Political Almanac: 2012 Senate Races

Sometimes called “the world’s greatest deliberative body,” the United States Senate consists of two senators elected statewide from each of the 50 States, resulting in 100 senators. The Senate is divided into three groups or classes, according to what year they stand for election or re-election to their six-year terms. One-third of the seats are up for re-election every two years, and occasionally additional seats become open due to retirements, deaths or senators seeking other offices. Open senate seats are filled according to the laws of that senator’s state, either by appointment, special election, a combination of both or an appointment until a special election is held.

There are 33 U.S. Senate seats up for re-election in 2012. Twenty-three of them are currently held by Democrats, and 10 are held by Republicans. These seats are noted by an asterisk.

Below is a complete list of all of the U.S. senators by state in alphabetical order: