Independent election coverage
World of Elections

Senate

United States elections · 2008 · held

State Senate races in this election cycle, with separate candidate results and election-era ideology attribution.

State races and results map

Each race has its own denominator. Missing counts are blank. The interactive map uses modern state outlines as navigation references.

Alabama — Senate — General

Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest

CandidatePartyVotesShareResult
Jeff SessionsRepublican130538363.36%Elected
Vivian Davis FiguresDemocratic75239136.52%—
Write-insWrite-In24170.12%—

Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Jeff Sessions (Republican) 63.4%

▌Vivian Davis Figures (Democratic) 36.5%

Sources & further reading

Historical Senate race summary and linked records

MIT Election Lab / House Clerk: Senate returns

Alaska — Senate — General

Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest

CandidatePartyVotesShareResult
Mark BegichDemocratic15176747.77%Elected
Ted StevensRepublican14781446.52%—
Bob BirdIndependence131974.15%—
Fredrick HaaseLibertarian24830.78%—
Ted GianoutsosIndependent13850.44%—

Incumbent lost re-election. Democratic gain. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Mark Begich (Democratic) 47.8%

▌Ted Stevens (Republican) 46.6%

▌Bob Bird (Alaskan Independence) 4.2%

Others

▌David Haase (Libertarian) 0.8%

▌Ted Gianoutsos (Independent) 0.4%

Sources & further reading

Historical Senate race summary and linked records

MIT Election Lab / House Clerk: Senate returns

Arkansas — Senate — General

Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest

CandidatePartyVotesShareResult
Mark PryorDemocratic80467879.53%Elected
Rebekah KennedyGreen20707620.47%—

Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Mark Pryor (Democratic) 79.5%

▌Rebekah Kennedy (Green) 20.5%

Sources & further reading

Historical Senate race summary and linked records

MIT Election Lab / House Clerk: Senate returns

Colorado — Senate — General

Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest

CandidatePartyVotesShareResult
Mark UdallDemocratic123099452.80%Elected
Bob SchafferRepublican99075542.49%—
Douglas CampbellConstitution597332.56%—
Bob KinseyGreen500042.14%—

Incumbent retired. Democratic gain. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Mark Udall (Democratic) 52.8%

▌Bob Schaffer (Republican) 42.5%

▌Doug Campbell (Constitution) 2.6%

▌Bob Kinsey (Green) 2.1%

Sources & further reading

Historical Senate race summary and linked records

MIT Election Lab / House Clerk: Senate returns

Delaware — Senate — General

Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest

CandidatePartyVotesShareResult
Joe BidenDemocratic25753964.69%Elected
Christine O'DonnellRepublican14059535.31%—

Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Joe Biden (Democratic) 64.7%

▌Christine O'Donnell (Republican) 35.3%

Sources & further reading

Historical Senate race summary and linked records

MIT Election Lab / House Clerk: Senate returns

Georgia — Senate — First round

Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest

CandidatePartyVotesShareResult
Saxby ChamblissRepublican186709749.80%Advancing to runoff
Jim MartinDemocratic175739346.80%Advancing to runoff
Allen BuckleyLibertarian1279233.40%—
Eleanor Garcia (write-in)Socialist Workers430.00%—
William Salomone Jr. (write-in)Independent290.00%—

First round of this seat election. The elected candidate is recorded in the separate runoff race. Excluded from the Senate diagram to avoid counting the same seat twice.

Sources & further reading

Historical Senate race summary and linked records

MIT Election Lab / House Clerk: Senate returns

Georgia — Senate — Runoff

Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest

CandidatePartyVotesShareResult
Saxby ChamblissRepublican122803357.44%Elected
Jim MartinDemocratic90992342.56%—

Incumbent re-elected in runoff. Source candidate / selection detail: First round:

▌Y Saxby Chambliss (Republican) 49.8%

▌Y Jim Martin (Democratic) 46.8%

▌Allen Buckley (Libertarian) 3.4%

Runoff:

▌Y Saxby Chambliss (Republican) 57.5%

▌Jim Martin (Democratic) 42.5%

Sources & further reading

Historical Senate race summary and linked records

MIT Election Lab / House Clerk: Senate returns

Idaho — Senate — General

Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest

CandidatePartyVotesShareResult
Jim RischRepublican37174457.65%Elected
Larry LaRoccoDemocratic21990334.11%—
Rex RammellIndependent345105.35%—
Kent MarmonLibertarian99581.54%—
Pro-LifeIndependent86621.34%—

Incumbent retired. Republican hold. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Jim Risch (Republican) 57.7%

▌Larry LaRocco (Democratic) 34.1%

▌Rex Rammell (Independent) 5.4%

Others

▌Kent Marmon (Libertarian) 1.5%

▌Pro-Life (Independent) 1.3%

Sources & further reading

Historical Senate race summary and linked records

MIT Election Lab / House Clerk: Senate returns

Illinois — Senate — General

Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest

CandidatePartyVotesShareResult
Dick DurbinDemocratic361584467.84%Elected
Steve SauerbergRepublican152062128.53%—
Kathy CummingsGreen1191352.24%—
Larry A. StaffordLibertarian502240.94%—
Chad N. KoppieConstitution240590.45%—

Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Dick Durbin (Democratic) 67.8%

▌Steve Sauerberg (Republican) 28.5%

Others

▌Kathy Cummings (Green) 2.2%

▌Larry Stafford (Libertarian) 0.9%

▌Chad Koppie (Constitution) 0.5%

Sources & further reading

Historical Senate race summary and linked records

MIT Election Lab / House Clerk: Senate returns

Iowa — Senate — General

Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest

CandidatePartyVotesShareResult
Tom HarkinDemocratic94166562.66%Elected
Christopher ReedRepublican56000637.26%—

Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Tom Harkin (Democratic) 62.7%

▌Christopher Reed (Republican) 37.3%

Sources & further reading

Historical Senate race summary and linked records

MIT Election Lab / House Clerk: Senate returns

Kansas — Senate — General

Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest

CandidatePartyVotesShareResult
Pat RobertsRepublican72712160.06%Elected
Jim SlatteryDemocratic44139936.46%—
Randall HodgkinsonLibertarian257272.12%—
Joseph L. MartinReform164431.36%—

Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Pat Roberts (Republican) 60.0%

▌Jim Slattery (Democratic) 36.4%

Others

▌Randall Hodgkinson (Libertarian) 2.1%

▌Joseph Martin (Reform) 1.3%

Sources & further reading

Historical Senate race summary and linked records

MIT Election Lab / House Clerk: Senate returns

Kentucky — Senate — General

Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest

CandidatePartyVotesShareResult
Mitch McConnellRepublican95381652.97%Elected
Bruce LunsfordDemocratic84700547.03%—

Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Mitch McConnell (Republican) 53.0%

▌Bruce Lunsford (Democratic) 47.0%

Sources & further reading

Historical Senate race summary and linked records

MIT Election Lab / House Clerk: Senate returns

Louisiana — Senate — General

Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest

CandidatePartyVotesShareResult
Mary LandrieuDemocratic98829852.11%Elected
John Neely KennedyRepublican86717745.72%—
Richard FontanesiLibertarian185900.98%—
Jay PatelIndependent137290.72%—
Robert StewartIndependent87800.46%—

Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Mary Landrieu (Democratic) 52.1%

▌John Kennedy (Republican) 45.7%

Others

▌Richard Fontanesi (Libertarian) 1.0%

▌Jay Patel (Independent) 0.7%

▌Robert Stewart (Independent) 0.5%

Sources & further reading

Historical Senate race summary and linked records

MIT Election Lab / House Clerk: Senate returns

Maine — Senate — General

Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest

CandidatePartyVotesShareResult
Susan CollinsRepublican44430061.33%Elected
Tom AllenDemocratic27951038.58%—
write-insWrite-in6200.09%—

Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Susan Collins (Republican) 61.3%

▌Tom Allen (Democratic) 38.6%

Sources & further reading

Historical Senate race summary and linked records

MIT Election Lab / House Clerk: Senate returns

Massachusetts — Senate — General

Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest

CandidatePartyVotesShareResult
John KerryDemocratic195984365.82%Elected
Jeff BeattyRepublican92272730.99%—
Robert J. UnderwoodLibertarian937133.02%—

Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y John Kerry (Democratic) 65.8%

▌Jeff Beatty (Republican) 31.0%

▌Robert Underwood (Libertarian) 3.2%

Sources & further reading

Historical Senate race summary and linked records

MIT Election Lab / House Clerk: Senate returns

Michigan — Senate — General

Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest

CandidatePartyVotesShareResult
Carl LevinDemocratic303838662.66%Elected
Jack HoogendykRepublican164107033.85%—
Scotty BomanLibertarian763471.57%—
Harley MikkelsonGreen434400.90%—
Michael NikitinU.S. Taxpayers308270.60%—
Doug DernNatural Law185500.38%—

Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Carl Levin (Democratic) 62.7%

▌Jack Hoogendyk (Republican) 33.8%

Others

▌Scott Boman (Libertarian) 1.6%

▌Harley Mikkelson (Green) 0.9%

▌Michael Nikitin (Constitution) 0.6%

▌Doug Dern (Natural Law) 0.4%

Sources & further reading

Historical Senate race summary and linked records

MIT Election Lab / House Clerk: Senate returns

Minnesota — Senate — General

Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest

CandidatePartyVotesShareResult
Al FrankenDemocratic (DFL)121262941.99%Elected
Norm ColemanRepublican121231741.98%—
Dean BarkleyIndependence43750515.15%—
Charles AldrichLibertarian139230.48%—
James NiemacklConstitution89070.31%—

Incumbent lost re-election. Democratic (DFL) gain. Winner delayed term until July 7, 2009, due to election dispute. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Al Franken (DFL) 41.99%

▌Norm Coleman (Republican) 41.98%

▌Dean Barkley (IPM) 15.15%

Others

▌Charles Aldrich (Libertarian) 0.48%

▌James Niemackl (Constitution) 0.31%

▌Write-ins 0.08%

Sources & further reading

Historical Senate race summary and linked records

MIT Election Lab / House Clerk: Senate returns

Mississippi — Senate — General

Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest

CandidatePartyVotesShareResult
Thad CochranRepublican76611161.44%Elected
Erik R. FlemingDemocratic—38.60%—

Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Thad Cochran (Republican) 61.4%

▌Erik R. Fleming (Democratic) 38.6%

Sources & further reading

Historical Senate race summary and linked records

MIT Election Lab / House Clerk: Senate returns

Mississippi — Senate (Class 1) — General

Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest

CandidatePartyVotesShareResult
Roger WickerRepublican68340954.96%Elected
Ronnie MusgroveDemocratic56006445.04%—

Interim appointee elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Roger Wicker (Republican) 55.0%

▌Ronnie Musgrove (Democratic) 45.0%

Sources & further reading

Historical Senate race summary and linked records

MIT Election Lab / House Clerk: Senate returns

Montana — Senate — General

Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest

CandidatePartyVotesShareResult
Max BaucusDemocratic34828972.92%Elected
Bob KelleherRepublican12936927.08%—

Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Max Baucus (Democratic) 72.9%

▌Bob Kelleher (Republican) 27.1%

Sources & further reading

Historical Senate race summary and linked records

MIT Election Lab / House Clerk: Senate returns

Nebraska — Senate — General

Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest

CandidatePartyVotesShareResult
Mike JohannsRepublican45585457.52%Elected
Scott KleebDemocratic31745640.06%—
Kelly Renee RosbergNebraska114381.44%—
Steve LarrickGreen77631.00%—

Incumbent retired. Republican hold. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Mike Johanns (Republican) 57.5%

▌Scott Kleeb (Democratic) 40.1%

Others

▌Kelly Rosberg (Nebraska) 1.4%

▌Steve Larrick (Green) 1.0%

Sources & further reading

Historical Senate race summary and linked records

MIT Election Lab / House Clerk: Senate returns

New Hampshire — Senate — General

Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest

CandidatePartyVotesShareResult
Jeanne ShaheenDemocratic35843851.59%Elected
John SununuRepublican31440345.30%—
Ken BlevensLibertarian215163.10%—

Incumbent lost re-election. Democratic gain. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Jeanne Shaheen (Democratic) 51.7%

▌John E. Sununu (Republican) 45.2%

▌Ken Blevens (Libertarian) 3.1%

Sources & further reading

Historical Senate race summary and linked records

MIT Election Lab / House Clerk: Senate returns

New Jersey — Senate — General

Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest

CandidatePartyVotesShareResult
Frank LautenbergDemocratic—56.00%Elected
Dick ZimmerRepublican146102541.95%—
Jason ScheurerLibertarian188100.54%—
J. M. CarterIndependent159350.46%—
Daryl Mikell BrooksIndependent159250.46%—
Jeffrey BossIndependent103450.30%—
Sara LobmanSocialist Workers—0.30%—

Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Frank Lautenberg (Democratic) 56.0%

▌Dick Zimmer (Republican) 42.0%

Others

▌Jason Scheurer (Libertarian) 0.5%

▌J. M. Carter (Independent) 0.5%

▌Daryl Mikell Brooks (Independent) 0.5%

▌Jeffrey Boss (Independent) 0.3%

▌Sara Lobman (Socialist Workers) 0.3%

Sources & further reading

Historical Senate race summary and linked records

MIT Election Lab / House Clerk: Senate returns

New Mexico — Senate — General

Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest

CandidatePartyVotesShareResult
Tom UdallDemocratic50512861.33%Elected
Steve PearceRepublican31852238.67%—

Incumbent retired. Democratic gain. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Tom Udall (Democratic) 61.3%

▌Steve Pearce (Republican) 38.7%

Sources & further reading

Historical Senate race summary and linked records

MIT Election Lab / House Clerk: Senate returns

North Carolina — Senate — General

Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest

CandidatePartyVotesShareResult
Kay HaganDemocratic224931152.65%Elected
Elizabeth DoleRepublican188751044.18%—
Chris ColeLibertarian1334303.17%—
Write-InsOther17190.00%—

Incumbent lost re-election. Democratic gain. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Kay Hagan (Democratic) 52.7%

▌Elizabeth Dole (Republican) 44.2%

▌Chris Cole (Libertarian) 3.1%

Sources & further reading

Historical Senate race summary and linked records

MIT Election Lab / House Clerk: Senate returns

Oklahoma — Senate — General

Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest

CandidatePartyVotesShareResult
Jim InhofeRepublican76337556.68%Elected
Andrew RiceDemocratic52773639.18%—
Stephen WallaceIndependent557084.14%—

Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Jim Inhofe (Republican) 56.7%

▌Andrew Rice (Democratic) 39.2%

▌Stephen Wallace (Independent) 4.1%

Sources & further reading

Historical Senate race summary and linked records

MIT Election Lab / House Clerk: Senate returns

Oregon — Senate — General

Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest

CandidatePartyVotesShareResult
Jeff MerkleyDemocratic86439248.90%Elected
Gordon H. SmithRepublican80515945.55%—
David BrownlowConstitution925655.24%—

Incumbent lost re-election. Democratic gain. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Jeff Merkley (Democratic) 48.9%

▌Gordon H. Smith (Republican) 45.6%

▌Dave Brownlow (Constitution) 5.2%

Sources & further reading

Historical Senate race summary and linked records

MIT Election Lab / House Clerk: Senate returns

Rhode Island — Senate — General

Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest

CandidatePartyVotesShareResult
Jack ReedDemocratic—73.40%Elected
Robert TingleRepublican—26.60%—

Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Jack Reed (Democratic) 73.4%

▌Robert Tingle (Republican) 26.6%

Sources & further reading

Historical Senate race summary and linked records

MIT Election Lab / House Clerk: Senate returns

South Carolina — Senate — General

Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest

CandidatePartyVotesShareResult
Lindsey GrahamRepublican107653457.52%Elected
Bob ConleyDemocratic79062142.25%—

Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Lindsey Graham (Republican) 57.5%

▌Bob Conley (Democratic) 42.3%

Sources & further reading

Historical Senate race summary and linked records

MIT Election Lab / House Clerk: Senate returns

South Dakota — Senate — General

Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest

CandidatePartyVotesShareResult
Tim JohnsonDemocratic23788962.49%Elected
Joel DykstraRepublican14278437.51%—

Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Tim Johnson (Democratic) 62.5%

▌Joel Dykstra (Republican) 37.5%

Sources & further reading

Historical Senate race summary and linked records

MIT Election Lab / House Clerk: Senate returns

Tennessee — Senate — General

Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest

CandidatePartyVotesShareResult
Lamar AlexanderRepublican157947765.14%Elected
Bob TukeDemocratic76723631.64%—
Edward L. BuckIndependent316311.30%—
Christopher G. FennerIndependent110730.46%—
Daniel Towers LewisIndependent93670.39%—
Chris LugoIndependent91700.38%—
Ed LawhornIndependent89860.37%—
David GatchellIndependent76450.32%—

Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Lamar Alexander (Republican) 65.1%

▌Bob Tuke (Democratic) 31.6%

Others

▌Edward Buck (Independent) 1.3%

▌Christopher Fenner (Independent) 0.5%

▌Daniel Lewis (Libertarian) 0.4%

▌Chris Lugo (Green) 0.4%

▌Ed Lawhorn (Independent) 0.4%

▌David Gatchell (Independent) 0.3%

Sources & further reading

Historical Senate race summary and linked records

MIT Election Lab / House Clerk: Senate returns

Texas — Senate — General

Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest

CandidatePartyVotesShareResult
John CornynRepublican433746954.82%Elected
Rick NoriegaDemocratic338936542.83%—
Yvonne Adams SchickLibertarian1852412.34%—

Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y John Cornyn (Republican) 54.8%

▌Rick Noriega (Democratic) 42.8%

▌Yvonne Adams Schick (Libertarian) 2.3%

Sources & further reading

Historical Senate race summary and linked records

MIT Election Lab / House Clerk: Senate returns

Virginia — Senate — General

Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest

CandidatePartyVotesShareResult
Mark WarnerDemocratic236932765.03%Elected
Jim GilmoreRepublican122883033.72%—
Glenda ParkerIndependent Greens216900.60%—
Bill RedpathLibertarian202690.56%—

Incumbent retired. Democratic gain. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Mark Warner (Democratic) 65.0%

▌Jim Gilmore (Republican) 33.7%

Others

▌Bill Redpath (Libertarian) 0.6%

▌Gail Parker (Independent Green) 0.6%

Sources & further reading

Historical Senate race summary and linked records

MIT Election Lab / House Clerk: Senate returns

West Virginia — Senate — General

Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest

CandidatePartyVotesShareResult
Jay RockefellerDemocratic44756063.70%Elected
Jay WolfeRepublican25462936.26%—

Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Jay Rockefeller (Democratic) 63.7%

▌Jay Wolfe (Republican) 36.3%

Sources & further reading

Historical Senate race summary and linked records

MIT Election Lab / House Clerk: Senate returns

Wyoming — Senate — General

Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest

CandidatePartyVotesShareResult
Mike EnziRepublican18904675.63%Elected
Chris RothfussDemocratic6063124.25%—

Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Mike Enzi (Republican) 75.6%

▌Chris Rothfuss (Democratic) 24.3%

Sources & further reading

Historical Senate race summary and linked records

MIT Election Lab / House Clerk: Senate returns

Wyoming — Senate (Class 1) — General

Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest

CandidatePartyVotesShareResult
John BarrassoRepublican18306373.34%Elected
Nick CarterDemocratic6620226.52%—
Write-insNone2930.12%—

Interim appointee elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y John Barrasso (Republican) 73.4%

▌Nick Carter (Democratic) 26.5%

Sources & further reading

Historical Senate race summary and linked records

MIT Election Lab / House Clerk: Senate returns

Results: final · partial coverage · Elected candidates in regular races; continuing senators are not included

Senate — recorded results
Party / candidateVotesVote shareSeatsElectoral votes
Jeff Sessions · Alabama——1—
Mark Begich · Alaska——1—
Mark Pryor · Arkansas——1—
Mark Udall · Colorado——1—
Joe Biden · Delaware——1—
Saxby Chambliss · Georgia——1—
Jim Risch · Idaho——1—
Dick Durbin · Illinois——1—
Tom Harkin · Iowa——1—
Pat Roberts · Kansas——1—
Mitch McConnell · Kentucky——1—
Mary Landrieu · Louisiana——1—
Susan Collins · Maine——1—
John Kerry · Massachusetts——1—
Carl Levin · Michigan——1—
Al Franken · Minnesota——1—
Thad Cochran · Mississippi——1—
Max Baucus · Montana——1—
Mike Johanns · Nebraska——1—
Jeanne Shaheen · New Hampshire——1—
Frank Lautenberg · New Jersey——1—
Tom Udall · New Mexico——1—
Kay Hagan · North Carolina——1—
Jim Inhofe · Oklahoma——1—
Jeff Merkley · Oregon——1—
Jack Reed · Rhode Island——1—
Lindsey Graham · South Carolina——1—
Tim Johnson · South Dakota——1—
Lamar Alexander · Tennessee——1—
John Cornyn · Texas——1—
Mark Warner · Virginia——1—
Jay Rockefeller · West Virginia——1—
Mike Enzi · Wyoming——1—

The seat diagram shows only regular seats contested in this cycle, not the full Senate. Special races remain available in the state selector. Early cycles span two years and use legislative selection; missing or non-comparable vote totals are left blank. Candidate ideology is used where sourced; otherwise the broad election-era party tradition is used. Unassessed candidates are not assigned an ideology.

Sources & further reading

U.S. Senate historical party divisions

Historical Senate race summary and linked records

MIT Election Lab: Senate returns