

Age: 52, b. April 12, 1960, Kearny, NJ Home: Middletown, NJ Education: Hobart Coll. (B.A. 1982); Boston Univ. (M.S. 1983) Religion: Presbyterian Family: Married (Susan Doctorian); 2 children (Max, Georgia) Career: Adviser, Newport Capital, 2009-present; Chair, NJ Repub. Cmte., 2001-04; NJ Senate, 1992-present (Maj. Ldr., 19972001, Min. Ldr., 2002-03); NJ Gen. Assembly, 1988-91; Spec. asst., U.S. Interior Secy., 1985-87; staffer, ReaganBush campaign (1984)

Chaired Chris Christies 2009 campaign for governor and served as New Jersey state chair for Mitt Romneys 2008 presidential campaign. A close ally of Gov. Christie, Kyrillos is a longtime New Jersey Republican insider. Ran for U.S. House in 1992, but lost. Mitt Romney headlined a fundraiser for Kyrillos in April. Made headlines for vocally opposing reality TV star Nicole 'Snooki' Polizzi's 2011 appearance at Rutgers University, for which she was paid $32,000.

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#13 NEW MEXICO (D-Open-Bingaman)

Cook Rating: LEAN D

About the race: The retirement of five-term Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D) leaves this seat open. New Mexicos Democratic tilt will make it difficult for former U.S. Rep. Heather Wilson (R) to top U.S. Rep. Martin Heinrich (D), despite both candidates running strong races. Past election result: Jeff Bingaman (D) 71%, Allen McCulloch (R) 29%

U.S. Rep. Martin Heinrich (D)

Age: 41, b. Oct. 17, 1971, Fallon, NV Home: Albuquerque, NM Education: U. of MO (B.S.E. 1995) Religion: Lutheran Family: Married (Julie); 2 children Career: U.S. House of Reps., 2009present; Albuquerque City Cncl., 2004-07 (Pres., 2006-07); New Mexico National Resources Trustee; Exec. Dir., Cottonwood Gulch Foundation

The son of an electrician and factory worker, Heinrich has positioned himself as a defender of working-class New Mexicans in this campaign. Was elected in New Mexico's 1st Congressional District in 2008, the first Democrat to win the Albuquerque-area district in 40 years. After college, worked for a time running the Cottonwood Gulch Foundation, which runs wilderness adventure expeditions in the Southwest.

Heather Wilson (R), fmr. U.S. Rep.

Age: 51, b. Dec. 30, 1960, Keene, NH Home: Albuquerque, NM Education: U.S. Air Force Academy (B.S. 1982); Oxford Univ. (M.A. 1984; PhD, 1985) Religion: Methodist Family: Married (Jay Hone); 3 children (Scott, Joshua, Caitlin) Military: Officer, U.S. Air Force, 1978-89; Defense Planning Officer, NATO, 1978-89 Career: U.S House of Reps. 1998-2008; Secy., New Mexico Dept. of Children, Youth and Families, 1995-98; Pres. and founder, Keystone International, 1991-95; Dir. Def. Policy and Arms Ctrl., Natl. Sec. Cncl., 1989-91

Graduated from the Air Force Academy and went on to be a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford. Ran unsuccessfully to fill the seat of retiring Senator Pete Domenici (R) in 2008, but lost in a bruising Republican primary to congressman Steve Pearce. Served on the National Security Council during the George H.W. Bush administration before she turned 30

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NEW YORK (D-Gillibrand)

Cook Rating: SOLID D

About the race: Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D) laid to rest any doubts about her appeal as a statewide candidate when she won a special election in 2010 with 63 percent of the vote. She has only continued to solidify her position and approaches November with $10.5 million in the bank and a healthy lead over Republican attorney Wendy Long (R). Past election result: Kirsten Gillibrand (D) 63%, Joseph DioGuardi (R) 35%

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D)

Appointed Jan. 2009; First elected 2010 Age: 45, b. Dec. 9, 1966, Albany, NY Home: Hudson, NY Education: Dartmouth Coll. (A.B. 1988); U.C.L.A. (J.D. 1991) Religion: Catholic Family: Married (Jonathan); 2 children Career: U.S. Senate, 2009-present; U.S. House of Reps., 2007-09; Practicing atty., 1991-2006; Special counsel, HUD, 2000

Sixth member of Congress to have a child while serving Appointed by Gov. David Paterson to fill Hillary Clintons Senate seat in 2009 Father is an attorney and lobbyist with ties to a top aide to former Gov. George Pataki (R); grandmother was a prominent Democratic activist in Albany Briefly served as a special counsel for Housing and Urban Development Secretary Andrew Cuomo

Wendy Long (R), conservative atty.

Age: 52, b. Jun 21, 1960, Worcester, MA Home: New York City, NY Education: Dartmouth Coll. (A.B. 1982); Northwestern U. (J.D. 1995) Religion: Roman Catholic Family: Married (Arthur); 2 children (Arthur, Mado) Career: Practicing attorney (Kirkland & Ellis, LLP); chief cnsl., Judicial Confirmation Network (now Judicial Crisis Network), 2005-10; clerk, U.S. Supreme Court (Thomas), 1997-98; clerk, U.S. Court of Appeals (Judge Ralph Winter, 2nd Circuit); press secy., Sen. William L. Armstrong (R-CO); press secy., Sen. Gordon Humphrey (R-NH)

Teaches Roman Catholic catechism in New York City for the Narnia program. Member of the New York City Parks Mounted Auxiliary Unit. As part of her work with the Judicial Confirmation Network, lobbied heavily in favor of confirming Chief Justice Roberts and Justice Samuel Alito as well as against the confirmation of Justice Sonia Sotomayor.

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#4 NORTH DAKOTA (D-Open-Conrad)

Cook Rating: TOSS UP

About the race: With four-term Sen. Kent Conrad (D) retiring, former North Dakota Attorney General Heidi Heitkamp (D) is giving the states at-large U.S. Rep. Rick Berg (R) a run for his money in a state that is usually dependably red. Past election result: Kent Conrad (D) 69%, Dwight Grotberg (R) 30%

Heidi Heitkamp (D), fmr. ND Atty. Gen.

Age (on election day): 57, b. Oct. 30, 1955, Mantador, ND Home: Mandan, ND Education: Univ. of No. Dakota (B.A., 1977); Lewis & Clark Law School (J.D. 1980) Religion: Roman Catholic Family: Married (Darwin); 2 children (Ali, Nathan) Career: Brd. of Dir., Dakota Gasification Co., 2001-present; ND atty. gen., 1993-2000; ND tax commsnr., 1986-92; attorney, ND Tax Commission, 1981-86.; attorney, Environ. Protection Agncy., 1980-81

Has six brothers and sisters, including her brother Joel, a talk radio host in Fargo, ND and a former Dem. state sen. Seeking to replace retiring 26-year Sen. Kent Conrad (D) . She also replaced him as tax commissioner in 1986 when he first won this Senate seat. Heitkamp's Senate bid is the sixth statewide race of her career. Her first race was in 1984, when she lost to incumbent state auditor Robert Peterson (R).

U.S. Rep. Rick Berg (R)

Age: 53, b. Aug. 16, 1959, Maddock, ND Home: Fargo, ND Education: ND St. Univ. (B.S. 1981) Religion: Lutheran Family: Married (Tracy Martin); 1 child Career: U.S. House of Reps., 2011present; ND House, 1984-2010 (speaker, 1993; maj. ldr., 2003-09); Founder, broker, Goldmark Schlossman Commercial Real Estate Svcs, 1981-2006

Went to No. Dakota St. College on a wrestling scholarship. Spent his summers growing up hauling bales, custom harvesting, and working cattle. Decided to run for Congress soon after the House passed the health care overhaul bill in Nov. 2009.

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#11 OHIO (D-Brown)

Cook Rating: LEAN D

About the race: Incumbent first-term Sen. Sherrod Brown (D) faces a tough challenge from state Treasurer Josh Mandel (R). Brown enjoys an advantage over Mandel, an effective fundraiser and campaigner, but the seat is not safe by any measure given how close the presidential race is in Ohio and given the fact that outside Republican groups are spending lots of money on advertising in this Senate race. Past election result: Sherrod Brown (D) 56%, Mike DeWine (R) 44%

Sen. Sherrod Brown (D)

First elected 2006 Age: 59, b. Nov. 9, 1952, Mansfield, OH Home: Avon, OH Education: Yale U. (B.A. 1974); OH St. U. (M.A. 1979, M.A. 1981) Religion: Lutheran Family: Married (Connie Schultz); 4 children Career: U.S. Senate, 2007-present; U.S. House of Reps., 1993-2007; OH secy. of state, 1982-90; OH House of Reps., 1974-82; Prof., Ohio State-Mansfield, 1979, 1981, 1991

Turns 60 years old the Friday after the election. Got his interest in politics from his mother, Emily, who grew up in Georgia and was active in the civil rights movement through her work as the president of the local YWCA. His father, Charles Brown, was a registered Republican until Sen. Brown ran for public office.

Josh Mandel (R), Ohio Treasurer

Age: 35, b. Sept. 27, 1977, Cleveland, OH Home: Beachwood, OH Education: OH St. U. (B.A. 2000); Case Wstrn. Rsrv. U. (J.D. 2003) Religion: Jewish Family: Married (Ilana Mandel) Military: U.S. Marine Corps Reserves, 2000-08 Career: OH Treas., 2011-present; OH House, 2007-10; Lyndhurst City Council, 2004-06

In his eight years in the Marine Corps Reserves, served two tours in Iraqs Anbar Province as an Intelligence Specialist. Grandson of Jewish immigrants who braved World War II persecution in Poland and Italy. Played quarterback in high school for Beachwood High School in Cleveland.

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#19 PENNSYLVANIA (D-Casey)

Cook Rating: LEAN D

About the race: Sen. Bob Casey (D) appeared to be in good shape in his re-election bid, but the Republican candidate, Tom Smith (R), is a self-made coal businessman who has been willing to put millions of his own money into the campaign. The race has quietly become competitive, with polls showing the race within single digits going into November. Past election result: Robert Casey, Jr. (D) 59%, Rick Santorum (R) 41%

Sen. Robert Bob Casey, Jr. (D)

First elected 2006 Age: 52, b. April 13, 1960, Scranton, PA Home: Scranton, PA Education: Col. of the Holy Cross (B.A. 1982); Catholic U. (J.D. 1988) Religion: Catholic Family: Married (Terese); 4 daughters (Elyse, Caroline, Julia, Marena) Career: U.S. Senate, 2007-present; PA st. treas., 2004-06; PA aud. gen., 1996-2004; Practicing atty., 1988-96

Delivered a crushing 18-point defeat to future presidential candidate Sen. Rick Santorum (R) in the 2006 race for this seat. Grew up in the same area of Scranton, PA as Vice President Joe Biden, though Biden moved away two years before Caseys birth. Caseys father, Robert Casey Sr., served two terms as Pennsylvania Governor. After college, taught fifth grade and coached eighth grade basketball in an inner-city Philadelphia school for the Jesuit Volunteer Corps.

Tom Smith (R), self-made coal co. owner

Age: 65, b. Oct. 20, 1947, Kittaning Home: Shelocta, PA Education: Elderton High School (1965) Religion: Lutheran Family: Married (Saundy); 7 children Career: Owner, coal businesses, 19892010; Plumcreek Township Board of Supervisors, 1974-81; worked in the coal mines after high school

After he sold his coal businesses in 2010, returned to the family farm about 40 miles northeast of Pittsburgh, where he still lives. Spent millions of his own money to win a five-way Republican primary in April. Despite being a longtime conservative, Smith didn't join the Republican Party until two months before he declared his Senate candidacy.

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RHODE ISLAND (D-Whitehouse)

Cook Rating: SOLID D

About the race: Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D) should not have too much trouble defeating his Republican challenger, software executive Barry Hinckley (R). Past election result: Sheldon Whitehouse (D) 54%, Lincoln Chaffee 46%

Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D)

First elected 2006 Age: 57, b. Oct. 20, 1955, New York, NY Home: Providence, RI Education: Yale U. (B.A. 1978); U. of VA (J.D. 1982) Religion: Protestant Family: Married (Sandra); 2 children Career: U.S. Senate, 2007-present; Practicing atty., 2003-2006; RI Atty. Gen., 1998-2002; U.S. atty. for RI, 1994-1998; Director, RI Dept. of Business Regulation, 1992-1994; Policy director, Gov. Bruce Sundlun, 1992; Legal counsel, Gov. Bruce Sundlun, 1991; RI spec. asst. atty. gen., 1984-90

Whitehouse is a descendant of Charles Crocker, one of Californias Big Four men who built the Central Pacific Railroad. With diplomats for a father and grandfather, Whitehouse spent much of his upbringing overseas in countries like Cambodia, South Africa and the Philippines. Ran for governor in 2002, but lost in the Democratic primary by 926 votes.

Barry Hinckley (R), software entrepreneur

Age: 46, b. Apr. 18, 1966, Ellsworth, ME Home: Newport, RI Education: Univ. of CO (B.A.) Religion: Protestant Career: Co-founder and pres., Bullhorn Software, 1999-2009; sales and mgmt., GTE Internetworking (fmrly. BBN Technologies)

Named one of Boston Bus. Journal's "40 under 40" successful businessmen in 2005. A descendant of Col. James Barrett, who commanded the Minutemen that fought the British at Concord. In July 2011, rode his bicycle through all 39 of Rhode Island's cities and towns on a "Ride4Jobs" to draw attention to what he calls a "jobs crisis." An avid pilot and former professional sailboat racer.

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TENNESSEE (R-Corker)

Cook Rating: SOLID R

About the race: Sen. Bob Corker (R), who narrowly beat then-U.S. Rep. Harold Ford (D) for this Senate seat in 2006, should have no trouble this time around. The Democratic nominee, self-described author and anti-gay rights activist Mark Clayton (D), has been disavowed by the state Democratic Party for his affiliation with a D.C.-based advocacy group that the Southern Poverty Law Center has labeled an active anti-gay group. Past election result: Bob Corker (R) 51%, Harold Ford, Jr. (D) 48%

Sen. Bob Corker (R)

First elected 2006 Age: 60, b. Aug. 24, 1952, Orangeburg, SC Home: Chattanooga, TN Education: U. of Tenn. (B.S. 1974) Religion: Protestant Family: Married (Elizabeth); 2 children Career: U.S. Senate, 2007-present; Chattanooga mayor, 2001-05; Commissioner, TN Dept. of Fin. and Admin., 1995-96; Owner, Corker Group, 1982-2006; Owner, Bencor Corp., 1978-90

At age 40, sold the successful construction company he founded just a few years out of college. Narrowly defeated Rep. Harold Ford, Jr. 51% to 48% in the 2006 race for this seat. Helped create Chattanooga Neighborhood Enterprise, a non-profit organization designed to get lowincome families into affordable housing. Jobs growing up included picking up trash, bagging ice and working construction.

Mark Clayton (D), activist

Age: 36, b. Aug. 27, 1976, Mobile, AL Home: Whites Creek, TN Education: Pensacola Christian College (B.A. 2002) Religion: Christian Family: Single Career: Currently works for a moving company but has worked numerous jobs including selling life insurance, siding and roofs; unpaid Vice Pres., Public Advocate of the U.S. (D.C.-based conservative advocacy group); U.S. Senate candidate, 2008

Began training to be an aircraft electrician in the U.S. Army Reserve but left. Lives in a 1920s-era farmhouse in Whites Creek, TN with his dog, Saint. Has been disavowed by the state party for his role as an unpaid Vice President of the group Public Advocate of the United States, which is labeled an antigay group by the Southern Poverty Law Center.

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#20 TEXAS (R-Open-Hutchison)

Cook Rating: SOLID R

About the race: The real race to replace three-term Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R) came in the Republican primary, when Tea Party favorite and fmr. Texas Solicitor General Ted Cruz (R) defeated Lt. Gov David Dewhurst (R) in a run-off. Cruz is all but assured victory in November against fmr. state Rep. Paul Sadler (D). Past election result: Kay Bailey Hutchison (R) 62%, Barbara Radnofsky (D) 36%

Ted Cruz (R), fmr. TX Solicitor Gen.

Age: 41, b. Dec. 22, 1970, Calgary, Alberta, Canada Home: Houston, TX Education: Princeton Univ. (A.B. 1992); Harvard Univ. (J.D. 1995) Religion: Baptist Family: Married (Heidi); 2 daughters Career: Practicing atty., 1997present; law professor, Univ. of Texas, 2004-2009; TX Solicitor Gen., 2003-08; Dir., Office of Policy Planning, Fed. Trade Commsn., 2001-03; U.S. Assoc. Depty. Atty. Gen., 2001; clerk, U.S. Supreme Court (Chief Just. Rehnquist), 1996-97; Clerk, U.S. Court of Appeals (Judge J. Michael Luttig, 4th Circuit), 1995-96

Born in Calgary in the Canadian province of Alberta, where his parents worked in the oil industry. His father, Rafael, was born in Cuba and fought with Fidel Castro's rebels before they triumphed and embraced communism. At Harvard Law, was editor of the Law Review and founder of the Latino Law Review.

Paul Sadler (D), fmr. TX state Rep.

Age: 57, b. May 12, 1955, Freer, TX Home: Henderson, TX Education: Baylor Univ. (B.B.A., 1977; J.D. 1979) Religion: Baptist Family: Married (Sherri); 5 children Career: Exec. dir., Wind Coalition; 2008-2012; TX House of Reps., 19912003; practicing atty.

A moderate who served as chair of the House Public Education Committee in the Texas statehouse, Sadler was on Texas Monthly's "10 Best" list in four of the six sessions he served. Worked with then-Gov. George W. Bush while serving in the Texas statehouse and drew praise from him for effective work.

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UTAH (R-Hatch)

Cook Rating: SOLID R

About the race: The primary was much more important than the general election in this race. Six-term Sen. Orrin Hatch (R) fended off an insurgent primary challenge from Tea Party-backed former state Sen. Dan Liljenquist (R). Hatch is expected to win easily against fmr. state Senate Minority Leader Scott Howell (D). Past election result: Orrin Hatch (R) 63%, Pete Ashdown (D) 31%

Sen. Orrin Hatch (R)

First elected 1976 Age: 78, b. March 22, 1934, Pittsburgh, PA Home: Salt Lake City, UT Education: Brigham Young U. (B.S. 1959); U. of Pittsburgh (J.D. 1962) Religion: Mormon Family: Married (Elaine); 6 children Career: U.S. Senate, 1977-present; Practicing atty., 196276

Hatchs family lost their home during the Great Depression and lived for a time in a shelter with no plumbing made of salvaged wood and metal. Worked his way through BYU as a janitor a metal lather (his fathers profession). Hatch is the longest serving Republican in the Senate other than Richard Lugar (IN), who is leaving the Senate after suffering a primary defeat earlier this year.

Scott Howell (D), fmr. IBM executive

Age: 59, b. Sep. 28, 1953, Provo, UT Home: Salt Lake City, UT Education: Attended Dixie St. Coll.; Univ. of Utah (B.S. 1978) Religion: Mormon Family: Married (Linda); 4 children (Bryan, Bradley, Jason, Jeffrey) Career: IBM, 1978-2012 (last position was exec. of Public Sector Operations); candidate, U.S. Senate, 2000; UT Sen., 1990-2000 (Dem. Ldr., 1992-2000);

The son of educators, Howells father was a school principal and his mother a kindergarten teacher. Went to junior college on a football scholarship before spending two years in England as a Mormon missionary. Hired during his college junior year, Howell spent 34 years with IBM.

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VERMONT (I-Sanders)

Cook Rating: SOLID D

About the race: First-term incumbent Sen. Bernie Sanders (I) runs as an independent but caucuses with Democrats. As such, no Democrat even filed to challenge him in November. Sanders will face John MacGovern (R), a former member of the Massachusetts state legislature. Past election result: Bernie Sanders (I) 65%, Richard Tarrant (R) 32%

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I)

First elected 2006 Age: 71, b. Sept. 8, 1941, New York, NY Home: Burlington, VT Education: Attended Brooklyn Col.; U. of Chicago (B.A. 1964) Religion: Jewish Family: Married (Jane OMeara Sanders); 4 children Career: U.S. Senate, 2007-present; U.S. House of Reps., 1991-2007; Burlington mayor, 1981-89; Dir., Amer. Peoples Historical Soc., 1977-81; Lecturer, Harvard U., 1989; Prof., Hamilton Col., 1990; Writer

Grew up in the Flatbush section of Brooklyn, the son of a paint salesman who emigrated from Poland; his mother died when he was a teenager. Moved to Vermont as part of the hippie migration of 1968 and worked as a carpenter. In 1972, Sanders ran for U.S. Senate in Vermont as part of the socialist Liberty Union Party but lost, winning just 2% of the vote.

John MacGovern (R), fmr. MA state Rep.

Age: 61, b. Jul 14, 1951, Cambridge, MA Home: Windsor, VT Education: Dartmouth Coll. (B.A. 1980) Religion: Catholic Family: Married (Fiona) Career: Small business owner; MA House of Reps., 1983-90

Born in Cambridge, MA and raised on a dairy farm in Harvard, MA. Self-described co-founder of conservative Dartmouth newspaper, The Dartmouth Review. Currently runs the Hanover Institute, which he describes as an independent group of Dartmouth alumni formed to protect their voice in an expanded governing board.

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#7 VIRGINIA (D-Open-Webb)

Cook Rating: TOSS UP

About the race: Two former Virginia governors face off for the seat vacated by retiring Sen. Jim Webb (D) in what has emerged as one of the nations most hotly contested Senate races. George Allen (R) actually used to hold the Senate seat hes currently seeking but lost to Sen. Webb in 2006. Allen blew a double digit lead in the polls following the release of a videotape of an Allen campaign rally during which he called a Webb campaign tracker of Indian descent the name macaca, a term many perceived as a racial slur. Past election result: Jim Webb (D) 50%, George Allen (R) 49%

Tim Kaine (D), fmr. VA Gov.

Age: 54, b. Feb. 26, 1958, St. Paul, MN Home: Richmond, VA Education: Univ. of Missouri (B.A. 1979); Harvard U. (J.D. 1983) Religion: Catholic Family: Married (Anne Holton); 3 children (Nat, Woody, Annella) Career: Chairman, Dem. Natl. Cmte., 2009-11; VA Gov., 2005-09; VA Lt. Gov., 2001-05; Richmond Mayor, 1998-2001; Richmond City Cncl., 1994-98; Practicing atty., 1983-2000

Took a nine-month break midway through Harvard Law School to teach at a Jesuit mission in Honduras. His wife, Anne Holton, is the daughter of Linwood Holton, Virginias first Republican governor since Reconstruction.

George Allen (R), fmr. VA Gov., fmr. U.S. Sen.

Age: 60, b. Mar. 8, 1952, Whittier, CA Home: Mount Vernon, VA Education: Univ. of VA (B.A. 1974; J.D. 1977) Religion: Presbyterian Family: Married (Susan Brown); 3 children (Tyler, Forrest, Brooke) Career: U.S. Senate, 2001-07; VA Gov., 1993-97; U.S. House of Reps., 1991-92; VA House of Delegates, 1982-91; Practicing atty., 1977-91, 1998-99

One of only seven Virginians to serve as governor and U.S. Senator. Others include Pres. James Monroe and current Sen. Mark Warner (D). Thought to be a 2008 presidential hopeful before losing his Senate seat in 2006. Upset by current Sen. Jim Webb (D) in 2006 after Allen was videotaped at a rally calling a Webb campaign tracker of Indian descent the name macaca, which many perceived as a racial slur.

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WASHINGTON (D-Cantwell)

Cook Rating: SOLID D

About the race: Sen. Maria Cantwell (D) is not expected to have too much trouble beating state Sen. Michael Baumgartner (R) for re-election for a third term. Past election result: Maria Cantwell (D) 57%, Mike McGavick (R) 40%

Sen. Maria Cantwell (D)

First elected 2000 Age: 54, b. Oct. 13, 1958, Indianapolis, IN Home: Edmonds, WA Education: Miami U. (OH), (B.A. 1980) Religion: Catholic Family: Single. Career: U.S. Senate, 2001-present; RealNetworks, 1995-2000; U.S. House of Reps., 1993-95; WA House of Reps., 198692; Owner, Cantwell & Assoc. PR firm, 1985-91

Cantwells father Paul was a construction worker, county commissioner, city councilman and state legislator in Indianapolis, where she grew up. Worked for the 1982 gubernatorial campaign of Cleveland mayor and future TV personality Jerry Springer. After serving in the U.S. House, joined a startup that would become RealNetworks and make her a millionaire.

Michael Baumgartner (R), WA state Sen.

Age: 36, b. Dec. 13, 1975, Pullman, WA Home: Spokane, WA Education: Wash. St. Univ. (B.A. 1999); Harvard Univ. (M.P.A. 2002) Religion: Catholic Family: Married (Eleanor); son (Conrad); expecting a second child in late 2012 Career: WA Senate, 2011-present; Counternarcotics advsr. (Afghanistan), Civilian Police Intl., 2008-09; Econ. officer, U.S. State Dept., 2007-08; Econ. devel. advsr., Office of the Crown Prince of Dubai, 2002-06; volunteer teacher (Mozambique), 1999-2000

During college, worked two summers as a Forestry Sciences Aid helping conduct fire ecosystem research with the U.S. Forest Service. After college, spent 12 months as a volunteer with a group of Jesuit Priests in Beira, Mozambique. Met his wife Eleanor while serving as an advisor on a counternarcotics team in Afghanistans Helmand province.

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WEST VIRGINIA (D-Manchin)

Cook Rating: LIKELY D

About the race: Sen. Joe Manchin (D) faces Republican businessman John Raese (R), whom Manchin defeated 53% to 43% in a 2010 special election to fill the seat of the late Sen. Robert Byrd (D). Past election result: Joe Manchin 53%, John Raese (R) 43%

Sen. Joe Manchin (D)

First elected 2010 Age: 65, b. Aug. 24, 1947, Farmington, WV Home: Marion County, WV Education: WV U. (B.S. 1970) Religion: Catholic Family: Married (Gayle); 3 children (Heather, Joseph IV, Brooke) Career: U.S. Senate, 2010-present; WV gov., 2005-10; WV sec. of state, 2000-04; Owner, Enersystems, 1989-2000; WV Senate 1986-96; WV House, 1982-84; Co-owner, Manchin's Carpet and Tile, 1968-82

Went to West Virginia U. on a football scholarship but his career was cut short because of injury. Chair of the National Governors Association. As governor, signed into law stricter coal-mining standards. Is not backing either President Obama or Governor Romney in the presidential election.

John Raese (R), mining co. owner

Age: 62, b. April, 10, 1950 Home: Morgantown, WV Education: WV U. (B.S. 1973) Religion: Presbyterian Family: Married (Elizabeth); 2 children (Jane, Agnes) Career: CEO/Pres., Greer Steel Co., present; VP, Morgantown DominionPost, WV Newspaper Publishing Company, present; Chair, WV Radio Corp, present; Chairman, WV GOP, 1986-88

This race is a rematch: Raese lost to Manchin 53% to 43% in a 2010 special election to fill the seat of the late Sen. Robert Byrd (R). Inherited his mining companies from his late grandmother. Homes in Morgantown, WV; Telluride, CO; and Palm Beach, FL. Father, Richard Raese, coached West Virginia U. to the NIT college basketball championship in 1942. Ran for Senate in 1984 and in 2006 and for governor in 1988.

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#6 WISCONSIN (D-Open-Kohl)

Cook Rating: TOSS UP

About the race: Wisconsin has a very competitive race with Republicans looking to pick up a seat following the retirement of four-term Sen. Herb Kohl (D). Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D) faces Wisconsins popular fmr. Gov. Tommy Thompson (R), who survived a divisive ideological primary to emerge as the GOP candidate. Past election result: Herb Kohl (D) 67%, Robert Lorge (R) 29%

U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D)

Age: 50, b. Feb. 11, 1962, Madison, WI Home: Madison, WI Education: Smith Col. (A.B. 1984); U. of WI (J.D. 1989) Religion: No religious affiliation Family: Single Career: U.S. House of Reps., 1999present; WI Assembly, 1992-98; Practicing atty., 1989-92; Dane Cnty. Bd. of Supervisors, 1986-94

Elected to the Wisconsin Assembly at 30 years old, the youngest woman in state legislature. First openly gay female non-incumbent elected to Congress and the first woman elected to the U.S. House by Wisconsin voters. In 2011, joined protesters in Madison objecting to Republican Gov. Scott Walker's proposal curbing collective bargaining rights for public workers.

Tommy Thompson (R), fmr. WI Gov.

Age: 70, b. Nov. 19, 1941, Elroy, WI Home: Madison, WI Education: U. of WI (B.A. 1963; J.D. 1966) Religion: Roman Catholic Family: Married (Sue Ann); 2 daughters (Tommi, Kelli), 1 son (Jason) Career: Presidential candidate, 2008; U.S. HHS Secy., 2001-05; WI Gov., 1987-2001; Chmn., Repub. Govs. Assn., 1991-92, 1995-96; WI Assembly, 1966-86 (Floor Ldr., 1981-86); Practicing atty, 1966present

Grew up in Elroy, WI, where his father ran a gas station and general store and his mother taught school. In 1979, Thompson ran for Congress in Wisconsins 6th District but was defeated in the GOP primary by Tom Petri, who holds the seat still today. As Wisconsin Governor, created the states popular BadgerCare program, which provides low-cost medical and prescription drug benefits to seniors.

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WYOMING (R-Barrasso)

Cook Rating: SOLID R

About the race: Sen. John Barrasso (R) should coast to victory against Democratic nominee Tim Chesnut (D), commissioner of Wyomings Albany County. Past election result: John Barrasso (R) 73%, Nick Carter (D) 27%

Sen. John Barrasso (R)

Appointed Jun. 2007 Age: 60, b. July 21, 1952, Reading, PA Home: Casper, WY Education: Georgetown U. (B.A. 1974, M.D. 1978) Religion: Presbyterian Family: Married (Bobbi); 3 children Career: U.S. Senate, 2007-present; WY Senate, 2002-07; Chief of staff, WY Medical Center, 2003-05; RNC Committeeman, 1992-96; Orthopedic surgeon 1983-2007

Grew up in Reading, Pa., the son of a World War II veteran who made a living as a cement finisher. Growing up, Barrassos father took the family to Washington every four years for the presidents inauguration. After moving his medical practice to Wyoming in the 1980s, Barraso also was a local radio and television personality, dispensing practical medical advice on news programs and in public service announcements.

Tim Chesnut (D), Albany Cty. Commissioner

Age: 46, b. Mar. 20, 1966, Laramie, WY Home: Laramie, WY Education: Attended Univ. of WY Family: Single Career: Albany Cty. Cmmsnr., 1998present; freelance photographer; radio host; motivational speaker; worked as a photographer, sports writer, Laramie Boomerang for 15 years

Has multiple sclerosis, which Chesnut says often requires him to use a wheelchair. Running under the slogan "Chesnut is the best nut for Senate." Has been a member of 11 different boards and commissions, including Guthrie Family Foundation in Laramie and Albany County Fair Board.

75

HOUSE

76

HOUSE OVERVIEW
After Republicans took back control of the U.S. House in 2010 by winning a modern-era record 63 seats, Democrats are hoping to cut into that majority. Currently, Republicans hold a 240-190 majority (five House seats are vacant). Democrats need a net-gain of 25 seats to win control of the chamber.

Analysts, however, predict that is unlikely to happen. Democrats are instead favored to pick up a handful of seats, anywhere from mid-single digits to lowteens on a very good day. Democrats are on offense in more seats than Republicans, but Republicans are likely to pick off some Democratic seats as well, making the number of seats Democrats have to win closer to 35 to 40.

There are 25 Republican-held seats rated toss up or worse, while there are just 16 seats in the same position for Democrats.

Every 10 years, states redraw their congressional-seat boundaries. That has meant some incumbent-versus-incumbent races, but it hasnt impacted the playing field very much in one partisan direction or another. At the outset of redistricting, it was thought that Republicans could gain an advantage, but it turned out that Democrats wound up with a very slight one, perhaps helping a handful of their seats. By the numbers: Current breakdown: 240 R, 190 D, 5 vacancies (2R, 3D) 430 members up for re-election (all seats are up every two years but five House seats are currently vacant) 218 needed for control 25 is the net number of seats Democrats need to net to take back the House

GOP seats in danger (25)

DIST. AZ-01 CA-07 CA-10 CA-26 CA-36 CA-52 CO-06 FL-18 FL-26 IL-08 IL-10 IL-11 IL-13 IL-17 MD-06 MI-01 MN-08 NH-01 NH-02 NV-03 NY-18 NY-19 NY-24 OH-16 TX-23 INCUMBENT NEW SEAT Lungren Denham OPEN Bono Mack Bilbray Coffman West Rivera Walsh Dold Biggert OPEN Schilling Bartlett Benishek Cravaack Guinta Bass Heck Hayworth Gibson Buerkle MERGED Canseco COOK RATING TOSS UP TOSS UP TOSS UP TOSS UP TOSS UP TOSS UP TOSS UP TOSS UP TOSS UP LIKELY D LEAN D LEAN D TOSS UP TOSS UP LIKELY D TOSS UP TOSS UP TOSS UP LEAN D TOSS UP TOSS UP TOSS UP LEAN D TOSS UP TOSS UP

Dem seats in danger (16)

DIST. AR-04 GA-12 IA-03 IL-12 IN-02 KY-06 MA-06 NC-07 NC-08 NC-11 NC-13 NV-05 NY-27 OK-02 PA-12 UT-04 INCUMBENT OPEN Barrow MERGED OPEN OPEN Chandler Tierney McIntyre Kissell OPEN OPEN NEW SEAT Hochul OPEN Critz Matheson COOK RATING LIKELY R TOSS UP LEAN R TOSS UP LIKELY R TOSS UP LEAN R TOSS UP LIKELY R LIKELY R LIKELY R TOSS UP TOSS UP LIKELY R TOSS UP TOSS UP

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GOVERNORS

78

GOVERNORS OVERVIEW
Republicans control 29 governorships across the country with Democrats holding 20 and an independent in control of one (Lincoln Chafee, Rhode Island).

This year, there are 11 total governors races eight of which are currently held by Democrats, three by Republicans. According to the Cook Political Report, the GOP is favored to pick up one or two more governorships. The races to watch: North Carolina, Montana, New Hampshire, and Washington state. Of those, North Carolina is the most likely pick-up opportunity for Republicans with the candidate there ahead by double-digits in most polling. The races in Montana and New Hampshire are dead heats. And in Washington state, the Republican candidate has the challenge of needing to outperform the Republican presidential standard-bearer.

Only three Republican governors are up for re-election this cycle.

Every gubernatorial race rated competitive this cycle by the Cook Political Report is over a seat currently held by a Democrat.

By the numbers: Current breakdown: 29 R, 20 D, 1 I 11 Governors races 6 competitive races 5 open seats STATE Delaware Indiana Missouri Montana New Hampshire North Carolina North Dakota Utah Vermont Washington West Virginia PARTY/INCUMBENT D-Markell R-OPEN-Daniels D-Nixon D-OPEN-Schweitzer D-OPEN-Lynch D-OPEN-Perdue R-Dalrymple R-Herbert D-Shumlin D-OPEN-Gregoire D-Tomblin COOK RATING SOLID D LIKELY R LEAN D TOSS UP TOSS UP LEAN R SOLID R SOLID R SOLID D TOSS UP LEAN D

79

DELAWARE (D-Markell)

Cook Rating: SOLID D

About the race: Incumbent Gov. Jack Markell (D) faces nominal opposition from Republican Jeff Cragg (R), a Wilmington small business owner. Past election result: Jack Markell (D) 68%, William Lee (R) 32%

Gov. Jack Markell (D)

First elected 2008 Age: 51, b. Nov. 26, 1960, Newark, DE Home: Wilmington, DE Education: Brown U. (B.A. 1981); U. of Chicago (M.B.A. 1985) Religion: Jewish Family: Married (Carla); 2 children Career: DE Gov., 2009-present; DE treas., 1999-2008; V.P. Comcast, 19961998; Sr. v.p., Nextel, 1989-95; Assoc., McKinsey & Co., Inc., 1986-1988; Officer, First Natl. Bank Chicago, 1982-86

Coined the name Nextel, while helping grow the telecom startup. Won the Democratic nomination for governor in 2008 despite not having the backing of the state party establishment. Under Markell, Delaware, along with Tennessee, won one of the first grants under the Race to the Top education reform plan.

Jeff Cragg (R), small bus. owner

Age: 51, b. Feb. 18, 1961, Evanston, IL Home: Wilmington, DE Education: Carleton Coll. (B.A. 1983) Religion: Protestant Family: Married (Terry); 4 children Career: Owner, Mailboxes Etc. business in Wilmington, 2000-present; New Castle Cty. Brd. of Electns., 19992000; long career in insurance industry with companies like Northwestern National Life, Mutual of Omaha and Provident Indemnity Life

Played defensive tackle on the Carleton College football team. In addition to owning a Mailboxes, Etc. business in Wilmington, he has bought and rehabilitated real estate properties. Ran for state insurance commissioner in 2004 but withdrew after the state party endorsed another candidate.

80

INDIANA (R-Open-Daniels)

Cook Rating: LIKELY R

About the race: Conservative star Mike Pence (R) is leaving the House of Representatives to run for Indiana governor. He faces John Gregg (D), former Speaker of the Indiana House of Representatives. The seat is open due to term limits on current Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels (R). Past election result: Mitch Daniels 58%, Jill Thompson 40%

U.S. Rep. Mike Pence (R)

Age: 53, b. June 7, 1959, Columbus, IN Home: Columbus, IN Education: Hanover Col. (B.A. 1981); Indiana Univ. (J.D. 1986) Religion: Protestant Family: Married (Karen); 3 children Career: U.S. House of Reps., 2001present; Host, pub. affairs TV, UPN-23, 1995-99; Radio broadcaster, Network Indiana, 1992-99; Pres., IN Policy Review Fndt., 1991-93; Practicing atty., 1986-91

For a time, broadcast The Mike Pence Show, a syndicated conservative talkradio program. One of just 25 House Republicans to oppose the 2003 GOP Medicare prescription drug bill. A longtime conservative, Pence quickly joined the House Tea Party Caucus when it formed in 2010. Challenged John Boehner for Republican leader after the 2006 midterms. Speculated to be a potential 2012 (or 2016) presidential candidate.

John Gregg (D), fmr. IN House Spkr.

Age: 58, b. Sep. 6, 1954, Linton, IN Home: Sandborn, IN Education: Vicennes Univ. (A.S. 1974); Indiana Univ. (B.A. 1976); Indiana St. Univ. (M.P.A. 1978); Indiana Univ. (J.D. 1984) Religion: Protestant Family: Divorced; 2 children (John, Hunter) Career: Lobbyist, 2002-present; Interim President, Vincennes Univ., 2003-04; IN House, 1986-2002 (Spkr., 1996-2002); Practicing atty., 1985-present; Govt. Affairs Rep., AMAX Coal Co., 1979-85; Real Estate Coord., Peabody Coal Co., 1978-79; Precinct committeeman, 1974-80

Diagnosed with and treated for prostate cancer in 2004. As of May of this year, he was cancer-free. Represents a strong but dwindling population of southern Indiana Democrats who are social conservatives and economic populists. In an attempt to balance his ticket, picked one of Indianas most liberal lawmakers, state Sen. Min. Ldr. Vi Simpson, as his running mate.

81

MISSOURI (D-Nixon)

Cook Rating: LEAN D

About the race: Incumbent Gov. Jay Nixon (D) is slightly favored to fend off a challenge from self-made businessman Dave Spence (R). Past election result: Jay Nixon (D) 58%, Kenny Hulshof (R) 39%

Gov. Jay Nixon (D)

First elected 2008 Age: 56, b. Feb. 13, 1956, DeSoto, MO Home: Jefferson City, MO Education: U. of MO (B.A., 1978, J.D., 1981) Religion: Methodist Family: Married (Georganne); 2 children Career: MO Gov., 2009-present; MO atty. gen., 1992-2008; MO Senate, 1986-1992; Practicing atty., 1981-1992

Growing up in DeSoto, MO, Nixons mother was president of the DeSoto school board and his father was the citys mayor. Ran twice unsuccessfully for U.S. Senate in 1988 and 1998. Touts a number of conservatives points in this campaign including $1.8 billion in spending cuts and adamant opposition to new taxes Played an active role in coordinating the response to the deadly tornado that hit Joplin in May 2011.

Dave Spence (R), owner, plastic bottle manufacturer

Age: 54, b. Feb. 28, 1958, St. Louis, MO Home: Ladue, MO Education: U. of MO (B.S. 1981) Religion: Catholic Family: Married (Suzie) 4 children (Logan, Tierney, Paige, Kelley) Career: Pres. and CEO, Alpha Packaging, 1984-2011

Bought the plastic bottle manufacturer Alpha Packaging when he was 26 years old and grew it significantly until leaving in 2011 to run for governor. Made extra money mowing lawns before going to work at age 14 sweeping floors at his fathers business. His fathers house was auctioned off to pay off a loan after his fathers business went under while Spence was growing up.

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MONTANA (D-Open-Schweitzer)

Cook Rating: TOSS UP

About the race: Current Gov. Brian Schweitzer (D) is term-limited, leaving the states gubernatorial seat open. Montana Attorney General Steve Bullock (D) goes up against fmr. U.S. Rep. Rick Hill (R) is what has become a tight race. Past election result: Brian Schweitzer (D) 65%, Roy Brown (R) 33%

Steve Bullock (D), MT Atty. Gen.

Age: 46, b. Apr. 11, 1966, Missoula, MT Home: Helena, MT Education: Claremont McKenna Coll. (B.A. 1988); Columbia Univ. (J.D. 1994) Religion: Catholic Family: Married (Lisa); 3 children (Caroline, Alexandria, Cameron) Career: MT Atty. Gen., 2008-present; Adjunct prof., George Wash. Univ. School of Law, 2001-04; MT Atty. Gen. office, 1997-2001; Chief legal cnsl., MT Secy. of State, 1996-97; Analyst, United Pac. Life/Financial, 198890

Student body president at Helena High School. As a child, delivered the newspaper to the governors mansion as part of his paper route. Gained national attention for his role in defending Montana limits on corporate political spending. Decided not to sign a brief against the 2010 Affordable Care Act, which a number of other attorneys general signed.

Rick Hill (R), fmr. U.S. Rep.

Age: 65, b. Dec. 30, 1946, Grand Rapids, MI Home: Helena, MT Education: St. Cloud Univ. (B.A. 1968); Concord School of Law (J.D. 2005) Religion: Christian Family: Married (Betti); 3 sons (Todd, Corey, Mike) Career: U.S. House of Reps. 1997-2000; Chmn. MT state workers compensation fund, 1993-96; Legislative liaison, Gov. Marc Racicot (R), 1993; Chmn., MT Republican Party, 1991-92; owner, R.A. Hill & Co., 1984-92; partner, Montana Intl. Insurance, 1973-84; Surety bond mngr., St. Paul Companies, 1971-77

Overcame a bought of polio as a child. Often speaks about growing up in a small apartment in the back of his fathers repair shop. Faced an uphill fundraising battle in the general election after spending much of his campaign funds in a tough seven-way Republican primary.

83

NEW HAMPSHIRE (D-Open-Lynch)

Cook Rating: TOSS UP

About the race: New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch (D) is retiring, setting up a close race between former state Sen. Maggie Hassan (D) and attorney and 2010 Senate nominee Ovide Lamontagne (R) to replace him. Past election result (2010): John Lynch (D) 53%, John Stephen (R) 45%

Margaret Maggie Hassan (D), fmr. NH state Sen.

Age: 54, b. Feb. 27, 1958, Boston, MA Home: Exeter, NH Education: Brown U. (B.A., 1980); Northeastern U. (J.D., 1985) Religion: Protestant Family: Married (Thomas); 2 children (Ben, Margie) Career: NH Senate, 2004-10 (Maj. Ldr., 2010); Asst. Gen. Cnsl., Brigham and WaWarrens Hosp., 1993-96; Practicing atty., 1985-present; Mass. Dept. of Soc. Services, 1980-82

Mother to an adult son (Ben) with cerebral palsy. Her husband Tom is principal of the famous prep school Phillips Exeter Academy. While serving in the New Hampshire senate, played a large part in the states 2009 law legalizing same-sex unions.

Ovide Lamontagne (R), attorney, fmr. NH Gov. nominee

Age: 55, b. Sep. 22, 1957, Manchester, NH Home: Manchester, NH Education: Catholic U. (B.A., 1979); U. of Wyoming (J.D., 1985) Religion: Catholic Family: Married (Bettie); 3 children (2 adopted daughters; 1 special needs foster son) Career: GOP Gov. nominee, 1996; Chmn., St. Brd. of Edu., 1993-96; Legal cnsl., NH Senate, 1991; Practicing atty., 1986-present

With his wife Bettie, Lamontagne is father to an adult, special needs foster son. After college, taught high school in Maryland and Wyoming. Lost a 1996 bid for governor to nowSen. Jeanne Shaheen (D). Lost by only 1,500 votes in the 2010 GOP Senate primary to current New Hampshire Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R).

84

NORTH CAROLINA (D-Open-Perdue)

Cook Rating: LEAN R

About the race: Current North Carolina Gov. Bev Perdue (D) opted not to seek re-election, leaving the gubernatorial seat open. The Republican nominee is former Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory (R), who narrowly lost the 2008 gubernatorial contest. The Democratic nominee is Lt. Gov. Walter Dalton (D). Past election result: Bev Perdue (D) 50%, Pat McCrory 47%, Michael Munger (Lib) 3%

Lt. Gov. Walter Dalton (D)

Age: 63, b. May 21, 1949, Rutherfordton, NC Home: Rutherfordton, NC Education: U. of No. Carolina (B.S., 1972; J.D., 1975) Religion: Methodist Family: Married (Lucille); 2 children (Brian, Elizabeth) Career: NC Lt. Gov., 2008-present; NC Senate, 1997-2008; Rutherford Cty. Atty., 1986-96; Practicing atty., 1977-2000; Clerk, U.S. Dist. Ct., 1975-77; Audit Dept., Union Trust Co., 1971-72

Served in the North Carolina Senate for 12 years in the seat once held by his late father, who died when Dalton was 8 years old. Played quarterback for his high schools football team. Spent most of his life as a country lawyer managing a small law firm in Rutherfordton, NC.

Pat McCrory (R), fmr. Charlotte mayor

Age: 56, b. Oct. 17, 1956, Columbus, OH Home: Charlotte, NC Education: Catawba Coll. (B.A. 1978) Religion: Presbyterian Family: Married (Ann) Career: Partner, McCrory & Co., 2009-present; Senr. Dir. Strategic Initiatives, Moore & Van Allen, PLLC., 2010-present; Charlotte Mayor, 19952009; Charlotte Cty. Cncl., 1989-95; Various mgmt.. positions, Duke Energy, 1979-2008

Served for nearly 15 years as mayor of Charlotte, longer than any mayor in the citys history. Once worked as a basketball referee. McCrorys father was mayor pro tempore in the Columbus, OH suburb of Worthington. Student body president at Ragsdale High School in Jamestown, NC.

85

NORTH DAKOTA (R-Dalrymple)

Cook Rating: SOLID R

About the race: Gov. Jack Dalrymple (R) became governor in Dec. 2010 when then-Gov. John Hoeven resigned to become the states junior U.S. senator. The Democratic nominee, state Senate Minority Leader Ryan Taylor (D), is unlikely to make this a competitive race for this solidly red state in a presidential year. Past election result: John Hoeven (R) 74%, Tim Mathern (D) 24%

Gov. Jack Dalrymple (R)

Assumed office Dec. 2010 Age: 64, b. Oct. 16, 1948, Minneapolis, MN Home: Bismarck, ND Education: Yale U. (B.A. 1970) Family: Married (Betsy); 4 children Career: ND Gov., 2010-present; ND lt. gov, 2000-2010; ND House, 19852000; Chmn., ND Trade Office; Chmn., Gov. Commission on Education Improvement

Great-grandson Oliver Dalrymple, one of North Dakotas most famous and prominent farmers. Played ice hockey for Yale. Returned to North Dakota after college to help manage the familys farming operations and land holdings. Ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate in 1992 against Democratic Sen. Kent Conrad. Became governor after his predecessor Gov. John Hoeven (R) resigned to become U.S. Senator.

Ryan Taylor (D), ND state Sen.

Age: 42, b. Jul. 22, 1970, Minot, ND Home: Towner, ND Education: No. Dakota St. Univ. (B.A. 1992) Religion: Lutheran Family: Married (Nikki); 3 children Career: ND Senate, 1992-present (Dem. Ldr., 2011-present); Rancher, Taylor Ranch; Author of Cowboy Logic a syndicated newspaper column; formerly sold veterinary supplies, wrote freelance, and did event speeches

Returned home to manage the family ranch with his father, Marshall, who was suffering from Parkinsons disease. Has run three marathons, most recently in Fargo in May 2012. Rarely seen not wearing his white cowboy hat. Raises Angus cattle on more than 2,900 acres of land.

86

UTAH (R-Herbert)

Cook Rating: SOLID R

About the race: Gov. Gary Herbert (R) took office in 2009 when then-Governor and future presidential candidate Jon Huntsman (R) resigned to become the U.S. Ambassador to China. Herbert defended the seat in a 2010 special election and now faces Peter Cooke (D), a retired U.S. Army Reserve general and a wellrespected businessman. Herbert is expected to win. Past election result: Gary Herbert (R)64%, Peter Corroon (D) 32%

Gov. Gary Herbert (R)

Assumed office Aug. 2009 Age: 65, b. May 7, 1947, American Fork, UT Home: Orem, UT Education: Attended Brigham Young U. (1968-1970) Religion: Mormon Family: Married (Jeanette); 6 children Military: UT National Guard, 1970-76 Career: UT Gov., 2009-present; UT Lt. Gov., 2005-09; UT Cnty. Commissioner, 1990-2004; Co-owner, The Kids Connection, 1985-2008; Realtor, Herbert & Associates Realtors

After high school, served his two-year Mormon mission in the Washington D.C. area Became governor after Jon Huntsman resigned to become U.S. ambassador to China. Left BYU before graduating to forma real estate firm, Herbert and Assoc. Unsuccessfully sought the Republican nomination for governor in 2003, but eventually accepted Jon Huntsmans invitation to be his nominee for lieutenant governor.

Peter Cooke (D), real estate devel. exec.

Age: 63, b. Mar. 7, 1949, Miami, FL Home: Salt Lake City, UT Education: Utah St. Univ. (B.A. 1971; M.A. 1973); Army War College (1999) Religion: Mormon Family: Married (Heather); 5 children Military: Maj. Gen. (Ret.), U.S. Army Reserve, 1971-2009 Career: Owner and CEO, PSC Development and Evergreene Mgmt. Group; fmr. UT Dir. Of Econ. Devel.

Grew up in New Jersey, Florida, Thailand, Puerto Rico and Germany as part of different assignment his father took as a Pan Am Airlines maintenance worker. Cooke is a gourmet cook, skier, scuba diver, mountain climber, cyclist and runner who has completed four marathons. In 2009, retired as a 2-Star Major General in the Army Reserve.

87

VERMONT (D-Shumlin)

Cook Rating: SOLID D

About the race: After one two-year term, incumbent Gov. Peter Shumlin (D) is up for re-election. He faces state Sen. Randy Brock (R). Given Vermonts solidly blue hue and the fact that it is a presidential year, Brock will be hard pressed to make this a competitive contest. Past election result: Peter Shumlin (D) 49%, Brian Dubie (R) 48%

Gov. Peter Shumlin (D)

First elected 2010 Age: 56, b. March 24, 1956, Brattleboro, VT Home: Montpelier, VT Education: Wesleyan U. (B.A. 1979) Religion: No religious affiliation Family: Separated; 2 daughters (Olivia, Rebecca) Career: VT Gov., 2011-present; VT Senate, 1992-2002, 2006-11; VT House, 1990-92; Putney Select Board, 1980-90; Co-dir., Putney Student Travel, 2003-06; Partner, dairy farm

Suffered from dyslexia as a child, a problem that forced him to work on being articulatesomething he said helped him later in politics. Won his first election to the Putney select board at age 24. His student travel company helped 1,300 high school students participate in more than 50 programs around the world this year.

Randy Brock (R), VT state Sen.

Age: 69, b. Sep. 28, 1943, Philadelphia, PA Home: Swanton, VT Education: Middlebury Coll. (B.A.); Yale U. (M.A.) Religion: Protestant Family: Married (Andrea); 1 daughter Military: Capt., Mil. Police, U.S. Army (Vietnam) Career: VT Senate, 2009-present; VT auditor of accounts, 2005-07; VP, Risk Oversight, Fidelity Investments,

Earned a Bronze Star for his service in the U.S. Army Was appointed by Pres. George W. Bush to the Board of Visitors to West Point. Lost a 2006 bid for re-election as state auditor that he initially thought he won after a recount showed he lost by 102 votes.

88

WASHINGTON (D-Open-Gregoire)

Cook Rating: TOSS UP

About the race: Washington voters havent elected a Republican governor since 1980, but polls are tighter than the states Democratic tilt would otherwise suggest in the race for the seat left open by retiring Gov. Christine Gregoire (D). Fmr. Rep. Jay Inslee (D) recently left the U.S. House to focus on the race against the states Attorney General Rob McKenna (R). Past election result: Christine Gregoire (D) 53%, Dino Rossi (R) 47%

Jay Inslee (D), fmr. U.S. Rep.

Age: 61, b. Feb. 9, 1951, Seattle, WA Home: Bainbridge Island, WA Education: Stanford U. (1969-70); U. of WA (B.A. 1973); Willamette U. (J.D. 1976) Religion: Christian Family: Married (Trudi); 3 children Career: U.S. House of Reps., 199294, 1998-2012; Regional dir., U.S. Dept. of H.H.S., 1997-98; WA House of Reps., 1988-92; Practicing atty., 1976-92, 1995-96

A fifth-generation Washingtonian, Inslees father was a high school teacher in Seattle and his mother was a sales clerk at Sears. Inslees former jobs include driving cement trucks, running jackhammers and painting houses. Has emphasized clean energy as an issue and co-wrote the book, Apollos Fire: Igniting Americas Clean-Energy Economy.

Rob McKenna (R), WA Atty. Gen.

Age: 50, b. Oct. 1, 1962, Ft. Sam Houston, TX Home: Bellevue, WA Education: U. of WA (B.A. 1985); U. of Chi. (J.D. 1988) Religion: Catholic Family: Married (Marilyn); 4 children Career: WA Atty. Gen., 2004present; King Cty. Council, 19952004; Practicing atty., 1988-96

The son of an Army officer, McKenna lived in places from Germany to Bangkok growing up. Served as student body president his senior year at the University of Washington. Served as president of the National Association of Attorneys General (2011-12).

89

WEST VIRGINIA (D-Tomblin)

Cook Rating: LEAN D

About the race: Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin (D) became governor in Nov. 2010 after then-Gov. Joe Manchin (D) resigned to assume West Virginias junior U.S. Senate seat. On Election Day, Tomblin faces businessman Bill Maloney (R), his Republican challenger from the 2011 special election to fill the remainder of Manchins term. Tomblin won that race 50% to 47%. Past election result (2011 Special): Earl Ray Tomblin (D) 50%, Bill Maloney (R) 47%

Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin (D)

Assumed office Nov. 2010; First elected 2011 Age: 60, b. March 15, 1952, Chapmanville, WV Home: Charleston, WV Education: West Va. Univ. (B.S. 1974); Marshall U. (M.B.A. 1975) Religion: Presbyterian Family: Married (Joanne); Son (Brent) Career: WV Gov., 2010-present; WV Senate, 1980-2010 (Senate pres., 1995-2010); WV House, 1974-80; Restaurant owner; farmer

Generally stays away from national politics and has let it be known that he is not happy with President Obama. Sold eggs and rabbits, mowed lawns, and bussed tables at his parents restaurant to earn money growing up. Longest-serving state Senate president in West Virginia history.

William Bill Maloney (R), coal businessman

Age: 54, b. Oct. 2, 1958, New York, NY Home: Morgantown, WV Education: Lehigh Univ. (B.A. 1980) Religion: Christian Family: Married (Sharon); 2 daughters Career: WV Gov. candidate, 2011; Owner, Cow Run Energy, LLC, 2006present; Owner, Drill Leader, LLC, 2006-present; Co-founder and exec., No. American Drillers, No. American Pump and Supply Co., Shaft Drillers International, 1984-2006

Was part of a team that helped develop the successful rescue plan that saved 33 trapped Chilean miners in 2010. According to his campaign, Maloney grew his drilling company, North American Drillers, from a two-person business to become the world leader in large-diameter shaft drilling. Continues to work and consult in the energy sector as the owner of two companies, Cow Run Energy and Drill Leader.

90

A NOTE ON SOURCES For the candidates biographical information as well as information on each race, we relied on the Cook Political Report, the Associated Press Election Guide, National Journals Almanac of American Politics, reputable newspapers, and our own reporting.

91

THE STATES:
Whats on the ballot, nicknames, demographics, current leadership, and voting history

92

ALABAMA
On the Ballot
RACE DEMOCRAT REPUBLICAN RATING

Nickname: Heart of Dixie Capital: Montgomery Polls Close: 8:00 PM ET

Population (2010): 4,779,736 White: 67% Black: 26% Hispanic: 3.9% Asian: 1.1%

HOUSE AL-1 AL-2 AL-3 AL-4 AL-5 AL-6 AL-7

*incumbent ^open seat

Therese Ford John Harris Daniel Boman Charlie Holley Penny Bailey Terri Sewell*

Jo Bonner* Martha Roby* Mike Rogers* Robert Aderholt* Mo Brooks* Spencer Bachus* Don Chamberlain

Solid R Solid R Solid R Solid R Solid R Solid R Solid D

Governor: Robert Bentley (R) Sec. of State: Beth Chapman (R) U.S. Senators: Richard Shelby (R) Jeff Sessions (R)

Registered Voters: 2,586,282 Party ID: No Party Registration Presidential: 2004: Bush 1,176,394 (62%) Kerry 693,933 (37%) 2008: McCain 1,266,546 (60%) Obama 813,479 (39%)

93

ALASKA
On the Ballot
RACE HOUSE AK-AL
*incumbent ^open seat

Nickname: The Last Frontier Capital: Juneau Polls Close: 1 AM ET

DEMOCRAT Sharon Cissna

REPUBLICAN Don Young*

RATING Solid R

Population (2010): 710,231 White: 64.1% Black: 3.1% Hispanic: 5.5% Asian: 5.3% Native American: 14.4%

Governor: Sean Parnell (R) Lt. Gov.: Mead Treadwell (R) U.S. Senators: Lisa Murkowski (R) Mark Begich (D)

Registered Voters: 499, 341 Party ID: R: 126,486 (25.9%) D: 74,802 (15.3%) Other: 286,287 (58.7%) Presidential: 2008: McCain 193,841 (59%) Obama 123,594 (38%) 2004: Bush 190,889 (61%) Kerry 111,025 (36%) Nader 5,069 (2%)

94

ARIZONA
On the Ballot
RACE SEN^ DEMOCRAT Richard Carmona REPUBLICAN Jeff Flake RATING Toss Up

Nickname: Grand Canyon State Capital: Phoenix Polls Close: 9:00 PM ET

HOUSE AZ-1 Ann Kirkpatrick* AZ-2 Ron Barber* AZ-3 Raul Grijalva* AZ-4 AZ-5^ AZ-6 AZ-7 AZ-8
AZ -9^

Jonathan Paton Martha McSally

Gabriela Saucedo Mercer

Toss Up Likely D Solid D Solid R Solid R Solid R Solid D Solid R Lean D

Population (2010): 6,392,017 White: 57.8% Black: 3.7% Hispanic: 29.6% Native American: 4% Asian: 2.7%

Johnnie Robinson Spencer Morgan Matt Jette Ed Pastor* Gene Scharer

Kyrsten Sinema

Paul Gosar* Matt Salmon

David Schweikert*

Scott Fistler Trent Franks*

Vernon Parker

Governor: Jan Brewer (R) Sec. of State: Ken Bennett (R) U.S. Senators: John McCain (R) Jon Kyl (R)

Registered Voters: 3,100, 575 Party ID: R: 1,131,802 (36%) D: 1,002,937 (31.9%) Other: 1,011,679 (32.2%) Presidential: 2004: Bush 1,104,294 (55%) Kerry 893,524 (44%) 2008: McCain 1,230,111 (54%) Obama 1,034,707 (45%)

*incumbent ^open seat

95

ARKANSAS
On the Ballot
RACE HOUSE AR-1 AR-2 AR-3 AR-4^
*incumbent ^open seat

Nickname: The Natural State Capital: Little Rock Polls Close: 8:30 PM ET

DEMOCRAT Scott Ellington Herb Rule Gene Jeffress

REPUBLICAN Rick Crawford* Tim Griffin* Steve Womack* Tom Cotton

RATING Solid R Solid R Solid R Likely R

Population (2010): 2,915,918 White: 74.5% Black: 15.3% Hispanic: 6.4% Asian: 1.2%

Governor: Mike Beebe (D) Sec. of State: Mark Martin (R) U.S. Senators: Mark Pryor (D) John Boozman (R)

Key Ballot Measures

Medical Marijuana Voters in Arkansas and will be asked to vote on the legalization of marijuana, for medical use, in their state. In this measure, the state outlines what type of medical conditions qualifies an individual to use marijuana without criminal penalties. Arkansas Qualifications Cancer, Glaucoma, positive status for Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS), Hepatitis C, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Tourette's Disease, Crohns Disease, ulcerative colitis, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Fibromyalgia, agitation of Alzheimers Disease or the treatment of these conditions.
Registered Voters: 1,566,523 Party ID: No Party Registration Presidential: 2004: Bush 572,898 (54%) Kerry 469,953 (45%) 2008: McCain 638,017 (59%) Obama 422,310 (39%)

96

CALIFORNIA
On the Ballot
RACE SEN DEMOCRAT Dianne Feinstein* REPUBLICAN Elizabeth Emken RATING Likely D

Nickname: Golden State Capital: Sacramento Polls Close: 11:00 PM ET

Population (2010): 37,253,956 White: 40.1% Black: 5.8% Hispanic: 37.6% Asian: 12.8%

HOUSE CA-1^ CA-2^ CA-3 CA-4 CA-5 CA-6 CA-7 CA-8^ CA-9 CA-10 CA-11 CA-12 CA-13 CA-14 CA-15

Jim Reed Jared Huffman John Garamendi* Jack Uppal Mike Thompson* Doris Matsui* Ami Bera

Jerry McNerney* Jose Hernandez George Miller* Nancy Pelosi* Barbara Lee* Jackie Speier* Pete Stark* Eric Swalwell CA-16 Jim Costa* CA-17 Mike Honda* CA-18 Anna Eshoo* CA-19^ Zoe Lofgren CA-20 Sam Farr* CA-21^ John Hernandez CA-22 Otto Lee CA-23 CA-24 Lois Capps* CA-25 Lee Rogers CA-26 Julia Brownley CA-27 Judy Chu* CA-28 Adam Schiff* CA-29^ Tony Cardenas CA-30 Brad Sherman* Howard Berman* CA-31 CA-32 Grace Napolitano*

Doug LaMalfa Daniel Roberts Kim Vann Tom McClintock* Randy Loftin Joseph McCray Dan Lungren* Paul Cook Greg Imus Ricky Gill Jeff Denham* Virginia Fuller John Dennis Debbie Bacigalupi

Solid R Solid D Likely D Solid R Solid D Solid D Toss Up Solid R Lean D Toss Up Solid D Solid D Solid D Solid D Solid D Solid D Solid D Solid D Solid D Solid D Likely R Solid R Solid R Lean D Solid R Toss Up Solid D Solid D Solid D Solid D Solid R Solid D

Governor: Jerry Brown (D) Sec. of State: Debra Bowen (D) U.S. Senators: Dianne Feinstein (D) Barbara Boxer (D)

Registered Voters: 17,153,699 Party ID: D: 7,620,240 (44.1%) R: 5,361,875 (31%) Other: 4,303,768 (24.9%) Presidential: 2004: Kerry 6,745,485 (54%) Bush 5,509,826 (44%) 2008: Obama 8,274,473 (61%) McCain 5,011,781 (37%)

Brian Whelan Evelyn Li Dave Chapman Robert Murray Jeff Taylor David Valadao Devin Nunes* Kevin McCarthy* Abel Maldonado Buck McKeon* Tony Strickland Jack Orswell Phil Jennerjahn

Gary Miller* Bob Dutton David Miller

97

CA-33^ CA-34 CA-35 CA-36 CA-37 CA-38 CA-39 CA-40

Henry Waxman* Xavier Becerra* Joe Baca* Raul Ruiz Karen Bass* Linda Sanchez* Jay Chen
Lucille Roybal-Allard*

Stephen Smith Gloria McLeod Mary Bono Mack* Morgan Osbourne Benjamin Campos Ed Royce*

Solid D Solid D Solid D Toss Up Solid D Solid D Solid R Solid D Lean D Solid R Solid D

David Sanchez CA-41^ Mark Takano John Tavaglione CA-42 Michael Williamson Ken Calvert* CA-43 Maxine Waters* Bob Flores Janice Hahn* Laura Richardson* CA-45 Sukhee Kang CA-46 Loretta Sanchez* CA-47^ Alan Lowenthal CA-48 Ron Varasteh CA-49 Jerry Tetalman CA-50 David Secor CA-51^ Juan Vargas CA-52 Scott Peters CA-53 Susan Davis*
*incumbent ^open seat

CA-44

Solid D John Campbell*

Jerry Hayden

Gary Delong
Dana Rohrabacher*

Darrell Issa* Duncan D. Hunter* Michael Crimmins Brian Bilbray* Nick Popaditch

Solid R Solid D Likely D Solid R Solid R Solid R

Solid D Toss Up Solid D

Key Ballot Measures

Campaign Finance Reform Proposition 32 aims to make key changes to campaign finance laws in California. If passed, neither unions nor corporations would be allowed to donate directly to state and local political candidates, employee payroll deductions could not be used for political purposes, and the law would prohibit government contractors from donating to candidates whove helped them secure a contract. Opponents of this reform are fearful that if the law passes the voices of Super PACs and special interest groups will be louder than ever before and the issues important to voters would be overlooked. Capital Punishment Californians will have the chance to abolish the death penalty as the maximum punishment for murder when they go to the polls in November. If passed, Proposition 34 would make the maximum criminal punishment in the state life in prison with no possibility for parole. According to an official report put out by the states Legislative Analyst, if the amendment passes it would save the state $130 million annually.

98

COLORADO
On the Ballot
RACE DEMOCRAT REPUBLICAN RATING

Nickname: Centennial State Capital: Denver Polls Close: 9 PM ET

Population (2010): 5,029,196 White: 70% Black: 3.8% Hispanic: 20.7% Asian: 2.7%

HOUSE CO-1 CO-2 CO-3 CO-4 CO-5 CO-6 CO-7

*incumbent ^open seat

Diana DeGette* Jared Polis* Sal Pace Brandon Shaffer Joe Miklosi Ed Perlmutter*

Danny Stroud Kevin Lundberg Scott Tipton* Cory Gardner* Doug Lamborn* Mike Coffman* Joe Coors

Solid D Solid D Lean R Solid R Solid R Toss Up Likely D

Governor: John Hickenlooper (D) Sec. of State: Scott Gessler (R) U.S. Senators: Mark Udall (D) Michael Bennet (D)

Registered Voters: 3,381,963 Party ID: R: 874,962 (35.3%) D: 812,389 (32.8%) Other: 789,851 (31.9%) Presidential: 2004: Bush 1,101,255 (52%) Kerry 1,001,732 (47%) 2008: Obama 1,288,576 (54%) McCain 1,073,589 (45%)

Key Ballot Measures

Marijuana Legalization - In Colorado, voters will decide whether or not recreational usage of marijuana should legal for all people 21-years-of-age and older and taxed/regulated in the same way as alcohol.

99

CONNECTICUT
On the Ballot
RACE SEN^ DEMOCRAT Chris Murphy REPUBLICAN Linda McMahon RATING Toss Up

Nickname: Constitution State Capital: Hartford Polls Close: 8:00 PM ET

Population (2010): 3,574,097 White: 71.2% Black: 9.4% Hispanic: 13.4% Asian: 3.8%

HOUSE CT-1 CT-2 CT-3 CT-4 CT-5^

John Larson* Joe Coutney* Rosa DeLauro* Jim Himes* Elizabeth Esty

John Decker Paul Formica Wayne Winsley Steve Obsitnik Andrew Roraback

Solid D Solid D Solid D Solid D Lean D

Governor: Dannel Malloy (D) Sec. of State: Denise Merrill (D) U.S. Senators: Joe Lieberman (I) Richard Blumenthal (D)

*incumbent ^open seat

Registered Voters: 2,121,442 Party ID (2011): D: 784,280 (37%) R: 431,721 (20%) Other: 905,441 (43%) Presidential: 2004: Kerry 857,488 (54%) Bush 693,826 (44%) 2008: Obama 997,772 (61%) McCain 629,428 (38%)

100

DELAWARE
On the Ballot
RACE GOV SEN DEMOCRAT Jack Markell* Tom Carper* REPUBLICAN Jeff Crag Kevin Wade RATING Solid D Solid D

Nickname: First State Capital: Dover Polls Close: 8:00 PM ET

Population (2010): 897, 934 White: 65.3% Black: 20.8% Hispanic: 8.2% Asian: 3.2%

HOUSE DE-AL
*incumbent ^open seat

John Carney*

Tom Kovach

Solid D

Governor: Jack Markell (D) Sec. of State: Jeffrey Bullock (D) U.S. Senators: Thomas Carper (D) Christopher Coons (D)

Registered Voters: 623,292 Party ID: D: 295,139 (47%) R: 180,014 (29%) Other: 148,139 (24%) Presidential: 2004: Kerry 200,152 (53%) Bush 171,660 (46%) 2008: Obama 255,459 (62%) McCain 152,374 (37%)

101

FLORIDA
On the Ballot
RACE SEN HOUSE FL-1 FL-2 FL-3^ FL-4 FL-5 FL-6^ FL-7 FL-8 FL-9^ FL-10 FL-11 FL-12^ FL-13 FL-14 FL-15 FL-16 FL-17 FL-18 FL-19^ FL-20 FL-21 FL-22^ FL-23 FL-24 FL-25 FL-26 FL -27
*incumbent ^open seat

Nickname: Sunshine State Capital: Tallahassee Polls Close: 8:00 PM ET

DEMOCRAT Bill Nelson*

REPUBLICAN Connie Mack

RATING Lean D

Population (2010): 18,801,310 White: 57.9% Black: 15.2% Hispanic: 22.5% Asian: 2.4%

Jim Bryan Al Lawson Jaques Gaillot Corrine Brown* Heather Beaven Jason Kendall Shannon Roberts Alan Grayson Val Demings David Werder Jonathan Snow Jessica Ehrlich Kathy Castor* Unopposed Keith Fitzgerald William Bronson
Patrick Murphy

Jeff Miller* Steve Southerland* Ted Yoho Ander Crenshaw* LeAnne Kolb Ron Desantis John Mica* Bill Posey* Todd Long Dan Webster* Rich Nugent* Gus Bilirakis* Bill Young* Evelio Otero Dennis Ross* Vern Buchanan* Tom Rooney*
Allen West*

Jim Roach Alcee Hastings* Ted Deutch* Lois Frankel

Debbie Wasserman Schultz*

Trey Radel

Adam Hasner Karen Harrington Unopposed Mario Diaz-Balart* David Rivera* Ileana Ros-Lehtinen

Solid R Likely R Solid R Solid R Solid D Solid R Solid R Solid R Likely D Lean R Solid R Solid R Solid R Solid D Solid R Likely R Solid R Toss Up Solid R Solid D Solid D Likely D Solid D Solid D Solid R Lean D Solid R

Governor: Rick Scott (R) Sec. of State: Ken Detzner (R) U.S. Senators: Bill Nelson (D) Marco Rubio (R)

Registered Voters: 11,483,461 Party ID: D: 4,593,324 (40%) R: 4,147,530 (36%) Other: 2,742,607 (24%) Presidential: 2004: Bush 3,964,522 (52% Kerry 3,583,544 (47%) 2008: Obama 4,282,074 (51%) McCain 4,045,624 (48%)

Frederica Wilson*

Joe Garcia Manny Yevancey

102

Key Ballot Measures

Public Funding for Abortion Voters in Florida will decide on a constitutional amendment that would ban the use public funds for abortions, unless the abortion is performed in order to save the mothers life. The amendment also notes, in regards to abortion, that the states constitution cannot be interpreted to be broader in scope than that of the United States Constitution. The amendment must receive 60% voter approval to be adopted. Religious Funding If passed, Amendment 8 would allow public funds in Florida to be used by religious organizations providing public services. The amendment would repeal what is currently known in Florida as the Blaine Amendment which prohibits state funding of religious organizations and religious schools. The amendment must receive 60% voter approval to be adopted.

103

GEORGIA
On the Ballot
RACE HOUSE GA-1 GA-2 GA-3 GA-4 GA-5 GA-6 GA-7 GA-8 GA-9^ GA-10 GA-11 GA-12 GA-13 GA-14
*incumbent ^open seat

Nickname: Peach State Capital: Atlanta Polls Close: 7:00 PM ET

DEMOCRAT Lesli Messinger Sanford Bishop* Unopposed Hank Johnson* John Lewis* Jeff Kazanow Steve Reilly Unopposed Jody Cooley
Patrick Thompson

REPUBLICAN Jack Kingston* John House

Lynn Westmoreland*

RATING Solid R Solid D Solid R Solid D Solid D Solid R Solid R Solid R Solid R Solid R Solid R Toss Up Solid D Solid R

Population (2010): 9,687,653 White: 55.9% Black: 30% Hispanic: 8.8% Asian: 3.2%

John Barrow* David Scott* Danny Grant

Chris Vaughn Howard Stopeck Tom Price* Rob Woodall* Austin Scott* Doug Collins Paul Broun* Phil Gingery* Lee Anderson Shahid Malik Tom Graves*

Governor: Nathan Deal (R) Sec. of State: Brian Kemp (R) U.S. Senators: Saxby Chambliss (R) Johnny Isakson (R)

Registered Voters: 5,804,812 Party ID: No Party Registration Presidential: 2004: Bush 1,914,254 (58%) Kerry 1,366,149 (41%) 2008: McCain 2,048,759 (52%) Obama 1,844,123 (47%)

104

HAWAII
On the Ballot
RACE SEN DEMOCRAT Mazie Hirono REPUBLICAN Linda Lingle RATING Lean D

Nickname: Aloha State Capital: Honolulu Polls Close: 11:00 AM ET

HOUSE HI-1 HI-2^

*incumbent ^open seat

Population (2010): 1,360,301 White: 22.7% Asian: 37.7% Hawaiian: 9.4% Hispanic: 8.9% Black: 1.5%

Colleen Hanabusa* Tusi Gabbard

Charles Djou Kawika Crowley

Solid D Solid D Governor: Neil Abercrombie (D) Lt. Governor: Brian Schatz (D) U.S. Senators: Daniel Inouye (D) Daniel Akaka (D)

Registered Voters: 690,748 Party ID: No Party Registration Presidential: 2004: Kerry 231,708 (54%) Bush 194,191 (45%) 2008: Obama 325,871 (72%) McCain 120,566 (27%)

105

IDAHO
On the Ballot
RACE HOUSE ID-1 ID-2
*incumbent ^open seat

Nickname: Gem State Capital: Boise Polls Close: 11:00 PM ET

DEMOCRAT

REPUBLICAN

RATING

Jimmy Farris Nicole LeFavour

Raul Labrador* Mike Simpson*

Solid R Solid R

Population (2010): 1,567,582 White: 84% Black: 0.6% Hispanic: 11.2% Asian: 1.2% Native American: 1.1%

Governor: C.L. Butch Otter (R) Sec. of State: Ben Ysursa (R) U.S. Senators: Mike Crapo (R) Jim Risch (R)

Registered Voters: 762,997 Party ID: No Party Registration Presidential: 2004: Bush 409,235 (68%) Kerry 181,098 (30%) 2008: McCain 403,012 (62%) Obama 236,440 (36%)

106

ILLINOIS
On the Ballot
RACE DEMOCRAT REPUBLICAN RATING

Nickname: Prairie State Capital: Springfield Polls Close: 8:00 PM ET

HOUSE IL-01 IL-02 IL-03 IL-04 IL-05 IL-06 IL-07 IL-08 IL-09 IL-10 IL-11 IL-12^ IL-13^ IL-14 IL-15 IL-16 IL-17 IL-18
*incumbent ^open seat

Population (2010): 12,830,632 White: 63.7% Black: 14.3% Hispanic: 15.8% Asian: 4.5%

Bobby Rush* Jesse Jackson* Daniel Lipinski* Luis Gutierrez* Mike Quigley* Leslie Coolidge Danny Davis* Tammy Duckworth Jan Schakowsky* Brad Schneider Bill Foster William Enyart David Gill Dennis Anderson Angela Michael Wanda Rohl Cheri Bustos Steve Waterworth

Donald Peloquin Brian Woodworth

Richard Grabowski Hector Conception

Dan Schmitt Peter Roskam* Rita Zak Joe Walsh* Timothy Wolfe Bob Dold* Judy Biggert* Jason Plummer Rodney Davis Randy Hultgren* John Shimkus* Asdam Kinzinger* Bobby Schilling* Aaron Schock*

Solid D Solid D Solid D Solid D Solid D Solid R Solid D Likely D Solid D Lean D Toss Up Toss Up Toss Up Solid R Solid R Solid R Toss Up Solid R

Governor: Pat Quinn (D) Sec. of State: Jesse White (D) U.S. Senators: Richard Durbin (D) Mark Kirk (R)

Registered Voters: 7,304,333 Party ID: No Party Registration Presidential: 2004: Kerry 2,891,550 (55%) Bush 2,345,946 (44%) 2008: Obama 3,419,348 (62%) McCain 2,031,179 (37%)

107

INDIANA
On the Ballot
RACE GOV^ SEN^ DEMOCRAT John Gregg Joe Donnelly REPUBLICAN Mike Pence
Richard Murdock

Nickname: Hoosier State Capital: Indianapolis Polls Close: 7:00 PM ET

RATING Likely R Toss Up

Population (2010): 6,483,802 White: 81.5% Black: 9% Hispanic: 6% Asian: 1.6%

HOUSE IN-1 IN-2^ IN-3 IN-4 IN-5^ IN-6^ IN-7 IN-8 IN-9

Peter Visclosky* Brendan Mullen Kevin Boyd Tara Nelson Scott Reske Bradley Bookout Andre Carson* Dave Crooks Shelli Yoder

Joel Phelps Jackie Walorski Marlin Stutzman Todd Rokita* Susan Brooks Luke Messer Carlos May Larry Bucshon* Todd Young*

Solid D Likely R Solid R Solid R Solid R Solid R Solid D Lean R Solid R

Governor: Mitch Daniels (R) Sec. of State: Connie Lawson (R) U.S. Senators: Richard Lugar (R) Dan Coats (R)

Registered Voters: 4,409,890 Party ID: No Party Registration Presidential: 2004: Bush 1,479,438 (60%) Kerry 969,011 (39%) 2008: Obama 1,374,039 (50%) McCain 1,345,648 (49%)

*incumbent ^open seat

108

IOWA
On the Ballot
RACE DEMOCRAT REPUBLICAN RATING

Nickname: Hawkeye State Capital: Des Moines Polls Close: 10:00 PM ET

Population (2010): 3,046,355 White: 88.7% Black: 2.9% Hispanic: 5% Asian: 1.7%

HOUSE IA-1 IA-2 IA-3 IA-4

Bruce Braley* David Loebsack* Leonard Boswell* Christie Vilsack

Ben Lange John Archer Tom Latham* Steve King*

Likely D Likely D Lean R Lean R

Governor: Terry Branstad (R) Sec. of State: Matt Schultz (R) U.S. Senators: Charles Grassley (R) Tom Harkin (D)

*incumbent ^open seat

Registered Voters: 2,154,464 Party ID: No Party Registration Presidential: 2004: Bush 751,957 (50%) Kerry 741,898 (49%) 2008: Obama 828,940 (54%) McCain 682,379 (44%)

109

KANSAS
On the Ballot
RACE DEMOCRAT REPUBLICAN RATING

Nickname: Sunflower State Capital: Topeka Polls Close: 9:00 PM ET

Population (2010): 2,853,118 White: 78.2% Black: 5.7% Hispanic: 10.5% Asian: 2.3%

HOUSE KS-1 KS-2 KS-3 KS-4

Unopposed
Tobias Schlingensiepen

Robert Tillman

Tim Huelskamp* Lynn Jenkins* Kevin Yoder* Mike Pompeo*

Solid R Solid R Solid R Solid R

Governor: Sam Brownback (R) Sec. of State: Kris Kobach (R) U.S. Senators: Pat Roberts (R) Jerry Moran (R)

*incumbent ^open seat

Registered Voters: 1,719,469 Party ID (2010): R: 744,975 (43.7%) D: 460,318 (27%) Other: 501,505 (29.4%) Presidential: 2004: Bush 736,456 (62%) Kerry 434,993 (37%) 2008: McCain 699,655 (57%) Obama 514,765 (42%)

110

KENTUCKY
On the Ballot
RACE HOUSE KY-1 KY-2 KY-3 KY-4^ KY-5 KY-6
*incumbent ^open seat

Nickname: Bluegrass State Capital: Frankfort Polls Close: 7:00 PM ET

DEMOCRAT Charles Hatchett David Williams John Yarmuth* Bill Adkins Kenneth Stepp Ben Chandler*

REPUBLICAN Ed Whitefield* Brett Guthrie* Brooks Wicker Thomas Massie Hal Rogers* Andy Barr

RATING Solid R Solid R Solid D Solid R Solid R Toss Up

Population (2010): 4,339,367 White: 86.3% Black: 7.7% Hispanic: 3.1% Asian: 1.1%

Governor: Steve Beshear (D) Sec. of State: Alison Lundergan Grimes (R) U.S. Senators: Mitch McConnell (R) Rand Paul (R)

Registered Voters: 3,012,175 Party ID (2012): D: 1,655,118 (55%) Republican: 1,140,635 (38%) Other: 214,422 (7%) Presidential: 2004: Bush 1,069,439 (60%) Kerry 712, 733 (40%) 2008: McCain 1,048,462 (57%) Obama 751,985 (41%)

111

LOUISIANA
On the Ballot
RACE HOUSE LA-01 LA-02 LA-03^ LA-04 LA-05 LA-06
*incumbent ^open seat

Nickname: Pelican State Capital: Baton Rouge Polls Close: 9:00 PM ET

DEMOCRAT

REPUBLICAN

RATING

Vinny Mendoza Cedric Richmond* Gary Landrieu

Steve Scalise* Dwayne Bailey Jeff Landry* Charles Boustany* John Fleming* Rodney Alexander* Bill Cassidy*

Solid R Solid D Solid R Solid R Solid R Solid R

Population (2010): 4,533,372 White: 60.3% Black: 31.8% Hispanic: 4.2% Asian: 1.5%

Governor: Bobby Jindal (R) Sec. of State: Tom Schedler (R) U.S. Senators: Mary Landrieu (D) David Vitter (R)

Rufus Craig

Registered Voters: 2,897,286 Party ID: D: 1,400,668 (48%) R: 795,674 (27%) Other: 700,944 (24%) Presidential: 2004: Bush 1,102,169 (57%) Kerry 820,299 (42%) 2008: McCain 1,148,275 (59%) Obama 782,989 (40%)

112

MAINE
On the Ballot
RACE SEN^ HOUSE ME-1 ME-2
*incumbent ^open seat

Nickname: Pine Tree State Capital: Augusta Polls Close: 8:00 PM ET

DEMOCRAT Cynthia Dill Angus King (I) Chellie Pingree* Michael Michaud*

REPUBLICAN
Charlie Summers

RATING Toss Up

Population (2010): 1,328,361 White: 94.4% Black: 1.1% Hispanic: 1.3% Asian: 1%

Jon Courtney Kevin Raye

Solid D Solid D

Governor: Paul Lepage (R) Secretary of State: Charles Summers (R) U.S. Senators: Olympia Snowe (R) Susan Collins (R)

Key Ballot Measures

Same-sex marriage This November voters in Maine will decide whether or not same-sex marriages will be recognized in their state. Question 1 asks voters: Do you want to allow the state of Maine to issue marriage licenses for same-sex couples? This ballot initiative would allow samesex couples to receive a marriage license, but would not require religious officials to perform a marriage if it is against their beliefs. This is an effort to re-recognize same sex marriages in the state. In May 2009, then Governor John Baldacci (D) signed into law the freedom to marry bill, which was repealed by voters that November.

Registered Voters: 914,435 Party ID: (2010) D: 324,630 (33%) R: 273,305 (28%) I: N/A

Presidential: 2004: Kerry 396,842 (54%) Bush 330,201 (45%) 2008: Obama 421,923 (58%) McCain 295,273 (40%)

113

MARYLAND
On the Ballot
RACE SEN DEMOCRAT Ben Cardin* REPUBLICAN Daniel Bongino RATING Solid D

Nickname: Old Line State Capital: Annapolis Polls Close: 8:00 PM ET

Population: 5,773,552 White: 54.7% Black: 29% Hispanic: 8.2% Asian: 5.5%

HOUSE MD-1 MD-2 MD-3 MD-4 MD-5 MD-6 MD-7 MD-8

Wendy Rosen
C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger*

John Sarbanes* Donna Edwards* Steny Hoyer* John Delaney Elijah Cummings* Chris Van Hollen*

Andy Harris* Nancy Jacbos Eric Knowles Faith Loudon Tony O'Donnell Roscoe Bartlett* Frank Mirabile Ken Timmerman

Solid R Solid D Solid D Solid D Solid D Likely D Solid D Solid D

Governor: Martin OMalley (D) Secretary of State: John McDonough (D) U.S. Senators: Barbara Mikulski (D) Ben Cardin (D)

*incumbent ^open seat

Registered Voters: 3,563,971 Party ID: (2010) D: 1,934,133 (57%) R: 905,208 (26%) Other: 486,973 (14%) Total: 3,416,058

Key Ballot Measures

Same-sex marriage - Voters in Maryland will be asked to either uphold or dismiss their state marriage equality law. In March, Maryland Governor Martin OMalley (D) signed into law a bill legalizing same-sex marriage. Opponents of the new law fired back in June, gaining enough signatures to put the issue before voters this November. Immigration - In 2011, the Maryland General Assembly passed Senate Bill 167 which is commonly referred to as the Maryland Dream Act. The law allows undocumented students to pay in-state tuition at Maryland community colleges if they graduated high school in the state and their parents file taxes in Maryland. After completing two years at a community college, the students can then transfer to a state-university, while still paying the in-state tuition rate. This November voters will decide if in-state tuition rates for undocumented students will stay or go?

Presidential: 2004: Kerry 1,334,493 (56%) Bush 1,024,703 (43%) 2008: Obama 1,629,467 (62%) McCain 959,862 (36%)

114

MASSACHUSETTS
Nickname: Bay State Capital: Boston Polls Close: 8:00 PM ET

On the Ballot
RACE SEN HOUSE MA-1 MA-2 MA-3 MA-4^ MA-5 MA-6 MA-7 MA-8 MA-9
*incumbent ^open seat

DEMOCRAT
Elizabeth Warren

REPUBLICAN Scott Brown*

RATING Toss Up

Population: 6,547,629 White: 76.1% Black: 6% Hispanic: 9.6% Asian: 5.3%

Richard Neal* Jim McGovern* Niki Tsongas* Joe Kennedy Ed Markey* John Tierney* Mike Capuano* Stephen Lynch* Bill Keating*

Unopposed Unopposed Jon Golnik Sean Bielat Tom Tierney Richard Tisei Joe Selvaggi Adam Chaprales

Solid D Solid D Solid D Solid D Solid D Lean R Solid D Solid D Solid D

Governor: Deval Patrick (D) Sec. of State: William Galvin (D) U.S. Senators: John Kerry (D) Scott Brown (R)

Registered Voters: 4,180,918 Party ID: Democrats: 1,486,648 (36%) Republicans: 471,829 (11%) Other: 2,222,441 (53%)

Key Ballot Measures

Medical Marijuana Voters in Massachusetts will be asked to vote on the legalization of marijuana, for medical use, in their state. In this measure, the state outlines what type of medical conditions qualifies an individual to use marijuana without criminal penalties. Massachusetts Qualifications: To qualify, a patient must have been diagnosed with a debilitating medical condition, such as cancer, glaucoma, HIV-positive status or AIDS, hepatitis C, Crohns disease, Parkinsons disease, ALS, or multiple sclerosis.

Presidential: 2004: Kerry 1,803,800 (62%) Bush 1,071,109 (37%) 2008: Obama 1,904,097 (62%) McCain 1,108,854 (36%)

115

MASSACHUSETTS MICHIGAN
On the Ballot
RACE SEN HOUSE MI-1 MI-2 MI-3 MI-4 MI-5^ MI-6 MI-7 MI-8 MI-9 MI-10 MI-11^ MI-12 MI-13 MI-14
*incumbent ^open seat

Nickname: Bay State State Great Lakes Capital: Boston Lansing Polls Close: 8:00 PM ET 9:00

DEMOCRAT
Debbie Stabenow*

REPUBLICAN Peter Hoekstra

RATING Likely D

Population: 6,547,629 9,883,640 White: 76.1% 76.6% Black: 6% 14% Hispanic: 9.6% 4.4% Asian: 5.3% 2.4%

Gary McDowell Willie German Steve Pestka Debra Wirth Dan Kildee Mike O'Brien Kurt Haskell Lance Enderle Sandy Levin* Chuck Stadler Syed Taj John Dingell* John Conyers* Gary Peters*

Dan Benishek* Bill Huizenga* Justin Amash* Dave Camp* Jim Slezak Fred Upton* Tim Walberg Mike Rogers* Don Volaric Candice Miller* Kerry Bentivolio Cynthia Kallgren Harry Sawicki John Hauler

Toss Up Solid R Likely R Solid R Solid D Solid R Solid R Solid R Solid D Solid R Lean R Solid D Solid D Solid D

Governor: Deval Patrick (D) Rick Snyder (R) Secretary of State: Ruth Johnson (R) William Galvin (D) U.S. Senators: Carl Kerry (D) JohnLevin (D) Debbie Stabenow Scott Brown (R) (D)

Registered Voters: 7,454,553 voters: 4,180,918 Party ID: No party registration Democrats: 1,486,648 (36%) Republicans: 471,829 (11%) Presidential: Other: 2,222,441 (53%) 2004: Kerry 2,479,183 (51%) Presidential: (48%) Bush 2,313,746 2004: 2008: Kerry 1,803,800 (62%) Obama 2,872,579 (57%) Bush 1,071,109 (37%) McCain 2,048,639 (41%) 2008: Obama 1,904,097 (62%) McCain 1,108,854 (36%)

Key Ballot Measures

Collective Bargaining The Protect our Jobs ballot proposal in Michigan aims to amend the states constitution in order to create a constitutionally-protected right to collectively bargain for public and private workers. If passed, the measure would also reverse many controversial labor-laws in the state that have been passed recently. Examples: a. Ban against payroll deductions for public school employee union dues b. Ban on graduate student unionization

116

MINNESOTA
On the Ballot
RACE SEN DEMOCRAT Amy Klobuchar* REPUBLICAN Kurt Bills RATING Solid D

Nickname: North Star State Capital: St. Paul Polls Close: 9:00 PM ET

Population: 5,303,925 White: 83.1% Black: 5.1% Hispanic: 4.7% Asian: 4%

HOUSE MN-1 MN-2 MN-3 MN-4 MN-5 MN-6 MN-7 MN-8

*incumbent ^open seat

Tim Walz*
Mike Obermueller

Brian Barnes Betty McCollum* Keith Ellison* Jim Graves Collin Peterson* Richard Nolan

Allen Quist John Kline* Erik Paulsen* Tony Hernandez Chris Fields Michele Bachmann* Lee Byberg Chip Cravaack

Solid D Likely R Solid R Solid D Solid D Lean R Solid D Toss Up

Governor: Mark Dayton (R) Secretary of State: Mark Ritchie (D) U.S. Senators: Amy Kloubuchar (D) Al Franken (D)

Registered Voters: 3,059,234 Party ID: No Party ID Presidential: 2004: Kerry 1,445,014 (51%) Bush 1,346,695 (48%) 2008: Obama 1,573,354 (54%) McCain 1,275,409 (44%)

Key Ballot Measures

Same-sex marriage In Minnesota, voters will decide whether or not to pass a proposed state constitutional amendment that defines marriage as only being between one man and one woman. Currently, same-sex marriages are not recognized in the state. A poll conducted in June of this year by Public Policy Polling showed that 43% of voters support the proposed amendment, while 49% oppose the measure. Voter ID Law Voters in Minnesota will decide if voters in future elections will be required to show a government-issued photo ID before voting. The measure also requires that the state make photo IDs available to those without a government-issued ID, at no charge.

117

MISSISSIPPI
On the Ballot
RACE SEN DEMOCRAT Albert Gore Jr. REPUBLICAN Roger Wicker* RATING Solid R

Nickname: Magnolia State Capital: Jackson Polls Close: 8:00 PM ET

Population : 2,967,297 White: 58% Black: 36.9% Hispanic: 2.7% Asian: 0.9%

HOUSE MS-1 MS-2 MS-3 MS-4

*incumbent ^open seat

Brad Morris Bennie Thompson* Michael Herrington

Alan Nunnelee* Bill Marcy Gregg Harper* Steven Palazzo*

Solid R Solid D Solid R Solid R

Governor: Phil Bryant (R) Secretary of State: Delbert Hosemann (R) U.S. Senators: Thad Cochran (R) Roger Wicker (R)

Registered Voters: 1,794,042 (2010) Party ID: No Party ID Presidential 2004: Bush 684,981 (59%) Kerry 457,766 (40%) 2008: McCain 724,597 (56%) Obama 554,662 (43%)

118

MISSOURI
On the Ballot
RACE GOV SEN DEMOCRAT Jay Nixon* Claire McCaskill* REPUBLICAN Dave Spence Todd Akin RATING Lean D Likely D

Nickname: Show Me State Capital: Jefferson City Polls Close: 8:00 PM ET

Population: 5,988,927 White: 81% Black: 11.5% Hispanic: 3.5% Asian: 1.6%

HOUSE MO-1 MO-2^ MO-3 MO-4 MO-5 MO-6 MO-7 MO-8

Lacy Clay* Glenn Koenen Eric Mayer Teresa Hensley Emanuel Cleaver* Kyle Yarber Jim Evans Jack Rushin

Robyn Hamlin Ann Wagner Blaine Luetkemeyer* Vicky Hartzler* Jacob Turk Sam Graves* Billy Long* Jo Ann Emerson*

Solid D Solid R Solid R Solid R Solid D Solid R Solid R Solid R

Governor: Jay Nixon (D) Secretary of State: Robin Carnahan (D) U.S. Senators: Roy Blunt (R) Claire McCaskill (D)

Registered voters: 4,137,545 (2010) Party ID: No party ID Presidential: 2004: Bush 1,455,713 (53%) Kerry 1,259,171 (46%) 2008: McCain 1,445,814 (49.43%) Obama 1,441,911 (49.29%)

*incumbent ^open seat

119

MONTANA
On the Ballot
RACE GOV^ DEMOCRAT Steve Bullock REPUBLICAN Rick Hill RATING Toss Up

Nickname: Treasure State Capital: Helena Polls Close: 10:00 PM ET

Population: 989,415 White: 87.8% Black: 0.4% Hispanic: 2.9% Asian: 0.6%

SEN

John Tester

Dennis Rehberg

Toss Up Governor: Brian Schweitzer (D) Secretary of State: Linda McCulloch (D)

HOUSE
MT-AL^

Kim Gillan

Steve Daines*

Likely R

*incumbent ^open seat

U.S. Senators: Max Baucus (D) Jon Tester (D)

Key Ballot Measures

Medical Marijuana - Medical marijuana usage is currently legal in Montana. If referendum IR-124 is approved, the states current medical marijuana program would be revamped and include new restrictions such as: permitting patients to grow marijuana or designate a provider; limiting each marijuana provider to three patients; prohibiting marijuana providers from accepting anything of value in exchange for services or products; granting local governments authority to regulate marijuana providers; establishing specific standards for demonstrating chronic pain; and reviewing the practices of doctors who certify marijuana use for 25 or more patients in a 12-month period.

Registered Voters: 658,903 Party ID: No Party ID Presidential: 2004: Bush 266,063 (59%) Kerry 173,710 (39%) 2008: McCain 242,763 (50%) Obama 231,667 (47%) Paul 10,638 (2%)

120

NEBRASKA

Nickname: Cornhusker State Capital: Lincoln Polls Close: 9:00 PM ET

Population: 1,826,341 White: 82.1% Black: 4.4% Hispanic: 9.2% Asian: 1.7%

On the Ballot
RACE SEN^ DEMOCRAT Bob Kerrey REPUBLICAN Deb Fisher RATING Likely R

Governor: Dave Heineman (R) Secretary of State: John Gale (R) U.S. Senators: Ben Nelson (D) Mike Johanns (R)

HOUSE NE-1 Korey Reiman NE-2 John Ewing NE-3 Mark Sullivan
*incumbent ^open seat

Jeff Fortenberry* Lee Terry* Adrian Smith*

Solid R Solid R Solid R

Registered Voters: 1,142,247 (2010) Party ID: (2010) D: 380,321 (33%) R: 549,105 (48%) Other: 212,821(19%) Presidential: 2004: Bush 512,814 (66%) Kerry 254,328 (33%) 2008: McCain 452,979 (57%) Obama 333,319 (42%)

121

NEVADA
On the Ballot
RACE SEN DEMOCRAT Shelley Berkley REPUBLICAN Dean Heller* RATING Toss Up

Nickname: Silver State Capital: Carson City Polls Close: 10:00 PM ET

Population (2010): 2,700,551 White: 54.1% Black: 7.7% Hispanic: 26.5% Asian: 7.1%

HOUSE NV-1^ NV-2 NV-3 NV-4^

Diana Titus
Samuel Koepnick

Christopher Edwards

John Oceguera Steven Horsford

Mark Amodei* Joe Heck* Danny Tarkanian

Solid D Solid R Toss Up Toss UP

Governor: Brian Sandoval (R) Secretary of State: Ross Miller (D) U.S. Senators: Harry Reid (D) Dean Heller (R)

*incumbent ^open seat

Registered Voters: 1,500,818 Party ID: D: 635,419 (42%) R: 504,974 (34%) Other: 360,425 (24%) Presidential: 2004: Bush 418,690 (50%) Kerry 397,190 (48%) 2008: Obama 533,736 (55%) McCain 412,827 (43%)

122

NEW HAMPSHIRE
On the Ballot
RACE GOV^ DEMOCRAT Maggie Hassan REPUBLICAN
Ovide Lamontage

Nickname: Granite State Capital: Concord Polls Close: 8:00 PM ET

RATING Toss Up

Population: 1,316,470 White: 92.3% Black: 1.0% Hispanic: 2.8% Asian: 2.1%

HOUSE NH-1 NH-2

*incumbent ^open seat

Carol Shea-Porter Ann McLane Kuster

Frank Guinta* Charlie Bass*

Toss Up Lean D

Governor: John Lynch (R) Secretary of State: William Gardner (D) U.S. Senators: Kelly Ayotte (R) Jeanne Shaheen (D)

Registered Voters: 791,434 Party ID: D: 224,915 (28%) R: 258, 714 (33%) Other: 307,805 (39%) Presidential: 2004: Kerry 340,511 (50%) Bush 331,237 (49%) 2008: Obama 384,826 (54%) McCain 316,534 (45%)

123

NEW JERSEY
On the Ballot
RACE SEN DEMOCRAT Bob Menendez* REPUBLICAN Joe Kyrillos RATING Likely D

Nickname: Garden State Capital: Trenton Polls Close: 8:00 PM ET

Population: 8,791,894 White: 59.3% Black: 12.8% Hispanic: 17.7% Asian: 8.2%

HOUSE NJ-1 NJ-2 NJ-3 NJ-4 NJ-5 NJ-6 NJ-7 NJ-8 NJ-9 NJ-10^ NJ-11 NJ-12

Rob Andrews*
Cassandra Shober

Shelley Adler Brian Froelich Adam Gussen Frank Pallone*

Upendra Chivukula

Albio Sires* Bill Pascrell* Donald Payne, Jr. John Arvanites Rush Holt*

Greg Horton Frank LoBiondo* Jon Runyan* Chris Smith* Scott Garrett* Anna Little Leonard Lance* Maria Karczewski Shmuley Boteach Brian Kelemen
Rodney Frelinghuysen*

Eric Beck

Solid D Solid R Lean R Solid R Solid R Solid D Solid R Solid D Solid D Solid D Solid R Solid D

Governor: Chris Christie (R) Secretary of State/Lt. Governor: Kim Guadagno (R) U.S. Senators: Frank Lautenberg (D) Robert Menendez (D)

Registered Voters: 5,497,322 Party ID: (2010) D: 1,787,480 (33%) R: 1,084,757 (20%) Other: 2,625,085 (47%) Presidential: 2004: Kerry 1,911,430 (53%) Bush 1,670,003 (46%) 2008: Obama 2,215,422 (57%) McCain 1,613,207 (42%)

*incumbent ^open seat

124

NEW MEXICO
On the Ballot
RACE SEN^ HOUSE NM-1^ NM-2 NM-3 DEMOCRAT Martin Heinrich REPUBLICAN Heather Wilson
Janice Arnold-Jones

Nickname: Land of Enchantment Capital: Santa Fe Polls Close: 9:00 PM ET

RATING Lean D Solid D Solid R Solid D

Population: 2,059,179 White: 40.5% Black: 1.7% Hispanic: 46.3% Asian: 1.3%

Michelle Lujan Grisham

Evelyn Erhard Ben Lujan*

Steve Pearce* Jefferson Byrd

Governor: Susana Martinez (R) Secretary of State: Dianna Duran (R) U.S. Senators: Jeff Bingaman (D) Tom Udall (D)

*incumbent ^open seat

Registered Voters: 1,228,028 Party ID: D: 586,696 (48%) R: 388,511 (32%) Other: 252,821 (20%) Presidential: 2004: Bush 376,930 (50%) Kerry 370,942 (49%) 2008: Obama 384,826 (54%) McCain 316,534 (45%)

125

NEW YORK
On the Ballot
RACE SEN DEMOCRAT Kristen Gillibrand* REPUBLICAN Wendy Long RATING Solid D

Nickname: Empire State Capital: Albany Polls Close: 9:00 PM ET

Population: 19,378,102 White: 58.3% Black: 14.4% Hispanic: 17.6% Asian: 7.3%

HOUSE NY-1 NY-2 NY-3 NY-4 NY-5 NY-6^ NY-7 NY-8^ NY-9 NY-10 NY-11 NY-12 NY-13 NY-14 NY-15 NY-16 NY-17 NY-18 NY-19 NY-20 NY-21 NY-22 NY-23 NY-24 NY-25 NY-26 NY-27

Tim Bishop* Vivianne Falcone Steve Israel* Carolyn McCarthy* Gregory Meeks* Grace Meng Nydia Velazquez* Hakeem Jeffries Yvette Clarke* Jerrold Nadler* Mark Murphy Carolyn Maloney* Charles Rangel* Joe Crowley* Jose Serrano* Eliot Engel* Nita Lowey* Sean Maloney Julian Schreibman Paul Tonko* Bill Owens* Dan Lamb Nate Shinagawa Daniel Maffei Louise Slaughter* Brian Higgins* Kathy Hochul*

Randy Altschuler Peter King* Stephen Labate Francis Becker Allan Jennings Daniel Halloran Alan Bellone Daniel Cavanagh Michael Chan Mike Grimm*
Christopher Wight

William Gibbons Frank Della Valle

Joseph McLaughlin Joe Carvin

Nan Hayworth
Christopher Gibson*

Robert Dieterich Matthew Doheny Richard Hanna* Thomas Reed*

Ann Marie Buerkle*

Maggie Brooks Michael Madigan Chris Collins

Lean D Solid R Solid D Solid D Solid D Solid D Solid D Solid D Solid D Solid D Lean R Solid D Solid D Solid D Solid D Solid D Solid D Toss Up Toss Up Solid D Likely D Solid R Solid R Lean D Likely D Solid D Toss Up

Governor: Andrew Cuomo (D) Secretary of State: Cesar Perales (D) U.S. Senators: Charles Schumer (D) Kirsten Gillibrand (D)

Registered Voters: 11,477,613 Party ID: D: 5,649,934 (49%) R: 2,826,913 (24%) Other: 3,000,766 (25%) Presidential: 2004: Kerry 4,314,280 (58%) Bush 2,962,567 (40%) 2008: Obama 4,804,701 (63%) McCain 2,752,728 (36%)

*incumbent ^open seat

126

NORTH CAROLINA
On the Ballot
RACE GOV^ DEMOCRAT Walter Dalton REPUBLICAN Pat McCrory RATING Lean R

Nickname: Tar Heel State Capital: Raleigh Polls Close: 7:30 PM ET

Population: 9,535,483 White: 65.3% Black: 21.2% Hispanic: 8.4% Asian: 2.2%

HOUSE NC-1 NC-2 NC-3 NC-4 NC-5 NC-6 NC-7 NC-8 NC-9^ NC-10 NC-11^ NC-12 NC-13^

G.K. Butterfield* Steve Wilkins Erik Anderson David Price*

Elisabeth Motsinger

Pete DiLauro Renee Ellmers* Walter Jones*

Timothy D'Annunzio

Anthony Foriest Mike McIntyre* Larry Kissell* Jennifer Roberts Patsy Keever Hayden Rogers Mel Watt* Charles Malone

Virginia Foxx* Howard Coble* David Rouzer Richard Hudson Robert Pittenger Patrick McHenry* Mark Meadows Jack Brosch George Holding

Solid D Solid R Solid R Solid D Solid R Solid R Toss Up Likely R Solid R Solid R Likely R Solid D Likely R

Governor: Bev Perdue (D) Secretary of State: Elaine Marshall (D) U.S. Senators: Richard Burr (R) Kay Hagan (D)

Registered Voters: 6,452,501 Party ID: D: 2,776,963 (43%) R: 2,077,999 (32%) Other: 1,667,539 (25%) Presidential: 2004: Bush 1,961,166 (56%) Kerry 1,525,849 (44%) 2008: Obama 2,142,651 (50%) McCain 2,128,474 (49%)

*incumbent ^open seat

127

NORTH DAKOTA
On the Ballot
RACE GOV SEN^ DEMOCRAT Ryan Taylor Heidi Heitkamp REPUBLICAN
Jack Dalrymple*

Nickname: Peace Garden State Capital: Bismarck Polls Close: 9:00 PM ET

RATING Solid R Toss Up

Rick Berg

Population: 672,591 White: 88.9% Black: 1.1% Hispanic: 2% Asian: 1%

HOUSE ND-AL^

Pam Gulleson

Kevin Cramer

Likely R

Governor: Jack Dalrymple (R) Secretary of State: Al Jaeger (R) U.S. Senators: Kent Conrad (D) John Hoeven (D)

*incumbent ^open seat

State does not keep voter registration records. Party ID: No Party ID. Presidential: 2004: Bush 196,651 (63%) Kerry 111,052 (35%) 2008: McCain 168,601 (53%) Obama 141,278 (45%)

128

OHIO
On the Ballot
RACE SEN DEMOCRAT Sherrod Brown* REPUBLICAN Josh Mandel RATING Lean D

Nickname: Buckeye State Capital: Columbus Polls Close: 7:30 PM ET

Population: 11,536,504 White: 81.1% Black: 12% Hispanic: 3.1% Asian: 1%

HOUSE OH-1 OH-2^ OH-3^ OH-4 OH-5 OH-6 OH-7 OH-8 OH-9 OH-10 OH-11 OH-12 OH-13
OH-14^

Jeff Sinnard William Smith Joyce Beatty Jim Slone Angela Zimmann Charlie Wilson
Joyce Healy-Abrams

OH-15 OH-16

Unopposed Marcy Kaptur* Sharen Neuhardt Marcia Fudge* Jim Reese Tim Ryan* Dale Blanchard Pat Lang Betty Sutton*

Steve Chabot* Brad Wenstrup Chris Long Jim Jordan* Bob Latta* Bill Johnson* Bob Gibbs John Boehner*
Samuel Wurzelbacher

Mike Turner* Unopposed Pat Tiberi* Marisha Agana David Joyce Steve Stivers* Jim Renacci*

Solid R Solid R Solid D Solid R Solid R Lean R LikelyR Solid R Solid D Solid R Solid D Solid R Solid D Solid R Solid R Toss Up

Governor: John Kasich (R) Secretary of State: John Husted (R) U.S. Senators: Sherrod Brown (D) Rob Portman (R)

Registered Voters: 7,772,180 Party ID: No Party ID Presidential: 2004: Bush 2,859,764 (51%) Kerry 2,741,165 (49%) 2008: Obama 2,940,044 (52%) McCain 2,677,820 (47%)

*incumbent ^open seat

129

OKLAHOMA
On the Ballot
RACE DEMOCRAT REPUBLICAN RATING

Nickname: Sooner State Capital: Oklahoma City Polls Close: 8:00 PM ET

HOUSE OK-1^ OK-2^ OK-3 OK-4 OK-5

*incumbent ^open seat

John Olson Rob Wallace Timothy Murray Donna Bebo Tom Guild

Jim Bridenstine
Markwayne Mullin

Frank Lucas* Tom Cole* James Lankford

Solid R Likely R Solid R Solid R Solid R

Population: 3,751,351 White: 68.7% Black: 7.3% Hispanic: 8.9% Asian: 1.7% Native American: 8.2%

Governor: Mary Fallin (R) Secretary of State: Glen Coffee (R) U.S. Senators: James Inhofe (R) Tom Coburn (R)

Key Ballot Measures

Affirmative Action State Question #759 will appear on ballots across Oklahoma in November and asks voters whether or not affirmative action programs in the state should be banned. The three areas targeted by the amendment are employment, education, and contracting. If passed, the ban on affirmative action programs would extend to the state, its agencies, counties, cities, towns, school districts, and other subdivisions.

Registered Voters: 2,000,610 Party ID: D: 943,283 (47%) R: 828,257 (41%) Other: 229,070 (11%) Presidential: 2004: Bush 959,792 (66%) Kerry 503,966 (34%) 2008: McCain 960,165 (66%) Obama 502,496 (34%)

130

OREGON
On the Ballot
RACE DEMOCRAT REPUBLICAN RATING

Nickname: Beaver State Capital: Salem Polls Close: 11:00 PM ET

HOUSE OR-1 OR-2 OR-3 OR-4 OR-5

Suzanne Bonamici*

Delinda Morgan

Joyce Segers Earl Blumenauer* Pete DeFazio* Kurt Schrader*

Greg Walden* Ronald Green Art Robinson

Fred Thompson

Solid D Solid R Solid D Solid D Solid D

Population: 3,831,074 White: 78.5% Black: 1.7% Hispanic: 11.7% Asian: 3.6% Native American: 1.1%

Governor: John Kitzhaber (D) Secretary of State: Kate Brown (D) U.S. Senators: Ron Wyden (D) Jeff Merkley (D)

*incumbent ^open seat

Key Ballot Measures

Marijuana In Oregon, voters will decide whether or not recreational usage of marijuana should legal for all people 21-years-of-age and older and taxed/regulated in the same way as alcohol.

Registered Voters: 2,203,272 Party ID: D: 863,322 (42%) R: 664,123 (32%) Other: 541,353 (26%) Presidential: 2004: Kerry 943,163 (51%) Bush 866,831 (47%) 2008: Obama 1,037,291 (57%) McCain 738,475 (40%)

131

PENNSYLVANIA
On the Ballot
RACE SEN DEMOCRAT Bob Casey* REPUBLICAN Tom Smith RATING Lean D

Nickname: Keystone State Capital: Harrisburg Polls Close: 8:00 PM ET

Population: 12,702,379 White: 79.5% Black: 10.4% Hispanic: 5.7% Asian: 2.7%

HOUSE PA-1 PA-2 PA-3 PA-4^ PA-5 PA-6 PA-7 PA-8 PA-9 PA-10 PA-11 PA-12 PA-13 PA-14 PA-15 PA-16 PA-17^ PA-18

Robert Brady* Chaka Fattah* Missa Eaton * Harry Perkinson Charles Dumas Manan Trivedi George Badey Kathy Boockvar Karen Ramsburg Philip Scollo Gene Stilp Mark Critz* Allyson Schwartz* Mike Doyle* Rick Daugherty Aryanna Strader Matthew Cartwright Larry Maggi

John Featherman Robert Mansfield Mike Kelly* Scott Perry Glenn Thompson* Jim Gerlach* Patrick Meehan* Mike Fitzpatrick* Bill Shuster* Tom Marino* Lou Barletta* Keith Rothfus Joe Rooney Hans Lessmann Charles Dent* Joseph Pitts* Laureen Cummings Tim Murphy*

Solid D Solid D Solid R Solid R Solid R Likely R Solid R Lean R Solid R Solid R Solid R Toss Up Solid D Solid D Solid R Solid R Solid D Solid R

Governor: Tom Corbett (R) Secretary of State: Carol Aichele (R) U.S. Senators: Robert Casey, Jr. (D) Pat Toomey (R)

Registered Voters: 8,351,247 Party ID: D: 4,185,377 (50%) R: 3,099,371 (37%) Other: 1,066,499 (13%) Presidential: 2004: Kerry 2,938,095 (51%) Bush 2,793,847 (48%) 2008: Obama 3,276,363 (54%) McCain 2,655,885 (44%)

*incumbent ^open seat

132

RHODE ISLAND
On the Ballot
RACE SEN DEMOCRAT
Sheldon Whitehouse

Nickname: Ocean State Capital: Providence Polls Close: 8:00 PM ET

REPUBLICAN Barry Hinckley

RATING Solid D

HOUSE David Cicilline* RI-1^ RI-2 James Langevin*

*incumbent ^open seat

Population: 1,052,567 White: 76.4% Black: 4.9% Hispanic: 12.4% Asian: 2.8%

Brendan Doherty Michael Riley

Lean D Solid D

Governor: Lincoln Chafee (I) Secretary of State: Ralph Mollis (D) U.S. Senators: Jack Reed (D) Sheldon Whitehouse (D)

Registered Voters: 699,626 (2010) Party ID: (2010) D: 286,626 (41%) R: 72,603 (10%) Other: 340,081 (49%) Presidential: 2004: Kerry 259,760 (59%) Bush 169,046 (39%) 2008: Obama 269,571 (62%) McCain165, 391 (35%)

133

SOUTH CAROLINA
On the Ballot
RACE HOUSE SC-1 SC-2 SC-3 SC-4 SC-5 SC-6 SC-7^ DEMOCRAT Bobbie Rose Unopposed Brian Doyle Deb Morrow Joyce Knott Jim Clyburn*
Gloria Bromell Tinubu

Nickname: The Palmetto State Capital: Columbia Polls Close: 7 PM ET

REPUBLICAN Tim Scott* Joe Wilson* Jeff Duncan* Trey Gowdy*

Mick Mulvaney*

RATING Solid R Solid R Solid R Solid R Solid R Solid D Solid R

Population: 4,625,364 White: 64.1% Black: 27.7% Hispanic: 5.1% Asian: 1.3%

Unopposed Tom Rice

Governor: Nikki Haley (R) Secretary of State: Mark Hammond (R) U.S. Senators: Lindsey Graham (R) Jim DeMint (R)

*incumbent ^open seat

Registered Voters: 2,762,735 Party ID: No Party ID Presidential: 2004: Bush 937,974 (58%) Kerry 661,699 (41%) 2008: McCain 1,034,896 (54%) Obama 864,449 (45%)

134

SOUTH DAKOTA
On the Ballot
RACE DEMOCRAT REPUBLICAN RATING HOUSE SD-AL Matt Varliek
*incumbent ^open seat

Nickname: Mt. Rushmore State Capital: Pierre Polls Close: 9 PM ET

Kristi Noem*

Likely R

Population: 814,180 White: 84.7% Black: 1.2% Hispanic: 2.7% Asian: 0.9% Native American: 8.5%

Governor: Dennis Daugaard (R) Secretary of State: Jason Grant (R) U.S. Senators: Tim Johnson (D) John Thune (R)

Registered Voters: 527,017 Party ID: D: 189,045 (36%) R: 242,487 (46%) Other: 95,485 (18%) Presidential: 2004: Bush 232,584 (60%) Kerry 149,244 (38%) 2008: McCain 203,054 (53%) Obama 170,924 (45%)

135

TENNESSEE
On the Ballot
RACE SEN DEMOCRAT Mark Clayton REPUBLICAN Bob Corker* RATING Solid R

Nickname: Volunteer State Capital: Nashville Polls Close: 8:00 PM ET

Population: 6,346,105 White: 75.6% Black: 16.5% Hispanic: 4.6% Asian: 1.4%

HOUSE TN-1 TN-2 TN-3 TN-4 TN-5 TN-6 TN-7 TN-8 TN-9

Allan Woodruff Troy Goodale Mary Headrick Eric Stewart Jim Cooper*
Credo Amouzouvik

Timothy Dixon Steve Cohen*

Phil Roe* John Duncan* Chuck Fleischmann* Scott DesJarlais Brad Staats Diane Black* Marsha Blackburn* Steve Fincher* George Flinn

Solid R Solid R Solid R Likely R Solid D Solid R Solid R Solid R Solid D

Governor: Bill Haslam (R) Secretary of State: Trey Hargett (R) U.S. Senators: Lamar Alexander (R) Bob Corker (R)

*incumbent ^open seat

Voter Registration: 3,447,163 (2011) Party ID: No Party ID Presidential: 2004: Bush 1,384,375 (57%) Kerry 1,036,477 (43%) 2008: McCain 1,479,178 (57%) Obama 1,087,437 (42%)

136

TEXAS
On the Ballot
RACE SEN^ HOUSE TX-1 TX-2 TX-3 TX-4 TX-5 TX-6 TX-7 TX-8 TX-9 TX-10 TX-11 TX-12 TX-13 TX-14^ TX-15 TX-16^ TX-17 TX-18 TX-19 TX-20^ TX-21 TX-22 TX-23 TX-24 TX-25^ TX-26 TX-27 TX-28 TX-29 TX-30 TX-31 TX-32 TX-33^ TX-34^ TX-35 TX-36^ DEMOCRAT Paul Sadler REPUBLICAN Ted Cruz RATING Solid R

Nickname: Lone Star State Capital: Austin Polls Close: 9 PM ET

Population: 25,145,561 White: 45.3% Black: 11.5% Hispanic: 37.6% Asian: 3.8%

Shirley McKellar Jim Dougherty VaLinda Hathcox Linda Mrosko Kenneth Sanders James Cargas Neil Burns Al Green* Tawana Cadien Jim Riley Dave Robinson Nick Lampson Ruben Hinojosa* Beto O'Rourke Sheila Jackson Lee*

Joaquin Castro Candace Duval Kesha Rogers Pete Gallego Tim Rusk Elaine Henderson David Sanchez Rose Meza Harrison Henry Cuellar* Gene Green* Eddie Johnson* Travis Washington Stephen Wyman John Carter Katherine Savers Pete Sessions* McGovern Marc Veasey Chuck Bradley Solid D Filemon Vela Jessica Puente Bradshaw Solid D Lloyd Doggett* Susan Narvaiz Solid D Max Martin Steve Stockman Solid R

Louie Gohmert* Ted Poe* Sam Johnson* Ralph Hall* Jeb Hensarling* Joe Barton* John Culberson* Kevin Brady* Steve Mueller Michael McCaul* Mike Conaway* Kay Granger* Mac Thornberry* Randy Weber Dale Brueggemann Barbara Carrasco Bill Flores* Sean Seibert Randy Neugebauer* David Rosa Lamar Smith* Pete Olson* Quico Canseco* Kenny Marchant* Roger Williams Michael Burgess* Blake Farenthold* William Hayward

Solid R Solid R Solid R Solid R Solid R Solid R Solid R Solid R Solid D Solid R Solid R Solid R Solid R Lean R Solid D Solid D Solid R Solid D Solid R Solid D Solid R Solid R Toss Up Solid R Solid R Solid R Solid R Solid D Solid D Solid D Solid R Solid R

Governor: Rick Perry (R) Secretary of State: Hope Andrade (R) U.S. Senators: Kay Bailey Hutchison (R) John Cornyn (R)

Registered Voters: 13,065,425 Party ID: No party registration Presidential: 2004: Bush 4,526,917 (61%) Kerry 2,832,704 (38%) 2008: McCain 4,479,328 (55%) Obama 3,528,633 (44%)

*incumbent ^open seat

137

UTAH
On the Ballot
RACE GOV SEN^ DEMOCRAT Peter Cooke Scott Howell REPUBLICAN Gary Herbert* Orrin Hatch* RATING Solid R Solid R

Nickname: Beehive State Capital: Salt Lake City Polls Close: 10:00 PM ET

Population: 2,763,885 White: 80.4% Black: 0.9% Hispanic: 13% Asian: 2%

HOUSE UT-1 UT-2^ UT-3

UT-4 *incumbent ^open seat

Donna McAleer Jay Seegmiller

Soren Simonsen

Jim Matheson*

Rob Bishop* Chris Stewart Jason Chaffetz* Mia Love

Solid R Solid R Solid R Toss Up

Governor: Gary Herbert (R) Lt. Governor: Greg Bell (R) U.S. Senators: Orrin Hatch (R) Mike Lee (R)

Registered Voters: 1,458,057 Party ID: No Party ID Presidential: 2004: Bush 663,742 (72%) Kerry 241,199 (26%) 2008: McCain 596,030 (63%) Obama 327,670 (34%)

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VERMONT
On the Ballot
RACE GOV DEMOCRAT Peter Shumlin* REPUBLICAN Randy Brock RATING Solid D

Nickname: Green Mountain State Capital: Montpelier Polls Close: 7:00 PM ET

Population: 620,589 White: 95.4% Hispanic: 1.3% Asian: 1.1%

SEN

Bernie Sanders (I)

John MacGovern

Solid D

HOUSE VT-AL Peter Welch*

*incumbent ^open seat

Governor: Peter Shumlin (D) Secretary of State: Jim Condos (D) U.S. Senators: Patrick Leahy (D) Bernie Sanders (I)

Mark Donka

Solid D

Registered Voters: 444,550 Party ID No Party ID Presidential: 2004: Kerry 184,067 (59%) Bush 121,180 (39%) 2008: Obama 219,262 (67%) McCain 98,974 (30%)

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VIRGINIA
On the Ballot
RACE SEN^ DEMOCRAT Tim Kaine REPUBLICAN George Allen RATING Toss Up

Nickname: Old Dominion State Capital: Richmond Polls Close: 7:00 PM ET

Population: 8,001024 White: 64.8% Black: 19% Hispanic: 7.9% Asian: 5.5%

HOUSE VA-1 VA-2 VA-3 VA-4 VA-5 VA-6 VA-7 VA-8 VA-9 VA-10 VA-11

Adam Cook Paul Hirschbiel Bobby Scott* Ella Ward

John Wade Douglass

Andy Schmookler

Wayne Powell Jim Moran*

Anthony Flaccavento

Rob Wittman* Scott Rigell Dean Longo J. Randy Forbes* Robert Hurt* Bob Goodlatte* Eric Cantor* J. Patrick Murray Morgan Griffith* Frank Wolf* Chris Perkins

Solid R Likely R Solid D Solid R Solid R Solid R Solid R Solid D Solid R Solid R Solid D

Governor: Bob McDonnell (R) Sec. of State: Janet Polarek (R) U.S. Senators: Jim Webb (D) Mark Warner (D)

Registered Voters: 5,159,562 Party ID: No Party ID Presidential: 2004: Bush 1,716,959 (54%) Kerry 1,454,742 (45%) 2008: Obama 1,959,532 (53%) McCain 1,725,005 (46%)

Kristin Cabral Gerry Connolly*

*incumbent ^open seat

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WASHINGTON
On the Ballot
RACE GOV^ SEN DEMOCRAT Jay Inslee Maria Cantwell* REPUBLICAN Rob McKenna
Michael Baumgartner

Nickname: Evergreen State Capital: Olympia Polls Close: 11:00 PM ET

RATING Toss Up Solid D

Population: 6,724,540 White: 72.5% Black: 3.4% Hispanic: 11.2% Asian: 7.1%

HOUSE WA-1^ WA-2 WA-3 WA-4 WA-5 WA-6^ WA-7 WA-8 WA-9 WA-10^
*incumbent ^open seat

Suzan DelBene Rick Larsen* Jon Haughen Mary Baechler Rich Cowan Derek Kilmer Jim McDermott* Karen Porterfield Adam Smith* Denny Heck

John Koster Dan Matthews Jaime Herrera* Doc Hastings* Cathy Rodgers* Bill Driscoll Ron Bemis Dave Reichert* Jim Postma Dick Muri

Lean D Solid D Solid R Solid R Solid R Likely D Solid D Solid R Solid D Solid D

Governor: Christine Gregoire (D) Sec. of State: Sam Reed (R) U.S. Senators: Patty Murray (D) Maria Cantwell (D)

Registered Voters: 4,184,600 Party ID: No Party ID Presidential: 2004: Kerry 1,510,201 (53%) Bush 1,304,894 (46%) 2008: Obama 1,750,848 (58%) McCain 1,229,216 (40%)

Key Ballot Measures

Same-sex marriage Voters in Washington will be asked to either uphold or dismiss their states marriage equality law. Same-sex marriages were legalized in Washington last February when Governor Christine Gregoire (D) signed the Marriage Equality bill. However, the law could be overturned this fall when it faces a referendum vote in the November election. Marijuana In Washington, voters will decide whether or not recreational usage of marijuana should legal for all people 21-years-ofage and older and taxed/regulated in the same way as alcohol.

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WEST VIRGINIA
On the Ballot
RACE GOV SEN DEMOCRAT
Earl Ray Tomblin*

Nickname: Mountain State Capital: Charleston Polls Close: 7:30 PM ET

REPUBLICAN Bill Maloney John Raese

RATING Lean D Likely D

Population: 1,852,994 White: 93.2% Black: 3.4% Hispanic: 1.2%

Joe Manchin*

HOUSE WV-1^ WV-2 WV-3

*incumbent ^open seat

Sue Thorn Howard Swint Nick Rahall*

David McKinley Shelley Capito* Rick Snuffer

Solid R Solid R Likely D

Governor: Earl Ray Tomblin (D) Secretary of State: Natalie Tennant (D) U.S. Senators: Jay Rockefeller (D) Joe Manchin (D)

Registered Voters: 1,230,585 Party ID: D: 638,086 (51.90%) R: 353,179 (28.70%) Other: 239,320 (19.4) Presidential: 2004: Bush 423,778 (56%) Kerry 326,541 (43%) 2008: McCain 397,466 (56%) Obama 303,857 (43%)

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WISCONSIN
On the Ballot
RACE SEN^ DEMOCRAT Tammy Baldwin REPUBLICAN Tommy Thompson RATING Toss Up

Nickname: Badger State Capital: Madison Polls Close: 9:00 PM ET

Population: 5,686,986 White: 83.3% Black: 6.2% Hispanic: 5.9% Asian: 2.3%

HOUSE WI-1 WI-2^ WI-3 WI-4 WI-5 WI-6 WI-7 WI-8

Rob Zerban Mark Pocan Ron Kind* Gwen Moore* Dave Heaster Joe Kallas Pat Kreitlow Jamie Wall

Paul Ryan* Chad Lee Ray Boland Dan Sebring Jim Sensenbrenner* Tom Petri* Sean Duffy* Reid Ribble*

Solid R Solid D Solid D Solid D Solid R Solid R Lean R LikelyR

Governor: Scott Walker (R) Secretary of State: Doug La Follette (D) U.S. Senators: Herb Kohl (D) Ron Johnson (R)

*incumbent ^open seat

Registered Voters: 3,453,902 Party ID: No Party ID Presidential: 2004: Kerry 1,489,504 (50%) Bush 1,478,120 (49%) 2008: Obama 1,677,211 (56%) McCain 1,262,393 (42%)

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WYOMING
On the Ballot
RACE SEN HOUSE WY-AL DEMOCRAT Tim Chestnut REPUBLICAN John Burrasso* RATING Solid R

Nickname: Cowboy State Capital: Cheyenne Polls Close: 9:00 PM ET

Chris Henrichsen

Cynthia Lummis*

Solid R

Population: 563,626 White: 85.9% Black: 0.8% Hispanic: 8.9% Asian: 0.3% Native American: 2.1%

*incumbent ^open seat

Governor: Matt Mead (R) Secretary of State: Max Maxfield (R) U.S. Senators: Michael Enzi (R) John Barrasso (R)

Registered Voters: 228,401 Party ID: D: 48,731 (21%) R: 154,399 (68%) Other: 25,271 (11%) Presidential: 2004: Bush 167,629 (69%) Kerry 70,776 (29%) 2008: McCain 164,958 (65%) Obama 82,868 (33%)

SOURCES: Secretaries of State and Boards of Elections for each state, The Almanac of American Politics 2010, The Green Papers, National Association of Secretaries of State, George Mason University Turnout project.

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KEY BALLOT MEASURES

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KEY BALLOT MEASURES

On Election Day, all eyes will be on the race for the White House, but in several states that wont be the only contest worth watching. Across the country, voters will also face decisions about local referendums and amendments to their state constitutions on a variety of policy issues from gay marriage and marijuana legalization to reproductive rights. Indeed, according to the left-leaning Ballot Initiative Strategy Center, voters will decide the fate of more than 130 ballot measures on Nov. 6. Here are some of the more closely watched ones: 1. LEGALIZING SAME-SEX MARRIAGE (MAINE, MARYLAND, WASHINGTON STATE): Voters in Maryland and Washington will be asked to either uphold or dismiss their states marriage-equality laws. In March, Maryland Gov. Martin OMalley (D) signed into law a bill legalizing same-sex marriage. Opponents of the new law fired back in June, gaining enough signatures to put the issue before voters this November. Similarly, same-sex marriages were legalized in Washington last February when Gov. Christine Gregoire (D) signed the Marriage Equality bill. However, the law could be overturned this fall when it faces a referendum vote in the November election. If either of these measures is passed, it would be the first time in U.S. history that a ballot measure in support of same-sex marriage would win a statewide popular vote. 2. BANNING GAY MARRIAGE (MINNESOTA): Voters will decide whether or not to pass a proposed state constitutional amendment that defines marriage as being between only one man and one woman. Currently, samesex marriages are not recognized in the state. 3. LEGALIZING MARIJUANA (ARKANSAS, MASS., OREGON, COLORADO, WASH. ST.): Voters in both Arkansas and Massachusetts will be asked to vote on the legalization of marijuana for medical use in their states. In these measures, both states outline what type of medical conditions qualifies an individual to use marijuana without criminal penalties. Voters in Colorado, Oregon, and Washington will decide whether or not recreational usage of marijuana should legal for all people 21 and older, and taxed/regulated in the same way as alcohol currently is. 4. ADOPTING MARYLAND'S "DREAM ACT: In 2011, the Maryland General Assembly passed Senate Bill 167, which is commonly referred to as the Maryland Dream Act. The law allows undocumented students to pay in-state tuition at Maryland community colleges if they graduate high school in the state and their parents file taxes in Maryland. After completing two years at a community college, the students can then transfer to a state university, while still paying the instate tuition rate. This current ballot measure will decide if this law stays or goes.

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5. ENACTING CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM (CALIFORNIA): Proposition 32 aims to make key changes to campaign finance laws in California. If passed, neither unions nor corporations would be allowed to donate directly to state and local political candidates; employee payroll deductions could not be used for political purposes; and the law would prohibit government contractors from donating to candidates whove helped them secure a contract. Opponents of this reform are fearful that, if the ballot proposition passes, the voices of Super PACs and special interest groups will be louder than ever before. 6. OUTLAWING AFFIRMATIVE ACTION (OKLAHOMA): State Question #759 will appear on ballots across Oklahoma in November, and it asks voters whether or not affirmative action programs in the state should be banned. The three areas targeted by the amendment are employment, education, and contracting. If passed, the ban on affirmative action programs would extend to the state, its agencies, counties, cities, towns, school districts, and other subdivisions. 7. BANNING FEDERAL FUNDS FOR ABORTIONS (FLORIDA): Voters in Florida will decide on a constitutional amendment that would ban the use public funds for abortions, unless it's performed in order to save the mothers life. The amendment also notes, in regards to abortion, that the states constitution when it comes to abortion cannot be interpreted to be broader in scope than the United States Constitution. The amendment must receive 60% voter approval to be adopted. 8. ABOLISHING THE DEATH PENALTY (CALIFORNIA): Californians will have the chance to abolish the death penalty as the maximum punishment for murder. If passed, Proposition 34 would make the maximum criminal punishment in the state life in prison with no possibility for parole. According to an official report put out by the states Legislative Analyst, if the amendment passes it would save the state $130 million annually. 9. REQUIRING VOTER ID (MINNESOTA): The state will decide if voters in future elections will be required to show a government-issued photo ID before voting. The measure also requires that the state make photo IDs available to those without a government-issued ID, at no charge. 10. RELIGIOUS FUNDING (FLORIDA): If passed, Amendment 8 would allow public funds in Florida to be used by religious organizations that provide public services. The amendment would repeal what is currently known in Florida as the Blaine Amendment, which prohibits state funding of religious organizations and religious schools. The amendment must receive 60% voter approval to be adopted.

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