2008 United States House of Representatives elections in Alabama explained

Election Name:2008 United States House of Representatives elections in Alabama
Country:Alabama
Type:legislative
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:2006 United States House of Representatives elections in Alabama
Previous Year:2006
Next Election:2010 United States House of Representatives elections in Alabama
Next Year:2010
Seats For Election:All 7 Alabama seats to the United States House of Representatives
Election Date:November 4, 2008
Party1:Republican Party (United States)
Last Election1:5
Seats1:4
Seat Change1: 1
Popular Vote1:1,120,903
Percentage1:60.42%
Swing1: 5.38%
Party2:Democratic Party (United States)
Last Election2:2
Seats2:3
Seat Change2: 1
Popular Vote2:718,367
Percentage2:38.72%
Swing2: 5.31%

The 2008 United States House of Representatives elections in Alabama were held on November 4, 2008, to determine the representation of the state of Alabama in the United States House of Representatives, coinciding with the presidential and senatorial elections. Representatives are elected for two-year terms; those elected served in the 111th Congress from January 3, 2009, until January 3, 2011.

Alabama has seven seats in the House, apportioned according to the 2000 United States census. Its 2007–2008 congressional delegation consisted of five Republicans and two Democrats. It is now four Republicans and three Democrats. District 2 changed party (from open Republican to Democratic). As of 2020, this is the last election in which Democrats won more than one congressional district in Alabama.

Overview

By district

Results of the 2008 United States House of Representatives elections in Alabama by district:[1]

scope=col rowspan=3Districtscope=col colspan=2Republicanscope=col colspan=2Democraticscope=col colspan=2Others (write-in)scope=col colspan=2Totalscope=col rowspan=3Result
scope=col colspan=2 style="background:"!scope=col colspan=2 style="background:"!scope=col colspan=2!scope=col colspan=2
scope=col data-sort-type="number"Votes !scope=col data-sort-type="number"% !scope=col data-sort-type="number"Votes !scope=col data-sort-type="number"% !scope=col data-sort-type="number"Votes !scope=col data-sort-type="number"% !scope=col data-sort-type="number"Votes !scope=col data-sort-type="number"%
210,660 98.27% 0 0 3,707 1.73% 214,367 100.0% Republican hold
142,578 49.61% 144,368 50.23% 448 0.16% 287,394 100.0% Democratic gain
150,819 53.39% 131,299 46.48% 367 0.13% 282,485 100.0% Republican hold
196,741 74.76% 66,077 25.11% 349 0.13% 263,167 100.0% Republican hold
147,314 47.94% 158,324 51.52% 1,644 0.54% 307,282 100.0% Democratic hold
280,902 97.80% 0 0.00% 6,335 2.21% 287,237 100.0% Republican hold
0 0.00% 228,518 98.63% 3,183 1.37% 231,701 100.0% Democratic hold
Total 1,120,903 60.42% 718,367 38.72% 16,033 0.86% 1,855,303 100.0%

District 1

Election Name:2008 Alabama's 1st congressional district election
Country:Alabama
Type:presidential
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:United States House of Representatives elections in Alabama, 2006#District 1
Previous Year:2006
Next Election:United States House of Representatives elections in Alabama, 2010#District 1
Next Year:2010
Election Date:November 4, 2008
Nominee1:Jo Bonner
Party1:Republican Party (United States)
Popular Vote1:210,660
Percentage1:98.27%
U.S. Representative
Before Election:Jo Bonner
Before Party:Republican Party (United States)
After Election:Jo Bonner
After Party:Republican Party (United States)

See also: Alabama's 1st congressional district. The 1st district was based in the Gold Coast of Alabama, including Mobile, Saraland, Bay Minette, Foley, Chatom, and Monroe. The district included all of Mobile, Baldwin, Escambia, Washington, Monroe, and parts of Clarke County. Due to redistricting, the district lost territory in portions of Clarke County to the 7th district, but gained portions of Monroe County, now having the entire county in the 1st district. The 1st district has a PVI of R+16 but voted for John McCain by 22 points in the concurring presidential election. The incumbent was Republican Jo Bonner, who was reelected with 68.10% of the vote in 2006.[2]

The Democratic and Republican primaries were not contested, with incumbent representative Jo Bonner winning the Republican party and Thomas Fuller winning the Democratic primary. However, Fuller withdrew from the race on June 12, 2008, stating he was unable to wage a creditable campaign in the district.[3]

Republican nominee

Democratic nominee

General election

Predictions

SourceRankingAs of
align=left The Cook Political Report[4] November 4, 2008
align=left Inside Elections[5] November 2, 2008
align=left Sabato's Crystal Ball[6] November 3, 2008
RCP[7] November 4, 2008

Results

District 2

Election Name:2008 Alabama's 2nd congressional district election
Country:Alabama
Type:presidential
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:United States House of Representatives elections in Alabama, 2006#District 2
Previous Year:2006
Next Election:United States House of Representatives elections in Alabama, 2010#District 2
Next Year:2010
Election Date:November 4, 2008
Nominee1:Bobby Bright
Party1:Democratic Party (United States)
Popular Vote1:144,368
Percentage1:50.23%
Party2:Republican Party (United States)
Popular Vote2:142,578
Percentage2:49.61%
U.S. Representative
Before Election:Terry Everett
Before Party:Republican Party (United States)
After Election:Bobby Bright
After Party:Democratic Party (United States)

See also: Alabama's 2nd congressional district. This district covered southeastern Alabama, including Dothan and Montgomery. CQ Politics forecasted the race as 'No Clear Favorite'. The Rothenberg Political Report rated it 'Pure Toss-Up'. The Cook Political Report ranked it 'Republican Toss Up'.

Republican Terry Everett, who had represented the district since 1993, decided to retire. Montgomery Mayor Bobby Bright won the Democratic primary. State Representative Jay Love won the Republican run-off election on July 15 against State Senator Harri Anne Smith (campaign website).[8] George W. Bush won 67% in 2004 here. Bright won 50% of the vote to Love's 49%.

District 3

Election Name:2008 Alabama's 3rd congressional district election
Country:Alabama
Type:presidential
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:United States House of Representatives elections in Alabama, 2006#District 3
Previous Year:2006
Next Election:United States House of Representatives elections in Alabama, 2010#District 3
Next Year:2010
Election Date:November 4, 2008
Nominee1:Mike Rogers
Party1:Republican Party (United States)
Popular Vote1:150,819
Percentage1:53.39%
Nominee2:Joshua Segall
Party2:Democratic Party (United States)
Popular Vote2:131,299
Percentage2:46.48%
U.S. Representative
Before Election:Mike Rogers
Before Party:Republican Party (United States)
After Election:Mike Rogers
After Party:Republican Party (United States)

See also: Alabama's 3rd congressional district.

Incumbent Republican Representative Mike Rogers won re-election with 54% of the vote. He defeated Democrat Joshua Segall by 8.19%.

District 4

Election Name:2008 Alabama's 4th congressional district election
Country:Alabama
Type:presidential
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:United States House of Representatives elections in Alabama, 2006#District 4
Previous Year:2006
Next Election:United States House of Representatives elections in Alabama, 2010#District 4
Next Year:2010
Election Date:November 4, 2008
Nominee1:Robert Aderholt
Party1:Republican Party (United States)
Popular Vote1:196,741
Percentage1:74.76%
Nominee2:Nicholas Sparks
Party2:Democratic Party (United States)
Popular Vote2:66,077
Percentage2:25.11%
U.S. Representative
Before Election:Robert Aderholt
Before Party:Republican Party (United States)
After Election:Robert Aderholt
After Party:Republican Party (United States)

See also: Alabama's 4th congressional district.

Incumbent Republican Representative Robert Aderholt won re-election with 74.76% of the vote. He defeated Democrat Nick Sparks by 49.65%.

District 5

Election Name:2008 Alabama's 5th congressional district election
Country:Alabama
Type:presidential
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:United States House of Representatives elections in Alabama, 2006#District 5
Previous Year:2006
Next Election:United States House of Representatives elections in Alabama, 2010#District 5
Next Year:2010
Election Date:November 4, 2008
Nominee1:Parker Griffith
Party1:Democratic Party (United States)
Popular Vote1:158,324
Percentage1:51.52%
Nominee2:Wayne Parker
Party2:Republican Party (United States)
Popular Vote2:147,314
Percentage2:47.94%
U.S. Representative
Before Election:Bud Cramer
Before Party:Democratic Party (United States)
After Election:Parker Griffith
After Party:Democratic Party (United States)

See also: Alabama's 5th congressional district. This district includes the counties of Colbert, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Jackson, and parts of Morgan. Democratic incumbent Bud Cramer has represented the district since 1990. He did not seek reelection and endorsed State Senator Parker Griffith. CQ Politics forecasted the race as 'No Clear Favorite'. The Rothenberg Political Report rated it 'Pure Toss-Up'. The Cook Political Report ranked it 'Democrat Toss Up'.

Eight candidates were running for the seat in the June 3, 2008, primary election. On the Democratic side, State Senator Dr. Parker Griffith defeated physicist David Maker ( website), carrying 90% of the vote. Wayne Parker won the Republican runoff on July 15 against attorney Cheryl Baswell Guthrie (campaign website).[8] In the primary, Wayne Parker failed to gain the necessary 51% vote to avoid the runoff. Guthrie had carried 18% of the vote.

A year after his election, Griffith switched parties and ran for a second term in the 2010 Republican primary.

District 6

Election Name:2008 Alabama's 6th congressional district election
Country:Alabama
Type:presidential
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:United States House of Representatives elections in Alabama, 2006#District 6
Previous Year:2006
Next Election:United States House of Representatives elections in Alabama, 2010#District 6
Next Year:2010
Election Date:November 4, 2008
Nominee1:Spencer Bachus
Party1:Republican Party (United States)
Popular Vote1:280,902
Percentage1:97.80%
U.S. Representative
Before Election:Spencer Bachus
Before Party:Republican Party (United States)
After Election:Spencer Bachus
After Party:Republican Party (United States)

See also: Alabama's 6th congressional district. The 6th district was based in the city of Birmingham's suburbs and exurbs, including Alabaster, Trussville, Vestavia Hills, Pell City, Hueytown, and portions of Birmingham. The district includes all of Chilton, Bibb, Shelby, and parts of Tuscaloosa, Jefferson, St. Clair, and Coosa Counties. Due to redistricting, the district gained more territory around Tuscaloosa and Birmingham, as well as portions of St. Clair County, along with gaining the rest of Bibb, all of Chilton, and portions of Coosa Counties. The 6th district has a PVI of R+18 but voted for John McCain by 53 points in the concurring presidential election. The incumbent is Republican Spencer Bachus, who was reelected with 98.32% of the vote in 2006.[9]

The Republican primary was not contested, with incumbent representative Spencer Bachus winning the nomination unopposed.

Republican nominee

General election

Predictions

SourceRankingAs of
align=left The Cook Political Report[10] November 4, 2008
align=left Inside Elections[11] November 2, 2008
align=left Sabato's Crystal Ball[12] November 3, 2008
RCP[13] November 4, 2008

Results

District 7

Election Name:2008 Alabama's 7th congressional district election
Country:Alabama
Type:presidential
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:United States House of Representatives elections in Alabama, 2006#District 7
Previous Year:2006
Next Election:United States House of Representatives elections in Alabama, 2010#District 7
Next Year:2010
Election Date:November 4, 2008
Nominee1:Artur Davis
Party1:Democratic Party (United States)
Popular Vote1:228,518
Percentage1:98.63%
U.S. Representative
Before Election:Artur Davis
Before Party:Democratic Party (United States)
After Election:Artur Davis
After Party:Democratic Party (United States)

See also: Alabama's 7th congressional district. The 7th district is based in Alabama's 'Black Belt' region, including Selma, Tuscaloosa, Eutaw, Livingston, Bessemer, and portions of Birmingham. The district includes all of Dallas, Wilcox, Marengo, Choctaw, Sumter, Greene, Hale, and parts of Jefferson, Pickens, Clarke, and Tuscaloosa Counties. Due to redistricting, the district lost all its territory in Lowndes County and its portions of Montgomery County, but gained more territory around Tuscaloosa and Birmingham. The 7th district has a PVI of D+14 but voted for Barack Obama by 45 points in the concurring presidential election. The incumbent is Democrat Artur Davis, who was reelected with 99.04% of the vote in 2006.[14]

The Democratic primary was not contested, with incumbent representative Artur Davis winning the nomination unopposed.

Democratic nominee

General election

Predictions

SourceRankingAs of
align=left The Cook Political Report[15] November 4, 2008
align=left Inside Elections[16] November 2, 2008
align=left Sabato's Crystal Ball[17] November 3, 2008
RCP[18] November 4, 2008

Results

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Chapman. Beth. State of Alabama Canvass of Results. Alabama Secretary of State. November 4, 2008.
  2. Web site: Chapman. Beth. State of Alabama Canvass of Results. Alabama Secretary of State. November 7, 2006.
  3. AP, Democrat drops out of 1st District congressional race June 12, 2008
  4. Web site: 2008 House Race Ratings . June 8, 2023. The Cook Political Report.
  5. Web site: House Ratings. June 8, 2023. The Rothenberg Political Report.
  6. Web site: 2008 House Ratings . June 8, 2023. Sabato's Crystal Ball.
  7. Web site: November 4, 2008. Battle for the House 2008 . RCP.
  8. http://elections.al.com/dynamic/files/elections/2008/by_state/AL_Page_0715.html?SITE=ALBINELN&SECTION=POLITICS Alabama - Summary Vote Results
  9. Web site: Chapman. Beth. State of Alabama Canvass of Results. Alabama Secretary of State. November 7, 2006.
  10. Web site: 2008 House Race Ratings . June 8, 2023. The Cook Political Report.
  11. Web site: House Ratings. June 8, 2023. The Rothenberg Political Report.
  12. Web site: 2008 House Ratings . June 8, 2023. Sabato's Crystal Ball.
  13. Web site: November 4, 2008. Battle for the House 2008 . RCP.
  14. Web site: Chapman. Beth. State of Alabama Canvass of Results. Alabama Secretary of State. November 7, 2006.
  15. Web site: 2008 House Race Ratings . June 8, 2023. The Cook Political Report.
  16. Web site: House Ratings. June 8, 2023. The Rothenberg Political Report.
  17. Web site: 2008 House Ratings . June 8, 2023. Sabato's Crystal Ball.
  18. Web site: November 4, 2008. Battle for the House 2008 . RCP.