- United States House of Representatives elections in Michigan, 2008
-
Elections in Michigan 
Federal governmentPresidential Elections 2000 · 2004 · 2008
Presidential Primaries U.S. Senate elections U.S. House elections 2006 · 8th district, 2006 · 2008 · 2010 · 2012
State governmentGubernatorial elections State House Elections 
DetroitMayoral Elections 2009
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 has 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 4, 2009 until January 3, 2011. The election coincided with the 2008 U.S. presidential election.
The 7th and 9th district seats were considered to be competitive. Both seats were occupied by Republicans[1] who lost to Democratic opponents.
The makeup of the Michigan congressional delegation in 2008 consisted of nine Republicans and six Democrats. As a result of the 2008 election, the delegation in 2009/2010 consists of eight Democrats and seven Republicans. The two Democratic Party gains came in the 7th and 9th districts.
Contents
Overview
United States House of Representatives elections in Michigan, 2008[2] Party Votes Percentage Seats +/– Democratic 2,516,640 52.31% 8 +2 Republican 2,114,293 43.95% 7 -2 Independents 179,757 3.74% 0 — Totals 4,810,690 100.00% 15 — District 1
See also: Michigan's 1st congressional districtPopular incumbent Bart Stupak was unopposed in the Democratic primary. Conservative state Representative Tom Casperson, from Escanaba, won the Republican primary election over Linda Goldthorpe and Don Hooper.[3] The Libertarian Party nominated Daniel Grow; the U.S. Taxpayers Party nominated Joshua Warren and the Green Party nominated Socialist Jean Treacy.[4] The 1st District is generally socially conservative and strongly pro-union. It covers the entire Upper Peninsula and the northern part of the Lower Peninsula, and is the largest congressional district east of the Mississippi River. CQ Politics rating: Safe Democrat.
Michigan's 1st congressional district election, 2008 Party Candidate Votes Percentage Democratic Bart Stupak (inc.) 213,216 65.04% Republican Tom Casperson 107,340 32.74% Green Jean Treacy 2,669 0.81% Libertarian Daniel W. Grow 2,533 0.77% Constitution Joshua J. Warren 2,070 0.63% Totals 327,836 100.00% Democratic hold District 2
See also: Michigan's 2nd congressional districtPete Hoekstra, a conservative incumbent and ranking Republican on the House Intelligence Committee, was challenged by Democrat Fred Johnson,[5] Libertarian Dan Johnson (campaign website) and U.S. Taxpayers Party candidate Ronald Graeser. The district is centered around Michigan's West Shoreline and includes the cities of Muskegon and Holland. CQ Politics rating: Safe Republican.
Michigan's 2nd congressional district election, 2008 Party Candidate Votes Percentage Republican Pete Hoekstra (inc.) 214,100 62.36% Democratic Fred Johnson 119,506 34.81% Libertarian Dan Johnson 5,496 1.60% Constitution Ronald E. Graeser 4,200 1.22% Totals 343,309 100.00% Republican hold District 3
See also: Michigan's 3rd congressional districtIncumbent Vern Ehlers was re-elected. The district trends Republican and is centered around Grand Rapids. Ehlers was challenged by Democrat Henry Sanchez and Libertarian Erwin Haas. CQ Politics rating: Safe Republican.
Michigan's 3rd congressional district election, 2008 Party Candidate Votes Percentage Republican Vern Ehlers (inc.) 203,799 61.11% Democratic Henry Sanchez 117,961 35.37% Libertarian Erwin J. Haas 11,758 3.53% Totals 333,518 100.00% Republican hold District 4
See also: Michigan's 4th congressional districtRepublican David Lee Camp was reelected. He was by challenged by Democrat Andrew Concannon,[6] Libertarian Allitta Hren, and U.S. Taxpayer Party candidate John Emerick. This large district stretches from Owosso in the east central part of the state to Traverse City to the extreme northwest part of the Lower Peninsula. CQ Politics rating: Safe Republican.
Michigan's 4th congressional district election, 2008 Party Candidate Votes Percentage Republican Dave Camp (inc.) 204,259 61.94% Democratic Andrew D. Concannon 117,665 35.68% Constitution John Emerick 4,055 1.23% Libertarian Allitta Hren 3,785 1.15% Totals 329,764 100.00% Republican hold District 5
See also: Michigan's 5th congressional districtDemocrat Dale Kildee ran for re-election in 2008. The Flint area congressman has served for over 30 years. His district (covering Flint, Saginaw, Bay City and part of the western part of The Thumb) is strongly Democratic. Petitions were circulated for Democratic state senator John Gleason to challenge Kildee, but Gleason decided not to run.[7] Kildee is challenged on by Republican candidate by Matt Sawicki of Bay City, Libertarian candidate Leonard Schwartz and Green Party candidate Ken Mathenia of Grand Blanc.[8] CQ Politics rating: Safe Democrat.
Michigan's 5th congressional district election, 2008 Party Candidate Votes Percentage Democratic Dale Kildee (inc.) 221,841 70.36% Republican Matt Sawicki 85,017 26.96% Libertarian Leonard Schwartz 4,293 1.36% Green Ken Mathenia 4,144 1.31% Totals 315,295 100.00% Democratic hold District 6
See also: Michigan's 6th congressional districtRepublican Fred Upton had three opponents, Democrat Don Cooney, Green Edward Pinkney and Libertarian Greg Merle. This race had an unusual twist: Pinkney was in prison.[9] The sixth district covers the southwest corner of lower Michigan. CQ Politics rating: Safe Republican.
Michigan's 6th congressional district election, 2008 Party Candidate Votes Percentage Republican Fred Upton (inc.) 188,157 58.86% Democratic Don Cooney 123,257 38.56% Libertarian Greg Merle 4,720 1.48% Green Edward Pinkney 3,512 1.10% Totals 319,646 100.00% Republican hold District 7
See also: Michigan's 7th congressional districtThe seventh district covers the middle part of southern lower Michigan. Republican incumbent Tim Walberg faced State Senate Minority Leader and Democratic nominee Mark Schauer, Libertarian Ken Proctor, Green Lynn Meadows and independent Sharon Reiner. CQ Politics forecast the race as 'No Clear Favorite'.
Walberg was elected in 2006 with a surprisingly thin 49.9% of the vote, despite outspending Democratic opponent Sharon Reiner 20:1. This made Walberg a top target for defeat in 2008 by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. Schauer defeated Renier in the August 5 primary,[10] after which Renier ran in the general election as a write-in candidate with no party affiliation.[11]
Michigan's 7th congressional district election, 2008 Party Candidate Votes Percentage Democratic Mark Schauer 157,213 48.78% Republican Tim Walberg (inc.) 149,781 46.47% Green Lynn Meadows 9,528 2.96% Libertarian Ken Proctor 5,675 1.76% Write-ins 89 0.03% Totals 322,286 100.00% Democratic gain from Republican District 8
See also: Michigan's 8th congressional districtIncumbent Republican Mike Rogers was re-elected in 2006 with 55.3% of the vote compared to 42.9% for his Democratic opponent. East Lansing Democratic activist Bob Alexander (who lost in 2004 to Rogers) announced that he is running again.[12] Aaron Stuttman is running for the Green Party,[13] Will Tyler White for the Libertarian Party.[14] and George Zimmer for the U.S. Taxpayer Party.[15] This district stretches from the western Detroit suburbs to the Lansing area. CQ Politics rating: Safe Republican.
Michigan's 8th congressional district election, 2008 Party Candidate Votes Percentage Republican Mike Rogers (inc.) 204,408 56.53% Democratic Robert D. Alexander 145,491 40.23% Libertarian Will Tyler White 4,373 1.21% Green Aaron Stuttman 3,836 1.06% Constitution George M. Zimmer 3,499 0.97% Totals 361,607 100.00% Republican hold District 9
See also: Michigan's 9th congressional districtThis district covers parts of Oakland County. Republican incumbent Joe Knollenberg was challenged by former Michigan Lottery commissioner and military veteran, Democratic nominee Gary Peters. Libertarian Adam Goodman, Green Party Douglas Campbell and Independent Dr. Jack Kevorkian were also running. CQ Politics forecasted the race as 'No Clear Favorite'.
Knollenberg was targeted by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee after his surprisingly narrow margin of victory in the 2006 election, receiving 51.5% of the vote compared with 46.2% for his Democratic opponent.
Michigan's 9th congressional district election, 2008 Party Candidate Votes Percentage Democratic Gary Peters 183,311 52.08% Republican Joe Knollenberg (inc.) 150,035 42.63% Independent Jack Kevorkian 8,987 2.55% Libertarian Adam Goodman 4,893 1.39% Green Douglas Campbell 4,737 1.19% Totals 351,963 100.00% Democratic gain from Republican District 10
See also: Michigan's 10th congressional districtRepublican incumbent Candice Miller was challenged by Democratic nominee Robert Denison, Libertarian Neil Kiernan Stephenson, and Green Candace Caveny. This district stretches from the northeast Detroit suburbs up to most of The Thumb. CQ Politics rating: Safe Republican.
Michigan's 10th congressional district election, 2008 Party Candidate Votes Percentage Republican Candice Miller (inc.) 230,471 66.30% Democratic Robert Denison 108,354 31.17% Libertarian Neil Stephenson 4,632 1.33% Green Candace R. Caveny 4,146 1.19% Totals 347,603 100.00% Republican hold District 11
See also: Michigan's 11th congressional districtIncumbent Republican Thad McCotter was challenged by Democrat Joseph Larkin who defeated Edward Kriewall in the August 5 party primary.[16] Also running were Libertarian John Tatar and Green Erik Shelley. This district covers part of Detroit's western suburbs. CQ Politics rating: Lean Republican.
Michigan's 11th congressional district election, 2008 Party Candidate Votes Percentage Republican Thaddeus McCotter (inc.) 177,461 51.41% Democratic Joseph Larkin 156,624 45.37% Libertarian John J. Tatar 6,001 1.74% Green Erik Shelley 5,072 1.47% Write-ins 23 0.01% Totals 345,182 100.00% Republican hold District 12
See also: Michigan's 12th congressional district12-term Democrat Sander M. Levin was challenged by Republican Bert Copple, Libertarian John Vico, Green William J. O'Palicky and U.S. Taxpayers' Lester Townsend. This district covers part of Detroit's northern suburbs. CQ Politics rating: Safe Democrat.
Michigan's 12th congressional district election, 2008 Party Candidate Votes Percentage Democratic Sander Levin (inc.) 225,094 72.07% Republican Bert Copple 74,565 23.87% Libertarian John Vico 4,767 1.53% Constitution Les Townsend 4,076 1.30% Green William J. Opalicky 3,842 1.23% Totals 312,344 100.00% Democratic hold District 13
See also: Michigan's 13th congressional districtIncumbent Democrat Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick narrowly survived the August 5 party primary. She faced complications due to the legal troubles facing her son Detroit mayor Kwame Kilpatrick.[17][18] Cheeks Kilpatrick won with 39.1% of the vote over former state representative Mary Waters with 36% of the vote and state senator Martha Scott with 24.9% of the vote.[19] A televised debate between the three candidates developed into a shouting match.[20] Cheeks Kilpatrick faced Republican candidate Edward Gubics, Libertarian candidate Greg Creswell and Green Party candidate George Cosetti in the general election.[21] This district covers the east side of Detroit and its eastern and Downriver suburbs. CQ Politics rating: Safe Democrat.
Michigan's 13th congressional district election, 2008 Party Candidate Votes Percentage Democratic Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick (inc.) 167,481 74.13% Republican Edward J. Gubics 43,098 19.08% Green George L. Corsetti 9,579 4.24% Libertarian Gregory Creswell 5,764 2.55% Totals 225,922 100.00% Democratic hold District 14
See also: Michigan's 14th congressional districtPowerful incumbent Democrat John Conyers, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, had one Democratic opponent in the primary, Detroit pastor Rev. Horace Sheffield,[22] but Sheffield's campaign was short lived[23] because he withdrew his name and announced his support for Conyers.[24] Conyers faced Libertarian Rick Secula and Green Party Clyde Shabazz in the general election. This district covers the west side of Detroit and some inner western and downriver suburbs. CQ Politics rating: Safe Democrat.
Michigan's 13th congressional district election, 2008 Party Candidate Votes Percentage Democratic John Conyers (inc.) 227,841 92.40% Libertarian Richard J. Secula 10,732 4.35% Green Clyde K. Shabazz 8,015 3.25% Totals 246,588 100.00% Democratic hold District 15
See also: Michigan's 15th congressional district55-year Congressional veteran Democrat John Dingell is the Dean of the House[25] and chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. He was challenged by Republican Jack Lynch, Libertarian Gregory Scott Stempfle, Green Aimee Smith and U.S. Taxpayers Party candidate James Wagner. The 15th district includes Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, Monroe, the downriver suburbs of Detroit and the semi-rural southeastern corner of Michigan. CQ Politics rating: Safe Democrat.
Michigan's 15th congressional district election, 2008 Party Candidate Votes Percentage Democratic John Dingell (inc.) 231,784 70.70% Republican John J. Lynch 81,802 24.95% Green Aimee Smith 7,082 2.16% Libertarian Gregory Stempfle 4,002 1.22% Constitution James H. Wagner 3,157 0.96% Totals 327,827 100.00% Democratic hold References
- ^ CQ Politics | Primaries Set in Michigan, Dems Hope for Takeovers
- ^ http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/2008/2008Stat.htm#stateMI
- ^ "Michigan - chicagotribune.com". Chicago Tribune. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-mi-eln-ushouse-1stdi,0,6186997.story.
- ^ Jean Treacy for Congress (1st District - Michigan) - Home
- ^ 2008 Official Michigan Primary Candidate Listing
- ^ Campbell, Dick (March 22, 2008). "Saginaw Democrat enters House race". Argus-Press. http://www.argus-press.com/articles/2008/03/23/news/news5.txt. Retrieved 2010-01-10.
- ^ Sen. John Gleason bows out; Congressman Dale Kildee so far unchallenged - The Flint Journal Online News - Michigan Newspaper - MLive.com
- ^ http://www.mlive.com/flintjournal/index.ssf/2008/10/three_green_party_member_ken_m.html
- ^ http://bhbanco.blogspot.com/
- ^ Schauer advances to general election Battle Creek Enquirer, August 6, 2008
- ^ Renier re-enters race for Mich. seat in U.S. House, Associated Press LSJ.com, September 17, 2008, accessed September 18, 2008
- ^ http://www.dailypressandargus.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080314/NEWS01/803140314
- ^ MIGREENS.ORG - Candidates2007
- ^ candidates
- ^ http://ustaxpayerspartyofmichigan.com/toppage4.htm
- ^ "Topic Galleries - chicagotribune.com". Chicago Tribune. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-mi-eln-ushouse-11thd,0,5082020.story.
- ^ Mayor's scandal looms over mom's congressional re-election campaign | Freep.com | Detroit Free Press
- ^ Cheeks Kilpatrick in a fight for survival in Democratic primary | Freep.com | Detroit Free Press
- ^ Cheeks Kilpatrick triumphs over Waters in close primary race | Freep.com | Detroit Free Press
- ^ Little decorum during congressional debate | Freep.com | Detroit Free Press
- ^ Cheeks Kilpatrick's slim win pokes holes in armor | Freep.com | Detroit Free Press
- ^ http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080514/NEWS06/805140433/1008
- ^ http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080515/NEWS01/805150447/1008/NEWS06
- ^ http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080517/NEWS06/805170361/1008
- ^ Locally, he is also referred to as the Dean of Downriver
External links
- Elections in Michigan from the Michigan Secretary of State
- U.S. Congress candidates for Michigan at Project Vote Smart
- Michigan U.S. House Races from 2008 Race Tracker
- Campaign contributions for Michigan congressional races from OpenSecrets.org
Categories:- Michigan elections, 2008
- United States House of Representatives elections in Michigan
- United States House of Representatives elections, 2008
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
