United States Senate elections, 2008
Elections to the United States Senate were held on November 4, 2008. From 35 seats to choose from standing accounted for before the election on 23 Republicans and 12 Democrats. The Democrats won eight additional seats from the Republicans. The term of office of those elected will take from 3 January 2009 to 3 January 2013 and until January 3, 2015.
- 2.1 Exchange of seats
- 2.2 New Republican senators
- 2.3 Election in Minnesota
Starting position
In the 2006 elections, Democrats and Republicans reached respectively 49 seats. However, the democratic parliamentary group in the 110th Senate majority since their addition two independent senators (Joseph Lieberman and Bernie Sanders ) belonged. 33 of the 35 seats, which were re- occupied in 2008, regular elections were ( Class II). Two elections were the first time since 1996 in two states simultaneously held the Senate: In Wyoming is incumbent Mike Enzi introduced regularly his re-election, while in addition a special election to succeed the late Senator Craig Thomas (Class I) took place. Trent Lott, Republican senator for Mississippi, announced in November 2007, announced his retirement. His Governor Haley Barbour interim inserted successor Roger Wicker occurred on November 4, as well as Senator Thad Cochran, for election to.
Open seats
Before the elections, five incumbents already had announced not to run again:
- Wayne Allard of Colorado ( Republican)
- Larry Craig from Idaho ( Republican)
- Pete Domenici of New Mexico ( Republican)
- Chuck Hagel of Nebraska ( Republican)
- John Warner of Virginia ( Republican)
Result
Change from a sitting
The Democrats were able to win eight previously Republican Senate seats:
- Alaska ( Mark Begich on )
- Colorado ( to Mark Udall )
- Minnesota ( Al Franken )
- New Hampshire ( Jeanne Shaheen )
- New Mexico ( Tom Udall )
- North Carolina ( Kay Hagan )
- Oregon ( Jeff Merkley )
- Virginia ( to Mark Warner )
New Republican senators
In two states, the new candidate of the Republican Party prevailed. Mike Johanns was elected Senator for Nebraska, Jim Risch senator for Idaho.
Election in Minnesota
In the election in Minnesota the Republican incumbent Norm Coleman was after the first count at around 2.9 million valid votes a few hundred votes ahead of Al Franken. Such a tight election result makes accordance with the provisions of Minnesota for a recount necessary. This resulted in a projection franc of 225 votes over Coleman. Coleman then appealed. The review by a district court and the evaluation of additional letter votes resulted in a projection franc of 312 votes. After this result was also confirmed by the Supreme Court of Minnesota on 30 June 2009, Coleman told the waiver of further appeal and congratulated Franken election victory. After the signing of letters of credence by Governor Tim Pawlenty Franken was sworn in on 7 July 2009 in the Senate.