| Election Name: | 2008 United States Senate election in Idaho |
| Country: | Idaho |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 2002 United States Senate election in Idaho |
| Previous Year: | 2002 |
| Next Election: | 2014 United States Senate election in Idaho |
| Next Year: | 2014 |
| Election Date: | November 4, 2008 |
| Image1: | File:James E. Risch, official Senate photo portrait, 2009.jpg |
| Nominee1: | Jim Risch |
| Party1: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 371,744 |
| Percentage1: | 57.65% |
| Nominee2: | Larry LaRocco |
| Party2: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 219,903 |
| Percentage2: | 34.11% |
| Image3: | File:Rex "T-Rex" Rammell at Campbell County League of Women Voters' General Election Candidates' Forum in Gillette, Wyoming (cropped).jpg |
| Nominee3: | Rex Rammell |
| Party3: | Independent (United States) |
| Popular Vote3: | 34,510 |
| Percentage3: | 5.35% |
| Map Size: | 250px |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Election: | Larry Craig |
| Before Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
| After Election: | Jim Risch |
| After Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
The 2008 United States Senate election in Idaho was held on November 4, 2008. The primary elections were held on May 27.[1] Incumbent Senator Larry Craig decided to retire instead of seeking a fourth term. Fellow Republican Jim Risch won the open seat.
Incumbent Larry Craig announced his intent to resign following an incident where he allegedly solicited another man for gay sex in a public restroom.[2] Craig later decided not to resign but did announce that he would not seek re-election. The filing deadline for the election was March 21, 2008. A total of 13 candidates filed for the seat.[3] Republican and Democratic candidates ran for their respective nominations in the May 27 primary.
Lieutenant Governor Jim Risch defeated a crowded field for the Republican nomination, while former Congressman Larry LaRocco won the Democratic nomination in similar fashion. Conservative independents Rex Rammell and Pro-Life (formerly Marvin Richardson) also qualified for the general election ballot. Former Caldwell city council member Kent Marmon secured the Libertarian nomination. In the general election, Risch defeated LaRocco and the other candidates to keep the seat in Republican hands.
| Source | Ranking | As of | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| align=left | The Cook Political Report[6] | October 23, 2008 | ||
| align=left | CQ Politics[7] | October 31, 2008 | ||
| align=left | Rothenberg Political Report[8] | November 2, 2008 | ||
| align=left | Real Clear Politics[9] | November 4, 2008 |
| Poll Source | Dates administered | Larry LaRocco (D) | Jim Risch (R) | Rex Rammel (I) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| align=left | Survey USA[10] | September 6–8, 2007 | 36% | 52% | - | ||
| align=left | Myers Research[11] | November 13–19, 2007 | 34% | 48% | - | ||
| align=left | Robinson Research[12] | November 26 – December 12, 2007 | 27% | 46% | - | ||
| align=left | Celinda Lake[13] | May 20–25, 2008 | 28% | 43% | 6% | ||
| align=left | Research 2000[14] | July 28–30, 2008 | 32% | 42% | 5% | ||
| align=left | Greg Smith[15] | August 18–22, 2008 | 30% | 41% | 3% | ||
| align=left | Rasmussen Reports[16] | September 9, 2008 | 30% | 58% | - |