2008 United States Senate elections

The 2008 United States Senate elections were held on November 4, 2008, with 35 of the 100 seats in the Senate being contested. Thirty-three seats were up for regular elections; the winners were eligible to serve six-year terms from January 3, 2009, to January 3, 2015, as members of Class 2. There were also two special elections, the winners of those seats would finish the terms that ended on January 3, 2013. The presidential election, which was won by Democrat Barack Obama, elections for all House of Representatives seats; elections for several gubernatorial elections; and many state and local elections occurred on the same date.

2008 United States Senate elections

November 4, 2008
December 2 (Georgia runoff)

35 of the 100 seats in the United States Senate
51 seats needed for a majority
  Majority party Minority party
 
Leader Harry Reid Mitch McConnell
Party Democratic Republican
Leader's seat Nevada Kentucky
Seats before 49 49
Seats after 57 41
Seat change Increase 8 Decrease 8
Popular vote 33,650,061[1][lower-alpha 1] 28,863,067[1][lower-alpha 1]
Percentage 51.88% 44.5%
Seats up 12 23
Races won 20 15

  Third party
 
Party Independent
Seats before 2[lower-alpha 2]
Seats after 2 [lower-alpha 3]
Seat change Steady
Popular vote 176,752[1]
Percentage 0.27%
Seats up 0
Races won 0

Results of the elections:
     Democratic hold      Democratic gain
     Republican hold
     No election
Rectangular inset (Miss. & Wyo.): both seats up for election

Majority Leader before election

Harry Reid
Democratic

Elected Majority Leader

Harry Reid
Democratic

Going into these elections, the Senate consisted of 49 Democrats, 49 Republicans, and two Independents who caucused with the Democrats, giving the Democratic caucus the slightest 5149 majority.[2] Of the seats up for election in 2008, 23 were held by Republicans and 12 by Democrats. The Republicans, who openly conceded early on that they would not be able to regain the majority in this election,[3][4] lost eight seats. Democratic candidates defeated Republican incumbents in Alaska; New Hampshire; North Carolina; Oregon; and, after a lengthy recount process, Minnesota. Additionally, they won Republican-held open seats in Colorado, New Mexico, and Virginia. This election was the second cycle in a row in which no seats switched from Democratic to Republican, and the first since 1990 in which the Democrats retained all their seats. In addition, this was the largest Democratic Senate gain since 1986, where they also won eight seats. These elections marked the first time since 1964 in which a Democratic presidential candidate who won the White House had a Senate coattail effect.

Along with two independents who caucus with them, Democrats held at least 58 seats as a result of the election. The April 2009 party switch of Pennsylvania senator Arlen Specter from Republican to Democrat and the July 2009 resolution of the Minnesota election in favor of Democrat Al Franken increased the Democratic majority to 60–40 (briefly providing the Democrats a supermajority, and thus they were able to hypothetically over-ride any filibusters). Republicans gained a seat in a January 2010 special election in Massachusetts, thereby making the balance 5941 before the start of the next election cycle.

As of 2023, this is the last time Democrats won U.S. Senate seats in Alaska, Arkansas, Iowa, Louisiana, North Carolina, and South Dakota.

Results summary

57 2 41
Democratic Independent Republican

Summary of the 2008 United States Senate elections results

Parties Total
Democratic Republican Independent Libertarian Independence Green Others
Before these elections 49 49 2 100
Not
up
Class 1 (2006→2012) 22 8 2 31
Class 3 (2004→2010) 15 19 34
Total 37 26 2 65
Up Class 1 2 2
Class 2 12 21 33
Total 12 23 35
Incumbent
retired
Total before 5 5
Held by same party 2 2
Replaced by other party Decrease 3 Republicans
replaced by
Increase 3 Democrats
3
Result after 3 2 5
Incumbent
ran
Total before 12 18 30
Won election 12 13 25
Lost election Decrease 5 Republicans
replaced by
Increase 5 Democrats
5
Result after 17 13 30
Net gain/loss Increase 8 Decrease 8 8
Total elected 20 15 35
Nation-wide vote Votes[upper-alpha 1] 33,650,061 28,863,067 176,752 798,154 450,702 427,427 496,124 64,862,287
Share 51.88% 44.50% 0.27% 1.23% 0.69% 0.66% 0.76% 100%
Result 57 41 2 100
  1. For the Georgia senate race, votes from the runoff election are counted.

Sources:

  • Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives[1]
  • U.S. Senate Popular Vote and FEC Total Receipts by Party, via TheGreenPapers.com
  • "U.S. Senate (Full results)". CNN. July 1, 2009. Retrieved November 29, 2017.
  • "The Green Papers 2008 U.S. Senate Popular Vote and FEC Total Receipts by Party". The Green Papers. Retrieved November 19, 2008.

Change in composition

Before the elections

D1 D2 D3 D4 D5 D6 D7 D8 D9 D10
D20 D19 D18 D17 D16 D15 D14 D13 D12 D11
D21 D22 D23 D24 D25 D26 D27 D28 D29 D30
D40
Ill.
Ran
D39
Del.
Ran
D38
Ark.
Ran
D37 D36 D35 D34 D33 D32 D31
D41
Iowa
Ran
D42
La.
Ran
D43
Mass.
Ran
D44
Mich.
Ran
D45
Mont.
Ran
D46
N.J.
Ran
D47
R.I.
Ran
D48
S.D.
Ran
D49
W.Va.
Ran
I1
Majority (with Independents) ↑ I2
R41
N.C.
Ran
R42
Okla.
Ran
R43
Ore.
Ran
R44
S.C.
Ran
R45
Tenn.
Ran
R46
Texas
Ran
R47
Va.
Retired
R48
Wyo. (Reg)
Ran
R49
Wyo. (Sp)
Ran
R40
N.M.
Retired
R39
N.H.
Ran
R38
Neb.
Retired
R37
Miss. (Sp)
Ran
R36
Miss. (Reg)
Ran
R35
Minn.
Ran
R34
Me.
Ran
R33
Ky.
Ran
R32
Kan.
Ran
R31
Idaho
Retired
R21 R22 R23 R24 R25 R26 R27
Ala.
Ran
R28
Alaska
Ran
R29
Colo.
Retired
R30
Ga.
Ran
R20 R19 R18 R17 R16 R15 R14 R13 R12 R11
R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8 R9 R10

After the elections

D1 D2 D3 D4 D5 D6 D7 D8 D9 D10
D20 D19 D18 D17 D16 D15 D14 D13 D12 D11
D21 D22 D23 D24 D25 D26 D27 D28 D29 D30
D40
Ill.
Re-elected
D39
Del.
Re-elected
D38
Ark.
Re-elected
D37 D36 D35 D34 D33 D32 D31
D41
Iowa
Re-elected
D42
La.
Re-elected
D43
Mass.
Re-elected
D44
Mich.
Re-elected
D45
Mont.
Re-elected
D46
N.J.
Re-elected
D47
R.I.
Re-elected
D48
S.D.
Re-elected
D49
W.Va.
Re-elected
D50
Alaska
Gain
Majority → D51
Colo.
Gain
R41
Wyo. (Sp)
Elected[lower-alpha 4]
Vacant
Minn.
Disputed
I2 I1 D56
Va.
Gain
D55
Ore.
Gain
D54
N.C.
Gain
D53
N.M.
Gain
D52
N.H.
Gain
R40
Wyo. (Reg)
Re-elected
R39
Texas
Re-elected
R38
Tenn.
Re-elected
R37
S.C.
Re-elected
R36
Okla.
Re-elected
R35
Neb.
Hold
R34
Miss. (Sp)
Elected[lower-alpha 4]
R33
Miss. (Reg)
Re-elected
R32
Me.
Re-elected
R31
Ky.
Re-elected
R21 R22 R23 R24 R25 R26 R27
Ala.
Re-elected
R28
Ga.
Re-elected
R29
Idaho
Hold
R30
Kan.
Re-elected
R20 R19 R18 R17 R16 R15 R14 R13 R12 R11
R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8 R9 R10

Beginning of the first session

D1 D2 D3 D4 D5 D6 D7 D8 D9 D10
D20 D19 D18 D17 D16 D15 D14 D13 D12 D11
D21 D22 D23 D24 D25 D26 D27 D28 D29 D30
D40 D39 D38 D37 D36 D35 D34 D33 D32 D31
D41 D42 D43 D44 D45 D46 D47 D48 D49 D50
Majority → D51
I2 I1 D58
Minn.
Gain
D57
Penn.
Changed
D56 D55 D54 D53 D52
R40 R39 R38 R37 R36 R35 R34 R33 R32 R31
R21 R22 R23 R24 R25 R26 R27 R28 R29 R30
R20 R19 R18 R17 R16 R15 R14 R13 R12 R11
R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8 R9 R10


Key:
D# Democratic
I# Independent
R# Republican

Race summary

Special elections during the 110th Congress

In these special elections, the winner was seated during 2008 or before January 3, 2009, sorted by election date, then state, then class.

State
(linked to
summaries below)
Incumbent Results Candidates
Senator Party Electoral history
Mississippi
(Class 1)
Roger Wicker Republican 2007 (Appointed) Interim appointee elected.
Wyoming
(Class 1)
John Barrasso Republican 2007 (Appointed) Interim appointee elected.
  • Green tickY John Barrasso (Republican) 73.4%
  • Nick Carter (Democratic) 26.5%

Elections leading to the next Congress

In these general elections, the winners were elected for the term beginning January 3, 2009; ordered by state.

All of the elections involved the Class 2 seats.

State
(linked to
summaries below)
Incumbent Results Candidates
Senator Party Electoral history
Alabama Jeff Sessions Republican 1996
2002
Incumbent re-elected.
Alaska Ted Stevens Republican 1968 (Appointed)
1970 (special)
1972
1978
1984
1990
1996
2002
Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Democratic gain.
  • Green tickY Mark Begich (Democratic) 47.8%
  • Ted Stevens (Republican) 46.6%
  • Bob Bird (Alaskan Independence) 4.2%
  • David Haase (Libertarian) 0.8%
  • Ted Gianoutsos (Independent) 0.4%
Arkansas Mark Pryor Democratic 2002 Incumbent re-elected.
Colorado Wayne Allard Republican 1996
2002
Incumbent retired.
New senator elected.
Democratic gain.
  • Green tickY Mark Udall (Democratic) 52.8%
  • Bob Schaffer (Republican) 42.5%
  • Doug Campbell (Constitution) 2.6%
  • Bob Kinsey (Green) 2.1%
Delaware Joe Biden Democratic 1972
1978
1984
1990
1996
2002
Incumbent re-elected.
Georgia Saxby Chambliss Republican 2002 Incumbent re-elected.
Idaho Larry Craig Republican 1990
1996
2002
Incumbent retired.
New senator elected.
Republican hold.
  • Green tickY Jim Risch (Republican) 57.7%
  • Larry LaRocco (Democratic) 34.1%
  • Rex Rammell (Independent) 5.4%
  • Kent Marmon (Libertarian) 1.5%
  • Pro-Life (Independent) 1.3%
Illinois Dick Durbin Democratic 1996
2002
Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Dick Durbin (Democratic) 67.8%
  • Steve Sauerberg (Republican) 28.5%
  • Kathy Cummings (Green) 2.2%
  • Larry Stafford (Libertarian) 0.9%
  • Chad Koppie (Constitution) 0.5%
Iowa Tom Harkin Democratic 1984
1990
1996
2002
Incumbent re-elected.
Kansas Pat Roberts Republican 1996
2002
Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Pat Roberts (Republican) 60.0%
  • Jim Slattery (Democratic) 36.4%
  • Randall Hodgkinson (Libertarian) 2.1%
  • Joseph Martin (Reform) 1.3%
Kentucky Mitch McConnell Republican 1984
1990
1996
2002
Incumbent re-elected.
Louisiana Mary Landrieu Democratic 1996
2002
Incumbent re-elected.
Others
  • Jay Patel (Independent) 0.7%
  • Robert Stewart (Independent) 0.5%
Maine Susan Collins Republican 1996
2002
Incumbent re-elected.
Massachusetts John Kerry Democratic 1984
1990
1996
2002
Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY John Kerry (Democratic) 65.8%
  • Jeff Beatty (Republican) 31.0%
  • Robert Underwood (Libertarian) 3.2%
Michigan Carl Levin Democratic 1978
1984
1990
1996
2002
Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Carl Levin (Democratic) 62.7%
  • Jack Hoogendyk (Republican) 33.8%
  • Scott Boman (Libertarian) 1.6%
  • Harley Mikkelson (Green) 0.9%
  • Michael Nikitin (Constitution) 0.6%
  • Doug Dern (Natural Law) 0.4%
Minnesota Norm Coleman Republican 2002 Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Democratic–Farmer–Labor gain.
Winner delayed term until July 7, 2009, due to election dispute.
Others
  • Charles Aldrich (Libertarian) 0.48%
  • James Niemackl (Constitution) 0.31%
  • Write-ins 0.08%
Mississippi Thad Cochran Republican 1978
1984
1990
1996
2002
Incumbent re-elected.
Montana Max Baucus Democratic 1978
1984
1990
1996
2002
Incumbent re-elected.
Nebraska Chuck Hagel Republican 1996
2002
Incumbent retired.
New senator elected.
Republican hold.
  • Green tickY Mike Johanns (Republican) 57.5%
  • Scott Kleeb (Democratic) 40.1%
  • Kelly Rosberg (Nebraska) 1.4%
  • Steve Larrick (Green) 1.0%
New Hampshire John E. Sununu Republican 2002 Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Democratic gain.
New Jersey Frank Lautenberg Democratic 1982
1982 (Appointed)
1988
1994
2000 (Retired)
2002
Incumbent re-elected.
Others
  • J. M. Carter (Independent) 0.5%
  • Daryl Mikell Brooks (Independent) 0.5%
  • Jeffrey Boss (Independent) 0.3%
  • Sara Lobman (Socialist Workers) 0.3%
New Mexico Pete Domenici Republican 1972
1978
1984
1990
1996
2002
Incumbent retired.
New senator elected.
Democratic gain.
North Carolina Elizabeth Dole Republican 2002 Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Democratic gain.
Oklahoma Jim Inhofe Republican 1994 (special)
1996
2002
Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Jim Inhofe (Republican) 56.7%
  • Andrew Rice (Democratic) 39.2%
  • Stephen Wallace (Independent) 4.1%
Oregon Gordon H. Smith Republican 1996
2002
Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Democratic gain.
Rhode Island Jack Reed Democratic 1996
2002
Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Jack Reed (Democratic) 73.4%
  • Robert Tingle (Republican) 26.6%
South Carolina Lindsey Graham Republican 2002 Incumbent re-elected.
South Dakota Tim Johnson Democratic 1996
2002
Incumbent re-elected.
Tennessee Lamar Alexander Republican 2002 Incumbent re-elected.
Others
  • Christopher Fenner (Independent) 0.5%
  • Daniel Lewis (Libertarian) 0.4%
  • Chris Lugo (Green) 0.4%
  • Ed Lawhorn (Independent) 0.4%
  • David Gatchell (Independent) 0.3%
Texas John Cornyn Republican 2002 Incumbent re-elected.
Virginia John Warner Republican 1978
1984
1990
1996
2002
Incumbent retired.
New senator elected.
Democratic gain.
West Virginia Jay Rockefeller Democratic 1984
1990
1996
2002
Incumbent re-elected.
Wyoming Mike Enzi Republican 1996
2002
Incumbent re-elected.

Special elections during the next Congress

There were no special elections in 2009.

Closest races

In nine races the margin of victory was under 10%. However, Georgia proceeded to a runoff election where the Republican candidate won by over 10%.

District Winner Margin
Minnesota Democratic (flip) 0.01%
Alaska Democratic (flip) 1.3%
Oregon Democratic (flip) 3.6%
Georgia general Republican 3.0%
Kentucky Republican 6.0%
New Hampshire Democratic (flip) 6.3%
Louisiana Democratic 6.4%
North Carolina Democratic (flip) 8.5%
Mississippi special Republican 9.9%

South Dakota was the tipping point state, decided by a margin of 25.0%.

Final pre-election predictions

Several sites and individuals published predictions of competitive seats. These predictions looked at factors such as the strength of the incumbent (if the incumbent was running for re-election) and the other candidates, and the state's partisan lean (reflected in part by the state's Cook Partisan Voting Index rating). The predictions assigned ratings to each seat, indicating the predicted advantage that a party had in winning that seat. Most election predictors used:

  • "tossup": no advantage
  • "tilt" (used by some predictors): advantage that is not quite as strong as "lean"
  • "lean": slight advantage
  • "likely": significant, but surmountable, advantage
  • "safe" or "solid": near-certain chance of victory
Constituency Incumbent 2008 election ratings
State Senator Last
election[lower-alpha 5]
The Cook Political Report[5] CQ Politics[6] Rothenberg Political Report[7] Real Clear Politics[8] Result
Alabama Jeff Sessions 58.6% R Safe R Safe R Safe R Safe R Sessions
(63.4%)
Alaska Ted Stevens 78.2% R Lean D (flip) Lean D (flip) Lean D (flip) Lean D (flip) Begich
(47.8%)(flip)
Arkansas Mark Pryor 53.9% D Safe D Safe D Safe D Safe D Pryor
(79.5%)
Colorado Wayne Allard 50.7% R Lean D (flip) Likely D (flip) Likely D (flip) Likely D (flip) Udall
(52.8%) (flip)
Delaware Joe Biden 58.2% D Safe D Safe D Safe D Safe D Biden
(64.7%)
Georgia Saxby Chambliss 52.8% R Tossup Tossup Lean R Tossup Chambliss
(57.4%)[lower-alpha 6]
Idaho Larry Craig
(retiring)
65.2% R Safe R Safe R Safe R Safe R Risch
(57.7%)
Illinois Dick Durbin 60.3% D Safe D Safe D Safe D Safe D Durbin
(67.8%)
Iowa Tom Harkin 54.2% D Safe D Safe D Safe D Safe D Harkin
(62.7%)
Kansas Pat Roberts 82.5% R Safe R Likely R Safe R Safe R Roberts
(60.1%)
Kentucky Mitch McConnell 64.7% R Lean R Lean R Lean R Tossup McConnell
(53.0%)
Louisiana Mary Landrieu 51.7% D Lean D Lean D Lean D Lean D Landrieu
(52.1%)
Maine Susan Collins 58.4% R Likely R Lean R Likely R Likely R Collins
(61.3%)
Massachusetts John Kerry 80.0% D Safe D Safe D Safe D Safe D Kerry
(65.9%)
Michigan Carl Levin 60.6% D Safe D Safe D Safe D Safe D Levin
(62.7%)
Minnesota Norm Coleman 49.5% R Tossup Tossup Tossup Tossup Franken
(42.0%)(flip)
Mississippi (regular) Thad Cochran 84.6% R Safe R Safe R Safe R Safe R Cochran
(61.4%)
Mississippi (special) Roger Wicker Appointed
(2007)[lower-alpha 7]
Tossup Lean R Lean R Lean R Wicker n
(55.0%)
Montana Max Baucus 62.7% D Safe D Safe D Safe D Safe D Baucus
(72.9%)
Nebraska Chuck Hagel
(retiring)
82.8% R Likely R Likely R Safe R Likely R Johanns
(57.5%)
New Hampshire John Sununu 50.8% R Tossup Lean D (flip) Likely D (flip) Lean D (flip) Shaheen
(51.6%)(flip)
New Jersey Frank Lautenberg 53.9% D Safe D Likely D Safe D Likely D Lautenberg
(56.0%)
New Mexico Pete Domenici
(retiring)
65.0% R Lean D (flip) Likely D (flip) Likely D (flip) Likely D (flip) Udall
(61.3%)(flip)
North Carolina Elizabeth Dole 53.5% R Tossup Lean D (flip) Lean D (flip) Tossup Hagan
(52.6%)(flip)
Oklahoma Jim Inhofe 57.3% R Likely R Likely R Safe R Safe R Inhofe
(56.7%)
Oregon Gordon Smith 56.2% R Tossup Tossup Lean D (flip) Tossup Merkley
(48.9%)(flip)
Rhode Island Jack Reed 78.4% D Safe D Safe D Safe D Safe D Reed
(73.4%)
South Carolina Lindsey Graham 54.4% R Safe R Safe R Safe R Safe R Graham
(57.5%)
South Dakota Tim Johnson 49.6% D Likely D Safe D Safe D Safe D Johnson
(62.5%)
Tennessee Lamar Alexander 54.3% R Safe R Likely R Safe R Safe R Alexander
(65.1%)
Texas John Cornyn 55.3% R Safe R Likely R Safe R Safe R Cornyn
(54.8%)
Virginia John Warner
(retiring)
82.6% R Likely D (flip) Safe D (flip) Likely D (flip) Safe D (flip) Mark Warner
(65.0%)(flip)
West Virginia Jay Rockefeller 63.1% D Safe D Safe D Safe D Safe D Rockefeller
(63.7%)
Wyoming (regular) Mike Enzi 73.0% R Safe R Safe R Safe R Safe R Enzi
(75.6%)
Wyoming (special) John Barrasso Appointed
(2007)[lower-alpha 8]
Safe R Safe R Safe R Safe R Barrasso
(73.4%)

Financing

Results of the Senate election by county

Each major party has Hill committees that work to support its candidates for the House and Senate, chiefly by providing funds. On the Senate side, the committees are the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) and the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC). In this cycle, the DSCC was more successful at fundraising. As of June 30, 2008, data from the Federal Election Commission showed the NRSC with $24.6 million on hand, as compared with the DSCC's $43 million.[9] The NRSC chair, senator John Ensign, took the unusual step of chastising the Republican Senators who, like him, were not facing re-election, and who he thought should have done more to help raise money for their colleagues.[9]

Gains and losses

Retirements

Five Republicans retired rather than seek re-election.

State Senator Replaced by
Colorado Wayne Allard Mark Udall
Idaho Larry Craig Jim Risch
Nebraska Chuck Hagel Mike Johanns
New Mexico Pete Domenici Tom Udall
Virginia John Warner Mark Warner

Defeats

Five Republicans sought re-election but lost in the general election.

State Senator Replaced by
Alaska Ted Stevens Mark Begich
Minnesota Norm Coleman Al Franken
New Hampshire John E. Sununu Jeanne Shaheen
North Carolina Elizabeth Dole Kay Hagan
Oregon Gordon H. Smith Jeff Merkley

Post-election changes

Four Democrats resigned and were replaced by Democrats. One Republican was switched to Democrat on April 28, 2009. Two other Democrats died on August 25, 2009, and June 28, 2010, respectively, while another Republican resigned on September 9, 2009.

State Senator Replaced by
Colorado
(Class 3)
Ken Salazar Michael Bennet
Delaware
(Class 2)
Joe Biden Ted Kaufman
Florida
(Class 3)
Mel Martínez George LeMieux
Illinois
(Class 3)
Barack Obama Roland Burris
Massachusetts
(Class 1)
Ted Kennedy Paul G. Kirk
New York
(Class 1)
Hillary Clinton Kirsten Gillibrand
Pennsylvania
(Class 3)
Arlen Specter Arlen Specter
West Virginia
(Class 1)
Robert Byrd Carte Goodwin

Alabama

Alabama election

 
Nominee Jeff Sessions Vivian Davis Figures
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 1,305,383 752,391
Percentage 63.36% 36.52%

County Results

U.S. senator before election

Jeff Sessions
Republican

Elected U.S. senator

Jeff Sessions
Republican

Alabama senator Jeff Sessions sought re-election to a third term. Johnny Swanson announced his candidacy in March 2006 for the Democratic nomination.[10]

Despite voting heavily for Bush in 2004, Alabama still had a strong Democratic presence; Democrats controlled majorities of both chambers in the state legislature. Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries Ron Sparks appeared to be preparing for a run, but on June 12, 2007, Sparks announced that he would not seek the Senate seat, in order to avoid a primary battle with state senator Vivian Davis Figures.[11] Figures has won elections in the Republican-leaning Mobile area. In the Democratic primary, Figures won the nomination and face Sessions in November.

Not on the ballot, but running a write-in campaign, was Darryl W. Perry, the 2004 Libertarian Party nominee for Pennsylvania State Treasurer and 2007 candidate for Mayor of Birmingham, Alabama.[12][13] Perry was endorsed by Alabama Statesmen,[14] Boston Tea Party,[15] and Christians for Life and Liberty.[16]

Sessions defeated Figures, taking 63% of the vote to Figures's 37%

Republican primary[17]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Jeff Sessions (incumbent) 199,690 92.27%
Republican Earl Mack Gavin 16,718 7.73%
Total votes 216,408 100.00%
Democratic primary[18]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Vivian Davis Figures 112,074 63.72%
Democratic Johnny Swanson 38,757 22.03%
Democratic Mark Townsend 25,058 14.25%
Total votes 175,889 100.00%
Alabama general[19]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Jeff Sessions (Incumbent) 1,305,383 63.36%
Democratic Vivian Davis Figures 752,391 36.52%
Write-In Write-ins 2,417 0.12%
Invalid or blank votes
Total votes 2,060,191 100.00%
Turnout   N/A
Republican hold

Alaska

Alaska election

 
Nominee Mark Begich Ted Stevens
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 151,767 147,814
Percentage 47.8% 46.5%

Borough and census area results

U.S. senator before election

Ted Stevens
Republican

Elected U.S. senator

Mark Begich
Democratic

Alaska ADL senatorial primary, 2008[20]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Mark Begich 63,747 84.12%
Democratic Ray Metcalfe 5,480 7.23%
Independence Bob Bird 4,216 5.56%
Libertarian Fredrick Haase 1,375 1.81%
Democratic Frank Vondersaar 965 1.27%
Total votes 75,783 100.00%
Republican primary[20]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Ted Stevens (incumbent) 66,900 63.52%
Republican David Cuddy 28,364 26.93%
Republican Vic Vickers 6,102 5.79%
Republican Michael Corey 1,496 1.42%
Republican Roderic Sikma 1,133 1.08%
Republican Rich Wanda 732 0.69%
Republican Gerald Heikes 599 0.57%
Total votes 105,326 100.00%
Alaska general[21]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Mark Begich 151,767 47.77% +37.26%
Republican Ted Stevens (Incumbent) 147,814 46.52% -31.65%
Independence Bob Bird 13,197 4.15% +1.22%
Libertarian Fredrick Haase 2,483 0.78% -0.25%
Independent Ted Gianoutsos 1,385 0.44%
Write-ins 1,077 0.34%
Majority 3,953 1.24% -66.42%
Turnout 317,723
Democratic gain from Republican Swing

Dispelling rumors that he would retire due to advanced age (he was 84 years old on election day) and ongoing federal investigations into his conduct, senator Ted Stevens filed papers for re-election for an eighth term.[22]

An ex-oil company executive, Bill Allen, paid for part of the renovation costs on Stevens's personal residence. The FBI investigated the remodeling of Stevens home by Veco Corp., which is part of a broader corruption investigation involving Stevens's son, former State Senate President Ben Stevens.[23] Two former Veco executives have plead guilty to paying the younger Stevens $242,000 in bribes.[24] On July 30, 2007, the IRS and FBI raided Stevens's home in Alaska. On September 14, 2007, former Veco CEO Bill Allen testified at the trial of former State House Speaker Pete Kott that Veco paid people working to double the size of Stevens's home.[25]

On July 29, 2008, a federal grand jury indicted Stevens on seven felony counts for making false statements,[26] and on October 26, a jury found Stevens guilty on all charges.[27]

The Democratic candidate was Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich, the son of popular former Democratic Representative Nick Begich. Begich announced his candidacy for the Senate seat on April 22, 2008.[28]

On October 19, 2007, the AP reported that despite the allegations and FBI probe, several veteran GOP Senators—including Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX), and Kit Bond (R-MO)—donated enough money to Stevens's re-election campaign to make it one of Stevens's most successful fund raising quarters ever.[29]

Stevens's conviction on seven felony counts of corruption damaged his re-election bid, coming just over a week before the election, though Stevens appealed the conviction. Nevertheless, Stevens was narrowly ahead in the vote count after election day, with only about two-thirds of all votes counted. It only became clear Begich had prevailed when early votes, absentee ballots, and questioned ballots were counted.

On November 18, the race was called for Begich, who won with 47.8% to Stevens's 46.5%. Stevens was the most senior U.S. Senator to ever lose re-election, defeating Warren Magnuson's 1980 record. As of 2023, Stevens still holds this record.

On April 1, 2009, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, citing serious prosecutorial misconduct during the trial, decided to drop all charges against Stevens—an action that vacated his conviction.

Arkansas

Arkansas election

 
Nominee Mark Pryor Rebekah Kennedy
Party Democratic Green
Popular vote 804,678 207,076
Percentage 79.5% 20.5%

County results

U.S. senator before election

Mark Pryor
Democratic

Elected U.S. senator

Mark Pryor
Democratic

Arkansas general[30]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Mark Pryor (Incumbent) 804,678 79.53%
Green Rebekah Kennedy 207,076 20.47%
Total votes 1,011,754 100.00%
Invalid or blank votes 75,586 n/a
Democratic hold

Despite being a first-term senator in a state George W. Bush won twice, Democrat Mark Pryor faced no opposition from Republicans in his re-election bid. Although Bush carried the state twice, Arkansas Democrats swept the seven state races held in the 2006 general election. Pryor is the son of longtime U.S. senator and former Arkansas Governor David Pryor. It was rumored that Lt. Governor Bill Halter would challenge Pryor in the primary, but Halter declined to file as a candidate.[31] Rebekah Kennedy of the Green Party was Pryor's only opposition. Pryor won on election day, with 79.53% of the vote. Kennedy took 20.47%.

Colorado

Colorado election

 
Nominee Mark Udall Bob Schaffer
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 1,230,994 990,755
Percentage 52.8% 42.5%

County results

U.S. senator before election

Wayne Allard
Republican

Elected U.S. senator

Mark Udall
Democratic

Democratic primary[32]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Mark Udall 194,227 100.00%
Total votes 194,227 100.00%
Republican primary[32]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Bob Schaffer 239,212 100.00%
Total votes 239,212 100.00%
Colorado general[33]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Mark Udall 1,230,994 52.80% +7.03%
Republican Bob Schaffer 990,755 42.49% -8.20%
Constitution Douglas Campbell 59,733 2.56% +1.04%
Green Bob Kinsey 50,004 2.14%
Write-ins 135 0.01%
Majority 240,239 10.30% +5.38%
Turnout 2,331,621
Democratic gain from Republican Swing

On January 15, 2007, incumbent senator Wayne Allard (R) announced he would not seek re-election, honoring his pledge to serve no more than two terms.[34]

Former Representative Bob Schaffer of Fort Collins was the Republican nominee. Former Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway was rumored to be considering a run, but declined to do so.[35] Other possible Republican candidates included former Congressman Scott McInnis and Colorado Attorney General John Suthers.

The Democratic nominee was 2nd district Congressman Mark Udall of Boulder who announced on January 15, 2007, that he would seek the seat and did not draw significant primary opposition.[36]

Other candidates included Bob Kinsey of Denver as the Green Party nominee,[37] Douglas "Dayhorse" Campbell as the American Constitution Party's nominee,[38] and Independent candidate Buddy Moore, unaffiliated any party.[39]

On Election Day, Udall defeated Schaffer 53% to 43%.

Delaware

Delaware election

 
Nominee Joe Biden Christine O'Donnell
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 257,539 140,595
Percentage 64.7% 35.3%

County results

U.S. senator before election

Joe Biden
Democratic

Elected U.S. senator

Joe Biden
Democratic

Delaware general[40]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Joe Biden (Incumbent) 257,539 64.69% +6.47%
Republican Christine O'Donnell 140,595 35.31% -5.49%
Majority 116,944 29.37% +11.96%
Turnout 398,134
Democratic hold Swing

On August 23, 2008, the Democratic nominee for President, Barack Obama, announced that Biden would be joining him on the ticket as the vice presidential nominee.[41] Delaware law allowed Biden to run for Vice President and senator at the same time, so he would have kept the Senate seat if the presidential ticket had lost. In 1988 and 2000, the Democratic Vice-Presidential nominees Lloyd Bentsen and Joe Lieberman, ran similarly for their seat in Texas and Connecticut, respectively. On November 4, 2008, Barack Obama won the presidential election, making Biden the next VP. Biden vacated his senate seat shortly after the election, allowing for the Governor of Delaware to appoint a successor. There was speculation as to whether the outgoing Governor, Ruth Ann Minner, or the incoming Governor-elect Jack Markell would make the appointment, and if Biden's son, Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden would receive the appointment. On November 24, 2008, Governor Minner appointed Biden's longtime Chief of Staff Ted Kaufman to fill the seat. Kaufman subsequently announced that he would not seek election to a full term in 2010, effectively making him a caretaker. Biden's Republican opponent in the Senate race, conservative political commentator Christine O'Donnell, tried to make an issue of Biden's dual campaigns, claiming that serving his constituents is not important to him.

Biden was re-elected with 65% of the vote, or 257,484 votes. O'Donnell received 140,584 votes (35% of the vote).

Georgia

2008 United States Senate election in Georgia

November 4, 2008 (first round)
December 2, 2008 (runoff)
 
Nominee Saxby Chambliss Jim Martin
Party Republican Democratic
First round 1,867,097
49.8%
1,757,393
46.8%
Runoff 1,228,033
57.4%
909,923
42.6%


U.S. Senator before election

Saxby Chambliss
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Saxby Chambliss
Republican

2008 Georgia U.S. Senate Republican primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Saxby Chambliss 392,902 100.0%
Turnout 392,928 100.0%
2008 Georgia U.S. Senate Democratic primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Vernon Jones 199,026 40.4%
Democratic Jim Martin 169,635 34.4%
Democratic Dale Cardwell 79,181 16.1%
Democratic Rand Knight 25,667 5.2%
Democratic Josh Lanier 19,717 4.0%
Total votes 493,226 100.0%
2008 Georgia U.S. Senate Democratic primary election runoff
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Jim Martin 191,061 59.9% +25.5%
Democratic Vernon Jones 127,993 40.1% -0.3%
Total votes 319,054 100.0%
Georgia general[42][43]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Saxby Chambliss (Incumbent) 1,867,097 49.8% -3.0%
Democratic Jim Martin 1,757,393 46.8% +0.9%
Libertarian Allen Buckley 127,923 3.4% +2.1%
Socialist Workers Eleanor Garcia (write-in) 43 0.0% n/a
Independent William Salomone Jr. (write-in) 29 0.0% n/a
Majority 109,704 2.92%
Turnout 3,752,577
Runoff election[44]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Saxby Chambliss (Incumbent) 1,228,033 57.4% +7.6%
Democratic Jim Martin 909,923 42.6% -4.2%
Majority 318,110 14.8%
Turnout 2,137,956
Republican hold Swing

In the 2008 election, first-term incumbent Republican senator Saxby Chambliss was opposed primarily by Democrat Jim Martin, as well as third party candidates, including Libertarian Allen Buckley and Eleanor Garcia of the Socialist Workers Party.

Martin, current Georgia Commissioner of Human Resources, former member of the Georgia General Assembly, Vietnam War veteran, and 2006 candidate for lieutenant governor, secured the Democratic nomination after defeating DeKalb County CEO Vernon Jones by a 59% to 41% margin in the August 5 run-off election.

In December 2007, Chambliss had an approval rating of 53% and a disapproval rating of 34% according to Strategic Vision, a Republican polling firm.[45] For most of the campaign, Chambliss maintained a comfortable lead in most polls. However, in the weeks leading up to the 2008 general election, polls showed the race tightening, reflecting a general nationwide trend.

On November 4, 2008, Chambliss received 49.8% of the vote,[46] with Martin about 3% behind and Buckley receiving 3% of the vote.[47] However, Georgia law stated that if no candidate receives a simple majority of the popular vote, then the election will be decided in a run-off. On December 2, 2008, Chambliss won the run-off with 57% of vote to Martin's 43%.[48]

Idaho

Idaho election

 
Nominee Jim Risch Larry LaRocco
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 371,744 219,903
Percentage 57.7% 34.1%

 
Nominee Rex Rammell
Party Independent
Popular vote 34,510
Percentage 5.4%

County results

U.S. senator before election

Larry Craig
Republican

Elected U.S. senator

Jim Risch
Republican

Democratic Primary results[49]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Larry LaRocco 29,023 72.35%
Democratic David J. Archuleta 11,074 27.60%
Democratic Write-ins 20 0.05%
Total votes 40,117 100.00%
Republican primary[49]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Jim Risch 80,743 65.34%
Republican Scott Syme 16,660 13.48%
Republican Richard Phenneger 6,532 5.29%
Republican Neal Thompson 5,375 4.35%
Republican Fred M. Adams 4,987 4.04%
Republican Bill Hunter 4,280 3.46%
Republican Brian E. Hefner 2,915 2.36%
Republican Hal James Styles Jr. 2,082 1.68%
Total votes 123,574 100.00%
Idaho general[50]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Jim Risch 371,744 57.65% -7.51%
Democratic Larry LaRocco 219,903 34.11% +1.56%
Independent Rex Rammell 34,510 5.35%
Libertarian Kent Marmon 9,958 1.54% -0.75%
Independent Pro-Life 8,662 1.35%
Write-ins 3 0.00%
Majority 151,841 23.55% -9.06%
Turnout 644,780
Republican hold Swing

On September 1, 2007, senator Larry Craig announced his intent to resign from the Senate effective September 30, 2007.[51] The announcement followed by just six days the disclosure that he had pleaded guilty on August 1, 2007, to a reduced misdemeanor charge arising out of his arrest on June 11 at the Minneapolis airport for soliciting sex with a man in the restroom. Craig found almost no support among Republicans in his home state or Washington. On October 4, 2007, senator Craig announced he will not seek re-election, but would remain in office until the end of his term.[52]

Lieutenant Governor Jim Risch was the Republican candidate; U.S. Army veteran and former congressman Larry LaRocco was the Democratic candidate.[53] Risch and LaRocco ran against each other in the 2006 Lieutenant Governor race, which Risch won by a wide margin. Libertarian Kent Marmon also ran.[54] The last Democratic senator from Idaho was Frank Church, who was defeated in the Republican landslide of 1980 after serving four terms.

Risch won the election with approximately 58% of the vote.[55]

Illinois

Illinois election

 
Nominee Dick Durbin Steve Sauerberg
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 3,615,844 1,520,621
Percentage 67.84% 28.53%

County Results

U.S. senator before election

Dick Durbin
Democratic

Elected U.S. senator

Dick Durbin
Democratic

Democratic primary[56]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Dick Durbin (Incumbent) 1,653,833 100.00%
Total votes 1,653,833 100.00%
Republican primary[56]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Steve Sauerberg 395,199 55.62%
Republican Andy Martin 240,548 33.85%
Republican Mike Psak 74,829 10.53%
Total votes 710,576 100.00%
Illinois general[21]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Dick Durbin (Incumbent) 3,615,844 67.84% +7.51%
Republican Steve Sauerberg 1,520,621 28.53% -9.49%
Green Kathy Cummings 119,135 2.24% 0.00%
Libertarian Larry A. Stafford 50,224 0.94% -0.70%
Constitution Chad N. Koppie 24,059 0.45% 0.00%
Majority 2,095,223 39.31% +17.00%
Turnout 5,329,884
Democratic hold Swing

Senate Majority Whip Richard Durbin remained favored in Illinois. He sought to be re-elected in a state that has steadily become more Democratic since 1992. CQpolitics.com rated the contest as "safe Democrat".

Physician Steve Sauerberg of La Grange won the February 5 Republican primary.[57] Kathy Cummings, a retired special education teacher was nominated via convention by the Green Party.[58] Chad Koppie, a retired airline pilot and vice-chairman of the Illinois Center Right Coalition, was the nominee of the Constitution Party.

Durbin won with 68% of the vote. Sauerberg had 29%.

Iowa

Iowa election

 
Nominee Tom Harkin Christopher Reed
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 941,665 560,006
Percentage 62.66% 37.26%

County results

U.S. senator before election

Tom Harkin
Democratic

Elected U.S. senator

Tom Harkin
Democratic

Democratic primary[59]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Tom Harkin (Incumbent) 90,785 98.83%
Democratic Write-ins 1,074 1.17%
Total votes 91,859 100.00%
Republican primary[59]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Christopher Reed 24,964 35.32%
Republican George Eichhorn 24,390 34.52%
Republican Steve Rathje 21,062 29.80%
Republican Write-ins 256 0.36%
Total votes 70,672 100.00%
Iowa general[21]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Tom Harkin (Incumbent) 941,665 62.66% +8.48%
Republican Christopher Reed 560,006 37.26% -6.52%
Write-ins 1,247 0.08%
Majority 381,659 25.39% +15.00%
Turnout 1,502,918
Democratic hold Swing

In a state that had been trending to the Democratic party recently, senator Tom Harkin faced the Republican nominee, small business owner Christopher Reed, whom he defeated with 63% of the vote to Reed's 37%.

Kansas

Kansas election

 
Nominee Pat Roberts Jim Slattery
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 712,396 429,691
Percentage 60.1% 36.5%

County results

U.S. senator before election

Pat Roberts
Republican

Elected U.S. senator

Pat Roberts
Republican

Republican Party primary[60]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Pat Roberts (Incumbent) 214,911 100.00%
Total votes 214,911 100.00%
Democratic primary[60]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Jim Slattery 68,106 68.93%
Democratic Lee Jones 30,699 31.07%
Total votes 98,805 100.00%
Kansas general[61]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Pat Roberts (Incumbent) 727,121 60.06% -22.46%
Democratic Jim Slattery 441,399 36.46%
Libertarian Randall Hodgkinson 25,727 2.12% -6.98%
Reform Joseph L. Martin 16,443 1.36% -7.02%
Majority 285,722 23.60% -49.82%
Turnout 1,210,690
Republican hold Swing

Senator Pat Roberts sought re-election to a third term. Although Kansas has not elected a Democrat to the Senate since 1932, former Democratic Congressman and army veteran Jim Slattery was nominated to run against Roberts. Pat Roberts currently has an approval rating of 56%.[62]

Roberts was re-elected with 60% to Slattery's 36%.

Kentucky

Kentucky election

 
Nominee Mitch McConnell Bruce Lunsford
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 953,816 847,005
Percentage 53.0% 47.0%

County results

U.S. senator before election

Mitch McConnell
Republican

Elected U.S. senator

Mitch McConnell
Republican

Republican primary[63]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Mitch McConnell (incumbent) 168,127 86.09%
Republican Daniel Essek 27,170 13.91%
Total votes 195,297 100.00%
Democratic primary[63]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Bruce Lunsford 316,992 51.15%
Democratic Greg Fischer 209,827 33.85%
Democratic David L. Williams 34,363 5.54%
Democratic Michael Cassaro 17,340 2.80%
Democratic Kenneth Stepp 13,451 2.17%
Democratic David Wylie 7,528 1.21%
Democratic James E. Rice 2,365 3.28%
Total votes 619,904 100.00%
Kentucky general[64]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Mitch McConnell (incumbent) 953,816 52.97% -11.7%
Democratic Bruce Lunsford 847,005 47.03% +11.7%
Turnout 1,800,821 62.00% +19.2%
Republican hold Swing
Election results by county. Red indicates McConnell led in a county, while blue indicates that Lunsford received more votes. Counties are shaded to indicate the margin of victory.

Democrats made Senate Minority Leader, four-term senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky a target due to his leadership of Senate Republicans and his ties to President Bush, as well as his mediocre approval rating in the state, which was below 50%.[65]

Businessman and U.S. Army veteran Bruce Lunsford, who lost the 2007 Democratic gubernatorial primary to Governor Steve Beshear, was the Democratic nominee.

Once thought to be secure in his re-election, McConnell's lead had shrunk dramatically thanks to the financial crisis and polling showed the race tightening between him and Lunsford.[66] Nevertheless, McConnell was re-elected by a margin of 53% to 47%.

Louisiana

Louisiana election

 
Nominee Mary Landrieu John Neely Kennedy
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 988,298 867,177
Percentage 52.1% 45.7%

Parish results

U.S. senator before election

Mary Landrieu
Democratic

Elected U.S. senator

Mary Landrieu
Democratic

General election results
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Mary Landrieu (Incumbent) 988,298 52.11% +0.41%
Republican John Neely Kennedy 867,177 45.72% -2.58%
Libertarian Richard Fontanesi 18,590 0.98% n/a
Independent Jay Patel 13,729 0.72% n/a
Independent Robert Stewart 8,780 0.46% n/a
Majority 121,121 6.39% +2.99%
Turnout 1,896,574 100.0%
Democratic hold Swing

Incumbent Mary Landrieu was elected in 1996 following a recount and was narrowly re-elected in 2002 in a runoff election. Since those elections, Democrats have had to endure the loss of some reliable voters because Hurricane Katrina dispersed many African-Americans from New Orleans, although the vast majority still live within Louisiana. The state has become more Republican over the past 12 years. Louisiana elected David Vitter in 2004, the state's first Republican senator since Reconstruction, as well as Republican Bobby Jindal as the first Indian-American Governor in the country's history in 2007. Louisiana's electoral votes easily went to George W. Bush in 2000 and 2004.

On August 27, 2007, state Treasurer John Neely Kennedy announced he was switching parties from Democrat to Republican. On November 29, after being personally recruited by Vitter and former Bush administration official Karl Rove, Kennedy announced plans to challenge Landrieu in 2008.[67][68]

In the end, Landrieu was re-elected with 52% of the vote, Kennedy having 46%.

Maine

Maine election

 
Nominee Susan Collins Tom Allen
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 444,300 279,510
Percentage 61.3% 38.6%

County results

U.S. senator before election

Susan Collins
Republican

Elected U.S. senator

Susan Collins
Republican

2008 Maine U.S. Senate Democratic primary
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Tom Allen 69,932 85.6%
Democratic Tom Ledue 11,795 14.4%
Turnout 81,727
General election results
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Susan Collins (incumbent) 444,300 61.33% +2.9%
Democratic Tom Allen 279,510 38.58% -3.0%
write-ins 620 0.09% n/a
Majority 164,790
Turnout 724,430
Republican hold Swing

In Maine, Susan Collins sought a third term in the Senate. She has maintained a high approval rating, and also in her favor is the landslide re-election of Maine's senior Senator, Olympia Snowe, who had the largest margin of victory of any GOP Senate candidate - besides the largely unopposed Richard Lugar (R-IN) - in the 2006 election cycle. Collins was re-elected with 58% of the vote in 2002 over State Sen. Chellie Pingree. Fellow senator Joe Lieberman, citing his status as an independent, endorsed Collins in her 2008 re-election bid.

On May 8, 2007, Rep. Tom Allen (ME-1) announced his candidacy on his website Archived May 10, 2007, at the Wayback Machine. He had already expressed interest in running and had been building the apparatus necessary to wage a Senate campaign.[69]

Collins won on election day with 61% of the vote, compared to 39% for Allen.

Massachusetts

Massachusetts election

 
Nominee John Kerry Jeff Beatty
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 1,959,843 922,727
Percentage 65.8% 31.0%

County results

U.S. senator before election

John Kerry
Democratic

Elected U.S. senator

John Kerry
Democratic

Democratic primary in Massachusetts
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic John Kerry (incumbent) 335,923 68.92%
Democratic Edward O'Reilly 151,473 31.08%
Turnout 487,396
Results by city and town
General election results
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic John Kerry (Incumbent) 1,959,843 65.82% -14.2%
Republican Jeff Beatty 922,727 30.99% +30.99%
Libertarian Robert J. Underwood 94,727 3.18% -15.1%
Majority 1,037,116
Turnout 2,977,631
Democratic hold Swing

Incumbent John Kerry sought another Senate term in Massachusetts.[70] Republican author and conservative activist Jerome Corsi, known for his public criticism of Kerry, had stated that he would run for the seat in 2008 but later changed his mind. Jim Ogonowski, a retired Air Force pilot who was closely defeated by now-Representative Niki Tsongas in a 2007 special election, was running against Kerry.[71] but failed to obtain the required candidacy signatures. The Republican challenger turned out to be Jeff Beatty, an ex-Army Delta Force officer who garnered 30% of the vote in a challenge to Democratic Congressman Bill Delahunt in 2006. Kerry was challenged by defense attorney Edward O'Reilly for the Democratic nomination, winning 69% of the vote to O'Reilly's 31%.

Kerry won with 66% of the vote to Beatty's 31%. Libertarian Robert J. Underwood had 3%.

Michigan

Michigan election

 
Nominee Carl Levin Jack Hoogendyk
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 3,038,386 1,641,070
Percentage 62.7% 33.8%

County results

U.S. senator before election

Carl Levin
Democratic

Elected U.S. senator

Carl Levin
Democratic

Michigan general[72]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Carl Levin (Incumbent) 3,038,386 62.7% +2.1%
Republican Jack Hoogendyk 1,641,070 33.8% -4.1%
Libertarian Scotty Boman 76,347 1.6% n/a
Green Harley Mikkelson 43,440 0.9% +0.1%
U.S. Taxpayers Michael Nikitin 30,827 0.6% n/a
Natural Law Doug Dern 18,550 0.4% +0.1%
Majority 1,397,316
Turnout 4,848,620
Democratic hold Swing

With the Democratic Party takeover of Capitol Hill in the 2006 midterm elections, senator Carl Levin had become one of the most powerful people in Washington as chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee. He was expected to easily win re-election.

Challenging Levin were Republican State Representative Jack Hoogendyk, Green candidate Harley G. Mikkelson, US Taxpayers' candidate Mike Nikitin, Libertarian professor Scotty Boman, and Natural Law's candidate Doug Dern.[73]

Levin won re-election with 63% of the vote, to Hoogendyk's 34%.

Minnesota

Minnesota election

 
Nominee Al Franken Norm Coleman Dean Barkley
Party Democratic (DFL) Republican Independence
Popular vote 1,212,629 1,212,317 437,505
Percentage 41.99% 41.98% 15.15%

County results

U.S. senator before election

Norm Coleman
Republican

Elected U.S. senator

Al Franken
Democratic (DFL)

Democratic–Farmer–Labor primary[74]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic (DFL) Al Franken 164,136 65.34%
Democratic (DFL) Priscilla Lord Faris 74,655 29.72%
Democratic (DFL) Dick Franson 3,923 1.56%
Democratic (DFL) Bob Larson 3,152 1.25%
Democratic (DFL) Rob Fitzgerald 3,095 1.23%
Democratic (DFL) Ole Savior 1,227 0.49%
Democratic (DFL) Alve Erickson 1,017 0.40%
Turnout 251,205
Independence primary[74]
Party Candidate Votes %
Independence Dean Barkley 6,678 58.88%
Independence Jack Uldrich 1,405 12.39%
Independence Stephen Williams 800 7.05%
Independence Kurt Michael Anderson 761 6.71%
Independence Doug Williams 639 5.63%
Independence Darryl Stanton 618 5.45%
Independence Bill Dahn 440 3.88%
Turnout 11,341
Republican primary[74]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Norm Coleman (Incumbent) 130,973 91.32%
Republican Jack Shepard 12,456 8.68%
Turnout 143,429

2007 year-end reports filed with the Federal Election Commission showed that Al Franken had raised $7.04 million through December 31, 2007, while Norm Coleman had raised $6.24 million. Year-end cash on hand was $6.04 million for Coleman and $3.10 million for Franken.[75]

Opinion polls show Franken narrowing Coleman's lead after the primaries.

General election (Results certified November 18)[76][77][78]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Norm Coleman (Incumbent) 1,211,590 41.988%
Democratic (DFL) Al Franken 1,211,375 41.981%
Independence Dean Barkley 437,404 15.19%
Libertarian Charles Aldrich 13,916 0.48%
Constitution James Niemackl 8,905 0.31%
Write-ins 2,365 0.08%
Plurality 215 0.007%
Turnout 2,885,555

Note: The ±% column reflects the change in total number of votes won by each party from the previous election. Additionally, votes cast for Paul Wellstone in the 2002 election are not factored into the DFL's total from that year.

Recounting ballots by hand in Olmsted County.
Hennepin County ballot paper.
General election (Results certified January 5, 2009)[79][80][81]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic (DFL) Al Franken 1,212,431 41.991%
Republican Norm Coleman (Incumbent) 1,212,206 41.984%
Independence Dean Barkley 437,505 15.15%
Libertarian Charles Aldrich 13,923 0.48%
Constitution James Niemackl 8,907 0.31%
Write-ins 2,365 0.08%
Plurality 225 0.007%
Turnout 2,887,337
General election (Results certified after election contest)[82][79][80][81]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic (DFL) Al Franken 1,212,629 41.994%
Republican Norm Coleman (Incumbent) 1,212,317 41.983%
Independence Dean Barkley 437,505 15.151%
Libertarian Charles Aldrich 13,923 0.48%
Constitution James Niemackl 8,907 0.31%
Write-ins 2,365 0.08%
Plurality 312 0.011%
Turnout 2,887,646
Democratic (DFL) gain from Republican

The 2008 U.S. Senate election in Minnesota featured first-term Republican incumbent senator Norm Coleman, Democrat Al Franken, a comedian and radio personality, and former U.S. senator Dean Barkley, a member of the Independence Party of Minnesota.

A December 2007 poll showed Coleman's approval rating among Minnesota voters at 53%.[83] The seat was heavily targeted by the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee because of Minnesota's Democratic leanings and recent Democratic gains in national and statewide elections. These factors, coupled with a national political climate favorable to Democrats, made the Minnesota Senate race one of the most competitive and closely watched of the cycle.

Franken announced his candidacy on February 14, 2007, more than 20 months before the election.[84] Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer, a professor at the University of St. Thomas (St. Paul, Minnesota), joined the race in October 2007.[85] Attorney Mike Ciresi, an unsuccessful candidate in the 2000 Democratic U.S. Senate primary, was considered a serious candidate, but withdrew from the race on March 10, 2008, clearing the path for Franken to secure the party's nomination.

Barkley, who had briefly been appointed Senator after the death of Paul Wellstone in 2002, ran under the banner of the Independence Party, the largest third party in Minnesota.[86][87] He was included in most of the debates and ultimately received 15% of the vote in the general election, a strong showing for a third party candidate. It is not clear whether Barkley detracted more votes from Coleman or Franken.

Polls over the course of the campaign indicated that the race was very competitive, with many polls showing Franken and Coleman virtually tied or within the margin of error, as well as several polls showing each candidate with a significant lead at one point or another. The presence of a serious third party candidate further complicated matters.

On November 4, 2008, Coleman received 1,211,590 votes to Franken's 1,211,375 votes, a margin of 215 votes, far less than 0.1%, thereby triggering an automatic recount. Barkley received 437,404 votes, about 15% of total votes cast.[88]

On January 3, 2009, with the recount apparently completed, Franken had an unofficial lead of 225 votes, but former senator Coleman's attorneys contested the official results in the courts.[89] During the recount process, Minnesota was represented by only one senator, Amy Klobuchar.

On April 13, 2009, a three-judge panel ruled that Al Franken received the most votes in Minnesota's 2008 Senate race and ruled against Coleman's claims on all counts.[90] Coleman appealed this decision.[91] On June 30, 2009, the Minnesota Supreme Court ruled unanimously that Al Franken received the most votes, and Norm Coleman conceded defeat after the ruling, allowing Al Franken to be Senator-elect of Minnesota. Franken was sworn in as Minnesota's junior senator on July 7.

Mississippi

Mississippi (regular)

Mississippi election

 
Nominee Thad Cochran Erik Fleming
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 766,111 480,915
Percentage 61.4% 38.6%

County results

U.S. senator before election

Thad Cochran
Republican

Elected U.S. senator

Thad Cochran
Republican

Incumbent Republican Thad Cochran announced that he would seek re-election for a sixth term.[92] Cochran, who has not faced serious opposition since he was re-elected in 1984, faced Democratic state Representative Erik R. Fleming, whom he defeated with 61% of the vote.

Mississippi general[93]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Thad Cochran (Incumbent) 766,111 61.44% -23.2%
Democratic Erik Fleming 480,915 38.56% n/a
Majority 285,196
Turnout 1,247,026
Republican hold Swing

Mississippi (special)

Mississippi special election

November 4, 2008
 
Nominee Roger Wicker Ronnie Musgrove
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 683,409 560,064
Percentage 55.0% 45.0%

County results

U.S. senator before election

Roger Wicker
Republican

Elected U.S. senator

Roger Wicker
Republican

Roger Wicker, formerly the representative of Mississippi's 1st congressional district, was appointed by Governor Haley Barbour on December 31, 2007, to fill the vacancy caused by the December 18 resignation of Trent Lott.[94][95] It had been speculated that Lott wished to resign before a new lobbying reform law, effective the first day of 2008, took effect; having resigned before the end of 2007, Lott may become a lobbyist in 2009 instead of 2010.[95] Controversy arose when Barbour called for the special election to be held on the same day as the general election. As a result, Mississippi's Attorney General Jim Hood challenged Barbour in court, claiming that the special election needed to be held within 100 days of Lott's resignation, as per state law.[96] Initially, a Mississippi Circuit Court judge sided with Hood, ruling that the election take place on or before March 19, 2008.[97] However, Barbour filed an appeal to the Mississippi Supreme Court, which overturned the earlier ruling and set the special election for November 4, 2008.[98][99]

Democratic former Governor Ronnie Musgrove challenged Wicker. Another Democrat, former Congressman Ronnie Shows, also filed to run, but he withdrew in February 2008 and endorsed Musgrove.[100][101] Wicker beat Musgrove 55% to 45%.

2008 Mississippi U.S. Senate special election[102]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Roger Wicker (incumbent) 683,409 54.96% -8.6%
Democratic Ronnie Musgrove 560,064 45.04% +9.9%
Majority 123,345
Turnout 1,243,473
Republican hold Swing

Montana

Montana election

 
Nominee Max Baucus Robert Kelleher
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 345,937 128,762
Percentage 72.9% 27.1%

County results

U.S. senator before election

Max Baucus
Democratic

Elected U.S. senator

Max Baucus
Democratic

Senator Max Baucus was a popular Democrat in Montana, representing a state that has long been fairly Republican but also receptive to Democrats in state and local elections. President Bush won Montana by more than 20 points in both 2000 and 2004, but Montana also had a popular Democratic governor, Brian Schweitzer, and a newly elected Democratic junior senator, Jon Tester. Baucus was not expected to face a significant challenge from the 85-year-old Republican nominee, Bob Kelleher, who surprised observers by winning the June 3 Republican primary despite supporting a number of positions that put him to the political left of Baucus, such as nationalization of the American oil and gas industry.[103]

Baucus easily won re-election, taking 73% of the vote, with Kelleher taking 27%.

Democratic Party primary[104]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Max Baucus (Incumbent) 165,050 100.00%
Total votes 165,050 100.00%
Republican Party primary[104]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Bob Kelleher 26,936 36.32%
Republican Michael Lange 17,044 22.98%
Republican Kirk Bushman 15,507 20.91%
Republican Patty Lovaas 7,632 10.29%
Republican Anton Pearson 4,257 5.74%
Republican Shay Joshua Garnett 2,788 3.76%
Total votes 74,164 100.00%
Montana general[21]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Max Baucus (incumbent) 348,289 72.92% +10.18%
Republican Bob Kelleher 129,369 27.08% -4.65%
Majority 218,920 45.84% +14.84%
Turnout 477,658
Democratic hold Swing

Nebraska

Nebraska election

 
Nominee Mike Johanns Scott Kleeb
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 455,854 317,456
Percentage 57.5% 40.1%

County results

U.S. senator before election

Chuck Hagel
Republican

Elected U.S. senator

Mike Johanns
Republican

In Nebraska, incumbent Republican Chuck Hagel chose to retire rather than run for a third term.

Former Governor Mike Johanns, who recently resigned as Agriculture Secretary, was the Republican nominee, having defeated opponent Pat Flynn 87-13 in the primary. Scott Kleeb, 2006 candidate for Nebraska's 3rd congressional district, defeated businessman Tony Raimondo, a former Republican, by a wide margin in the Democratic primary.

Nebraska state Green Party Co-Chairman Steve Larrick was also a candidate,[105] as was Kelly Rosberg of the Nebraska Party.

Johanns won, taking 58% of the vote, with Kleeb taking 40%

Republican primary[106]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Mike Johanns 112,191 78.61%
Republican Pat Flynn 31,560 21.12%
Total votes 143,751 100.00%
Democratic primary[106]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Scott Kleeb 65,582 68.37%
Democratic Tony Raimondo 24,141 25.17%
Democratic James Bryan Wilson 3,224 3.36%
Democratic Larry Marvin 2,672 2.80%
Total votes 95,919 100.00%
Green Party primary[106]
Party Candidate Votes %
Green Steve Larrick 123 100.00%
Total votes 123 100.00%
Nebraska Party primary[106]
Party Candidate Votes %
Nebraska Barry Richards 209 100.00%
Total votes 209 100.00%
General election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Mike Johanns 455,854 57.5% -25.2%
Democratic Scott Kleeb 317,456 40.1% +25.5%
Nebraska Kelly Renee Rosberg 11,438 1.4% n/a
Green Steve Larrick 7,763 1.0% n/a
Majority 138,398
Turnout 792,511
Republican hold Swing

New Hampshire

New Hampshire election

 
Nominee Jeanne Shaheen John E. Sununu
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 358,438 314,403
Percentage 51.6% 45.3%

County results

U.S. senator before election

John E. Sununu
Republican

Elected U.S. senator

Jeanne Shaheen
Democratic

Incumbent Republican John E. Sununu represented the swing state of New Hampshire. The state traditionally leaned Republican, but John Kerry from neighboring Massachusetts narrowly won the state in the 2004 Presidential election. New Hampshire also saw major Democratic gains in the 2006 elections, when Democrats took both of the previously Republican-held House seats, the gubernatorial race with a record vote share of 74%, and majorities in the State House and Senate, giving them concurrent control of both bodies for the first time since 1874. However, New Hampshire had not elected a Democratic United States senator since 1975.

Sununu's 2002 opponent, former Governor Jeanne Shaheen, decided to run and was generally considered to be a very formidable challenger.[107] Three consecutive monthly Rasmussen Reports poll showed Shaheen defeating Sununu by 49% to 41%.[108] Prior to Shaheen's entry, Portsmouth Mayor Steve Marchand,[109] Katrina Swett, wife of former Democratic congressman Richard Swett,[110] and former astronaut Jay Buckey[111] had announced that they were running for the Democratic nomination. After Shaheen's entry, however, all three withdrew and endorsed the former governor.

On election day, Shaheen defeated Sununu, 52% to 45%.

Shaheen, the Democratic choice, at a rally in the lead-up to the election.
Democratic primary
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Jeanne Shaheen 43,968 88.5%
Democratic Raymond Stebbins 5,281 10.6%
write-ins 407 0.8%
Turnout 49,656
Republican primary
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican John Sununu (Incumbent) 60,852 88.7%
Republican Tom Alciere 7,084 10.3%
write-ins 685 1.0%
Turnout 68,621
Results by municipality.
General election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Jeanne Shaheen 358,438 51.6% +5.2%
Republican John Sununu (Incumbent) 314,403 45.3% -5.5%
Libertarian Ken Blevens 21,516 3.1% +0.9%
Majority 44,035
Turnout 694,357
Democratic gain from Republican Swing

New Jersey

New Jersey election

 
Nominee Frank Lautenberg Dick Zimmer
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 1,951,218 1,461,025
Percentage 56.0% 42.0%

County results

U.S. senator before election

Frank Lautenberg
Democratic

Elected U.S. senator

Frank Lautenberg
Democratic

Incumbent Democrat Frank Lautenberg sought re-election in 2008, though he was 84. In the Primary, Lautenberg soundly defeated Representative Rob Andrews (NJ-1) by a margin of 62% to 32%. In November 2006, the senator had the lowest approval rating of any Democrat running for re-election in 2008 (with 39% approving and 45% disapproving),[112] with his approval standing only at 42% as of September 2007 with voters saying he does not deserve re-election 46%-36%.[113] The Republican nominee was former Congressman and 1996 senatorial candidate Dick Zimmer.

Sara Lobman of the Socialist Workers Party and Independent Anthony Fisher were also declared candidates.[114][115] Furthermore, in the wake of the financial crisis, Carl Peter Klapper entered the race as a write-in candidate.[116]

Lautenberg won re-election, winning 56%-42%.

Democratic primary[117]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Frank Lautenberg (incumbent) 203,012 58.9%
Democratic Rob Andrews 121,777 35.3%
Democratic Donald Cresitello 19,743 5.7%
Turnout 344,532
Republican primary[117]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Dick Zimmer 84,663 45.8%
Republican Joseph Pennacchio 74,546 40.3%
Republican Murray Sabrin 25,576 13.8%
Turnout 184,785
General election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Frank Lautenberg (incumbent) 1,951,218 56.0% +2.1%
Republican Dick Zimmer 1,461,025 42.0% -2.0%
Independent Daryl Mikell Brooks 20,920 1.0% n/a
Libertarian Jason Scheurer 18,810 0.5% n/a
Independent J.M. Carter 15,935 0.5% n/a
Independent Jeff Boss 10,345 0.3% n/a
Socialist Workers Sara Lobman 9,187 0.3% n/a
Majority 490,193
Turnout 3,482,445
Democratic hold Swing

New Mexico

New Mexico election

 
Nominee Tom Udall Steve Pearce
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 505,128 318,522
Percentage 61.3% 38.7%

County results

U.S. senator before election

Pete Domenici
Republican

Elected U.S. senator

Tom Udall
Democratic

While senator Pete Domenici had declared that he would seek re-election in New Mexico, he changed his mind and announced on October 4, 2007, that he was retiring at the end of his current term due to a degenerative brain disorder.[118] Domenici normally would have been expected to win re-election easily, having won his current term with the support of two out of three New Mexico voters; however, he was to be investigated by the Senate Ethics Committee for his role in firing U.S. Attorney David Iglesias. Domenici's role in the developing scandal had reduced the probability he would have been re-elected, and a SurveyUSA poll showed his approval ratings at 41%, with 54% disapproving.[119] The potential scandal may have also contributed to his decision to leave the Senate.

Tom Udall, the popular Representative from New Mexico's 3rd District, was the Democratic nominee. The Republican nominee was Rep. Steve Pearce, who represented the more conservative southern part of the state.

When asked whether the Republicans were abandoning their hopes of holding onto Domenici's seat, senator John Ensign, the chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, responded that "You don't waste money on races that don't need it or you can't win."[120]

Udall won the election with 61% of the vote, with Pearce taking 39%.

Democratic Party primary[121]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Tom Udall 141,629 100.00%
Total votes 141,629 100.00%
Republican primary[121]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Steve Pearce 57,953 51.29%
Republican Heather Wilson 55,039 48.71%
Total votes 112,992 100.00%
New Mexico general[122]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Tom Udall 505,128 61.33% +26.37%
Republican Steve Pearce 318,522 38.67% -26.37%
Majority 186,606 22.66% -7.43%
Turnout 823,650
Democratic gain from Republican Swing

North Carolina

North Carolina election

 
Nominee Kay Hagan Elizabeth Dole
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 2,249,311 1,887,510
Percentage 52.7% 44.2%

County results

U.S. senator before election

Elizabeth Dole
Republican

Elected U.S. senator

Kay Hagan
Democratic

In North Carolina, there had been rumors that senator Elizabeth Dole would retire from the Senate and run for governor, but she said in 2006 that she intended to run for re-election.[123] There was early speculation that North Carolina Governor Mike Easley might be pressured into running against her but this did not come to pass.[124] The Democratic nominee was state senator Kay Hagan,[125] who defeated Jim Neal and Dustin Lassiter in the Democratic primary. A Rasmussen poll released May 11, 2008, showed Hagan leading Dole by a statistically insignificant margin, 48% - 47%,[126] suggesting a competitive race. Hagan's poll numbers continued to best Dole's, however, and Hagan defeated Dole by a wider than expected[127] margin of 53% to 44%.

Democratic Primary election[128]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Kay Hagan 801,920 60.1%
Democratic Jim Neal 239,623 18.0%
Democratic Marcus W. Williams 170,970 12.8%
Democratic Duskin Lassiter 62,136 4.6%
Democratic Howard Staley 60,403 4.5%
Turnout 1,335,052
Republican primary[128]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Elizabeth Dole (Incumbent) 460,665 90.0%
Republican Pete DiLauro 51,406 10.0%
Turnout 512,071
North Carolina general[129]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Kay Hagan 2,249,311 52.65% +7.7%
Republican Elizabeth Dole (Incumbent) 1,887,510 44.18% -9.4%
Libertarian Chris Cole 133,430 3.17% +2.1%
Other Write-Ins 1,719 0.0% 0.0%
Majority 361,801
Turnout 4,271,970
Democratic gain from Republican Swing

Oklahoma

Oklahoma election

 
Nominee Jim Inhofe Andrew Rice
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 763,375 527,736
Percentage 56.7% 39.2%

County results

U.S. senator before election

Jim Inhofe
Republican

Elected U.S. senator

Jim Inhofe
Republican

In Oklahoma, senator Jim Inhofe announced that he would seek a third full term. A September 2007 poll put Inhofe's approval rating at 47%, with 41% disapproving of his performance.[130] Inhofe's opponent was State senator Andrew Rice. Inhofe was re-elected, 57% to 39%.

Democratic primary[131]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Andrew Rice 113,795 59.65%
Democratic Jim Rogers 76,981 40.35%
Total votes 190,776 100.00%
Republican primary[131]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Jim Inhofe (Incumbent) 116,371 84.18%
Republican Evelyn R. Rogers 10,770 7.79%
Republican Ted Ryals 7,306 5.28%
Republican Dennis Lopez 3,800 2.75%
Total votes 138,247 100.00%
Oklahoma general[132]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Jim Inhofe (Incumbent) 763,375 56.68% -0.62%
Democratic Andrew Rice 527,736 39.18% +2.87%
Independent Stephen Wallace 55,708 4.14%
Majority 235,639 17.50% -3.50%
Turnout 1,346,819
Republican hold Swing

Oregon

Oregon election

 
Nominee Jeff Merkley Gordon Smith David Brownlow
Party Democratic Republican Constitution
Popular vote 864,392 805,159 92,565
Percentage 48.9% 45.6% 5.2%

County results

U.S. senator before election

Gordon H. Smith
Republican

Elected U.S. senator

Jeff Merkley
Democratic

Senator Gordon Smith of Oregon ran for a third term. He defeated ophthalmologist Gordon Leitch[133] in the May 20 Republican primary. Smith faced Democratic Oregon House of Representatives Speaker Jeff Merkley in the November general election. Merkley beat longtime Democratic activist Steve Novick and three other candidates in a hotly contested primary.[134]

In a July 16, 2008, poll, Merkley overtook Smith for the first time 43% to 41%.[135]

On November 6, 2008, Jeff Merkley was projected the winner of the contest, with 48.9% to Smith's 45.6%. Gordon Smith formally conceded soon afterward.[136]

Democratic primary[137]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Jeff Merkley 246,482 44.82%
Democratic Steve Novick 230,889 41.98%
Democratic Candy Neville 38,367 6.98%
Democratic Roger S. Obrist 12,647 2.30%
Democratic Pavel Goberman 12,056 2.19%
Democratic David Loera 6,127 1.11%
Democratic Write-ins 3,398 0.62%
Total votes 549,966 100.00%
Republican primary[137]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Gordon Smith (Incumbent) 296,330 85.41%
Republican Gordon Leitch 48,560 14.00%
Republican Write-ins 2,068 0.69%
Total votes 309,943 100.00%
Oregon general[21]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Jeff Merkley 864,392 48.90% +9.30%
Republican Gordon H. Smith (Incumbent) 805,159 45.55% -10.66%
Constitution David Brownlow 92,565 5.24% +3.52%
Write-ins 5,388 0.30%
Majority 59,233 3.35% -13.25%
Turnout 1,767,504
Democratic gain from Republican Swing

Rhode Island

Rhode Island election

 
Nominee Jack Reed Robert Tingle
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 320,644 116,174
Percentage 73.4% 26.6%

Municipal results

U.S. senator before election

Jack Reed
Democratic

Elected U.S. senator

Jack Reed
Democratic

In Rhode Island, Democratic senator Jack Reed had an approval rating of 66% in November 2006.[138] National Journal has declared that "Reed is probably the safest incumbent of the 2008 cycle". Reed's opponent was Robert Tingle, a pit manager at the Foxwoods Resort Casino in Connecticut, whom Reed defeated in his re-election campaign in 2002.[139]

Reed won the election, with 73% of the vote.

2008 Rhode Island U.S. Senate Democratic primary
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Jack Reed (incumbent) 48,038 86.8%
Democratic Christopher Young 7,277 13.2%
Turnout 55,315
2008 Rhode Island U.S. Senate general election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Jack Reed (incumbent) 320,644 73.4% -5.0%
Republican Bob Tingle 116,174 26.6% +5.0%
Majority 204,470
Turnout 436,818
Democratic hold Swing

South Carolina

South Carolina election

 
Nominee Lindsey Graham Bob Conley
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 1,076,150 790,216
Percentage 57.5% 42.3%

County results

U.S. senator before election

Lindsey Graham
Republican

Elected U.S. senator

Lindsey Graham
Republican

Senator Lindsey Graham, as a popular Republican incumbent in strongly conservative South Carolina, had been considered unlikely to be vulnerable to a Democratic challenge. Graham's support for a compromise immigration bill, however, drew an angry response from many South Carolina conservatives, who recruited Buddy Witherspoon, a former South Carolina Republican Party leader, to challenge Graham for the nomination. Graham easily bested Witherspoon in the June 10 primary.[140]

First-time candidate Bob Conley, an airline pilot, was the Democratic nominee.[141] Conley, whose victory in the Democratic primary over Michael Cone was a surprise, is a former Republican who supported Ron Paul in 2008 and campaigned as the more conservative candidate on some issues, notably illegal immigration and the bailout of Wall Street.

The South Carolina Working Families Party had also nominated Michael Cone. South Carolina's election law allows for electoral fusion. This was the first time the party nominated a candidate for statewide office.[142] However, because he lost the Democratic primary, Cone was not listed on the ballot under the state's sore loser law.[143]

Graham easily won re-election with 58% of the vote to Conley's 42%.

2008 South Carolina U.S. Senate Democratic primary
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Bob Conley 74,125 50.3%
Democratic Michael Cone 73,127 49.7%
Turnout 147,252
2008 South Carolina U.S. Senate Republican primary
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Lindsey Graham (incumbent) 187,736 66.8%
Republican Buddy Witherspoon 93,125 33.2%
Turnout 280,861
South Carolina general[144]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Lindsey Graham (incumbent) 1,076,534 57.52% +3.1%
Democratic Bob Conley 790,621 42.25% -1.9%
Write-ins 4,276 0.23% +0.1%
Majority 285,913
Turnout 1,871,431
Republican hold Swing

South Dakota

South Dakota election

 
Nominee Tim Johnson Joel Dykstra
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 237,835 142,766
Percentage 62.5% 37.5%

County results

U.S. senator before election

Tim Johnson
Democratic

Elected U.S. senator

Tim Johnson
Democratic

In South Dakota, senator Tim Johnson's seat was considered a top GOP target in 2008, considering Johnson's narrow 524-vote victory in 2002 over then-Representative and current U.S. senator John Thune, as well as his recent health problems. Johnson underwent surgery in December 2006 for a cerebral arteriovenous malformation and was discharged from the hospital on April 30, 2007. On October 19, 2007, Johnson formally announced that he was seeking re-election.[145] According to a November 2006 SurveyUSA poll, Johnson had an approval rating of 70%, with just 26% disapproving of his performance,[146] making him an early favorite despite the state's Republican leaning.

Republicans were unsuccessful in persuading Governor Mike Rounds and former Lieutenant Governor Steve Kirby to run. State Representative Joel Dykstra announced his candidacy on July 5, 2007. Other Republicans included Charles Lyonel Gonyo and Sam Kephart. Dykstra won the Republican primary on June 3.

Johnson was re-elected, with 62.5% to Dykstra's 37.5%. This seat was the tipping point state in the 2008 senate elections.

Republican primary[147]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Joel Dykstra 34,598 65.74%
Republican Sam Kephart 13,047 24.79%
Republican Charles Gonyo 4,983 9.47%
Total votes 52,628 100.00%
South Dakota general[148]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Tim Johnson (Incumbent) 237,889 62.49% +12.87%
Republican Joel Dykstra 142,784 37.51% -11.96%
Majority 95,105 24.98% +24.83%
Turnout 380,673
Democratic hold Swing

Tennessee

Tennessee election

 
Nominee Lamar Alexander Bob Tuke
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 1,571,637 762,779
Percentage 65.14% 32.64%

County results

U.S. senator before election

Lamar Alexander
Republican

Elected U.S. senator

Lamar Alexander
Republican

Former Governor and U.S. Secretary of Education Lamar Alexander was elected in 2002 to succeed retiring senator Fred Thompson. He has announced he will seek a second term in 2008.[149] He was unopposed in the Republican primary.

Former Chairman of the Tennessee Democratic Party Bob Tuke was the Democratic nominee, defeating Businessman Gary Davis 30% to 23%. Knox County Clerk Mike Padgett received 20% of the vote.

2006 Green Party Senate nominee Chris Lugo originally announced as a Democrat but dropped out of the Democratic race before the filing deadline. He filed as an independent and was subsequently named as the Green Party nominee[150] Edward Buck was also in the race.

Daniel Lewis ran as a Libertarian candidate for the United States Senate. He was certified March 3, 2008, by the Tennessee Division of Elections as having achieved ballot access for the November 4, 2008, election as a candidate for United States Senate. The Libertarian Party of Tennessee officially selected Daniel Lewis as their candidate for United States Senate on Saturday March 8, 2008, at their annual convention held in Nashville, Tennessee. Mr. Lewis was serving as the chairman of the Libertarian Party of Metropolitan Nashville and Davidson County. He ran for the Tennessee House in 2004.[151]

Also reported to be in the race are David "None of the Above" Gatchell a ballot activist & frequent candidate and Emory "Bo" Heyward, a software company employee, conservative activist & 2006 candidate.

Alexander won the election with 65% of the vote.

Democratic Party primary[152]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Bob Tuke 59,050 32.21%
Democratic Gary G. Davis 39,119 21.34%
Democratic Mike Padgett 33,471 18.26%
Democratic Mark E. Clayton 32,309 17.62%
Democratic Kenneth Eaton 14,702 8.02%
Democratic Leonard D. Ladner 4,697 2.55%
Total votes 183,348 100.00%
Republican Party primary[153]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Lamar Alexander (Incumbent) 244,222 100.00%
Total votes 244,222 100.00%
Tennessee general[154]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Lamar Alexander (Incumbent) 1,579,477 65.14% +10.87%
Democratic Bob Tuke 767,236 31.64% -12.69%
Independent Edward L. Buck 31,631 1.30% N/A
Independent Christopher G. Fenner 11,073 0.46% N/A
Independent Daniel Towers Lewis 9,367 0.39% N/A
Independent Chris Lugo 9,170 0.38% N/A
Independent Ed Lawhorn 8,986 0.37% N/A
Independent David Gatchell 7,645 0.32% N/A
Majority 812,241 33.50% +23.56%
Turnout 2,424,585 66.34%
Republican hold Swing

Texas

Texas election

 
Nominee John Cornyn Rick Noriega
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 4,337,469 3,389,365
Percentage 54.8% 42.8%

County results

U.S. senator before election

John Cornyn
Republican

Elected U.S. senator

John Cornyn
Republican

Texas has not elected a Democrat in a statewide election since 1994, but according to pre-election Rasmussen polling, senator John Cornyn had an approval rating of 50%.[155] Texas House of Representatives member and Afghanistan War veteran Rick Noriega secured his place as Cornyn's Democratic challenger in the March 4 primary, beating out opponents Gene Kelly, Ray McMurrey, and Rhett Smith. The same Rasmussen poll showed Cornyn leading Noriega by a narrow four percentage points - 47% to 43%.

Christian activist Larry Kilgore of Mansfield, Texas, was a Republican challenger for the March 2008 primary election, but Cornyn easily won the Republican primary.[156]

There were three Libertarians, including 2006 LP senate nominee Scott Jameson, running for their party's nomination.[157] In addition, the Green Party of Texas sought ballot access for its candidate David B. Collins.[158]

In the end, John Cornyn won re-election, 55%-43%

Democratic primary[159]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Rick Noriega 1,110,579 51.01%
Democratic Gene Kelly 584,966 26.87%
Democratic Ray McMurrey 269,402 12.37%
Democratic Rhett Smith 213,305 9.75%
Republican Primary[160]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican John Cornyn (incumbent) 997,216 81.48% +4.17%
Republican Larry Kilgore 226,649 18.52% +0.00%
2008 Texas U.S. Senate general election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican John Cornyn (incumbent) 4,337,469 54.82% -0.48%
Democratic Rick Noriega 3,389,365 42.83% -0.50%
Libertarian Yvonne Adams Schick 185,241 2.34% +1.55%
Majority 948,104
Turnout 7,912,075 58.28%
Republican hold Swing

Virginia

Virginia election

Turnout67.0% (voting eligible)[161]
 
Nominee Mark Warner Jim Gilmore
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 2,369,327 1,228,830
Percentage 65.0% 33.7%

U.S. Senate election results map. Blue denotes counties/districts won by Warner. Red denotes those won by Gilmore.

U.S. senator before election

John Warner
Republican

Elected U.S. senator

Mark Warner
Democratic

Republican senator John Warner chose to retire after five terms.

John Warner announced on August 31, 2007, that he would not seek re-election for another term.[162] Former Governor Jim Gilmore, who dropped out of the 2008 presidential election, was the Republican nominee for the seat.[163] Popular Democratic former Governor Mark Warner (no relation) was the Democratic nominee for the race.[164] Polling showed him as a strong favorite to win the seat.[165]

When asked whether the Republicans were abandoning their hopes of holding onto Warner's seat, senator John Ensign, the chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, responded that "You don't waste money on races that don't need it or you can't win."[120]

In one of the first senate races called on election day, Warner won, taking 65% of the vote, with Gilmore winning 34%. Since Democrat Jim Webb had defeated incumbent Republican George Allen for Virginia's other Senate seat in 2006, Virginia's senate delegation flipped from entirely Republican to entirely Democratic in just two years.

Former Gov. Mark Warner (D) campaigns at the Dixie Theatre in Staunton, Virginia
Former Gov. Jim Gilmore (R)
Virginia general[166]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Mark Warner 2,369,327 65.03% +65.03%
Republican Jim Gilmore 1,228,830 33.72% -48.85%
Independent Greens Glenda Parker 21,690 0.60% +0.60%
Libertarian Bill Redpath 20,269 0.56% +0.56%
Write-ins 3,178 0.09% -0.47%
Majority 1,140,497 31.30% -41.53%
Turnout 3,643,294
Democratic gain from Republican Swing

West Virginia

West Virginia election

 
Nominee Jay Rockefeller Jay Wolfe
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 444,107 252,764
Percentage 63.7% 36.3%

County results

U.S. senator before election

Jay Rockefeller
Democratic

Elected U.S. senator

Jay Rockefeller
Democratic

Senator Jay Rockefeller, great-grandson of oil tycoon John D. Rockefeller, sought a fifth term representing West Virginia. Even though West Virginia is a historically Democratic state, in which the party had a 50-32% edge in party affiliation over the Republicans in the 2004 elections, the state party is more conservative than the national party, giving its votes to President George W. Bush in that election and in 2000.[167] Democrats Sheirl Fletcher and Billy Hendricks challenged Rockefeller in the primary but were defeated. The Republican nominee was Jay Wolfe of Salem, a former State Senator.

Rockefeller handily won on election day, being re-elected with 64% of the vote. Wolfe had 36%.

2008 West Virginia U.S. Senate Democratic primary
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Jay Rockefeller (Incumbent) 271,370 77.1%
Democratic Sheirl Fletcher 51,073 14.5%
Democratic Billy Hendricks 29,707 8.4%
Turnout 352,150
Republican primary
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Jay Wolfe N/A 100.00%
Turnout 100.00%
West Virginia general[168]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Jay Rockefeller (Incumbent) 447,560 63.7% +0.6%
Republican Jay Wolfe 254,629 36.3% -0.6%
Majority 192,931
Turnout 702,189
Democratic hold Swing

Wyoming

Wyoming (regular)

Wyoming election

 
Nominee Mike Enzi Chris Rothfuss
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 189,046 60,631
Percentage 75.6% 24.3%

County results

U.S. senator before election

Mike Enzi
Republican

Elected U.S. senator

Mike Enzi
Republican

Incumbent Republican Mike Enzi was considered likely to be re-elected without significant opposition for a third term in strongly Republican Wyoming. His Democratic opponent was Chris Rothfuss, a professor at the University of Wyoming and a chemical engineer, nanotechnologist, and diplomat. Pre-election polling indicated that Enzi led Rothfuss by 24%.

Enzi won another term, 76%-24%.

Democratic primary[169]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Chris Rothfuss 14,221 62.38%
Democratic Al Hamburg 8,578 37.62%
Total votes 22,799 100.00%
Republican primary[170]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Mike Enzi (Incumbent) 69,195 100.00%
Total votes 69,195 100.00%
General election results
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Mike Enzi (incumbent) 189,046 75.63% +2.68%
Democratic Chris Rothfuss 60,631 24.26% -2.79%
Write-ins 269 0.11%
Majority 128,415 51.38% +5.47%
Turnout 249,946
Republican hold Swing

Wyoming (special)

Wyoming special election

November 4, 2008
 
Nominee John Barrasso Nick Carter
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 183,063 66,202
Percentage 73.4% 26.5%

County results

U.S. senator before election

John Barrasso
Republican

Elected U.S. senator

John Barrasso
Republican

Republican John Barrasso was appointed by Governor Dave Freudenthal (D) on June 22, 2007, to fill the senate seat of Republican Craig L. Thomas, who died on June 4.[171] Wyoming law requires that the interim senator be affiliated with the same political party as the departed senator. Barrasso ran in the November 4, 2008, special election, held on the day of the 2008 presidential election, to serve out the remainder of Thomas's term, which expires in January 2013.[172]

On the Democratic side, Casper City Councilman Keith Goodenough announced his candidacy.[173] In the primary on August 19, Goodenough was defeated by a political newcomer, Gillette defense attorney Nick Carter, who became Barrasso's opponent in the general election.[174]

Barrasso won on Election Day, taking 73% of the vote and winning every county in the state.

Democratic primary[169]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Nick Carter 12,316 50.68%
Democratic Keith Goodenough 11,984 49.32%
Total votes 22,799 100.00%
Republican primary[170]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican John Barrasso (Incumbent) 68,194 100.00%
Total votes 68,194 100.00%
Wyoming special election[175]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican John Barrasso (Incumbent) 183,063 73.35% +3.37%
Democratic Nick Carter 66,202 26.53% -3.33%
None Write-ins 293 0.12%
Majority 116,861 46.83% +6.70%
Turnout 249,558
Republican hold Swing

See also

Notes

  1. For the Georgia senate race, votes from the runoff election are counted.
  2. Although Joe Lieberman (CT) was elected in 2006 on the Connecticut for Lieberman ticket, most sources (including himself) refer to him as an independent Democrat and he is included here as an independent.
  3. Both independents caucused with the Democrats.
  4. Appointee elected
  5. The last elections for this group of senators were in 2002, except for those elected in a special election or who were appointed after the resignation or passing of a sitting senator, as noted.
  6. This race was decided in a run-off on December 2, 2008, after no candidate reached 50% of the vote on November 3.
  7. Republican Trent Lott won with 63.6% of the vote in 2006, but resigned on December 18, 2007.
  8. Republican Craig L. Thomas won with 70.0% of the vote in 2006, but died on June 4, 2007.

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