2012 Senate Elections - Who's Winning, Who's Losing

INCUMBENT - Democrat Kent Conrad, four terms
Retiring

WHO WILL WIN? In May 2012, this race is rated "Likely GOP Seat" by Real Clear Politics because red-state North Dakota has voted solidly Republican in recent elections. Also, President Obama is not popular in North Dakota, presently one of the nation's most prosperous states.

With the retirement of Democratic incumbent Sen. Conrad in 2012, many pundits expect Democrats won't again be elected to Congress from North Dakota for many years.

See Who Will Win North Dakota's 2012 U.S. Senate Race? for facts, candidates, analysis, dates, and predictions.

INCUMBENT- Democrat Sherrod Brown, one term
Running for reelection

WHO WILL WIN? In May 2012, this race is rated a "Leans Democratic" by Real Clear Politics for several competing reasons:

• Incumbent Sen. Brown, a longtime member of Congress, is greatly admired in Ohio, particularly for his progressive/populist stances against free trade agreements and for labor union issues.
• Ohio generally leans Republican rather than Democratic.
• Frustrations over high unemployment and foreclosure rates, and Republican proposals to cut Medicare and Social Security are likely to cause Ohio voters to lean Democratic.

See Who Will Win Ohio's 2012 U.S. Senate Race? for facts, candidates, analysis, dates, and predictions.

INCUMBENT - Democrat Bob Casey, Jr., one term
Running for reelection

WHO WILL WIN? In May 2012, this race is rated a "Likely Democratic" by Real Clear Politics for several competing reasons:

• Incumbent Sen. Casey, a social conservative and former state treasurer, hails from a family with an admired political tradition in Pennsylvania. The senator's father was governor for two terms.
• In recent elections, Pennsylvania has voted Republican over Democratic.
• Frustrations over high unemployment and foreclosure rates, and Republican proposals to cut Medicare and Social Security could drive Pennsylvania voters to lean Democratic.

See Who Will Win Pennsylvania's 2012 U.S. Senate Race? for facts, candidates, analysis, dates, and predictions.

INCUMBENT - Democrat Sheldon Whitehouse, one term
Running for reelection

WHO WILL WIN? In May 2012, this race is rated "Safe Dem Seat" by Real Clear Politics for two main reasons:

• Blue-state Rhode Island is a solidly liberal state.
• Incumbent Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, former state Attorney General, is a respected legislator on a bipartisan basis.

See Who Will Win Rhode Island's 2012 U.S. Senate Race? for facts, candidates, analysis, dates, and predictions.

INCUMBENT - Republican Bob Corker, one term
Running for reelection

WHO WILL WIN? In May 2012, this race is rated "Safe GOP Seat" by Real Clear Politics for two main reasons:

• Red-state Tennessee is a solidly conservative Republican state.
• Incumbent Sen. Bob Corker, former Chattanooga mayor, is popular throughout Tennessee.

See Who Will Win Tennessee's 2012 U.S. Senate Race? for facts, candidates, analysis, dates, and predictions.

INCUMBENT - Republican Kay Hutchinson, three terms
Retiring

WHO WILL WIN? - Two Republicans and two Democrats will be competing in July 31, 2012 primary election run-offs to determine who will vie in November to replace Sen. Hutchinson. See Who Will Win Texas' 2012 U.S. Senate Race? for facts, candidates, analysis, and predictions.

In May 2012, this race is rated "Safe GOP Seat" by Real Clear Politics because red-state Texas has voted solidly Republican for several decades.

However, the growing Latino population could influence voting enough to elect a Democratic senator.

INCUMBENT - Republican Orrin Hatch, six terms
Running for reelection

WHO WILL WIN? In Maay 2012, this race is rated "Safe GOP Seat" by Real Clear Politics because red-state Utah consistently elects Republicans to the U.S. Senate. Utah is regarded as a deeply conservative state politically.

However, longtime incumbent Republican Sen. Hatch would face a serious challenge from Tea Party-leading candidates within his own party.

See Who Will Win Utah's 2012 U.S. Senate Race? for facts, candidates, analysis, dates, and predictions.

INCUMBENT - Independent Bernie Sanders, one term
Running for reelection

WHO WILL WIN? In May 2012, this race is rated "Safe Democratic Seat" by Real Clear Politics for two main reasons:

• Blue-state Vermont is passionately and consistently Democratic.
• Incumbent Sen. Bernie Sanders, who caucuses with Senate Democrats, is admired and beloved in Vermont.

See Who Will Win Vermont's 2012 U.S. Senate Race? for facts, candidates, analysis, dates, and predictions.

INCUMBENT - Democrat Jim Webb, one term
Retiring

WHO WILL WIN? In May 2012, this race is rated a "Toss-Up" by Real Clear Politics because in recent elections, Virginia has elected both Democrats and Republicans to office in roughly equal measure.

The last two U.S. senators elected from Virginia, James Webb and Mark Warner, are moderate Democrats. However, newly elected Gov. Bob McDonnell is unabashedly Republican and a social conservative. See Who Will Win Virginia's 2012 U.S. Senate Race? for facts, candidates, analysis, dates, and predictions.

INCUMBENT - Democrat Maria Cantwell, two terms
Running for reelection

WHO WILL WIN? In May 2012, this race is rated "Leans Democratic" by Real Clear Politics for two main reasons:

• Washington is a solidly Democratic-voting state.
• Incumbent Sen. Maria Cantwell, a Senate leader on alternative energy sources and financial industry reform, is admired on a bipartisan basis across the state.

However, Washington Republicans, frustrated by recent ballot box losses in Senate and gubernatorial races, are determined to mount a winning campaign to defeat Sen. Cantwell.

See Who Will Win Washington's 2012 U.S. Senate Race? for facts, candidates, analysis, dates, and predictions.