2008 United States House of Representatives elections House elections for the 111th U.S. Congress
The 2008 United States House of Representatives elections were held on November 4, 2008, to elect members to the United States House of Representatives to serve in the 111th United States Congress from January 3, 2009, until January 3, 2011. It coincided with the election of Barack Obama as president . All 435 voting seats, as well as all 6 non-voting seats, were up for election. The Democratic Party , which won a majority of seats in the 2006 election, expanded its control in 2008.
The Republican Party , hoping to regain the majority it lost in the 2006 election or at least expand its congressional membership, lost additional seats. With one exception (Louisiana's 2nd district ), the only seats to switch from Democratic to Republican had been Republican-held prior to the 2006 elections. Republicans gained five Democratic seats total, while losing 26 of their own, giving the Democrats a net gain of 21 seats, effectively erasing all gains made by the GOP since 1994 .[ 1] In addition, with the defeat of Republican congressman Chris Shays in Connecticut's 4th district , this became the first time since the 1850s that no Republican represented the New England region .[ 2] [ 3]
The 10.6% popular vote advantage by the Democrats was the largest by either party since 1982 , 26 years earlier, and as of 2024 remains the most recent time that either party won by a double-digit margin in the overall popular vote for the House of Representatives.[ 4] Turnout increased due to the concurrent presidential election . The presidential election, 2008 Senate elections , and 2008 gubernatorial elections , as well as many other state and local elections, occurred on the same date. This was the first and, as of 2024, the only election since 1980 in which the party of a newly elected president simultaneously gained seats in the House. It is also the most recent, and only time since 1988 that the incumbent president's party lost house seats in a presidential election year. It was the only time since 1994, and the last time until 2018 , that Republicans held less than 200 House seats and the last time any party won at least 250 House seats.
As of 2024[update] , this remains the last election in which Democrats won House seats in Idaho , North Dakota , and South Dakota ; the last election in which Democrats won more than one seat in Alabama until 2024 ; and the last election in which Democrats won a majority of seats in Arkansas , Indiana , Mississippi , Ohio , Tennessee , West Virginia , and Wisconsin . It is also the last time Republicans won a seat in Delaware .
Results summary
Federal
↓
257
178
Democratic
Republican
Party
Voting members[ 5] [ 6]
Non-voting members[ 7]
Votes
Percentage
Seats
+/−
Votes
Percentage
Seats
+/−
65,237,840
53.2%
257
21
1,952,133
94.3%
4
1
Republican
52,249,491
42.6%
178
21
1,919
0.1%
0
1
Libertarian
1,083,096
0.9%
0
—
—
0
Independent [B]
982,761
0.8%
0
21,574
1.0%
2
1
Green
580,263
0.5%
0
14,386
0.7%
0
Constitution
179,261
0.1%
0
—
—
0
Independence
168,939
0.1%
0
—
—
0
Others
2,066,229
1.7%
Totals
122,547,880[ 8]
100.0%
435
—
2,069,306
100.0%
6
1
Voter turnout
Popular vote
Democratic
53.23%
Republican
42.64%
Libertarian
0.88%
Green
0.47%
Others
2.78%
House seats
Democratic
59.08%
Republican
40.92%
Per state
A The number of non-voting members also includes the non-voting member-elect from Puerto Rico , Pedro Pierluisi , who is a member of the New Progressive Party of Puerto Rico , but will caucus with the Democrats. The New Progressive Party is affiliated with both the Democratic and Republican Parties and the last representative from Puerto Rico, Luis Fortuño , caucused with the Republicans. The vote total for the non-voting members also includes the Popular Democratic Party of Puerto Rico , which has ties to the Democratic Party.
B Both non-voting independents, American Samoa's representative Eni Faleomavaega and the Northern Mariana Islands' representative-elect Gregorio Sablan, will caucus with the Democrats. In America Samoa all elections are non-partisan.[ 9] In the Northern Mariana Islands, Sablan appeared on the ballot as an independent.[ 10]
Maps
Retiring incumbents
Thirty-three incumbents voluntarily retired.[ 11]
Democratic incumbents
All seven seats held by retiring Democrats were won by Democrats.
Alabama 5 : Bud Cramer : "To spend more time with my family and begin another chapter in my life"[ 12]
California 12 : Tom Lantos : died February 11, 2008, having already announced his planned retirement.
Colorado 2 : Mark Udall : Ran for and won the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Wayne Allard .
Maine 1 : Tom Allen : Ran against and lost to Susan Collins in the U.S. Senate election.
New Mexico 3 : Tom Udall : Ran for and won the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Pete Domenici .
New York 21 : Michael McNulty : "[I]t's not what I want to do for the rest of my life."[ 13]
Oregon 5 : Darlene Hooley : Because of the "cumulative effect of arduous travel, the relentless demands of fund-raising and 32 years of public service"[ 14]
Republican incumbents
Twenty-seven Republicans retired. Thirteen of their seats were then won by Democrats (see Open seat gains, below ).
Alabama 2 : Terry Everett : Because of age and health[ 15]
Arizona 1 : Rick Renzi : To fight federal criminal charges involving a land-swap deal[ 16]
California 4 : John Doolittle : To fight an FBI corruption investigation[ 17]
California 52 : Duncan Hunter Ran for and lost the race for the Republican nomination for president. Already planned to retire
Colorado 6 : Tom Tancredo : Ran for and lost the race for the Republican nomination for President
Florida 15 : Dave Weldon : To return to his medical practice[ 18]
Illinois 11 : Jerry Weller : To spend more time with his family,[ 19] amid questions about his Nicaraguan land dealings, his wife's investments, and his relationship to an indicted defense contractor[ 20]
Illinois 18 : Ray LaHood (On December 19, 2008, President-elect Barack Obama announced his intention to nominate LaHood to serve as the next Secretary of Transportation .) He was later confirmed.
Kentucky 2 : Ron Lewis
Louisiana 4 : Jim McCrery
Minnesota 3 : Jim Ramstad
Mississippi 3 : Chip Pickering
Missouri 9 : Kenny Hulshof : Ran for and lost the election for governor
New Jersey 3 : Jim Saxton : Because of age and health[ 21]
New Jersey 7 : Mike Ferguson : To spend more time with his family[ 22]
New Mexico 1 : Heather Wilson : Ran in and lost the Republican primary for New Mexico's open U.S. Senate seat
New Mexico 2 : Steve Pearce : Ran for and lost the election for New Mexico's open U.S. Senate seat
New York 13 : Vito Fossella : Amid scandal following a drunk driving arrest which led to revelations of infidelity and a secret family he maintained in Virginia
New York 25 : Jim Walsh
New York 26 : Tom Reynolds
Ohio 7 : Dave Hobson : "I wanted to go out on top"[ 23]
Ohio 15 : Deborah Pryce : To spend more time with her family[ 24]
Ohio 16 : Ralph Regula
Pennsylvania 5 : John Peterson : To spend more time with his family[ 25] [ 26]
Puerto Rico's at-large congressional district : Luis Fortuño : Ran for and won the Governorship of Puerto Rico defeating Gov. Aníbal Acevedo Vilá [ 27]
Virginia 11 : Thomas M. Davis : "It's time for me to take a sabbatical"[ 28]
Wyoming's at-large congressional district : Barbara Cubin [ 29]
Defeated incumbents
Incumbents defeated in primary election
One Republican lost in a primary and the seat was eventually won by a Democrat. One Democrat lost the primary as did two Republicans. The three primary winners, however, managed to retain the seat for the same party.
Maryland 1 : Wayne Gilchrest (R), whose seat was later won by a Democrat
Maryland 4 : Albert Wynn (D), who subsequently resigned May 31, 2008
Utah 3 : Chris Cannon (R)
Tennessee 1 : David Davis (R)
Incumbents defeated in general election
Fourteen Republicans and five Democrats lost their general elections, thereby losing their seats to the other party.
Open seat gains
Twelve seats (and one delegate's seat) held by retiring Republicans were won by Democrats. No Democratic retirements were picked up by Republicans.
Closest races
Fifty-two races were decided by 10% or lower.[ 31]
Election ratings
Special elections
The thirteen special elections to the 110th United States Congress are listed below by election date.
In 2008 there were eight special elections for vacant seats in the United States House of Representatives , for the 110th United States Congress . In the special elections, Democrats gained three seats while keeping hold of five seats. Republicans held only one of their four seats.
District
Incumbent
This race
Member
Party
First elected
Results
Candidates
Illinois 14
Dennis Hastert
Republican
1986
Incumbent resigned November 26, 2007. New member elected March 8, 2008 .Democratic gain.
Indiana 7
Julia Carson
Democratic
1996
Incumbent died December 17, 2007. New member elected March 11, 2008 . Democratic hold.
California 12
Tom Lantos
Democratic
1980
Incumbent died February 11, 2008. New member elected April 8, 2008 . Democratic hold.
▌ Y Jackie Speier (Democratic) 77.72%
▌ Greg Conlon (Republican) 9.37%
▌ Michelle McMurry (Democratic) 5.33%
▌ Mike Moloney (Republican) 5.30%
▌ Barry Hermanson (Green) 2.28%
Louisiana 1
Bobby Jindal
Republican
2004
Incumbent resigned January 14, 2008, to become Governor of Louisiana . New member elected May 3, 2008 . Republican hold.
▌ Y Steve Scalise (Republican) 75.13%
▌ Gilda Reed (Democratic) 22.50%
▌ R. A. Galan (Independent) 1.74%
▌ Anthony Gentile (Independent) 0.62%
Louisiana 6
Richard Baker
Republican
1986
Incumbent resigned February 2, 2008, to become Director of the Managed Funds Association .[ 32] New member elected May 3, 2008 .Democratic gain.
▌ Y Don Cazayoux (Democratic) 49.20%
▌ Woody Jenkins (Republican) 46.27%
▌ Ashley Casey (Independent) 3.68%
▌ Peter J. Aranyosi (Independent) 0.44%
▌ Randall T. Hayes (Constitution) 0.40%
Mississippi 1
Roger Wicker
Republican
1994
Incumbent resigned December 31, 2007, when appointed U.S. Senator. New member elected May 13, 2008 .Democratic gain.
Maryland 4
Albert Wynn
Democratic
1992
Incumbent resigned May 31, 2008, after losing renomination. New member elected June 17, 2008 . Democratic hold.
▌ Y Donna Edwards (Democratic) 80.54%
▌ Peter James (Republican) 17.78%
▌ Thibeaux Lincecum (Libertarian) 1.06%
Ohio 11
Stephanie Tubbs Jones
Democratic
1998
Incumbent died August 20, 2008. New member elected November 18, 2008 . Democratic hold.
Alabama
Alaska
American Samoa
See Non-voting delegates , below.
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia
See Non-voting delegates , below.
Florida
Georgia
Guam
See Non-voting delegates , below.
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Note: In Louisiana's 2nd and 4th districts, primary runoffs were held November 4, 2008 and the general election for both of these races were held December 6, 2008.
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
District
Incumbent
Party
First elected
Results
Candidates
Nevada 1
Shelley Berkley
Democratic
1998
Incumbent re-elected.
▌ Y Shelley Berkley (Democratic) 67.6%
▌ Kenneth Wegner (Republican) 28.4%
▌ Caren Alexander (Independent American) 2.0%
▌ Raymond Duensing (Libertarian) 2.0%
Nevada 2
Dean Heller
Republican
2006
Incumbent re-elected.
▌ Y Dean Heller (Republican) 51.8%
▌ Jill Derby (Democratic) 41.4%
▌ John Everhart (Independent American) 3.4%
▌ Sean Patrick Morse (Libertarian) 1.7%
▌ Craig Bergland (Green) 1.6%
Nevada 3
Jon Porter
Republican
2002
Incumbent lost re-election.Democratic gain.
▌ Y Dina Titus (Democratic) 47.4%
▌ Jon Porter (Republican) 42.3%
▌ Jeffrey Reeves (Independent) 4.3%
▌ Joseph Silvestri (Libertarian) 2.9%
▌ Floyd Fitzgibbons (Independent American) 2.0%
▌ Bob Gianquinta (Green) 1.1%
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Northern Mariana Islands
See Non-voting delegates , below.
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
District
Incumbent
Party
First elected
Results
Candidates
Oregon 1
David Wu
Democratic
1998
Incumbent re-elected.
▌ Y David Wu (Democratic) 71.5%
▌ Joel Haugen (Independent) 17.5%
▌ Scott Semrau (Constitution) 4.3%
▌ H. Joe Tabor (Libertarian) 3.3%
▌ Chris Henry (Pacific Green) 2.1%
Oregon 2
Greg Walden
Republican
1998
Incumbent re-elected.
▌ Y Greg Walden (Republican) 69.5%
▌ Noah Lemas (Democratic) 25.8%
▌ Tristin Mock (Pacific Green) 2.8%
▌ Richard Hake (Constitution) 1.7%
Oregon 3
Earl Blumenauer
Democratic
1996
Incumbent re-elected.
Oregon 4
Peter DeFazio
Democratic
1986
Incumbent re-elected.
▌ Y Peter DeFazio (Democratic) 82.3%
▌ Jaynee Germond (Constitution) 12.9%
▌ Mike Beilstein (Pacific Green) 3.9%
Oregon 5
Darlene Hooley
Democratic
1996
Incumbent retired. Democratic hold.
▌ Y Kurt Schrader (Democratic) 54.3%
▌ Mike Erickson (Republican) 38.3%
▌ Sean Bates (Independent) 2.0%
▌ Douglas Patterson (Constitution) 2.0%
▌ Alex Polikoff (Pacific Green) 1.6%
▌ Steve Milligan (Libertarian) 1.4%
Pennsylvania
Puerto Rico
See Non-voting delegates , below.
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
U.S. Virgin Islands
See Non-voting delegates , below.
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
Non-voting delegates
Democratic hold Democratic gain Independent gain
See also
Notes
^ As well as the 6 non-voting delegates .
^ Deal was originally elected as a Democrat. He switched parties in April 1995.
^ Alexander was first elected as a Democrat. He became a Republican in August 2004.
^ Hall was first elected as a Democrat. He became a Republican in January 2004.
^ Goode was elected as Democrat. He left the party in January 2000 and became a Republican in August 2002.
References
^ Barbara Bradley Hagerty & Deborah Tedford (November 4, 2008). "Democrats Poised For Landslide Wins In House" . NPR.
^ Susan Haigh (November 9, 2008). "G.O.P. a Dying Breed in New England" . USA Today . Retrieved April 18, 2014 .
^ Jon Lender & Mark Pazniokas (November 5, 2008). "Jim Himes Defeats Christopher Shays in 4th District" . The Hartford Courant . Retrieved April 18, 2014 .
^ Enten, Harry (December 26, 2022). "The most underdiscussed fact of the 2022 election: how historically close it was" . CNN. Retrieved December 26, 2022 .
^ "U.S. House" . CNN. November 5, 2008. Retrieved November 5, 2008 .
^ "The Green Papers 2008 U.S. House Popular Vote and FEC Total Receipts by Party" . The Green Papers. Retrieved November 13, 2008 .
^ "2008 General Election" . The Green Papers. Retrieved November 13, 2008 .
^ "Election Statistics: 1920 to Present | US House of Representatives: History, Art & Archives" . history.house.gov .
^ "American Samoa 2008 General Election" . The Green Papers. Retrieved November 11, 2008 .
^ "Northern Marianas 2008 General Election" . The Green Papers. Retrieved November 11, 2008 .
^ "2008 House Summary" . Cook Political Report . August 21, 2008. Archived from the original on October 16, 2008. Retrieved October 13, 2008 .
^ "Cramer will not seek re-election to Congress" . Birmingham News . March 13, 2008.
^ Judy Holland (May 27, 2008). " 'Average guy,' remarkable career: Retiring McNulty looks back with pride on 20 years in the House" . Times Union .
^ Kosseff, Jeff; Charles Pope (February 7, 2008). "Rep. Hooley will not run for re-election" . The Oregonian .
^ "Congressman Everett Announces Intentions to Retire" . Website of Congressman Terry Everett . September 26, 2007. Archived from the original on December 7, 2008. Retrieved June 28, 2008 .
^ J. Wilke (August 24, 2007). "Renzi Won't Seek Re-election as Federal Inquiry Broadens". Wall Street Journal . p. A6.
^ Peter Hecht (June 2, 2008). "Fight to replace Doolittle divides Placer Republicans" . The Sacramento Bee . [permanent dead link ]
^ Jackie Kucinich and Aaron Blake (January 25, 2008). "Weldon will not seek reelection" . The Hill . Archived from the original on July 7, 2008. Retrieved June 28, 2008 .
^ "Rep. Weller will not seek another term in Congress" . The State Journal-Register . September 9, 2007. Retrieved September 24, 2007 .
^ Hal Dardick (September 21, 2007). "Weller won't seek new term" . Chicago Tribune . [permanent dead link ]
^ Raymond Hernandez (November 10, 2007). "Citing Health, Lawmaker Announces Plan to Retire" . The New York Times . Retrieved December 1, 2007 . , "Representative Jim Saxton of New Jersey, a Republican who has served in Congress since 1984, said Friday that he would not seek re-election next year because he had prostate cancer."
^ Raju Chebium (November 19, 2007). "Ferguson won't seek re-election to Congress" . Home News Tribune . Archived from the original on February 29, 2008. Retrieved November 19, 2007 . , "Rep. Mike Ferguson, R-Warren Township, said today he won't seek re-election next year to a fifth term ... he next elections are in November 2008; Stender is again a Democratic candidate for the 7th district seat Ferguson currently occupies."
^ "Ohio Representative David Hobson Announces Retirement" . Fox News. Associated Press. October 15, 2007. Archived from the original on December 17, 2007. Retrieved June 1, 2009 .
^ 8-term Ohio Rep. Deborah Pryce to retire – politics | NBC News . NBC News (2007-08-16). Retrieved on 2013-08-16.
^ "GOP Rep. Peterson Will Retire at End of Term" . CQ Politics . January 3, 2008. Archived from the original on September 18, 2008.
^ Josh Kraushaar (January 3, 2008). "Peterson To Retire" . CBS News .
^ "Top Hispanic Republican Wins Gubernatorial Election in Puerto Rico" . Market Watch . Archived from the original on December 9, 2008. Retrieved September 12, 2018 .
^ Amy Gardner (January 30, 2008). "U.S. Rep. Davis to Retire, Ending 14-Year Tenure in Congress" . The Washington Post .
^ Marie Horrigan (November 9, 2007). "Wyoming Republican Cubin to Leave the House" . Archived from the original on September 18, 2008.
^ 2008 Idaho Secretary of State Archived February 20, 2015, at the Wayback Machine - General Elections Statewide Totals
^ "2008 Congressional Results" (PDF) . Federal Election Commission .
^ Garard Shields (February 2, 2008). "Baker departs public office" . 2theadvocate.com . Archived from the original on May 22, 2011. Retrieved February 2, 2008 .
^ "Cook Political Report, PVI for the 110th Congress" (PDF) . cookpolitical.com . Cook Political Report. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 6, 2008. Retrieved November 20, 2023 .
^ Access Denied . NationalJournal.com. Retrieved on 2013-08-16.
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