2008 United States House of Representatives elections in Alabama

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

2008 United States House of Representatives elections in Alabama

← 2006 November 4, 2008 2010 →
All 7 Alabama seats to the United States House of Representatives
Majority party Minority party   Party Republican Democratic Last election 5 2 Seats won 4 3 Seat change 1 1 Popular vote 1,120,903 718,367 Percentage 60.42% 38.72% Swing 5.38% 5.31%
District results County results Republican   50–60%   60–70%   70–80%   80–90%   90–100% Democratic   50–60%   60–70%   70–80%   80–90%   90–100%

Alabama has seven seats in the House, apportioned according to the 2000 United States census. Its 2007–2008 congressional delegation consisted of five Republicans and two Democrats. It is now four Republicans and three Democrats. District 2 changed party (from open Republican to Democratic).

Overview

Popular vote Republican   60.42% Democratic   38.72% Other   1.31%

House seats Republican   57.14% Democratic   42.86%

By district

Results of the 2008 United States House of Representatives elections in Alabama by district:

District	Republican		Democratic		Others (write-in)		Total		Result
	Votes	%	Votes	%	Votes	%	Votes	%
District 1	210,660	98.27%	0	0	3,707	1.73%	214,367	100.0%	Republican hold
District 2	142,578	49.61%	144,368	50.23%	448	0.16%	287,394	100.0%	Democratic gain
District 3	150,819	53.39%	131,299	46.48%	367	0.13%	282,485	100.0%	Republican hold
District 4	196,741	74.76%	66,077	25.11%	349	0.13%	263,167	100.0%	Republican hold
District 5	147,314	47.94%	158,324	51.52%	1,644	0.54%	307,282	100.0%	Democratic hold
District 6	280,902	97.80%	0	0.00%	6,335	2.21%	287,237	100.0%	Republican hold
District 7	0	0.00%	228,518	98.63%	3,183	1.37%	231,701	100.0%	Democratic hold
Total	1,120,903	60.42%	718,367	38.72%	16,033	0.86%	1,855,303	100.0%

District 1

2008 Alabama's 1st congressional district election

← 2006 November 4, 2008 2010 →

Nominee Jo Bonner Party Republican Popular vote 210,660 Percentage 98.27%

County results Bonner:      90-100%

U.S. Representative before election Jo Bonner Republican Elected U.S. Representative Jo Bonner Republican

The 1st district was based in the Gold Coast of Alabama, including Mobile, Saraland, Bay Minette, Foley, Chatom, and Monroe. The district included all of Mobile, Baldwin, Escambia, Washington, Monroe, and parts of Clarke County. Due to redistricting, the district lost territory in portions of Clarke County to the 7th district, but gained portions of Monroe County, now having the entire county in the 1st district. The 1st district has a PVI of R+16 but voted for John McCain by 22 points in the concurring presidential election. The incumbent was Republican Jo Bonner, who was reelected with 68.10% of the vote in 2006.

The Democratic and Republican primaries were not contested, with incumbent representative Jo Bonner winning the Republican party and Thomas Fuller winning the Democratic primary. However, Fuller withdrew from the race on June 12, 2008, stating he was unable to wage a creditable campaign in the district.

Republican nominee

• Jo Bonner, incumbent U.S. representative since 2003

Democratic nominee

• Thomas Fuller, Chair of the Washington County Executive Committee (withdrawn)

General election

Predictions

Source	Ranking	As of
The Cook Political Report	Safe R	November 4, 2008
Inside Elections	Safe R	November 2, 2008
Sabato's Crystal Ball	Safe R	November 3, 2008
RCP	Safe R	November 4, 2008

Results

Alabama's 1st congressional district, 2008

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Jo Bonner (incumbent)	210,660	98.27%
	Write-in		3,707	1.73%
Total votes			214,367	100%

District 2

2008 Alabama's 2nd congressional district election

← 2006 November 4, 2008 2010 →

Nominee Bobby Bright Jay Love Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 144,368 142,578 Percentage 50.23% 49.61%

County results Precinct results Results Bright:      50-60%      60-70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90% Love:      50-60%      60-70%      70–80%      80–90% Tie:      50%      No Data

U.S. Representative before election Terry Everett Republican Elected U.S. Representative Bobby Bright Democratic

This district covered southeastern Alabama, including Dothan and Montgomery. CQ Politics forecasted the race as 'No Clear Favorite'. The Rothenberg Political Report rated it 'Pure Toss-Up'. The Cook Political Report ranked it 'Republican Toss Up'.

Republican Terry Everett, who had represented the district since 1993, decided to retire. Montgomery Mayor Bobby Bright won the Democratic primary. State Representative Jay Love won the Republican run-off election on July 15 against State Senator Harri Anne Smith (campaign website). George W. Bush won 67% in 2004 here. Bright won 50% of the vote to Love's 49%.

• Bobby Bright (D) (campaign website)
• Jay Love (R) (campaign website)
• 2nd district race ranking and background from CQ Politics
• Alabama District 2 race from OurCampaigns.org
• Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets
• Love (R) vs Bright (D) graph of collected poll results from Pollster.com

Alabama's 2nd congressional district election, 2008

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Bobby Bright	144,368	50.23%
	Republican	Jay Love	142,578	49.61%
	Independent	Write-in candidates	448	0.16%
Total votes			287,394	100.00%
	Democratic gain from Republican

District 3

2008 Alabama's 3rd congressional district election

← 2006 November 4, 2008 2010 →

Nominee Mike Rogers Joshua Segall Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 150,819 131,299 Percentage 53.39% 46.48%

County results Precinct results Rogers:      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%      80–90%      >90% Segall:      50-60%      60-70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90% Tie:      50%      No Data

U.S. Representative before election Mike Rogers Republican Elected U.S. Representative Mike Rogers Republican

Incumbent Republican Representative Mike Rogers won re-election with 54% of the vote. He defeated Democrat Joshua Segall by 8.19%.

Alabama's 3rd congressional district election, 2008

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Mike Rogers (incumbent)	142,708	54.03%
	Democratic		121,080	45.84%
	Independent	Write-in candidates	332	0.13%
Total votes			264,120	100.00%
	Republican hold

District 4

2008 Alabama's 4th congressional district election

← 2006 November 4, 2008 2010 →

Nominee Robert Aderholt Nicholas Sparks Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 196,741 66,077 Percentage 74.76% 25.11%

County results Precinct results Aderholt:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90% Sparks:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90% Tie:      50%      No Data

U.S. Representative before election Robert Aderholt Republican Elected U.S. Representative Robert Aderholt Republican

Incumbent Republican Representative Robert Aderholt won re-election with 74.76% of the vote. He defeated Democrat Nick Sparks by 49.65%.

Alabama's 4th congressional district election, 2008

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Robert Aderholt (incumbent)	196,741	74.76%
	Democratic	Nick Sparks	66,077	25.11%
	Independent	Write-in candidates	349	0.13%
Total votes			263,167	100.00%
	Republican hold

District 5

2008 Alabama's 5th congressional district election

← 2006 November 4, 2008 2010 →

Nominee Parker Griffith Wayne Parker Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 158,324 147,314 Percentage 51.52% 47.94%

County results Precinct results Griffith:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90% Parker:      50-60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90% Tie:      50%      No Data

U.S. Representative before election Bud Cramer Democratic Elected U.S. Representative Parker Griffith Democratic

This district includes the counties of Colbert, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Jackson, and parts of Morgan. Democratic incumbent Bud Cramer has represented the district since 1990. He did not seek reelection and endorsed State Senator Parker Griffith. CQ Politics forecasted the race as 'No Clear Favorite'. The Rothenberg Political Report rated it 'Pure Toss-Up'. The Cook Political Report ranked it 'Democrat Toss Up'.

Eight candidates were running for the seat in the June 3, 2008, primary election. On the Democratic side, State Senator Dr. Parker Griffith defeated physicist (website), carrying 90% of the vote. won the Republican runoff on July 15 against attorney Cheryl Baswell Guthrie (campaign website). In the primary, Wayne Parker failed to gain the necessary 51% vote to avoid the runoff. Guthrie had carried 18% of the vote.

A year after his election, Griffith switched parties and ran for a second term in the 2010 Republican primary.

• Parker Griffith (D) - State Senator, businessman, and Huntsville's first radiation oncologist (campaign website)
• (R) - Insurance executive, lost to Cramer in 1994 and 1996 (campaign website)
• 5th District race ranking and background from CQ Politics
• Alabama District 5 race from OurCampaigns.org
• Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets
• LoParker (R) vs Griffith (D) graph of collected poll results from Pollster.com

Alabama's 5th congressional district election, 2008

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Parker Griffith	158,324	51.52%
	Republican	Wayne Parker	147,314	47.94%
	Independent	Write-in candidates	1,644	0.54%
Total votes			307,282	100.00%
	Democratic hold

District 6

2008 Alabama's 6th congressional district election

← 2006 November 4, 2008 2010 →

Nominee Spencer Bachus Party Republican Popular vote 280,902 Percentage 97.80%

County results Bachus:      90-100%

U.S. Representative before election Spencer Bachus Republican Elected U.S. Representative Spencer Bachus Republican

The 6th district was based in the city of Birmingham's suburbs and exurbs, including Alabaster, Trussville, Vestavia Hills, Pell City, Hueytown, and portions of Birmingham. The district includes all of Chilton, Bibb, Shelby, and parts of Tuscaloosa, Jefferson, St. Clair, and Coosa Counties. Due to redistricting, the district gained more territory around Tuscaloosa and Birmingham, as well as portions of St. Clair County, along with gaining the rest of Bibb, all of Chilton, and portions of Coosa Counties. The 6th district has a PVI of R+18 but voted for John McCain by 53 points in the concurring presidential election. The incumbent is Republican Spencer Bachus, who was reelected with 98.32% of the vote in 2006.

The Republican primary was not contested, with incumbent representative Spencer Bachus winning the nomination unopposed.

Republican nominee

• Spencer Bachus, incumbent U.S. Representative since 1993

General election

Predictions

Source	Ranking	As of
The Cook Political Report	Safe R	November 4, 2008
Inside Elections	Safe R	November 2, 2008
Sabato's Crystal Ball	Safe R	November 3, 2008
RCP	Safe R	November 4, 2008

Results

Alabama's 6th congressional district, 2008

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Spencer Bachus (incumbent)	280,902	97.80%
	Write-in		6,335	2.21%
Total votes			287,237	100%

District 7

2008 Alabama's 7th congressional district election

← 2006 November 4, 2008 2010 →

Nominee Artur Davis Party Democratic Popular vote 228,518 Percentage 98.63%

Davis:      90–100%

U.S. Representative before election Artur Davis Democratic Elected U.S. Representative Artur Davis Democratic

The 7th district is based in Alabama's 'Black Belt' region, including Selma, Tuscaloosa, Eutaw, Livingston, Bessemer, and portions of Birmingham. The district includes all of Dallas, Wilcox, Marengo, Choctaw, Sumter, Greene, Hale, and parts of Jefferson, Pickens, Clarke, and Tuscaloosa Counties. Due to redistricting, the district lost all its territory in Lowndes County and its portions of Montgomery County, but gained more territory around Tuscaloosa and Birmingham. The 7th district has a PVI of D+14 but voted for Barack Obama by 45 points in the concurring presidential election. The incumbent is Democrat Artur Davis, who was reelected with 99.04% of the vote in 2006.

The Democratic primary was not contested, with incumbent representative Artur Davis winning the nomination unopposed.

Democratic nominee

• Artur Davis, incumbent U.S. Representative since 2003

General election

Predictions

Source	Ranking	As of
The Cook Political Report	Safe D	November 4, 2008
Inside Elections	Safe D	November 2, 2008
Sabato's Crystal Ball	Safe D	November 3, 2008
RCP	Safe D	November 4, 2008

Results

Alabama's 7th congressional district, 2008

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Artur Davis (incumbent)	228,518	98.63%
	Write-in		3,183	1.37%
Total votes			231,701	100%

References

1. Chapman, Beth (November 4, 2008). "State of Alabama Canvass of Results" (PDF). Alabama Secretary of State.
2. Chapman, Beth (November 7, 2006). "State of Alabama Canvass of Results" (PDF). Alabama Secretary of State.
3. AP, Democrat drops out of 1st District congressional race^{[permanent dead link]} June 12, 2008
4. "2008 House Race Ratings". The Cook Political Report. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
5. "House Ratings". The Rothenberg Political Report. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
6. "2008 House Ratings". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
7. "Battle for the House 2008". RCP. November 4, 2008.
8. Alabama - Summary Vote Results Archived 2008-09-26 at the Wayback Machine AL.com, July 17, 2008
9. "Certified General Election Results without write-in appendix" (PDF). Secretary of State of Alabama. November 25, 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 27, 2008. Retrieved December 3, 2008.
10. Chapman, Beth (November 7, 2006). "State of Alabama Canvass of Results" (PDF). Alabama Secretary of State.
11. Chapman, Beth (November 7, 2006). "State of Alabama Canvass of Results" (PDF). Alabama Secretary of State.

External links

• U.S. Congress candidates for Alabama at Project Vote Smart
• Alabama U.S. House Races from 2008 Race Tracker
• Campaign contributions for Alabama congressional races from OpenSecrets
• Election News from Alabama Live news media

Preceded by 2006 elections

United States House elections in Alabama 2008

Succeeded by 2010 elections