2008 United States House of Representatives elections in Maine

2008 United States House of Representatives elections in Maine

← 2006 November 4, 2008 (2008-11-04) 2010 →

All 2 Maine seats to the United States House of Representatives
  Majority party Minority party
 
Party Democratic Republican
Last election 2 0
Seats won 2 0
Seat change Steady Steady
Popular vote 431,903 278,198
Percentage 60.82% 39.18%

Democratic
  50–60%
  60–70%

The 2008 congressional elections in Maine were held on November 4, 2008, to determine representation for the state of Maine in the United States House of Representatives, coinciding with the presidential and senatorial elections. Representatives are elected for two-year terms; those elected will serve in the 111th Congress from January 3, 2009, until January 3, 2011.

Maine has two seats in the House, apportioned according to the 2000 United States census. Its 2007–2008 congressional delegation consisted of two Democrats. No districts changed party, although CQ Politics forecasted district 1 to be at some risk for the incumbent party.

The primary election for Republican Party and Democratic Party candidates was held on June 10, 2008.[1]

Overview

[edit]
United States House of Representatives elections in Maine, 2008[2]
Party Votes Percentage Seats +/–
Democratic 431,903 60.82% 2
Republican 278,198 39.18% 0
Totals 710,101 100.00% 2

District 1

[edit]

This was an open seat in 2008 because incumbent Democrat Tom Allen ran for the U.S. Senate seat held by Republican Susan Collins. Democrats were favored to hold this seat but were not assured of victory; John Kerry won 55% here in 2004 (CPVI=D+6). The Democratic nominee was Chellie Pingree, former Common Cause President and former Maine Senate Majority Leader who ran against Collins in 2002. The Republican nominee was Charlie Summers, former Maine State Senator, Northeast Small Business Administration Director and Iraq War veteran who ran against Allen in 2004. CQ Politics forecasted the race as 'Democrat Favored'.

Democratic primary

[edit]
Democratic primary results[3]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Chellie Pingree 24,324 43.92%
Democratic Adam Cote 15,706 28.36%
Democratic Michael F. Brennan 6,040 10.91%
Democratic Ethan Strimling 5,833 10.53%
Democratic Mark Lawrence 2,726 4.92%
Democratic Stephen J. Meister 753 1.35%
Total votes 55,382 100%

Republican primary

[edit]
Republican primary results[4]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Charlie Summers 21,154 59.75%
Republican Dean Scontras 14,248 40.25%
Total votes 35,402 100%

General election

[edit]
Maine's 1st congressional district election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Chellie Pingree 205,629 54.90
Republican Charlie Summers 168,930 45.10
Total votes 374,559 100.00
Democratic hold

District 2

[edit]

Incumbent Democrat Mike Michaud (campaign website) was challenged by Republican John N. Frary. CQ Politics forecasted the race as 'Safe Democrat'.

Maine's 2nd congressional district election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Mike Michaud (inc.) 226,274 67.44
Republican John N. Frary 109,268 32.56
Total votes 335,542 100.00
Democratic hold

References

[edit]
  1. '^ Tabulations for Elections held in 2008 Archived 2008-07-09 at the Wayback Machine Maine Secretary of State
  2. ^ "2006 Election Statistics". clerk.house.gov.
  3. ^ "Bureau of Corporations, Elections & Commissions, Elections and Voting, Results, 2008-09 Tabulations,2008 Primary Election Tabulations, U.S. House of Representatives, 1st District - Democratic". www.maine.gov.
  4. ^ "Bureau of Corporations, Elections & Commissions, Elections and Voting, Results, 2008-09 Tabulations,2008 Primary Election Tabulations, U.S. House of Representatives, 1st District - Republican". www.maine.gov.
[edit]