Senate Candidates 2018 – Part I

By Jim Ellis

Jan. 17, 2018 — As we continue setting the stage for the 2018 midterms now that we are in the actual election year, in a two-part series, we review the announced candidate status in each state, since much has changed in the past few weeks.

Arizona: Sen. Jeff Flake (R) – Retiring – Open Seat
Candidate Filing Deadline: May 30, 2018
State Primary: Aug. 28, 2018
• Joe Arpaio (R) – former Sheriff, Maricopa County
• Martha McSally (R) – US Representative; 2nd District
• Kelli Ward (R) – former state Senator; 2016 US Senate candidate
• Kyrsten Sinema (D) – US Representative; 9th District
3 Minor Republican candidates
5 Minor Democratic candidates
1 Libertarian candidate
1 Green candidate

California: Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D) – seeking re-election
Candidate Filing Deadline: March 9, 2018
State Primary: June 5, 2018
Jungle Primary: Top two candidates advance to general election
• Kevin de Leon (D) – State Senate President
• Erin Cruz (R) – Radio Talk Show host
5 Minor Democratic candidates
6 Minor Republican candidates
6 Independent candidates

Connecticut: Sen. Christopher Murphy (D) – seeking re-election
Candidate Filing Deadline: June 8, 2018
State Primary: Aug. 14, 2018
• Ann-Marie Adams (D) – Journalist
• Tony Hwang (R) – State Senator – possible candidate
2 Minor Republican candidates

Delaware: Sen. Tom Carper (D) – seeking re-election
Candidate Filing Deadline: July, 2018
State Primary: Sept. 6, 2018
• Chuck Boyce (R) – Business Consultant
• Gene Truono (R) – Ex-PayPal Executive

Florida: Sen. Bill Nelson (D) – seeking re-election
Candidate Filing Deadline: May 4, 2018
State Primary: Aug. 28, 2018
• Rick Scott (R) – Governor – possible candidate
6 Minor Republican candidates
1 Minor Democratic candidate
1 Independent candidate

Hawaii: Sen. Mazie Hirono (D) – seeking re-election
Candidate Filing Deadline: June 5, 2018
State Primary: Aug. 11, 2018
• Crystal Carpenter (I) – Business Owner

Indiana: Sen. Joe Donnelly (D) – seeking re-election
Candidate Filing Deadline: Feb. 9, 2018
State Primary: May 8, 2018
• Mike Braun (R) – former state Representative; Businessman
• Mark Hurt (R) – Attorney; former congressional aide
• Luke Messer (R) – US Representative; 6th District
• Todd Rokita (R) – US Representative; 4th District
1 Minor Democratic candidate
3 Minor Republican candidates
2 Independent candidates

Maine: Sen. Angus King (I/D) – seeking re-election
Candidate Filing Deadline: March 15, 2018
State Primary: June 12, 2018
• Eric Brakey (R) – State Senator
3 Minor Democrats
1 Libertarian candidate
1 Minor Independent candidate

Maryland: Sen. Ben Cardin (D) – seeking re-election
Candidate Filing Deadline: Feb. 27, 2018
State Primary: June 26, 2018
• Chelsea Manning (D) – Convicted of Espionage against US; former soldier
• Sam Faddis (R) – Retired CIA officer; Attorney
• David Pae (R) – Retired USMC veteran
3 Minor Democratic candidates
1 Libertarian candidate
2 Independent candidates

Massachusetts: Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D) – seeking re-election
Candidate Filing Deadline: June 5, 2018
State Primary: Sept. 18, 2018
• Geoff Diehl (R) – State Representative; Business owner
• Beth Lindstrom (R) – Former state Consumer Affairs Department director
4 Minor Republican candidates
3 Independent candidates

Michigan: Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D) – seeking re-election
Candidate Filing Deadline: April 24, 2018
State Primary: Aug. 7, 2018
• Bob Carr (R) – Community Development Planner
• John James (R) – Business Owner; Retired Army Ranger
• Sandy Pensler (R) – Venture Capital Firm owner
1 Minor Democratic candidate
2 Libertarian candidates
1 Independent candidate

Minnesota: Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D) – seeking re-election
Candidate Filing Deadline: June 5, 2018
State Primary: Aug. 14, 2018
• Jim Newberger (R) – State Representative
3 Minor Republican candidates
1 Green Party candidate

Minnesota: Appointed Sen. Tina Smith (D) – seeking election
Candidate Filing Deadline: June 5, 2018
State Primary: Aug. 14, 2018
• Karin Housley (R) – State Senator; Attorney
• Tim Pawlenty (R) – Former Governor – possible candidate
• Michele Bachmann (R) – Former Congresswoman; former presidential candidate – possible candidate

Mississippi: Sen. Roger Wicker (R) – seeking re-election
Candidate Filing Deadline: March 1, 2018
State Primary: June 5, 2018
State Runoff: June 26, 2018
• Chris McDaniel (R) – State Senator; 2014 US Senate candidate – possible candidate
• Jensen Bohren (D) – Sanders campaign activist
• Brandon Presley (D) – State Public Service Commissioner – possible candidate

Missouri: Sen. Claire McCaskill (D) – seeking re-election
Candidate Filing Deadline: March 27, 2018
State Primary: Aug. 7, 2018
• Josh Hawley (R) – MO Attorney General
3 Minor Republican candidates
1 Minor Democratic candidate
1 Libertarian candidate
1 Independent candidate

Montana: Sen. Jon Tester (D) – seeking re-election
Candidate Filing Deadline: March 12, 2018
State Primary: June 5, 2018
• Russell Fagg (R) – Former MT District Judge
• Al Olszewski (R) – State Senator
• Matt Rosendale (R) – State Auditor; former state Senator
4 Minor Republican candidates
2 Minor Democratic candidates
1 Green Party candidate

Nebraska: Sen. Deb Fischer (R) – seeking re-election
Candidate Filing Deadline: March 1, 2018
State Primary: May 15, 2018
• Jane Raybould (D) – Lincoln City Councilwoman
1 Minor Democratic candidate

Nevada: Sen. Dean Heller (R) – seeking re-election
Candidate Filing Deadline: March 16, 2018
State Primary: June 12, 2018
• Danny Tarkanian (R) – Businessman
• Jacky Rosen (D) – US Representative; 3rd District
• Jesse Sbaih (D) – Attorney; former congressional candidate
1 Minor Republican candidate
2 Minor Democratic candidates


Major Sources:
• Politics1.com political blog
• Ballotpedia.com website
• State Elections offices

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *