2008 United States House of Representatives elections in Arizona

← 2006 November 4, 2008 (2008-11-04) 2010 →
All 8 Arizona seats to theUnited States House of Representatives
Turnout	77.69%
Majority party Minority party   Party Democratic Republican Last election 4 4 Seats won 5 3 Seat change 1 1 Popular vote 1,055,305 1,021,798 Percentage 45.5% 44.0% Swing 3.46% 7.62%
District results County results Democratic   40–50%   50–60%   60–70%   70–80% Republican   40–50%   50–60%   60–70%

Elections in Arizona
Federal government Presidential elections 1912 1916 1920 1924 1928 1932 1936 1940 1944 1948 1952 1956 1960 1964 1968 1972 1976 1980 1984 1988 1992 1996 2000 2004 2008 2012 2016 2020 2024 Presidential primaries Democratic 2004 2008 2016 2020 2024 Republican 2008 2012 2016 2024 U.S. Senate elections 1912 1914 1916 1920 1922 1926 1928 1932 1934 1938 1940 1944 1946 1950 1952 1956 1958 1962 1964 1968 1970 1974 1976 1980 1982 1986 1988 1992 1994 1998 2000 2004 2006 2010 2012 2016 2018 2020 sp 2022 2024 2028 2030 U.S. House of Representatives elections 1911 1912 1914 1916 1918 1920 1922 1924 1926 1928 1930 1932 1933 AL sp 1934 1936 1938 1940 1942 1944 1946 1948 1950 1952 1954 1956 1958 1960 1961 2nd sp 1962 1964 1966 1968 1970 1972 1974 1976 1978 1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1991 2nd sp 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 8th 2008 2010 2012 8th sp 2014 2016 2018 8th sp 2020 2022 2024 2025 7th sp 2026
State government State elections 2006 2010 2014 2016 2018 2020 2022 2024 Gubernatorial elections 1911 1914 1916 1918 1920 1922 1924 1926 1928 1930 1932 1934 1936 1938 1940 1942 1944 1946 1948 1950 1952 1954 1956 1958 1960 1962 1964 1966 1968 1970 1974 1978 1982 1986 1990 1994 1998 2002 2006 2010 2014 2018 2022 2026 Secretary of State elections 2014 2018 2022 2026 Attorney General elections 2014 2018 2022 2026 Treasurer elections 2018 2022 2026 Superintendent elections 2018 2022 Senate elections 1956 1958 1960 1962 1964 1966 1968 1970 1972 1974 1976 1978 1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 2020 2022 2024 House of Representatives elections 1956 1958 1960 1962 1964 1966 1968 1970 1972 1974 1976 1978 1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 2020 2022 2024
Ballot measures List of Arizona ballot propositions 2000 203 2004 200 2006 107 204 207 2008 102 2010 100 203 2020 207 2024 139
Phoenix Mayoral elections 1999 2003 2007 2011 2015 2018–19 (sp) 2020 2024
Tucson Mayoral elections 1991 1995 1999 2003 2007 2011 2015 2019 2023
Other localities Glendale 2012 2016 Maricopa County 2024 Mesa 2008 2012 2020 2024
v t e

The2008 congressional elections in Arizona were held on November 4, 2008, to determine who would represent thestate ofArizona in theUnited States House of Representatives, coinciding with thepresidential election. Representatives are elected for two-year terms; those elected would serve in the111th Congress from January 4, 2009, until January 3, 2011.

Arizona had eight seats in the House, apportioned according to the2000 United States census. Its 2007-2008 congressional delegation consisted of four Republicans and four Democrats. Two of the Democrats had taken Republican seats in 2006, and were at risk during the 2008 election. The delegation elected in 2008 consisted of three Republicans and five Democrats: district 1 changed party (from open Republican to Democratic), althoughCQ Politics had forecast districts 1, 3, 5 and 8 to be at some risk for the incumbent party.^[1]

The party primary elections were held September 2, 2008.^[2]

Party		Candidates	Votes		Seats
			No.	%	No.	+/–	%
	Democratic	8	1,055,305	45.47	5	1	62.50
	Republican	8	1,021,798	44.03	3	1	37.50
	Libertarian	8	61,100	2.63	0		0.0
	Independent	4	9,411	0.41	0		0.0
	Green	2	8,080	0.35	0		0.0
Valid votes			2,155,694	92.88	—
Invalid or blank votes			165,157	7.12	—
Total		30	2,320,851	100.0	8		100.0

Results of the 2008 United States House of Representatives elections in Arizona by district:

2008 Arizona's 1st congressional district election

← 2006 2010 →

Nominee Ann Kirkpatrick Sydney Hay Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 155,791 109,924 Percentage 55.9% 39.4%

County results Kirkpatrick:     50–60%     60–70%     70–80% Hay:     40–50%     50–60%

U.S. Representative before election Rick Renzi Republican Elected U.S. Representative Ann Kirkpatrick Democratic

Incumbent RepublicanRick Renzi, who had represented the district since 2003, did not run for re-election. He was re-elected with only 52% of the vote compared to 44% for his Democratic opponent –Sedona civil rights attorney Ellen Simon – in 2006; George W. Bush won 54% of the vote in this northern Arizona district in 2004. The district had aPVI of R+2.^[3]

In August 2007, Renzi announced he would not seek re-election,^[4] four months after the FBI raided Renzi's family business as part of a federal investigation.

In the Republican primary, Sydney Ann Hay, mining industry lobbyist, earned a narrower-than-expected victory against Sandra L. B. Livingstone, Tom Hansen and Barry Hall.^[5]

• Sydney Hay, mining industry lobbyist and candidate for this seat in2002^[6][7]

• Barry Hall, former Baptist minister^[8]
• Sandra Livingstone, former State Department official and lawyer^[9]
• Tom Hansen, engineer^[10]

• Preston Korn, candidate for state representative in2006

• Ken Bennett, former president of theArizona Senate^[11]
• Bill Konopnicki, state representative^[11]
• Steve Pierce, rancher^[12]
• Kris Mayes, member of theArizona Corporation Commission^[13]
• Tom O'Halleran, state senator^[11]
• Rick Renzi, incumbent U.S. Representative^[14]
• Lewis Tenney, formerNavajo County Supervisor and candidate for this seat in2002

• Ann Kirkpatrick, former state representative and prosecutor^[16]

• Jeffrey Brown, mental health advocate
• Mary Kim Titla, publisher and former Phoenix TV newscaster^[11]
• Howard Shanker, attorney^[16]

• Allan Affeldt, Mayor ofWinslow^[16]
• Ellen Simon, civil rights attorney and nominee for this seat in2006^[11][16] (dropped out in May 2007, citing personal reasons)

• George Cordova, businessman and nominee for this seat in2002^[12]
• Jim Ledbetter, attorney^[16]
• Bob Mitchell, former Mayor ofCasa Grande (brother of Democratic CongressmanHarry Mitchell)^[11]
• Jim Pederson, real estate developer, former Chair of theArizona Democratic Party and nominee for U.S. Senate in2006^[11]
• Carter Olson,Pinal County attorney^[11]
• Steve Owens, Arizona Department of Environmental Quality director and nominee for the 6th district in1996 &1998^[11][16][12]

Kirkpatrick earned endorsements from leaders in government, education, tribal communities, first responders, and other groups. Among those endorsing her were: GovernorJanet Napolitano, U.S. RepresentativeGabby Giffords, U.S. RepresentativeHarry Mitchell, theArizona Education Association, the Arizona Police Association, the Arizona Conference of Police and Sheriffs, theInternational Association of Fire Fighters, Navajo County School Superintendent Linda Morrow, county sheriffs in Coconino, Gila, Graham, Greenlee, Navajo, and Pinal Counties, Coconino County School Superintendent Cecilia Owen, Pinal County School Superintendent Orlenda Roberts, Navajo NationPresidentJoe Shirley Jr.,San Carlos Apache Tribal Chair Wendsler Nosie,White Mountain Apache Tribal ChairRonnie Lupe, former Navajo NationPresident Dr.Peterson Zah, and many other tribal leaders.^[17] TheArizona Republic, the state's largest newspaper, and theWhite Mountain Independent and theArizona Daily Sun, two of the most widely read newspapers in the district, also endorsed her candidacy.

Kirkpatrick won by almost 15 points over Kim Titla.

Independent Brent Maupin, a Sedona engineer and businessman.

Kirkpatrick ran on a platform of tax cuts for 86 million middle-class families, making health care affordable and accessible to all, and encouraging renewable energy projects to end America's dependence on foreign energy and create jobs for rural Arizona. She also supported increasing teacher salaries, expanding SCHIP, and adding a division to the army. As a member of the Arizona State Legislature, Kirkpatrick was known for her willingness to work across party lines.

Hay meanwhile ran on increasing offshore drilling and in theArctic National Wildlife Refuge as well as tapping oil reserves inColorado andWyoming to stimulate the economy. She also recognized the need to reach across party lines to create meaningful change.

Kirkpatrick's victory resulted in a House gain for Democrats.

• Race ranking and details fromCQ Politics
• Campaign contributions fromOpenSecrets

2008 Arizona's 2nd congressional district election

← 2006 2010 →

Nominee Trent Franks John Thrasher Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 200,914 125,611 Percentage 59.4% 37.2%

County results Thrasher:     60–70%     70–80% Franks:     50–60%     60–70%

U.S. Representative before election Trent Franks Republican Elected U.S. Representative Trent Franks Republican

Incumbent RepublicanTrent Franks, who had represented the district since 2003, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 58.6% of the vote in 2006. The district had aPVI of R+9.^[3]

• Trent Franks, incumbent U.S. Representative

In what was essentially a rematch of the previous election, Franks was challenged by Democrat John Thrasher(campaign website)

• John Thrasher, educator and nominee for this seat in2006

• Powell Gammill, molecular biologist and nominee for this seat in2004 and2006

• William Crum

• Race ranking and details fromCQ Politics
• Campaign contributions fromOpenSecrets

2008 Arizona's 3rd congressional district election

← 2006 2010 →

Nominee John Shadegg Bob Lord Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 148,800 115,759 Percentage 54.1% 42.1%

County results Shadegg:     50–60%

U.S. Representative before election John Shadegg Republican Elected U.S. Representative John Shadegg Republican

Incumbent RepublicanJohn Shadegg, who had represented the district since 1995, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 59.3% of the vote in 2006. This district was previously held by Arizona's junior United States senator,RepublicanJon Kyl. The district had aPVI of R+6.^[3]

An outspoken conservative, Shadegg has consistently been re-elected in this Republican-leaning district (Cook Partisan Voting Index of R+6) in the northern Phoenix suburbs which gave George W. Bush 57.9 percent of the vote in 2004. However, Lord outraised Shadegg in the first quarter of 2007 and even had more cash on hand compared to Shadegg, which resulted in an unusually competitive race. However, Shadegg's campaign team noted that Shadegg's funds are smaller than expected due to Shadegg donating most of the money in 2006 to fellow Republicans in a last-ditch, albeit lackluster attempt to retain control of Congress.^[24]

On February 11, 2008, incumbent Shadegg announced he would not run for an eighth term, saying that he wanted to "seek a new challenge in a different venue to advance the cause of freedom." However, on February 21, Shadegg retracted the statement and announced he would seek re-election.^[25] Over 140 Republicans in Congress had signed a letter asking Shadegg to keep his seat.^[26] Although it was speculated that he would run for theUnited States Senate ifJohn McCain were to become president,^[27] Shadegg had expressed his intention to leave public life and return to the private sector^[26] before changing his mind.

Steve May a formerstate representative had announced a run for the seat^[28] but withdrew from the race when Shadegg announced he would seek another term after all.^[29]

• John Shadegg, incumbent U.S. Representative

• Steve May, formerstate representative

• Pamela Gorman,state senator^[30]
• Dean Martin,State Treasurer^[30]
• Sean Noble, Shadegg's Chief of Staff^[30]
• Jim Waring,state senator^[30]
• James Weiers, Speaker of theArizona House of Representatives^[30]
• Ed Winkler, Mayor ofParadise Valley^[30]

• Bob Lord, tax attorney (campaign website)

• Michael Shoen

Running as independents were Mark Yannone (campaign website), Annie Loyd and Edwin Winkler.

Annie Loyd, running on a platform of "transpartisan politics", has been described byThe Arizona Republic as a moderate. Born inSouth Dakota and a community activist inLos Angeles, Loyd is a 15-year resident of Phoenix. She has also appeared atColumbia University.^[31] Shadegg's 2006 Democratic opponent, consultant Herb Paine, announced his support for Loyd.

However, none of the independents made the ballot.

The race was covered in theEast Valley Tribune and showed a 27% independent voter population and noted increased registration of independents, in a district of 600,000 people cutting across urban Phoenix into rural parts of northern Maricopa county. The Federal Elections Commission reports that as of December 31, 2007, Shadegg had raised over $1,000,000, Lord over $600,000, and Loyd $26,000. May and Winkler had not reported any fundraising.^[32][33]

Despite having his campaign privately criticized by Republican operatives, Shadegg was re-elected by 12 points in strong Democratic year.^[37]

• Race ranking and details fromCQ Politics
• Campaign contributions fromOpenSecrets

2008 Arizona's 4th congressional district election

← 2006 2010 →

Nominee Ed Pastor Don Karg Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 89,721 26,435 Percentage 72.1% 21.3%

County results Pastor:     70-80%

U.S. Representative before election Ed Pastor Democratic Elected U.S. Representative Ed Pastor Democratic

Incumbent DemocratEd Pastor, who had represented the district since 1991, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 72.5% of the vote in 2006. The district had aPVI of D+14.^[3]

• Ed Pastor, incumbent U.S. Representative

• Don Karg

• Joe Cobb, retired economist and nominee for the 7th District in2006

• Rebecca DeWitt, accountant

• Race ranking and details fromCQ Politics
• Campaign contributions fromOpenSecrets

2008 Arizona's 5th congressional district election

← 2006 2010 →

Nominee Harry Mitchell David Schweikert Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 149,033 122,165 Percentage 53.2% 43.6%

County results Mitchell:     50–60%

U.S. Representative before election Harry Mitchell Democratic Elected U.S. Representative Harry Mitchell Democratic

This district has been represented by DemocratHarry Mitchell since 2007. Mitchell unseated conservative RepublicanJ.D. Hayworth by 50% to 47% in this Republican-leaning district in the northeastern Phoenix suburbs that gave George W. Bush 54% of the vote in 2004. The largely Republican nature of this district made a tough 2008 race certain, though Mitchell, who has a government complex inTempe named after him, had won a lot of tough elections in the past. The district had aPVI of R+4.^[3]

• Harry Mitchell, incumbent U.S. Representative

• David Schweikert, formerMaricopa County Treasurer, formerstate representative and candidate for this seat in1994^[38][39]

• Mark Anderson, formerstate representative^[39]
• Susan Bitter Smith, executive director of the Arizona-New Mexico Cable Communications Association and candidate for the 1st District in1994 and2000^[38]
• Lee Gentry, business owner, attorney and certified public accountant
• Laura Knaperek, formerstate representative^[40][38]
• Jim Ogsbury, lobbyist and former congressional aide^[41][38][39]

• Hugh Hallman, Mayor ofTempe^[38][39]
• Jeff Hatch-Miller, member ofArizona Corporation Commission and formerstate representative^[38][39]
• Tom Liddy, lawyer, son ofG. Gordon Liddy and candidate for the 1st District in2000^[38]
• Sean Noble, chief of staff to Rep. John Shadegg^[38]
• Michele Reagan,state representative^[39]
• Matt Salmon, former U.S. Representative and nominee for Governor in2002^[38][39]

• Warren Severin, businessman and nominee for this seat in2006

• Complete video of debate, October 20, 2008

• Race ranking and details fromCQ Politics
• Campaign contributions fromOpenSecrets

2008 Arizona's 6th congressional district election

← 2006 2010 →

Nominee Jeff Flake Rebecca Schneider Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 208,582 115,457 Percentage 62.4% 34.6%

County results Flake:     50–60%     60–70%

U.S. Representative before election Jeff Flake Republican Elected U.S. Representative Jeff Flake Republican

Incumbent RepublicanJeff Flake, who had represented the district since 2001, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 74.8% of the vote in 2006. There was no Democratic candidate in this heavily Republican district in 2004 or 2006. George W. Bush won with 64% here in 2004. The district had aPVI of R+12.^[3]

Flake, who was perhaps best known for his opposition topork barrel projects and advocacy for earmark reform ran unopposed.

• Jeff Flake, incumbent U.S. Representative(campaign website),

Richard Grayson, anApache Junction resident who ran as a write-in candidate inFlorida's 4th congressional district in 2004, filed with the Federal Election Commission to run for this seat as a Democrat, as did trucking-firm account manager Chris Gramazio.Rebecca Schneider (campaign website), a library supervisor fromMesa, also filed and ended up defeating Gramazio in the Democratic primary.

• Rebecca Schneider, library supervisor (D-Mesa)

• Chris Gramazio, trucking-firm account manager

• Richard Grayson,perennial candidate

• Rick Biondi

• Race ranking and details fromCQ Politics
• Campaign contributions fromOpenSecrets

2008 Arizona's 7th congressional district election

← 2006 2010 →

Nominee Raúl Grijalva Joseph Sweeney Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 124,304 64,425 Percentage 63.3% 32.8%

County results Grijalva:     40–50%     50–60%     70–80% Sweeney:     50–60%

U.S. Representative before election Raúl Grijalva Democratic Elected U.S. Representative Raúl Grijalva Democratic

Incumbent DemocratRaúl Grijalva, who had represented the district since 2003, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 61.1% of the vote in 2006. The district had aPVI of D+10.^[3]

• Raúl Grijalva, incumbent U.S. Representative

• Joseph Sweeney, educator, nominee for this seat in2004 and candidate in2000,2002 &2006

• Milton Chewning (campaign website)

• Race ranking and details fromCQ Politics
• Campaign contributions fromOpenSecrets

2008 Arizona's 8th congressional district election

← 2006 2010 →

Nominee Gabby Giffords Tim Bee Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 179,629 140,553 Percentage 54.7% 42.8%

County results Giffords:     40–50%     50–60% Bee:     50–60%

U.S. Representative before election Gabby Giffords Democratic Elected U.S. Representative Gabby Giffords Democratic

Incumbent DemocratGabby Giffords, who had represented the district since2007, ran for re-election. She was elected with 54.3% of the vote in 2006. The district had aPVI of R+1.^[3]

Bush narrowly won here with 52% to 47% forJohn Kerry in 2004.

• Gabby Giffords, incumbent U.S. Representative

• Tim Bee, President of theArizona Senate^[43]

Derek Tidball (campaign website) also ran.

Early on in the campaign, Bee was assessed by theRothenberg Political Report to be the number one challenger race in the nation saying "In 2008, Giffords will face state Senate President Tim Bee (R), whose candidacy represents a slice of sunshine in an otherwise gloomy election cycle for national Republicans... the 8th District should feature one of the most competitive races for the House in the country."^[44]Roll Call stated said that Bee's candidacy "erases some key advantages the freshman incumbent carried into her successful 2006 Congressional campaign."^[45]

Giffords attracted a lot of attention in late May and June due to the shuttle flight of her husbandMark E. Kelly, who served as commander of the space shuttle'sSTS-124 mission.^[46]

Bee's campaign generated state and national press coverage when his campaign co-chair, former CongressmanJim Kolbe, resigned and withdrew his support in early July.^[47][48][49] Kolbe had held the seat for 22 years until Giffords took office in 2007.

On July 13, theArizona Republic summarized the race: "Giffords has proved adept at fundraising and is considered a rising star in Democratic circles. But Bee is one of the state's highest-profile political figures and has enlisted the support of some heavy-hitters, including President Bush, the headliner of a Tucson fundraiser planned for later this month." Giffords has the "advantages of incumbency. Plus, Bee is just off a tough legislative term in which he drew heavy criticism for his role in a state budget deal and the referral of an anti-gay-marriage proposal to the November ballot. Bee remains a popular political figure, and registered Republicans outnumber Democrats by more than 14,000 in the district."^[1] On July 16, theArizona Republic reported that freshman Congresswoman Giffords "has proved to be the most successful fundraiser among the state's House delegation and now has more than $2 million in her campaign coffers."^[50]

Bee (R) vs Giffords (D-i) graph of collected poll results fromPollster.com

• Race ranking and details fromCQ Politics
• Campaign contributions fromOpenSecrets

Specific

General

• 2008 Competitive House Race ChartThe Cook Political Report, November 4, 2008.
• 2008 House RatingsThe Rothenberg Political Report, November 2, 2008.

• Elections from theArizona Secretary of State
• U.S. Congress candidates for Arizona atProject Vote Smart
• Arizona U.S. House Races from2008 Race Tracker
• Campaign contributions for Arizona congressional races fromOpenSecrets

• United States House of Representatives elections in Arizona
• 2008 United States House of Representatives elections
• 2008 Arizona elections
• Gabby Giffords

• Webarchive template wayback links
• All articles with dead external links
• Articles with dead external links from July 2016
• Articles with permanently dead external links
• Articles with dead external links from November 2018
• Articles with dead external links from August 2010
• Articles with short description
• Short description is different from Wikidata
• Use mdy dates from September 2023
• Pages using bar box without float left or float right