2013 United States elections
The 2013 United States elections were held on Tuesday, November 5, 2013. This off-year election cycle featured several special elections to the United States Congress; two gubernatorial races; state legislative elections in a few states; and numerous citizen initiatives, mayoral races, and a variety of other local offices on the ballot.
| ← 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 → Off-year elections | |
| Election day | November 5 |
|---|---|
| Senate elections | |
| Seats contested | 2 mid-term vacancies |
| Net seat change | Democratic +1 |
| Map of the 2013 Senate special elections Democratic gain (1) Democratic hold (1) | |
| House elections | |
| Seats contested | 6 mid-term vacancies |
| Net seat change | 0 |
| Map of the 2013 House special elections Democratic hold (2) Republican hold (4) | |
| Gubernatorial elections | |
| Seats contested | 2 |
| Net seat change | Democratic +1 |
| Map of the 2013 Gubernatorial elections Democratic gain (1) Republican hold (1) | |
The Democratic Party picked up the governorship in Virginia as Terry McAuliffe was elected to replace term-limited Republican Bob McDonnell. Meanwhile, Republican New Jersey Governor Chris Christie was re-elected to a second term. Congressional special elections were held throughout the year. In total, two Senate seats and six House seats were contested. None of the House seats changed party hands, as well as the Massachusetts Senate seat. Democrats, however, regained the Senate seat in New Jersey, which was held by a Republican appointee.
The election results were seen as a slight success for President Barack Obama and the Democrats. It is rare for the President's party to win a Virginia gubernatorial election since 1973, and Democrats lost no ground in state legislatures and Congress.