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February 16th, 2010
08:50 PM ET

CNN Fact Check: Open Senate races

[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/02/15/art.bayh.gi.jpg caption="Senator Evan Bayh announced that he would not seek another term."]

Diana Holden
CNN

On Monday, Sen. Evan Bayh, D-Indiana, announced that he will not seek re-election this year. With Democrats defending five open seats and Republicans with six open seats in the Senate, the CNN Fact Check Desk wondered how this election measures up to the past.

Fact Check: How many open-seat races have there been in the Senate in the recent past?
- So far, there will be 11 open Senate races this year.

- According to Congressional Quarterly's (CQ) Online Press Library, since 1980, only two election years had more open races: 13 in 1996 and 12 in 1992. Those were the only years in the double digits.

- 2006, 1984 and 1982 had the smallest number of open races, at four each.

- The other years ranged between five and nine open races.

Bottom Line: The number of open Senate seats is unusually high this year. In the last 30 years, only the 1992 and 1996 elections had a higher number.


Filed under: 2010 Elections • Raw Politics • What You Will Be Talking About Today
soundoff (One Response)
  1. MR.AL

    I'm sure there will be a fight for the seats. Greed should play a major part in the Canidates reason for fighting for these seats. In the past 2000 to the present greed has been a fact in Lawmakers decisions have been based on greed 2000 to 2008 Bush and Lawmakers start with a balanced budget in 2000 America is TEN TRILLION DOLLARS IN DEBT, start of the recession. 2009 Lawmkers approve Corperate Bail Outs, but fight health care reform. 2010 Lawmakers freeze SSI raise reason NO FUNDS THE RECESSION, Lawmakers vote themselves a raise and retirement bennifits. Isn't that amazing!!!!!

    February 16, 2010 at 3:35 pm |
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