2008 United States House of Representatives elections in North Carolina

none February 2026 September 2023 2008 United States House of Representatives elections in North Carolina North Carolina legislative no 2006 United States House of Representatives elections in North Carolina 2006 2010 United States House of Representatives elections in North Carolina 2010 All 13 North Carolina seats in the United States House of Representatives 2008 11 04 Democratic Party (United States) 7 8 1 2,293,971 54.42% 1.51% Republican Party (United States) 6 5 1 1,901,517 45.11% 1.98% 320px District results 320px County results Democratic #86b6f2 50–60% #4389E3 60–70% #1666CB 70–80% #0645B4 80–90% Republican #e27f90 50–60% #cc2f4a 60–70% #D40000 70–80% The United States House of Representative elections of 2008 in North Carolina were held on November 4, 2008, as part of the biennial election to the United States House of Representatives. All thirteen seats in North Carolina, and 435 nationwide, were elected to the 111th United States Congress. The party primary elections were held on May 6, 2008. Carried on the coattails of Barack Obama winning the state in the presidential election, the Democrats added one seat to their seven won in 2006. The Republican Party won the other five. In the 8th district, Democrat Larry Kissell defeated incumbent Robin Hayes. All other incumbents won re-election. The Republicans' hold on the 10th district had been thought to be at risk by CQ Politics, but Republican Patrick McHenry won re-election. The Democrats increased their total vote share by 1.5% statewide, and 2.5% if excluding the 1st, which the Republicans didn't contest in 2006. It is not to be confused with the election to the North Carolina House of Representatives, which was held on the same day. Summary District Incumbent 2008 status Democratic Republican Libertarian 1G. K. Butterfield Re-electionG. K. Butterfield Dean Stephens 2Bob Etheridge Re-electionBob Etheridge Dan Mansell Will Adkins 3Walter B. Jones Jr. Re-election Craig WeberWalter B. Jones Jr. 4David Price Re-electionDavid Price B.J. Lawson 5Virginia Foxx Re-election Roy CarterVirginia Foxx 6Howard Coble Re-election Teresa Sue BrattonHoward Coble 7Mike McIntyre Re-electionMike McIntyre Will Breazeale 8Robin Hayes DefeatedLarry Kissell Robin Hayes 9Sue Myrick Re-election Harry TaylorSue Myrick Andy Grum 10Patrick McHenry Re-election Daniel JohnsonPatrick McHenry 11Heath Shuler Re-electionHeath Shuler Carl Mumpower Keith Smith 12Mel Watt Re-electionMel Watt Ty Cobb Jr. 13Brad Miller Re-electionBrad Miller Hugh Webster 2008 United States House of Representative elections in North Carolina – Summary Democratic Party (United States) 8 1 0 +1 61.54 54.42 2,293,971 +1.51 Republican Party (United States) 5 0 1 −1 38.46 45.11 1,901,517 −1.98 Libertarian Party (United States) 0 0 0 ±0 0.00 0.47 19,605 +0.47 District 1 2008 North Carolina's 1st congressional district election presidential North Carolina no 2006 United States House of Representatives elections in North Carolina#District 1 2006 November 4, 2008 2010 United States House of Representatives elections in North Carolina#District 1 2010 North Carolina's 1st congressional district x150px File:G. K. Butterfield, official photo portrait color.jpg G. K. Butterfield Democratic Party (United States) 192,765 70.00% File:3x4.svg Dean Stephens Republican Party (United States) 81.506 30.00% U.S. Representative G. K. Butterfield Democratic Party (United States) G. K. Butterfield Democratic Party (United States) thumb North Carolina's 1st congressional district This district, located in the northeastern portion of the state, is represented by Democrat G. K. Butterfield, who first won it in a 2004 special election. It is the only majority-black district in the state, and is overwhelmingly Democratic (Cook Partisan Voting Index of D+9). It is one of the few districts in the former Confederacy that has not elected a Republican since the end of Reconstruction. Butterfield was opposed by Republican William A. "Dean" Stephens. CQ Politics forecasted the race as 'Safe Democrat'. Race ranking and details from CQ Politics Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets Predictions SourceRankingAs of The Cook Political Report2008 Competitive House Race Chart http://www.cookpolitical.com/charts/house/competitive_2008-11-04_13-32-49.php House: Race Ratings The Cook Political Report 6 November 2006 20 November 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20081106112035/http://www.cookpolitical.com/charts/house/competitive_2008-11-04_13-32-49.php 6 November 2008Safe D November 6, 2008 Rothenberg2008 House Ratings https://rothenbergpoliticalreport.blogspot.com/2008/11/2008-house-ratings.html House Ratings The Rothenberg Political Report 2 November 2006 20 November 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20081106133426/http://rothenbergpoliticalreport.blogspot.com/2008/11/2008-house-ratings.html 6 November 2008Safe D November 2, 2008 Sabato's Crystal Ball2008 House http://www.centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/2008/house/ Sabato's Crystal Ball 6 November 2008 20 November 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20081106144620/http://www.centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/2008/house/ 6 November 2008Safe D November 6, 2008 Real Clear PoliticsBattle for the House of Representatives http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2008/house/battle_for_the_house_of_representatives.html realclearpolitics.com Real Clear Politics 9 December 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20081217170047/http://www.realclearpolitics.com:80/epolls/2008/house/battle_for_the_house_of_representatives.html 17 December 2008 7 November 2008Safe D November 7, 2008 CQ PoliticsRace Ratings Chart: House http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=ratings-house cqpolitics.com Congressional Quarterly Inc 20 November 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20081106054801/http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=ratings-house 6 November 2008Safe D November 6, 2008 2008 United States House of Representatives North Carolina 1st district electionhttp://results.enr.clarityelections.com/NC/7937/14537/en/summary.html 2008 General Election North Carolina State Board of Elections January 11, 2010 Democratic Party (United States) G. K. Butterfield (incumbent) 192,765 70.28 −29.72 Republican Party (United States) Dean Stephens 81,506 29.72 N/A 274,271 District 2 2008 North Carolina's 2nd congressional district election presidential no 2006 United States House of Representatives elections in North Carolina#District 2 2006 November 4, 2008 2010 United States House of Representatives elections in North Carolina#District 2 2010 North Carolina's 2nd congressional district x150px File:Bob Etheridge.jpg Bob Etheridge Democratic Party (United States) 199,730 66.93% File:3x4.svg Dan Mansell Republican Party (United States) 93,323 31.27% U.S. Representative Bob Etheridge Democratic Party (United States) Bob Etheridge Democratic Party (United States) thumb North Carolina's 2nd congressional district This district includes several suburban and rural areas near Raleigh, Rocky Mount and Fayetteville. It has been represented by Democrat Bob Etheridge since 1997. The district is a swing district on paper (CPVI of R+3); it narrowly supported Bill Clinton in 1992 and 1996, and gave equally narrow margins to George W. Bush in 2000 and 2004. However, Etheridge is very popular in this area. In 2008, he faced his 2006 opponent, Republican Dan Mansell, and Libertarian Will Adkins. CQ Politics forecasted the race as 'Safe Democrat'. Race ranking and details from CQ Politics Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets Predictions SourceRankingAs of The Cook Political ReportSafe D November 6, 2008 RothenbergSafe D November 2, 2008 Sabato's Crystal BallSafe D November 6, 2008 Real Clear PoliticsSafe D November 7, 2008 CQ PoliticsSafe D November 6, 2008 2008 United States House of Representatives North Carolina 2nd district election Democratic Party (United States) Bob Etheridge (incumbent) 199,730 66.93 +0.40 Republican Party (United States) Dan Mansell 93,323 31.27 −2.20 Libertarian Party (United States) Will Adkins 5,377 1.80 N/A 298,430 District 3 thumb North Carolina's 3rd congressional district This district stretches along the northeastern and east-central portions of the state, including the Outer Banks. It has been represented by Republican Walter B. Jones Jr. since 1995. Although Democrats have a 14-point plurality of registered voters, Jones had long been thought to have an unbreakable hold on this district. Much of this area had been part of the 1st prior to 1993, and Jones's father, popular 14-term Democrat Walter B. Jones Sr., is still an icon in this region. However, Jones's voting record has shifted increasingly to the center for some time, and he has become one of the most vocal Republican opponents of the Iraq War. This has caused considerable chagrin among Republicans in his district. Onslow County Commissioner Joe McLaughlin announced in mid-2007 that he would challenge Jones in the Republican primary. Jones defeated McLaughlin in the May 6 primary, with about 60 percent of the vote. 2006 Democratic nominee Craig Weber won his party's primary over Marshall Adame, carrying about 70 percent of the vote. The district has a CPVI of R+15—a three-way statistical tie for the most Republican district in the state, making it a very difficult pickup for Democrats on paper. CQ Politics forecasted the race as 'Safe Republican'. Race ranking and details from CQ Politics Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets Predictions SourceRankingAs of The Cook Political ReportSafe R November 6, 2008 RothenbergSafe R November 2, 2008 Sabato's Crystal BallSafe R November 6, 2008 Real Clear PoliticsSafe R November 7, 2008 CQ PoliticsSafe R November 6, 2008 2008 United States House of Representatives North Carolina 3rd district election Republican Party (United States) Walter B. Jones Jr. (incumbent) 201,686 65.90 −2.74 Democratic Party (United States) Craig Weber 104,364 34.10 +2.74 306,050 District 4 thumb North Carolina's 4th congressional district This district includes the heart of the Triangle area, including part of Raleigh and all of Durham and Chapel Hill, North Carolina. It has been represented by Democrat David Price since 1997 (he previously represented the 4th from 1987 to 1995). Despite a CPVI of only D+5, the influence of the state's three major research universities plus Price's status as an Appropriations subcommittee chairman (or "Cardinal") make Price a heavy favorite. Two Republicans competed in a May primary for the right to face Price: Augustus Cho and William (B.J.) Lawson. Lawson won, with about 70 percent of the vote. Libertarian Maximillian Longley also ran in the general election. CQ Politics forecasted the race as 'Safe Democrat'. Race ranking and details from CQ Politics Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets Predictions SourceRankingAs of The Cook Political ReportSafe D November 6, 2008 RothenbergSafe D November 2, 2008 Sabato's Crystal BallSafe D November 6, 2008 Real Clear PoliticsSafe D November 7, 2008 CQ PoliticsSafe D November 6, 2008 2008 United States House of Representatives North Carolina 4th district election Democratic Party (United States) David Price (incumbent) 265,751 63.32 −1.67 Republican Party (United States) B.J. Lawson 153,947 36.68 +1.67 419,698 District 5 thumb North Carolina's 5th congressional district Democrats Roy Carter and Diane Hamby filed to run against incumbent Virginia Foxx. Carter won the May 6 primary, with just over 50 percent of the vote. CQ Politics forecasted the race as 'Safe Republican'. Race ranking and details from CQ Politics Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets Predictions SourceRankingAs of The Cook Political ReportLikely R November 6, 2008 RothenbergSafe R November 2, 2008 Sabato's Crystal BallSafe R November 6, 2008 Real Clear PoliticsSafe R November 7, 2008 CQ PoliticsSafe R November 6, 2008 2008 United States House of Representatives North Carolina 5th district election Republican Party (United States) Virginia Foxx (incumbent) 190,820 58.37 +1.21 Democratic Party (United States) Roy Carter 136,103 41.63 −1.21 326,923 District 6 thumb North Carolina's 6th congressional district Democrats Johnny J. Carter, Jay Ovittore, and Teresa Sue Bratton (campaign website) filed to run against incumbent Howard Coble. Bratton won the May 6 primary, with 61 percent of the vote. CQ Politics forecasted the race as 'Safe Republican'. Race ranking and details from CQ Politics Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets Predictions SourceRankingAs of The Cook Political ReportSafe R November 6, 2008 RothenbergSafe R November 2, 2008 Sabato's Crystal BallSafe R November 6, 2008 Real Clear PoliticsSafe R November 7, 2008 CQ PoliticsSafe R November 6, 2008 2008 United States House of Representatives North Carolina 6th district election Republican Party (United States) Howard Coble (incumbent) 221,018 67.00 −3.83 Democratic Party (United States) Teresa Sue Bratton 108,873 33.00 +3.83 329,891 District 7 2008 North Carolina's 7th congressional district election presidential no North Carolina 2006 United States House of Representatives elections in North Carolina#District 7 2006 November 4, 2008 2010 United States House of Representatives elections in North Carolina#District 7 2010 North Carolina's 11th congressional district x150px Mike McIntyre (cropped).jpg Mike McIntyre Democratic Party (United States) 215,383 68.8% File:3x4.svg Will Breazeale Republican Party (United States) 97,472 31.2% 2008 North Carolina's 7th District Results by County.svg 230px County resultsMcIntyre: #7996e2 50−60% #6674de 60−70% #584cde 70−80% #3933e5 80−90% U.S. Representative Mike McIntyre Democratic Party (United States) Mike McIntyre Democratic Party (United States) North Carolina's 7th congressional district Republican Will Breazeale opposed incumbent Mike McIntyre. CQ Politics forecasted the race as 'Safe Democrat'. Race ranking and details from CQ Politics Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets Predictions SourceRankingAs of The Cook Political ReportSafe D November 6, 2008 RothenbergSafe D November 2, 2008 Sabato's Crystal BallSafe D November 6, 2008 Real Clear PoliticsSafe D November 7, 2008 CQ PoliticsSafe D November 6, 2008 2008 United States House of Representatives North Carolina 7th district election Democratic Party (United States) Mike McIntyre (incumbent) 215,383 68.84 −3.95 Republican Party (United States) Will Breazeale 97,472 31.16 +3.95 312,855 District 8 2008 North Carolina's 8th congressional district election North Carolina presidential no 2006 United States House of Representatives elections in North Carolina#District 8 2006 November 4, 2008 2010 United States House of Representatives elections in North Carolina#District 8 2010 North Carolina's 8th congressional district x150px File:Larrykissell.jpg Larry Kissell Democratic Party (United States) 157,180 55.38% Robin Hayes, official 109th Congress photo.jpg Robin Hayes Republican Party (United States) 126,634 44.62% U.S. Representative Robin Hayes Republican Party (United States) Larry Kissell Democratic Party (United States) thumb North Carolina's 8th congressional district Democratic nominee Larry Kissell won against incumbent Robin Hayes, reversing the result from 2006 when Kissell came up only 329 votes short of upsetting Hayes. Libertarian Thomas Hill also ran. CQ Politics rated it as 'No Clear Favorite',Race Ratings Chart: House https://web.archive.org/web/20101028234534/http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=ratings-house October 28, 2010 CQ Politics The Rothenberg Political Report as 'Toss-Up/Tilt Democratic',2008 House Ratings The Rothenberg Political Report, October 14, 2008. and The Cook Political Report as 'Republican Toss Up'2008 Competitive House Race Chart https://web.archive.org/web/20081016053934/http://www.cookpolitical.com/charts/house/competitive_2008-10-15_12-45-22.php 2008-10-16 The Cook POlitical Report, October 14, 2008. Race ranking and details from CQ Politics Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets Hayes (R-i) vs Kissell (D) graph of collected poll results from Pollster.com Predictions SourceRankingAs of The Cook Political ReportTossup November 6, 2008 RothenbergLean D flip November 2, 2008 Sabato's Crystal BallLean D flip November 6, 2008 Real Clear PoliticsTossup November 7, 2008 CQ PoliticsTossup November 6, 2008 2008 United States House of Representatives North Carolina 8th district election Democratic Party (United States) Larry Kissell 157,185 55.38 +5.52 Republican Party (United States) Robin Hayes (incumbent) 126,634 44.62 −5.52 283,819 District 9 thumb North Carolina's 9th congressional district Ross Overby and Harry Taylor ran in the Democratic primary, and incumbent Sue Myrick faced opposition from Jack Stratton in the Republican primary. Taylor defeated Overby, with about 58 percent of the vote, while Myrick easily won re-nomination with 92 percent of the vote. Libertarian Andy Grum also ran in the general election. CQ Politics forecasted the race as 'Safe Republican'. Race ranking and details from CQ Politics Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets Predictions SourceRankingAs of The Cook Political ReportSafe R November 6, 2008 RothenbergSafe R November 2, 2008 Sabato's Crystal BallSafe R November 6, 2008 Real Clear PoliticsSafe R November 7, 2008 CQ PoliticsSafe R November 6, 2008 2008 United States House of Representatives North Carolina 9th district election Republican Party (United States) Sue Myrick (incumbent) 241,053 62.37 −4.16 Democratic Party (United States) Harry Taylor 138,719 35.89 +2.42 Libertarian Party (United States) Andy Grum 6,711 1.74 N/A 386,483 District 10 thumb North Carolina's 10th congressional district Republican incumbent Patrick McHenry defeated Democratic nominee Daniel Johnson, but the margin of victory was McHenry's smallest to date.OurCampaigns.com Johnson defeated Steve Ivester in the May 6 Democratic primary, with about 60 percent of the vote. McHenry won the Republican primary, garnering about 67 percent of the vote in a race against attorney Lance Sigmon.http://www.charlotte.com/elections/story/613103.html Charlotte Observer 05/06/2008 Congress District 10: McHenry wins by wide margin over Sigmon 2008-05-08 https://web.archive.org/web/20080511010456/http://www.charlotte.com/elections/story/613103.html 2008-05-11 dead CQ Politics forecasted the race as 'Republican Favored', while Cook Political Report ranked it as 'Likely Republican'. Race ranking and details from CQ Politics Race Rankings from Cook Political Report Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets McHenry (R-i) vs Johnson (D) graph of collected poll results from Pollster.com Predictions SourceRankingAs of The Cook Political ReportSafe R November 6, 2008 RothenbergSafe R November 2, 2008 Sabato's Crystal BallSafe R November 6, 2008 Real Clear PoliticsSafe R November 7, 2008 CQ PoliticsLikely R November 6, 2008 2008 United States House of Representatives North Carolina 10th district election Republican Party (United States) Patrick McHenry (incumbent) 171,774 57.55 −4.25 Democratic Party (United States) Daniel Johnson 126,699 42.45 +4.25 298,473 District 11 2008 North Carolina's 11th congressional district election presidential no North Carolina 2006 United States House of Representatives elections in North Carolina#District 11 2006 November 4, 2008 2010 United States House of Representatives elections in North Carolina#District 11 2010 North Carolina's 11th congressional district x150px File:Heath Shuler, official portrait, 111th Congress.jpg Heath Shuler Democratic Party (United States) 211,112 61.96% File:3x4.svg Carl Mumpower Republican Party (United States) 122,087 35.83% 2008 NC-11.png County results Shuler: #8da9e2 50–60% #678cd7 60–70% #416fcd 70–80% U.S. Representative Heath Shuler Democratic Party (United States) Heath Shuler Democratic Party (United States) North Carolina's 11th congressional district First-term incumbent Heath Shuler faced Carl Mumpower, who won a three-way Republican primary that included Spence Campbell and John C. Armor. Shuler was favored, since he did not face opposition from the man he defeated in 2006, former Rep. Charles H. Taylor. Libertarian Keith Smith also ran in the general election. CQ Politics forecasted the race as 'Safe Democrat'. Race ranking and details from CQ Politics Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets Predictions SourceRankingAs of The Cook Political ReportSafe D November 6, 2008 RothenbergSafe D November 2, 2008 Sabato's Crystal BallSafe D November 6, 2008 Real Clear PoliticsSafe D November 7, 2008 CQ PoliticsSafe D November 6, 2008 2008 United States House of Representatives North Carolina 11th district election Democratic Party (United States) Heath Shuler (incumbent) 211,112 61.96 +8.17 Republican Party (United States) Carl Mumpower 122,087 35.83 −10.37 Libertarian Party (United States) Keith Smith 7,517 2.21 N/A 340,716 District 12 thumb North Carolina's 12th congressional district Incumbent Mel Watt was the heavy favorite over little-known Republican and U.S. Army veteran Ty Cobb Jr. (no known relation to the baseball legend Ty Cobb).http://www.salisburypost.com/area/303949762461048.php Salisbury Post March 1, 2008 February 26, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080226211020/http://www.salisburypost.com/area/303949762461048.php dead CQ Politics forecasted the race as 'Safe Democrat'. Race ranking and details from CQ Politics Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets Predictions SourceRankingAs of The Cook Political ReportSafe D November 6, 2008 RothenbergSafe D November 2, 2008 Sabato's Crystal BallSafe D November 6, 2008 Real Clear PoliticsSafe D November 7, 2008 CQ PoliticsSafe D November 6, 2008 2008 United States House of Representatives North Carolina 12th district election Democratic Party (United States) Mel Watt (incumbent) 215,908 71.56 +4.55 Republican Party (United States) Ty Cobb Jr. 85,814 28.44 −4.55 301,722 District 13 2008 North Carolina's 13th congressional district election presidential North Carolina no 2006 United States House of Representatives elections in North Carolina#District 13 2006 November 4, 2008 2010 United States House of Representatives elections in North Carolina#District 13 2010 North Carolina's 13th congressional district x150px File:Brad Miller, official photo portrait, color.jpg Brad Miller Democratic Party (United States) 221,379 65.93% File:3x4.svg Hugh Webster Republican Party (United States) 114,383 34.07% U.S. Representative Brad Miller Democratic Party (United States) Brad Miller Democratic Party (United States) thumb North Carolina's 13th congressional district Incumbent Brad Miller faced Republican former state senator Hugh Webster, after easily defeating little-known Derald Hafner in the Democratic primary, with 88 percent of the vote. CQ Politics forecasted the race as 'Safe Democrat'. Race ranking and details from CQ Politics Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets Predictions SourceRankingAs of The Cook Political ReportSafe D November 6, 2008 RothenbergSafe D November 2, 2008 Sabato's Crystal BallSafe D November 6, 2008 Real Clear PoliticsSafe D November 7, 2008 CQ PoliticsSafe D November 6, 2008 2008 United States House of Representatives North Carolina 13th district election Democratic Party (United States) Brad Miller (incumbent) 221,379 65.93 +2.22 Republican Party (United States) Hugh Webster 114,383 34.07 −2.22 335,762 See also North Carolina congressional districts References 30em References Congressional Wrap-up, Charlotte Observer, May 7, 2008 State Board of Elections: Primary Election Results State Board of Elections: Candidate Filings Libertarians File List of 2008 Candidates Daily Reflector: Local Democrats celebrate taking top seats https://web.archive.org/web/20081109084126/http://www.reflector.com/news/local-democrats-celebrate-taking-top-seats-224185.html November 9, 2008 External links North Carolina State Board of Elections U.S. Congress candidates for North Carolina https://web.archive.org/web/20080921090926/http://www.votesmart.org/election_congress_state.php?state_id=NC&go33.x=6&go33.y=7 September 21, 2008 at Project Vote Smart North Carolina U.S. House Races from 2008 Race Tracker Campaign contributions for North Carolina congressional races from OpenSecrets 2008 North Carolina United States House of Representatives