As members of the 111th Senate were sworn in Tuesday, two desks on either end of the floor stood empty, spotlighting the ongoing political theater in Illinois and Minnesota. Legal wrangling in both states is expected to further delay a full session for the new Senate, which already includes nine new members.
NEW DEMOCRATS
1. Mark Begich (Alaska)
Defeated incumbent Ted Stevens (R)
2 Kay Hagan (N. Carolina)
Defeated incumbent Elizabeth Dole (R)
3. Jeff Merkley (Oregon)
Defeated incumbent Gordon Smith (R)
4. Jeanne Shaheen (New Hampshire)
Defeated incumbent John Sununu (R)
5. Mark Udall (Colorado)
Won retiring Wayne Allard’s (R) seat
6. Tom Udall (New Mexico)
Won retiring Pete Dominici’s (R) seat
7. Mark Warner (Virginia)
Won retiring John Warner’s (R) seat
NEW REPUBLICANS
1. Mike Johanns (Nebraska)
Won retiring Chuck Hagel’s (R) seat
2 Jim Risch (Idaho)
Won retiring Larry Craig’s (R) seat.
Illinois fiasco
Nov. 4: Obama’s election means his Senate seat must be appointed by Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
Dec. 9: Blagojevich is arrested and is accused of (among other things) attempting to sell the Senate seat for personal gain.
Dec. 30: Blagojevich appoints former Illinois Atty. Gen. Roland Burris to the seat. The Senate vows not to seat Burris, and Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White says he won’t certify the appointment.
Tuesday: Burris is denied entrance and told his paperwork is not in order.
SENATE SEATING CHART
(Based on seats for the previous Senate)
Hillary Clinton’s seat will need to be filled by New York Gov. David Paterson. Clinton is Obama’s choice for secretary of state. Caroline Kennedy, niece of Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.), has been discussed as a replacement.
Ken Salazar’s seat will be filled by Denver Public Schools Superintendent Michael Bennet. Salazar is Obama’s choice for secretary of the interior.
Joe Biden’s seat will be filled by his longtime aide and chief of staff Ted Kaufman. Biden is schduled to be sworn in as vice president Jan. 20.
Minnesota showdown
Following a 48-day recount, it is still unknown who will represent Minnesota.
Nov. 6: Mandatory recount is announced.
Nov. 19: Recounting nearly 3 million ballots begins.
Dec. 12: Two state board rulings boost Franken’s chances of gaining votes.
Jan. 5: Franken declares victory after certification of his 225-vote lead.
Tuesday: Coleman announces he will challenge the result in court.
