Is Obama's Senate seat cursed as well?

[Keystone Phil]

Everett Dirkson dies in office. He is replaced by Ralph Smith.

Ralp Smith runs in the special election but is defeated by Adlai Stevenson III.

Stevenson runs for re-election and wins. He decides not to seek a second, full term.

Alan Dixon serves two terms but loses re-nomination for a third term in 1992 to Carol Moseley Braun.

Moseley Braun serves one term and defeated for re-election in 1998 by Peter Fitzgerald.

Fitzgerald serves one term and decides not to seek re-election. We know the chaos that ensued afterwards. He is replaced by Barack Obama.

Obama serves a little under four years and is elected President (not exactly an effect of the curse but...). Chaos ensues while trying to find a replacement for the seat.


Since Everett Dirksen, no U.S. Senator from the Class III Illinois seat has served more than two terms. Two Senators (Dirksen and Obama) did not serve out their term. Three Senators (Smith, Dixon, Moseley Braun) were either defeated in a special, primary or General. Controversy surrounded at least two of the processes to fill the seat (2004 General election campaign and 2008 appointment mess).

[Holmes]

Well, if you believe Burr's seat is cursed, then why not...

[Governor PiT]

Not so much cursed just in a very currupt state.

[memphis]

I like a high turnover in Congress. To me, a cursed seat is one that is held by a giant douche, like Ted Stevens, for decades.