2008 United States Senate election in Michigan

Last updated

2008 United States Senate election in Michigan
Flag of Michigan.svg
  2002 November 4, 2008 2014  
  Carl Levin official portrait (cropped).jpg Jackhoogendyk (cropped).jpg
Nominee Carl Levin Jack Hoogendyk
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote3,038,3861,641,070
Percentage62.66%33.85%

2008 United States Senate election in Michigan results map by county.svg
MI Senate 2008 Congressional Districts.svg
2008 United States Senate election in Michigan results map by municipality.svg
Levin:     40–50%     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%     80–90%     >90%
Hoogendyk:     40–50%     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%     80–90%
Tie:     

U.S. senator before election

Carl Levin
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Carl Levin
Democratic

The 2008 United States Senate election in Michigan was held on November 4, 2008 [1] Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Carl Levin won reelection to a sixth and final term.

Contents

General election

Candidates

Campaign

Levin's 2002 opponent Andrew Raczkowski considered running again, but military commitments forced him to drop out. State representative Jack Hoogendyk declared his candidacy to challenge Levin. [2] Troy engineer Bart Baron was also running. [3] Baron apparently failed to qualify for the August 5, 2008 party primary ballot in the Michigan Secretary of State's office. So only Hoogendyk was listed on the Republican side in the Michigan primary election. [4] Levin was unopposed on the Democratic side. The filing deadline for candidates to run was May 13. [5]

Minor party candidates who ran included Harley Mikkelson of the Green Party, Scotty Boman of the Libertarian Party, [6] Michael Nikitin of the U.S. Taxpayers Party [7] and Doug Dern of the Natural Law Party. Levin, who maintained a huge fundraising advantage over his opponents, [8] easily won re-election.

Predictions

SourceRankingAs of
The Cook Political Report [9] Safe DOctober 23, 2008
CQ Politics [10] Safe DOctober 31, 2008
Rothenberg Political Report [11] Safe DNovember 2, 2008
Real Clear Politics [12] Safe DNovember 4, 2008

Polling

Poll SourceDates administeredCarl
Levin (D)
Jack
Hoogendyk (R)
Rasmussen Reports [13] October 8, 200861%36%
Public Policy Polling [14] September 29 – October 1, 200850%32%
Strategic Vision [15] September 22–24, 200857%29%
Detroit News [16] September 14–17, 200856%28%
Rasmussen Reports [17] September 18, 200857%38%
Strategic Vision [18] September 5–7, 200858%28%
Public Policy Polling [19] September 6–7, 200851%36%
EPIC-MRA/Detroit News [20] August 18–21, 200859%27%
Public Policy Polling(PPP) [21] July 23–27, 200854%35%
Rasmussen Reports [13] July 10, 200859%36%
Public Policy Polling [22] June 21–22, 200854%32%
Rasmussen Reports [23] June 11, 200855%35%
Rasmussen Reports [23] May 7, 200854%37%

Debates

On October 19 WGVU Public television hosted a Senatorial debate to which only Democratic Senator Carl Levin and Republican State Representative Jack Hoogendyk were invited. [24] They debated topics such as the economy, immigration, [25] and foreign policy. [26] [27]

Levin blamed job loss in Michigan on President Bush, while Hoogendyk blamed Levin. [27] Levin supported a Federal bailout of the auto industry, while Hoogendyk opposed the idea. [24]

The event, which was moderated by WZZM TV 13's News anchor Peter Ross, was met with protest by supporters of excluded candidates. [25] [28] One of the protesters was Libertarian candidate Scotty Boman, who asserted that he met the stations qualifications. WGVU required the candidates to show at least 5% support in a statewide scientific poll, but Boman said no statewide poll had been done that included him. [28] [29] An exclusive WXYZ poll included all of the candidates, but only contacted respondents in the 7th and 9th Congressional district. [30] Boman also claimed that public broadcasters should have invited the other candidates since it is supported with tax dollars. [28]

Senator Carl Levin and State Representative Jack Hoogendyk met again, the following day (October 20), for a forum hosted by the Detroit Economic Club. [25]

Results

Levin was declared the winner right when the polls closed in Michigan. Levin won all but six of Michigan's 83 counties. Levin unsurprisingly won major metropolitan areas, such as Wayne County home of Detroit or Ingham County home of Lansing. He also became the first Democratic Senator since Donald Riegle in 1982 to carry Kent County, home of Grand Rapids. When combining the suburban and rural counties, it was too much for Hoogendyk to overcome. Levin's 3,038,386 votes is the most received by any political candidate in the state's history.

General election results [31]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Democratic Carl Levin (incumbent) 3,038,386 62.66% +2.05%
Republican Jack Hoogendyk 1,641,07033.85%−4.04%
Libertarian Scotty Boman 76,3471.57%n/a
Green Harley Mikkelson43,4400.90%+0.14%
U.S. Taxpayers Michael Nikitin30,8270.64%n/a
Natural Law Doug Dern18,5500.38%+0.05%
Majority1,397,31628.82%+6.10%
Turnout 4,848,620
Democratic hold Swing

Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jack Hoogendyk</span> American politician (born 1955)

Jacob "Jack" Hoogendyk is an American businessman and Republican politician, a former member of the Michigan House of Representatives and 2012 candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives in Michigan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2006 Michigan gubernatorial election</span>

The 2006 Michigan gubernatorial election was one of the 36 U.S. gubernatorial elections held November 7, 2006. Incumbent Democratic Governor of Michigan Jennifer Granholm was re-elected with 56% of the vote over Republican businessman Dick DeVos and three minor party candidates.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2008 United States Senate election in New Jersey</span>

The 2008 United States Senate election in New Jersey was held on November 4, 2008. Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Frank Lautenberg won re-election to a fifth, non-consecutive term, defeating former Republican congressman Dick Zimmer, who was also the nominee for this seat in 1996. This election, alongside the concurrent Senate election in Minnesota, was the last U.S. Senate election in which both major party candidates were Jewish.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scott Boman</span> American politician

Scott Avery Boman is an American Libertarian politician from Michigan. He has consistently earned among the top votes of any third-party candidate in every Michigan election from 2000 through 2018. He was chair of the Libertarian Party of Michigan in 2006. Described by MIRS as a Libertarian Party standard-bearer, he has been a candidate in every state-wide partisan election since 1994, until successfully running for the Detroit office of Community Advisory Council in 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gary Peters</span> American politician and naval officer (born 1958)

Gary Charles Peters Sr. is an American lawyer, politician, and former military officer serving as the junior United States senator from Michigan since 2015. A member of the Democratic Party, he was the U.S. representative for Michigan's 14th congressional district, which included the eastern half of Detroit, the Grosse Pointes, Hamtramck, Southfield, and Pontiac, from 2009 to 2015.

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

The 2008 congressional elections in Michigan were held on November 4, 2008, to determine who would represent the state of Michigan in the United States House of Representatives. Michigan had fifteen 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 3, 2009, until January 3, 2011. The election coincided with the 2008 U.S. presidential election.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2010 Michigan gubernatorial election</span>

The 2010 Michigan gubernatorial election was held on November 2, 2010. Incumbent Democratic governor Jennifer Granholm and lieutenant governor John D. Cherry were prohibited by the state's Constitution from seeking a third term. This resulted in a large pool of candidates which was whittled down, when the May 11 filing deadline passed, to two Democrats and five Republicans. Both the Cook Political Report and the non-partisan Rothenberg Political Report rated the election as leaning Republican.

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

The 2008 United States presidential election in Michigan took place on November 4, 2008. It was part of the 2008 United States presidential election which happened throughout all 50 states and D.C. Voters chose 17 representatives, or electors to the Electoral College, who voted for president and vice president.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2012 United States Senate election in Michigan</span>

The 2012 United States Senate election in Michigan was held on November 6, 2012, alongside the 2012 United States presidential election, 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.

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

The 1984 United States Senate election in Michigan was held on November 6, 1984. Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Carl Levin won re-election to a second term, defeating Republican candidate and former astronaut Jack Lousma. Coinciding with Republican Ronald Reagan's landslide in Michigan and the rest of the country, this was the only Senate election of Levin's career in which his percentage of the vote and margin of victory decreased from the previous one.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Michigan</span>

The 2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Michigan was held on Tuesday, November 6, 2012, to elect the 14 U.S. representatives from the state of Michigan, a decrease of one following the 2010 United States census. The elections coincided with the elections of other federal and state offices, including a quadrennial presidential election and an election to the U.S. Senate. Primary elections were held on August 7, 2012. The filing deadline for candidates to file to run in the primary was May 15. Except for two seats, all the incumbents sought re-election. The open seats were the 5th and 11th congressional districts. Due to the loss of one seat from the 2010 census, two congressmen ran against each other.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2014 Michigan gubernatorial election</span>

The 2014 Michigan gubernatorial election took place on November 4, 2014, to elect the governor of Michigan, concurrently with the election of Michigan's Class II U.S. Senate seat, 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.

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

The 2014 United States Senate election in Michigan was held on November 4, 2014, to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the State of Michigan, concurrently with the election of the governor of Michigan, 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2018 Michigan gubernatorial election</span>

The 2018 Michigan gubernatorial election took place on November 6, 2018, to elect the next governor of Michigan, concurrently with the election of Michigan's Class I U.S. Senate seat, as well as other elections to the United States Senate in other states, elections to the United States House of Representatives, and various state and local elections.

Cindy Gamrat is a former Republican member of the Michigan House of Representatives, representing the 80th district. She was first elected in 2014, after playing a leading role in organizing the Tea Party movement in Michigan. She engaged in an extramarital affair with fellow Representative Todd Courser, and was expelled from the House in September 2015 for using taxpayer resources in an attempt to cover up the affair.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2018 United States House of Representatives elections in Michigan</span>

The 2018 United States House of Representatives elections in Michigan were held on November 6, 2018, to elect the 14 U.S. representatives from the state of Michigan, one from each of the state's 14 congressional districts. The elections coincided with the elections of other offices, including a gubernatorial election, other elections to the House of Representatives, elections to the United States Senate, and various state and local elections. The filing deadline for candidates filing for the August 7 primary was April 24, 2018. Unless otherwise indicated, the Cook Political Report rated the congressional races as safe for the party of the incumbent.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020 United States House of Representatives elections in Michigan</span>

The 2020 United States House of Representatives elections in Michigan were held on November 3, 2020, to elect the 14 U.S. representatives from the state of Michigan, one from each of the state's 14 congressional districts. The elections coincided with the 2020 U.S. presidential election, as well as other elections to the House of Representatives, elections to the United States Senate and various state and local elections. Party primaries were held on August 4, 2020. The Michigan delegation prior to the election consisted of seven Democrats, six Republicans and one Libertarian. Unless otherwise indicated, the Cook Political Report rated the races as safe for the party of the incumbents.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2024 United States Senate election in Michigan</span>

The 2024 United States Senate election in Michigan was held on November 5, 2024, to elect a Class I member of the United States Senate to represent the state of Michigan. It was held concurrently with the 2024 United States presidential election, other elections to the U.S. Senate, elections to the U.S. House of Representatives, as well as various state and local elections. Democratic U.S. Representative Elissa Slotkin narrowly defeated Republican former U.S. Representative Mike Rogers, in her bid to succeed Democratic incumbent Debbie Stabenow, who declined to seek a fifth term. Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump carried Michigan on the same ballot, making Michigan one of only four states to split their tickets for president and Senate.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Michigan gubernatorial election</span>

The 2022 Michigan gubernatorial election took place on November 8, 2022, to elect the governor of Michigan. Incumbent Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer ran for re-election to a second term and faced former political commentator Tudor Dixon in the general election. Whitmer defeated Dixon by a margin of nearly 11 percentage points, a wider margin than polls indicated as well as a wider margin than Whitmer's first victory four years prior. Whitmer won independent voters by double-digit margins, which contributed to Dixon's defeat.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 United States House of Representatives elections in Michigan</span>

The 2022 United States House of Representatives elections in Michigan were held on November 8, 2022, to elect representatives for the thirteen seats in Michigan. The deadline for candidates to file for the August 2 primary was April 19. The congressional makeup prior to the election was seven Democrats and seven Republicans. However, after the 2020 census, Michigan lost one congressional seat. Democrats won a majority of seats in the state for the first time since 2008. This can be partly attributed to the decrease in the number of districts, which resulted in two Republican incumbents – Bill Huizenga and Fred Upton – in the new 4th district. Redistricting also played a part in shifting partisan lean of the districts which favored the Democrats overall, including in the 3rd district, which Democrats were able to flip with a margin of victory of 13 points. That was made possible by a non-partisan citizens' commission drawing the new political boundaries instead of the Michigan legislature after a 2018 ballot proposal was approved.

References

  1. Terri Lynn Land, Secretary of State."2008 Official Michigan General Candidate Listing". Michigan.gov (website).
  2. "Detnews.com". Detroit News. February 15, 2008.[ dead link ]
  3. "Levin raises $840,000 for re-election campaign". Michigan Elections News. Associated Press. January 29, 2008. Archived from the original on July 5, 2008. Retrieved February 10, 2008.
  4. Terri Lynn Land, Secretary of State."2008 Official Michigan Primary Candidate Listing". Michigan.gov (website).
  5. Terri Lynn Land, Secretary of State."August 5, 2008 Primary and November 4, 2008 General Election: Important Dates and Filing Deadlines". Michigan.gov (website).
  6. Cassidy, Austin (June 7, 2008). "Michigan Libertarian convention features pair of contested races; full slate of congressional and statewide candidates". Independent Political Report.
  7. Berg-Andersson, Richard; Tony Roza (August 2008). "The Green Papers: Michigan 2008 General Election". The Green Papers.
  8. "Carl Levin continues to dominate Senate fundraising against challenger Jack Hoogendyk". Michigan Elections News. Associated Press. July 16, 2008.
  9. "2008 Senate Race ratings for October 23, 2008". The Cook Political Report. Retrieved April 1, 2021.
  10. Race Ratings Chart: Senate Archived October 28, 2010, at the Wayback Machine CQ Politics
  11. "2008 Senate ratings". Inside Elections. Retrieved April 1, 2021.
  12. "2008 RCP Averages & Senate Results". Real Clear Politics. Retrieved August 31, 2021.
  13. 1 2 Rasmussen Reports
  14. Public Policy Polling
  15. Strategic Vision
  16. Detroit News
  17. Rasmussen Reports Archived July 24, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  18. Strategic Vision
  19. Public Policy Polling
  20. EPIC-MRA/Detroit News
  21. Public Policy Polling(PPP)
  22. Public Policy Polling
  23. 1 2 Rasmussen Reports
  24. 1 2 McNeill, John (October 20, 2008). "Debate night for Levin and Hoogendyk". WKZO News.
  25. 1 2 3 Geraghty, Tim (October 20, 2008). "Senate Candidates Debate: Carl Levin and Jack Hoogendyk Offer Differing Views". Associated Press and WZZM TV-13 News.
  26. Tagliavia, Tony (October 19, 2008). "Senate debate preview". WOOD TV News.[ permanent dead link ]
  27. 1 2 "US Senate candidates debate at GVSU". MSNBC. Associated Press. October 19, 2008.[ dead link ]
  28. 1 2 3 Tagliavia, Tony (October 19, 2008). "Libertarian candidate protests Senate debate". MSNBC. Archived from the original on September 13, 2023.
  29. Tagliavia, Tony (October 20, 2008). "Senate candidates clash on economy, war, health care". WOOD TV News. Archived from the original on June 18, 2009.
  30. WXYZ; Detroit News (August 25, 2008). "EXCLUSIVE POLL: 7th & 9th Districts". WXYZ TV News. Archived from the original on September 8, 2008.
  31. Staff (November 5, 2008). "Election 2008: U.S. Senate, Michigan". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on November 5, 2008.