United States elections, 2013
| Off-year elections | |
| Election day | November 5 |
|---|---|
| Congressional special elections | |
| Seats contested | Two Senate and six House seats |
| Net change | 0 |
| Gubernatorial elections | |
| Seats contested | 2 |
| Net change | Democrats +1 |
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Blue - Democratic gain Red - Republican hold |
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The 2013 United States elections were held on Tuesday, November 5, 2013. This off-year election 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.
The Democrats 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, but none of them changed party hands.
On December 21, 2012, President Barack Obama nominated Massachusetts U.S. Senator John Kerry as Secretary of State. Kerry was confirmed by the United States Senate on January 29, 2013, by a vote of 94-3. Following the vote, Kerry resigned his Senate seat effective at February 1, 2013, at 4 p.m. Massachusetts law required a special election within 145 to 160 days after the vacancy occurred and allowed Gov. Deval Patrick to appoint an interim senator until the winner of the special election can be sworn in. Patrick announced on January 30, 2013, that he would appoint his former Chief of Staff Mo Cowan to serve as the interim Senator. Cowan was sworn-in by Vice President of the United States Joe Biden on February 7, 2013. Cowan did not run in the special election.Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth William F. Galvin set the dates for the election with the primaries on April 30, 2013, and the general election on June 25, 2013.
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