2008 Arizona Democratic presidential primary explained

Election Name:2008 Arizona Democratic presidential primary
Country:Arizona
Type:presidential
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:2004 Arizona Democratic presidential primary
Previous Year:2004
Next Election:2016 Arizona Democratic presidential primary
Next Year:2016
Candidate1:Hillary Clinton
Colour1:D4AA00
Home State1:New York
Popular Vote1:229,501
Percentage1:50.37%
Delegate Count1:31
Candidate2:Barack Obama
Colour2:880088
Home State2:Illinois
Popular Vote2:193,126
Percentage2:42.39%
Delegate Count2:25
Map Size:200px
Outgoing Members:AS
Elected Members:AR
Colour3:e50100
Candidate3:John Edwards
(withdrawn)
Home State3:North Carolina
Popular Vote3:23,621
Percentage3:5.18%
Delegate Count3:0
Votes For Election:56 pledged delegates to the
2008 Democratic National Convention

The 2008 Arizona Democratic presidential primary took place on Super Tuesday, February 5, 2008, and had a total of 56 delegates at stake. The winner in each of Arizona's eight congressional districts was awarded all of that district's delegates, which totaled 37. Another 19 delegates were awarded to the statewide winner, Hillary Clinton. The 56 delegates represented Arizona at the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado. Eleven other unpledged delegates, known as superdelegates, also attended the convention.[1]

Results

2008 Arizona Democratic Presidential Primary Results
PartyCandidateVotesPercentageDelegates
DemocraticHillary Clinton229,501 50.37%31
DemocraticBarack Obama193,12642.39%25
DemocraticJohn Edwards23,621 5.18%0
DemocraticOther Candidates 3,7480.82%0
DemocraticBill Richardson2,842 0.62%0
DemocraticDennis Kucinich1,9730.43%0
DemocraticEddie Dobson3980.8%0
DemocraticOthers426 0.10%0
Totals455,635100.00%56
Voter turnout%

Analysis

One of the most diverse states in the nation with a heavily Latino population, Hillary Clinton was declared the winner of the Arizona Democratic Primary. According to exit polls, 68 percent of voters in the Arizona Democratic Primary were Caucasian and they opted for Clinton by a margin of 53–38. Clinton also won the Latino vote in Arizona by a margin of 55–41, which accounted for 18 percent of the electorate, as well as the Native American vote by a margin of 53-45 which accounted for 5 percent of the total voters in the primary. Obama carried the African American vote by a margin of 79–12, which accounted for 8 percent of the electorate. In terms of age, Obama won all voters under the age of 40 while Clinton won those over the age of 40. In terms of educational attainment, Clinton won all those who had a high school diploma, some college and/or college graduates while Obama won those who possessed postgraduate degrees. Clinton won self-identified Democratic voters and all ideological groups while Obama carried Independents in the state. Pertaining to religion, Clinton won all the major denominations in Arizona – Protestants backed Clinton 51–38, Catholics 57–37, Jews 51–44, and other Christians 47–46. Obama won nonreligious voters and voters who affiliated with other religions.

Clinton performed extremely well statewide in Arizona – carrying all counties but two: Coconino and Yavapai. She carried Maricopa County, which contains the state capital and largest city of Phoenix by a healthy margin as well as many of its suburbs. She also performed well in Southern Arizona, carrying Yuma and Tucson. She also carried seven of the state's eight congressional districts – the 5th District, which contains Tempe and Scottsdale, was won by Obama.

Former Governor Janet Napolitano endorsed Obama.

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Arizona Democratic Delegation 2008 . 2008-03-01 . The Green Papers. https://web.archive.org/web/20080312032141/http://www.thegreenpapers.com/P08/AZ-D.phtml. 12 March 2008 . live.