•West Virginia US Senate Election 2012
INCUMBENT - Democrat Joe Manchin. Won the November 2010 special election to replace the late Sen. Robert Byrd.Running for reelection
WHO WILL WIN? In May 2012, this race is rated "Leans Democratic" by Real Clear Politics mainly because incumbent Sen. Manchin, a moderate Democrat, is widely admired in West Virginia.
Before his 2010 special election victory to succeed the late Sen. Robert Byrd, Sen. Manchin had served in state public office since 1982, including five years as governor (2005-2010).
President Obama is not popular in West Virginia, though, and a strongly conservative candidate could pose a serious threat to Sen. Manchin's reelection prospects.
See Who Will Win West Virginia's 2012 U.S. Senate Race? for facts, candidates, analysis, dates, and predictions.
•Wisconsin US Senate Election 2012
INCUMBENT - Democrat Herb Kohl, four termsRetiring
WHO WILL WIN? In May 2012, this race is rated a "Toss-Up" by Real Clear Politics for several competing reasons:
- Longtime Sen. Russ Feingold, a progressive Democrat, was soundly defeated in November 2010 by Tea Party/Libertarian Republican candidate Ron Johnson.
- Recent polls report deep voter dissatisfaction with Tea-Party Republican Gov. Scott Walker, who was newly elected in November 2010.
- Public employees in Wisconsin are energized and motivated to recall state Republican lawmakers in 2011, and to elect Democrats to office in 2012.
•Wyoming US Senate Election 2012
INCUMBENT - Republican John Barrasso, one termRunning 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 Idaho consistently votes Republican.
- Incumbent Sen. Barrasso, an orthopedic surgeon, is respected and supported by Idaho voters, who especially appreciated his vocal opposition to President Obama's health care reform bill.