2008 United States Senate election in Kentucky

Last updated

2008 United States Senate election in Kentucky
Flag of Kentucky.svg
  2002 November 4, 2008 2014  
  Sen Mitch McConnell official cropped.jpg Bruce Lunsford (cropped).jpg
Nominee Mitch McConnell Bruce Lunsford
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote953,816847,005
Percentage52.97%47.03%

2008 United States Senate election in Kentucky results map by county.svg
County results

McConnell:     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%

Lunsford:     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%

U.S. senator before election

Mitch McConnell
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Mitch McConnell
Republican

The 2008 United States Senate election in Kentucky was held on November 4, 2008. Minority Leader and incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell won re-election to a fifth term. Although Barack Obama lost Kentucky by a 16.22% margin to John McCain in the concurrent presidential election, McConnell more narrowly kept his seat with a 5.94% margin against businessman Bruce Lunsford. This was a greatly reduced margin from when he won re-election in 2002 with a 29.4% margin.

Contents

Background

In 2007 Kentucky's unpopular Republican Governor, Ernie Fletcher, lost his re-election bid. The Democrats took control of both Houses of Congress in the 2006 mid-term elections and in October Chuck Schumer acknowledged they were aiming for McConnell's seat. [1]

State auditor Crit Luallen was considered a top contender for the Democratic nomination, but she decided to remain as auditor. [2] Lunsford was asked to run by Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear. [3] Seven candidates competed for the Democratic Primary nomination. The primaries for both parties took place on May 20, 2008, in which Lunsford took more than 50%.

Republican primary

Candidates

Results

Republican primary results [4]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Mitch McConnell (incumbent) 168,127 86.09%
Republican Daniel Essek27,17013.91%
Total votes195,297 100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

Results

Democratic primary results by county
.mw-parser-output .legend{page-break-inside:avoid;break-inside:avoid-column}.mw-parser-output .legend-color{display:inline-block;min-width:1.25em;height:1.25em;line-height:1.25;margin:1px 0;text-align:center;border:1px solid black;background-color:transparent;color:black}.mw-parser-output .legend-text{}
Lunsford
<40%
40-50%
50-60%
60-70%
Fischer
<40%
40-50% 2008 United States Senate Democratic primary in Kentucky results map by county.svg
Democratic primary results by county
  Lunsford
  •   <40%
  •   40–50%
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
  Fischer
  •   <40%
  •   40–50%
Democratic primary results [5]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Bruce Lunsford 316,992 51.15%
Democratic Greg Fischer 209,82733.85%
Democratic David L. Williams34,3635.54%
Democratic Michael Cassaro17,3402.80%
Democratic Kenneth Stepp13,4512.17%
Democratic David Wylie7,5281.21%
Democratic James E. Rice2,3653.28%
Total votes619,904 100.00%

General election

Candidates

Campaign

In October Lunsford and McConnell were statistically tied in the polls. Larry Sabato, director of the University of Virginia Center for Politics, said "If Lunsford is actually doing this well, its got to be because the public is so upset by the economic meltdown and may be blaming the legislative leaders." [6]

A debate scheduled for October 7 hosted by the League of Women Voters was canceled when incumbent McConnell decided not to participate even though Lunsford announced he wanted to debate. [7]

On November 2, 2008, media outlets such as The Wall Street Journal noted that the website of The New Republic had reported that anti-McConnell flyers questioning the senator's sexuality as well as the reasons for his 1967 military discharge were being distributed in Kentucky. [8] [9]

Predictions

SourceRankingAs of
The Cook Political Report [10] Lean ROctober 23, 2008
CQ Politics [11] Lean ROctober 31, 2008
Rothenberg Political Report [12] Lean RNovember 2, 2008
Real Clear Politics [13] TossupNovember 1, 2008

Polling

Poll SourceDates administeredLunsfordMcConnell
Voter/Consumer Research January 6–8, 200837%52%
Research 2000/
Lexington Herald-Leader/
WKYT-TV
Archived July 5, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
May 7–9, 200836%48%
Voter/Consumer Research May 21–22, 200839%50%
Rasmussen Reports May 22, 200849%44%
Survey USA June 13–16, 200846%50%
Voter/Consumer Research June 15–17, 200839%50%
Rasmussen Reports June 25, 200841%48%
Rasmussen Reports July 29, 200842%52%
Survey USA August 11, 200840%52%
Voter/Consumer Research September 7–9, 200835%52%
Research 2000 for Daily Kos September 15–17, 200837%50%
SurveyUSA September 21–22, 200846%49%
Rasmussen Reports September 30, 200842%51%
SurveyUSA October 20, 200848%48%
Rasmussen Reports October 21, 200843%50%
Research 2000/
Lexington Herald-Leader/
WKYT-TV
Archived January 20, 2016, at the Wayback Machine
October 22, 200843%47%
Rasmussen Reports October 29, 200844%51%
Survey USA November 1, 200845%53%

Results

General election results [14]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Mitch McConnell (incumbent) 953,816 52.97% -11.7%
Democratic Bruce Lunsford 847,00547.03%+11.7%
Total votes1,800,821 100.0%
Republican hold

Results breakdown

Election results by county. Red indicates McConnell led in a county, while blue indicates that Lunsford received more votes. Counties are shaded to indicate the margin of victory. KY-USA 2008 Senate Results by County.svg
Election results by county. Red indicates McConnell led in a county, while blue indicates that Lunsford received more votes. Counties are shaded to indicate the margin of victory.
County [15] PrecinctsReporting Lunsford % Lunsford McConnell % McConnellTotal
Adair16162,19830.88%4,92069.12%7,118 (R)
Allen13132,33131.85%4,98768.15%7,318 (R)
Anderson14144,78746.27%5,55853.73%10,345 (R)
Ballard13131,89346.68%2,16253.32%4,055 (R)
Barren24246,73541.15%9,63058.85%16,365 (R)
Bath12122,74761.36%1,73038.64%4,477 (D)
Bell33333,49438.83%5,50561.17%8,999 (R)
Boone606015,22430.75%34,28569.25%49,509 (R)
Bourbon18184,32552.26%3,95147.74%8,276 (D)
Boyd474711,17454.23%9,43045.77%20,604 (D)
Boyle25255,85446.90%6,62753.10%12,481 (R)
Bracken881,38241.17%1,97558.83%3,357 (R)
Breathitt21213,11161.41%1,95538.59%5,066 (D)
Breckinridge15153,73644.02%4,75255.98%8,488 (R)
Bullitt444412,50141.85%17,36858.15%29,869 (R)
Butler12121,77133.59%3,50166.41%5,272 (R)
Caldwell13132,82146.30%3,27253.70%6,093 (R)
Calloway30306,87045.39%8,26654.61%15,136 (R)
Campbell666614,78937.55%24,59162.45%39,380 (R)
Carlisle661,22046.51%1,40353.49%2,623 (R)
Carroll11112,15757.23%1,61242.77%3,769 (D)
Carter23235,22053.74%4,49446.26%9,714 (D)
Casey15151,78330.55%4,05369.45%5,836 (R)
Christian44449,03040.79%13,10959.21%22,139 (R)
Clark26267,43648.49%7,89851.51%15,334 (R)
Clay20202,45833.85%4,80466.15%7,262 (R)
Clinton13131,02925.42%3,01974.58%4,048 (R)
Crittenden12121,61541.59%2,26858.41%3,883 (R)
Cumberland9976328.62%1,90371.38%2,666 (R)
Daviess848420,77947.94%22,56352.06%43,342 (R)
Edmonson10101,99638.06%3,24961.94%5,245 (R)
Elliott771,83071.99%71228.01%2,542 (R)
Estill15152,16241.36%3,06558.64%5,227 (R)
Fayette27427468,02954.15%57,60545.85%125,634 (R)
Fleming18182,84550.04%2,84149.96%5,686 (D)
Floyd424210,10564.35%5,59835.65%15,703 (D)
Franklin444413,88859.00%9,65141.00%23,539 (R)
Fulton13131,45653.49%1,26646.51%2,722 (D)
Gallatin881,43545.66%1,70854.34%3,143 (R)
Garrard13132,85840.11%4,26859.89%7,126 (R)
Grant23233,40839.33%5,25760.67%8,665 (R)
Graves30307,83948.76%8,23951.24%16,078 (R)
Grayson23233,86339.23%5,98360.77%9,846 (R)
Green10101,77735.73%3,19764.27%4,974 (R)
Greenup32328,25852.83%7,37447.17%15,632 (D)
Hancock10102,29856.09%1,79943.91%4,097 (D)
Hardin555517,31843.68%22,32656.32%39,644 (R)
Harlan35354,44045.92%5,22954.08%9,669 (R)
Harrison17173,81450.47%3,74349.53%7,557 (D)
Hart19192,96244.60%3,68055.40%6,642 (R)
Henderson424211,04856.06%8,65943.94%19,707 (D)
Henry20203,19446.52%3,67253.48%6,866 (R)
Hickman661,04947.49%1,16052.51%2,209 (R)
Hopkins40408,48144.87%10,41955.13%18,900 (R)
Jackson14141,24524.71%3,79475.29%5,039 (R)
Jefferson515515195,40155.73%155,24144.27%350,642 (D)
Jessamine37377,84739.60%11,96960.40%19,816 (R)
Johnson31313,25238.81%5,12861.19%8,380 (R)
Kenton10810819,21736.26%33,78763.74%53,004 (R)
Knott30303,47762.14%2,11837.86%5,595 (D)
Knox30304,32939.01%6,76760.99%11,096 (R)
LaRue12122,52341.97%3,48958.03%6,012 (R)
Laurel45456,85031.15%15,13868.85%21,988 (R)
Lawrence18182,64147.47%2,92352.53%5,564 (R)
Lee10101,07339.77%1,62560.23%2,698 (R)
Leslie17171,08325.15%3,22474.85%4,307 (R)
Letcher32324,19851.82%3,90348.18%8,101 (D)
Lewis14141,78738.26%2,88461.74%4,671 (R)
Lincoln17174,11945.47%4,93954.53%9,058 (R)
Livingston10102,14247.35%2,38252.65%4,524 (R)
Logan20204,37940.70%6,37959.30%10,758 (R)
Lyon661,82147.80%1,98952.20%3,810 (R)
McCracken545413,00642.91%17,30357.09%30,309 (D)
McCreary18181,57630.41%3,60669.59%5,182 (R)
McLean882,22550.55%2,17749.45%4,402 (D)
Madison565614,65745.96%17,23754.04%31,894 (R)
Magoffin14142,71958.81%1,90441.19%4,623 (D)
Marion17174,30457.68%3,15842.32%7,462 (D)
Marshall25257,46348.94%7,78551.06%15,248 (R)
Martin14141,20333.19%2,42266.81%3,625 (R)
Mason20203,09544.58%3,84755.42%6,942 (R)
Meade18185,14946.58%5,90553.42%11,054 (R)
Menifee661,52061.51%95138.49%2,471 (D)
Mercer17174,33844.17%5,48455.83%9,822 (R)
Metcalfe12121,76644.03%2,24555.97%4,011 (R)
Monroe12121,23727.16%3,31872.84%4,555 (R)
Montgomery18185,52654.25%4,66045.75%10,186 (D)
Morgan12122,47557.03%1,86542.97%4,340 (D)
Muhlenberg26267,43657.90%5,40642.10%12,842 (R)
Nelson26268,82349.60%8,96550.40%17,788 (R)
Nicholas551,73759.47%1,18440.53%2,921 (D)
Ohio25254,66447.08%5,24252.92%9,906 (R)
Oldham343410,20435.25%18,74464.75%28,948 (R)
Owen13132,01942.93%2,68457.07%4,703 (R)
Owsley8855934.46%1,06365.54%1,622 (R)
Pendleton12122,15537.97%3,52062.03%5,675 (R)
Perry37375,02649.10%5,21150.90%10,237 (R)
Pike575712,91257.16%9,67942.84%22,591 (D)
Powell11112,86357.91%2,08142.09%4,944 (D)
Pulaski57578,10832.20%17,07267.80%25,180 (R)
Robertson5549849.21%51450.79%1,012 (R)
Rockcastle14141,83730.55%4,17769.45%6,014 (R)
Rowan18184,71058.71%3,31241.29%8,022 (D)
Russell16162,45033.67%4,82766.33%7,277 (R)
Scott35359,23847.36%10,26752.64%19,505 (R)
Shelby33337,54641.15%10,79058.85%18,336 (R)
Simpson13133,11844.29%3,92255.71%7,040 (R)
Spencer11113,15939.64%4,81160.36%7,970 (R)
Taylor20204,16338.52%6,64461.48%10,807 (R)
Todd13131,77236.89%3,03263.11%4,804 (R)
Trigg14142,63740.76%3,83359.24%6,470 (R)
Trimble12121,92750.87%1,86149.13%3,788 (D)
Union16163,33555.46%2,67844.54%6,013 (D)
Warren636319,16243.84%24,54756.16%43,709 (R)
Washington14142,31645.04%2,82654.96%5,142 (R)
Wayne19193,04543.30%3,98756.70%7,032 (R)
Webster14143,00054.39%2,51645.61%5,516 (D)
Whitley36364,84936.37%8,48463.63%13,333 (R)
Wolfe881,88662.74%1,12037.26%3,006 (D)
Woodford16165,90348.65%6,23151.35%12,134 (R)

Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anne Northup</span> American politician (born 1948)

Anne Meagher Northup is an American Republican politician and educator from the Commonwealth of Kentucky. From 1997 to 2007, she represented the Louisville-centered 3rd congressional district of Kentucky in the United States House of Representatives, where she served on the powerful House Appropriations Committee. She lost reelection to Democrat John Yarmuth in the 2006 election. She then ran for Governor of Kentucky, losing by 15 points to embattled governor Ernie Fletcher in the Republican primary election for the 2007 Kentucky gubernatorial election. Prior to her election to the United States House of Representatives, Northup had served in the Kentucky House of Representatives. Northup ran again for her old congressional seat in the 2008 election, losing again to Yarmuth.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1998 United States Senate elections</span>

The 1998 United States Senate elections were held on November 3, with the 34 seats of Class 3 contested in regular elections. This was seen as an even contest between the Republican Party and Democratic Party. While the Democrats had to defend more seats up for election, Republican attacks on the morality of President Bill Clinton failed to connect with voters and anticipated Republican gains did not materialize. The Republicans picked up open seats in Ohio and Kentucky and narrowly defeated Democratic incumbent Carol Moseley Braun (Illinois), but these were cancelled out by the Democrats' gain of an open seat in Indiana and defeats of Republican Senators Al D'Amato and Lauch Faircloth. The balance of the Senate remained unchanged at 55–45 in favor of the Republicans.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Walter Dee Huddleston</span> American politician from Kentucky

Walter Darlington "Dee" Huddleston was an American politician. He was a Democrat from Kentucky who represented the state in the United States Senate from 1973 until 1985. He was defeated for re-election in 1984 by Mitch McConnell by 5269 votes. Huddleston had a career in commercial broadcasting prior to entering politics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bruce Lunsford</span> American film producer

William Bruce Lunsford is an American attorney, businessman, and politician from Kentucky. He has served various roles in the Kentucky Democratic Party, including party treasurer, Deputy Development Secretary, and Head of Commerce. Lunsford was the Democratic nominee for Kentucky's United States Senate seat in 2008, unsuccessfully challenging incumbent Mitch McConnell.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2008 United States House of Representatives elections in Kentucky</span>

The 2008 congressional elections in Kentucky were held on November 4, 2008, to determine who would represent the state of Kentucky in the United States House of Representatives. Kentucky has six seats in the House, apportioned according to the 2000 United States Census. 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 coincides with the 2008 U.S. presidential election.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2003 Kentucky gubernatorial election</span> Election for the governorship of the U.S. state of Kentucky

The 2003 Kentucky gubernatorial election was held to elect the Governor of Kentucky on November 4, 2003. Republican candidate Ernie Fletcher defeated Democrat Ben Chandler and became the first Republican governor of Kentucky in 32 years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2002 United States Senate election in Kentucky</span>

The 2002 United States Senate election in Kentucky was held on November 5, 2002. Incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell won re-election to a fourth term. This election was McConnell's biggest margin of victory to date. It is the only election in which he won Franklin County, and the most recent in which he won urban Jefferson and Fayette counties. The latter two were the only Kentucky counties won by either Hillary Clinton in 2016 or Joe Biden in 2020, signifying their leftward drift.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1996 United States Senate election in Kentucky</span>

The 1996 United States Senate election in Kentucky was held on November 5, 1996. Incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell won re-election to a third term with a 12.6% margin of victory. McConnell's substantial victory occurred at the same time President Bill Clinton was re-elected to a second term, winning by an 8.5% margin nationwide, but carrying Kentucky by a 0.9% margin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2010 United States Senate election in Kentucky</span>

The 2010 United States Senate election in Kentucky took place on November 2, 2010, alongside other elections to the United States Senate in other states as well as elections to the United States House of Representatives and various state and local elections. Primaries for each respective party were held on May 18, 2010. Incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Jim Bunning decided to retire instead of seeking a third term. Republican nominee Rand Paul, an ophthalmologist and son of Congressman Ron Paul, won the open seat against Kentucky Attorney General Jack Conway.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2008 United States presidential election in Kentucky</span> Election in Kentucky

The 2008 United States presidential election in Kentucky took place on November 4, 2008, and was part of the 2008 United States presidential election. Voters chose eight representatives, or electors to the Electoral College, who voted for president and vice president.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1984 United States Senate election in Kentucky</span>

The 1984 United States Senate election in Kentucky was held on November 5, 1984. Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Walter Dee Huddleston ran for reelection to a third term, but was defeated by Republican Mitch McConnell by less than 0.5%. Despite President Ronald Reagan's landslide reelection victory, this was the only Republican flip of the 1984 U.S. Senate Elections.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alison Lundergan Grimes</span> American politician

Alison Case Lundergan Grimes is an American lawyer and Democratic politician who was the secretary of state of Kentucky from 2012 until 2020. Grimes was elected in 2011 after defeating incumbent Elaine Walker in the Democratic primary and Republican candidate Bill Johnson in the general election. She was the Democratic nominee for the United States Senate in 2014, unsuccessfully challenging Republican incumbent and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. She was re-elected for a second term as Secretary of State of Kentucky on November 3, 2015, defeating Republican Stephen Knipper. Term limited in 2019, she was succeeded by Republican Michael Adams.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2014 United States Senate election in Kentucky</span>

The 2014 United States Senate election in Kentucky took place on November 4, 2014, to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the Commonwealth of Kentucky, concurrently with elections to the United States Senate in other states and elections to the United States House of Representatives and various state and local elections.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2015 Kentucky gubernatorial election</span> Election for the governorship of the U.S. state of Kentucky

The 2015 Kentucky gubernatorial election took place on November 3, 2015. Incumbent Democratic Governor Steve Beshear was ineligible to run for a third term due to term limits. Primary elections were held on May 19, 2015.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2016 United States Senate election in Kentucky</span>

The 2016 United States Senate election in Kentucky was held November 8, 2016 to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the State of Kentucky, concurrently with the 2016 U.S. presidential election, as well as other elections to the United States Senate in other states and elections to the United States House of Representatives and various state and local elections. The primaries were held May 17.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020 United States Senate election in Kentucky</span>

The 2020 United States Senate election in Kentucky was held on November 3, 2020, to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the Commonwealth of Kentucky, concurrently with the 2020 U.S. presidential election, as well as other elections to the United States Senate, elections to the United States House of Representatives and various state and local elections. Incumbent Republican Senator Mitch McConnell, who had been Senate Majority Leader since 2015 and senator from Kentucky since 1985, won reelection to a seventh term in office. He faced off against former U.S. Marine fighter pilot Amy McGrath and Libertarian Brad Barron.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2019 Kentucky gubernatorial election</span> Election for the governorship of the U.S. state of Kentucky

The 2019 Kentucky gubernatorial election took place on November 5, 2019, to elect the governor and lieutenant governor of Kentucky. The Democratic nominee, Kentucky Attorney General Andy Beshear, defeated Republican incumbent Matt Bevin by just over 5,000 votes, or 0.37%, making this the closest gubernatorial election in Kentucky since 1899 by total votes, and the closest ever by percentage. It was also the closest race of the 2019 gubernatorial election cycle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 United States Senate election in Arkansas</span>

The 2022 United States Senate election in Arkansas was held on November 8, 2022, to elect a member to the United States Senate to represent the state of Arkansas. Incumbent Republican Senator John Boozman was first elected in 2010, defeating Democratic incumbent Blanche Lincoln. Boozman was re-elected for a second term in the 2016 with 59.8% of the vote and ran in 2022 for a third term. Boozman won the May 24, 2022 Republican primary with 58.03% of the vote and subsequently defeated Democrat Natalie James in the general election by 34.6 percentage points. This was the best performance for a Republican Senator in the state's history, and the third consecutive Republican win of this seat.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 United States Senate election in Kentucky</span>

The 2022 United States Senate election in Kentucky was held on November 8, 2022, to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent Kentucky. Incumbent Republican Rand Paul won reelection to a third term, defeating Democratic nominee Charles Booker.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 United States Senate election in South Carolina</span>

The 2022 United States Senate election in South Carolina was held on November 8, 2022, to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the state of South Carolina. Incumbent Republican Senator Tim Scott won reelection to a second full term, defeating Democratic state representative Krystle Matthews.

References

  1. Stein, Sam (October 31, 2007). "Schumer Takes Aim At Senate's Top Republican". Huffington Post . Retrieved October 31, 2007.
  2. "KY-Sen: Schumer says Crit is in". Daily Kos.
  3. Gerth, Joseph (January 30, 2008). "Lunsford to challenge McConnell; Lewis is out". Courier-Journal .
  4. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on July 21, 2011. Retrieved August 1, 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  5. "2008 Kentucky Statewide Election Results by Office". Kentucky State Board of Elections. June 11, 2008. Retrieved February 16, 2018.
  6. "McConnell, Lunsford race a dead heat". The Courier-Journal . September 27, 2008. Retrieved September 27, 2008.[ dead link ]
  7. "Lunsford-McConnell Debate Now Off". Kentucky Post. September 30, 2008. Archived from the original on October 11, 2008. Retrieved October 17, 2008.
  8. "McConnell Outing Controversy Breaks Into National Mainstream Media". Proud of Who We Are (Press release). Proud of Who We Are. November 3, 2008.
  9. Michelle, Cottle; Orr, Christopher; Zengerle, Jason (November 2, 2008). "Democratic Gay-Baiting? You Don't Say..." The New Republic . Archived from the original on November 6, 2008.
  10. "2008 Senate Race ratings for October 23, 2008". The Cook Political Report. Retrieved April 1, 2021.
  11. Race Ratings Chart: Senate Archived October 28, 2010, at the Wayback Machine CQ Politics
  12. "2008 Senate ratings". Inside Elections. Retrieved April 1, 2021.
  13. "2008 RCP Averages & Senate Results". Real Clear Politics. Retrieved August 31, 2021.
  14. "Results". elect.ky.gov. Retrieved May 9, 2021.
  15. "Results". elect.ky.gov. Retrieved May 9, 2021.