2008 United States House of Representatives elections in Alabama

Summary

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.

2008 United States House of Representatives elections in Alabama

← 2006 November 4, 2008 2010 →

All 7 Alabama seats to the United States House of Representatives
  Majority party Minority party
 
Party Republican Democratic
Last election 5 2
Seats won 4 3
Seat change Decrease 1 Increase 1
Popular vote 1,120,903 718,367
Percentage 60.42% 38.72%
Swing Increase 5.38% Decrease 5.31%

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 edit

Popular vote
Republican
60.42%
Democratic
38.72%
Other
1.31%
House seats
Republican
57.14%
Democratic
42.86%

By district edit

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

District Republican Democratic Others (write-in) Total Result
Votes % Votes % Votes % Votes %
District 1 210,660 98.27% 0 0 3,707 1.73% 214,367 100.0% Republican hold
District 2 142,578 49.61% 144,368 50.23% 448 0.16% 287,394 100.0% Democratic gain
District 3 150,819 53.39% 131,299 46.48% 367 0.13% 282,485 100.0% Republican hold
District 4 196,741 74.76% 66,077 25.11% 349 0.13% 263,167 100.0% Republican hold
District 5 147,314 47.94% 158,324 51.52% 1,644 0.54% 307,282 100.0% Democratic hold
District 6 280,902 97.80% 0 0.00% 6,335 2.21% 287,237 100.0% Republican hold
District 7 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 edit

2008 Alabama's 1st congressional district election
 
← 2006 November 4, 2008 2010 →
   
Nominee Jo Bonner
Party Republican
Popular vote 210,660
Percentage 98.27%

 
County results
Bonner:      90-100%

U.S. Representative before election

Jo Bonner
Republican

Elected U.S. Representative

Jo Bonner
Republican

The 1st district is based on the Gold Coast of Alabama, including Mobile, Saraland, Bay Minette, Foley, Chatom, and Monroe. The district includes 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 is 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 edit

  • Jo Bonner, incumbent U.S. representative since 2003

Democratic nominee edit

  • Thomas Fuller, Chair of the Washington County Executive Committee (withdrawn)

General election edit

Predictions edit

Source Ranking As of
The Cook Political Report[4] Safe R November 4, 2008
Inside Elections[5] Safe R November 2, 2008
Sabato's Crystal Ball[6] Safe R November 3, 2008
RCP[7] Safe R November 4, 2008

Results edit

Alabama's 1st congressional district, 2008[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Jo Bonner (incumbent) 210,660 98.27%
Write-in 3,707 1.73%
Total votes 214,367 100%

District 2 edit

2008 Alabama's 2nd congressional district election
 
← 2006 November 4, 2008 2010 →
     
Nominee Bobby Bright Jay Love
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 144,368 142,578
Percentage 50.23% 49.61%

 
County results
Bright:      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%
Love:      50-60%      60-70%

U.S. Representative before election

Terry Everett
Republican

Elected U.S. Representative

Bobby Bright
Democratic

This district covers 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%.

  • Bobby Bright (D) (campaign website)
  • Jay Love (R) (campaign website)
  • 2nd district race ranking and background from CQ Politics
  • Alabama District 2 race from OurCampaigns.org
  • Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets
  • Love (R) vs Bright (D) graph of collected poll results from Pollster.com
Alabama's 2nd congressional district election, 2008[9]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Bobby Bright 144,368 50.23%
Republican Jay Love 142,578 49.61%
Independent Write-in candidates 448 0.16%
Total votes 287,394 100.00%
Democratic gain from Republican

District 3 edit

2008 Alabama's 3rd congressional district election
 
← 2006 November 4, 2008 2010 →
     
Nominee Mike Rogers Joshua Segall
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 150,819 131,299
Percentage 53.39% 46.48%

 
County results
Segall:      50-60%      60-70%      80-90%
Rogers:      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%

U.S. Representative before election

Mike Rogers
Republican

Elected U.S. Representative

Mike Rogers
Republican

Alabama's 3rd congressional district election, 2008[9]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Mike Rogers (incumbent) 142,708 54.03%
Democratic Joshua Segall 121,080 45.84%
Independent Write-in candidates 332 0.13%
Total votes 264,120 100.00%
Republican hold

District 4 edit

2008 Alabama's 4th congressional district election
 
← 2006 November 4, 2008 2010 →
     
Nominee Robert Aderholt Nicholas Sparks
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 196,741 66,077
Percentage 74.76% 25.11%

 
County results
Aderholt:      60-70%      70-80%      80-90%

U.S. Representative before election

Robert Aderholt
Republican

Elected U.S. Representative

Robert Aderholt
Republican

Alabama's 4th congressional district election, 2008[9]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Robert Aderholt (incumbent) 196,741 74.76%
Democratic Nick Sparks 66,077 25.11%
Independent Write-in candidates 349 0.13%
Total votes 263,167 100.00%
Republican hold

District 5 edit

2008 Alabama's 5th congressional district election
 
← 2006 November 4, 2008 2010 →
     
Nominee Parker Griffith Wayne Parker
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 158,324 147,314
Percentage 51.52% 47.94%

 
County results
Griffith:      50-60%
Parker:      50-60%

U.S. Representative before election

Bud Cramer
Democratic

Elected U.S. Representative

Parker Griffith
Democratic

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.

  • Parker Griffith (D) - State Senator, businessman, and Huntsville's first radiation oncologist (campaign website)
  • Wayne Parker (R) - Insurance executive, lost to Cramer in 1994 and 1996 (campaign website)
  • 5th District race ranking and background from CQ Politics
  • Alabama District 5 race from OurCampaigns.org
  • Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets
  • LoParker (R) vs Griffith (D) graph of collected poll results from Pollster.com
Alabama's 5th congressional district election, 2008[9]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Parker Griffith 158,324 51.52%
Republican Wayne Parker 147,314 47.94%
Independent Write-in candidates 1,644 0.54%
Total votes 307,282 100.00%
Democratic hold

District 6 edit

2008 Alabama's 6th congressional district election
 
← 2006 November 4, 2008 2010 →
   
Nominee Spencer Bachus
Party Republican
Popular vote 280,902
Percentage 97.80%

 
County results
Bachus:      90-100%

U.S. Representative before election

Spencer Bachus
Republican

Elected U.S. Representative

Spencer Bachus
Republican

The 6th district is 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.[10]

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

Republican nominee edit

General election edit

Predictions edit

Source Ranking As of
The Cook Political Report[4] Safe R November 4, 2008
Inside Elections[5] Safe R November 2, 2008
Sabato's Crystal Ball[6] Safe R November 3, 2008
RCP[7] Safe R November 4, 2008

Results edit

Alabama's 6th congressional district, 2008[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Spencer Bachus (incumbent) 280,902 97.80%
Write-in 6,335 2.21%
Total votes 287,237 100%

District 7 edit

2008 Alabama's 7th congressional district election
 
← 2006 November 4, 2008 2010 →
   
Nominee Artur Davis
Party Democratic
Popular vote 228,518
Percentage 98.63%

 
Davis:      90–100%

U.S. Representative before election

Artur Davis
Democratic

Elected U.S. Representative

Artur Davis
Democratic

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.[11]

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

Democratic nominee edit

General election edit

Predictions edit

Source Ranking As of
The Cook Political Report[4] Safe D November 4, 2008
Inside Elections[5] Safe D November 2, 2008
Sabato's Crystal Ball[6] Safe D November 3, 2008
RCP[7] Safe D November 4, 2008

Results edit

Alabama's 7th congressional district, 2008[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Artur Davis (incumbent) 228,518 98.63%
Write-in 3,183 1.37%
Total votes 231,701 100%

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d Chapman, Beth (November 4, 2008). "State of Alabama Canvass of Results" (PDF). Alabama Secretary of State.
  2. ^ Chapman, Beth (November 7, 2006). "State of Alabama Canvass of Results" (PDF). Alabama Secretary of State.
  3. ^ AP, Democrat drops out of 1st District congressional race[permanent dead link] June 12, 2008
  4. ^ a b c "2008 House Race Ratings". The Cook Political Report. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
  5. ^ a b c "House Ratings". The Rothenberg Political Report. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
  6. ^ a b c "2008 House Ratings". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
  7. ^ a b c "Battle for the House 2008". RCP. November 4, 2008.
  8. ^ a b Alabama - Summary Vote Results Archived 2008-09-26 at the Wayback Machine AL.com, July 17, 2008
  9. ^ a b c d "Certified General Election Results without write-in appendix" (PDF). Secretary of State of Alabama. November 25, 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 27, 2008. Retrieved December 3, 2008.
  10. ^ Chapman, Beth (November 7, 2006). "State of Alabama Canvass of Results" (PDF). Alabama Secretary of State.
  11. ^ Chapman, Beth (November 7, 2006). "State of Alabama Canvass of Results" (PDF). Alabama Secretary of State.

External links edit

  • 2008 United States House of Representatives elections in Alabama at Curlie
  • U.S. Congress candidates for Alabama at Project Vote Smart
  • Alabama U.S. House Races from 2008 Race Tracker
  • Campaign contributions for Alabama congressional races from OpenSecrets
  • Election News from Alabama Live news media
Preceded by
2006 elections
United States House elections in Alabama
2008
Succeeded by
2010 elections