2008 United States Senate election in Wyoming

none March 2026 December 2017 related races 2008 United States Senate elections the simultaneous Class I special election to complete Craig L. Thomas's unexpired term held in parallel 2008 United States Senate special election in Wyoming 2008 Wyoming Senate election 2008 United States Senate election in Wyoming Wyoming presidential no 2002 United States Senate election in Wyoming 2002 2014 United States Senate election in Wyoming 2014 November 4, 2008 File:Mike Enzi, official portrait, 111th Congress (cropped).jpg 150x150px Mike Enzi Republican Party (United States) 189,046 75.63% File:Rothfuss for Senate.jpg Chris Rothfuss Democratic Party (United States) 60,631 24.26% 250px County results 250px Precinct results 1 245px Enzi: #e27f7f 50–60% #d75d5d 60–70% #d72f30 70–80% #c21b18 80–90% #A80000 >90%Rothfuss: #7996e2 50–60% #6674de 60–70% Tie: #AE8BB1 50% #808080 No votes U.S. senator Mike Enzi Republican Party (United States) Mike Enzi Republican Party (United States) The 2008 United States Senate election in Wyoming was held on November 4, 2008, to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the state of Wyoming. Republican incumbent Mike Enzi won re-election to a third term, defeating Democratic nominee Chris Rothfuss. In the August 19 primary elections, Enzi secured the Republican nomination unopposed. Rothfuss defeated Al Hamburg, a perennial candidate, in the Democratic primary with 62% of the vote. Background Mike Enzi#United States Senate Wyoming voted for Republican nominee George W. Bush in the 2004 presidential election by a 40-point margin—the state last voted for the Democratic presidential nominee in the 1964 election.270toWin 2026 Senator Enzi, first elected in 1996, was reelected in 2002 by a 46-point margin.September 2026 Republican primary Candidates Nominee Mike Enzi, incumbent U.S. senator (1997–2021)Reilly 2008 Results Republican primary resultsRepublican Primary 2008Mike Enzi (incumbent) Republican Party (United States) 69,195 100.0069,195 100.00 Democratic primary Candidates Nominee Chris Rothfuss, university professorUW instructor runs against Enzi 2008 Eliminated in primary Al Hamburg, perennial candidateRace could be a 1994 rerun 2008 Endorsements Chris Rothfuss ;Newspapers Wyoming Tribune-EagleU.S. Senate, 6-year seat, Democrat recommendation 2008 Results Democratic primary resultsDemocratic Primary 2008Chris Rothfuss Democratic Party (United States) 14,221 62.38 Al Hamburg Democratic Party (United States) 8,578 37.6222,799 100.00 General election Predictions SourceRankingAs ofThe Cook Political ReportCook Political Report 2008Solid ROctober 23, 2008Congressional QuarterlyCQ Politics 2008Safe ROctober 31, 2008Rothenberg Political ReportRothenberg 2008Safe RNovember 2, 2008Sabato's Crystal BallSabato's Crystal Ball 2008Solid RNovember 4, 2008 Post-primary endorsements Mike Enzi (R) ;Executive branch officials Dick Cheney, 46th vice president of the United States (2001–2009)Joyce 2008 Newspapers Casper Star-TribuneStar-Tribune Editorial Board 2008 Wyoming Tribune-EagleEditorial: Mike Enzi is quiet but effective in U.S. Senate 2008 Declined to endorse ;Statewide officials David Freudenthal, governor of Wyoming (2003–2011) (Democratic)Governor stumps for Obama 2008 Fundraising Campaign finance reports as of December 31, 2008CandidateRaisedSpentCash on handMike Enzi (R)$2,369,093$2,129,834$581,791Chris Rothfuss (D)$32,326$27,258$5,266Source: Federal Election Commission2008 Elections United States Senate - Wyoming 2008 Polling Poll sourceDate(s)administeredSamplesizeKey:A – all adultsRV – registered votersLV – likely votersV – unclearMarginof errorMikeEnzi (R)ChrisRothfuss (D)UndecidedResearch 2000WY-AL: Still tied up 2008KOctober 14–16, 2008500 (LV)± 4.5%61%34%5% Mason-Dixon Polling & StrategyMiller 2008Poll commissioned by the Casper Star-TribuneOctober 13–14, 2008625 (LV)± 4.0%72%20%8%Research 2000WY-AL, Pres Polling: Race Tightens for Trauner 2008K Poll sponsored by Daily KosSeptember 22–24, 2008500 (LV)± 4.5%59%35%6% Results 2008 United States Senate election in WyomingGeneral Election 2008Republican Party (United States) Mike Enzi (incumbent) 189,046 75.63 +2.68Democratic Party (United States) Chris Rothfuss 60,631 24.26 −2.79269 0.11 N/A249,946 100.00 N/ARepublican Party (United States) By county CountyGeneral Election 2008Mike EnziRepublicanChris RothfussDemocraticWrite-inMarginTotal votes cast # % # % # % # %Albany10,481 62.85% 6,170 37.00% 25 0.15% 4,311 25.85% 16,676 Big Horn4,590 86.96% 682 12.92% 6 0.11% 3,908 74.04% 5,278 Campbell14,191 87.90% 1,938 12.00% 16 0.10% 12,253 75.90% 16,145 Carbon4,951 73.69% 1,760 26.19%8 0.12%3,19147.50%6,719 Converse5,39384.46% 990 15.51% 2 0.03% 4,403 68.95% 6,385 Crook3,202 87.80% 437 11.98%8 0.22% 2,765 75.82%3,647 Fremont12,927 75.36% 4,212 24.55% 15 0.09% 8,715 50.81% 17,154 Goshen4,603 79.16%1,210 20.81% 2 0.03% 3,393 58.35% 5,815 Hot Springs2,097 83.12% 423 16.77% 3 0.12% 1,674 66.35% 2,523 Johnson3,733 86.43% 57713.36% 9 0.21% 3,156 73.07% 4,319 Laramie28,871 70.83% 11,845 29.06% 440.11% 17,026 41.77% 40,760 Lincoln7,001 82.92% 1,430 16.94% 12 0.14% 5,571 65.98% 8,443 Natrona24,724 75.83% 7,848 24.07% 34 0.10% 16,876 51.76% 32,606 Niobrara1,107 86.21% 177 13.79% 0 0.00% 93072.42% 1,284 Park12,105 81.98% 2,645 17.91% 16 0.11% 9,46064.07% 14,766 Platte3,418 75.55% 1,104 24.40% 2 0.04% 2,31451.15%4,524 Sheridan11,67478.96% 3,10521.00% 6 0.04% 8,56957.96%14,785 Sublette3,555 83.77% 680 16.02%9 0.21% 2,875 67.75%4,244 Sweetwater11,47969.83% 4,93730.03% 22 0.13% 6,542 30.80%16,438 Teton6,34852.85%5,423 46.00% 18 0.15% 9256.85%11,789 Uinta6,30576.41%1,941 23.52% 6 0.07% 4,36452.89%8,252 Washakie3,427 84.97%602 14.93%40.10%2,82570.04%4,033 Weston2,86485.21%495 14.73%2 0.06% 2,36970.48%3,361Totals189,04675.63%60,63124.26%2690.11%128,41551.37%249,946 See also 2008 United States elections 2008 United States House of Representatives election in Wyoming Notes Partisan and media clients References Works cited Election reports Republican Statewide Candidates Official Summary Wyoming Primary Election - August 19, 2008 http://soswy.state.wy.us/Elections/Docs/2008/08Results/R-SWCand.pdf live https://web.archive.org/web/20230527233212/https://sos.wyo.gov/Elections/Docs/2008/08Results/R-SWCand.pdf May 27, 2023 Wyoming Secretary of State 1 August 19, 2008 May 10, 2021 Republican Primary 2008 Democratic Statewide Candidates Official Summary Wyoming Primary Election - August 19, 2008 http://soswy.state.wy.us/Elections/Docs/2008/08Results/D-SWCand.pdf live https://web.archive.org/web/20250622033757/https://sos.wyo.gov/Elections/Docs/2008/08Results/D-SWCand.pdf June 22, 2025 Wyoming Secretary of State 1 August 19, 2008 May 10, 2021 Democratic Primary 2008 Statewide Candidates Official Summary Wyoming General Election - November 4, 2008 https://sos.wyo.gov/Elections/Docs/2008/08Results/General/SW-Candidates.pdf live https://web.archive.org/web/20161221141343/https://sos.wyo.gov/Elections/Docs/2008/08Results/General/SW-Candidates.pdf December 21, 2016 Wyoming Secretary of State 2 November 4, 2008 June 7, 2026 General Election 2008 News Reilly Daniel W. April 28, 2008 Enzi will seek reelection https://www.politico.com/blogs/politico-now/2008/04/enzi-will-seek-reelection-008194 live https://web.archive.org/web/20220819175016/https://www.politico.com/blogs/politico-now/2008/04/enzi-will-seek-reelection-008194 August 19, 2022 June 8, 2026 Politico UW instructor runs against Enzi https://trib.com/news/breaking/article_050098fa-b8c3-5ad6-b5da-c1032d191185.html subscription March 24, 2008 July 1, 2026 Casper Star-Tribune Associated Press UW instructor runs against Enzi 2008 Barron Joan February 10, 2008 Race could be a 1994 rerun https://trib.com/editorial/columns/article_acee0ccd-4eb4-56d2-bdcb-e631c900fb5e.html subscription July 1, 2026 Casper Star-Tribune "Since perennial candidate Al Hamburg of Torrington decided to seek the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate..." Race could be a 1994 rerun 2008 August 18, 2008 U.S. Senate, 6-year seat, Democrat recommendation https://www.wyomingnews.com/archives/u-s-senate-6-year-seat-democrat-recommendation/article_e8059f4e-9a37-5752-b38c-09d853d3f8e2.html live https://web.archive.org/web/20260804020018/https://www.wyomingnews.com/archives/u-s-senate-6-year-seat-democrat-recommendation/article_e8059f4e-9a37-5752-b38c-09d853d3f8e2.html August 4, 2026 August 4, 2026 Wyoming Tribune-Eagle U.S. Senate, 6-year seat, Democrat recommendation 2008 Joyce Matt November 1, 2008 VP Cheney rallies Republicans in Laramie https://trib.com/news/state-regional/article_89f4b16b-e191-51cc-8134-954133de2640.html subscription June 30, 2026 Associated Press Casper Star-Tribune Star-Tribune Editorial Board November 2, 2008 Effective Enzi has earned a third term https://trib.com/news/opinion/editorial/article_b2f3bb15-4d3a-5f6f-ae7f-ccb93c8922d7.html subscription June 30, 2026 Casper Star-Tribune November 3, 2008 Editorial: Mike Enzi is quiet but effective in U.S. Senate https://www.wyomingnews.com/archives/editorial-mike-enzi-is-quiet-but-effective-in-u-s-senate/article_1963872b-c644-5146-9a8c-f620dab7681c.html live https://web.archive.org/web/20260822165440/https://www.wyomingnews.com/archives/editorial-mike-enzi-is-quiet-but-effective-in-u-s-senate/article_1963872b-c644-5146-9a8c-f620dab7681c.html August 22, 2026 August 4, 2026 Wyoming Tribune-Eagle Editorial: Mike Enzi is quiet but effective in U.S. Senate 2008 Barron Joan October 8, 2008 Governor stumps for Obama https://trib.com/news/state-regional/article_71003e6f-3391-5d55-8437-29809c609457.html subscription June 30, 2026 Casper Star-Tribune Governor stumps for Obama 2008 WY-AL: Still tied up https://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/10/17/05050/301/374/633219 https://web.archive.org/web/20081022015900/https://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/10/17/05050/301/374/633219 October 22, 2008 October 17, 2008 June 7, 2026 Daily Kos WY-AL: Still tied up 2008 Miller Jared October 18, 2008 Incumbent senators poll strongly https://trib.com/news/article_ba05867b-551d-5ba9-a1db-9302591f8be5.html subscription June 30, 2026 Casper Star-Tribune WY-AL, Pres Polling: Race Tightens for Trauner https://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/9/26/122040/142/858/611386 https://web.archive.org/web/20080928065731/https://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/9/26/122040/142/858/611386 September 28, 2008 September 26, 2008 February 28, 2026 Daily Kos WY-AL, Pres Polling: Race Tightens for Trauner 2008 Web Wyoming Presidential Election Voting History https://www.270towin.com/states/wyoming live https://web.archive.org/web/20260903172433/https://www.270towin.com/states/wyoming September 3, 2026 270toWin September 26, 2026 270toWin 2026 2008 Senate Race Ratings https://www.cookpolitical.com/ratings/senate-race-ratings/139080 https://web.archive.org/web/20181011134356/https://www.cookpolitical.com/ratings/senate-race-ratings/139080 October 11, 2018 The Cook Political Report April 1, 2021 Cook Political Report 2008 Race Ratings Chart: Senate http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=ratings-senate https://web.archive.org/web/20101028234525/http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=ratings-senate October 28, 2010 June 7, 2026 Congressional Quarterly CQ Politics 2008 Gonzales Nathan L. 2008 Senate ratings https://www.insideelections.com/ratings/senate/2008-senate-ratings https://web.archive.org/web/20170705205159/http://www.insideelections.com/ratings/senate/2008-senate-ratings July 5, 2017 Rothenberg Political Report April 1, 2021 Rothenberg 2008 Senate Outlook for 2008 Wyoming Races https://centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/2008/senate/wy/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20100715021459/http://www.centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/2008/senate/wy/ July 15, 2010 June 28, 2026 Sabato's Crystal Ball Sabato's Crystal Ball 2008 2008 Election United States Senate - Wyoming https://www.fec.gov/data/elections/senate/WY/2008/ Federal Election Commission June 7, 2026 2008 Elections United States Senate - Wyoming 2008 External links Official campaign websites Mike Enzi (R) Chris Rothfuss (D) Wyoming United States Senate Category:United States Senate elections in Wyoming Category:Long stubs with short prose