2013 United States elections
← 2011          2012          2013          2014          2015 →
Off-year elections
Election dayNovember 5
Senate elections
Seats contested2 mid-term vacancies
Net seat changeDemocratic +1
Map of the 2013 Senate special elections
     Democratic gain (1)
     Democratic hold (1)
House elections
Seats contested6 mid-term vacancies
Net seat change0
Map of the 2013 House special elections
     Democratic hold (2)
     Republican hold (4)
Gubernatorial elections
Seats contested2
Net seat changeDemocratic +1
Map of the 2013 Gubernatorial elections
     Democratic gain (1)
     Republican hold (1)

The 2013 United States elections were held on Tuesday, November 5, 2013. This off-year election cycle featured several special elections to the United States Congress; two gubernatorial races; state legislative elections in a few states; and numerous citizen initiatives, mayoral races, and a variety of other local offices on the ballot.

The Democratic Party picked up the governorship in Virginia as Terry McAuliffe was elected to replace term-limited Republican Bob McDonnell. Meanwhile, Republican New Jersey Governor Chris Christie was re-elected to a second term. Congressional special elections were held throughout the year. In total, two Senate seats and six House seats were contested. None of the House seats changed party hands, as well as the Massachusetts Senate seat. Democrats, however, regained the Senate seat in New Jersey, which was held by a Republican appointee.

The election results were seen as a slight success for President Barack Obama and the Democrats. It is rare for the President's party to win a Virginia gubernatorial election since 1973, and Democrats lost no ground in state legislatures and Congress.

Federal elections

Senate

Massachusetts

On December 21, 2012, President Barack Obama nominated Massachusetts U.S. Senator John Kerry as Secretary of State. Kerry was confirmed by the United States Senate on January 29, 2013, by a vote of 94–3.[1] Following the vote, Kerry resigned his Senate seat effective at February 1, 2013, at 4 p.m.[2] Massachusetts law required a special election within 145 to 160 days after the vacancy occurred and allowed Gov. Deval Patrick to appoint an interim senator until the winner of the special election can be sworn in.[3] Patrick announced on January 30, 2013, that he would appoint his former Chief of Staff Mo Cowan to serve as the interim senator. Cowan was sworn in by Vice President of the United States Joe Biden on February 7, 2013.[4] Cowan did not run in the special election.[5] Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth William F. Galvin set the dates for the election with the primaries on April 30, 2013, and the general election on June 25, 2013.[6]

Democratic Congressman Ed Markey declared his candidacy on December 27, 2012,[7] and was the favorite of the Democratic establishment, receiving endorsements from Kerry, Victoria Kennedy (the widow of the late Sen. Ted Kennedy) and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.[8] U.S. Rep. Stephen Lynch also sought the Democratic nomination.[9] Former U.S. Sen. Scott Brown was considered the overwhelming Republican favorite, but announced on February 1, 2013, that he would not run in the special election.[10] Kerry was re-elected in 2008 with 66 percent of the vote.[11]

On April 30, 2013, Markey easily defeated Lynch to secure the Democratic nomination taking over 57 percent of the over 550,000 cast.[12] Gabriel Gomez, a former Navy SEAL won the Republican nomination taking 51 percent of about 190,000 votes cast; defeating former United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts and former Acting Director Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Michael Sullivan who had 36 percent and state Rep. Daniel Winslow, who had 13 percent.[12]

Markey easily defeated Gomez on June 25, 2013, capturing over 625,000 votes of approximately 1.2 million cast, garnering approximately 55 percent to Gomez's 45 percent and less than 1 percent for Richard Heos, nominee of the Twelve Vision's Party.[13]

New Jersey

89-year-old Sen. Frank Lautenberg, who had already announced retirement plans[14] died on June 3, 2013.[15] On June 4, 2013, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie set the dates for the special election with the primaries being held on August 13, 2013, and the general election being held on October 16, 2013.[16] On June 6, 2013, Christie announced the appointment of New Jersey Attorney General Jeffrey Chiesa, a Republican, to serve as the interim senator until the winner of the special could be sworn in.[17] Chiesa announced he would not run in the special election and was sworn in by Vice President Joe Biden on June 10, 2013.[18]

Newark Mayor Cory Booker,[19] won the Democratic nomination over Congressmen Rush D. Holt, Jr.[20] and Frank Pallone,[21] and New Jersey General Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver.[22] Steve Lonegan, a former mayor of Bogota backed by the Tea Party and a two-time GOP primary candidate for Governor of New Jersey,[23] won the Republican nomination over health care reform advocate Alieta Eck.[24]

The election on October 16, 2013, was won by Cory Booker with 54.6% of the vote, against 44.3% for Steve Lonegan.[25] This senate election was a technical net gain for Democrats since Booker was replacing an appointed Republican. However, the gain was not enough to hold back the Republican wave which swept control of the senate just one year later.

United States House of Representatives

This off-year election cycle featured special elections to the 113th United States Congress to fill vacancies due to resignations. Six special elections have taken place to fill seats in the United States House of Representatives. Two were due to Congressmen taking seats in the United States Senate (Tim Scott of South Carolina and Ed Markey of Massachusetts), one resigned to take jobs in the private sector (Jo Ann Emerson of Missouri), one resigned to take a job in the public sector (Jo Bonner of Alabama), and Jesse Jackson Jr. resigned due to an impending federal indictment of misuse of campaign funds.

Illinois's 2nd congressional district

Jesse Jackson Jr. resigned on November 21, 2012, following a months-long battle with bipolar disorder and due to being subject to a federal investigation over the possible misuse of campaign funds.[26] Democratic nominee Robin Kelly defeated Republican nominee Paul McKinley on April 9, 2013, taking 71 percent of about 82,000 votes cast.[27]

South Carolina's 1st congressional district

Incumbent Tim Scott resigned when appointed U.S. senator.[28] The Republican candidate, former governor Mark Sanford, who held the seat from 1995 to 2001, defeated Democratic nominee Elizabeth Colbert Busch, sister of comedian Stephen Colbert taking 54 percent.[29]

Missouri's 8th congressional district

Incumbent Jo Ann Emerson resigned January 22, 2013,[30] to become the CEO of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association in March 2013.[31] Republican Missouri state Rep. Jason Smith beat Democratic state Rep. John Hodges on June 4, 2013.[32]

Massachusetts's 5th congressional district

Incumbent Democrat Ed Markey resigned on July 15, 2013 when elected U.S. senator. Democratic state senator Katherine Clark beat Republican lawyer Frank Addivinola on December 10, 2013.[33]

Alabama's 1st congressional district

On May 23, 2013, Republican Incumbent Jo Bonner resigned August 15, 2013 to become the vice chancellor of government relations and economic development with the University of Alabama System.,[34][35] Republican former state senator Bradley Byrne beat Democratic real estate agent Burton LeFlore on December 17 by a wide margin.[36]

Louisiana's 5th congressional district

On August 6, 2013, incumbent Rodney Alexander resigned September 26, 2013, citing the partisan gridlock in Congress,[37] and became the Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs under Governor Bobby Jindal.

On November 16, 2013, businessman Vance McAllister defeated fellow Republican state senator Neil Riser defeated Republican Riser in the November 16 run-off with 60 percent of the vote.[38] and was sworn in by Boehner on November 21, 2013.

State elections

Gubernatorial

Two states held gubernatorial elections in 2013:

State legislatures

Legislative elections were held for the New Jersey Senate, New Jersey General Assembly, and the Virginia House of Delegates. In New Jersey, Democrats retained control of their majorities in the Senate and General Assembly.[43] Republicans held a majority in the Virginia House of Delegates.

State courts

Judicial elections were held for New York State Supreme Court in most of its 13 Judicial Districts.

Propositions

Several states had referendums on propositions and/or state constitutional amendments on the ballot in November 2013, including a non-binding vote to create a new state in Northern Colorado, tax and marijuana issues in Colorado, an initiative to require labeling of genetically modified food in the state of Washington, and an amendment to raise the minimum wage in New Jersey.[44]

New Yorkers voted to amend its constitution in several minor ways, but voted against raising the retirement age for judges.

Municipal elections

Various elections were held for officeholders in numerous cities, counties, school boards, special districts and others around the country.

Mayoral elections

Some of the large cities holding mayoral elections included:[45]

Other local elections

Some of the major local elections included:

Tables of partisan control results

These tables show the partisan results of the Congressional special elections and gubernatorial races in 2013. Bold indicates a change in control.

Senate seats
Seat Before 2013 elections After 2013 elections
Massachusetts Class 2 Democratic Democratic
New Jersey Class 2 Republican[lower-alpha 1] Democratic
House Congressional seats
Seat Before 2013 elections After 2013 elections
Alabama 1st Republican Republican
Illinois 2nd Democratic Democratic
Louisiana 5th Republican Republican
Massachusetts 5th Democratic Democratic
Missouri 8th Republican Republican
South Carolina 1st Republican Republican
Governorships
State Before 2013 elections After 2013 elections
New Jersey Republican Republican
Virginia Republican Democratic

Notes

  1. ↑ The vacancy resulted from the death of Democratic Senator Frank Lautenberg on June 3, 2013. Republican Jeffrey Chiesa was appointed on June 4 to serve as interim senator until the winner of the October 16 special election was sworn in.

References

  1. ↑ "John Kerry confirmed as secretary of state in landslide senate vote". The Guardian. London. January 30, 2013. Retrieved February 2, 2013.
  2. ↑ "Kerry confirmed by Senate colleagues as secretary of state". CNN. January 29, 2013. Archived from the original on January 31, 2013. Retrieved February 2, 2013.
  3. ↑ "Laws governing U.S, Senate Vacancies". January 21, 2009. Retrieved January 14, 2013.
  4. ↑ Ginger Gibson (February 7, 2013). "'Mo' Cowan sworn-in as senator". Politico. Retrieved June 30, 2013.
  5. ↑ "William 'Mo' Cowan to be interim US senator". The Boston Globe. January 30, 2013. Retrieved February 2, 2013.
  6. ↑ "Massachusetts Special Election Dates Set: Primary April 30, General Election June 25". Huffington Post. January 28, 2013. Retrieved February 2, 2013.
  7. ↑ Mark Arsenault (December 27, 2012). "US Rep. Edward Markey to run in Senate special election". Boston Globe. Retrieved June 30, 2013.
  8. ↑ "John Kerry Endorses Ed Markey For His Senate Seat". The Huffington Post. December 28, 2012. Retrieved January 14, 2013.
  9. ↑ Ishkanian, Ellen; Levenson, Michael; Finucane, Martin (January 31, 2013). "A combative US Rep. Stephen Lynch launches campaign for Senate seat". Boston Globe. Retrieved January 31, 2013.
  10. ↑ "Scott Brown says he won't seek Kerry's Senate seat". Boston Globe. February 2, 2013. Archived from the original on February 4, 2013.
  11. ↑ "2008 Elections". November 4, 2008. Archived from the original on November 27, 2012. Retrieved January 15, 2013.
  12. 1 2 "2013 Massachusetts Senate Special Election Primaries". Politico. May 1, 2013. Retrieved May 20, 2013.
  13. ↑ Michael Levenson, Frank Phillips and Martin Finucane (June 25, 2013). "Markey wins US Senate special election". The Boston Globe.
  14. ↑ Catalina Camia (February 14, 2013). "N.J. Sen. Frank Lautenberg to retire". USA Today. Retrieved June 5, 2013.
  15. ↑ John Bresnahan, Maggie Haberman and Jake Sherman (June 3, 2013). "Sen. Frank Lautenberg dies at 89". Politico. Retrieved June 5, 2013.
  16. ↑ Emily Schultheis and Maggie Haberman (June 4, 2013). "Chris Christie calls August, October special elections in New Jersey". Politico. Retrieved June 5, 2013.
  17. ↑ Aaron Blake (June 6, 2013). "Christie to appoint Jeff Chiesa to Senate". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 30, 2013.
  18. ↑ Jose Del Real (June 10, 2013). "Jeff Chiesa sworn in as U.S. senator". Politico. Retrieved June 30, 2013.
  19. ↑ Delli Santi, Angela; Mulvihill, Geoff (June 8, 2013). "Cory Booker formally enters NJ Senate race, endorsed by Bill Bradley". theGrio. Associated Press. Retrieved June 8, 2013.
  20. ↑ Max Pizarro (June 6, 2013). "Holt officially gets in the U.S. Senate contest". Politicker NJ. Retrieved June 30, 2013.
  21. ↑ Joseph, Cameron (June 4, 2013). "Pallone tells NJ Dem congressman he's running for Senate". The Hill. Retrieved June 30, 2013.
  22. ↑ Matt Friedman (June 10, 2013). "Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver files for U.S. Senate race". NJ.com. Retrieved June 30, 2013.
  23. ↑ Johnson, Brent (June 5, 2013). "Steve Lonegan is the first to announce bid for U.S. Senate". The Star-Ledger. Retrieved June 30, 2013.
  24. ↑ Max Pizarro (June 7, 2013). "Piscataway doctor gathering petitions toward U.S. Senate GOP Primary run". Politicker NJ. Retrieved June 30, 2013.
  25. ↑ Terrence Dopp & Elise Young (October 17, 2013). "Booker Tops Tea Party Republican to win U.S. Senate Seat". Bloomberg.com. Retrieved October 18, 2013.
  26. ↑ Davey, Monica (November 21, 2012). "Jesse Jackson Jr. Resigns, Facing Illness and Inquiry". The New York Times. Retrieved January 14, 2013.
  27. ↑ "2013 Illinois 2nd District Special Election Results". Politico. April 11, 2013. Retrieved May 20, 2013.
  28. ↑ "Gov. Haley (R-SC): Rep. Scott Will Replace Sen. DeMint". December 17, 2012. Retrieved January 14, 2013.
  29. ↑ "Special Election - U.S. House of Representatives District 1". South Carolina Department of Elections. May 10, 2013. Retrieved May 20, 2013.
  30. ↑ "Emerson's resignation sets off free-for-all in Missouri House race". The Hill. January 22, 2013.
  31. ↑ Izadi, Elahe (December 3, 2012). "Emerson Retiring to Head Up NRECA". Nationaljournal.com. Archived from the original on February 4, 2013. Retrieved January 15, 2013.
  32. ↑ Sean Sullivan (June 4, 2013). "Jason Smith wins Missouri special election". The Washington Post.
  33. ↑ Michael Levenson (December 10, 2013). "Katherine Clark to succeed Edward Markey in House". The Boston Globe. Retrieved December 15, 2013.
  34. ↑ Talbot, George (May 23, 2013). "Rep. Jo Bonner resignation stuns constituents, sparks candidates". Alabama.com. Retrieved June 5, 2013.
  35. ↑ Talbot, George (June 5, 2013). "What happens to Rep. Jo Bonner's office when he's gone?". Alabama.com.
  36. ↑ Sullivan, Sean (December 17, 2013). "Republican Bradley Byrne wins Alabama special election". The Washington Post. Washington, DC. Retrieved December 18, 2013.
  37. ↑ McGaughy, Lauren (August 7, 2013). "Rodney Alexander to join Jindal administration, departure from Congress will trigger special election". The Times-Picayune. Retrieved August 8, 2013.
  38. ↑ Alex Isenstadt (November 16, 2013). "Vance McAllister upsets Neil Riser in Louisiana House runoff". Politico. Retrieved December 15, 2013.
  39. ↑ Matt Katz (February 14, 2013). "Seth Grossman, Republican lawyer, announces he'll run for N.J. governor". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved May 23, 2013.
  40. 1 2 John Celock (June 4, 2013). "New Jersey Primary Results Show Easy Wins For Chris Christie, Barbara Buono". Huffington Post. Retrieved June 5, 2013.
  41. ↑ "Christie re-elected governor of New Jersey". Associated Press. November 5, 2013. Retrieved November 5, 2013.
  42. ↑ Lesiak, Krzysztof (April 22, 2013). "Robert Sarvis Receives Libertarian Party of Virginia Nomination for Governor in 2013". Independent Political Report. Retrieved April 27, 2013.
  43. ↑ "Despite Christie's win, Democrats retain control of N.J. Legislature". NJ.com. November 6, 2013. Retrieved October 6, 2014.
  44. ↑ "CNN: Pot tax, secession top Tuesday ballot measures". CNN. November 4, 2013. Retrieved October 6, 2014.
  45. ↑ "The U.S. Conference of Mayors : Mayoral Elections Center". Usmayors.org. Archived from the original on November 5, 2013. Retrieved November 5, 2013.
  46. ↑ "Syracuse.com: Albany elects Kathy Sheehan first new mayor in 20 years". syracuse.com. November 6, 2013. Retrieved October 6, 2014.
  47. ↑ "Santa Fe New Mexican". Retrieved October 6, 2014.
  48. ↑ http://articles.mcall.com/2013-11-06/news/mc-pa-allentown-mayor-20131105_1_mayoral-appearances-neighborhood-improvement-zone-ed-pawlowski Pawlowski wins third term as mayor, but by less than expected
  49. ↑ "Star-Telegram". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Retrieved October 6, 2014.
  50. ↑ "Arlington mayor to face two challengers in May 11 election". March 4, 2013. Retrieved March 4, 2013.
  51. ↑ Poole, Shelia (February 13, 2013). "Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed says he'll run for re-election, urges..." www.myajc.com. Retrieved November 5, 2013.
  52. ↑ "AJC: Reed returns to his 'dream job'". Retrieved October 6, 2014.
  53. ↑ http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=news/local&id=9315208 Archived November 6, 2013, at archive.today GOP claims big upset in Atlantic City mayor race
  54. ↑ "Boston Globe". BostonGlobe.com. Archived from the original on October 10, 2014. Retrieved October 6, 2014.
  55. ↑ "Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown wins 3rd term". Syracuse.com. November 5, 2013. Retrieved November 6, 2013.
  56. ↑ Matt Helms (May 14, 2013). "Bing will not seek re-election as mayor, eyes Wayne County executive position". Detroit Free Press.
  57. ↑ "Detroit Free Press". Retrieved October 6, 2014.
  58. ↑ "Lancaster mayor Gray wins re-election - Bucks County Courier Times: Pennsylvania | politics | environmental". www.buckscountycouriertimes.com. Archived from the original on November 6, 2013. Retrieved May 22, 2022.
  59. ↑ Munzenrieder, Kyle (May 29, 2013). "Carlos Gimenez and Most City Commissioners Supporting Tomas Regalado's Opponent in Miami Mayor's Race". Blogs.miaminewtimes.com. Retrieved November 5, 2013.
  60. ↑ "WHAM-TV". Archived from the original on November 5, 2013. Retrieved October 6, 2014.
  61. ↑ "Syracuse.com". November 6, 2013. Retrieved October 6, 2014.
  62. ↑ "Mayor Castro likely to win San Antonio re-election, early results show". CNN.com. May 12, 2013. Retrieved October 6, 2014.
  63. ↑ Perry, Tony (November 20, 2013). "San Diego mayoral runoff to pit Kevin Faulconer against David Alvarez". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 5, 2017.
  64. ↑ http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2013/11/syracuse_mayor_miner_election.html Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner wins election to a second term
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