Democrats Lose House, Hold Senate
The results of the November 2, 2010, congressional elections have left the GOP with gains in both the Senate (+7), and the House (+63), leaving the U.S. House of Representatives with a Republican-controlled majority, with a current count of 242 Republicans and 193 Democrats. The U.S. Senate remained under Democratic control, and is likely to end up with 53 Democrats and 47 Republicans. Republicans beat out Democrats to win Senate seats in Indiana, Arkansas, North Dakota, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Pennsylvania. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) won reelection. Republicans knocked out some of the House's longest-serving Democrats, including Budget Chairman John Spratt of South Carolina, Armed Services Chairman Ike Skelton of Missouri, Appropriations Subcommittee Chair Chet Edwards of Texas, and Earl Pomeroy of North Dakota.
COM Congressional Representation
Out of the 34 colleges of osteopathic medicine (COMs), 18 COMs have newly elected-congressional representation.
New Senators in Lame Duck
Senators Joe Manchin III (D-WV) and Chris Coons (D-DE) have been sworn in and given committee assignments for the remaining weeks of the 111th Congress. Senator Manchin will take slots on the Armed Services; Budget; Health, Education, Labor and Pensions and Rules and Administration committees, which were held by Carte P. Goodwin, who has held the seat since the death of former senator Robert C. Byrd in June. Senator Coons will take slots on the Armed Services; Foreign Relations; Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs and Judiciary committees, which were held by Ted Kaufman (D-DE), who was appointed to fill in for Vice President Joe Biden after he resigned in January 2009. Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL) was sworn in on November 29.
House and Senate Physicians Elected
Rand Paul (R-KY), a physician, was elected to the Senate. There will be six additional physicians in the House, including Joe Heck, DO, who will serve in the House of Representatives representing Nevada’s 3rd congressional district. The additional physicians include:
- Dan Benishek – (R-MI-1)
- Larry Bouschon – (R-IN-8)
- Scott DesJarlais – (R-TN-1)
- Andy Harris – (R-MD-1)
- Nan Hayworth – (R-NY-19)
Physicians and Physician Supporters on the Ballot
- Joe Heck (R-NV-3): The osteopathic physician defeated Democrat Dina Titus to win the House seat representing Nevada’s 3rd congressional district.
- Mark Kirk (R-IL): A former House member, who was supported by several physician groups, won President Obama’s old Senate Seat.
- Andy Harris (R-MD-1): The anesthesiologist defeated Democratic incumbent Frank Kratovil.
- Larry Bucshon (R-ID-8): The cardiac surgeon defeated Democrat Trent Van Haaften.
- Paul Gosar (R-AZ-1): The dentist defeated Democratic incumbent Ann Kirkpatrick.
- Dan Benishek (R-MI-1): The surgeon defeated Democrat Gary McDowell to take Representative Bart Stupak's old seat.
- Ami Bera (D-CA-3): The physician was defeated by Republican incumbent Dan Lungren.
- Steve Kagen (D-WI-8): The physician and incumbent was defeated by Republican Reid Ribble.
Ballot Initiatives
Arizona and Oklahoma passed ballot initiatives pushing back against the individual health care ‘mandate,’ but a similar Colorado measure failed. Exit polls show health reform as the second-most important issue for voters after the economy.
Democratic Governors who have changed to Republican - Ohio, Iowa, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, New Mexico, Nevada, Kansas, Tennessee, and Oklahoma. In addition, Democrats won California and New York, while Republicans won Florida and Illinois. Terry Branstad, former Governor of the state of Iowa and former President of Des Moines University, defeated Democratic incumbent Chet Culver to become Governor of the state of Iowa.
Electoral results have potentially far-reaching effects on issues, including:
- Challenge to new health reform law
- Congressional redistricting
- Presidential politics
Unfinished Legislative Business:
- 2011 defense authorization bill
- Expiring tax cuts and extenders
- Fiscal 2011 appropriations
- Energy
- Immigration
- Sustainable Growth Rate – “Doc Fix”
Updated 11/30/2010