U.S. Senators of the 113th Congress: Part 5 Quiz

Answer: On a radio show

Johnson was being interviewed on a Yankton, South Dakota radio show when he suffered the attack which was caused by having tangled blood vessels in his brain. Johnson later returned to the Senate two months later with improved speech but used a motorized scooter to travel.

Answer: Tom Daschle

There was an unspoken rule that one party would not go after the other party's leader. That was broken in 2004 when Thune defeated Daschle. President George W. Bush was popular in the state at the time and Daschle was seen as standing in the way of Bush's agenda. Thune narrowly won 51%-49%. This started a trend of targeting the other party's leaders with Mitch McConnell and Harry Reid, the Republican and Democratic leaders respectively, being target in subsequent elections.

Thune had initially ran against and lost to Sen. Tim Johnson in 2002 by 524 votes. Daschle had been essential in securing Johnson's reelection. It was noted by commentators that had Daschle not helped Johnson in 2002 and Thune won, he would have won in 2004 since there would be no strong Republican opposition.

Answer: Education

Alexander had been President of the University of Tennessee after his governorship, which led to his appointment to head the Education Department. He was criticized when he approved the accreditation of the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools, despite his entire panel advising against it.

Answer: Chattanooga

Corker was mayor of Chattanooga from 2001-05. He defeated U.S. Congressman Harold Ford Jr. narrowly in 2006 by winning 51% of the vote.

Answer: False

Gramm did resign early so Cornyn got a better office space. However, Cornyn did not gain seniority over the other newly-elected senators because of a rule that forbids a new senator from taking office early for the purpose of gaining seniority or better office space.

Answer: Canada

When Cruz was still a candidate for the Senate in 2012, it was speculated he would one day run for the presidency, however his dual citizenship with Canada would likely be an obstacle. Cruz denounced his Canadian citizenship in 2014.

Answer: True

Hatch took office on January 3, 1977. In 2012, it was speculated that Hatch and Indiana Sen. Richard Lugar would argue over who would become the Senate President Pro Tempore, a position reserved for the most senior member of the majority party. That was made moot when Lugar lost his primary election and Democrats kept their majority.

Answer: Harry Reid

Lee was good friends with Harry Reid's son, Josh. Lee credits Harry Reid for being the person who helped learn how to express different views from the people around them. As adults in the Senate, they often butt heads and call each other out.

Answer: True

Vermont has a long history of electing liberal Republicans to the Senate and only in the 21st century did the state start electing Democrats. Vermont is also known for electing independents, such as Bernie Sanders, who caucus with the Democrats but do not actually belong to the party.

Answer: Socialism

Sanders self-identifies as a socialist, but is technically an independent who caucuses with the Democrats. He often clarifies that he supports democratic socialism akin to the systems in place throughout Europe, especially in Scandinavia, and not Soviet-style socialism.

Answer: Jim Gilmore

Warner trounced Gilmore 65%-34%. Virginia had a history of producing close races in the past, and although Warner was expected to win handily, the wide margin surprised some commentators.

Answer: Virginia Tech Massacre

Kaine was actually away in Japan on a trade mission at the time of the tragedy. His quick return home and effective response were highly praised and helped make Kaine a popular governor.

Answer: Budget

Murray took over the chair after Kent Conrad of North Dakota retired. She worked with Republican Rep. Paul Ryan on the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013, which was compromise budget through 2015. The deal was unpopular with many on both sides, but it passed to avoid another shutdown.

Answer: Debbie Stabenow

Cantwell beat incumbent Slade Gorton by about 2,200 votes, securing 48.7%-48.6%. A recount had to be performed and Cantwell was declared the winner ten days later. The same year, Michigan Congresswoman Debbie Stabenow defeated Sen. Spencer Abraham by a more comfortable margin and she and Cantwell became the first two women to defeat incumbents in a Senate race.

Answer: False

The Rockefeller family was dominant in the Republican Party, although they were considered far more liberal than the party as a whole. Jay Rockefeller is a Democrat.

Answer: Carte Goodwin

It was no secret that Manchin wanted the seat, but he remained governor until he won the special election. His opponent in that race, John Raese, tried to claim that West Virginia shouldn't elect Manchin to the Senate because he was such a popular governor. Manchin won 53-43%.

Answer: Russ Feingold

Feingold was a popular senator known symbolizing Midwestern progressivism like Wisconsin politicians from the past. However, 2010 was a poor year for Democrats and Johnson, a little known, but well-financed businessman, ousted Feingold 52%-47%.

Answer: Openly gay person

Baldwin was elected to the House in 1998 and the Senate in 2012. While she is the first openly-gay member to serve in either house of Congress, she is not the first gay member to be elected. Other members of Congress came out after they were already elected to the office.

Answer: Elizabeth Cheney

Liz Cheney's announcement shocked most observers as Enzi was seen as a popular politician by both Republicans and Democrats. Early polling indicated a wide lead for Enzi over Cheney. In head-to-head match ups with former Democratic Gov. Dave Freudenthal, Enzi trounced him while Cheney actually trailed in what is often called the most Republican state in the nation. Cheney ultimately withdrew from the race.

Answer: State law forbid him to appoint a Democrat.

Wyoming law states that when a vacancy occurs in one of its Senate seats, the Governor must appoint a replacement from the same party as the outgoing senator. The Wyoming Republican Party gave a list of three names to the governor and he had to choose one of those three. Barrasso was selected over future Congresswoman Cynthia Lummis and former State Republican Chairman Tom Sansonetti because Freduenthal saw him as the easiest to defeat in a special election in 2008. Barrasso won that special election with 73% and a general election in 2012 with 76%.