2008 United States House of Representatives elections in Washington

Last updated

2008 United States House of Representatives elections in Washington
Flag of Washington.svg
  2006 November 4, 2008 (2008-11-04) 2010  

All 9 Washington seats to the United States House of Representatives
 Majority partyMinority party
 
Party Democratic Republican
Last election63
Seats won63
Seat changeSteady2.svgSteady2.svg
Popular vote1,725,3161,189,147
Percentage59.20%40.80%
SwingDecrease2.svg 5.07%Increase2.svg 5.66%

Washington Congressional Election Results 2004 and 2008.svg
2008 United States House of Representatives elections in Washington by county.svg

The 2008 congressional elections in Washington was held on November 4, 2008, to determine who will represent the state of Washington in the United States House of Representatives. Representatives are elected for two-year terms; those elected will serve in the 111th Congress from January 4, 2009, until January 3, 2011. The election coincided with the 2008 U.S. presidential election. Nonpartisan blanket primary elections were held on August 19, 2008. [1]

Contents

Washington has nine seats in the House, apportioned according to the 2000 United States census. Its 2007-2008 congressional delegation consisted of six Democrats and three Republicans. All of the incumbents were re-elected, with only the 8th district race being considered competitive.

District 1

WA01 109.png

Incumbent Democrat Jay Inslee has represented the 1st district in Congress since 1999. Inslee won in the 2006 election with 68% of the vote. He was opposed by Republican candidate Larry Ishmael.

Primary results

Washington's 1st congressional district primary election, August 19, 2008 [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Jay Inslee 104,342 66.44%
Republican Larry Ishmael 52,700 33.56%
Total votes157,042 100%

General election

Predictions

SourceRankingAs of
The Cook Political Report [3] Safe DNovember 6, 2008
Rothenberg [4] Safe DNovember 2, 2008
Sabato's Crystal Ball [5] Safe DNovember 6, 2008
Real Clear Politics [6] Safe DNovember 7, 2008
CQ Politics [7] Safe DNovember 6, 2008

Results

Washington's 1st congressional district general election, November 4, 2008 [8]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Jay Inslee 233,780 67.76%
Republican Larry Ishmael111,24032.24%
Total votes345,020 100%

By county

County results
County [9] Jay Inslee

Democratic

Larry Ishmael

Republican

MarginTotal votes
#%#%#%
King (part)85,28369.71%37,06230.29%48,22139.41%122,345
Kitsap (part)41,60266.15%21,28433.85%20,31832.31%62,886
Snohomish (part)106,89566.90%52,89433.10%54,00133.80%159,789
Totals233,78067.76%111,24032.24%122,54035.52%345,020

District 2

WA02 109.png

Incumbent Democrat Rick Larsen has represented the 2nd district in Congress since 2001. Larsen won in the 2006 election with 64% of the vote. He was opposed by Republican candidate Rick Bart. Two other Democrats challenged the two in the primary election, Doug Schaffer and Glen Johnson.

Primary results

Washington's 2nd congressional district primary election, August 19, 2008 [10]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Rick Larsen 98,304 54.33%
Republican Rick Bart 68,189 37.69%
Democratic Doug Schaffer8,8574.89%
Democratic Glen Johnson5,5903.09%
Total votes157,042 100%

General election

Predictions

SourceRankingAs of
The Cook Political Report [3] Safe DNovember 6, 2008
Rothenberg [4] Safe DNovember 2, 2008
Sabato's Crystal Ball [5] Safe DNovember 6, 2008
Real Clear Politics [6] Safe DNovember 7, 2008
CQ Politics [7] Safe DNovember 6, 2008

Results

Washington's 2nd congressional district general election, November 4, 2008 [11]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Rick Larsen 217,416 62.39%
Republican Rick Bart131,05137.61%
Total votes345,020 100%

By county

County [12] Rick Larsen
Democratic
Rick Bart
Republican
MarginTotal votes cast
#%#%#%
Island 24,94861.70%15,48938.30%9,45923.39%40,437
King (part)19866.89%9833.11%10033.78%296
San Juan 7,30872.44%2,78127.56%4,52744.87%10,089
Skagit 34,64164.52%19,05135.48%15,59029.04%53,692
Snohomish (part)87,45759.00%60,78441.00%26,67317.99%148,241
Whatcom 62,86465.68%32,84834.32%30,01631.36%95,712
Totals217,41662.39%131,05137.61%86,36524.78%348,467

District 3

2008 Washington's 3rd congressional district election
Flag of Washington.svg
  2006
2010  
  Brian Baird.jpg 3x4.svg
Nominee Brian Baird Michael Delavar
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote216,701121,828
Percentage64.0%36.0%

2008 Washington's 3rd congressional district election by county.svg
County results
Baird:     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%

U.S. Representative before election

Brian Baird
Democratic

Elected U.S. Representative

Brian Baird
Democratic

WA03 109.png

Incumbent Democrat Brian Baird has represented the 3rd district in Congress since 1999. Baird won in the 2006 election with 63% of the vote. He was opposed by Republican candidate Michael Delavar. Democrat Cheryl Crist and Republican Christine Webb also entered the primary.

Primary results

Washington's 3rd congressional district primary election, August 19, 2008 [13]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Brian Baird 83,409 50.59%
Republican Michael Delavar 32,372 19.63%
Republican Christine Webb27,73816.82%
Democratic Cheryl Crist21,35612.95%
Total votes164,875 100%

General election

Predictions

SourceRankingAs of
The Cook Political Report [3] Safe DNovember 6, 2008
Rothenberg [4] Safe DNovember 2, 2008
Sabato's Crystal Ball [5] Safe DNovember 6, 2008
Real Clear Politics [6] Safe DNovember 7, 2008
CQ Politics [7] Safe DNovember 6, 2008

Results

Washington's 3rd congressional district general election, November 4, 2008 [14]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Brian Baird 216,701 64.01%
Republican Michael Delavar121,82835.99%
Total votes338,529 100%

By county

County results
County [15] Brian Baird

Democratic

Michael Delavar

Republican

MarginTotal votes
#%#%#%
Clark 106,87861.21%67,73338.79%39,14522.42%174,611
Cowlitz 29,10266.71%14,52333.29%14,57933.42%43,625
Lewis 19,74559.03%13,70540.97%6,04018.06%33,450
Pacific 7,70672.57%2,91327.43%4,79345.14%10,619
Skamania (part)2,30960.19%1,52739.81%78220.39%3,836
Thurston (part)49,45670.50%20,69929.50%28,75740.99%70,155
Wahkiakum 1,50567.40%72832.60%77734.80%2,233
Totals216,70164.01%121,82835.99%94,87328.03%338,529

District 4

WA04 109.png

Incumbent Republican Doc Hastings has represented the 4th district in Congress since 1995. Hastings won in the 2006 election with 60% of the vote. He was opposed by Democratic candidate George Fearing. Republican Gordon Allen Pross was eliminated in the primary.

Primary results

Washington's 4th congressional district primary election, August 19, 2008 [16]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Doc Hastings 93,241 62.19%
Democratic George Fearing 49,841 33.24%
Republican Gordon Allen Pross6,8424.56%
Total votes149,924 100%

General election

Predictions

SourceRankingAs of
The Cook Political Report [3] Safe RNovember 6, 2008
Rothenberg [4] Safe RNovember 2, 2008
Sabato's Crystal Ball [5] Safe RNovember 6, 2008
Real Clear Politics [6] Safe RNovember 7, 2008
CQ Politics [7] Safe RNovember 6, 2008

Results

Washington's 4th congressional district general election, November 4, 2008 [17]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Doc Hastings 169,940 63.09%
Democratic George Fearing99,43036.91%
Total votes269,370 100%

By county

County results
County [18] Doc Hastings

Republican

George Fearing

Democratic

MarginTotal votes
#%#%#%
Adams (part)1,52267.08%74732.92%77534.16%2,269
Benton 46,60365.23%24,83834.77%21,76530.47%71,441
Chelan 20,27065.49%10,68134.51%9,58930.98%30,951
Douglas 10,10868.52%4,64431.48%5,46437.04%14,752
Franklin 12,40864.06%6,96035.94%5,44828.13%19,368
Grant 18,46069.17%8,22730.83%10,23338.34%26,687
Kittitas 10,09558.57%7,14241.43%2,95317.13%17,237
Klickitat 5,60357.25%4,18442.75%1,41914.50%9,787
Skamania (part)71752.11%65947.89%584.22%1,376
Yakima 44,15458.48%31,34841.52%12,80616.96%75,502
Totals169,94063.09%99,43036.91%70,51026.18%269,370

District 5

WA05 109.png

Incumbent Republican Cathy McMorris Rodgers has represented the 2nd district in Congress since 2005. Rodgers was elected in 2006 with 56% of the vote. She was opposed by Democratic candidate Mark Mays. Barbara Lampert of the Democratic party, Republican Kurt Erickson, Libertarian John Beck and Constitution candidate Randall Yearout were eliminated in the primary.

Primary results

Washington's 5th congressional district primary election, August 19, 2008 [19]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Cathy McMorris Rodgers 96,584 56.29%
Democratic Mark Mays 34,251 19.96%
Democratic Barbara Lampert19,64511.45%
Republican Kurt Erickson12,1557.08%
Constitution Randall Yearout5,2683.07%
Libertarian John H. Beck3,6732.14%
Total votes171,576 100%

General election

Predictions

SourceRankingAs of
The Cook Political Report [3] Safe RNovember 6, 2008
Rothenberg [4] Safe RNovember 2, 2008
Sabato's Crystal Ball [5] Safe RNovember 6, 2008
Real Clear Politics [6] Safe RNovember 7, 2008
CQ Politics [7] Safe RNovember 6, 2008

Results

Washington's 5th congressional district general election, November 4, 2008 [20]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Cathy McMorris Rodgers 211,305 65.28%
Democratic Mark Mays112,38234.72%
Total votes323,687 100%

By county

County results
County [21] Cathy McMorris Rodgers

Republican

Mark Mays

Democratic

MarginTotal votes
#%#%#%
Adams (part)1,96482.45%41817.55%1,54664.90%2,382
Asotin 6,42267.96%3,02832.04%3,39435.92%9,450
Columbia 1,79581.78%40018.22%1,39563.55%2,195
Ferry 2,44871.60%97128.40%1,47743.20%3,419
Garfield 1,08180.91%25519.09%82661.83%1,336
Lincoln 4,58678.10%1,28621.90%3,30056.20%5,872
Okanogan 11,08267.37%5,36732.63%5,71534.74%16,449
Pend Oreille 4,42669.62%1,93130.38%2,49539.25%6,357
Spokane 134,22862.79%79,53137.21%54,69725.59%213,759
Stevens 16,06873.14%5,90226.86%10,16646.27%21,970
Walla Walla 16,71370.62%6,95429.38%9,75941.23%23,667
Whitman 10,49262.34%6,33937.66%4,15324.67%16,831
Totals211,30565.28%112,38234.72%98,92330.56%323,687

District 6

WA06 109.png

Incumbent Democrat Norm Dicks has represented the 6th district in Congress since 1977. Dicks won in the 2006 election with 71% of the vote. He was opposed by Republican candidate Doug Cloud. Green candidate Gary Murrell and Democrat Paul Richmond also entered the primary.

Primary results

Washington's 6th congressional district primary election, August 19, 2008 [22]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Norm Dicks 96,862 57.26%
Republican Doug Cloud 51,300 30.33%
Democratic Paul Richmond14,9838.86%
Green Glen Johnson6,0143.56%
Total votes169,159 100%

General election

Predictions

SourceRankingAs of
The Cook Political Report [3] Safe DNovember 6, 2008
Rothenberg [4] Safe DNovember 2, 2008
Sabato's Crystal Ball [5] Safe DNovember 6, 2008
Real Clear Politics [6] Safe DNovember 7, 2008
CQ Politics [7] Safe DNovember 6, 2008

Results

Washington's 6th congressional district general election, November 4, 2008 [23]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Norm Dicks 205,991 66.86%
Republican Doug Cloud102,08133.14%
Total votes308,072 100%

By county

County results
County [24] Norm Dicks

Democratic

Doug Cloud

Republican

MarginTotal votes
#%#%#%
Clallam 20,74555.72%16,48944.28%4,25611.43%37,234
Grays Harbor 18,78366.64%9,40333.36%9,38033.28%28,186
Jefferson 13,46270.23%5,70629.77%7,75640.46%19,168
Kitsap (part)39,40467.77%18,73632.23%20,66835.55%58,140
Mason 17,71064.11%9,91535.89%7,79528.22%27,625
Pierce (part)95,88769.63%41,83230.37%54,05539.25%137,719
Totals205,99166.86%102,08133.14%103,91033.73%308,072

District 7

WA07 109.png

Incumbent Democrat Jim McDermott has represented the 7th district in Congress since 1989. McDermott won in the 2006 election with 79% of the vote in the most Democratic district in the state. He was opposed by Republican candidate Steve Beren. Democrats Donovan Rivers and Goodspaceguy entered the primary, as well as independents Mark Goldman and Al Schaefer.

Primary results

Washington's 7th congressional district primary election, August 19, 2008 [25]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Jim McDermott 95,344 73.82%
Republican Steve Beren 19,307 14.95%
Democratic Donovan Rivers6,6855.18%
Independent Mark A. Goldman3,4102.64%
Democratic Goodspaceguy Nelson3,1992.48%
Independent Al Schaefer1,2160.94%
Total votes129,161 100%

General election

Predictions

SourceRankingAs of
The Cook Political Report [3] Safe DNovember 6, 2008
Rothenberg [4] Safe DNovember 2, 2008
Sabato's Crystal Ball [5] Safe DNovember 6, 2008
Real Clear Politics [6] Safe DNovember 7, 2008
CQ Politics [7] Safe DNovember 6, 2008

Results

Washington's 7th congressional district general election, November 4, 2008 [26]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Jim McDermott 291,963 83.65%
Republican Steve Beren57,05416.35%
Total votes349,017 100%

By county

County results
County [27] Jim McDermott

Democratic

Steve Beren

Republican

MarginTotal votes
#%#%#%
King (part)291,96383.65%57,05416.35%234,90967.31%349,017
Totals291,96383.65%57,05416.35%234,90967.31%349,017

District 8

United States House of Representatives, Washington District 8 map.png

Incumbent Republican Dave Reichert has represented the 8th district in Congress since 2005. Reichert won in the 2006 election with 51.5% of the vote. He was opposed by Democratic candidate Darcy Burner. The primary also included Democrats James Vaughn and Keith Arnold, and Independents Richard Todd and Boleslaw Orlinski.

The District 8 race was considered competitive: it voted for Obama by a large margin and had a Cook PVI of D+2. It was rated "toss up" by Cook, "no clear favorite" by CQ Politics and "toss up/tilt Republican" by Rothenberg. [28] [29] [30]

Primary results

Washington's 8th congressional district primary election, August 19, 2008 [31]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Dave Reichert 74,140 48.54%
Democratic Darcy Burner 68,010 44.53%
Democratic James E. Vaughn5,0513.31%
Independent Richard Todd2,1161.39%
Democratic Keith Arnold1,8861.23%
Independent Boleslaw Orlinski1,5231.00%
Total votes152,726 100%

General election

Predictions

SourceRankingAs of
The Cook Political Report [3] TossupNovember 6, 2008
Rothenberg [4] TosuspNovember 2, 2008
Sabato's Crystal Ball [5] Lean D (flip)November 6, 2008
Real Clear Politics [6] TossupNovember 7, 2008
CQ Politics [7] TossupNovember 6, 2008

Results

Washington's 8th congressional district general election, November 4, 2008 [32]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Dave Reichert 191,568 52.78%
Democratic Darcy Burner171,35847.22%
Total votes362,926 100%

By county

County results
County [33] Dave Reichert

Republican

Darcy Burner

Democratic

MarginTotal votes
#%#%#%
King (part)147,17051.22%140,16548.78%7,0052.44%287,335
Pierce (part)44,39858.73%31,19341.27%13,20517.47%75,591
Totals191,56852.78%171,35847.22%20,2105.57%362,926

District 9

WA09 109.png

Incumbent Democrat Adam Smith has represented the 9th district in Congress since 1997. Smith won in the 2006 election with 66% of the vote. He was opposed by Republican candidate James Postma.

Primary results

Washington's 9th congressional district primary election, August 19, 2008 [34]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Adam Smith 81,503 64.70%
Republican James Postma 44,472 35.30%
Total votes125,975 100%

General election

Predictions

SourceRankingAs of
The Cook Political Report [3] Safe DNovember 6, 2008
Rothenberg [4] Safe DNovember 2, 2008
Sabato's Crystal Ball [5] Safe DNovember 6, 2008
Real Clear Politics [6] Safe DNovember 7, 2008
CQ Politics [7] Safe DNovember 6, 2008

Results

Washington's 9th congressional district general election, November 4, 2008 [35]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Adam Smith 176,295 65.45%
Republican James Postma93,08034.55%
Total votes269,375 100%

By county

County results
County [36] Adam Smith

Democratic

James Postma

Republican

MarginTotal votes
#%#%#%
King (part)82,36869.66%35,87730.34%46,49139.32%118,245
Pierce (part)62,44860.81%40,25439.19%22,19421.61%102,702
Thurston (part)31,47965.00%16,94935.00%14,53030.00%48,428
Totals176,29565.45%93,08034.55%83,21530.89%269,375

References

  1. Top 2 Primary: FAQs for Voters Washington Secretary of State
  2. "Congressional District 1". Secretary of State of Washington. September 4, 2008. Retrieved July 13, 2016.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "2008 Competitive House Race Chart". House: Race Ratings. The Cook Political Report. November 6, 2006. Archived from the original on November 6, 2008. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "2008 House Ratings". House Ratings. The Rothenberg Political Report. November 2, 2006. Archived from the original on November 6, 2008. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "2008 House". Sabato's Crystal Ball. November 6, 2008. Archived from the original on November 6, 2008. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Battle for the House of Representatives". realclearpolitics.com. Real Clear Politics. November 7, 2008. Archived from the original on December 17, 2008. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Race Ratings Chart: House". cqpolitics.com. Congressional Quarterly Inc. Archived from the original on November 6, 2008. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
  8. "Congressional District 1". Secretary of State of Washington. November 26, 2008. Retrieved July 13, 2016.
  9. Reed, Sam (November 4, 2008). "U.S. Congressional District 1 - Representative - County Results". Secretary of State of Washington . Archived from the original on July 25, 2015. Retrieved August 12, 2025.
  10. "Congressional District 2". Secretary of State of Washington. September 4, 2008. Retrieved July 14, 2016.
  11. "Congressional District 2". Secretary of State of Washington. November 26, 2008. Retrieved July 14, 2016.
  12. Reed, Sam (November 4, 2008). "U.S. Congressional District 2 - Representative - County Results". Secretary of State of Washington . Archived from the original on July 25, 2015. Retrieved August 12, 2025.
  13. "Congressional District 3". Secretary of State of Washington. September 3, 2008. Retrieved July 14, 2016.
  14. "Congressional District 3". Secretary of State of Washington. November 29, 2008. Retrieved July 14, 2016.
  15. Reed, Sam (November 4, 2008). "U.S. Congressional District 3 - Representative - County Results". Secretary of State of Washington . Archived from the original on May 1, 2025. Retrieved August 12, 2025.
  16. "Congressional District 4". Secretary of State of Washington. September 4, 2008. Retrieved July 14, 2016.
  17. "Congressional District 4". Secretary of State of Washington. November 26, 2008. Retrieved July 14, 2016.
  18. Reed, Sam (November 4, 2008). "U.S. Congressional District 4 - Representative - County Results". Secretary of State of Washington . Archived from the original on July 25, 2015. Retrieved August 12, 2025.
  19. "Congressional District 5". Secretary of State of Washington. September 4, 2008. Retrieved July 14, 2016.
  20. "Congressional District 5". Secretary of State of Washington. November 26, 2008. Retrieved July 14, 2016.
  21. Reed, Sam (November 4, 2008). "U.S. Congressional District 5 - Representative - County Results". Secretary of State of Washington . Archived from the original on December 8, 2021. Retrieved August 12, 2025.
  22. "Congressional District 6". Secretary of State of Washington. September 4, 2008. Retrieved July 14, 2016.
  23. "Congressional District 6". Secretary of State of Washington. November 26, 2008. Retrieved July 14, 2016.
  24. Reed, Sam (November 4, 2008). "U.S. Congressional District 6 - Representative - County Results". Secretary of State of Washington . Archived from the original on July 25, 2015. Retrieved August 12, 2025.
  25. "Congressional District 7". Secretary of State of Washington. September 4, 2008. Retrieved July 14, 2016.
  26. "Congressional District 7". Secretary of State of Washington. November 26, 2008. Retrieved July 14, 2016.
  27. Reed, Sam (November 4, 2008). "U.S. Congressional District 7 - Representative - County Results". Secretary of State of Washington . Archived from the original on July 25, 2015. Retrieved August 12, 2025.
  28. House Archived 2010-10-05 at the Wayback Machine The Cook Political Report
  29. U.S. House, Washington - 8th District Archived 2008-06-17 at the Wayback Machine CQ Politics
  30. 2008 House Ratings from The Rotherberg Political Report, July 4, 2008
  31. "Congressional District 8". Secretary of State of Washington. September 4, 2008. Retrieved July 14, 2016.
  32. "Congressional District 8". Secretary of State of Washington. November 26, 2008. Retrieved July 14, 2016.
  33. Reed, Sam (November 4, 2008). "U.S. Congressional District 8 - Representative - County Results". Secretary of State of Washington . Archived from the original on July 25, 2015. Retrieved August 12, 2025.
  34. "Congressional District 9". Secretary of State of Washington. September 4, 2008. Retrieved July 14, 2016.
  35. "Congressional District 9". Secretary of State of Washington. November 26, 2008. Retrieved July 14, 2016.
  36. Reed, Sam (November 4, 2008). "U.S. Congressional District 9 - Representative - County Results". Secretary of State of Washington . Archived from the original on June 7, 2025. Retrieved August 12, 2025.