Minnesota elections, 2008

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Elections were held in Minnesota on November 4, 2008. Primary elections took place on September 9, 2008.

Minnesota State of the United States of America

Minnesota is a state in the Upper Midwest, Great Lakes, and northern regions of the United States. Minnesota was admitted as the 32nd U.S. state on May 11, 1858, created from the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory. The state has a large number of lakes, and is known by the slogan the "Land of 10,000 Lakes". Its official motto is L'Étoile du Nord.

A primary election is the process by which voters, either the general public or members of a political party, can indicate their preference for a candidate in an upcoming general election or by-election, thus narrowing the field of candidates.

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Federal

President and Vice President of the United States

The 2008 presidential election pitted Illinois Democratic Senator Barack Obama against Arizona Republican Senator John McCain. Minnesota was considered a swing state in the election.[ citation needed ]

Barack Obama 44th president of the United States

Barack Hussein Obama II is an American attorney and politician who served as the 44th president of the United States from 2009 to 2017. A member of the Democratic Party, he was the first African American to be elected to the presidency. He previously served as a U.S. senator from Illinois from 2005 to 2008.

John McCain American politician

John Sidney McCain III was an American politician and military officer who served as a United States senator from Arizona from January 1987 until his death. He previously served two terms in the United States House of Representatives and was the Republican nominee for president of the United States in the 2008 election, which he lost to Barack Obama.

Both major-party candidates made high-profile visits to the state. Obama gave a speech declaring victory in the Democratic primaries in June of that year at the Xcel Energy Center. [1] The venue was used three months later to host the 2008 Republican National Convention in September where McCain accepted the nomination of the Republican Party.

Xcel Energy Center Multi-purpose arena in St. Paul, MN

The Xcel Energy Center is a multi-purpose arena, located in Saint Paul, Minnesota. It is named for its locally based corporate sponsor Xcel Energy. With an official capacity of 17,954, the arena has four spectator levels: one suite level and three general seating levels. The building is home to the NHL's Minnesota Wild and is the former home of the NLL's Minnesota Swarm.

2008 Republican National Convention

The United States 2008 Republican National Convention took place at the Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, Minnesota, from September 1, through September 4, 2008. The first day of the Republican Party's convention fell on Labor Day, the last day of the popular Minnesota State Fair, though because of Hurricane Gustav, this day was mostly a call for action to help victims and formal, required activities; most of the politicking and partying did not start until Tuesday, the second scheduled day.

Obama went on to win the state in the November election, earning all ten of its electoral votes.

United States Senate

Incumbent Republican Senator Norm Coleman was challenged by radio host and comedian DFLer Al Franken and former Independence Senator Dean Barkley. The race was close, requiring a recount followed by several legal challenges that would prevent a winner from being seated until July 2009. While Coleman held a slight lead at the end of election night, the subsequent recount ultimately gave Al Franken a 225-vote lead. [2] A legal challenge by Coleman was unsuccessful and Franken was eventually certified as the winner of the election following a unanimous ruling of the Minnesota Supreme Court, having a final margin of 312 votes. [3]

Norm Coleman American politician

Norman Bertram Coleman Jr. is an American lobbyist, attorney, and politician. From 2003 to 2009, he served as a U.S. Senator for Minnesota. From 1994 to 2002, he was mayor of Saint Paul, Minnesota. First elected as a member of the Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL), Coleman became a Republican in 1996. He lost his 2008 Senate reelection bid to Al Franken by 312 votes out of over 3 million cast. As of 2019, he is the last Republican to represent Minnesota in the U.S. Senate.

Comedian person who seeks to entertain an audience, primarily by making them laugh

A comedian or comic is a person who seeks to entertain an audience by making them laugh. This might take many forms including jokes, satirical observations, amusing situations, acting foolish or employing prop comedy. A comedian who addresses an audience directly is called a stand-up comedian. Other practises include the sitcom, sketch comedy and improv genres.

Al Franken American comedian and politician

Alan Stuart Franken is an American comedian, politician, media personality, and author who served as a United States Senator from Minnesota from 2009 to 2018. He became well known in the 1970s and 1980s as a staff writer and performer on the television comedy show Saturday Night Live (SNL). After decades as a comedic actor and writer, he became a prominent liberal political activist, hosting The Al Franken Show on Air America Radio.

United States House of Representatives

All of Minnesota's eight seats in the United States House of Representatives were up for election in 2008. Seven incumbents successfully sought re-election. One incumbent, Republican Representative Jim Ramstad retired and was replaced by Republican state Representative Erik Paulsen, who defeated DFL challenger Ashwin Madia.

Minnesotas congressional districts

Minnesota is currently divided into 8 congressional districts, each represented by a member of the United States House of Representatives. After the 2010 Census, the number of Minnesota's seats remained unchanged.

United States House of Representatives lower house of the United States Congress

The United States House of Representatives is the lower chamber of the United States Congress, the Senate being the upper chamber. Together they compose the legislature of the United States.

Jim Ramstad American politician

James Marvin Ramstad is an American politician from the U.S. state of Minnesota.

State

Minnesota's constitutional officers—governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, attorney general, and auditor—were not up for election in 2008.

Minnesota Senate

The Minnesota Senate was not up for election in 2008.

Minnesota House of Representatives

All 134 seats in the Minnesota House of Representatives were up for election in 2008. The DFL expanded its lead in the chamber, gaining two seats to 87 members. Republicans lost one seat, dropping to 47 members. The body's lone independent, Mark Olson—who had been ejected from the Republican caucus after being convicted of spousal abuse—chose not to seek re-election.

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Dean Barkley American politician

Dean Malcolm Barkley is an American lawyer and politician who briefly served as a United States Senator from Minnesota from 2002 to 2003. A founder and chair of the Minnesota Reform Party, he chaired Jesse Ventura's successful 1998 gubernatorial campaign; Ventura subsequently appointed him director of the state's Office of Strategic and Long Range Planning, and appointed Barkley to the U.S. Senate after the death of Paul Wellstone. Barkley ran as the Independence Party's candidate for the Senate in 2008, finishing third as Democrat Al Franken defeated the Republican incumbent Norm Coleman by 312 votes.

Republican Party of Minnesota Political party in Minnesota, United States

The Republican Party of Minnesota is a conservative political party in the U.S. state of Minnesota. It is affiliated with the United States Republican Party.

The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) is the Democratic Hill committee for the United States Senate. It is the only organization solely dedicated to electing Democrats to the United States Senate. The DSCC's current Chair is Senator Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada, who succeeded Maryland‘s Chris Van Hollen after the 2018 Senate elections. DSCC's current Executive Director is Tom Lopach, who is assisted by Deputy Executive Director Preston Elliott.

1978 United States Senate elections midterm elections

The 1978 United States Senate elections in the middle of Democratic President Jimmy Carter's term. Thirteen seats changed hands between parties. The Democrats at first lost a net of two seats to the Republicans, and then one more in a special election. Democrats nevertheless retained a 58-41 majority.

2008 United States Senate elections elections held for seats in the United States Senate

The 2008 United States Senate elections were held November 4, 2008, with 35 of the 100 seats in the Senate being contested. Thirty-three seats were up for regular elections; the winners were eligible to serve six-year terms from January 3, 2009 to January 3, 2015, as members of Class 2. There were also two special elections, the winners of those seats would finish the terms that ended January 3, 2013.

2008 United States Senate election in Minnesota

The 2008 United States Senate election in Minnesota took place on November 4, 2008. After a legal battle lasting over eight months, the Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL) candidate, Al Franken, defeated Republican incumbent Norm Coleman in one of the closest elections in the history of the Senate. Franken took his oath of office on July 7, 2009, more than half a year after the end of Coleman's term on January 3, 2009.

2008 United States House of Representatives elections in Minnesota

The 2008 Minnesota U.S. House of Representatives elections took place on November 4, 2008. All 8 congressional seats that make up the state's delegation were contested. Representatives were elected for two-year terms; those elected served in the 111th United States Congress from January 4, 2009 until January 3, 2011.

2008 United States elections Election in the United States on 2008

The 2008 United States elections were held on November 4. The result was a significant victory for the Democratic Party on the national level, as they increased majorities in both houses of Congress and won the Presidency. Democratic Senator Barack Obama of Illinois defeated Republican Senator John McCain of Arizona in the presidential election. Riding Obama's coattails, the Democrats also picked up net gains of 8 Senate seats and 21 House seats.

2008 United States presidential election in Minnesota

The 2008 United States presidential election in Minnesota took place on November 4, 2008, and was part of the 2008 United States presidential election. Voters chose 10 representatives, or electors to the Electoral College, who voted for president and vice president.

2010 Minnesota elections

Elections were held in Minnesota on Tuesday, November 2, 2010. Primary elections took place on August 10, 2010.

2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Minnesota

The 2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Minnesota were held on Tuesday, November 6, 2012 to elect the eight U.S. Representatives from the state of Minnesota. 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 14, 2012.

2014 United States Senate election in Minnesota

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

2018 United States Senate elections 2018 United States senate elections

The 2018 United States Senate elections were held on November 6, 2018. Thirty-three of the 100 seats were contested in regular elections while two others were contested in special elections due to Senate vacancies in Minnesota and Mississippi. The winners were elected to six-year terms running from January 3, 2019, to January 3, 2025. Senate Democrats had 26 seats up for election while Senate Republicans had nine seats up for election.

2014 United States House of Representatives elections in Minnesota

The 2014 United States House of Representatives elections in Minnesota took place in the U.S. state of Minnesota on November 4, 2014, to elect Minnesota's eight representatives in the United States House of Representatives for two-year terms, one from each of Minnesota's eight congressional districts. Primary elections were held on August 12, 2014.

2014 Minnesota elections

A general election was held in the U.S. state of Minnesota on November 4, 2014. All of Minnesota's executive officers were up for election as well as all the seats in the Minnesota House of Representatives, several state judicial seats, a United States Senate seat, all of Minnesota's eight seats in the United States House of Representatives, and several seats for local offices. A primary election was held on August 12, 2014, to nominate major political party candidates for partisan offices and candidates for nonpartisan offices.

2014 Minnesota Secretary of State election

The 2014 Minnesota Secretary of State election was held on November 4, 2014, to elect the Minnesota Secretary of State.

2018 Minnesota elections General election held in the U.S. state of Minnesota

A general election was held in the U.S. state of Minnesota on November 6, 2018. All of Minnesota's executive officers were up for election as well as all the seats in the Minnesota House of Representatives, several judicial seats, a United States Senate seat, Minnesota's eight seats in the United States House of Representatives, and several seats for local offices. Special elections were also be held for a Minnesota Senate seat and Minnesota's Class 2 U.S. Senate seat. A primary election to nominate Republican and Democratic–Farmer–Labor (DFL) candidates and several judicial and local primary elections were held on August 14, 2018.

2018 United States Senate special election in Minnesota Special election of Minnesotas Class 2 senator in the United States Senate

The 2018 United States Senate special election in Minnesota took place November 6, 2018, to elect a United States Senator from Minnesota to fill Senator Al Franken's term expiring on January 3, 2021. On December 7, 2017, Franken, facing multiple accusations of sexual misconduct, announced that he would resign effective January 2, 2018. His successor, Tina Smith, was appointed by Governor Mark Dayton on December 13, 2017, and ran in the special election. This election coincided with a regularly scheduled U.S. Senate election for the seat currently held by Amy Klobuchar, U.S. House elections, a gubernatorial election, State House elections, and other elections.

References

  1. ↑ Fecke, Jeff (May 31, 2008). "Obama to Hold Tuesday Rally at Xcel Center". MN Progressive Project. Archived from the original on March 17, 2012. Retrieved December 13, 2012.
  2. ↑ "Minnesota canvassing board certifies Franken win". CNN. January 5, 2009. Retrieved December 13, 2012.
  3. ↑ Weiner, Jay (June 30, 2009). "Coleman-Franken Senate race: The day the recount ended and the fight turned into something really nice". MinnPost. Retrieved December 13, 2012.
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