On Nov. 2, a Republican wave engulfed the South, sweeping away many conservative Democrat House members. One termer Bobby Bright (D), former mayor of BIrmingham, was not spared. Martha Roby (R), Montgomery City Councilwoman, labeled Bright as a Pelosi enabler and found success claiming that she was more reflective of the social and fiscal values of AL-02 than Bright was.

Conservative Republican Mo Brooks (R), Madison County Commissioner, "primaried" current Rep. Parker Griffith (R) and went on to claim a win over Steve Raby (D), public relations firm president. Griffith was first elected in ’08 as a Democrat. Out of political expediency, he switched parties and became a Republican in Dec. of ’09. His stint as a Republican was short lived.

With Marion Berry’s (D) decision to retire after his sixth term, this R trending district was targeted for a GOP pick up. USAF veteran, agriculture journalist, and TV/radio announcer Rick Crawford (R) won easily over Berry aide, Chad Causey (D). With his win, Crawford became the first Republican to represent this conservative district since Reconstruction.

By retiring, seven term incumbent Vic Snyder (D) opted out of a bruising battle in this district that voted for McCain by almost 10 pts. Former White House aide Tim Griffin (R) trounced state Sen. Joyce Elliott (D). Key issues in Griffin's campaign were easing the tax burden on individuals and families and reducing the tax burden and federal mandates on small businesses.

John Boozman (R), AR-03 representative since ’01, received a promotion from AR voters and will be returning to D.C. as a member of the U.S. Senate. In the race to fill Boozman's vacated seat, Ret. Army Colonel Steve Womack, mayor of Rogers since ’98, crushed opponent David Whitaker (D), Fayetteville Asst. City Atty. It's a credit to Womack’s solid leadership that the city of Rogers was voted one of the nation’s best places to live in ’10.

Former country prosecutor Ann Kirkpatrick (D) captured this open seat in 2008, but was unable to hold it against Tea Party and Palin backed candidate, Dr. Paul Gosar (R), a dentist and small business owner. Gosar is a strong advocate for secure borders, lower taxes, less government intrusion on small business, and energy independence.

John Shadegg (R) served the AZ 3rd since '95 and is stepping down after the 111th Congress. In a hotly contested and closely watched race, Ben Quayle (R), son of former VP Dan Quayle, defeated Jon Hulburd (D). Quayle's campaign directly challenged the President's failed policies. In one of his ads, Quayle unabashedly labeled Obama "the worst president in history".

Incumbent Harry Mitchell (D) won this seat from J.D. Hayworth (R) in 2006, but his votes for failed Dem policies torpedoed him this time around. David Schweikert (R), former state Rep. and Maricopa Cty. Treas., sailed to an easy win. Schweikert's top priority as a Congressman is fiscal discipline. He is an avid supporter of strong border security and opposes amnesty for illegal immigrants.

Rep. George Radanovich (R) represented this district since 1995. His retirement set up a contest between state Sen., rancher, and businessman Jeff Denham (R) and physician-lawyer Loraine Goodwin (D). Denham claimed an easy victory in this rural conservative district. As a state Sen., Denham has supported policies to keep jobs in the state, solve water issues, and restore fiscal accountability.

John Salazar (D) won this seat in '04 in an open-seat race and despite the conservative lean of the district, he was twice re-elected. State Rep. and business owner Scott Tipton (R) unsuccessfully opposed Salazar in '06, and filed for a rematch in response to Salazar's support for Obamacare. In the second meeting, Tipton triumphed. As his campaign centerpiece, Tipton pledged to fight to repeal and replace the disastrous health care takeover.

State Rep. Cory Gardner (R) served as Gen. Counsel and Leg. Dir. to Wayne Allard (R), who held the CO-04 seat in the 90's, then served two terms as a U.S. Senator. Favored to win, Gardner easily defeated one term incumbent Betsy Markey (D). His priorities as a U.S. Congressman will be economic development, healthcare, and education.

Widely acknowledged as one of the most endangered Dems, seven term incumbent Allen Boyd (D) barely survived a primary challenge. Small business owner Steve Southerland (R) ran a campaign based on private sector job creation, lower taxes, and reining in government spending. Those proved to be winning issues.

At the conclusion of the 111th Congress, four termer Ginny Brown-Waite (R) is retiring. Her successor will be Hernando County Sheriff Rich Nugent (R), who had an overwhelming victory over small business consultant James Piccillo (D). During his campaign, Nugent promised to “take his conservative principles to our nation’s capital and clean up this mess in Congress”.

Alan Grayson (D) has been one of the most polarizing figures on Capitol Hill. The GOP needed a high profile candidate to overcome Grayson's huge financial advantage and they found one in Daniel Webster (R), former FL House Speaker. With their selection of Webster for Congress, FL-08 voters have ensured that Grayson will no longer spew his inflammatory rhetoric from the well of the House.

In '06, Ron Klein (D) unseated the venerable E. Clay Shaw, Jr. (R)  in a close race. Ret. Army Lt. Col. Allen West, on a meager budget, took the fight Klein in '08, but fell short. In 2010, support flowed to West from near and far and he had an ample war chest to compete with and defeat Klein. West vows to work toward reestablishing American Exceptionalism. Like President Reagan, he believes that peace is best kept through a strong national defense.

Suzanne Kosmas (D) was considered to be among the most vulnerable incumbents running and the GOP hoped for an easy takeover. With the entry of accomplished USAF vet and state Rep. Sandy Adams (R) into the race, Kosmas' forced retirement was virtually assured. Adams states: "We can no longer stand by and watch the politicians in Washington spend us into oblivion. We must reduce the size and scope of government."

When Mario Diaz-Balart (R) resigned this seat to run in the more R friendly FL-21, Dems thought with Miami-Dade Cty. Dem Party Chair Joe Garcia (D), they had a chance for a pick up. State Rep. David Garcia proved them wrong. Rivera focussed his campaign on jobs and economic security, world-class education opportunities, a strong national defense and foreign policy, and government that does less taking and more giving.

Since ’93, John Linder (R) served as representative of GA’s 7th District. He will retire at the conclusion of the 111th Congress. Linder’s successor will be his Chief of Staff, Rob Woodall (R). Woodall won a decisive victory over Doug Heckman (D), Managing Dir. for a financial services firm. Woodall is a big proponent of the FairTax.

Four term incumbent Jim Marshall (D) had a reputation for bucking the party line on health care and taxes, but that was not enough to satisfy his constituents, who opted for the REAL conservative, state Rep. Austin Scott (R), rather than the Blue Dog Marshall. Scott had sights on running for governor of the Peach State, but when he filed for this seat instead, he became the favorite to win.

State Rep. Raul Labrador (R) was a long shot to win the GOP primary and trailed one term incumbent Walter Minnick (D) in the campaign’s early stages. He came on strong and with his convincing win, Labrador gained the distinction of being the first Puerto Rico born GOP House member. Labrador believes that self-governance by individuals is what makes America strong as a nation. Government of the people is the cornerstone to that foundation.

College instructor and financial advisor Joe Walsh (R) wasn’t given much of a chance to beat three term incumbent Melissa Bean (D), but enthusiastic Tea Party support and Walsh’s energetic campaign branding Bean as a Pelosi rubber stamp earned him a razor thin victory of 292 votes. Walsh's motto: "I'm a proud Reagan Republican who will stand up for the principles of limited government, free enterprise, and lower taxes."

In ’06 and ’08, business consultant Dan Seals (D) challenged Mark Kirk (R) for this seat. When Kirk vacated the seat for his eventual winning Senate campaign, Seals thought the path was clear, but businessman Bob Dold (R) proved to be a formidable opponent. Dold labels himself a passionate optimist and ran a positive campaign on the slogan, “Conservative Change Can Begin in Illinois”.

After votes for unpopular Dem legislation, one term incumbent Debbie Halvorson (D) adopted the unconventional strategy of avoiding her voters, thereby earning the nickname of "Hideout Halvorson". USAF Captain Adam Kinzinger (R) entered the world of politics at age 20 when he won a seat on the McLean County Bd. At the ripe age of 32, he will be going to the U.S. House.

Current representative, Bill Foster (D), won the special election to fill the seat left vacant by former Speaker Denny Hastert's (R) retirement in '07 and won in '08 as well. In the Feb. GOP primary, State Sen. Randy Hultgren (R) upset Ethan Hastert (R), Denny's son. Foster's Pelosi-like voting record alienated his constituents and threw this election to Hultgren.

When questioned about the constitutionality of Obamacare, one termer Phil Hare (D), condescendingly replied that the Constitution "doesn't matter to me." That was the beginning of the end for him. Restauranteur Bobby Schilling’s (R) focus on lower taxes and economic growth propelled him to victory. Schilling maintains that economic growth and prosperity thrive when Americans keep more of their hard earned money and spend it as they choose.

In ’02, at the age of 26, Marlin Stutzman (R) won a seat in the IN State House and advanced to the IN Senate in ’09. He won a special election in June to serve out the term of Mark Souder (R) who resigned over an affair with a staffer. Stutzman defeated Tom Hayhurst (D) to qualify for a full term. In his years of public service, Stutzman has fought for lower taxes, less regulation, and balanced budgets.

Retiring Rep. Steve Buyer (R) has been a member of Congress for nine terms and never received less than 60% of the vote in any election. Immediately after Buyer’s retirement announcement, self described pro-life conservative and fiscal hawk Todd Rokita (R), Sec. of State, put his candidacy in play. Rokita cruised to a win over Purdue professor David Sanders (D).

Brad Ellsworth (D) captured this seat in the '06 mid-terms and was re-elected in '08. He vacated the seat in a futile quest for the retiring Evan Bayh's Senate post. The open seat created a great GOP pickup opportunity. In vowing to take up the fight to repeal Obamacare, Dr. Larry Bucshon (R)  found the winning issue for a decisive win over state Rep. William Trent Van Haaften (D).

Buoyed by Tea Party support, USMC vet and attorney Todd Young (R) scored a primary upset over Mike Sodrel (R), who held this seat from '05 to '07. Running as a conservative and disciple of "new federalism", Young deployed an energetic door to door campaign. In contrast, incumbent Baron Hill (D) appeared detached and aloof from voters' concerns. 

Seven term incumbent Jerry Moran (R) vacated this seat for a successful run for the U.S. Senate. State senator and fifth generation farmer Timothy Huelskamp (R) had an overwhelming victory over challenger, Alan Jilka (D), former mayor of Salina. Huelskamp vowed that his key mission would be to end "out of control and out of touch attitudes" on Capitol Hill.

As soon as retiring six term incumbent Dennis Moore’s (D) wife, Stephene, was tapped to run on the Dem ticket, a GOP takeover of this district seemed probable. State Rep. Kevin Yoder (R) led the race from its onset. As a congressman, Yoder pledges to rein in wasteful spending, fight against tax increases, promote legislation to build jobs, and work to repeal harmful portions of the Obama/Pelosi Healthcare Bill. 

On Nov. 2, attorney and business executive Mike Pompeo (R) defeated state Rep. Raj Goyle (D) and won the right to succeed Todd Tiahrt (R), eight term incumbent. Tiahrt lost to Jerry Moran in the GOP primary for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by the retiring Sam Brownback (R). On the stump, Pompeo stressed placing limits on government and reducing public spending.

When three term incumbent Charlie Melancon (D) resigned this seat to launch an unsuccessful U.S. Senate bid, LA-03 rocketed to the top position of likely R takeovers. Attorney and business owner Jeff Landry (R) cruised to victory over attorney Ravi Sangisetty (D) in this strong R leaning district. Landry's campaign stressed confidence in everyday people-not big government-as the answer to America's problems.

In the '08 primary, State Sen. Andy Harris (R) defeated long time incumbent Wayne GIlchrest (R). In an act of pique, Gilchrest threw his support behind Frank Kratovil (D) in the general election which Harris lost by a paper thin margin. This election was a rerun of '08, with most experts projecting a Harris win. However, Harris' overwhelming margin of victory was a pleasant surprise.

Incensed by the nearly trillion dollar stimulus, Surgeon Dan Benishek (R) jumped into the fray. Initially, Benishek believed he would be opposing Bart Stupak (D). Stupak, who sold out his pro-life principles by voting for Obamacare, announced his retirement shortly after he cast his unpopular vote. Benishek, who narrowly won the GOP primary, found himself facing and ultimately defeating state Rep. Gary McDowell (D).

Small business owner and former state Rep. Bill Huizenga (R) claimed an easy victory over Hope College Professor Fred Johnson (D) to claim this seat, which had been held by Peter Hoekstra (R) since ’93. Spurred on by the conservative reawakening, Huizenga returned to the political arena to be “part of the era that begins moving our country in the right direction”.

With his decisive victory, state Rep. Justin Amash (R) easily held the seat vacated by Vern Ehlers (R), who retired after serving nine terms. Amash’s opponent was Pat Miles (D) attorney and Pres. of the Grand Rapids Bar Assoc. As a state Rep., Amash has dedicated himself to transparency and accountability and as a U.S. congressman, he will continue his quest for government transparency.

Dem special interest groups practically camped out in MI-07 in a failed attempt to hold the line for one termer Mark Schauer (D). In one of the most closely watched House races in this cycle, Tim Walberg (R) reclaimed the seat which he narrowly lost to Schauer two years ago. Walberg will be a reliable vote against tax increases and will advocate for health care reform with free market solutions.

Chip Cravaack (R), former Navy captain and retired airline pilot, entered this race as an underdog. Incumbent Jim Oberstar (D) had never received less than 59% of the vote in 18 House elections. A video showing Oberstar demeaning concerned constituents reinforced the charge that he was arrogant and out of touch. Cravaack's call for fiscal restraint in D.C. resonated with voters.

Armed Services Chair Ike Skelton (D) has represented MO-04 since 1976-the year Carter was elected! Despite the R lean of the district and the evident GOP surge, it seemed inconceivable that one of the longest tenured House Dems would go down, yet he did. Former state Rep. and conservative activist VIcky Hartzler (R) brought her A game to this race and knocked off one of the most powerful Dems on Capitol Hill.

Roy Blunt (R), seven term incumbent, vacated this seat and was victorious in claiming the U.S. Senate post held by the retiring Kit Bond (R). On Nov. 2, auctioneer and realtor Billy Long (R) routed attorney Scott Eckersley (D. Long has pledged that he will not abandon solid conservative principles to appease the establishment.

In '08, popular seven term incumbent Roger Wicker (R) was tapped to fill the Senate seat vacated by the retiring Trent Lott (R). Travis Childers (D) won the resulting special election. Despite a conservative voting record, Childers was not long for this world in such an R leaning district. State Sen. Alan Nunnelee (R), chair of the Senate Appropriations Comm. easily picked up this seat for the GOP.

Since 1989, Gene Taylor (D) had a grip on one of the most conservative districts held by a Dem. Popular state Rep. Steven Palazzo (R) ran on a platform stressing state sovereignty and limited government; and had the winning strategy of making Pelosi his main campaign target rather than Taylor. It will not be easy for Dems to win this seat back any time soon.

Early on, no one gave nurse and newcomer Renee Ellmers (R) a chance to beat seven termer Bob Etheridge (D). Ellmers' campaign coffers got a much needed boost after a video showing Etheridge assaulting a young man went viral. A close result led to a recount which confirmed that the Palin and Tea Party endorsed Ellmers had ousted the incumbent by 1,489 votes. Ellmers scored one of this cycle's biggest upsets.

The GOP needed a top notch candidate to challenge nine term incumbent Earl Pomeroy (D) and they found one in state Sen. Rick Berg (R). Pomeroy's party line voting record, including support for Obamacare, proved to be his undoing. Early on, Berg maintained a comfortable lead. Some polls had the race tightening up, but election day saw Berg coasting to a double digit win.

Two term incumbent Carol Shea-Porter (D) was pegged as one of the most endangered incumbents this cycle. Frank Guinta (R), who served Manchester first as state Rep. and then as mayor, sailed to victory in this district once held by John Sununu (R). Guinta's primary campaign issue was reducing the debt and deficit. 

Paul Hodes (D) defeated Charlie Bass (R) in '06 and held this seat for two terms before retiring to run for Judd Gregg's (R) Senate seat, a contest Hodes lost. Lawyer/Lobbyist Ann Kuster (D) faced Bass for the open seat. Bass eked out a narrow victory over Kuster. Two additional candidates combined for 5% of the vote. This D leaning district will be a top Dem target in '12.

NJ-03 had been in GOP hands for two dozen years before state Sen. John Adler (D) captured it in '08. In the midterm matchup, NFL gridiron star and community activist, Jon Runyan (R), opposed Adler. Serious missteps, including campaign involvement in the recruitment of a sham Tea Party candidate, contributed to Adler's demise. Runyan, who refers to the Constitution as his "playbook", won the day. 

Steve Pearce (R) was one of several GOP candidates who returned to claim a seat they previously occupied. In '08, Pearce vacated this seat which he had held from '03 to '07, for an unsuccessful run for U.S. Senate. Democrats had hoped that freshman Harry Teague (D) had the wiles to win AND hold this R leaning district, but Pearce's decisive victory determined otherwise. 

After winning the primary, Dr. Joe Heck (R) made this statement: "Republicans tonight are sending a loud and resounding message to the Washington establishment: we are united, we are focused, and we are motivated to work through November and take back the people’s 3rd Congressional District". Dana Titus (D), the target of that message, was ousted by the voters of NV-03.

The foibles of former Rep. Vito Fossela (R) tossed this R leaning NYC suburb into the hands of Mike McMahon (D), in '08. This cycle, Michael Grimm (R), USMC Vet and 11 year FBI Special Agent had a convincing primary win and opposed McMahon. Grimm's experience fighting Iraq in the Persian Gulf and battling crime on the streets of NY served him well in his successful campaign against the incumbent. 

John Hall (D) captured this seat in '06 after it had been in GOP hands for 12 years. Nan Hayworth (R), whose website header reads "Doctor.Mother.Businesswoman", proved to be an impressive fundraiser, outpacing Hall by a 2 to 1 margin in the first quarter. Hayworth’s commitment to fiscal discipline struck a chord with voters of the 19th and she became one of many NY state GOP success stories this cycle.

In '09, venture capitalist Scott Murphy (D) won a special election to fill the seat of interim appointed U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D). Decorated U.S. Army Col., Ret. Chris Gibson (R) attracted Tea Party support with issues of fiscal restraint and repealing Obamacare, and although he trailed for most of the campaign, a late surge found him up by a healthy margin in the final vote tally.

Incumbent Michael Arcuri (D) won an open seat contest in '06 and narrowly defeated construction company owner/president Richard Hanna (R) in '08. Hanna signed on to a rematch. Arcuri lost some base support with his vote against Obamacare. Hanna's stance on reining in spending, lowering taxes, and health care reform earned him enthusiastic conservative support.

It took 21 days to determine the outcome of this race. On Nov. 23, Asst.. NY State Atty. Gen. Ann Marie Buerkle (R) was declared the winner by a scant margin of 567 votes over one termer Dan Maffei (D), former staffer to Sens. Bill Bradley and Dan Moynihan, and Rep. Charles Rangel. Independent voters disillusioned with failed Dem policies shifted to the GOP this cycle. In districts like NY-25, that movement gave the GOP a winning edge. 

In March '10, one termer Eric Massa (D) resigned this seat over charges of sexual misconduct. Gov. David Paterson refused to call a special election, leaving over 600,000 NY voters without a voice in Congress for eight months. When the election was finally held on Nov. 2, former mayor of Corning, Tom Reed (R), won handily over former CIA agent Matt Zeller and was sworn in immediately to fill the vacant seat.

Steve Chabot (R) was representative for 14 years before losing to former state Rep. and Minority Whip Steve Driehaus (D) in the Obamawave of '08. Driehaus signed off on the Stupak health care abortion compromise, leaving him open to attack. The seasoned Chabot grabbed the momentum from the outset, sailing to victory and to his eighth term as a House member.

Incumbent Charlie Wilson (D) won this seat in '06. Although he championed himself as a moderate, he voted in favor of Obamacare. USAF vet and businessman Bill Johnson (R) has been a strong voice in OH for lower taxes and a champion of the region's coal industry. He was compelled to enter the race, which he won, for two reasons: "Faith and love of my country."

The battle for this swing district featured a rematch between former Franklin Cty. Comm. Pres. Mary Jo Kilroy (D), and 25 year Army veteran and state Sen. Steve Stivers (R). Kilroy won the first round in '08 by less than 1%. This time, it was a blowout favoring Stivers. Coupled with the sour economy, Kilroy's votes for stimulus, Cap & Tax and Obamacare signaled her death knell. Stiver's campaign stressed tax cuts, job creation, and cutting government spending.

In '08, state Sen. John Boccieri (D) became the first Democrat to represent OH-16 in almost 60 years. Two years later, former Wadsworth Mayor and successful businessman Jim Renacci (R) recovered the seat for the GOP. Renacci ran on "restoring common sense conservatism to government" and repealing Obamacare. He charged that Boccieri places "a higher priority on the wishes of Nancy Pelosi (D) than he does on the will of his constituents".

In '06, outgoing incumbent Zach Space (D) won this open seat vacated by Robert Ney (R), who was convicted on charges relating to the Abramoff scandal. In just eight years, Bob Gibbs (R), has risen through the ranks of the OH House to Chairman of the Ways and Means Comm. in the OH Senate to U.S. Congressman. By electing Gibbs, OH-18 voters returned the district to its traditional conservative roots.

Mary Fallin (R), representative since ’97, mounted a successful run for OK governor. Her successor will be James Lankford (R), director of Falls Creek Youth Camp, one of the largest Christian camps in the nation. Lankford’s main issues were “saying no to an out of control Federal government and the belief that this is still the greatest nation mankind has ever seen.” Lankford handily defeated attorney and businessman Billy Coyle (D).

Landscape business owner Kathy Dahlkemper (D) surfed in on the Dem wave of '08. Her votes for porkulus and Obamacare damaged her re-election chances in this conservative district. Mike Kelly (R) leveraged his experience as a successful auto dealership owner to forcefully make the case for the government ceasing wasteful spending and living within its means.

When Joe Sestak (D) relinquished this seat to run for U.S. Senate, a contentious battle ensued between tough nosed federal prosecutor Tom Meehan (R) and state Rep. Bryan Lentz (D). Meehan offered concrete solutions to runaway spending in Washington and mounting job losses in PA. Although the race polled neck and neck until late, Meehan surprised with a double digit victory.  

Mike Fitzpatrick (R) held this seat in '07-'09 before losing the '08 election to Patrick Murphy (D) by just over 1,500 votes. In one of the nastiest House battles in PA, Fitzpatrick reclaimed his seat by tapping into voter anger over Murphy's votes for the failed porkulus and Obamacare and garnering support from Tea Party conservatives in this wealthy Philly suburb.

The GOP had held this seat for nearly 50 years before professor and Pentagon Advisor Chris Carney (D) won it from a scandal plagued R incumbent in '08. Carney's votes for unpopular Dem legislation made him an easy target for former U.S. Attorney Tom Marino (R), who overcame initial polling deficits to take the lead as election day neared.

The third time was the charm for Hazleton mayor Lou Barletta (R). He made short work of Paul Kanjorski (D), a fixture on Capitol Hill since 1985, after losing to him twice before. As mayor, Barletta cracked down on businesses employing illegals and put Hazleton on the path to fiscal health after inheriting a massive budget shortfall. This accomplishment earned him PA "Mayor of the Year" recognition.

Henry Brown (R), Rep. since ’01, is retiring after the 111th Congress. In the GOP primary, state Rep. Tim Scott (R) won a convincing victory over Charlestown Cty. Commissioner Paul Thurmond (R) (son of the late Strom Thurmond) and easily handled frequent candidate Ben Frasier (D). The newly elected GOP House members selected Scott for the Elected Leadership Committee.

J. Gresham Barrett (R), representative since ‘02, vacated this seat to run for governor but lost the primary to Nikki Haley (R). Real estate executive and state Rep. Jeff Duncan (R) easily defeated commercial pilot Jane Dyer (D) who was making her second run for this seat. As a state Rep., Duncan has consistently fought to protect the taxpayer and was named a “Taxpayer Hero” for his stance against government growth and spending. 

Incumbent Bob Inglis (R) met the same fate as many of his moderate counterparts. He was defeated by a real conservative, Trey Gowdy (R), in the GOP primary. Gowdy, an accomplished federal prosecutor and 7th Circuit D.A, easily dispatched retired businessman Paul Corden (D) in the general election. Gowdy heartily embraced Tea Party support throughout his year long campaign to oust Inglis.

State Sen. and former small business owner John "Mick" Mulvaney (R) focussed deserved negative attention on opponent Budget Comm. Chair and 14 term incumbent John Spratt (D), attacking him for failing to introduce a '10 budget and for being out of touch with his constituents. As pillars of his campaign, Mulvaney vowed to work for the repeal of Obamacare and to return fiscal sanity to D.C.

Due to her fund raising prowess, state Rep. Kristi Noem (R) had the resources to mount an effective campaign linking three term incumbent Stephanie Herseth-Sandlin (D) to the failed policies of Obama/Pelosi. Herseth-Sandlin was put on the defensive early and never regained her footing. Incoming GOP House members selected Noem for the Elected Leadership Committee.

Rep. Zach Wamp (R) assumed this office in ’95. He retired this year to mount an unsuccessful run for governor of Tennessee. Wamp lost the GOP primary to Bill Haslam (R), who went on to win the governorship. In the general election for U.S. Congress, Attorney and businessman Chuck Fleischmann (R) crushed John Wolfe (D).

Four termer Lincoln Davis (D) did not follow his fellow staters John Tanner (D) and Bart Gordon (D) into retirement, but should have. Even though he opposed unpopular Dem policies, he suffered low approval ratings. Newcomer Dr. Scott Desjarlais (R) proposed a freeze on non-budgetary items and lessening the tax burden. Davis ended up like two dozen other Blue Dogs, looking for a new job. 

Twenty five year incumbent Bart Gordon (D) was not among the many Blue Dogs who lost their seats on Nov. 2. He saw the wave coming and CHOSE early retirement. Gordon's voting record had trended left while his district was trending right. State Sen. and R.N. Diane Black (R) would have been a formidable foe for Gordon. For a newcomer like Brett Carter (D), she was deadly.

Twenty two year incumbent John Tanner (D) announced in late '09 that this term would be his last. State Sen. Roy Herron (D) faced off against farmer and regionally renowned Gospel singer Stephen Fincher (R). As a legislator, Herron could not hide from his liberal voting record. With a clear mandate from his constituents, Fincher vows to work toward limiting federal power and returning money and control to the states.

Chet Edwards (D) survived for 20 years in one of the most heavily Republican districts in the nation represented by a Democrat. This election, he met his match in Bill Flores (R), 30 year oil industry executive. Flores' conservative platform emphasized limited government, energy independence, and border security. Although it was widely predicted that Edwards would not survive this time, the size of Flores' win was stunning.

In '06, Ciro Rodriguez (D) won the open seat left by the resignation of the popular Henry Bonilla (R), who had held it from '93-'07. Rodriguez' support of big government solutions stifled economic growth and job creation in the district. Businessman Quico Canseco (R) made the case for lower taxes, smaller government, and traditional family values. The verdict of the voters was Canseco for U.S. Congress. 

Solomon Ortiz (D) was elected to Congress in 1982 as the first representative from the newly created TX-27. In more than two decades, he faced no opposition for re-election. Blake Farenthold (R), conservative talk-radio host, cited Obamacare as his impetus for challenging Ortiz. Grassroots Tea Party support carried the underdog Farenthold to a very narrow victory, confirmed by a recount, in this 70% majority Hispanic district.

In '08, Glenn Nye's (D) service as a diplomat with the State Department was a plus in his winning campaign in this district with a large military presence. Two years later, voters of  VA-02 returned to their conservative roots and gave auto dealership owner Scott Rigell (R) a resounding victory over Nye. Rigell referenced patriots like Jefferson and Madison to make the case that VA has a special duty to lead the charge for the renewal of America. 

Special interest $$$ flowed into this Dem firewall race, but even a last minute campaign stop by Obama couldn't salvage this race for one termer Tom Perriello (D). State Sen. Robert Hurt (R) found success in promoting the GOP platform of cutting government spending, calling for the repeal of Obamacare, which Perriello had supported, and opposing the U.S. House-passed Cap & Tax measure.  

Rick Boucher (D) had represented the huge 9th District of VA since 1983. He managed to hold his seat even though the district had been trending solid GOP for decades. Morgan Griffith (R), Majority Leader of the VA House of Delegates, successfully made the case that Boucher's vote for Cap & Tax would harm the region's coal industry. Griffith staged one of this cycle's biggest upsets in taking down the entrenched Boucher.

Brian Baird (D) vacated this seat after serving for six terms. The open seat contest in this Republican trending district pitted state Rep. Jaime Herrera (R) against former state Rep. and Majority Leader Denny Heck (D). Herrera, age 31, won voters with her pledge to work toward repealing Obamacare and statements such as, “I will be a member of Congress more concerned with saving your money than spending your money.”  

Describing himself as "bone tired", David Obey (D) surprised the political world by announcing in May that he was pulling the plug on his four decade congressional career. His exit paved the way for Sean Duffy (R), Ashland County D.A. and former reality TV star. Dems scrambled to find a candidate and settled on state Sen. Julie Lassa (D). Duffy's winning campaign focussed on the power of the individual-not the government-being the engine of American prosperity.

Dissatisfied with the landscape in D.C., political outsider Reid Ribble (R) sold his successful roofing business and filed to run for Congress. Two term incumbent Steve Kagen's (D) votes for porkulus, Cap & Tax, and Obamacare ran contrary to the R lean of WI-08 and he paid the price for it. In 18 short months, Reid Ribble catapulted from being a political nobody to a being a member of the U.S. House.  

Dems' chances of holding this seat greatly improved when state Sen. Mike Oliverio (D) "primaried" unpopular and ethically challenged incumbent Alan Mollohan (D). David McKinley (R), who had formerly served for 14 years as a state Rep. and also as Chair of the WV Republican Party Exec. Comm. trailed in the polls early, but peaked at just the right time to notch the win for the GOP.