Roberts was re-elected with 60% to Slattery's 36%. senate.gov - Origins wikipedia.org - United States Senate Mr. Lewis was serving as the chairman of the Libertarian Party of Metropolitan Nashville and Davidson County. [151] 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. Businessman and U.S. Army veteran Bruce Lunsford, who lost the 2007 Democratic gubernatorial primary to Governor Steve Beshear, was the Democratic nominee. Obama won the general election with 52.9 percent of the popular vote and 365 of the 538 electoral votes. On the Senate side, the committees are the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) and the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC). Former Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway was rumored to be considering a run, but declined to do so. Democratic Senator Barack Obama of Illinois won the presidential election, by defeating his challenger, Senator John McCain, and the Democrats bolstered their majority in both Houses of Congress . All Rights Reserved. They also won a net gain of one gubernatorial seat. The economy and other domestic policies were also dominant issues, especially during the last months of the campaign after the onset of the 2008 economic crisis. Senators independent of either party have traditionally chosen for themselves which side of the aisle to sit on. The 2008 presidential election focused on a national economic crisis that evolved throughout the race. On Jan. 1, 2008, Gov. Christian activist Larry Kilgore of Mansfield, Texas, was a Republican challenger for the March 2008 primary election, but Cornyn easily won the Republican primary. [1][2] This would be the last election until 2020 in which the Democrats won the Presidency and unified control of Congress. Obama received more votes than any candidate in history. [citation needed] Franken was sworn in as Minnesota's junior senator on July 7. Congress. Controls. Governor Bill Halter would challenge Pryor in the primary, but Halter declined to file as a candidate. The 33 seats in the United States Senate Class 2 were up for election, plus special Senate elections in Mississippi and Wyoming. Democrat Barack Obama, then junior United States Senator from Illinois, defeated Republican John McCain. 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. His Democratic opponent was Chris Rothfuss, a professor at the University of Wyoming and a chemical engineer, nanotechnologist, and diplomat. Projected Senate: Dem 58 GOP 42 : Main page: Previous report: Next report: Senate polls Web.csv . iOS and Web Dev UCSB CS c/o 2024 Project List. Alexander won the election with 65% of the vote. The last time a Cherokee Strip existed in the Senate Chamber was during the 76th Congress (19391941). The 2008 United States elections were held on November 4. Baucus easily won re-election, taking 73% of the vote, with Kelleher taking 27%. 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. Content Responsibility | States in the Senate. Biden vacated his senate seat shortly after the election, allowing for the Governor of Delaware to appoint a successor. Johanns won, taking 58% of the vote, with Kleeb taking 40%. Incumbent Democrat Frank Lautenberg sought re-election in 2008, though he was 84. After that, senators have the opportunity to relocate. Each major party has Hill committees that work to support its candidates for the House and Senate, chiefly by providing funds. 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. This seat was the tipping point state in the 2008 senate elections. In Oklahoma, senator Jim Inhofe announced that he would seek a third full term. [8][9] Perry was endorsed by Alabama Statesmen,[10] Boston Tea Party,[11] and Christians for Life and Liberty. South Carolina's election law allows for electoral fusion. In these general elections, the winners were elected for the term beginning January 3, 2009; ordered by state. Domestic policy and the economy eventually emerged as the main themes in the last few months of the election campaign after the onset of the 2008 economic crisis. [2] Of the seats up for election in 2008, 23 were held by Republicans and 12 by Democrats. On Election Day, Udall defeated Schaffer 53% to 43%. Each state (Including the District of Columbia) is allocated a number of electors equal to its number of representatives plus two for each of its senators. Obama opposed the Iraq invasion and argued for a 16-month timetable for removing troops and reinforcing troops in Afghanistan. But the division has not always been as clearly defined as it is now. The United States Senate is the upper legislature of the bicameral legislative branch. He also disconnected himself from the Bush administration, which became unpopular due to the financial crisis and the ongoing conflict in Iraq. Obama argued that deregulation of the financial industry led to risky trading mechanisms contributing to the crisis. Obama campaigned on cutting low-income and middle-income taxes and raising upper-income tax rates, while McCain supported tax cuts at all income levels. Live election results and maps for the 2010 midterm elections, including state-by-state and county-by-county maps, and exit polls. Johnson was re-elected, with 62.5% to Dykstra's 37.5%. Pat Roberts currently has an approval rating of 56%.[58]. [119] There was early speculation that North Carolina Governor Mike Easley might be pressured into running against her but this did not come to pass. At the start of each Congress, the desks are reapportioned between the two aisles of the Chamber based on the number of Democrats and Republicans. He has announced he will seek a second term in 2008. [134] National Journal has declared that "Reed is probably the safest incumbent of the 2008 cycle". Kennedy took 20.47%. 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. For more information please visit wikipedia.org - United States Senate. simplemaps_election.colors = {'R': '#a45a4f','D':'#415490','T':'#D6D6D6'}; Dykstra won the Republican primary on June 3. Libertarian Kent Marmon also ran. Incumbent Republican Mike Enzi was considered likely to be re-elected without significant opposition for a third term in strongly Republican Wyoming. 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. [158] Former Governor Jim Gilmore, who dropped out of the 2008 presidential election, was the Republican nominee for the seat. President George W. Bush (R) was unable to seek re-election due to term limits, leaving open nominating processes for both major parties. 2012 Election Map: The race for Senate control. States shown here did not allocate all their available electoral votes to one candidate. The same Rasmussen poll showed Cornyn leading Noriega by a narrow four percentage points - 47% to 43%. Have questions about Senate art? McCain won Nebraska but Obama earned an electoral vote by winning the popular vote in the 2nd Congressional District. With Republican President George W. Bush term-limited, Senator John McCain of Arizona won the Republican nomination in the 2008 Republican primaries. [145] He was unopposed in the Republican primary. . In one of the first senate races called on election day, Warner won, taking 65% of the vote, with Gilmore winning 34%. Interactive USA election map for past results and future projections. Graham easily bested Witherspoon in the June 10 primary.[136]. 2008 Election Map: Senate By MATTHEW BLOCH, FARHANA HOSSAIN, CARL HULSE, JOHN MCGRATH AND DEREK WILLIS The first month of the Republican primaries was competitive with Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee securing a victory in the Iowa caucus and McCain winning New Hampshire. The Republicans, who openly conceded early on that they wouldn't be able to regain the majority in this election,[3][4] lost eight seats. Click on the states in the map to toggle them between Democrat, Republican and Tossup. Haley Barbour (R) named Rep. Roger Wicker (R . In the end, Landrieu was re-elected with 52% of the vote, Kennedy having 46%. Kaufman subsequently announced that he would not seek election to a full term in 2010, effectively making him a caretaker. The 2008 presidential election was the first since 1952 in which neither an incumbent president nor an incumbent vice president was a candidate. Obama selected Delaware Senator Joe Biden to offset concerns about Obamas experience with foreign policy. By December 2007, a credit crisis related to overextension of subprime mortgage-backed securities led to a significant recession. Today, Democrats traditionally sit on the presiding officer's right, and Republicans on the left. 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. As of 2023, this is the last time Democrats won U.S. Senate seats in Alaska, Arkansas, Iowa, Louisiana, North Carolina, and South Dakota. [109] The Republican nominee was former Congressman and 1996 senatorial candidate Dick Zimmer. Franken announced his candidacy on February 14, 2007, more than 20 months before the election. Another Democrat, former Congressman Ronnie Shows, also filed to run, but he withdrew in February 2008 and endorsed Musgrove. [90][91] 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. McCain suggested that government-aided bodies like the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac) failed to offset these risks. By continuing to use the website cookies for non personal advertisements and analytics will still run. Obama won the Electoral College after receiving 365 votes to 173 votes for McCain. [54] Chad Koppie, a retired airline pilot and vice-chairman of the Illinois Center Right Coalition, was the nominee of the Constitution Party. [20] On July 30, 2007, the IRS and FBI raided Stevens's home in Alaska. 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. There are typically two reasons a senator might want to change desks: to gain a better location within the Chamber, or to occupy a desk previously used by a particular senator. He selected Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as his running mate to counter arguments that McCains age would be a detriment to presidential service. Politics Coronavirus Jan. 6 Riot International Entertainment Business Technology Lifestyle Health In December 2007, Chambliss had an approval rating of 53% and a disapproval rating of 34% according to Strategic Vision, a Republican polling firm. Summary of the November 4, 2008, United States Senate election results. South Dakota was the tipping point state, decided by a margin of 25.0%. This marked the first time that the commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands selected a delegate to Congress. 2008 Actual Election Results 2008 Election Facts McCain won Nebraska but Obama earned an electoral vote by winning the popular vote in the 2nd Congressional District. Physician Steve Sauerberg of La Grange won the February 5 Republican primary. He sought to be re-elected in a state that has steadily become more Democratic since 1992. [12], Sessions defeated Figures, taking 63% of the vote to Figures's 37%, 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. The site also features a series of explainers about how presidents are actually elected in the United States. Collins. Senator Barack Obama of Illinois was the Democratic nominee, and Senator John McCain of Arizona was the Republican nominee. During the presidential election campaign, the major-party candidates ran on a platform of change and reform in Washington. McCains victory in South Carolina, Florida, and in key states on Super Tuesday created an clear path to the nomination. In these special elections, the winner was seated during 2008 or before January 3, 2009, sorted by election date, then state, then class. [5] Seven territorial chambers in four territories and the District of Columbia were up. Incumbent President George W. Bush was ineligible for re-election per the 22nd Amendment, which limits a president to two terms, and incumbent Vice President Dick Cheney declined to run for the office. Independent. [131], On November 6, 2008, Jeff Merkley was projected the winner of the contest, with 48.9% to Smith's 45.6%. [41] For most of the campaign, Chambliss maintained a comfortable lead in most polls. 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. Alabama senator Jeff Sessions sought re-election to a third term. 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. "The enduring allure of charisma: How Barack Obama won the historic 2008 presidential election. The Electoral College is the process in which the United States elects its president. These maps are also available as a timeline for each election from 1972-2020. [169] 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.[170]. Hagan's poll numbers continued to best Dole's, however, and Hagan defeated Dole by a wider than expected[123] margin of 53% to 44%. Hazard Eligibility and Local Projects Act (11/04/2021 legislative day) House Floor: H.R.3992. This seating plan is updated at the start of each Congress, and as needed if members change desks or seating locations or if a new senator is sworn in.