3. Creigh Deeds

In 2009, Deeds clinched the Democratic nomination for Virginia governor, and Democrats pinned their hopes on Deeds to hold the seat for their party. But Deeds’ campaign quickly fizzled. The party attacked Republican opponent Bob McDonnell as a sexist and an extreme conservative, but McDonnell successfully fought off the negative labels. Polls show the attacks reflected badly on Deeds, who also made his own campaign stumbles, including his accidental support for tax increases. McDonnell easily clinched the race in November and Deeds’ campaign went down as a major failure.

Next — 2. Jon Corzine