2008 United States House of Representatives elections in Virginia

← 2006 November 4, 2008 (2008-11-04) 2010 →
All 11 Virginia seats to theUnited States House of Representatives
Majority party Minority party   Party Democratic Republican Last election 3 seats, 41.23% 8 seats, 53.23%% Seats before 3 8 Seats won 6 5 Seat change 3 3 Popular vote 1,852,788 1,590,687 Percentage 53.01% 45.51% Swing 11.78% 7.72%
District results County and independent city results Democratic   50–60%   60–70%   70–80%   80–90%   >90% Republican   40–50%   50–60%   60–70%   70–80%

The2008 congressional elections in Virginia were held on November 4, 2008, to determine who would represent theCommonwealth ofVirginia in theUnited States House of Representatives, coinciding with thepresidential andsenatorial elections. Representatives were elected for two-year terms in the111th Congress from January 3, 2009, until January 3, 2011. Primary elections were held on June 10, 2008.

Virginia had eleven seats in the House, apportioned according to the2000 United States census. Democrats flipped the2nd,5th, and11th districts, flipping their 3–8 deficit into a 6–5 majority, their first since1998. As of 2024, this is the last time that Democrats were elected to the 5th or9th congressional districts. This was also the last time until2018 that Democrats won the majority of House seats in Virginia.

Party		Candidates	Votes[1]		Seats
			No.	%	No.	+/–	%
	Democratic	11	1,852,788	53.01	5	3	54.55
	Republican	9	1,590,687	45.51	4	3	45.45
	Independent Greens	2	14,100	0.40	0		0.0
	Independents	2	13,870	0.40	0		0.0
	Libertarian	1	5,265	0.15	0		0.0
	Write-in	11	18,645	0.53	0		0.0
Total			3,495,355	100.0	11		100.0

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

2008 Virginia's 1st congressional district election

← 2007 (special) 2010 →

Nominee Rob Wittman Bill Day Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 203,839 150,452 Percentage 56.6% 41.8%

County and independent city results Wittman:     50–60%     60–70%     70–80% Day:     50–60%     60–70%

U.S. Representative before election Rob Wittman Republican Elected U.S. Representative Rob Wittman Republican

Incumbent RepublicanRob Wittman, who had represented the district since 2007, ran for re-election. He was elected with 60.8% of the vote in 2007 and the district had aPVI of R+9.^[2]

AWestmoreland County resident, former State Board of Health field director for the Division of Shellfish Sanitation and past member of theVirginia House of Delegates,^[3] Wittman had only held the seat since January 2008, having won thespecial election to succeed deceased CongresswomanJo Ann Davis. He had taken up many of her causes, including theFairTax, veterans' interests and getting rid of the remainder of theghost fleet stationed at theJames River.^[4][5][6] Like Davis, he is also introducing legislation to allow Virginia to regulate the importation of trash from other states.^[7]

• Rob Wittman, incumbent U.S. Representative^[8]

TheDemocratic Party of Virginia held its convention on May 17 inWilliamsburg, Virginia and selected Keith Hummel, the only person running for the Democratic nomination at the time. Only four votes were cast to not nominate anyone.^[9] A Westmoreland County physician and self-described "populist Democrat", Hummel also operates a farm and winery. The issues he was running on included enacting trade and tax policies to protect American jobs and American interests (rather than those of a few multinational corporations); using the military for defense rather than offensively; providing better health care and other benefits to veterans; and universal health care.^[10]

• Bill Day, mental health counselor and nominee forstate delegate in2007^[11]

Anarcho-capitalistCatlett residentNathan Larson, filed a declaration of candidacy on May 7, and was certified for the ballot on June 6. He was nominated by theLibertarian Party 1st Congressional District Convention on June 3^[12][13] and endorsed by theIndependent Greens of Virginia on June 12.^[14]

The main issues he was running on arefree market roads andtransit privatization,^[15] which he proposed as the solution to DC Metropolitan area traffic congestion, recently ranked the second-worst in the country.^[16] He supported auctioning off theInterstate Highway System and rail systems such asAmtrak to private investors.^[17] Larson also sought to dissolve the U.S. military and establish a competitive market for defense services.^[18]

• Nathan Larson, accountant andcannabis reform activist^[19][20]

The candidates appeared on Cathy Lewis's TV program,What Matters, on October 15.^[21] The candidates held a spirited and well-attended^[22] debate on October 22 in which differing opinions on health care and the economy played a central role. Wittman defended his vote against the bailout package, while Day said he would have voted for it, and Larson said that it would have been better for the economy if the banks had been allowed to fail. On Medicare, Wittman advocated restructuring the system, while Day argued for expanding it and Larson shocked the audience by calling for its abolition.^[23][24]

Wittman won the election, 56.6 to 41.8.^[31]

2008 Virginia's 2nd congressional district election

← 2006 2010 →

Candidate Glenn Nye Thelma Drake Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 141,857 128,486 Percentage 52.4% 47.5%

County and independent city results Nye:     50–60%

U.S. Representative before election Thelma Drake Republican Elected U.S. Representative Glenn Nye Democratic

The District includes Virginia's two largest cities--Norfolk andVirginia Beach, and theVirginia portion of the Eastern Shore. Incumbent RepublicanThelma Drake, who had represented the district since 2005, ran for re-election.^[33] She was elected with 51.3% of the vote in 2006 and the district had aPVI of R+6.^[2]

In 2006, Drake survived a bid from DemocratPhil Kellam by only 51.27% to 48.45%. In 2004, Drake received 55% of the vote in this Virginia Beach-based district, which was won by George W. Bush with 57% to 42% for John Kerry in 2004. But in 2005 Democratic Governor Tim Kaine won the district by 50% to 47%.^[34] In 2006, Drake may have been hurt by the downfall of Republican U.S. SenatorGeorge Allen, who narrowly lost to DemocratJim Webb, an ex-Republican and former Navy Secretary underRonald Reagan. (Allen carried the district 51%–48%.^[35])

• Thelma Drake, incumbent U.S. Representative^[36]

• Glenn Nye, businessman and former foreign service officer

The District runs fromHampton Roads toRichmond. Incumbent DemocratBobby Scott, who had represented the district since 1993, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 96.1% of the vote in 2006 and the district had aPVI of D+18.^[2] That year Democrat Webb carried 68% of the district in his Senate race.^[35] In 2005 DemocratTim Kaine won the district by 71% to 27% in his gubernatorial race.^[34]

• Bobby Scott, incumbent U.S. Representative

No Republicans filed to run.^[44]

• Race ranking and details fromCQ Politics
• Campaign contributions fromOpenSecrets

The District lies in southeastern Virginia. Incumbent RepublicanRandy Forbes, who had represented the district since 2001, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 76.1% of the vote in 2006 and the district had aPVI of R+5.^[2] In 2006 Democrat Webb lost the district 45%–54% in his Senate race.^[35] In 2005 DemocratTim Kaine lost the district by 48.3% to 49.6% in his gubernatorial race.^[34]

• Randy Forbes, incumbent U.S. Representative

• Andrea Miller, IT Director, digital strategist and former Regional Coordinator forDennis Kucinich's presidential campaign

• Race ranking and details fromCQ Politics
• Campaign contributions fromOpenSecrets
• Miller campaign website

2008 Virginia's 5th congressional district election

← 2006 2010 →

Candidate Tom Perriello Virgil Goode Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 158,810 158,083 Percentage 50.09% 49.86%

County and independent city results Perriello:     50–60%     60–70%     80–90% Goode:     50–60%     60–70%

U.S. Representative before election Virgil Goode Republican Elected U.S. Representative Tom Perriello Democratic

The District lies in southern and central Virginia. Incumbent RepublicanVirgil Goode, who had represented the district since 1997, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 59.1% of the vote in 2006 and the district had aPVI of R+6.^[2] Democrat Webb lost the district 45%–54% in his Senate race.^[35] In 2005 DemocratTim Kaine won the district by 49.6% to 48.4% in his gubernatorial race.^[34] Goode originally won his seat as a Democrat in 1996, voted forPresident Clinton's impeachment in 1998, became an Independent in 2000, and then joined the Republican Party in 2002. He became the first Republican to represent the district since 1889.

• Virgil Goode, incumbent U.S. Representative

• Tom Perriello, attorney and diplomat

TheDemocratic Congressional Campaign Committee considered Goode a "targeted Republican", based partly on Perriello's early fundraising.^[47] On August 1, the DCCC named Perriello as one of its Red to Blue candidates.^[48]

Democrat Perriello defeated Republican incumbent Goode 50.1% to 49.9%.^[55] A recount was conducted and Perriello was finally certified^[56] as the winner by 727 of 316,893 votes on December 17. This was the closest House race in 2008.

• Race ranking and details fromCQ Politics
• Campaign contributions fromOpenSecrets
• Goode (R-i) vs Perriello (D) graph of poll results atPollster.com

2008 Virginia's 6th congressional district election

← 2006 2010 →

Candidate Bob Goodlatte Sam Rasoul Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 192,350 114,367 Percentage 61.6% 36.6%

County and independent city results Goodlatte:     50–60%     60–70%     70–80% Rasoul:     50–60%

U.S. Representative before election Bob Goodlatte Republican Elected U.S. Representative Bob Goodlatte Republican

The District lies in western Virginia. Incumbent RepublicanBob Goodlatte, who had represented the district since 1993, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 75.1% of the vote in 2006 and the district had aPVI of R+11.^[2] Democrat Webb lost the district 40%–58% in his Senate race.^[35] In 2005 Democrat Tim Kaine lost the district by 44% to 53% in his gubernatorial race.^[34]

• Bob Goodlatte, incumbent U.S. Representative

• Sam Rasoul, small business entrepreneur

• Drew Richardson^[57]

• Race ranking and details fromCQ Politics
• Campaign contributions fromOpenSecrets
• Rasoul campaign website
• Allen campaign websiteArchived 2021-12-06 at theWayback Machine

2008 Virginia's 7th congressional district election

← 2006 2010 →

Nominee Eric Cantor Anita Hartke Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 233,531 138,123 Percentage 62.7% 37.1%

County and independent city results Cantor:     50–60%     60–70%     70–80% Hartke:     50–60%

U.S. Representative before election Eric Cantor Republican Elected U.S. Representative Eric Cantor Republican

The 7th District included western parts ofRichmond, as well as its nearby suburbs inHenrico County, but otherwise is largely rural. Incumbent RepublicanEric Cantor, who had represented the district since 2002, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 63.8% of the vote in 2006 and the district had aPVI of R+11.^[2]

• Eric Cantor, incumbent U.S. Representative

Hartke, 48, a resident ofAmissville, Virginia.^[59] Her stated positions included improvements on the National Energy Policy by investing inalternative energy in order to reduce the use of foreign oil and fossil fuels. She also supporteduniversal health care as well as gradual withdrawal of troops fromIraq. She also supported reform of the controversialNo Child Left Behind Act and increasing funding to the public school system as well as hoping to end student college loan rates in excess of 20%.^[60]

• Anita Hartke, real estate broker, chair of theCulpeper County Democratic Committee and daughter of formerIndianaUS SenatorVance Hartke^[61]

The District lies in heavily suburbanNorthern Virginia. Incumbent DemocratJim Moran, who had represented the district since 1985, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 66.4% of the vote in 2006 and the district had aPVI of D+14.^[2]. That year Democrat Webb won the district 69%–30% in his Senate race.^[35] In 2005 Democrat Tim Kaine won the district by 70% to 28% in his gubernatorial race.^[34]

• Jim Moran, incumbent U.S. Representative

• Matthew Famiglietti

In the June 10 primary election, Moran defeated Famiglietti, with 87% of the vote.^[62]

• Mark Ellmore, mortgage lender and candidate for this seat in2006

• Amit Singh, small businessman

• Race ranking and details fromCQ Politics
• Campaign contributions fromOpenSecrets

2008 Virginia's 9th congressional district election

← 2006 2010 →

Candidate Rick Boucher Party Democratic Popular vote 207,306 Percentage 97.1%

County and independent city results Boucher:      >90%

U.S. Representative before election Rick Boucher Democratic Elected U.S. Representative Rick Boucher Democratic

The District covers much ofSouthwest Virginia. Incumbent DemocratRick Boucher, who had represented the district since 1983, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 67.8% of the vote in 2006 and the district had aPVI of R+7.^[2] Democrat Webb lost the district 44%–55% in his Senate race.^[35] In 2005 Democrat Tim Kaine lost the district by 43% to 55% in his gubernatorial race.^[34]

• Rick Boucher, incumbent U.S. Representative

No Republicans filed to run.^[44]

• Race ranking and details fromCQ Politics
• Campaign contributions fromOpenSecrets

The District lies in Northern and northwestern Virginia. It coversLoudoun,Prince William and parts ofFairfax and Fauquier counties, as well asManassas. Incumbent RepublicanFrank Wolf, the Dean of theVirginia congressional delegation, who had represented the district since 1981, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 57.3% of the vote in 2006 and the district had aPVI of R+5.^[2]Democrat Webb won the district 50.0%–48.8% in his Senate race.^[35] In 2005 Democrat Tim Kaine won the district by 50% to 46% in his gubernatorial race.^[34] In 2004George W. Bush won 55% of this district.

• Frank Wolf, incumbent U.S. Representative^[65]

• Vern McKinley, financial consultant^[66]

• Judy Feder, professor atGeorgetown University and nominee for this seat2006

• Mike Turner, nonprofit worker

• Neeraj C. Nigam, computer systems analyst and candidate for this seat in2006 (Independent)

• Race ranking and details fromCQ Politics
• Campaign contributions fromOpenSecrets

Incumbent RepublicanTom Davis, who had represented the Democratic trending district, located in the wealthyNorthern Virginia suburbs ofWashington, DC which includes part ofFairfax andPrince William counties, since 1995, retired rather than run for re-election. He was re-elected with % of the vote in 2006 and the district had aPVI of R+1.^[2]George W. Bush barely won this district with 50% to 49% forJohn Kerry in 2004. Webb won the district 55%–44% in his Senate race.^[35] In 2005 Democrat Tim Kaine won the district by 56% to 42% in his gubernatorial race.^[34]

Fimian had personal wealth to draw upon.^[69]

• Keith Fimian, formerCertified Public Accountant

• Tom Davis, incumbent U.S. Representative
• Tim Hugo,state delegate^[70]
• Corey Stewart,Prince William Board of County Supervisors Chair

• Gerry Connolly, Chair of theFairfax County Board of Supervisors^[62][71]

• Lori Alexander,George Mason University senior^[72]
• Leslie Byrne, former U.S. Representative and nominee forLieutenant Governor in2005
• Douglas Denneny, retired Navy pilot, and former legislative liaison for theChairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

Oddo favored light rail as an alternative toHOT lanes.

• Joseph Oddo, freelance writer, nominee for this seat in2004 and for the 5th district in2006

• Race ranking and details fromCQ Politics
• Campaign contributions fromOpenSecrets
• Fimian (R) vs Connolly (D) graph of poll results atPollster.com

• Virginia State Board of Elections
• U.S. Congress candidates for Virginia atProject Vote Smart
• Virginia U.S. House Races from2008 Race Tracker
• Campaign contributions for Virginia congressional races fromOpenSecrets
• Campaign contributions fromOpenSecrets
• Official campaign websites
  • Bill Day Democratic
  • Rob WittmanArchived 2008-06-19 at theLibrary of Congress Web Archives Republican
  • Nathan Larson Libertarian

• 2008 United States House of Representatives elections
• 2008 Virginia elections
• United States House of Representatives elections in Virginia

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