Conley, a conservative Democrat, supported ending illegal immigration, "protecting American workers," bringing American troops home from the Iraq War, increasing veterans' benefits, reducing American dependence on foreign oil, tougher regulations on Wall Street (bringing back Glass-Steagall), ending Wall Street bailouts, repealing the Patriot Act, "cutting spending," and "fidelity to the Constitution."[3] He also opposed same-sex marriage.[4]
Michael Cone, Conley's primary opponent, criticized Conley for being too conservative, that "We've nominated a Republican in a Democratic primary." Conley was a Republican but left the party due to frustration over immigration, trade, and the Iraq War. Some compared him to Republican Congressman Ron Paul, as Conley supported Paul in his presidential campaign.[3][5]
Resultsedit
Conley defeated Cone in the primary election on June 16, following a recount, by a margin of 1,058 votes.[6]
2008 South Carolina U.S. Senate Democratic primary election
Conley, who had switched to the Democratic Party from the Republican Party,[7] was opposed by much of the Democratic establishment because of his controversial positions such as his vocal opposition to immigration reform and same-sex marriage and his support of Ron Paul's presidential bid. A number of prominent Democratic figures in the state, including U.S. Congressman Jim Clyburn, supported Lindsey Graham over Conley in the general election.[8] Political scientist Bill Moore claimed "The bottom line is, by not paying attention to this race, they ended up embarrassed by what has transpired: a Republican getting the Democratic Party's nomination for U.S. Senate and a Republican who comes across as even more conservative than Lindsey Graham."
Graham had $3.8 million. In fact, he spent more time on the campaign trail for John McCain than he has defending his own seat. Conley only raised $23,628 during the campaign. Conley was so unknown that even Graham admitted "Almost no one knows my opponent. The Democrats really didn't field a — make a serious challenge — in terms of trying to find an opponent for me."[9]
Despite Conley’s landslide defeat, he is the last Democrat to carry McCormick County in a Senate election as of 2023.
2008, united, states, senate, election, south, carolina, conley, redirects, here, baseball, player, conley, baseball, held, november, 2008, elect, member, united, states, senate, represent, state, south, carolina, incumbent, republican, senator, lindsey, graha. Bob Conley redirects here For the baseball player see Bob Conley baseball The 2008 United States Senate election in South Carolina was held on November 4 2008 to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the State of South Carolina Incumbent Republican U S Senator Lindsey Graham won election to a second term 1 2 2008 United States Senate election in South Carolina 2002 November 4 2008 2014 Nominee Lindsey Graham Bob Conley Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 1 076 150 790 216 Percentage 57 52 42 25 County resultsCongressional district resultsPrecinct resultsGraham 40 50 50 60 60 70 70 80 80 90 gt 90 Conley 40 50 50 60 60 70 70 80 80 90 gt 90 U S senator before election Lindsey Graham Republican Elected U S Senator Lindsey Graham Republican Contents 1 Republican primary 1 1 Candidates 1 2 Polling 1 3 Results 2 Democratic primary 2 1 Candidates 2 2 Campaign 2 3 Results 3 General election 3 1 Candidates 3 2 Campaign 3 3 Predictions 3 4 Polling 3 5 Results 3 5 1 Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican 4 See also 5 References 6 External linksRepublican primary editCandidates edit Lindsey Graham incumbent U S Senator Buddy Witherspoon former National Committeeman of the South Carolina Republican Party Polling edit Source Date Graham Witherspoon Public Policy Polling January 17 2008 52 5 Results edit 2008 South Carolina U S Senate Republican primary election Party Candidate Votes Republican Lindsey Graham incumbent 187 736 66 8 Republican Buddy Witherspoon 93 125 33 2 Turnout 280 861Democratic primary editCandidates edit Bob Conley pilot Michael Cone attorney Campaign edit Conley a conservative Democrat supported ending illegal immigration protecting American workers bringing American troops home from the Iraq War increasing veterans benefits reducing American dependence on foreign oil tougher regulations on Wall Street bringing back Glass Steagall ending Wall Street bailouts repealing the Patriot Act cutting spending and fidelity to the Constitution 3 He also opposed same sex marriage 4 Michael Cone Conley s primary opponent criticized Conley for being too conservative that We ve nominated a Republican in a Democratic primary Conley was a Republican but left the party due to frustration over immigration trade and the Iraq War Some compared him to Republican Congressman Ron Paul as Conley supported Paul in his presidential campaign 3 5 Results edit Conley defeated Cone in the primary election on June 16 following a recount by a margin of 1 058 votes 6 2008 South Carolina U S Senate Democratic primary election Party Candidate Votes Democratic Bob Conley 74 125 50 3 Democratic Michael Cone 73 127 49 7 Turnout 147 252General election editCandidates edit Bob Conley D pilot Lindsey Graham R incumbent U S Senator Campaign edit Conley who had switched to the Democratic Party from the Republican Party 7 was opposed by much of the Democratic establishment because of his controversial positions such as his vocal opposition to immigration reform and same sex marriage and his support of Ron Paul s presidential bid A number of prominent Democratic figures in the state including U S Congressman Jim Clyburn supported Lindsey Graham over Conley in the general election 8 Political scientist Bill Moore claimed The bottom line is by not paying attention to this race they ended up embarrassed by what has transpired a Republican getting the Democratic Party s nomination for U S Senate and a Republican who comes across as even more conservative than Lindsey Graham Graham had 3 8 million In fact he spent more time on the campaign trail for John McCain than he has defending his own seat Conley only raised 23 628 during the campaign Conley was so unknown that even Graham admitted Almost no one knows my opponent The Democrats really didn t field a make a serious challenge in terms of trying to find an opponent for me 9 Despite Conley s landslide defeat he is the last Democrat to carry McCormick County in a Senate election as of 2023 Predictions edit Source Ranking As of The Cook Political Report 10 Safe R October 23 2008 CQ Politics 11 Safe R October 31 2008 Rothenberg Political Report 12 Safe R November 2 2008 Real Clear Politics 13 Safe R November 4 2008 Polling edit Poll Source Dates administered Conley Graham Public Policy Polling July 9 11 2008 32 54 Rasmussen Reports September 18 2008 41 50 Survey USA September 21 22 2008 40 54 Survey USA October 12 13 2008 40 56 Survey USA October 28 29 2008 39 58 Results edit General election results 14 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 15 27 Turnout 1 871 431 Republican hold Swing Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican edit Calhoun largest town St Matthews Darlington largest city Hartsville Dillon Largest city Dillon Abbeville Largest city Abbeville Chesterfield Largest city Cheraw Lancaster Largest city Lancaster See also edit2008 United States Senate elections 2008 United States House of Representatives elections in South CarolinaReferences edit US Senate recount shows Conley to face Graham WBTV 3 News June 16 2008 Accessed November 17 2008 2008 General election statewide results South Carolina State Election Commission Accessed November 17 2008 a b Hunter Jack June 18 2008 Democrat Bob Conley offers conservatives a real choice in November Charleston City Paper Archived from the original on September 3 2008 via Wayback Machine The Issues Bob Conley for U S Senate Archived from the original on October 31 2008 Retrieved November 29 2008 Elonkey Bob Conley The Ron Paul Democrat Archived September 18 2008 at the Wayback Machine June 23 2008 US Senate recount shows Conley to face Graham WBTV 3 News Graham s Dem challenger was SC county GOP official International Herald Tribune June 20 2008 Accessed November 17 2008 Graham easily wins second term permanent dead link The State November 5 2008 Accessed November 17 2008 Republican Graham aims to turn aside Dem challenge SCNOW permanent dead link 2008 Senate Race ratings for October 23 2008 The Cook Political Report Retrieved April 1 2021 Race Ratings Chart Senate Archived October 28 2010 at the Wayback Machine CQ Politics 2008 Senate ratings Inside Elections Retrieved April 1 2021 2008 RCP Averages amp Senate Results Real Clear Politics Retrieved August 31 2021 U S Senate South Carolina CNN November 4 2008 Retrieved November 4 2008 External links editSouth Carolina State Election Commission U S Congress candidates for South Carolina at Project Vote Smart South Carolina U S Senate from CQ Politics South Carolina U S Senate from OurCampaigns com Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets Graham R i vs Conley D graph of multiple polls from Pollster com Official campaign websites Archived Lindsey Graham Bob Conley John J Cina Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title 2008 United States Senate election in South Carolina amp 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