2008 United States House of Representatives elections in Kentucky

none February 2026 September 2023 2008 United States House of Representatives elections in Kentucky Kentucky legislative no 2006 United States House of Representatives elections in Kentucky 2006 2010 United States House of Representatives elections in Kentucky 2010 All 6 Kentucky seats to the United States House of Representatives November 4, 2008 Republican Party (United States) 4 4 955,182 54.59% 5.79% Democratic Party (United States) 2 2 761,209 43.50% 4.50% 320px District results 320px County results Republican #E27F90 50–60% #CC2F4A 60–70% #D40000 70–80% #AA0000 80–90% #800000 90–100% Democratic #86B6F2 50–60% #4389E3 60–70% #1666CB 70–80% The 2008 congressional elections in Kentucky were held on November 4, 2008, to determine who would represent the state of Kentucky in the United States House of Representatives. Kentucky has six seats in the House, apportioned according to the 2000 United States census. Representatives are elected for two-year terms; those elected were to serve in the 111th Congress from January 4, 2009, until January 3, 2011. The election coincides with the 2008 U.S. presidential election. The deadline to file to run in the election was January 29, 2008. The primary for both parties took place on May 20, 2008. The current delegation consists of 2 Democrats and 4 Republicans. With the exception of Ron Lewis, all incumbents ran for and won reelection. Overview United States House of Representatives elections in Kentucky, 2008http://elect.ky.gov/NR/rdonlyres/1283C01A-3F26-4821-8336-5878446F15E4/173402/STATE.TXT Archived copy May 12, 2010 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20100520054957/http://www.elect.ky.gov/NR/rdonlyres/1283C01A-3F26-4821-8336-5878446F15E4/173402/STATE.TXT May 20, 2010 PartyVotesPercentageSeats beforeSeats after+/– Republican 955,182 54.59% 4 4 ±0 Democratic 761,209 43.50% 2 2 ±0 Independent 33,449 1.91% 0 0 0 Valid votes - -% Invalid or blank votes - -% Totals 1,749,840 100.00% 6 6 — Voter turnout 60.133% Match-up summary District Incumbent 2008 status Democratic Republican Other party 1Ed Whitfield Re-election Heather A. RyanEd Whitfield 2Ron Lewis Open David BoswellBrett Guthrie 3John Yarmuth Re-electionJohn Yarmuth Anne Northup 4Geoff Davis Re-election Michael KelleyGeoff Davis 5Hal Rogers Re-electionHal Rogers Jim Holbert 6Ben Chandler Re-electionBen Chandler Jon Larson District 1 2008 Kentucky's 1st congressional district election Kentucky presidential no 2006 United States House of Representatives elections in Kentucky#District 1 2006 2010 United States House of Representatives elections in Kentucky#District 1 2010 x150px File:Rep. Ed Whitfield (cropped).jpg Ed Whitfield Republican Party (United States) 178,107 64.3% File:3x4.svg Heather Ryan Democratic Party (United States) 98,674 35.7% File:2008 Kentucky's 1st congressional district election results map by county.svg 250px County resultsWhitfield: #E27F7F 50–60% #D75D5D 60–70% #D72F30 70–80% #C21B18 80–90% U.S. Representative Ed Whitfield Republican Party (United States) Ed Whitfield Republican Party (United States) Kentucky's 1st congressional district This district is in Western Kentucky. The seat had been held by Republican Ed Whitfield since 1995. Heather A. Ryan of Paducah, a self-described Democratic activist, had no primary opposition and faced Whitfield in the general election.Ex-cinema director to challenge Whitfield 2008-01-29 Paducah Sun Bartleman, Bill http://voip-phone-systems.tmcnet.com/news/2008/01/29/3235690.htm 2009-03-10 CQ Politics forecasts the race as 'Safe Republican'. Ryan, a Navy veteran and former movie theater manager, launched into the news in January 2008. On January 15, she protested a visit by Mitch McConnell to the non-profit theater where she worked. The theater was raising funds for an expansion and some would potentially come from McConnell. Three days later, the theater's board of directors told her to stay quiet about politics while running the theater. After questioning the request, she was fired.Now Showing... George, Stephen 2008-01-30 Louisville Eccentric Observer http://leoweekly.com/news-features/news-xtras/now-showing-%E2%80%A6 March 10, 2009 May 21, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110521152521/http://leoweekly.com/news-features/news-xtras/now-showing-%E2%80%A6 dead Whitfield declined to debate Ryan before the election.Whitfield rejects debate; KET airs statement Courier-Journal 2008-10-14 Gerth, Joseph 2B Whitfield won the election with 64% of the vote.http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/results/individual/#mapHKY/H/01 2008 General Election Results CNN 2008-11-05 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 R November 6, 2008 Rothenberg2008 House Ratings http://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 R 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 R 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 R 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 R November 6, 2008 District 2 2008 Kentucky's 2nd congressional district election Kentucky presidential no 2006 United States House of Representatives elections in Kentucky#District 2 2006 2010 United States House of Representatives elections in Kentucky#District 2 2010 x150px File:Brett-Guthrie-111th.jpg Brett Guthrie Republican Party (United States) 158,936 52.6% File:3x4.svg David Boswell Democratic Party (United States) 143,379 47.4% 2008 Kentucky's 2nd congressional district election results map by county.svg 200px County resultsGuthrie: #E27F7F 50–60% #D75D5D 60–70%Boswell: #7996E2 50–60% #6674DE 60–70% U.S. Representative Ron Lewis Republican Party (United States) Brett Guthrie Republican Party (United States) Kentucky's 2nd congressional district This district is in Western-central Kentucky. Republican state senator Brett Guthrie won against Democratic state senator David Boswell. In a surprise decision on the filing deadline, Republican incumbent Ron Lewis, who had held the seat since 1994, announced he would not run for re-election in 2008. It was believed that he intended to be succeeded by his chief of staff, Daniel London. However, State Senator Brett Guthrie learned of Lewis' retirement just before the deadline, and filed himself. After Guthrie won some key endorsements, London withdrew from the race, leaving Guthrie unopposed for the Republican nomination. Meanwhile, for the Democratic nomination, State Senator David Boswell got 60,978 votes, defeating Daviess County judge executive Reid Haire, who got 43,073 votes.2008-01-29 GOP Rep. Ron Lewis Not Running For Reelection https://www.cbsnews.com/news/gop-rep-ron-lewis-not-running-for-reelection/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20231007232352/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/gop-rep-ron-lewis-not-running-for-reelection/ 2023-10-07 2023-10-07 CBS News en-US Politico PoliticsFriedlein John February 7, 2008 London quits race for House The News-Enterprise News http://www.newsenterpriseonline.com/articles/2008/02/08/news/news03.txt dead https://web.archive.org/web/20080919132709/http://www.newsenterpriseonline.com/articles/2008/02/08/news/news03.txt 2008-09-19McArdle John 2008-02-07 Lewis Aide Ends House Bid That Party Establishment Fought https://rollcall.com/2008/02/07/lewis-aide-ends-house-bid-that-party-establishment-fought/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20231003201749/https://rollcall.com/2008/02/07/lewis-aide-ends-house-bid-that-party-establishment-fought/ 2023-10-03 2023-10-07 CQ Roll Call FiscalNote en-US Guthrie won the election with 53% of the vote.http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/results/individual/#mapHKY/H/02 2008 General Election Results CNN 2008-11-05 Race ranking and details from CQ Politics Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets Guthrie (R) vs Boswell (D-i) graph of collected poll results from Pollster.com Opinion polls Source Date Democrat: David Boswell Republican: Brett GuthrieSurvey USASurvey USA October 27–28, 2008 43% 53%Survey USASurvey USA October 21–22, 2008 42% 51%Survey USASurvey USA October 15–16, 2008 42% 51%Survey USASurvey USA September 24–25, 2008 43% 49%Garin-Hart-YangGarin-Hart-Yang August 23–25, 2008 41% 33%Survey USASurvey USA June 27–29, 2008 47% 44% Predictions SourceRankingAs of The Cook Political ReportTossup November 6, 2008 RothenbergTossup November 2, 2008 Sabato's Crystal BallLean R November 6, 2008 Real Clear PoliticsLean R November 7, 2008 CQ PoliticsLean R November 6, 2008 District 3 2008 Kentucky's 3rd congressional district election Kentucky presidential no 2006 United States House of Representatives elections in Kentucky#District 3 2006 2010 United States House of Representatives elections in Kentucky#District 3 2010 x150px File:John-Yarmuth-111th.jpg John Yarmuth Democratic Party (United States) 203,843 59.4% File:Anne Northup, official 109th Congress photo.jpg Anne Northup Republican Party (United States) 139,527 40.6% 230px State House district results 230px Precinct results Yarmuth: #7996e2 50–60% #6674de 60–70% #584cde 70–80% #3933e5 80–90% #0D0596 >90%Northup: #e27f7f 50–60% #d75d5d 60–70% #d72f30 70–80%Tie: #ae8bb1 50% #808080 No data U.S. Representative John Yarmuth Democratic Party (United States) John Yarmuth Democratic Party (United States) Kentucky's 3rd congressional district Democratic incumbent John Yarmuth won against Republican nominee Anne Northup, who had held the seat previously. This district consists of Louisville and most of its Jefferson County suburbs. The seat had been held by Northup from 1996 through 2006, when she was defeated by Yarmuth in a year in which Democrats regained control of the house, partially due to the unpopularity of the war in Iraq.July 2020 On January 28, 2008, Northup announced she would run for her former congressional seat in the 2008 election. She had previously endorsed Louisville lawyer Erwin Roberts, who had planned to run, and helped raise money for him. However, Roberts withdrew from the race after learning he would likely be called to active duty in the U.S. Army Reserve. Bob DeVore Jr., activist Corley C. Everett and developer Chris Thieneman filed to run in the Republican primary.http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/K/KY_NORTHUP_CAMPAIGN_KYOL- https://web.archive.org/web/20190120195203/http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/K/KY_NORTHUP_CAMPAIGN_KYOL- dead 2019-01-20 Northup to run to regain former congressional seat, adviser says Schreiner, Bruce Associated Press 2008-01-28 http://cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?parm1=5&docID=news-000002657075 Bush Speech Sets Up More Fights with Congress CQ Politics cqpolitics.com 2007-01-17 Giroux, Greg https://web.archive.org/web/20080129085211/http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?parm1=5 January 29, 2008 dead Thieneman, who spearheaded a successful campaign to defeat a Jefferson County library tax referendum in 2007 and ran unsuccessfully for Jefferson County Clerk in 2002,Thieneman to seek Yarmuth's seat Courier-Journal 2008-01-24 Gerth, Joe dropped out of the race on January 31, declared a return to the Democratic Party, and endorsed John Yarmuth in the election. Theineman said he had been pressured to drop out by people associated with Northup and Kentucky's senior senator Mitch McConnell, but McConnell and Northup denied they had tried to influence Thieneman.Thieneman quits race, becomes Democrat, endorses Yarmuth Courier-Journal 2008-01-31 Gerth, Joseph https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/courier_journal/access/1714058311.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Feb+1%2C+2008&author=&pub=Courier+-+Journal&edition=&startpage=A.1&desc=Thieneman+quits+race%2C+leaves+GOP+in+anger%2C+will+back+Yarmuth https://archive.today/20120715001427/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/courier_journal/access/1714058311.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Feb+1,+2008&author=&pub=Courier+-+Journal&edition=&startpage=A.1&desc=Thieneman+quits+race,+leaves+GOP+in+anger,+will+back+Yarmuth dead July 15, 2012 Thieneman subsequently reaffirmed he was a Republican, revoked his endorsement of Yarmuth, and unsuspended his campaign. Everett dropped out less than a week before the primary and endorsed Theineman.https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/courier_journal/access/1705143841.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=May+19%2C+2008&author=&pub=Courier+-+Journal&edition=&startpage=B.6&desc=Everett+to+exit+GOP+race+for+Congress https://web.archive.org/web/20121107131057/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/courier_journal/access/1705143841.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=May+19,+2008&author=&pub=Courier+-+Journal&edition=&startpage=B.6&desc=Everett+to+exit+GOP+race+for+Congress dead November 7, 2012 Courier-Journal GOP's Everett withdraws from 3rd District primary 2008-05-18 Northup won the Republican primary on May 20.May 27, 2008 Kentucky - Summary Vote Results Courier-Journal http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/files/elections/2008/by_state/KY_Page_0520.html?SITE=KYLOUELN&SECTION=POLITICS dead 2008-05-20 https://web.archive.org/web/20110605221146/http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/files/elections/2008/by_state/KY_Page_0520.html?SITE=KYLOUELN&SECTION=POLITICS 2011-06-05 The Associated Press Yarmuth was not opposed in the Democratic primary. General election At a press conference held in front of a gas station on June 17, 2008, Northup claimed that the 2008 elections were about the rising price of energy.March 2009 Over a five-day period in September, Yarmuth's campaign headquarters was broken into twice. The thieves took only computers and storage supplies, leaving behind cash and other valuables.2nd break-in at Yarmuth campaign office Gerth, Joseph http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080915/NEWS01/80915021/1008/NEWS01 https://archive.today/20130119190446/http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080915/NEWS01/80915021/1008/NEWS01 dead 2013-01-19 Courier-Journal 2008-09-15 Northup reminded voters of her accomplishments during her years in office, claimed that she was better suited to get results in the long-delayed effort to build an east end bridge and, as she had often done, argued her opponent was too liberal for voters. A key issue in the election was funding for a Veterans Administration hospital to replace the aging one in Louisville; Yarmuth touted a commitment he and Mitch McConnell secured from the Department of Veterans Affairs to spend at least $60 million on the project, while Northup attempted to downplay the merits of the commitment. Northup also attacked Yarmuth for his eventual vote in favor of the bailout. Yarmuth did not run any attack ads, and generally focused his campaign on informing voters of his accomplishments during his term in the House.Northup battling economy, Iraq war Courier-Journal 2008-10-28 Yetter, Deborah 4A The district's daily newspaper, the Courier-Journal, endorsed Yarmuth on October 25, saying the Democrat had done "an exceptionally good job as a freshman representative, winning widespread recognition as one of the brightest new stars in Congress." EDITORIAL ENDORSEMENTS 2008; Re-elect Yarmuth Courier-Journal 2008-10-25 Editorial board 8A Yarmuth won the election with 59% to 41%.http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/results/individual/#mapHKY/H/03 2008 General Election Results CNN 2008-11-05 Race ranking and details from CQ Politics Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets Northup (R) vs Yarmuth (D-i) graph of collected poll results from Pollster.com Opinion polls Source Date Democrat: John Yarmuth Republican: Anne NorthupSurvey USASurvey USA October 21–22, 2008 57% 41%Survey USASurvey USA October 14–15, 2008 57% 41%Survey USASurvey USA September 5–7, 2008 53% 45%Survey USASurvey USA July 18–20, 2008 53% 43%Survey USASurvey USA June 6–8, 2008 57% 40%Voter/Consumer ResearchVoter/Consumer Research June 4–8, 2008 51% 43% Predictions SourceRankingAs of The Cook Political ReportLikely D November 6, 2008 RothenbergSafe D November 2, 2008 Sabato's Crystal BallLean D November 6, 2008 Real Clear PoliticsLean D November 7, 2008 CQ PoliticsLikely D November 6, 2008 District 4 2008 Kentucky's 4th congressional district election Kentucky presidential no 2006 United States House of Representatives elections in Kentucky#District 4 2006 2010 United States House of Representatives elections in Kentucky#District 4 2010 x150px File:Geoff-Davis-111th.jpg Geoff Davis Republican Party (United States) 190,210 63.0% File:3x4.svg Michael Kelley Democratic Party (United States) 111,549 37.0% 2008 Kentucky's 4th congressional district election results map by county.svg 230px County resultsDavis: #E27F7F 50–60% #D75D5D 60–70% #D72F30 70–80%Kelley: #7996E2 50–60% #6674DE 60–70% U.S. Representative Geoff Davis Republican Party (United States) Geoff Davis Republican Party (United States) Kentucky's 4th congressional district This district is a long district in Northern Kentucky that follows the Ohio River. The majority of the voters live in the booming largely white and suburban Cincinnati counties of Boone, Kenton and Campbell. Davis won the election with 63% of the vote.http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/results/individual/#mapHKY/H/04 2008 General Election Results CNN 2008-11-05 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 District 5 2008 Kentucky's 5th congressional district election Kentucky presidential no 2006 United States House of Representatives elections in Kentucky#District 5 2006 2010 United States House of Representatives elections in Kentucky#District 5 2010 x150px File:Hal-Rogers-111th.jpg Hal Rogers Republican Party (United States) 177,024 84.1% File:Holbert.jpg Jim Holbert Independent (United States) 33,444 15.9% 2008 Kentucky's 5th congressional district election results map by county.svg 200px County resultsRogers: #D75D5D 60–70% #D72F30 70–80% #C21B18 80–90% #A80000 >90% U.S. Representative Hal Rogers Republican Party (United States) Hal Rogers Republican Party (United States) Kentucky's 5th congressional district This district is in Eastern Kentucky. It had been held by Republican Hal Rogers since 1981. He filed to run for re-election in 2008.http://www.wave3.com/Global/story.asp?S=7590151 McConnell, two other incumbents file for re-election 2008-01-21 WAVE 3 News https://archive.today/20070529092745/http://www.wave3.com/Global/story.asp?S=7590151 29 May 2007 He was opposed by Independent Jim Holbert.McConnell's opposition lining up as filing deadline for 2008 races draws near Lexington Herald-Leader 2008-01-29 Staff writer http://www.kentucky.com/news/state/story/300667.html https://web.archive.org/web/20080130050639/http://www.kentucky.com/news/state/story/300667.html 2008-01-30 Rogers won the election with 84% of the vote.Unofficial 2008 General Election Results https://web.archive.org/web/20090408232106/http://www.elect.ky.gov/results/2008gen.htm 2009-04-08 Kentucky State Board of Elections. Retrieved on November 15, 2008. 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 District 6 2008 Kentucky's 6th congressional district election Kentucky presidential no 2006 United States House of Representatives elections in Kentucky#District 6 2006 2010 United States House of Representatives elections in Kentucky#District 6 2010 x150px File:Ben-Chandler-111th.jpg Ben Chandler Democratic Party (US) 203,764 64.7% File:3x4.svg Jon Larson Republican Party (US) 111,378 35.3% File:2008 Kentucky's 6th congressional district election results map by county.svg 200px County resultsChandler: #7996E2 50–60% #6674DE 60–70% #584CDE 70–80% U.S. Representative Ben Chandler Democratic Party (US) Ben Chandler Democratic Party (US) Kentucky's 6th congressional district This district is located in central Kentucky. It contains the cities of Lexington (including its suburbs), Danville, and Frankfort, the state capital. Democrat Ben Chandler had held the seat since 2004.http://www.swingstateproject.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=1367 KY Deadline Swing State Project Kowowski, David 2008-01-28 2009-03-10 https://web.archive.org/web/20080917223943/http://www.swingstateproject.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=1367 2008-09-17 dead He faced Republican Lexington attorney Jon Larson in the general election. Chandler won the election with 65% of the vote.http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/results/individual/#mapHKY/H/06 2008 General Election Results CNN 2008-11-05 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 See also United States House of Representatives elections, 2008 References External links Kentucky State Board of Elections U.S. Congress candidates for Kentucky at Project Vote Smart http://www.2008racetracker.com/page/Kentucky https://web.archive.org/web/20071019061056/http://www.2008racetracker.com/page/Kentucky dead 2007-10-19 Kentucky U.S. House Races from 2008 Race Tracker Campaign contributions for Kentucky congressional races from OpenSecrets 2006 elections United States House elections in Kentucky2008 2010 elections 2008 Kentucky United States House of Representatives