View source for 2010 United States Senate election in Connecticut

{{Short description|none}}
{{update|date=July 2021}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2017}}
{{Infobox election
| election_name = 2010 United States Senate election in Connecticut
| country = Connecticut
| type = presidential
| ongoing = Yes
| previous_election = 2004 United States Senate election in Connecticut
| previous_year = 2004
| next_election = 2016 United States Senate election in Connecticut
| next_year = 2016
| turnout = 45.9% (voting eligible)<ref name="VEP10">{{cite web | url=http://elections.gmu.edu/Turnout_2010G.html | title=2010 General Election Turnout Rates | publisher=[[George Mason University]] | author=Dr. Michael McDonald | date=February 4, 2012 | access-date=July 9, 2013 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130722145358/http://elections.gmu.edu/Turnout_2010G.html | archive-date=July 22, 2013 }}</ref>
| election_date = November 2, 2010
| image_size = x150px
| image1 = Richard Blumenthal at West Hartford library opening (cropped).jpg
| nominee1 = '''[[Richard Blumenthal]]'''
| party1 = Democratic Party (United States)
| alliance1 = [[Working Families Party|Working Families]]
| popular_vote1 = '''636,040'''
| percentage1 = '''55.16%'''
| image2 = Linda McMahon Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic.jpg
| nominee2 = [[Linda McMahon]]
| party2 = Republican Party (United States)
| popular_vote2 = 498,341
| percentage2 = 43.22%
| map = {{switcher|[[file:2010 United States Senate election in Connecticut results map by county.svg|220px]]
|County results 
|[[file:2010 United States Senate election in Connecticut results map by municipality.svg|220px]]
|Municipality results}}
| map_caption = '''Blumenthal''': {{legend0|#a5b0ff|40–50%}} {{legend0|#7996e2|50–60%}} {{legend0|#6674de|60–70%}} {{legend0|#584cde|70–80%}} {{legend0|#3933e5|80–90%}}<br />'''McMahon''': {{legend0|#ffb2b2|40–50%}} {{legend0|#e27f7f|50–60%}} {{legend0|#d75d5d|60–70%}}
| title = U.S. Senator
| before_election = [[Chris Dodd]]
| before_party = Democratic Party (United States)
| after_election = [[Richard Blumenthal]]
| after_party = Democratic Party (United States)
}}
{{ElectionsCT}}
The '''2010 United States Senate election in Connecticut''' was a [[United States elections, 2010|midterm election]] which took place on November 2, 2010, to decide a [[United States Senate Class 3|Class III Senator]] from the State of Connecticut to join the [[112th United States Congress]]. Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator [[Chris Dodd]] suffered from dropping approval ratings in the past few years due to major controversies, leading him to announce in January 2010 that he would retire, instead of seeking a sixth term.<ref>{{cite news | title=Chris Dodd Announces Retirement, Says "None of Us is Irreplaceable"| url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/chris-dodd-announces-retirement-says-none-of-us-is-irreplaceable | work=[[CBS News]] | access-date=December 15, 2017}}</ref> As Dodd was a Democrat, [[Richard Blumenthal]], incumbent [[Connecticut Attorney General|State Attorney General]], announced on the same day that he would run for Dodd's seat.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.courant.com/news/politics/hc-richard-blumenthal-chris-dodd-0106,0,2997693.story | title=Christopher J. Dodd : Christopher J. Dodd News and Photos | publisher=Courant.com | access-date=June 10, 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100109115121/http://www.courant.com/news/politics/hc-richard-blumenthal-chris-dodd-0106,0,2997693.story | archive-date=January 9, 2010 | url-status=dead | df=mdy-all }}</ref> The [[Connecticut Democratic Party]] nominated Blumenthal on May 21. Businesswoman [[Linda McMahon]] won the [[Connecticut Republican Party|state party's]] nominating convention and the August 10 Republican primary to become the Republican candidate.<ref name=CT_Primaries>{{cite web | url=http://blogs.courant.com/capitol_watch/2010/08/connecticut-primaries-state-ho.html | title=Connecticut Primaries: Results | publisher=[[Hartford Courant]] | date=August 10, 2010 | access-date=August 12, 2010 | archive-url=https://archive.today/20120707160002/http://blogs.courant.com/capitol_watch/2010/08/connecticut-primaries-state-ho.html | archive-date=July 7, 2012 | url-status=dead | df=mdy-all }}</ref> This was the first open Senate seat in Connecticut since [[1980 United States Senate election in Connecticut|1980]] where Dodd was first elected. Blumenthal was the only non-incumbent Democrat to win a non-special election in 2010.

== Background ==
=== Controversies ===
Chris Dodd's power and popularity may have deteriorated for at least three reasons since his last re-election:

# His poor performance in his bid for the [[Chris Dodd presidential campaign, 2008|2008 Democratic presidential nomination]] appears to have soured local voters.<ref>{{cite news | author=Quinnipiac University - Office of Public Affairs | url=http://www.quinnipiac.edu/x1296.xml?ReleaseID=1163 | title=Connecticut (CT) Poll * March 27, 2008 * Independent Voters Give Obama - Quinnipiac University – Hamden, Connecticut | publisher=Quinnipiac.edu | date=March 27, 2008 | access-date=June 10, 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100529092516/https://www.quinnipiac.edu/x1296.xml?ReleaseID=1163 | archive-date=May 29, 2010 | url-status=dead | df=mdy-all }}</ref> Dodd was criticized for moving to Iowa and neglecting his Senate duties to pursue what many in Connecticut saw as a hopeless campaign.  That poll, showing Dodd's job approval at 51% was taken before the scandals.
# Dodd received mortgage loans as part of the [[Countrywide financial political loan scandal|"Friends of Angelo Mozilo" program]] run by subprime mortgage lender [[Countrywide Financial]]. The [[Hartford Courant]] reported that Dodd had taken a "major credibility hit" from this scandal. A later poll in September 2008 showed Dodd's job approval declining to 43%, with 46% terming his job performance as "fair" or "poor".<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.courant.com/news/politics/hc-ctpoll0926.artsep26,0,4404922.story | title=Topic Galleries | publisher=Courant.com | access-date=June 10, 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080930064212/http://www.courant.com/news/politics/hc-ctpoll0926.artsep26,0,4404922.story | archive-date=September 30, 2008 | url-status=dead | df=mdy-all }}</ref>
# On March 18, Dodd admitted responsibility for adding provisions in the [[American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009|2009 stimulus package]] that allowed for [[AIG bonus payments controversy|controversial employee bonuses]]. He had previously denied responsibility, saying the [[Obama Administration|Administration]] pushed for the bonus clauses. Dodd only admitted wrongdoing after an unnamed source within the Treasury Department provided insider information to CNN.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/03/18/breaking-i-was-responsible-for-bonus-loophole-says-dodd | title=BREAKING: I was responsible for bonus loophole, says Dodd | work=CNN.com | publisher=CNN | date=March 18, 2009 | access-date=March 19, 2009 | archive-date=March 21, 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090321073142/http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/03/18/breaking-i-was-responsible-for-bonus-loophole-says-dodd/ | url-status=dead }}</ref> On March 19, after Dodd came forward, [[United States Secretary of the Treasury|Treasury Secretary]] [[Timothy Geithner]] took full responsibility, saying he pushed Dodd against executive bonus limits.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/03/19/geithner-treasury-pushed-for-bonus-loophole | title=Geithner: Treasury pushed for bonus loophole | work=CNN.com | publisher=CNN | date=March 19, 2009 | access-date=March 20, 2009 | archive-date=March 22, 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090322105016/http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/03/19/geithner-treasury-pushed-for-bonus-loophole/ | url-status=dead }}</ref>

In December 2008, it was reported that Dodd had a little less than $670,000 banked for a re-election campaign, far less than other senators anticipated to seek re-election.<ref>http://images.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/fecgifpdf2/?_28196+29020071245.pdf{{dead link | date=July 2016 | bot=InternetArchiveBot | fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> In February 2009, a poll indicated that Dodd's favorability ratings were slipping, and many Connecticut voters were not satisfied with Dodd's explanations regarding the mortgage.<ref>{{cite press release | url=http://www.quinnipiac.edu/x1296.xml?ReleaseID=1259 | title=Connecticut's Rell Is Queen Of The Hill At Midterm, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; Dodd Has Worst Approval Ever | work=[[Quinnipiac University Poll]] | date=February 10, 2009 | access-date=February 10, 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090211182251/http://www.quinnipiac.edu/x1296.xml?ReleaseID=1259 | archive-date=February 11, 2009 | url-status=dead | df=mdy-all }}</ref>

On March 17, 2009, the [[National Republican Senatorial Committee|NRSC]] released a web ad attacking Dodd for his Irish cottage, his mortgage, and his relocation to [[Iowa]] in 2007.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://ctlocalpolitics.net/2009/03/17/just-in-time-for-st-patricks-day | title=Just in time for St. Patrick's Day!publisher=Ctlocalpolitics.net | access-date=June 10, 2010}}</ref>

=== Election troubles ===
[[File:Christopher Dodd official portrait 2-cropped.jpg|thumb|left|100px|U.S. Senator Chris Dodd]]
[[File:ChrisDoddRatings.JPG|thumb|right|250px|Chris Dodd faced rising Disapproval ratings during his Senate term throughout '09 - '10]]
On March 2, 2009, noted pundit [[Michael Barone (pundit)|Michael Barone]] suggested Dodd was "ripe for the picking" in the 2010 election due to the fallout from his various controversies.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.usnews.com/blogs/barone/2009/3/2/chris-dodd-is-ripe-for-the-picking-for-gop-in-2010--sen-kudlow-of-connecticut.html#read_more | title=Chris Dodd is Ripe for the Picking | work=[[U.S. News & World Report]] | author=[[Michael Barone (pundit)|Michael Barone]] | date=March 2, 2009 | access-date=September 17, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090410031607/http://www.usnews.com/blogs/barone/2009/3/2/chris-dodd-is-ripe-for-the-picking-for-gop-in-2010--sen-kudlow-of-connecticut.html#read_more | archive-date=April 10, 2009 | url-status=dead | df=mdy-all }}</ref> [[Nate Silver]] of the prominent website [[FiveThirtyEight]] suggested that if necessary, another Connecticut Democrat should primary Dodd. Silver rated Dodd as the single most vulnerable incumbent senator up for re-election in 2010.<ref>{{cite news | last=Silver | first=Nate | url=http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/2009/04/should-democrats-primary-chris-dodd.html | title=Politics Done Right: Should the Democrats Primary Chris Dodd? | publisher=FiveThirtyEight | date=February 4, 2009 | access-date=June 10, 2010 | archive-date=June 4, 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100604025840/http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/2009/04/should-democrats-primary-chris-dodd.html | url-status=dead }}</ref> On December 10, 2009, the Cook Political Report listed this race as "Lean Republican."

Democratic gubernatorial candidate [[Susan Bysiewicz]] was quoted suggesting Dodd's yet unannounced re-election bid could be a drag on the candidacies of other Connecticut Democrats in 2010.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.yaledailynews.com/articles/view/28159 | title=Dodd yet to declare bid | work=Yale Daily News | first=Zeke | last=Miller | date=March 6, 2009 | access-date=March 7, 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090310001234/http://www.yaledailynews.com/articles/view/28159 | archive-date=March 10, 2009 | url-status=dead | df=mdy-all }}</ref>

Many political leaders speculated Dodd could be persuaded to retire so as to preserve his "senior statesman" legacy.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.hartfordbusiness.com/news7733.html | title=The New Guard | work=HartfordBusiness.com | publisher=Hartford Business Journal | first=Dean | last=Pagani | date=January 19, 2009 | access-date=January 19, 2009 | archive-date=July 23, 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723074810/http://www.hartfordbusiness.com/news7733.html | url-status=dead }}</ref> Fellow Connecticut Senator [[Joe Lieberman]] had indicated that he would have supported Dodd's reelection, despite past disagreements, including Dodd's [[United States Senate election in Connecticut, 2006|2006]] endorsement of [[Ned Lamont]]<ref>{{cite news | url=http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/no-longer-frenemies-2009-03-11.html | title=Frenemies Dodd and Lieberman make nice | author=J. Taylor Rushing | work=The Hill.com | publisher=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]] | date=March 11, 2009 | access-date=March 12, 2009 | archive-date=March 13, 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090313045316/http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/no-longer-frenemies-2009-03-11.html | url-status=dead }}</ref> and Lieberman's support of [[John McCain]]'s [[John McCain 2008 presidential campaign|2008 Presidential Campaign]].

In fundraising reports issued for the first quarter of 2009, Dodd reported having raised over $1 million, but reported only five contributions from Connecticut residents.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.connpost.com/ci_12158273 | title=Only 5 state residents donated to Dodd | access-date=April 19, 2009 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090419161401/http://www.connpost.com/ci_12158273 | archive-date=April 19, 2009 }}</ref>

=== Polling ===
A March 2009 [[Quinnipiac University Polling Institute]] poll confirmed Dodd's vulnerability. On April 2, 2009, Quinnipiac released a poll indicating Dodd in serious danger of losing re-election, despite the fact that Connecticut is a heavily [[blue state]] that President Obama won in 2008 with over 60% of the vote.

He failed to attain a 50% level of support against three lesser known possible Republican opponents.<ref>{{cite press release | url=http://www.quinnipiac.edu/x1296.xml?ReleaseID=1272 | title=Connecticut's Dodd Tied With Simmons, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; Voters Say Loosen Pot Laws And Sell Liquor On Sunday | work=[[Quinnipiac University Poll]] | date=March 10, 2009 | access-date=March 11, 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090312005219/http://www.quinnipiac.edu/x1296.xml?ReleaseID=1272 | archive-date=March 12, 2009 | url-status=dead | df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last=Silver | first=Nate | url=http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/2009/04/should-democrats-primary-chris-dodd.html | title=Politics Done Right: Should the Democrats Primary Chris Dodd? | publisher=FiveThirtyEight | date=February 4, 2009 | access-date=August 14, 2010 | archive-date=August 8, 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100808011259/http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/2009/04/should-democrats-primary-chris-dodd.html | url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last=Schaller | first=Tom | url=http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/2009/12/craziness-with-touch-of-nutmeg.html | title=Politics Done Right: Craziness With a Touch of Nutmeg | publisher=FiveThirtyEight | access-date=August 14, 2010 | archive-date=August 8, 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100808011943/http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/2009/12/craziness-with-touch-of-nutmeg.html | url-status=dead }}</ref> Former U.S. Congressman [[Rob Simmons]] (R) in particular was leading in general election polling with double digit margins, and Simmons reached as high as 51% in a GQR poll.<ref>{{cite web | last=Swanson | first=Emily | url=http://www.pollster.com/blogs/ct_2010_sen_gqr_121517.php | title=Political Surveys and Election Polls, Trends, Charts and Analysis | publisher=Pollster.com | date=December 22, 2009 | access-date=August 14, 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100130211534/http://www.pollster.com/blogs/ct_2010_sen_gqr_121517.php | archive-date=January 30, 2010 | url-status=dead | df=mdy-all }}</ref> Notably, [[Rasmussen Reports]] had Simmons 48% to 35% over Dodd in December 2009, a thirteen-point spread.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections/election_2010/election_2010_senate_elections/connecticut/toplines/toplines_connecticut_senate_race_december_7_2009 | title=Toplines - Connecticut Senate Race - December 7, 2009 - Rasmussen Reports | publisher=Rasmussenreports.com | date=December 7, 2009 | access-date=August 14, 2010}}</ref>

== Democratic nomination ==

=== Candidates ===
* [[Richard Blumenthal]], state Attorney General
* Merrick Alpert, former aide to [[David Walters]] and [[Al Gore]]
* Lee Whitnum, businesswoman

'''Withdrew'''
* [[Christopher Dodd]], Incumbent U.S. Senator, dropped out and decided to retire<ref name="politico1">{{cite news | url=http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0110/31189.html | title=Sen. Chris Dodd won't seek reelection - Alex Isenstadt and Josh Kraushaar | publisher=Politico.Com | access-date=June 10, 2010}}</ref>

=== Campaign ===
Merrick Alpert announced his candidacy to challenge current Senator Chris Dodd in May 2009.<ref>{{cite news |last=Altimari |first=Daniela| date=May 20, 2009 |title=Merrick Announces His Candidacy for the United States Senate |url=https://www.courant.com/news/ctpolitics/merrick-alpert/hc-merrick-alpert-official-0520-2009-story.html |work=[[Hartford Courant]] |access-date=February 25, 2019}}</ref> Facing grave prospects at re-election, Dodd announced his retirement from the Senate on January 6, 2010.<ref name="politico1"/> Richard Blumenthal, the Attorney General and former State Senator announced he would be running.

=== Debate ===
Merrick Alpert and Attorney General Richard Blumenthal squared-off in a March 1 debate highlighting important issues. On healthcare, Alpert revealed his support for a single-payer system. Blumenthal explained that pool-purchasing powers should be explored. Alpert presented information as to how insurance rates had skyrocketed in Connecticut since the Attorney General took office. On the topic of war, Blumenthal pledged his support of [[Barack Obama|President Obama]]'s current plan. Alpert expressed that, being a former peacekeeper in [[Bosnia]], he understood what policies work and which ones do not, elaborating that the current one did not. Alpert set out a plan for the withdrawal of troops from the [[War in Afghanistan (2001–present)|war in Afghanistan]]. On a question concerning relations with [[Cuba]], Blumenthal explained that it would take time, and that he would put together a panel of Cuban-American people to decide the best course of action. Alpert explained that he would vote on the issue that night.<ref>{{cite news | last=Stuart | first=Christine | url=http://www.ctnewsjunkie.com/ctnj.php/archives/entry/alpert_goes_on_offensive_makes_most_of_first_debate | title=Alpert Goes On Offensive, Makes Most of First Debate | publisher=CT News Junkie | date=March 2, 2010 | access-date=October 18, 2010}}</ref>

=== Polling ===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"

|- valign=bottom
! Poll source
! Dates administered
! Richard Blumenthal
! Merrick Alpert
! Lee Whitnum
! Undecided

|-
|[[Quinnipiac University Polling Institute|Quinnipiac]]<ref name="Quinnipiac">[https://web.archive.org/web/20100117211453/http://www.quinnipiac.edu/x1296.xml?ReleaseID=1412 Quinnipiac]</ref>
| January 8–12, 2010
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | '''84%'''
| 4%
| ––
| 12%

|-
|[[Quinnipiac University Polling Institute|Quinnipiac]]<ref name="web.archive.org">[https://web.archive.org/web/20100322195015/http://www.quinnipiac.edu/x1296.xml?ReleaseID=1433 Quinnipiac]</ref>
| March 9–15, 2010
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | '''81%'''
| 6%
| ––
| 13%

|}

=== Results ===
Blumenthal won the convention overwhelmingly, disallowing any other candidate to get at least 15% of the vote necessary to get on the primary ballot. Therefore, Blumenthal went uncontested within the Democratic Party and officially became the Democratic nominee.<ref>{{cite web | last=Riz | first=Joe | url=http://blogs.courant.com/capitol_watch/2010/05/merrick-alpert-blocked-from-sp.html | title=Richard Blumenthal Nominated By Acclamation After Merrick Alpert Withdraws; Alpert Initially Blocked From Speaking At Convention - Capitol Watch | publisher=Blogs.courant.com | access-date=August 14, 2010 | archive-url=https://archive.today/20120701171928/http://blogs.courant.com/capitol_watch/2010/05/merrick-alpert-blocked-from-sp.html | archive-date=July 1, 2012 | url-status=dead | df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.courant.com/videobeta/?watchId=e35c791d-5cfa-4cc6-be36-f3c5b8ddbe85 | title=5/21 Democrats Nominate Blumenthal For Senate Seat | publisher=Courant.com | access-date=June 10, 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110611210436/http://www.courant.com/videobeta/?watchId=e35c791d-5cfa-4cc6-be36-f3c5b8ddbe85 | archive-date=June 11, 2011 | url-status=dead | df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last=Riz | first=Joe | url=http://blogs.courant.com/capitol_watch/2010/05/merrick-alpert-blocked-from-sp.html | title=Capitol Watch Blog - Connecticut Politics, Political News and Legislation | publisher=Blogs.courant.com | access-date=June 10, 2010 | archive-url=https://archive.today/20120701171928/http://blogs.courant.com/capitol_watch/2010/05/merrick-alpert-blocked-from-sp.html | archive-date=July 1, 2012 | url-status=dead | df=mdy-all }}</ref>

== Republican nomination ==

=== Candidates ===
* [[Linda McMahon]] ([[Linda McMahon 2010 United States Senate campaign|campaign]]) - businesswoman
* Ethan Book, businessman<ref>{{cite news | last=Loh | first=Tim | url=http://www.fairfieldcitizenonline.com/default/article/Ethan-Book-announces-bid-for-U-S-Senate-381945.php | title=Ethan Book announces bid for U.S. Senate - Fairfield Citizen | publisher=Fairfieldcitizenonline.com | date=February 26, 2010 | access-date=June 10, 2010 | archive-date=July 10, 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110710220317/http://www.fairfieldcitizenonline.com/default/article/Ethan-Book-announces-bid-for-U-S-Senate-381945.php | url-status=dead }}</ref> - petitioned for placement in the Republican primary, but fell short. 
* Vincent Forras, founder and CEO of Phoenix Group and founder of the [[September 11 attacks|9/11]] charity, "Gear-Up, Inc."
* [[Peter Schiff]], securities dealer and investment advisor,<ref>Altimari, Daniela (September 17, 2009) [http://www.courant.com/news/politics/hc-peter-schiff-senate-0917,0,3466805.story "Peter Schiff Launches Senate Run"] {{webarchive | url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090923222609/http://www.courant.com/news/politics/hc-peter-schiff-senate-0917,0,3466805.story | date=September 23, 2009 }}, [[Hartford Courant]]. Retrieved on September 17, 2009.</ref> economic adviser to [[Ron Paul]]'s [[Ron Paul presidential campaign, 2008|2008 presidential campaign]]. Endorsed by the [[Tea Party movement|Tea Party]].<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.rightosphere.com/blog.php?user=Josiah%20Schmidt&blogentry_id=2106 | title=Peter Schiff sweeps Tea Party endorsements | access-date=July 11, 2010}}</ref>
* [[Rob Simmons]], former U.S. [[Congressman]]

=== Campaign ===
On February 27, 2009, [[Commentary (magazine)|Commentary magazine]] reported that various Washington, D.C. Republicans were seeking to get [[Larry Kudlow]], a popular TV talk show host and columnist, to enter the race against Dodd.<ref>{{cite news | author=[[Jennifer Rubin (journalist)|Jennifer Rubin]] | url=http://www.commentarymagazine.com/blogs/index.php/rubin/56681 | title=What If? | publisher=CommentaryMagazine.com | date=February 27, 2009 | access-date=October 1, 2010}}</ref> State Senator Sam Caligiuri originally planned to run the U.S. Senate, but after doing poorly in both primary and general election polling he decided to drop out and instead run the U.S. House of Representatives in the 5th District. Tom Foley also left the race to run instead for [[Governor of Connecticut]], as incumbent Governor [[M. Jodi Rell]] was not seeking re-election.

After the Quinnipiac poll that showed him edging Dodd in a potential matchup, Simmons decided to officially enter the race.<ref name=simmonsin>{{cite news | url=http://www.courant.com/news/local/statewire/hc-ap-ct-simmons-doddmar15,0,3135783.story | title=Topic Galleries | publisher=Courant.com | access-date=June 10, 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090406004308/http://www.courant.com/news/local/statewire/hc-ap-ct-simmons-doddmar15,0,3135783.story | archive-date=April 6, 2009 | url-status=dead | df=mdy-all }}</ref> Upon his announcement, the DSCC attacked Simmons for his past support of [[George W. Bush]] and ties to [[Jack Abramoff]] and [[Tom DeLay]].<ref>{{cite news | url=http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/03/dscc-launches-anti-bush-strategy-to-attack-simmons.php | title=DSCC Launches Anti-Bush Strategy To Attack Simmons | first=Eric | last=Kleefeld | work=TPM Election Central | publisher=[[Talking Points Memo]] | date=March 16, 2009}}</ref> A leading state political blogger, who had endorsed Simmons' opponent in 2006, questioned whether these issues were relevant to the 2010 race.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://ctlocalpolitics.net/2009/03/16/the-buzz-on-simmons | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171215221451/http://ctlocalpolitics.net/2009/03/16/the-buzz-on-simmons | url-status=dead | archive-date=December 15, 2017 | title=The Buzz on Simmons | publisher=Ctlocalpolitics.net | access-date=June 10, 2010 }}</ref> Simmons suspended his campaign after he lost the convention, but did not publicly endorse McMahon. In late July, Simmons revived his effort with a TV ad reminding Connecticut Republicans that "I'm still on the ballot."

McMahon, a billionaire, spent slightly more than $21 million through July 2010. Her two primary opponents each spent slightly more than $2.5 million each.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.fec.gov/DisclosureSearch/HSProcessCandList.do;jsessionid=2871DE1165B1B3410FDF83077F084603.worker1?category=stateS_all&stateName=CT&election_yr=2010 | title=2010 House and Senate Candidate List | publisher=Fec.gov | access-date=August 21, 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090820050739/http://www.fec.gov/DisclosureSearch/HSProcessCandList.do | archive-date=August 20, 2009 | url-status=dead | df=mdy-all }}</ref> When the Republican primary was held on August 10, frontrunner and party-endorsed candidate McMahon defeated Simmons and Schiff to become the official GOP nominee for the fall election against Richard Blumenthal.<ref name=CT_Primaries/>

=== Debates ===
On March 2, 2010, Republican candidates Linda McMahon, Rob Simmons, and Peter Schiff participated in the first debate of the GOP campaign on [[WTIC-TV|Fox 61]].<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.courant.com/2010/03/02/the-gop-debate-mcmahon-simmons-schiff-tangle-in-first-televised-match/ | title=The GOP Debate: McMahon, Simmons, Schiff Tangle In First Televised Match | last=Altimari | first=Daniela | date=March 2, 2010 | publisher=[[Hartford Courant]] | access-date=October 18, 2010 | archive-date=March 9, 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100309025816/http://articles.courant.com/2010-03-02/news/hc-mcmahon-schiff-simmons-senate-debate-0302_1_linda-mcmahon-gop-debate-simmons-camp | url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Polling ===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"

|- valign=bottom
! Poll source
! Dates administered
! Rob Simmons
! Linda McMahon
! Peter Schiff

|-
|[[Research 2000]]<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20090923184156/http://www.dailykos.com/statepoll/2009/9/10/CT/369 Research 2000]</ref>
| September 8–10, 2009
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | '''38%'''
| ––
| 1%

|-
|[[Quinnipiac University Polling Institute|Quinnipiac]]<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20091211222247/http://www.quinnipiac.edu/x1296.xml?ReleaseID=1374 Quinnipiac]</ref>
| September 10–14, 2009
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | '''43%'''
| ––
| 2%

|-
|[[Quinnipiac University Polling Institute|Quinnipiac]]<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20091116065532/http://www.quinnipiac.edu/x1296.xml?ReleaseID=1395 Quinnipiac]</ref>
| November 3–8, 2009
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | '''28%'''
| 17%
| 5%

|-
|[[Moore Information]]<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20101001141930/http://www.linda2010.com/images/pdf/20091221_PollingMemo.pdf Moore Information]</ref>
| December 15–16, 2009
| 35%
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | '''37%'''
| 4%

|-
|[[Quinnipiac University Polling Institute|Quinnipiac]]<ref name="Quinnipiac"/>
| January 8–12, 2010
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | '''37%'''
| 27%
| 4%

|-
|[[Quinnipiac University Polling Institute|Quinnipiac]]<ref name="web.archive.org"/>
| March 9–15, 2010
| 34%
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | '''44%'''
| 9%

|-
|[[Research 2000]]<ref>[http://www.dailykos.com/statepoll/2010/5/26/CT/532 Research 2000]</ref>
| May 24–26, 2010
| 44%
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | '''48%'''
| ––

|-
|[[Quinnipiac University Polling Institute|Quinnipiac]]<ref name="ReferenceA">[https://web.archive.org/web/20100528011235/http://www.quinnipiac.edu/x1296.xml?ReleaseID=1459 Quinnipiac]</ref>
| May 24–25, 2010
| 23%
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | '''49%'''
| 11%

|-
|[[Quinnipiac University Polling Institute|Quinnipiac]]<ref name="ReferenceB">[https://web.archive.org/web/20100612193601/http://www.quinnipiac.edu/x1296.xml?ReleaseID=1463 Quinnipiac]</ref>
| June 2–8, 2010
| 29%
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | '''45%'''
| 13%

|-
|[[Quinnipiac University Polling Institute|Quinnipiac]]<ref name="ReferenceC">[https://web.archive.org/web/20100719170637/http://www.quinnipiac.edu/x1296.xml?ReleaseID=1477 Quinnipiac]</ref>
| July 7–13, 2010
| 25%
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | '''52%'''
| 13%

|-
|[[Quinnipiac University Polling Institute|Quinnipiac]]<ref name="ReferenceD">[https://web.archive.org/web/20100813102955/http://www.quinnipiac.edu/x1296.xml?ReleaseID=1484 Quinnipiac]</ref>
| July 28 – August 2, 2010
| 30%
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | '''47%'''
| 14%

|-
|[[Quinnipiac University Polling Institute|Quinnipiac]]<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20100816060914/http://www.quinnipiac.edu/x1296.xml?ReleaseID=1486 Quinnipiac]</ref>
| August 3–8, 2010
| 28%
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | '''50%'''
| 15%

|}

=== Results ===
'''Convention'''<br />
{{Election box begin no change
 | title      = State Republican Convention results (first round)<ref>{{cite news | author=ANDY BARR | url=http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0510/37633.html | title=McMahon wins GOP nod in Conn. - Shira Toeplitz and Maggie Haberman | publisher=Politico.Com | access-date=June 10, 2010}}</ref>
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
 | candidate  = Linda McMahon*
 | party      = Republican Party (United States)
 | votes      = 737
 | percentage = 51.76%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
 | candidate  = Rob Simmons*
 | party      = Republican Party (United States)
 | votes      = 632
 | percentage = 44.62%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
 | candidate  = Peter Schiff
 | party      = Republican Party (United States)
 | votes      = 44
 | percentage = 3.11%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
 | candidate  = Vincent Forras
 | party      = Republican Party (United States)
 | votes      = 7
 | percentage = 0.49%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
 | candidate  = Ethan Book
 | party      = Republican Party (United States)
 | votes      = 0
 | percentage = 0.00%
}}
{{Election box total no change
 | votes      = 1,414
 | percentage = 100.00%
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Small|* Denotes candidate met the minimum threshold of 15 percent to appear on the primary ballot}}

'''Primary'''<br />
[[File:Connecticut Senate Republican Primary Election Results by County, 2010.svg|thumb|Results by county
{{legend|#e27f90|McMahon—50–60%}}
{{legend|#f2b3be|McMahon—40–50%}}
{{legend|#ffb380|Simmons—40–50%}}
{{legend|#ff7f2a|Simmons—60–70%}}
]]
{{Election box begin no change
 | title      = Republican primary results<ref name="SoTS_Results">{{cite web | url=http://www.sots.ct.gov/sots/lib/sots/US_Senate.pdf | title=Election Results for United States Senator | publisher=Office of the Connecticut Secretary of the State | access-date=September 13, 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100826111427/http://www.sots.ct.gov/sots/lib/sots/US_Senate.pdf | archive-date=August 26, 2010 | url-status=dead | df=mdy-all }}</ref>
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
 | candidate  = Linda McMahon
 | party      = Republican Party (United States)
 | votes      = 60,479
 | percentage = 49.44%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
 | candidate  = Rob Simmons*
 | party      = Republican Party (United States)
 | votes      = 34,011
 | percentage = 27.80%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
 | candidate  = Peter Schiff**
 | party      = Republican Party (United States)
 | votes      = 27,831
 | percentage = 22.75%
}}
{{Election box total no change
 | votes      = 122,321
 | percentage = 100.00%
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Small|* Rob Simmons suspended his campaign on May 25, 2010 but left his name on the ballot.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.ctpost.com/news/article/Simmons-ends-campaign-but-stays-on-ballot-499060.php | title=Simmons: Grudging retreat, but no surrender - Connecticut Post | publisher=Ctpost.com | date=May 25, 2010 | access-date=June 10, 2010}}</ref> On July 29, he re-entered the race.<ref>{{cite news | last=Choe | first=Jaywon | url=http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20012079-503544.html | title=Rob Simmons Says He's Back in Connecticut Senate Race - Political Hotsheet | work=CBS News | date=July 29, 2010 | access-date=August 14, 2010 | archive-date=August 2, 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100802025908/http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20012079-503544.html | url-status=dead }}</ref>
}}

{{Small|** Peter Schiff collected 10,000 signatures to be placed on the ballot via petition.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.middletownpress.com/articles/2010/06/04/news/doc4c08681a006c1330941565.txt | title=Poll shows Blumenthal regaining lead - The Middletown Press : Serving Middletown, CT | publisher=The Middletown Press | access-date=June 10, 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120305003746/http://www.middletownpress.com/articles/2010/06/04/news/doc4c08681a006c1330941565.txt | archive-date=March 5, 2012 | url-status=dead | df=mdy-all }}</ref>}}

== General election ==

=== Candidates ===
* [[Richard Blumenthal]] (D), state Attorney General
* John Mertens ([[Connecticut for Lieberman|CFL]]), professor of engineering<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.independentpoliticalreport.com/2010/01/us-senate-candidate-john-mertens-gains-ballot-line-in-ct | title=US Senate candidate John Mertens gains ballot line in CT | publisher=Independent Political Report | access-date=June 10, 2010}}</ref>
* [[Warren Mosler]] (I), economist and entrepreneur<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.courant.com/2010/07/27/simmons-i-am-running-for-us-senate/ | title=Simmons: 'I Am Running' For U.S. Senate - Hartford Courant | publisher=Articles.courant.com | date=July 27, 2010 | access-date=August 14, 2010 | archive-date=July 31, 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100731090638/http://articles.courant.com/2010-07-27/news/hc-ct-senate-debate-0728-20100727-12_1_linda-mcmahon-connecticut-for-lieberman-party-john-mertens | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>[http://www.tnr.com/slideshow/78678/tea-party-democrats-candidates-2010?8 "Meet 2010's Tea Party Democrats," ''The New Republic'', October 27, 2010.]</ref>
* [[Linda McMahon]] (R), businesswoman

=== Debates ===
The first debate between Linda McMahon and Richard Blumenthal in the 2010 Senate race occurred on October 4, 2010,<ref name=Debate1>{{cite news | url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/blumenthal-takes-populist-approach-in-lively-debate-with-mcmahon-the-ceo/ | title=Blumenthal Takes Populist Approach in Lively Debate With McMahon the CEO | publisher=FoxNews.com | date=October 4, 2010 | access-date=October 5, 2010}}</ref> moderated by [[Fox News Channel]] anchor [[Bret Baier]] and televised live on [[Fox Connecticut]]. In the debate, McMahon identified Blumenthal as a career politician, touted her job creation record while CEO of [[World Wrestling Entertainment]], criticized Washington partisanship for Republicans not being invited to the negotiating table during [[Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act|healthcare reform]] discussions in Congress, and stated that remaining [[American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009|stimulus]] dollars were a waste that should now be used to pay down debt.<ref name=Debate1/> Blumenthal as well criticized partisanship, saying that he would have sided with Republicans who voted against the [[Troubled Assets Relief Program]].<ref name=Debate1/> He also used the debate to argue that middle class tax cuts should not have to wait for current tax rates on top income earners to be extended, stated that he would oppose special interests in Washington, and criticized McMahon for outsourcing WWE products overseas.<ref name=Debate1/>
*[https://www.c-span.org/video/?295799-1/connecticut-senate-debate Complete video of debate], October 4, 2010

The Greater Norwalk Chamber of Commerce, Bridgeport Regional Business Council, and Business Council of Fairfield County sponsored a second debate in [[Norwalk, Connecticut|Norwalk]] on October 7. It was aired on [[News 12 Networks#News 12 Connecticut|News 12 Connecticut]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.norwalkplus.com/nwk/information/nwsnwk/publish/politics/BCFC-announces-debates-for-state-and-national-offices_np_9921.shtml |title=NorwalkPlus.com News - BCFC announces debates for state and national offices<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=September 23, 2010 |archive-date=October 3, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111003225016/http://www.norwalkplus.com/nwk/information/nwsnwk/publish/politics/BCFC-announces-debates-for-state-and-national-offices_np_9921.shtml |url-status=dead }}</ref>
*[https://www.c-span.org/video/?295878-1/connecticut-senate-debate Complete video of debate], October 7, 2010

A third debate between McMahon and Blumenthal was held on October 12,<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/mcmahon-blumenthal-has-difficulty-with-truth/ | title=McMahon: Blumenthal Has Difficulty with "Truth" | agency=Associated Press | date=October 12, 2010 | access-date=October 13, 2010 | work=CBS News}}</ref> aired on [[WTNH]] sister network MyTV9.
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGOYj8aRj9g Complete video of debate], October 12, 2010

=== Predictions ===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! Source
! Ranking
! As of
|-
| [[Cook Political Report]]<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://cookpolitical.com/senate | title=Senate | publisher=[[Cook Political Report]] | access-date=October 26, 2010}}</ref>
| {{USRaceRating|Lean|D}}
| October 26, 2010
|-
| [[Stuart Rothenberg|Rothenberg]]<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://rothenbergpoliticalreport.com/ratings/senate | title=Senate Ratings | publisher=[[Rothenberg Political Report]] | access-date=October 26, 2010}}</ref>
| {{USRaceRating|Likely|D}}
| October 22, 2010
|-
| [[RealClearPolitics]]<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2010/senate/2010_elections_senate_map.html | title=Battle for the Senate | publisher=[[RealClearPolitics]] | access-date=October 26, 2010}}</ref>
| {{USRaceRating|Lean|D}}
| October 26, 2010
|-
| [[Sabato's Crystal Ball]]<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/articles/category/2010-senate | title=2010 Senate Ratings | publisher=[[Sabato's Crystal Ball]] | access-date=October 26, 2010 | archive-date=October 28, 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101028092918/http://www.centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/articles/category/2010-senate/ | url-status=dead }}</ref>
| {{USRaceRating|Lean|D}}
| October 21, 2010

|-
| [[Congressional Quarterly|CQ Politics]]<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=ratings-senate | title=Race Ratings Chart: Senate | publisher=[[CQ Politics]] | access-date=October 26, 2010 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101028234525/http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=ratings-senate | archive-date=October 28, 2010 }}</ref>
| {{USRaceRating|Lean|D}}
| October 26, 2010
|}

=== Polling ===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"

|- valign=bottom
! Poll source
! Dates administered
! Richard<br />Blumenthal (D)
! Linda<br />McMahon (R)

|-
|[[Public Policy Polling]]<ref>[http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/PPP_Release_CT_106925424.pdf Public Policy Polling]</ref>
| January 4–5, 2010
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | '''60%'''
| 28%

|-
|[[Rasmussen Reports]]<ref>[http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections2/election_2010/election_2010_senate_elections/connecticut/toplines/toplines_election_2010_connecticut_senate_election_january_6_2010 Rasmussen Reports]</ref>
| January 6, 2010
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | '''58%'''
| 34%

|-
|[[YouGovPolimetrix]]<ref>[http://media.economist.com/images/pdf/StatesTables20100121.pdf YouGovPolimetrix]</ref>
| January 6–11, 2010
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | '''47%'''
| 35%

|-
|[[Quinnipiac University Polling Institute|Quinnipiac]]<ref name="Quinnipiac"/>
| January 8–12, 2010
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | '''64%'''
| 23%

|-
|[[Daily Kos]]/[[Research 2000]]<ref>[http://www.dailykos.com/statepoll/2010/1/13/CT/428 Daily Kos/Research 2000]</ref>
| January 11–13, 2010
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | '''56%'''
| 34%

|-
|[[Rasmussen Reports]]<ref>[http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections/election_2010/election_2010_senate_elections/connecticut/connecticut_senate_blumenthal_d_still_running_strongly Rasmussen Reports]</ref>
| February 1, 2010
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | '''56%'''
| 36%

|-
|[[Rasmussen Reports]]<ref>[http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections/election_2010/election_2010_senate_elections/connecticut/connecticut_senate_blumenthal_still_far_ahead_of_top_republicans Rasmussen Reports]</ref>
| March 2, 2010
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | '''60%'''
| 31%

|-
|[[Quinnipiac University Polling Institute|Quinnipiac]]<ref name="web.archive.org"/>
| March 9–15, 2010
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | '''61%'''
| 28%

|-
|[[Rasmussen Reports]]<ref>[http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections/election_2010/election_2010_senate_elections/connecticut/connecticut_senate_blumenthal_still_picks_up_over_50_in_all_match_ups Rasmussen Reports]</ref>
| April 7, 2010
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | '''55%'''
| 35%

|-
|[[Rasmussen Reports]]<ref>[http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections/election_2010/election_2010_senate_elections/connecticut/connecticut_senate_blumenthal_still_holds_big_lead_against_top_republicans Rasmussen Reports]</ref>
| May 4, 2010
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | '''52%'''
| 39%

|-
|[[Rasmussen Reports]]<ref>[http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections/election_2010/election_2010_senate_elections/connecticut/toplines/toplines_2010_connecticut_senate_may_18_2010 Rasmussen Reports]</ref>
| May 18, 2010
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | '''48%'''
| 45%

|-
|[[Quinnipiac University Polling Institute|Quinnipiac]]<ref name="ReferenceA"/>
| May 24–25, 2010
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | '''56%'''
| 31%

|-
|[[Daily Kos]]/[[Research 2000]]<ref>[http://www.dailykos.com/statepoll/2010/5/26/CT/532 Daily Kos/Research 2000]</ref>
| May 24–26, 2010
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | '''52%'''
| 33%

|-
|[[Rasmussen Reports]]<ref>[http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections/election_2010/election_2010_senate_elections/connecticut/connecticut_senate_blumenthal_56_mcmahon_33 Rasmussen Reports]</ref>
| June 1, 2010
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | '''56%'''
| 33%

|-
|[[Quinnipiac University Polling Institute|Quinnipiac]]<ref name="ReferenceB"/>
| June 2–8, 2010
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | '''55%'''
| 35%

|-
|[[Quinnipiac University Polling Institute|Quinnipiac]]<ref name="ReferenceC"/>
| July 7–13, 2010
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | '''54%'''
| 37%

|-
|[[Rasmussen Reports]]<ref>[http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections/election_2010/election_2010_senate_elections/connecticut/toplines/toplines_connecticut_senate_july_15_2010 Rasmussen Reports]</ref>
| July 15, 2010
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | '''53%'''
| 40%

|-
|[[Quinnipiac University Polling Institute|Quinnipiac]]<ref name="ReferenceD"/>
| July 28 – August 2, 2010
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | '''50%'''
| 40%

|-
|[[Rasmussen Reports]]<ref>[http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections/election_2010/election_2010_senate_elections/connecticut/toplines/toplines_connecticut_senate_august_11_2010 Rasmussen Reports]</ref>
| August 11, 2010
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | '''47%'''
| 40%

|-
|[[Rasmussen Reports]]<ref>[http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections/election_2010/election_2010_senate_elections/connecticut/toplines/toplines_connecticut_senate_september_9_2010 Rasmussen Reports]</ref>
| September 9, 2010
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | '''53%'''
| 44%

|-
|[[Quinnipiac University Polling Institute|Quinnipiac]]<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20100917002857/http://www.quinnipiac.edu/x1296.xml?ReleaseID=1498 Quinnipiac]</ref>
| September 8–12, 2010
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | '''51%'''
| 45%

|-
|[[Quinnipiac University Polling Institute|Quinnipiac]]<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20101001214250/http://www.quinnipiac.edu/x1296.xml?ReleaseID=1507 Quinnipiac]</ref>
| September 21–26, 2010
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | '''49%'''
| 46%

|-
|[[Rasmussen Reports]]<ref>[http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections/election_2010/election_2010_senate_elections/connecticut/toplines/questions_connecticut_senate_september_26_2010 Rasmussen Reports]</ref>
| September 26, 2010
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | '''50%'''
| 45%

|-
|[[Public Policy Polling]]<ref>[http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/PPP_Release_CT_104424.pdf Public Policy Polling]</ref>
| September 30 – October 2, 2010
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | '''53%'''
| 41%

|-
|[[CNN]]/[[Time (magazine)|Time]]/[[Opinion Research]]<ref>[http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/10/06/topstate5.pdf CNN/Time/Opinion Research]</ref>
| October 1–5, 2010
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | '''54%'''
| 41%

|-
|[[Fox News]]/[[Pulse Opinion Research]]<ref name="Fox News/Pulse Opinion Research">[http://www.foxnews.com/projects/pdf/CT_Topline.pdf Fox News/Pulse Opinion Research]</ref>
| October 2, 2010
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | '''52%'''
| 42%

|-
|[[Greenberg Quinlan Rosner]]<ref>[http://www.politico.com/static/PPM170_101005_blumenthal.html Greenberg Quinlan Rosner]</ref>
| October 3–4, 2010
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | '''53%'''
| 38%

|-
|[[CT Capitol Report]]/[[Merriman River Group]]<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20101025094740/http://www.ctcapitolreport.com/images/library/CT%20Cap%20Report%20Senate%20Release%20%20Cross%20Tabs%20(2).pdf CT Capitol Report/Merriman River Group]</ref>
| October 3, 2010
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | '''52%'''
| 45%

|-
|[[Rasmussen Reports]]<ref>[http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections/election_2010/election_2010_senate_elections/connecticut/toplines/questions_connecticut_senate_october_5_2010 Rasmussen Reports]</ref>
| October 5, 2010
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | '''54%'''
| 43%

|-
|[[Fox News]]/[[Pulse Opinion Research]]<ref name="Fox News/Pulse Opinion Research"/>
| October 9, 2010
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | '''49%'''
| 43%

|-
|[[Quinnipiac University Polling Institute|Quinnipiac]]<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20101015023519/http://www.quinnipiac.edu/x1296.xml?ReleaseID=1518 Quinnipiac]</ref>
| October 7–11, 2010
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | '''54%'''
| 43%

|-
|[[Rasmussen Reports]]<ref>[http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections/election_2010/election_2010_senate_elections/connecticut/questions/questions_connecticut_senate_october_14_2010 Rasmussen Reports]</ref>
| October 14, 2010
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | '''51%'''
| 46%

|-
|[[Suffolk University]]<ref>[http://www.ctcapitolreport.com/files/FINALSUFFOLK_CT_V5.pdf Suffolk University] {{dead link | date=July 2016 | bot=InternetArchiveBot | fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
| October 19–20, 2010
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | '''57%'''
| 39%

|-
|[[Quinnipiac University]]<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20101027032903/http://www.quinnipiac.edu/x1296.xml?ReleaseID=1524 Quinnipiac University]</ref>
| October 18–24, 2010
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | '''54%'''
| 42%

|-
|[[Rasmussen Reports]]<ref>[http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections/election_2010/election_2010_senate_elections/connecticut/questions/questions_connecticut_senate_october_24_2010 Rasmussen Reports]</ref>
| October 24, 2010
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | '''56%'''
| 43%

|-
|[[CT Capitol Report]]/[[Merriman River Group]]<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20110708212440/http://www.ctcapitolreport.com/images/library/Final%20Senate%20CD%20poll%20doc.pdf CT Capitol Report/Merriman River Group]</ref>
| October 24–26, 2010
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | '''52%'''
| 44%

|-
|[[Public Policy Polling]]<ref>[http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/PPP_Release_CT_1030925.pdf Public Policy Polling]</ref>
| October 27–29, 2010
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | '''54%'''
| 43%

|-
|[[Quinnipiac University]]<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20101104015000/http://www.quinnipiac.edu/x1296.xml?ReleaseID=1528 Quinnipiac University]</ref>
| October 25–31, 2010
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | '''53%'''
| 44%

|-
|[[Rasmussen Reports]]<ref>[http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections/election_2010/election_2010_senate_elections/connecticut/questions/questions_connecticut_senate_october_31_2010 Rasmussen Reports]</ref>
| October 31, 2010
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | '''53%'''
| 46%

|}

=== Fundraising ===
{| class="wikitable"

|-
! Candidate (party)
! Receipts
! Disbursements
! Cash on hand
! Debt
! As of

|-
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Richard Blumenthal (D)
| $8,690,397
| $8,663,221
| $27,176
| $2,621,525
| November 22, 2010

|-
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | Linda McMahon (R)
| $50,232,567
| $49,942,727
| $289,839
| $500,000
| November 22, 2010

|}
:<sub>'''Source:''' [http://www.fec.gov/DisclosureSearch/HSProcessCandList.do?category=stateS_all&stateName=CT&election_yr=2010 Federal Election Commission]</sub>

=== Results ===
{{Election box begin
 | title      = United States Senate election in Connecticut, 2010<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.statementofvote-sots.ct.gov/StatementOfVote/WebModules/ReportsLink/USSenTownView.aspx?Parameter=11/02/2010-General | title=Election Results for United States Senator | date=February 11, 2010 | publisher=[[Secretary of the State of Connecticut]] | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120313144357/http://www.statementofvote-sots.ct.gov/StatementOfVote/WebModules/ReportsLink/USSenTownView.aspx?Parameter=11%2F02%2F2010-General | archive-date=March 13, 2012 | access-date=December 17, 2010 | url-status=dead | df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url=http://elections.nytimes.com/2010/results/connecticut | title=Connecticut – Election Results 2010 | work=[[The New York Times]] | access-date=September 30, 2016}}</ref>
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
 | candidate  = ''Richard Blumenthal''
 | party      = Democratic Party (United States)
 | votes      = 605,204
 | percentage = 52.48%
 | change     = -13.88%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
 | candidate  = ''Richard Blumenthal''
 | party      = Working Families Party
 | votes      = 30,836
 | percentage = 2.68%
 | change     = N/A
}}
{{Election box winning candidate
 | candidate  = Richard Blumenthal
 | party      = Total
 | votes      = 636,040
 | percentage = 55.16%
 | change     = -11.20%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
 | candidate  = Linda E. McMahon
 | party      = Republican Party (United States)
 | votes      = 498,341
 | percentage = 43.22%
 | change     = +11.08%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
 | candidate  = Warren B. Mosler
 | party      = Independent (United States)
 | votes      = 11,275
 | percentage = 0.98%
 | change     = N/A
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
 | candidate  = John Mertens
 | party      = Connecticut for Lieberman
 | votes      = 6,735
 | percentage = 0.58%
 | change     = N/A
}}
{{Election box write-in with party link 
 |votes      = 724
 |percentage = 0.06%
 |change = N/A
}}
{{Election box total
 | votes      = 1,153,115
 | percentage = 100.0%
 | change     =
}}
{{Election box hold with party link no swing
 | winner     = Democratic Party (United States)
}}
{{Election box end}}

====Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican====
* [[Litchfield County, Connecticut|Litchfield]] (largest city: [[Torrington, Connecticut|Torrington]])

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100527144033/http://www.ct.gov/sots/cwp/view.asp?a=3&q=415810 Connecticut Secretary of State - Elections and Voting]
<!-- *[http://www.votesmart.org/election_congress_state.php?state_id=CT U.S. Congress candidates for Connecticut] at [[Project Vote Smart]] -->
* [http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=337057 Connecticut U.S. Senate] from OurCampaigns.com
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20150924125442/http://www.opensecrets.org/races/summary.php?id=CTS2&cycle=2010 Campaign contributions] from [[OpenSecrets|Open Secrets]]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100131024135/http://www.pollster.com/polls/ct/ 2010 Connecticut Senate Election] graph of multiple polls from ''Pollster.com''
* [http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections2/election_2010/election_2010_senate_elections/connecticut/election_2010_connecticut_senate Election 2010: Connecticut Senate] from [[Rasmussen Reports]]
* [http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2010/senate/2010_connecticut_senate_race.html 2010 Connecticut Senate Race] from [[Real Clear Politics]]
* [http://cookpolitical.com/node/3343 Connecticut Senate] from [[The Cook Political Report]]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100315083516/http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=senate-2010-CT 2010 Connecticut Senate Race] from [[Congressional Quarterly|CQ Politics]]
* [http://elections.nytimes.com/2010/senate/connecticut Race profile] from [[The New York Times]]
'''Official campaign websites'''
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090622214008/http://merrickforachange.com/ Merrick Alpert for U.S. Senate]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20101029102857/http://www.richardblumenthal.com// Richard Blumenthal for U.S. Senate]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100202232105/http://chrisdodd.com/ Chris Dodd for U.S. Senate]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100217070606/http://www.vincentforras.com/ Vincent Forras for U.S. Senate]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20101028234614/http://www.linda2010.com/frontpage/ Linda McMahon for U.S. Senate]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120722085711/http://www.mertens2010.com/ John Mertens for U.S. Senate]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100325191412/http://moslerforsenate.com/ Warren Mosler for U.S. Senate]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090719130442/http://www.schiffforsenate.com/ Peter Schiff for U.S. Senate]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090511053523/http://www.joinrobsimmons.com/ Rob Simmons for U.S. Senate]

{{Connecticut elections}}
{{2010 United States elections}}

[[Category:2010 Connecticut elections]]
[[Category:2010 United States Senate elections|Connecticut]]
[[Category:United States Senate elections in Connecticut|2010]]