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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

← 2006 November 4, 2008
December 2 (Georgia runoff)
2010 →

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 since January 3, 2005 January 3, 2007
Leader's seat Nevada Kentucky
Seats before 49 49
Seats after 57 41
Seat change 8 8
Popular vote 33,650,061[1][a] 28,863,067[1][a]
Percentage 51.88% 44.5%
Seats up 12 23
Races won 20 15

  Third party
 
Party Independent
Seats before 2[b]
Seats after 2 [c]
Seat change
Popular vote 176,752[1]
Percentage 0.27%
Seats up 0
Races won 0

2008 United States Senate special election in Mississippi2008 United States Senate special election in Wyoming2008 United States Senate election in Alabama2008 United States Senate election in Alaska2008 United States Senate election in Arkansas2008 United States Senate election in Colorado2008 United States Senate election in Delaware2008 United States Senate election in Georgia2008 United States Senate election in Idaho2008 United States Senate election in Illinois2008 United States Senate election in Iowa2008 United States Senate election in Kansas2008 United States Senate election in Kentucky2008 United States Senate election in Louisiana2008 United States Senate election in Maine2008 United States Senate election in Massachusetts2008 United States Senate election in Michigan2008 United States Senate election in Minnesota2008 United States Senate election in Mississippi2008 United States Senate election in Montana2008 United States Senate election in Nebraska2008 United States Senate election in New Hampshire2008 United States Senate election in New Jersey2008 United States Senate election in New Mexico2008 United States Senate election in North Carolina2008 United States Senate election in Oklahoma2008 United States Senate election in Oregon2008 United States Senate election in Rhode Island2008 United States Senate election in South Carolina2008 United States Senate election in South Dakota2008 United States Senate election in Tennessee2008 United States Senate election in Texas2008 United States Senate election in Virginia2008 United States Senate election in West Virginia2008 United States Senate election in Wyoming
Results of the elections:
     Democratic hold      Democratic gain
     Republican hold
     No election
Rectangular inset (Miss. & Wyo.): both seats up for election

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 51–49 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 cycle 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 elections. 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 59–41 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 edit

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   3 Republicans
replaced by
  3 Democrats
3
Result after 3 2 5
Incumbent
ran
Total before 12 18 30
Won election 12 13 25
Lost election   5 Republicans
replaced by
  5 Democrats
5
Result after 17 13 30
Net gain/loss   8   8 8
Total elected 20 15 35
Nation-wide vote Votes[A] 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 edit

Before the elections edit

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 edit

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[d]
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[d]
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 edit

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


Race summary edit

Special elections during the 110th Congress edit

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.
  •  Y John Barrasso (Republican) 73.4%
  • Nick Carter (Democratic) 26.5%

Elections leading to the next Congress edit

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.
  •  Y 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.
  •  Y 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.
  •  Y 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.
  •  Y 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.
  •  Y 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.
  •  Y 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.
  •  Y 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.
  •  Y 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.
  •  Y 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.
  •  Y 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
2002 (Appointed)
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 edit

There were no special elections in 2009.

Closest races edit

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 edit

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[e]
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
(retiring)
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%)[f]
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)[g]
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)[h]
Safe R Safe R Safe R Safe R Barrasso
(73.4%)

Financing edit

 
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 edit

Retirements edit

Five Republicans retired rather than seek re-election.

Defeats edit

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

Post-election changes edit

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 edit

Alabama election
 
← 2002
2014 →
     
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 edit

Alaska election
 
← 2002
2014 →
     
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 pleaded 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.[citation needed]

Arkansas edit

Arkansas election
 
← 2002
2014 →
     
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 edit

Colorado election
 
← 2002
2014 →
     
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 edit

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 edit

2008 United States Senate election in Georgia
 
← 2002 November 4, 2008 (first round)
December 2, 2008 (runoff)
2014 →
     
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%

 

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 edit

Idaho election
 
← 2002
2014 →
     
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 edit

Illinois election
 
← 2002
2014 →
     
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 edit

Iowa election
 
← 2002
2014 →
     
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 edit

Kansas election
 
← 2002
2014 →
     
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 edit

Kentucky election
 
← 2002
2014 →
     
Nominee Mitch McConnell Bruce Lunsford
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 953,816 847,005
Percentage 53.0% 47.0%

 
County results

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 edit

Louisiana election
 
← 2002
2014 →
     
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 edit

Maine election
 
← 2002
2014 →
     
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 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 edit

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 edit

Michigan election
 
← 2002
2014 →
     
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[by whom?] 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 edit

Minnesota election
 
← 2002
2014 →
       
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

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]

 

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.[citation needed] Franken was sworn in as Minnesota's junior senator on July 7.

Mississippi edit

Mississippi (regular) edit

Mississippi election
 
← 2002
2014 →
     
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) edit

Mississippi special election
 
← 2006 November 4, 2008 2012 →
     
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 edit

Montana election
 
← 2002
2014 →
     
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 edit

Nebraska election
 
← 2002
2014 →
     
Nominee Mike Johanns Scott Kleeb
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 455,854 317,456
Percentage 57.5% 40.1%

2008, united, states, senate, elections, related, races, 2008, united, states, elections, were, held, november, 2008, with, seats, senate, being, contested, thirty, three, seats, were, regular, elections, winners, were, eligible, serve, year, terms, from, janu. For related races see 2008 United States 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 2006 November 4 2008December 2 Georgia runoff 2010 35 of the 100 seats in the United States Senate51 seats needed for a majority Majority party Minority party Leader Harry Reid Mitch McConnellParty Democratic RepublicanLeader since January 3 2005 January 3 2007Leader s seat Nevada KentuckySeats before 49 49Seats after 57 41Seat change 8 8Popular vote 33 650 061 1 a 28 863 067 1 a Percentage 51 88 44 5 Seats up 12 23Races won 20 15 Third party Party IndependentSeats before 2 b Seats after 2 c Seat changePopular vote 176 752 1 Percentage 0 27 Seats up 0Races won 0Results of the elections Democratic hold Democratic gain Republican hold No election Rectangular inset Miss amp Wyo both seats up for electionMajority Leader before electionHarry ReidDemocratic Elected Majority Leader Harry ReidDemocraticGoing 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 51 49 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 cycle 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 elections 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 59 41 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 Contents 1 Results summary 2 Change in composition 2 1 Before the elections 2 2 After the elections 2 3 Beginning of the first session 3 Race summary 3 1 Special elections during the 110th Congress 3 2 Elections leading to the next Congress 3 3 Special elections during the next Congress 4 Closest races 5 Final pre election predictions 5 1 Financing 6 Gains and losses 6 1 Retirements 6 2 Defeats 6 3 Post election changes 7 Alabama 8 Alaska 9 Arkansas 10 Colorado 11 Delaware 12 Georgia 13 Idaho 14 Illinois 15 Iowa 16 Kansas 17 Kentucky 18 Louisiana 19 Maine 20 Massachusetts 21 Michigan 22 Minnesota 23 Mississippi 23 1 Mississippi regular 23 2 Mississippi special 24 Montana 25 Nebraska 26 New Hampshire 27 New Jersey 28 New Mexico 29 North Carolina 30 Oklahoma 31 Oregon 32 Rhode Island 33 South Carolina 34 South Dakota 35 Tennessee 36 Texas 37 Virginia 38 West Virginia 39 Wyoming 39 1 Wyoming regular 39 2 Wyoming special 40 See also 41 Notes 42 References 43 External linksResults summary edit 57 2 41Democratic Independent RepublicanSummary of the 2008 United States Senate elections results Parties TotalDemocratic Republican Independent Libertarian Independence Green OthersBefore these elections 49 49 2 100Notup Class 1 2006 2012 22 8 2 31Class 3 2004 2010 15 19 34Total 37 26 2 65Up Class 1 2 2Class 2 12 21 33Total 12 23 35Incumbentretired Total before 5 5Held by same party 2 2Replaced by other party nbsp 3 Republicansreplaced by nbsp 3 Democrats 3Result after 3 2 5Incumbentran Total before 12 18 30Won election 12 13 25Lost election nbsp 5 Republicansreplaced by nbsp 5 Democrats 5Result after 17 13 30Net gain loss nbsp 8 nbsp 8 8Total elected 20 15 35Nation wide vote Votes A 33 650 061 28 863 067 176 752 798 154 450 702 427 427 496 124 64 862 287Share 51 88 44 50 0 27 1 23 0 69 0 66 0 76 100 Result 57 41 2 100 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 editBefore the elections edit D1 D2 D3 D4 D5 D6 D7 D8 D9 D10D20 D19 D18 D17 D16 D15 D14 D13 D12 D11D21 D22 D23 D24 D25 D26 D27 D28 D29 D30D40Ill Ran D39Del Ran D38Ark Ran D37 D36 D35 D34 D33 D32 D31D41Iowa Ran D42La Ran D43Mass Ran D44Mich Ran D45Mont Ran D46N J Ran D47R I Ran D48S D Ran D49W Va Ran I1Majority with Independents I2R41N C Ran R42Okla Ran R43Ore Ran R44S C Ran R45Tenn Ran R46Texas Ran R47Va Retired R48Wyo Reg Ran R49Wyo Sp RanR40N M Retired R39N H Ran R38Neb Retired R37Miss Sp Ran R36Miss Reg Ran R35Minn Ran R34Me Ran R33Ky Ran R32Kan Ran R31Idaho RetiredR21 R22 R23 R24 R25 R26 R27Ala Ran R28Alaska Ran R29Colo Retired R30Ga RanR20 R19 R18 R17 R16 R15 R14 R13 R12 R11R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8 R9 R10After the elections edit D1 D2 D3 D4 D5 D6 D7 D8 D9 D10D20 D19 D18 D17 D16 D15 D14 D13 D12 D11D21 D22 D23 D24 D25 D26 D27 D28 D29 D30D40Ill Re elected D39Del Re elected D38Ark Re elected D37 D36 D35 D34 D33 D32 D31D41Iowa Re elected D42La Re elected D43Mass Re elected D44Mich Re elected D45Mont Re elected D46N J Re elected D47R I Re elected D48S D Re elected D49W Va Re elected D50Alaska GainMajority D51Colo GainR41Wyo Sp Elected d Vacant Minn Disputed I2 I1 D56Va Gain D55Ore Gain D54N C Gain D53N M Gain D52N H GainR40Wyo Reg Re elected R39Texas Re elected R38Tenn Re elected R37S C Re elected R36Okla Re elected R35Neb Hold R34Miss Sp Elected d R33Miss Reg Re elected R32Me Re elected R31Ky Re electedR21 R22 R23 R24 R25 R26 R27Ala Re elected R28Ga Re elected R29Idaho Hold R30Kan Re electedR20 R19 R18 R17 R16 R15 R14 R13 R12 R11R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8 R9 R10Beginning of the first session edit D1 D2 D3 D4 D5 D6 D7 D8 D9 D10D20 D19 D18 D17 D16 D15 D14 D13 D12 D11D21 D22 D23 D24 D25 D26 D27 D28 D29 D30D40 D39 D38 D37 D36 D35 D34 D33 D32 D31D41 D42 D43 D44 D45 D46 D47 D48 D49 D50Majority D51I2 I1 D58Minn Gain D57Penn Changed D56 D55 D54 D53 D52R40 R39 R38 R37 R36 R35 R34 R33 R32 R31R21 R22 R23 R24 R25 R26 R27 R28 R29 R30R20 R19 R18 R17 R16 R15 R14 R13 R12 R11R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8 R9 R10 Key D DemocraticI IndependentR RepublicanRace summary editSpecial elections during the 110th Congress edit 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 tosummaries below Incumbent Results CandidatesSenator Party Electoral historyMississippi Class 1 Roger Wicker Republican 2007 Appointed Interim appointee elected nbsp Y Roger Wicker Republican 55 0 Ronnie Musgrove Democratic 45 0 Wyoming Class 1 John Barrasso Republican 2007 Appointed Interim appointee elected nbsp Y John Barrasso Republican 73 4 Nick Carter Democratic 26 5 Elections leading to the next Congress edit 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 tosummaries below Incumbent Results CandidatesSenator Party Electoral historyAlabama Jeff Sessions Republican 19962002 Incumbent re elected nbsp Y Jeff Sessions Republican 63 4 Vivian Davis Figures Democratic 36 5 Alaska Ted Stevens Republican 1968 Appointed 1970 special 197219781984199019962002 Incumbent lost re election New senator elected Democratic gain nbsp Y 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 nbsp Y Mark Pryor Democratic 79 5 Rebekah Kennedy Green 20 5 Colorado Wayne Allard Republican 19962002 Incumbent retired New senator elected Democratic gain nbsp Y Mark Udall Democratic 52 8 Bob Schaffer Republican 42 5 Doug Campbell Constitution 2 6 Bob Kinsey Green 2 1 Delaware Joe Biden Democratic 197219781984199019962002 Incumbent re elected nbsp Y Joe Biden Democratic 64 7 Christine O Donnell Republican 35 3 Georgia Saxby Chambliss Republican 2002 Incumbent re elected First round nbsp Y Saxby Chambliss Republican 49 8 nbsp Y Jim Martin Democratic 46 8 Allen Buckley Libertarian 3 4 Runoff nbsp Y Saxby Chambliss Republican 57 5 Jim Martin Democratic 42 5 Idaho Larry Craig Republican 199019962002 Incumbent retired New senator elected Republican hold nbsp Y 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 19962002 Incumbent re elected nbsp Y 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 1984199019962002 Incumbent re elected nbsp Y Tom Harkin Democratic 62 7 Christopher Reed Republican 37 3 Kansas Pat Roberts Republican 19962002 Incumbent re elected nbsp Y Pat Roberts Republican 60 0 Jim Slattery Democratic 36 4 Randall Hodgkinson Libertarian 2 1 Joseph Martin Reform 1 3 Kentucky Mitch McConnell Republican 1984199019962002 Incumbent re elected nbsp Y Mitch McConnell Republican 53 0 Bruce Lunsford Democratic 47 0 Louisiana Mary Landrieu Democratic 19962002 Incumbent re elected nbsp Y Mary Landrieu Democratic 52 1 John Kennedy Republican 45 7 Richard Fontanesi Libertarian 1 0 Others Jay Patel Independent 0 7 Robert Stewart Independent 0 5 Maine Susan Collins Republican 19962002 Incumbent re elected nbsp Y Susan Collins Republican 61 3 Tom Allen Democratic 38 6 Massachusetts John Kerry Democratic 1984199019962002 Incumbent re elected nbsp Y John Kerry Democratic 65 8 Jeff Beatty Republican 31 0 Robert Underwood Libertarian 3 2 Michigan Carl Levin Democratic 19781984199019962002 Incumbent re elected nbsp Y 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 nbsp Y Al Franken DFL 41 99 Norm Coleman Republican 41 98 Dean Barkley IPM 15 15 Others Charles Aldrich Libertarian 0 48 James Niemackl Constitution 0 31 Write ins 0 08 Mississippi Thad Cochran Republican 19781984199019962002 Incumbent re elected nbsp Y Thad Cochran Republican 61 4 Erik Fleming Democratic 38 6 Montana Max Baucus Democratic 19781984199019962002 Incumbent re elected nbsp Y Max Baucus Democratic 72 9 Bob Kelleher Republican 27 1 Nebraska Chuck Hagel Republican 19962002 Incumbent retired New senator elected Republican hold nbsp Y 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 nbsp Y Jeanne Shaheen Democratic 51 7 John E Sununu Republican 45 2 Ken Blevens Libertarian 3 1 New Jersey Frank Lautenberg Democratic 19821982 Appointed 198819942000 Retired 2002 Incumbent re elected nbsp Y Frank Lautenberg Democratic 56 0 Dick Zimmer Republican 42 0 Jason Scheurer Libertarian 0 5 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 197219781984199019962002 Incumbent retired New senator elected Democratic gain nbsp Y Tom Udall Democratic 61 3 Steve Pearce Republican 38 7 North Carolina Elizabeth Dole Republican 2002 Incumbent lost re election New senator elected Democratic gain nbsp Y Kay Hagan Democratic 52 7 Elizabeth Dole Republican 44 2 Chris Cole Libertarian 3 1 Oklahoma Jim Inhofe Republican 1994 special 19962002 Incumbent re elected nbsp Y Jim Inhofe Republican 56 7 Andrew Rice Democratic 39 2 Stephen Wallace Independent 4 1 Oregon Gordon H Smith Republican 19962002 Incumbent lost re election New senator elected Democratic gain nbsp Y Jeff Merkley Democratic 48 9 Gordon H Smith Republican 45 6 Dave Brownlow Constitution 5 2 Rhode Island Jack Reed Democratic 19962002 Incumbent re elected nbsp Y Jack Reed Democratic 73 4 Robert Tingle Republican 26 6 South Carolina Lindsey Graham Republican 2002 Incumbent re elected nbsp Y Lindsey Graham Republican 57 5 Bob Conley Democratic 42 3 South Dakota Tim Johnson Democratic 19962002 Incumbent re elected nbsp Y Tim Johnson Democratic 62 5 Joel Dykstra Republican 37 5 Tennessee Lamar Alexander Republican 2002 Incumbent re elected nbsp Y Lamar Alexander Republican 65 1 Bob Tuke Democratic 31 6 Edward Buck Independent 1 3 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 20022002 Appointed Incumbent re elected nbsp Y John Cornyn Republican 54 8 Rick Noriega Democratic 42 8 Yvonne Adams Schick Libertarian 2 3 Virginia John Warner Republican 19781984199019962002 Incumbent retired New senator elected Democratic gain nbsp Y Mark Warner Democratic 65 0 Jim Gilmore Republican 33 7 Bill Redpath Libertarian 0 6 Gail Parker Independent Green 0 6 West Virginia Jay Rockefeller Democratic 1984199019962002 Incumbent re elected nbsp Y Jay Rockefeller Democratic 63 7 Jay Wolfe Republican 36 3 Wyoming Mike Enzi Republican 19962002 Incumbent re elected nbsp Y Mike Enzi Republican 75 6 Chris Rothfuss Democratic 24 3 Special elections during the next Congress edit There were no special elections in 2009 Closest races editIn 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 MarginMinnesota 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 editSeveral 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 victoryConstituency Incumbent 2008 election ratingsState Senator Lastelection e The Cook Political Report 5 CQ Politics 6 Rothenberg Political Report 7 Real Clear Politics 8 ResultAlabama 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 retiring 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 f 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 g 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 h Safe R Safe R Safe R Safe R Barrasso 73 4 Financing edit nbsp Results of the Senate election by countyEach 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 edit Retirements edit Five Republicans retired rather than seek re election State Senator Replaced byColorado Wayne Allard Mark UdallIdaho Larry Craig Jim RischNebraska Chuck Hagel Mike JohannsNew Mexico Pete Domenici Tom UdallVirginia John Warner Mark WarnerDefeats edit Five Republicans sought re election but lost in the general election State Senator Replaced byAlaska Ted Stevens Mark BegichMinnesota Norm Coleman Al FrankenNew Hampshire John E Sununu Jeanne ShaheenNorth Carolina Elizabeth Dole Kay HaganOregon Gordon H Smith Jeff MerkleyPost election changes edit 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 byColorado Class 3 Ken Salazar Michael BennetDelaware Class 2 Joe Biden Ted KaufmanFlorida Class 3 Mel Martinez George LeMieuxIllinois Class 3 Barack Obama Roland BurrisMassachusetts Class 1 Ted Kennedy Paul G KirkNew York Class 1 Hillary Clinton Kirsten GillibrandPennsylvania Class 3 Arlen Specter Arlen SpecterWest Virginia Class 1 Robert Byrd Carte GoodwinAlabama edit Alabama election nbsp 20022014 nbsp nbsp Nominee Jeff Sessions Vivian Davis FiguresParty Republican DemocraticPopular vote 1 305 383 752 391Percentage 63 36 36 52 nbsp County ResultsU S senator before electionJeff SessionsRepublican Elected U S senator Jeff SessionsRepublicanMain article 2008 United States Senate election in Alabama See also List of United States senators from Alabama 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 votesTotal votes 2 060 191 100 00 Turnout N ARepublican hold Alaska edit Alaska election nbsp 20022014 nbsp nbsp Nominee Mark Begich Ted StevensParty Democratic RepublicanPopular vote 151 767 147 814Percentage 47 8 46 5 nbsp Borough and census area resultsU S senator before electionTed StevensRepublican Elected U S senator Mark BegichDemocraticMain article 2008 United States Senate election in Alaska See also List of United States senators from Alaska 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 723Democratic gain from Republican SwingDispelling 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 pleaded 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 citation needed Arkansas edit Arkansas election nbsp 20022014 nbsp nbsp Nominee Mark Pryor Rebekah KennedyParty Democratic GreenPopular vote 804 678 207 076Percentage 79 5 20 5 nbsp County resultsU S senator before electionMark PryorDemocratic Elected U S senator Mark PryorDemocraticMain article 2008 United States Senate election in Arkansas See also List of United States senators from Arkansas 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 aDemocratic holdDespite 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 edit Colorado election nbsp 20022014 nbsp nbsp Nominee Mark Udall Bob SchafferParty Democratic RepublicanPopular vote 1 230 994 990 755Percentage 52 8 42 5 nbsp County resultsU S senator before electionWayne AllardRepublican Elected U S senator Mark UdallDemocraticMain article 2008 United States Senate election in Colorado See also List of United States senators from Colorado 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 621Democratic gain from Republican SwingOn 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 edit Delaware election nbsp 20022010 special nbsp nbsp Nominee Joe Biden Christine O DonnellParty Democratic RepublicanPopular vote 257 539 140 595Percentage 64 7 35 3 nbsp County resultsU S senator before electionJoe BidenDemocratic Elected U S senator Joe BidenDemocraticMain article 2008 United States Senate election in Delaware See also List of United States senators from Delaware 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 134Democratic hold SwingOn 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 edit 2008 United States Senate election in Georgia nbsp 2002 November 4 2008 first round December 2 2008 runoff 2014 nbsp nbsp Nominee Saxby Chambliss Jim MartinParty Republican DemocraticFirst round 1 867 09749 8 1 757 393 46 8 Runoff 1 228 03357 4 909 923 42 6 nbsp county resultsU S Senator before electionSaxby ChamblissRepublican Elected U S Senator Saxby ChamblissRepublicanMain article 2008 United States Senate election in Georgia See also List of United States senators from Georgia 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 aIndependent William Salomone Jr write in 29 0 0 n aMajority 109 704 2 92 Turnout 3 752 577Runoff 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 956Republican hold SwingIn 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 edit Idaho election nbsp 20022014 nbsp nbsp Nominee Jim Risch Larry LaRoccoParty Republican DemocraticPopular vote 371 744 219 903Percentage 57 7 34 1 Nominee Rex RammellParty IndependentPopular vote 34 510Percentage 5 4 nbsp County resultsU S senator before electionLarry CraigRepublican Elected U S senator Jim RischRepublicanMain article 2008 United States Senate election in Idaho See also List of United States senators from Idaho 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 780Republican hold SwingOn 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 edit Illinois election nbsp 20022014 nbsp nbsp Nominee Dick Durbin Steve SauerbergParty Democratic RepublicanPopular vote 3 615 844 1 520 621Percentage 67 84 28 53 nbsp County ResultsU S senator before electionDick DurbinDemocratic Elected U S senator Dick DurbinDemocraticMain article 2008 United States Senate election in Illinois See also List of United States senators from Illinois 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 884Democratic hold SwingSenate 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 edit Iowa election nbsp 20022014 nbsp nbsp Nominee Tom Harkin Christopher ReedParty Democratic RepublicanPopular vote 941 665 560 006Percentage 62 66 37 26 nbsp County resultsU S senator before electionTom HarkinDemocratic Elected U S senator Tom HarkinDemocraticMain article 2008 United States Senate election in Iowa See also List of United States senators from Iowa 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 918Democratic hold SwingIn 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 edit Kansas election nbsp 20022014 nbsp nbsp Nominee Pat Roberts Jim SlatteryParty Republican DemocraticPopular vote 712 396 429 691Percentage 60 1 36 5 nbsp County resultsU S senator before electionPat RobertsRepublican Elected U S senator Pat RobertsRepublicanMain article 2008 United States Senate election in Kansas See also List of United States senators from Kansas 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 690Republican hold SwingSenator 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 edit Kentucky election nbsp 20022014 nbsp nbsp Nominee Mitch McConnell Bruce LunsfordParty Republican DemocraticPopular vote 953 816 847 005Percentage 53 0 47 0 nbsp County resultsU S senator before electionMitch McConnellRepublican Elected U S senator Mitch McConnellRepublicanMain article 2008 United States Senate election in Kentucky See also List of United States senators from Kentucky 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 nbsp 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 edit Louisiana election nbsp 20022014 nbsp nbsp Nominee Mary Landrieu John Neely KennedyParty Democratic RepublicanPopular vote 988 298 867 177Percentage 52 1 45 7 nbsp Parish resultsU S senator before electionMary LandrieuDemocratic Elected U S senator Mary LandrieuDemocraticMain article 2008 United States Senate election in Louisiana See also List of United States senators from Louisiana 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 aIndependent Jay Patel 13 729 0 72 n aIndependent Robert Stewart 8 780 0 46 n aMajority 121 121 6 39 2 99 Turnout 1 896 574 100 0 Democratic hold SwingIncumbent 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 edit Maine election nbsp 20022014 nbsp nbsp Nominee Susan Collins Tom AllenParty Republican DemocraticPopular vote 444 300 279 510Percentage 61 3 38 6 nbsp County resultsU S senator before electionSusan CollinsRepublican Elected U S senator Susan CollinsRepublicanMain article 2008 United States Senate election in Maine See also List of United States senators from Maine 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 727General 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 aMajority 164 790Turnout 724 430Republican hold SwingIn 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 edit Massachusetts election nbsp 20022013 special nbsp nbsp Nominee John Kerry Jeff BeattyParty Democratic RepublicanPopular vote 1 959 843 922 727Percentage 65 8 31 0 nbsp County resultsU S senator before electionJohn KerryDemocratic Elected U S senator John KerryDemocraticMain article 2008 United States Senate election in Massachusetts See also List of United States senators from Massachusetts 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 nbsp Results by city and townGeneral 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 116Turnout 2 977 631Democratic hold SwingIncumbent 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 edit Michigan election nbsp 20022014 nbsp nbsp Nominee Carl Levin Jack HoogendykParty Democratic RepublicanPopular vote 3 038 386 1 641 070Percentage 62 7 33 8 nbsp County resultsU S senator before electionCarl LevinDemocratic Elected U S senator Carl LevinDemocraticMain article 2008 United States Senate election in Michigan See also List of United States senators from Michigan 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 aGreen Harley Mikkelson 43 440 0 9 0 1 U S Taxpayers Michael Nikitin 30 827 0 6 n aNatural Law Doug Dern 18 550 0 4 0 1 Majority 1 397 316Turnout 4 848 620Democratic hold SwingWith 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 by whom 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 edit Minnesota election nbsp 20022014 nbsp nbsp nbsp Nominee Al Franken Norm Coleman Dean BarkleyParty Democratic DFL Republican IndependencePopular vote 1 212 629 1 212 317 437 505Percentage 41 99 41 98 15 15 nbsp County resultsU S senator before electionNorm ColemanRepublican Elected U S senator Al FrankenDemocratic DFL Main article 2008 United States Senate election in Minnesota See also List of United States senators from Minnesota 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 205Independence 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 341Republican primary 74 Party Candidate Votes Republican Norm Coleman Incumbent 130 973 91 32 Republican Jack Shepard 12 456 8 68 Turnout 143 4292007 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 nbsp 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 555Note 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 nbsp Recounting ballots by hand in Olmsted County nbsp 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 337General 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 646Democratic DFL gain from RepublicanThe 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 citation needed Franken was sworn in as Minnesota s junior senator on July 7 Mississippi edit See also List of United States senators from Mississippi Mississippi regular edit Mississippi election nbsp 20022014 nbsp nbsp Nominee Thad Cochran Erik FlemingParty Republican DemocraticPopular vote 766 111 480 915Percentage 61 4 38 6 nbsp County resultsU S senator before electionThad CochranRepublican Elected U S senator Thad CochranRepublicanMain article 2008 United States Senate election in Mississippi 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 aMajority 285 196Turnout 1 247 026Republican hold Swing Mississippi special edit Mississippi special election nbsp 2006 November 4 2008 2012 nbsp nbsp Nominee Roger Wicker Ronnie MusgroveParty Republican DemocraticPopular vote 683 409 560 064Percentage 55 0 45 0 nbsp County resultsU S senator before electionRoger WickerRepublican Elected U S senator Roger WickerRepublicanMain article 2008 United States Senate special election in Mississippi 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 345Turnout 1 243 473Republican hold Swing Montana edit Montana election nbsp 20022014 nbsp nbsp Nominee Max Baucus Robert KelleherParty Democratic RepublicanPopular vote 345 937 128 762Percentage 72 9 27 1 nbsp County resultsU S senator before electionMax BaucusDemocratic Elected U S senator Max BaucusDemocraticMain article 2008 United States Senate election in Montana See also List of United States senators from Montana 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 658Democratic hold Swing Nebraska edit Nebraska election nbsp 20022014 nbsp nbsp Nominee Mike Johanns Scott KleebParty Republican DemocraticPopular vote 455 854 317 456Percentage 57 5 40 1 span, wikipedia, wiki, book, 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