On Nov 6, Democrats held their Senate majority. They gained a net total of two seats for a majority of 53, or 55 including two independents who'll caucus with the Dems. Republicans have 45 seats, down two.
CONNECTICUT: Democrat Chris Murphy
Politics: Sides with Obama on most issues. Favors tax reform and bipartisanship.
Background: 3 terms as Congressman and 8 years in the CT state legislature.
Why he won: Beat former wrestling exec, Republican Linda McMahon, even though she outspent him. He convinced voters she'd favor the rich.
HAWAII: Democrat Mazie Hirono
Politics: Liberal. Strong Obama supporter who backs president's jobs plan and health reform.
Background: Hawaii's Lieutenant Gov and then congresswoman. The Senate's first Asian-American woman and first Buddhist (non-practicing).
Why she won: Connected her opponent, Linda Lingle, to Republicans like George Bush and Mitt Romney.
INDIANA: Democrat Joe Donnelly
Politics: Centrist. Supports bipartisanship. Pro-life, favors expanding Bush-era tax cuts, but also supports Obamacare.
Background: Three-term congressman in northern Indiana.
Why he won: Overtook his rival Richard Mourdock in the polls after Mourdock's comments that pregnancies resulting from rape are "something that God intended."
MAINE: Independent Angus King
Politics: Supports bipartisanship. Favors green energy.
Background: Maine Governor 1995-2003 as an Independent.
Why he won: History as effective Maine governor.
MASSACHUSETTS: Democrat Elizabeth Warren
Politics: Progressive liberal. Supports tougher bank regulations.
Background: Harvard law school professor. Chair of Congressional Oversight Panel for the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP),
aka the bailout.
Why she won: Wide support from progressives nationally and a lot of outside funding. Did well in debates with Brown.
NEBRASKA: Republican Deb Fischer
Politics: Conservative, pro-life. Favors bipartisanship. Distanced herself from Romney's 47% comments.
Background: Former rancher and Nebraska state senator.
Why she won: Effective in-person campaigning, a lot of outside funding, and her conservatism suited Nebraska's politics.
NEW MEXICO: Democrat Martin Heinrich
Politics: Supports Obamacare. Defends safety net programs Medicare and Social Security.
Background: Albuquerque congressman from 2008.
Why he won: portrayed Republican Heather Wilson as too conservative for NM. She opposed Obamacare.
NORTH DAKOTA: Democrat Heidi Heitkamp
Politics: Supports bank regulation. Also supports coal and oil as energy sources, disagreeing with Obama.
Background: former ND tax commissioner and attorney general.
Why she won: Beat Republican Rick Berg by only ~3,000 votes. American Indian votes helped push her over the top.
TEXAS: Republican Ted Cruz
Politics: Tea Party favorite who moved somewhat to the center during campaign.
Background: Former Texas Solicitor General. First Hispanic Senator from TX.
Why he won: Beat primary challenger David Dewhurst, GOP establishment favorite. That shot him into the national spotlight and a speaking gig at the RNC.
VIRGINIA: Democrat Tim Kaine
Politics: "Bipartisanship begins at home," Kaine says (his father-in-law is former Republican governor of Virginia).
Background: VA Governor from 2005, DNC chair 2009-11.
Why he won: Portrayed Republican rival George Allen as a harsh partisan.
V. liberal. Now supports Obamacare after first backing single-payer healthcare.
: WI Congresswoman from 1998. First openly gay Senator.
: Beat Tommy Thompson (former WI governor). The Senate seat has been Democratic since 1957.
Barack Obama
Joe Biden
