United States Senate Democratic Party primaries, 2022
2022 Democratic Party primary elections |
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Elections to the U.S. Senate were held on November 8, 2022, and 34 of the 100 seats were up for regular election. Those elected to the U.S. Senate in the 34 regular elections in 2022 began their six-year terms on January 3, 2023.
On this page, you will find:
- Partisan breakdown of the U.S. Senate
- List of Democratic primaries
- List of candidates in each state's Democratic Senate primary
- Map of states with seats up for election
- News and conflicts in these primaries
- Outside race ratings
This page focuses on the U.S. Senate Democratic primaries. For more in-depth information about the U.S. Senate battleground primaries, U.S. Senate Republican primaries, top-two primaries, top-four primaries, and general elections, see the following pages:
- U.S. Senate battleground primaries, 2022
- United States Senate Republican Party primaries, 2022
- United States Senate top-two primaries, 2022
- United States Senate top-four primaries, 2022
- United States Senate elections, 2022
Partisan breakdown
There were 34 U.S. Senate seats up for regular election in 2022—14 seats held by Democrats and 20 held by Republicans.
U.S. Senate Partisan Breakdown | |||
---|---|---|---|
Party | As of November 8, 2022 | After the 2022 Election | |
Democratic Party | 48[1] | 48 | |
Republican Party | 50 | 49 | |
Independent | 2[1] | 3 | |
Vacancies | 0 | 0 | |
Total | 100 | 100 |
Democratic primaries
Louisiana is included in the list below even though the state uses a majority-vote system in which all candidates regardless of partisan affiliation are listed on the same first-round ballot.
Candidate lists
Alabama
Democratic primary candidates= candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey
Arizona
Democratic primary candidates- Mark Kelly (Incumbent) ✔
Arkansas
Democratic primary candidates= candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey
Colorado
Democratic primary candidates- Michael Bennet (Incumbent) ✔
Connecticut
Democratic primary candidatesThis primary was canceled and this candidate advanced:
- Richard Blumenthal (Incumbent) ✔
Florida
Democratic primary candidates= candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey
Georgia
Democratic primary candidates- Raphael Warnock (Incumbent) ✔
- Tamara Johnson-Shealey
Hawaii
Democratic primary candidates- Brian E. Schatz (Incumbent) ✔
- Steve Tataii
Idaho
Democratic primary candidates= candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey
Illinois
Democratic primary candidates- Tammy Duckworth (Incumbent) ✔
Indiana
Democratic primary candidates= candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey
Iowa
Democratic primary candidates= candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey
Kansas
Democratic primary candidates= candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey
Kentucky
Democratic primary candidates= candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey
Louisiana[3]
There are no official candidates yet for this election.
Maryland
Democratic primary candidates- Chris Van Hollen (Incumbent) ✔
- Michelle Smith
= candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey
Missouri
Democratic primary candidates- Trudy Busch Valentine ✔
- Ronald William Harris
- Jewel Kelly, Jr.
- Pat Kelly
- Lucas Kunce
- Lewis Rolen
- Gena Ross
- Joshua Shipp
- Clarence Taylor
- Spencer Toder
- Carla Wright
= candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey
Nevada
Democratic primary candidates= candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey
New Hampshire
Democratic primary candidates- Maggie Hassan (Incumbent) ✔
- Paul Krautmann
- John Riggieri
New York
Democratic primary candidatesThis primary was canceled and this candidate advanced:
- Chuck Schumer (Incumbent) ✔
= candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey
North Carolina
Democratic primary candidates- Greg Antoine
- Cheri Beasley ✔
- Chrelle Booker
- James Carr Jr.
- Robert Colon
- Alyssia Hammond
- Constance Johnson
- Tobias LaGrone
- Brendan K. Maginnis
- Everette Newton
- Marcus Williams
= candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey
North Dakota
Democratic primary candidates= candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey
Ohio
Democratic primary candidates= candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey
Oklahoma
Democratic primary candidates= candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey
Oregon
Democratic primary candidates- Ron Wyden (Incumbent) ✔
- William Barlow
- Brent Thompson
Pennsylvania
Democratic primary candidates- Valerie Arkoosh
- Kevin Baumlin
- Kael Dougherty
- Larry Johnson
- John McGuigan
- Kyle Norton
- Eric Orts
- Alan Shank
- Walter Sluzynsky
- Sharif Street
- Lew Tapera
= candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey
South Carolina
Democratic primary candidates= candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey
South Dakota
Democratic primary candidatesThis primary was canceled and this candidate advanced:
Utah
Democratic primary candidatesThe Democratic Party primary was canceled.
= candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey
Vermont
Democratic primary candidates= candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey
Wisconsin
Democratic primary candidates- Mandela Barnes ✔
- Sarah Godlewski (unofficially withdrew)
- Alex Lasry (unofficially withdrew)
- Kou Lee
- Tom Nelson (unofficially withdrew)
- Steven Olikara
- Peter Peckarsky
- Darrell Williams
= candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey
Seats up for election
The map below shows what seats were up for election, the incumbent heading into the election in each state, the 2022 winner in each state, whether each seat was open, and race ratings before the election.
Battleground primaries
There were 4 U.S. Senate Democratic battleground primaries in 2022.
- United States Senate election in Iowa, 2022 (June 7 Democratic primary)
- United States Senate election in Ohio, 2022 (May 3 Democratic primary)
- United States Senate election in Pennsylvania, 2022 (May 17 Democratic primary)
- United States Senate election in Wisconsin, 2022 (August 9 Democratic primary)
The following map shows each state with a Democratic battleground primary for U.S. Senate in 2022. Hover over or tap a state to view the incumbent's name.
News and conflicts in the 2022 Democratic Senate primaries
The following were reprinted from Ballotpedia's The Heart of the Primaries newsletter, which captured stories related to conflicts within each major party.
August 4, 2022
Three leading candidates withdraw from Wisconsin's U.S. Senate primary and endorse Barnes
Three of the four candidates who led in fundraising and media attention in Wisconsin's Democratic U.S. Senate primary ended their campaigns last week and endorsed Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes.
Former state Rep. Tom Nelson ended his campaign on July 25. Nelson said, "It didn’t look like we were in a strong position" and that it "made sense to consolidate the progressive vote."
Milwaukee Bucks executive Alex Lasry announced his withdrawal on July 27: "After talking with [U.S. Sen.] Tammy [Baldwin (D)] and seeing the data, I think it was clear there was no path forward for us to be able to win. We wanted to make sure we were able to unite and rally our support to ensure we're spending every second we can to get Ron Johnson out of office."
State Treasurer Sarah Godlewski ended her campaign on July 29, saying, "I know that we're better when we all come together. If there is one thing we know about Mandela Barnes is he is no stranger to running statewide."
Barnes said in a statement, "This week has demonstrated what it looks like when we come together for a goal that is greater than ourselves. We are building a coalition that crosses generations, crosses racial divides and political divides. A coalition that includes farmers, union leaders, teachers, small business owners, and working people all across this state."
Barnes had received endorsements from the Congressional Black Caucus Political Action Committee, U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), and U.S. Rep. James Clyburn (D-S.C.).
Godlewski's, Lasry's, and Nelson's names will still appear on the Democratic primary ballot due to the timing of their withdrawal.
The primary is on Aug. 9. Incumbent Sen. Ron Johnson (R) is running for a third term. Wisconsin is one of two states President Joe Biden won in 2020 that is holding an election for a Senate seat a Republican holds this year. In the other state—Pennsylvania—Sen. Pat Toomey (R) is not seeking re-election.
July 21, 2022
U.S. Senate candidates debate in Wisconsin, Sanders endorses Barnes
Five U.S. Senate candidates—Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, state Treasurer Sarah Godlewski, Milwaukee Bucks executive Alex Lasry, Outagamie County Executive Tom Nelson, and political organizer Steven Olikara—participated in a televised debate hosted by TMJ4 News in Milwaukee on July 17.
The Associated Press’ Scott Bauer wrote, "Polls show [Barnes and Lasry] are leading the crowded field. Both Barnes and Lasry focused on Johnson, and not one another, in the debate as they advocated for getting rid of the Senate filibuster to pass a bill protecting abortion rights, passing gun safety laws, protecting the environment and tax changes to benefit the middle class."
Bauer also wrote that Godlewski "took aim at her male opponents on abortion." Godlewski said, “Where were you guys talking about reproductive rights at a UW forum when they asked you what your priorities were in the U.S. Senate? I was the only one talking about reproductive rights because for me this is not an afterthought." During the debate, all candidates criticized the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. Barnes, Godlewski, Lasry, and Nelson said they supported getting rid of the filibuster in the U.S. Senate to codify legalized abortion protections, and Nelson said the Supreme Court should be expanded.
On July 18, U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) endorsed Barnes, saying Barnes "knows the struggles of the working class" and is "the best positioned progressive candidate who will win both the primary and defeat Ron Johnson in November."
The same day, a press release from Nelson’s campaign highlighted an April endorsement from Our Wisconsin Revolution, a state affiliate of the group Our Revolution, which Sanders founded in 2016. The statement quoted Nelson: "No one has done more to advance the cause of workers against the billionaire class than Bernie Sanders and push for Medicare for All, a Green New Deal and opposing dirty fossil fuel pipelines like Line 5. I’m proud to be the only Wisconsin campaign that’s been leading the way on these issues and will continue to."
Eight candidates are running in the Aug. 9 primary.
June 30, 2022
Wisconsin U.S. Senate candidates support ending filibuster, codifying abortion rights
Four leading candidates in Wisconsin's U.S. Senate primary called for ending the Senate filibuster to facilitate codifying abortion rights on the federal level.
The candidates—Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, state Treasurer Sarah Godlewski, Alex Lasry, and Outagamie County Executive Tom Nelson—spoke at the state Democratic Party convention following the Supreme Court's decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization.
Politico's Zach Montellaro wrote that in this primary, "even minute differences among the Democratic candidates — and how fiercely they elevate them — could define the rest of the contest."
The filibuster is a tool senators can use to extend debate on a bill or other matter, thereby delaying or blocking action on it. It takes 60 votes to end debate and move forward. Ending the filibuster would mean that a majority party could pass legislation without support from minority party members. The Senate is split 50-50, with Vice President Kamala Harris (D) serving as tie-breaker. Click here for arguments for and against the filibuster.
Nelson also supports expanding the Supreme Court and imposing term limits on justices. Godlewski and Lasry said in May they oppose expanding the court and would consider term limits. Barnes' campaign said he "recognizes the need for reforms in the court but is prioritizing codifying Roe v. Wade."
Incumbent Ron Johnson (R) is seeking re-election.
The primary is Aug. 9.
June 9, 2022
Primary results roundup
California, Iowa, Mississippi, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, and South Dakota held primaries on Tuesday.
The big stories of the night: Franken defeats Finkenauer, Caruso and Bass in runoff
U.S. Senate election in Iowa: Michael Franken defeated Abby Finkenauer and Glenn Hurst. As of Wednesday morning, Franken led Finkenauer, 55% to 40%.
Franken is a retired U.S. Navy admiral whose policy priorities include lowering the eligibility age for Medicare to 50. Franken says he appeals to "that middle segment who want logical, pragmatic, smart, dedicated, national servants to work for them." Franken unsuccessfully sought the state’s Democratic Senate nomination in 2020.
Finkenauer, who served in the U.S. House from 2019 to 2021, campaigned on her support for term limits in Congress and what she called a record of bipartisanship.
Franken will face Sen. Chuck Grassley (R). Three forecasters rate the general election Safe or Solid Republican.
Mayoral election in Los Angeles: Karen Bass and Rick Caruso advanced to a runoff as no candidate received more than 50% of the vote. As of Wednesday morning, Caruso had 42% to Bass' 37%.
Though the election was officially nonpartisan, both candidates are registered Democrats. Caruso, a real estate developer and former president of the Los Angeles Police Commission, said he changed his party registration from no party preference to Democrat in January 2022. Bass has held elected office as a Democrat since 2005 and has served in the U.S. House since 2011.
The New York Times' Jennifer Medina wrote that the race is "poised to become a test of whether voters this year favor an experienced politician who has spent nearly two decades in government or an outsider running on his business credentials."
Other marquee primary results
California's 27th: Incumbent Mike Garcia (R) and Christy Smith (D) advanced from a seven-candidate, top-two primary. Garcia had 50% of the vote and Smith had 35% as of Wednesday morning.
In 2020, Garcia defeated Smith in the general election by 333 votes, making it the third-closest U.S. House race that year. Brianna Lee of LAist said the 2022 race should be more competitive because redistricting "jettisoned the district’s most conservative outpost in Simi Valley, giving Democratic voters even more of an edge."
California Attorney General: Incumbent Rob Bonta (D) is likely to advance from the top-two primary. Who will join him in the general is TBD. Bonta had 55% of the vote as of Wednesday morning. Republicans Nathan Hochman and Eric Early had 19% and 17%, respectively, and independent Anne Marie Schubert had 8%.
Media analysis
Politico's Ally Mutnick and Jeremy White wrote about how the issue of crime played out in several California races:
“ |
San Francisco voters ousted incumbent District Attorney Chesa Boudin before he completed a full term — a ringing repudiation of a broader criminal justice reform movement. … Meanwhile, the fact that Los Angeles’ mayoral contest is as competitive as it is testifies to a fraught public mood — as well as the power of a well-funded campaign. Democratic Rep. Karen Bass and ex-Republican magnate Rick Caruso are neck and neck in the vote count so far, with Caruso making his mark on the race by spending millions of dollars to amplify his message of tackling crime and homelessness. Polls have shown Angelenos feel markedly more pessimistic about the status quo on both issues. And statewide, California Attorney General Rob Bonta’s bid for a full term will also test whether anxiety about public safety has voters ready to reevaluate their embrace of criminal justice reform. Bonta has been a champion in that movement, backing policies like lesser sentencing and bans on cash bail and for-profit prisons. But polls show Californians are feeling markedly more concerned about crime — a dynamic Bonta’s opponents are trying to exploit. The outcome will also show whether an unaffiliated candidate can break through. Sacramento District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert, a Republican-turned-independent, could be Bonta’s toughest opponent in November but early returns had Schubert far behind Republicans Nathan Hochman and Eric Early.[4] |
” |
The Associated Press' Thomas Beaumont wrote that Franken's defeat of Finkenauer in Iowa was a surprise:
“ |
Franken’s primary win is something of a surprise, given Finkenauer was better known throughout the state after her 2018 victory over a Republican congressman that made her the second-youngest woman elected to Congress. Finkenauer lost in a reelection bid in 2020 but was a frequent presence on cable television and raised millions of dollars toward her Senate run. But Franken campaigned in more than 50 of Iowa’s 99 counties, touting his upbringing in rural, northwest Iowa where Democrats have all but vanished from public office. And yet Franken beat Finkenauer soundly in the state’s most populous areas including the Des Moines metro area, as well as in the liberal bastion of Iowa City, next door to Finkenauer’s eastern Iowa base. Still, the episode turned off a number of veteran state Democratic activists, former candidates and officeholders, prompting some to give Franken a second look. He posted stronger first-quarter fundraising figures than Finkenauer and earned endorsements from some well-known former Finkenauer supporters bothered by her declining to accept responsibility for the filing mistakes.[4] |
” |
May 26, 2022
Candidates for U.S. Senate in Iowa participate in debate
On May 19, the three Democratic candidates for U.S. Senate in Iowa participated in a debate sponsored by Iowa PBS. The candidates differed on student debt and healthcare policy.
On student debt, Abby Finkenauer said, "If we do anything when it comes to relief, it should be targeted" and not made available to anybody making more than $100,000 per year.
Michael Franken said student debt relief is divisive and expressed concern about the cost of college: “Someone who graduated two years ago — do we re-compensate them? What about somebody five years from now who has a large debt? Is this an ongoing thing? And if we constantly wipe out college debt what do you think the cost of college is going to do?”
Glenn Hurst said he supports canceling student loan debt and repaying people who have already paid their loans off: "We really need to be looking even farther forward. … Community college should be free, so should trade schools."
The candidates also differed on healthcare policy. Finkenhauer said she supports preserving private insurance, increasing Medicare reimbursements, and creating a public option: "If they have negotiated their health care through their union, through their employer and they like it, I’m not taking away anybody’s health care from any Iowan or any American."
Franken said government-run healthcare was "the future of America" but said it should be incrementally implemented, starting with expanding Medicare to young children and adults over 50.
Hurst said he supports Medicare for All: "We can’t be just putting Band-Aids on cannonball wounds. We can’t be taking the Affordable Care Act and expanding it or adding a Medicare option to it. … Medicare for All is the solution."
The candidates also said why they think they're the best choice for voters. Finkenauer said she is the best alternative to incumbent Chuck Grassley (R): "This is what this race is about. It is making sure we hold him accountable and it's making sure you have somebody who doesn't want to spend their life in Washington, D.C., like he has."
Franken said his campaign appeals to voters in the middle: "It’s that middle segment who want logical, pragmatic, smart, dedicated, national servants to work for them. Leader servants. I believe I’m that person."
Hurst said he is "a progressive candidate in this race that is different from the other candidates." Hurst said other Democrats in the state have "lost because they didn’t appeal to that desire for change."
The primary election is on June 7.
Outside ratings
The following table compared U.S. Senate race ratings from The Cook Political Report, Sabato's Crystal Ball, and Inside Elections prior to the November 2022 elections.
Special elections
Special elections to United States Senate are often required in the event of vacancies. This table lists special Senate elections from 2021 to 2022.
Results of special elections to the 117th Congress (Senate) | ||||||
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Race | Election date | Incumbent | Winner | Election MOV | Previous election MOV | 2020 Presidential election MOV (statewide)[5] |
California Senate | November 8, 2022 | Kamala Harris | Alex Padilla | D+17.6 | D+23 | D+55 |
Oklahoma Senate | November 8, 2022 | Jim Inhofe | Markwayne Mullin | R+26.6 | R+30 | R+7 |
Presidential election data in 2022 Senate election states
Republicans were defending two Senate seats in states Joe Biden (D) won in the 2020 presidential election:
- Pennsylvania: Biden defeated Donald Trump (R) 50.0%-48.8%. Incumbent Pat Toomey did not seek re-election.
- Wisconsin, Biden defeated Trump 49.5%-48.8%. Incumbent Ron Johnson sought re-election.
Democrats were not defending any Senate seats in states Donald Trump (R) won in 2020.
See also
- United States Congress elections, 2022
- U.S. Senate battleground primaries, 2022
- United States Senate elections, 2022
- United States Senate Republican Party primaries, 2022
- United States Senate top-two primaries, 2022
- United States Senate top-four primaries, 2022
- United States Senate Democratic Party primaries, 2020
- United States Senate Republican Party primaries, 2020
- United States House of Representatives elections, 2022
- United States House Democratic Party primaries, 2022
- United States House Republican Party primaries, 2022
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Independent Senators Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Angus King (I-Maine) caucus with the Democratic Party.
- ↑ Alaska held top-four all-party primaries.
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
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- ↑ 4.00 4.01 4.02 4.03 4.04 4.05 4.06 4.07 4.08 4.09 4.10 4.11 4.12 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ 270towin, "Historical Timeline," accessed March 25, 2022
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