2010 Tennessee gubernatorial election

{{Infobox election

| election_name = 2010 Tennessee gubernatorial election

| country = Tennessee

| type = presidential

| ongoing = no

| previous_election = 2006 Tennessee gubernatorial election

| previous_year = 2006

| next_election = 2014 Tennessee gubernatorial election

| next_year = 2014

| election_date = November 2, 2010

| image1 = File:Governor Bill Haslam crop.jpg

| image_size = 150x150px

| nominee1 = Bill Haslam

| party1 = Republican Party (United States)

| popular_vote1 = 1,041,545

| percentage1 = 65.03%

| image2 = File:Mike McWherter 2010 crop (cropped).jpg

| nominee2 = Mike McWherter

| party2 = Democratic Party (United States)

| popular_vote2 = 529,851

| percentage2 = 33.08%

| map_image =

| map_size = 300px

| map_caption = Haslam: {{legend0|#e27f7f|50–60%}} {{legend0|#d75d5d|60–70%}} {{legend0|#d72f30|70–80%}} {{legend0|#c21b18|80–90%}}
McWherter: {{legend0|#a5b0ff|40–50%}} {{legend0|#7996e2|50–60%}} {{legend0|#6674de|60–70%}}

| title = Governor

| before_election = Phil Bredesen

| before_party = Democratic Party (United States)

| after_election = Bill Haslam

| after_party = Republican Party (United States)

| turnout = 41.32% {{decrease}}{{Cite news |date=November 2, 2010 |title=Tennessee Voter Turnout in 2010 |work=Tennessee Secretary of State |url=https://sos.tn.gov/elections/statistics|access-date=February 28, 2023}} 8.65 pp

| map = {{switcher |300px|County results |300px|Congressional district results}}

}}

The 2010 Tennessee gubernatorial election took place on November 2, 2010, to elect the next governor of Tennessee, alongside other state and local elections. Incumbent Democratic governor Phil Bredesen was term-limited, and is prohibited by the Constitution of Tennessee from seeking a third consecutive term. Knoxville mayor and Republican nominee, Bill Haslam was elected with 65.0% of the vote, defeating Democratic nominee Mike McWherter.

The primary election was held on August 5, 2010, with Haslam and McWherter winning their respective parties' nominations.{{cite web |title=Archived copy |url=http://www.fvap.gov/resources/media/vaghandout3.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100914205436/http://www.fvap.gov/resources/media/vaghandout3.pdf |archive-date=2010-09-14 |access-date=2010-07-30}}

Haslam received endorsements from former U.S. senator Howard Baker and Congressman Jimmy Duncan.{{cite news |date=May 8, 2010 |title=Haslam Endorsed By U.S. Rep. John J. Duncan |url=http://www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_175236.asp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100511025736/http://www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_175236.asp |archive-date=May 11, 2010 |access-date=May 11, 2010 |work=The Chattanoogan |df=mdy-all}}{{cite web |last=Underwood |first=Ryan |author2=Michael Cass |author3=Chas Sisk |author4=Clay Carey |date=December 28, 2009 |title=Tennessee political movers |url=http://www.tennessean.com/article/20091228/NEWS02/912280321/1009 |work=The Tennessean |page=2}}{{dead link|date=July 2020}} The Tennessean wrote, "Haslam appears most likely to be able to ride Gov. Phil Bredesen's pro-business coattails, despite the different party affiliation."

Haslam campaigned on his executive experience as both Knoxville's mayor and the president of a major company. His opponents attacked him as an oil executive, especially in the wake of price-gouging allegations levied against Pilot in the wake of the post-Hurricane Katrina fuel shortages, and criticized his refusal to release information related to his income while at Pilot.{{cite news |last=Flory |first=Josh |date=January 19, 2011 |title=Building on Experience as Knoxville's Mayor, 'Optimistic and Enthusiastic' Haslam Begins Leading State |url=http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2011/jan/19/knoxville-mayor-haslam-tennessee-governor |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110123055402/http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2011/jan/19/knoxville-mayor-haslam-tennessee-governor |archive-date=2011-01-23 |access-date=September 22, 2011 |work=Knoxville News Sentinel}}

With this win, Haslam flipped the state into Republican control, with the state legislature also being controlled by Republicans. The last time Republicans held a government trifecta in the state was in 1869.{{cite news |author= |title=Tennessee - Election Results 2010 |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/elections/2010/results/tennessee.html |access-date=2020-07-31}} Ever since this election, Republicans have maintained their trifecta.

News organizations The Cook Political Report,{{cite web|url=http://www.cookpolitical.com/charts/governors/raceratings_2010-08-12_10-29-33.php|title=2010 governors race ratings|date=August 12, 2010|access-date=August 21, 2010|work=The Cook Political Report|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100815082554/http://www.cookpolitical.com/charts/governors/raceratings_2010-08-12_10-29-33.php|archive-date=August 15, 2010|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}} CQ Politics,{{cite web|url=http://innovation.cqpolitics.com/atlas/gov2010|title=Races for Governor in 2010|access-date=August 21, 2010|publisher=CQ Politics|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100819000851/http://innovation.cqpolitics.com/atlas/gov2010|archive-date=August 19, 2010}} and The New York Times{{cite web|url=http://elections.nytimes.com/2010/governor|title=Governor Race Ratings|access-date=August 21, 2010|work=The New York Times}} rated the gubernatorial election as leaning Republican, while The Rothenberg Political Report rated it as "Republican favored,"{{cite web|url=http://rothenbergpoliticalreport.com/ratings/governor|title=Governor Ratings|date=July 1, 2010|access-date=August 21, 2010|work=The Rothenberg Political Report}} RealClearPolitics{{cite web|url=http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2010/governor/2010_elections_governor_map.html|title=2010 Governor Races|access-date=August 21, 2010|publisher=RealClearPolitics}} and Sabato's Crystal Ball{{cite web|url=http://www.centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/2010-governor-races/governor/tennessee-governor-2010/|title=Tennessee Governor 2010|date=June 3, 2010|access-date=August 21, 2010|work=Sabato's Crystal Ball}} as "Likely Republican", and Rasmussen Reports as "Solid Republican."{{cite web|url=http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections/election_2010/election_2010_governor_elections/election_2010_gubernatorial_scorecard|title=Election 2010: Gubernatorial Scorecard|date=August 21, 2010|access-date=August 21, 2010|publisher=Rasmussen Reports}}

Republican primary

A recorded debate featuring 3 of the candidates, organized by campaign coordinator James Crenshaw, was held at the Scarett-Benett Center in Nashville, TN.{{cite web| url = http://www.nashvillescene.com/news/article/13035034/gubernatorial-debate-special-basil-marceaux-isnt-the-nuttiest-candidate-june-griffin-takes-the-honor| title = Gubernatorial Debate Special! Basil Marceaux Isn't the Nuttiest Candidate — June Griffin Takes the Honor {{!}} News {{!}} nashvillescene.com}}

From July 1, 2009, until January 15, 2010, Haslam collected $1.8 million, Ramsey raised $1,412,593 including a $200,000 loan, Wamp raised $1,373,078 including a $61,000 loan, and Gibbons raised $225,218.

= Candidates =

Bill Haslam, Mayor of Knoxville{{cite web |url=http://content.usatoday.com/topics/article/People/Politicians,+Government+Officials,+Strategists/Governors,+Mayors/Phil+Bredesen/04wf6qI3KB1GY/1 |title=Phil Bredesen Story Page – USATODAY.com |publisher=Content.usatoday.com |date=2010-08-17 |access-date=2010-08-21 |archive-date=2012-03-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120323174844/http://content.usatoday.com/topics/article/People/Politicians,+Government+Officials,+Strategists/Governors,+Mayors/Phil+Bredesen/04wf6qI3KB1GY/1 |url-status=dead }}
Joe Kirkpatrick, businessman{{cite web|url=http://joe4gov.com |title=Joe4Gov.com |publisher=Joe4Gov.com |access-date=2010-08-21}} Withdrew from race
Basil Marceaux, Soddy Daisy resident{{cite web| url = http://www.nashvillescene.com/news/article/13035050/basil-marceaux-campaign-coordinator-james-crenshaw-responds-to-skeptics/| title = Basil Marceaux Campaign Coordinator James Crenshaw Responds to Skeptics {{!}} News {{!}} nashvillescene.com}}{{Cite web |url=http://www.basilmarceaux.com/ |title=Archived copy |access-date=July 24, 2010 |archive-date=April 19, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110419105112/http://www.basilmarceaux.com/ |url-status=dead }}
Ron Ramsey, Lieutenant Governor{{cite web |url=http://www.greenevillesun.com/story/301709 |title=News Story |publisher=The Greeneville Sun |date=2009-02-28 |access-date=2010-08-21 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130102234945/http://www.greenevillesun.com/story/301709 |archive-date=2013-01-02 }}
Zach Wamp, U.S. representative, 3rd district{{cite news | first=Matt | last=Wilson | title=Rep. Wamp will run for governor of Tennessee | date=2009-01-05 | url=http://timesfreepress.com/news/2009/jan/05/rep-wamp-will-run-governor-tennessee/ | work=Chattanooga Times Free Press | access-date=2009-01-05 | archive-date=August 23, 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100823153203/http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2009/jan/05/rep-wamp-will-run-governor-tennessee/ | url-status=dead }}

= Polling =

class="wikitable"

valign=bottom

! style="width:170px;"| Poll source

! style="width:140px;"| Dates administered

! style="width:100px;"| Bill
Haslam

! style="width:100px;"| Ron
Ramsey

! style="width:100px;"| Zach
Wamp

! style="width:100px;"| Undecided

align=center|Mason-Dixon[http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2010/jul/25/haslam-leads-gop-in-governors-race-tennessee/ Mason-Dixon]

| align=center | July 19–21, 2010

| align=center {{party shading/Republican}} | 36%

| align=center| 20%

| align=center| 25%

| align=center| 17%

align=center|WSMV TV Channel 4[https://web.archive.org/web/20100723051237/http://www.wsmv.com/politics/24181755/detail.html WSMV TV Channel 4]

| align=center | July 8, 2010

| align=center {{party shading/Republican}} | 32%

| align=center| 11%

| align=center| 21%

| align=center {{party shading/Undecided}}| 36%

= Results =

[[File:Tennessee Governor R Primary 2010.svg|thumb|300px|County results

{{collapsible list

| title = {{legend|#d75d5d|Haslam}}

|{{legend|#ffc8cd|<40%}}

|{{legend|#ffb2b2|40–50%}}

|{{legend|#e27f7f|50–60%}}

|{{legend|#d75d5d|60–70%}}

|{{legend|#d72f30|>70%}}

}}

{{collapsible list

| title = {{legend|#37c837|Wamp}}

|{{legend|#aae5aa|<40%}}

|{{legend|#87de87|40–50%}}

|{{legend|#5fd35f|50–60%}}

|{{legend|#37c837|60–70%}}

|{{legend|#2ca02c|70–80%}}

}}

{{collapsible list

|title={{legend|#ff9955|Ramsey}}

|{{legend|#ffccaa|<40%}}

|{{legend|#ffb380|40–50%}}

|{{legend|#ff9955|50–60%}}

|{{legend|#ff7f2a|60–70%}}

}}

{{collapsible list

|title=Tie

|{{legend|#DECDE6|30–40%}}

}}

]]

{{Election box begin no change

| title = Republican primary results{{cite web|url=http://www.politico.com/2010/maps/#/Governor/2010/TN |title=The 2010 Results Maps |publisher=Politico.Com |access-date=2010-08-21}}

}}