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To win Senate, Dems turn to candidates who’ve lost before

FILE - In this Nov. 2, 2010 file photo, then-Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wis., makes his concession speech to his supporters in Middleton, Wis., after losing to Republican challenger Ron Johnson for the Wisconsin U.S. Senate seat. Democrats are turning to some proven losers as they aim to retake control of the Senate in 2016. In Wisconsin, Feingold is considered the likeliest Democratic candidate to take on GOP Sen. Ron Johnson, the man who ousted him in 2010. (AP Photo/Joe Koshollek, File)
FILE - In this Nov. 2, 2010 file photo, then-Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wis., makes his concession speech to his supporters in Middleton, Wis., after losing to Republican challenger Ron Johnson for the Wisconsin U.S. Senate seat. Democrats are turning to some proven losers as they aim to retake control of the Senate in 2016. In Wisconsin, Feingold is considered the likeliest Democratic candidate to take on GOP Sen. Ron Johnson, the man who ousted him in 2010. (AP Photo/Joe Koshollek, File)

By Associated Press 4 min read

WASHINGTON (AP) – Democrats are turning to some proven election losers as they aim to retake control of the Senate in 2016.

In Ohio, Ted Strickland, who lost his bid for a second term as governor to former Rep. John Kasich in 2010, is running against Republican Sen. Rob Portman.

In Pennsylvania, former Rep. Joe Sestak wants another shot at Pat Toomey, the onetime Republican congressman who defeated him five years ago.

In Wisconsin, former Sen. Russ Feingold is considered the likeliest Democratic candidate to take on GOP Sen. Ron Johnson, in what would be another 2010 rematch.

Democrats do not have a candidate yet in North Carolina, Alaska or Georgia. But mentioned most often are the party’s losing Senate nominees from 2014: Michelle Nunn in Georgia and former Sens. Kay Hagan in North Carolina and Mark Begich in Alaska.