2008 United States House of Representatives elections in Wisconsin

Last updated

2008 United States House of Representatives elections in Wisconsin
Flag of Wisconsin.svg
  2006 November 4, 2008 2010  

All 8 Wisconsin seats to the United States House of Representatives
 Majority partyMinority party
 
Party Democratic Republican
Last election53
Seats won53
Seat changeSteady2.svgSteady2.svg
Popular vote1,383,5361,274,987
Percentage49.85%45.94%
SwingIncrease2.svg 1.23%Decrease2.svg 4.47%

2008 Wisconsin United States House of Representatives election by Congressional District.svg
2008 United States House of Representatives Elections in Wisconsin by county.svg

The 2008 congressional elections in Wisconsin were held on November 4, 2008, to determine who would represent the state of Wisconsin in the United States House of Representatives. Representatives were elected for two-year terms; those elected served in the 111th Congress from January 3, 2009, until January 3, 2011. The election coincided with the 2008 U.S. presidential election and other Wisconsin elections.

Contents

Wisconsin has eight seats in the House, apportioned according to the 2000 United States census. Its 2007-2008 congressional delegation consisted of five Democrats and three Republicans. That remained unchanged after the 2008 congressional elections in Wisconsin as all incumbent candidates won re-election, although CQ Politics had forecasted Wisconsin's 8 district to be at some risk for the incumbent party. [1]

As of 2025, this is the last time the Democrats won a majority of congressional districts from Wisconsin. However, they would still go on to win the popular vote in several subsequent House elections.

Results summary

PartyCandi-

dates

VotesSeats
No. %No.+/– %
Democratic Party 71,383,53649.85%5Steady2.svg62.50%
Republican Party 71,274,98745.94%3Steady2.svg37.50%
Independent 2103,8093.74%0Steady2.svg0%
Libertarian Party 212,8420.46%0Steady2.svg0%
Total182,775,174100%8Steady2.svg100%
Popular vote
Democratic
49.85%
Republican
45.94%
Independent
3.74%
Libertarian
0.46%
House seats
Democratic
62.50%
Republican
37.50%

District 1

2008 Wisconsin's 1st congressional district election
Flag of Wisconsin.svg
  2006
2010  
  Paul Ryan, Official Portrait, 113th Congress (cropped).png 3x4.svg
Nominee Paul Ryan Marge Krupp
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote231,009125,268
Percentage63.97%34.69%

WI1 House 2008.svg
Precinct results
Ryan:     40–50%     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%     80–90%     >90%
Krupp:     40–50%     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%     80–90%
Tie:     50%     No votes

U.S. Representative before election

Paul Ryan
Republican

Elected U.S. Representative

Paul Ryan
Republican

WI 1st Congressional District.png

In this relatively moderate district in southeast Wisconsin, incumbent Republican Congressman Paul Ryan has enjoyed popularity and faced no serious challenge from Democratic nominee, Marge Krupp, a chemist. Despite Barack Obama's strong performance in Wisconsin that year in the presidential election, Ryan was re-elected overwhelmingly.

Predictions

SourceRankingAs of
The Cook Political Report [2] Safe RNovember 6, 2008
Rothenberg [3] Safe RNovember 2, 2008
Sabato's Crystal Ball [4] Safe RNovember 6, 2008
Real Clear Politics [5] Safe RNovember 7, 2008
CQ Politics [6] Safe RNovember 6, 2008
Wisconsin's 1st congressional district election, 2008
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Paul Ryan (inc.) 231,009 63.97
Democratic Marge Krupp125,26834.69
Libertarian Joseph Kexel4,6061.28
Write-ins2240.06
Total votes361,107 100.00
Republican hold

District 2

2008 Wisconsin's 2nd congressional district election
Flag of Wisconsin.svg
  2006
2010  
  Tammy Baldwin, official photo portrait, color (cropped).jpg 3x4.svg
Nominee Tammy Baldwin Peter Theron
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote277,914122,513
Percentage69.33%30.56%

WI2 House 2008.svg
Precinct results
Baldwin:     40–50%     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%     80–90%     >90%
Theron:     40–50%     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%     80–90%
Tie:     50%     No votes

U.S. Representative before election

Tammy Baldwin
Democratic

Elected U.S. Representative

Tammy Baldwin
Democratic

WI 2nd Congressional District.png

In this very liberal district based in the Madison metropolitan area, incumbent Democratic Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin, the first openly lesbian member of the House, easily turned away a challenge from Republican candidate Peter Theron and won her sixth term with nearly seventy percent of the vote.

Predictions

SourceRankingAs of
The Cook Political Report [2] Safe DNovember 6, 2008
Rothenberg [3] Safe DNovember 2, 2008
Sabato's Crystal Ball [4] Safe DNovember 6, 2008
Real Clear Politics [5] Safe DNovember 7, 2008
CQ Politics [6] Safe DNovember 6, 2008
Wisconsin's 2nd congressional district election, 2008
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Tammy Baldwin (inc.) 277,914 69.33
Republican Peter Theron122,51330.56
Write-ins4140.10
Total votes400,841 100.00
Democratic hold

District 3

2008 Wisconsin's 3rd congressional district election
Flag of Wisconsin.svg
  2006
2010  
  Ron Kind, Official Portrait, 109th Congress (cropped).jpg 3x4.svg
Nominee Ron Kind Paul Stark
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote225,208122,760
Percentage63.19%34.44%

WI3 House 2008.svg
Precinct results
Kind:     40–50%     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%     80–90%     >90%
Stark:     40–50%     50–60%     60–70%
Tie:     40–50%     50%     No votes

U.S. Representative before election

Ron Kind
Democratic

Elected U.S. Representative

Ron Kind
Democratic

WI 3rd Congressional District.png

In this relatively liberal district based in western Wisconsin, incumbent Democratic Congressman Ron Kind easily won a seventh term over Republican challenger Paul Stark.

Predictions

SourceRankingAs of
The Cook Political Report [2] Safe DNovember 6, 2008
Rothenberg [3] Safe DNovember 2, 2008
Sabato's Crystal Ball [4] Safe DNovember 6, 2008
Real Clear Politics [5] Safe DNovember 7, 2008
CQ Politics [6] Safe DNovember 6, 2008
Wisconsin's 3rd congressional district election, 2008
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Ron Kind (inc.) 225,208 63.19
Republican Paul Stark122,76034.44
Libertarian Kevin Barrett 8,2362.31
Write-ins1960.05
Total votes356,400 100.00
Democratic hold

District 4

2008 Wisconsin's 4th congressional district election
Flag of Wisconsin.svg
  2006
2010  
  Gwen Moore, official 109th Congress photo.jpg 3x4.svg
Nominee Gwen Moore Michael D. LaForest
Party Democratic Independent
Popular vote222,72829,282
Percentage87.63%11.52%

WI4 House 2008.svg
Precinct results
Moore:     30–40%     60–70%     70–80%     80–90%     >90%
Tie:     40–50%     50%     No votes

U.S. Representative before election

Gwen Moore
Democratic

Elected U.S. Representative

Gwen Moore
Democratic

WI 4th Congressional District.png

Incumbent Democratic Congresswoman Gwen Moore, running for her third term, faced easy re-election prospects in this highly liberal district based in Milwaukee; no Republican candidate filed to run against her. Moore defeated independent candidate Michael LaForest in a landslide.

Predictions

SourceRankingAs of
The Cook Political Report [2] Safe DNovember 6, 2008
Rothenberg [3] Safe DNovember 2, 2008
Sabato's Crystal Ball [4] Safe DNovember 6, 2008
Real Clear Politics [5] Safe DNovember 7, 2008
CQ Politics [6] Safe DNovember 6, 2008
Wisconsin's 4th congressional district election, 2008
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Gwen Moore (inc.) 222,728 87.63
Independent Michael D. LaForest29,28211.52
Write-ins2,1690.85
Total votes254,179 100.00
Democratic hold

District 5

2008 Wisconsin's 5th congressional district election
Flag of Wisconsin.svg
  2006
2010  
  Jim Sensenbrenner, official 109th Congress photo.jpg
Nominee Jim Sensenbrenner Robert R. Raymond
Party Republican Independent
Popular vote275,27169,715
Percentage79.58%20.15%

WI5 House 2008.svg
Precinct results
Sensenbrenner:     40–50%     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%     80–90%     >90%
Raymond:     40–50%     50–60%
Tie:     40–50%     No votes

U.S. Representative before election

Jim Sensenbrenner
Republican

Elected U.S. Representative

Jim Sensenbrenner
Republican

WI 5th Congressional District.png

In the wealthiest and most conservative district in Wisconsin, based in the northern suburbs of Milwaukee, long-serving incumbent Republican Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner easily defeated his only challenger, independent candidate Robert R. Raymond, to win a sixteenth term in Congress.

Predictions

SourceRankingAs of
The Cook Political Report [2] Safe RNovember 6, 2008
Rothenberg [3] Safe RNovember 2, 2008
Sabato's Crystal Ball [4] Safe RNovember 6, 2008
Real Clear Politics [5] Safe RNovember 7, 2008
CQ Politics [6] Safe RNovember 6, 2008
Wisconsin's 5th congressional district election, 2008
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Jim Sensenbrenner (inc.) 275,271 79.58
Independent Robert R. Raymond 69,71520.15
Write-ins9130.26
Total votes345,899 100.00
Republican hold

District 6

2008 Wisconsin's 6th congressional district election
Flag of Wisconsin.svg
  2006
2010  
  Tom Petri, official portrait, 108th Congress (cropped).jpg 3x4.svg
Nominee Tom Petri Roger A. Kittelson
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote221,875126,090
Percentage63.71%36.21%

WI6 House 2008.svg
Precinct results
Petri:     40–50%     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%     80–90%     >90%
Kittelson:     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%     >90%
Tie:     50%     No votes

U.S. Representative before election

Tom Petri
Republican

Elected U.S. Representative

Tom Petri
Republican

WI 6th Congressional District.png

This traditionally conservative district based in the Oshkosh-Neenah, Metropolitan Statistical Area was narrowly won by Democratic nominee Barack Obama in the 2008 election, but long-serving Republican incumbent Congressman Tom Petri held a tight grip on his seat. Petri sought and won a sixteenth term against Democratic candidate Roger Kittelson, winning handily.

Predictions

SourceRankingAs of
The Cook Political Report [2] Safe RNovember 6, 2008
Rothenberg [3] Safe RNovember 2, 2008
Sabato's Crystal Ball [4] Safe RNovember 6, 2008
Real Clear Politics [5] Safe RNovember 7, 2008
CQ Politics [6] Safe RNovember 6, 2008
Wisconsin's 6th congressional district election, 2008
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Tom Petri (inc.) 221,875 63.71
Democratic Roger A. Kittelson126,09036.21
Write-ins2990.09
Total votes348,264 100.00
Republican hold

District 7

2008 Wisconsin's 7th congressional district election
Flag of Wisconsin.svg
  2006
2010  
  Dave Obey, official Congressional photo portrait.jpg 3x4.svg
Nominee Dave Obey Dan Mielke
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote212,666136,938
Percentage60.79%39.14%

WI7 House 2008.svg
Precinct results
Obey:     40–50%     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%     80–90%     >90%
Mielke:     50–60%     60–70%
Tie:     40–50%     50%     No votes

U.S. Representative before election

Dave Obey
Democratic

Elected U.S. Representative

Dave Obey
Democratic

WI 7th Congressional District.png

Long-serving incumbent Democratic Congressman Dave Obey held an iron grip on this district based in northwestern Wisconsin for forty years. Seeking a twenty-first term in Congress, Obey was overwhelmingly re-elected again over Republican challenger Dan Mielke despite the centrist nature of the district.

Predictions

SourceRankingAs of
The Cook Political Report [2] Safe DNovember 6, 2008
Rothenberg [3] Safe DNovember 2, 2008
Sabato's Crystal Ball [4] Safe DNovember 6, 2008
Real Clear Politics [5] Safe DNovember 7, 2008
CQ Politics [6] Safe DNovember 6, 2008
Wisconsin's 7th congressional district election, 2008
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Dave Obey (inc.) 212,666 60.79
Republican Dan Mielke136,93839.14
Write-ins2330.07
Total votes349,837 100.00
Democratic hold

District 8

2008 Wisconsin's 8th congressional district election
Flag of Wisconsin.svg
  2006
2010  
  Steve Kagen, official 110th Congress photo portrait, color (cropped).JPG 3x4.svg
Nominee Steve Kagen John Gard
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote193,662164,621
Percentage54.00%45.90%

WI8 House 2008.svg
Precinct results
Kagen:     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%     80–90%     >90%
Gard:     40–50%     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%     80–90%
Tie:     40–50%     50%     No votes

U.S. Representative before election

Steve Kagen
Democratic

Elected U.S. Representative

Steve Kagen
Democratic

United States House of Representatives, Wisconsin District 8 map.gif

Incumbent Congressman Steve Kagen faced off against former Wisconsin State Assembly Speaker John Gard for a second time in this Republican-leaning district that is based in northeastern Wisconsin and that includes the cities of Green Bay and Appleton. Seeking a second term, Kagen defeated Gard by a larger margin than he did in 2006, allowing him to keep this swing district under Democratic control.

Predictions

SourceRankingAs of
The Cook Political Report [2] Lean DNovember 6, 2008
Rothenberg [3] Likely DNovember 2, 2008
Sabato's Crystal Ball [4] Lean DNovember 6, 2008
Real Clear Politics [5] TossupNovember 7, 2008
CQ Politics [6] Lean DNovember 6, 2008
Wisconsin's 8th congressional district election, 2008
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Steve Kagen (inc.) 193,662 54.00
Republican John Gard 164,62145.90
Write-ins3640.10
Total votes358,647 100.00
Democratic hold

References

  1. House: Races to Watch Archived 2007-12-13 at the Wayback Machine CQ Politics
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "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.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "2008 House Ratings". House Ratings. The Rothenberg Political Report. November 2, 2006. Archived from the original on November 6, 2008. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "2008 House". Sabato's Crystal Ball. November 6, 2008. Archived from the original on November 6, 2008. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "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.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Race Ratings Chart: House". cqpolitics.com. Congressional Quarterly Inc. Archived from the original on November 6, 2008. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
Preceded by
2006 elections
United States House elections in Wisconsin
2008
Succeeded by
2010 elections