2008 Oakland County Executive election

2008 Oakland County Executive election

←  2004 November 4, 2008 2012  →

Nominee L. Brooks Patterson Brenda Lawrence Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 365,286 261,704 Percentage 58.08% 41.61%

Oakland County Executive before election L. Brooks Patterson Republican Elected Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson Republican

The 2008 Oakland County Executive election was held on November 4, 2008. Incumbent County Executive L. Brooks Patterson ran for re-election. He was challenged by Southfield Mayor Brenda Lawrence, the Democratic nominee. Despite Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama's landslide victory in Oakland County in the presidential election, Patterson won re-election in a landslide, defeating Lawrence with 58 percent of the vote.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Brenda Lawrence, Mayor of Southfield ^[1]

Results

Democratic primary results ^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Brenda Lawrence	67,308	100.00%
Total votes			67,308	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

• L. Brooks Patterson, incumbent County Executive

Results

Republican primary results ^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	L. Brooks Patterson (inc.)	87,775	100.00%
Total votes			87,775	100.00%

General election

Results

2008 Oakland County Executive election ^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	L. Brooks Patterson (inc.)	365,286	58.08%
	Democratic	Brenda Lawrence	261,704	41.61%
	Write-in		1,895	0.30%
Total votes			628,885	100.00%
	Republican hold

References

1. Damron, Gina (May 8, 2008). "Southfield mayor to challenge Patterson". Detroit Free Press . Detroit, Michigan. p. 1A. Retrieved June 29, 2025.
2. "August Primary Election Tuesday, August 5, 2008 Oakland County, Michigan: Democratic Party". Oakland County Clerk. September 17, 2008. Retrieved June 29, 2025.
3. "November General Election: Tuesday, November 4, 2008". Oakland County Clerk. November 19, 2008. Retrieved June 29, 2025.