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Quiz about US Senators of the 113th Congress Part 5
Quiz about US Senators of the 113th Congress Part 5

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


The final part of the series. This quiz asks one question for each senator from South Dakota alphabetically through Wyoming.

A multiple-choice quiz by Joepetz. Estimated time: 5 mins.
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Author
Joepetz
Time
5 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
370,911
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
20
Difficulty
Average
Avg Score
12 / 20
Plays
343
- -
Question 1 of 20
1. In December 2006, where was South Dakota Democratic Sen. Tim Johnson when he started bleeding from his brain, causing him to became paralyzed and damaging his speaking abilities? Hint


Question 2 of 20
2. Which Democratic leader did Republican Sen. John Thune of South Dakota defeat in 2004 to earn his first term? Hint


Question 3 of 20
3. What Cabinet department did Tennessee Republican Sen. Lamar Alexander lead during the administration of President George H.W. Bush? Hint


Question 4 of 20
4. What city was Tennessee Republican Sen. Bob Corker mayor of prior to his election to the Senate in 2006? Hint


Question 5 of 20
5. True or False: Texas Republican Sen. John Cornyn was able to take office earlier than the rest of the freshmen senators elected in 2002 and thus gain seniority over them when Sen. Phil Gramm resigned early.


Question 6 of 20
6. Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz generated controversy for (among other things) having dual citizenship with the U.S. and what other nation, the country he was born in? Hint


Question 7 of 20
7. True or False: In the 113th Congress, Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch was the most senior member of the Republican caucus.


Question 8 of 20
8. Which Democratic senator was Utah Republican Sen. Mike Lee's homeschooling teacher when he was a child? Hint: They hold radically different views on almost every topic. Hint


Question 9 of 20
9. True or False: Despite Vermont being a strong progressive state, Democratic Sen. Patrick Leahy is the first (prior to the 113th Congress) and only Democrat to represent Vermont in the Senate.


Question 10 of 20
10. What controversial (in America, anyway) political system does Independent Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders advocate for? Hint


Question 11 of 20
11. In 2008, Sen, Mark Warner, a Democrat who previously served as Governor of Virginia, defeated what other former governor to win his Senate seat? Hint


Question 12 of 20
12. Which of the following events took place during Virginia Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine's term as governor of that state? Hint


Question 13 of 20
13. Washington Democratic Sen. Patty Murray chaired what important Senate committee during the 113th Congress? The inability of the Senate and House versions of this committees led to a shutdown in October 2013. Hint


Question 14 of 20
14. In 2000, Washington Democratic Sen. Maria Cantwell became the first female senator to defeat an incumbent senator. She shares this distinction with which other senator? Hint


Question 15 of 20
15. True or False: West Virginia Sen. Jay Rockefeller is the only member of his political dynasty family to hold elected office as a Republican.


Question 16 of 20
16. When longtime senator Robert Byrd died in 2010, a special election was needed to fill out the remainder of his term in West Virginia. Who did then-governor Joe Manchin, a Democrat, appoint to fill the seat until Manchin could be elected to it in November? Hint


Question 17 of 20
17. Which popular Democratic incumbent did Wisconsin Republican Sen. Ron Johnson defeat to win his seat in 2010? Hint


Question 18 of 20
18. Wisconsin Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin is the first what to serve in the Senate? She was also the first of this group to be elected to the House of Representatives. Hint


Question 19 of 20
19. Which member of the prominent Cheney family briefly challenged Wyoming Sen. Mike Enzi in the 2014 Republican Primary for the Senate seat? Hint


Question 20 of 20
20. Why did Wyoming's Democratic governor Dave Freudenthal appoint Sen. John Barrasso, a Republican, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Sen. Craig Thomas in 2007? Hint



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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. In December 2006, where was South Dakota Democratic Sen. Tim Johnson when he started bleeding from his brain, causing him to became paralyzed and damaging his speaking abilities?

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.
2. Which Democratic leader did Republican Sen. John Thune of South Dakota defeat in 2004 to earn his first term?

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.
3. What Cabinet department did Tennessee Republican Sen. Lamar Alexander lead during the administration of President George H.W. Bush?

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.
4. What city was Tennessee Republican Sen. Bob Corker mayor of prior to his election to the Senate in 2006?

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.
5. True or False: Texas Republican Sen. John Cornyn was able to take office earlier than the rest of the freshmen senators elected in 2002 and thus gain seniority over them when Sen. Phil Gramm resigned early.

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.
6. Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz generated controversy for (among other things) having dual citizenship with the U.S. and what other nation, the country he was born in?

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.
7. True or False: In the 113th Congress, Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch was the most senior member of the Republican caucus.

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.
8. Which Democratic senator was Utah Republican Sen. Mike Lee's homeschooling teacher when he was a child? Hint: They hold radically different views on almost every topic.

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.
9. True or False: Despite Vermont being a strong progressive state, Democratic Sen. Patrick Leahy is the first (prior to the 113th Congress) and only Democrat to represent Vermont in the Senate.

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.
10. What controversial (in America, anyway) political system does Independent Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders advocate for?

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.
11. In 2008, Sen, Mark Warner, a Democrat who previously served as Governor of Virginia, defeated what other former governor to win his Senate seat?

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.
12. Which of the following events took place during Virginia Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine's term as governor of that state?

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.
13. Washington Democratic Sen. Patty Murray chaired what important Senate committee during the 113th Congress? The inability of the Senate and House versions of this committees led to a shutdown in October 2013.

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.
14. In 2000, Washington Democratic Sen. Maria Cantwell became the first female senator to defeat an incumbent senator. She shares this distinction with which other senator?

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.
15. True or False: West Virginia Sen. Jay Rockefeller is the only member of his political dynasty family to hold elected office as a Republican.

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.
16. When longtime senator Robert Byrd died in 2010, a special election was needed to fill out the remainder of his term in West Virginia. Who did then-governor Joe Manchin, a Democrat, appoint to fill the seat until Manchin could be elected to it in November?

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%.
17. Which popular Democratic incumbent did Wisconsin Republican Sen. Ron Johnson defeat to win his seat in 2010?

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%.
18. Wisconsin Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin is the first what to serve in the Senate? She was also the first of this group to be elected to the House of Representatives.

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.
19. Which member of the prominent Cheney family briefly challenged Wyoming Sen. Mike Enzi in the 2014 Republican Primary for the Senate seat?

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.
20. Why did Wyoming's Democratic governor Dave Freudenthal appoint Sen. John Barrasso, a Republican, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Sen. Craig Thomas in 2007?

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%.
Source: Author Joepetz

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