2008 United States Senate elections

← 2006 November 4, 2008 December 2 (Georgia runoff) 2010 →
← 2002 2014 →
35 of the 100 seats in theUnited 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
Results of the elections:      Democratic hold     Democratic gain      Republican hold      No election Rectangular inset (Miss. &Wyo.): both seats up for election
Majority Leader before election Harry Reid Democratic ElectedMajority Leader Harry Reid Democratic

The2008 United States Senate elections were held on November 4, 2008, with 35 of the 100 seats in theSenate being contested. 33 seats were up for regular elections; the winners were eligible to serve 6-year terms from January 3, 2009, to January 3, 2015, as members ofClass 2. There were also 2special elections, the winners of those seats would finish the terms that ended on January 3, 2013. Thepresidential election, which was won by DemocratBarack Obama,elections for all House of Representatives seats; elections for severalgubernatorial elections; and many state and local elections occurred on the same date.

Going into these elections, the Senate consisted of 49Democrats, 49Republicans, and 2 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 8 seats. Democratic candidates defeated Republican incumbents inAlaska,New Hampshire,North Carolina,Oregon, and, after a lengthy recount process,Minnesota. Additionally, they won Republican-held open seats inColorado,New Mexico, andVirginia.

Each major party hasHill committees that work to support its candidates for the House and Senate, chiefly by providing funds. On the Senate side, the committees are theDemocratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) and theNational Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC). In this cycle, the DSCC was more successful at fundraising. As of June 30, 2008, data from theFederal Election Commission showed the NRSC with $24.6 million on hand, as compared with the DSCC's $43 million.^[5] The NRSC chair, senatorJohn 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.^[5]

This election cycle was the second cycle in a row in which no seats switched from Democratic to Republican, and the first since1990 in which the Democrats retained all their seats. In addition, this was the largest Democratic Senate gain since1986, where they also won 8 seats. These elections marked the first time since1964 in which a Democratic presidential candidate who won the White House had a Senatecoattail effect. As of 2024, this is the last time Democrats won U.S. Senate seats in Alaska, Arkansas, Iowa, Louisiana, North Carolina, and South Dakota.

As of 2025, this is the most recent time in which theDemocratic Party won a majority ofClass 2 Senate seats in a regularly scheduled election.

Along with 2 independents who caucus with them, Democrats held at least 58 seats as a result of the elections. The April 2009 party switch of Pennsylvania senatorArlen Specter from Republican to Democrat and the July 2009 resolution of the Minnesota election in favor of DemocratAl Franken increased the Democratic majority to 60–40 (briefly providing the Democrats a filibuster-proof majority, and thus they were able to hypothetically override anyfilibusters). Republicans gained a seat in aJanuary 2010 special election in Massachusetts, thereby making the balance 59–41 before the start of thenext election cycle.

Summary of the2008 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

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. RetrievedNovember 29, 2017.
• "The Green Papers 2008 U.S. Senate Popular Vote and FEC Total Receipts by Party". The Green Papers. RetrievedNovember 19, 2008.

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

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.

There were no special elections in 2009.

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%.

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

Several sites and individuals published predictions of competitive seats. These predictions looked at factors such as the strength of theincumbent (if the incumbent was running for re-election) and the other candidates, and the state's partisan lean (reflected in part by the state'sCook 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

Five Republicans retired rather than seek re-election.

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

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.

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%

Sessions:     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%     80–90% Figures:     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%     80–90%

U.S. senator before election Jeff Sessions Republican Elected U.S. senator Jeff Sessions Republican

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

Despite voting heavily forBush in 2004, Alabama still had a strong Democratic presence; Democrats controlled majorities of both chambers in thestate legislature. Commissioner of Agriculture and IndustriesRon 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 senatorVivian Davis Figures.^[11] Figures has won elections in the Republican-leaningMobile 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 forPennsylvania State Treasurer and 2007 candidate forMayor 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%

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 Begich:     40–50%     50–60%     60–70% Stevens:     40–50%     50–60%     60–70%

U.S. senator before election Ted Stevens Republican Elected U.S. senator Mark Begich Democratic

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, senatorTed 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 PresidentBen Stevens.^[23] Two former Veco executives have pleaded guilty to paying the younger Stevens $242,000 in bribes.^[24] On July 30, 2007, theIRS andFBI raided Stevens's home in Alaska. On September 14, 2007, former Veco CEO Bill Allen testified at the trial of former State House SpeakerPete 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 formaking false statements,^[26] and on October 26, a jury found Stevens guilty on all charges.^[27]

The Democratic candidate wasAnchorage MayorMark Begich, the son of popular former Democratic RepresentativeNick 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—includingOrrin Hatch (R-UT),Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX), andKit 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, defeatingWarren Magnuson's1980 record. As of 2023, Stevens still holds this record.

On April 1, 2009, U.S. Attorney GeneralEric Holder, citing serious prosecutorial misconduct during the trial, decided to drop all charges against Stevens—an action that vacated his conviction.^[30]

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 Pryor:     60–70%     70–80%     80–90%

U.S. senator before election Mark Pryor Democratic Elected U.S. senator Mark Pryor Democratic

Despite being a first-term senator in a state George W. Bush won twice, DemocratMark 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 GovernorDavid Pryor. It was rumored that Lt. GovernorBill Halter would challenge Pryor in the primary, but Halter declined to file as a candidate.^[32]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 election

← 2002 2014 →

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

Udall:     40–50%     50–60%     60–70%     70–80% Schaffer:     40–50%     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%

U.S. senator before election Wayne Allard Republican Elected U.S. senator Mark Udall Democratic

On January 15, 2007, incumbent senatorWayne Allard (R) announced he would not seek re-election, honoring his pledge to serve no more than two terms.^[35]

FormerRepresentativeBob Schaffer ofFort Collins was the Republican nominee. FormerDenver BroncosquarterbackJohn Elway was rumored to be considering a run, but declined to do so.^[36] Other possible Republican candidates included former CongressmanScott McInnis and Colorado Attorney GeneralJohn Suthers.

The Democratic nominee was2nd district CongressmanMark Udall ofBoulder who announced on January 15, 2007, that he would seek the seat and did not draw significant primary opposition.^[37]

Other candidates included Bob Kinsey ofDenver as theGreen Party nominee,^[38] Douglas "Dayhorse" Campbell as theAmerican Constitution Party's nominee,^[39] and Independent candidate Buddy Moore, unaffiliated any party.^[40]

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

Delaware election

← 2002 2010 (special) →

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

Biden:     50–60%     70–80%

U.S. senator before election Joe Biden Democratic Elected U.S. senator Joe Biden Democratic

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.^[42] 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 nomineesLloyd Bentsen andJoe 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 theGovernor of Delaware to appoint a successor. There was speculation as to whether the outgoing Governor,Ruth Ann Minner, or the incoming Governor-electJack Markell would make the appointment, and if Biden's son, Delaware Attorney GeneralBeau Biden would receive the appointment. On November 24, 2008, Governor Minner appointed Biden's longtime Chief of StaffTed 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 commentatorChristine 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).

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%

First round county results Runoff county results Chambliss:     40–50%     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%     80–90% Martin:     40-50%     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%     80–90% Tie:     40–50%

U.S. Senator before election Saxby Chambliss Republican ElectedU.S. Senator Saxby Chambliss Republican

In the 2008 election, first-term incumbent Republican senatorSaxby Chambliss was opposed primarily by DemocratJim Martin, as well as third-party candidates, includingLibertarian Allen Buckley andEleanor Garcia of theSocialist Workers Party.

Martin, current Georgia Commissioner of Human Resources, former member of theGeorgia General Assembly,Vietnam War veteran, and 2006 candidate forlieutenant governor, secured the Democratic nomination after defeatingDeKalb CountyCEOVernon Jones by a 59% to 41% margin in the August 5run-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.^[46] 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,^[47] with Martin about 3% behind and Buckley receiving 3% of the vote.^[48] However, Georgia law stated that if no candidate receives asimple 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%.^[49]

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 Risch:     50–60%     60–70%     70–80% LaRocco:     40–50%     50–60%

U.S. senator before election Larry Craig Republican Elected U.S. senator Jim Risch Republican

On September 1, 2007, senatorLarry Craig announced his intent to resign from the Senate effective September 30, 2007.^[52] 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 theMinneapolis 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.^[53]

Lieutenant GovernorJim Risch was the Republican candidate;U.S. Armyveteran and former congressmanLarry LaRocco was the Democratic candidate.^[54] 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.^[55] The last Democratic senator from Idaho wasFrank Church, who was defeated in the Republican landslide of1980 after serving four terms.

Risch won the election with approximately 58% of the vote.^[56]

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 Durbin:     40–50%     50–60%     60–70%     70–80% Sauerberg:     40–50%     50–60%

U.S. senator before election Dick Durbin Democratic Elected U.S. senator Dick Durbin Democratic

Senate Majority WhipRichard Durbin remained favored inIllinois. 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".

PhysicianSteve Sauerberg ofLa Grange won the February 5 Republican primary.^[58] Kathy Cummings, a retired special education teacher was nominated via convention by the Green Party.^[59] Chad Koppie, a retired airline pilot and vice-chairman of the Illinois Center Right Coalition, was the nominee of theConstitution Party.

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

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 Harkin:     50–60%     60–70%     70–80% Reed:     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%

U.S. senator before election Tom Harkin Democratic Elected U.S. senator Tom Harkin Democratic

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

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 Roberts:     40–50%     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%      80–90%     >90% Slattery:     40–50%     50–60%     60–70%

U.S. senator before election Pat Roberts Republican Elected U.S. senator Pat Roberts Republican

SenatorPat Roberts sought re-election to a third term. AlthoughKansas has not elected a Democrat to the Senate since 1932, former Democratic Congressman and army veteranJim Slattery was nominated to run against Roberts. Pat Roberts currently has an approval rating of 56%.^[63]

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

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 McConnell:     50–60%     60–70%     70–80% Lunsford:     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%

U.S. senator before election Mitch McConnell Republican Elected U.S. senator Mitch McConnell Republican

Democrats made SenateMinority Leader, four-term senatorMitch McConnell ofKentucky 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%.^[66]

Businessman and U.S. Army veteranBruce Lunsford, who lost the 2007 Democratic gubernatorial primary to GovernorSteve 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.^[67] Nevertheless, McConnell was re-elected by a margin of 53% to 47%.

Louisiana election

← 2002 2014 →

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

Landrieu:     40-50%     50–60%     60–70%     80–90% Kennedy:     40–50%     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%

U.S. senator before election Mary Landrieu Democratic Elected U.S. senator Mary Landrieu Democratic

IncumbentMary Landrieu waselected in 1996 following a recount and was narrowlyre-elected in 2002 in arunoff election. Since those elections, Democrats have had to endure the loss of some reliable voters becauseHurricane Katrina dispersed many African-Americans fromNew Orleans, although the vast majority still live withinLouisiana. The state has become more Republican over the past 12 years.Louisiana electedDavid Vitter in 2004, the state's first Republican senator since Reconstruction, as well as RepublicanBobby 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 TreasurerJohn Neely Kennedy announced he was switching parties from Democrat to Republican. On November 29, after being personally recruited by Vitter and former Bush administration officialKarl Rove, Kennedy announced plans to challenge Landrieu in 2008.^[68][69]

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

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 Municipality results Collins:     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%     80–90%     >90% Allen:     50–60%     60–70%

U.S. senator before election Susan Collins Republican Elected U.S. senator Susan Collins Republican

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 unopposedRichard 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 senatorJoe Lieberman, citing his status as anindependent, endorsed Collins in her 2008 re-election bid.

On May 8, 2007, Rep.Tom Allen (ME-1) announced his candidacy onhis websiteArchived May 10, 2007, at theWayback Machine. He had already expressed interest in running and had been building the apparatus necessary to wage a Senate campaign.^[70]

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

Massachusetts election

← 2002 2013 (special) →

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

County results Municipality results Kerry   40–50%   50–60%   60–70%   70–80%   80–90% Beatty   40–50%

U.S. senator before election John Kerry Democratic Elected U.S. senator John Kerry Democratic