2008 United States Senate election in Delaware

none March 2026 December 2017 related races 2008 United States Senate elections 2008 Delaware Senate election 2008 United States Senate election in Delaware Delaware presidential no 2002 United States Senate election in Delaware 2002 2010 United States Senate special election in Delaware 2010 (special) November 4, 2008 150x150px Thumbnail-sized photo of Joe Biden (cropped).jpg Joe Biden Democratic Party (United States) 257,539 64.69% Christine O'Donnell by Gage Skidmore.jpg Christine O'Donnell Republican Party (United States) 140,595 35.31% 110px County results 110px State House district results Biden: #7996e2 50–60% #6674de 60–70% #584cde 70–80% #3933e5 80–90% #0D0596 >90%O'Donnell: #E27F7F 50–60% U.S. senator Joe Biden Democratic Party (United States) Joe Biden Democratic Party (United States) U.S. senator from Delaware The 2008 United States Senate election in Delaware was held on November 4, 2008, to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the state of Delaware. Democratic incumbent Joe Biden—also the party's vice presidential nominee in the concurrent presidential election—won re-election to a seventh term, defeating Republican media consultant Christine O'Donnell. 2026, Biden is one of three vice presidential nominees who simultaneously ran on the presidential ticket and for re-election to their U.S. Senate seats.The other two vice presidential nominees who ran for re-election to their U.S. Senate seats in the same cycle were Lyndon B. Johnson in the 1960 Senate election and Joe Lieberman in the 2000 Senate election.Don Frederick June 3, 2008 Will Joe Biden face a double election situation this fall https://www.latimes.com/archives/blogs/top-of-the-ticket/story/2008-07-03/opinion-will-joe-biden-face-a-double-election-situation-this-fall subscription Los Angeles Times October 23, 2026 He was also elected vice president alongside Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama. The election was O'Donnell's second run for the Senate after a failed write-in campaign in 2006. Biden primarily focused on his vice presidential run, which O'Donnell criticized him for; he heavily outspent her in Delaware and she ended her campaign in debt. During the 2010 cycle, it was discovered O'Donnell broke campaign finance regulation by spending donations on personal expenses. Shortly after being sworn in, Biden resigned from the Senate to assume the vice presidency, and long-time Biden advisor Ted Kaufman was appointed to fill the vacancy. A special election was held in 2010, where O'Donnell again ran unsuccessfully. Background List of United States senators from Delaware US Senate career of Joe Biden Biden had first been elected to the Senate in 1972.Powel James From County Council to President, a timeline of Joe Biden's career ahead of DNC tribute https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2024/08/19/joe-biden-career-timeline/74816652007/ 2026-02-19 USA Today en-US He won his sixth term in 2002, defeating Republican candidate Raymond Clatworthy.Christian Nichole M. Cushman Jr John H. Day Sherri Dillon Sam Lewis Neil A. Pear Robert Pristin Terry Shenon Philip Steinberg Jacques Wayne Leslie 2002-11-06 The 2002 elections: Northeast; Delaware https://www.nytimes.com/2002/11/06/us/the-2002-elections-northeast-delaware.html subscription 2026-02-19 The New York Times en-US 0362-4331 Delaware is considered a "blue state", having last voted for a Republican presidential candidate in 1988.Hughes Isabel November 14, 2024 Is Delaware becoming a purple state? Probably not, but Republicans are gaining traction https://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/politics/elections/2024/11/14/delaware-mirrors-national-shift-conservative-gop-candidates-election-politics-trump-meyer-democrat/76128934007/?gnt-cfr=1&gca-cat=p&gca-uir=false&gca-epti=undefined&gca-ft=0&gca-ds=sophi subscription February 19, 2026 The News Journal By 2008, there were only two Republicans who held statewide office.Miller J. L. January 13, 2008 Lincoln Day Dinner is all about Rudy https://www.newspapers.com/image/164710481/ February 19, 2026 The News Journal B1 Newspapers.com Candidates and primaries Joe Biden (Democrat), incumbent senator since 1973 Christine O'Donnell (Republican), media consultant, political analyst and write-in candidate in 2006Christine O'Donnell: Delaware's dark horse https://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/09/15/odonnell.profile/index.html 2026-02-06 CNN In January 2008, following a poor performance in the Iowa caucus, Biden ended his 2008 presidential bid to instead focus on running for a seventh term in the United States Senate. He was unopposed within his party.Giroux Greg September 10, 2008 Franken Primary Win One of Many Key Results From Tuesday's Primaries http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docid=news-000002946537 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20080912201836/http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docid=news-000002946537 September 12, 2008 September 26, 2008 Congressional Quarterly On August 23, the Democratic Party's presidential nominee, Illinois senator Barack Obama, announced that he had selected Biden to serve as his running mate in the presidential election.Silverstein Stuart Neuman Johanna August 23, 2008 Biden's the pick, sources confirm https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2008-aug-23-na-biden23-story.html August 23, 2008 Los Angeles Times Under Delaware law, Biden could run simultaneously for both his Senate seat and the vice presidency, which he decided to do.Libit Daniel 2008-10-04 Joe Biden's other female foe https://www.POLITICO.com/story/2008/10/joe-bidens-other-female-foe-014268 2025-02-19 POLITICO en O'Donnell had previously run in for Delaware's Class One Senate seat in 2006. After losing the Republican primary to Jan C. Ting, she ran in the general election as a write-in candidate. She lost, having received less than five percent of the vote.Leip David 2006 Senatorial General Election Results – Delaware https://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/state.php?year=2006&fips=10&f=0&off=3&elect=0&class=1 https://web.archive.org/web/20240416113240/https://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/state.php?year=2006&fips=10&f=0&off=3&elect=0&class=1 2024-04-16 2025-02-26 Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections The primary election was held on September 9, 2008. Both candidates ran unopposed. General election Campaign Biden largely ignored the election in favor of Obama's presidential run. O'Donnell tried to make an issue of the dual campaigns, claiming that doing so was evidence that serving his constituents was not important to him, as well as criticizing his unwillingness to participate in debates and candidate forums. Politicos Daniel Libit, writing about O'Donnell, said, "nowhere else in America is a challenger wanting her incumbent opponent to campaign harder against her." O'Donnell received the endorsements of astronaut Buzz Aldrin, Mississippi governor Haley Barbour, and activist David Horowitz.Libit, Daniel October 4, 2008 Joe Biden's other female foe https://www.POLITICO.com/story/2008/10/joe-bidens-other-female-foe-014268 November 1, 2008 POLITICO Biden put up very few campaign advertisements; nevertheless, he heavily outspent O'Donnell and her campaign failed to gain traction. She ended her campaign with thousands of dollars in debt.Catanese David 2010-09-14 Ex-aide: O'Donnell a 'complete fraud' https://www.POLITICO.com/story/2010/09/ex-aide-odonnell-a-complete-fraud-042141 2025-02-27 POLITICO enGibson Ginger March 20, 2010 Delaware politics: O'Donnell faces campaign debt, back-tax issues http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20100320/NEWS02/100902061/Delaware-politics-O-Donnell-faces-campaign-debt-back-tax-issues September 16, 2010 The News Journal September 18, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100918045540/http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20100320/NEWS02/100902061/Delaware-politics-O-Donnell-faces-campaign-debt-back-tax-issues dead Kristin Murray briefly served as the campaign manager for O'Donnell, later saying she left the campaign willingly because of O'Donnell's financial situation; O'Donnell said she was fired. During O'Donnell's 2010 campaign for the seat, Murray said that O'Donnell was misusing her campaign donations and using the money to pay her rent and other "personal expenses".Checkered Financial Past Dogs Tea Party's Christine O'Donnell in Senate Bid https://abcnews.go.com/Business/checkered-financial-past-dogs-tea-partys-christine-odonnell/story?id=11646637 2025-02-27 ABC News en Predictions SourceRankingAs ofCook Political Report2008 Senate Race ratings for October 23, 2008 https://cookpolitical.com/ratings/senate-race-ratings/139080 https://web.archive.org/web/20210625160336/https://cookpolitical.com/ratings/senate-race-ratings/139080 June 25, 2021 The Cook Political Report April 1, 2021Solid DOctober 23, 2008Rothenberg Political ReportGonzales Nathan L. Senate Ratings Inside Elections https://www.insideelections.com/ratings/senate/2008-senate-ratings https://web.archive.org/web/20170705205159/https://www.insideelections.com/ratings/senate/2008-senate-ratings July 5, 2017 Rothenberg Political Report October 11, 2026Safe DNovember 2, 2008Sabato's Crystal BallSenate Outlook for 2008 Delaware Races https://centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/2008/senate/de/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20261025132929/https://centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/2008/senate/de/ October 25, 2026 Sabato's Crystal Ball October 11, 2026Solid DNovember 4, 2008 Fundraising Campaign finance reports as of December 31, 2008CandidateRaisedSpentCash on handJoe Biden (D)$7,981,036$8,217,880$152,376Christine O'Donnell$116,471$115,058$456Source: Federal Election Commission2008 United States Senate - Delaware https://www.fec.gov/data/elections/senate/DE/2008/ Federal Election Commission October 15, 2026 Polling Poll sourceDate(s)administeredSamplesizeKey:A – all adultsRV – registered votersLV – likely votersV – unclearMarginof errorJoeBiden (D)ChristineO'Donnell (R)OtherUndecidedSurveyUSAResults of SurveyUSA Election Poll #14706 https://results.surveyusa.com/client/PollReport.aspx?g=88b47880-9883-4264-bc5f-b29b9880f2b3 live https://web.archive.org/web/20261011180755/https://results.surveyusa.com/client/PollReport.aspx?g=88b47880-9883-4264-bc5f-b29b9880f2b3 October 11, 2026 SurveyUSA October 29, 2008 October 11, 2026AOctober 27–28, 2008657 (LV)± 3.7%66%32%—2%West Chester University PollingWest Virginia University Poll 2008 Delaware http://www.whyy.org/news/documents/whyy_west_chester_u_poll_2008_delaware.pdf https://web.archive.org/web/20081013011756/http://www.whyy.org/news/documents/whyy_west_chester_u_poll_2008_delaware.pdf October 13, 2008 West Chester University October 11, 2026 WHYY 12October 6–8, 2008429 (LV)± 4.8%65%29%—6%SurveyUSAResults of SurveyUSA Election Poll #14431 https://results.surveyusa.com/client/PollReport.aspx?g=64dddbf6-2c07-45cc-908c-573dc7ea6f5a live https://web.archive.org/web/20261011175234/https://results.surveyusa.com/client/PollReport.aspx?g=64dddbf6-2c07-45cc-908c-573dc7ea6f5a October 11, 2026 SurveyUSA September 24, 2008 October 11, 2026A Poll sponsored by WCAU-TV PhiladelphiaSeptember 22–23, 2008703 (LV)± 3.6%64%32%—4%Farleigh Dickinson UniversityAnother Democratic Year in Delaware http://publicmind.fdu.edu/de0809/index.html https://web.archive.org/web/20080928145341/http://publicmind.fdu.edu/de0809/index.html September 28, 2008 Farleigh Dickinson University September 23, 2008 October 11, 2026September 17–21, 2008601 (LV)± 4.0%69%25%1%5% Results The election was held on November 4, 2008. Only minutes after the polls closed, the race was called for Biden.Burkeman Oliver 2008-11-04 Liveblogging the 2008 US presidential election, part one https://www.theguardian.com/world/oliverburkemanblog/2008/nov/04/uselections2008-barackobama6 2025-02-19 The Guardian en-GB 0261-3077 He was re-elected in a landslide victory against O'Donnell,Catanese David 2010-09-17 Ex-aides unload on O'Donnell https://www.POLITICO.com/story/2010/09/ex-aides-unload-on-odonnell-042321 2025-02-19 POLITICO en securing his largest margin of victory and improving on his 2002 performance by around 6.5%.Leip David 2002 Senatorial General Election Results – Delaware https://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/state.php?year=2002&fips=10&f=0&off=3&elect=0&class=2 2025-02-19 Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections He received around two thousand more votes than Obama did in the presidential election. Biden's victory was a part of a national "blue wave" in the 2008 election cycle.Schor Elana MacAskill Ewen 2008-11-06 Congress: Big Democratic gains put party in firm control after 16 years https://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/nov/06/democrat-gains-congress-senate-elections 2026-02-20 The Guardian en-GB 0261-3077 2008 United States Senate election in DelawareState of Delaware - Department of Elections - 2008 General Election https://elections.delaware.gov/elections/resultsarchive/elect08/elect08_general_election/html/elect08_gen_county.html Delaware Department of Elections November 4, 2008 December 15, 2008 October 11, 2026Democratic Party (United States) Joe Biden (incumbent) 257,539 64.69 +6.47 Republican Party (United States) Christine O'Donnell 140,595 35.31 -5.49116,944 29.38 6.47 398,134 100.00 N/A Democratic Party (United States) By county Biden won all three counties, including Kent County, which he lost in 2002.Election Results December 9, 2008 The New York Times https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/elections/2008/results/senate/map.html February 18, 2025 This marked the last time he won all three counties in a general election. In his vice presidential runs in 2008 and 2012, and in his successful presidential run in 2020, Sussex County voted for the Republican candidates.President Map – Election Results 2008 https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/elections/2008/results/president/map.html?hp 2025-02-19 The New York TimesPresident – Live Election Results https://www.nytimes.com/elections/2012/results/states/delaware.html 2025-02-19 The New York Times en-US 0362-4331Delaware 2020 presidential election results https://www.cnn.com/election/2020/results/state/delaware/president 2025-02-19 CNN en Biden's best performance was in New Castle County, where he won around 72 percent of the vote to O'Donnell's 28 percent. O'Donnell's best performance was in Sussex County, where she received 49.84% of the vote to Biden's 50.16%, his weakest performance. New Castle County had the highest number of votes cast with 246,561, followed by Sussex County with 86,790. CountyJoe BidenDemocraticChristine O'DonnellRepublicanMarginTotal#%#%#%Kent37,07456.99%27,98143.01%9,09313.98%65,055New Castle177,07071.82%69,49128.18%107,57943.64%246,561Sussex43,39550.16%43,12349.84%2720.32%86,518Totals257,53964.69%140,59535.31%116,94429.38%398,134 Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic Kent (largest city: Dover) right 110px Swing by county 110px Trend relative to the state by county Legend #d40000 Republican — >15% #ff0000 Republican — +12.5−15% #ff2a2a Republican — +10−12.5% #ff5555 Republican — +7.5−10% #ff8080 Republican — +5−7.5% #ffaaaa Republican — +2.5−5% #ffd5d5 Republican — +0−2.5% #d5f6ff Democratic — +0−2.5% #aaeeff Democratic — +2.5−5% #77e3ff Democratic — +5−7.5% #4bdbff Democratic — +7.5-10% #09ceff Democratic — +10−12.5% #00bdec Democratic — +12.5−15% #00a1c8 Democratic — >15% 110px County flips Legend Democratic #92c5de Hold #0671b0 Flip Aftermath 2010 United States Senate special election in Delaware A few weeks after the election, The News Journal published an opinion piece by Greg Gober on Delaware's election laws. Gober found the result unfair and undemocratic as Biden's replacement was not voted on. He also criticized Biden himself for his dual campaigns.Gober Greg November 17, 2008 O'Donnell got the bad end of our faulty election laws https://www.newspapers.com/image/165275498/ February 18, 2026 The News Journal A14 Newspapers.com Biden took the oath of office in the Senate chamber with his fellow senators-elect on January 3, 2009,Levi, Michelle January 6, 2009 Biden Sworn In (As a Senator) https://www.cbsnews.com/news/biden-sworn-in-as-a-senator/ December 3, 2020 CBS News but resigned his seat on January 15, 2009, and assumed the vice presidency five days later.Rudin Ken 2009-01-12 Why Is VP-Elect Joe Biden Still A Senator? https://www.npr.org/sections/politicaljunkie/2009/01/why_hasnt_biden_resigned_his_s.html 2025-02-19 NPR en Outgoing Delaware governor Ruth Ann Minner appointed Ted Kaufman, a Democrat and longtime Biden advisor, to fill the vacant seat pending a 2010 special election, where Kaufman stated he had no plans to run.Mahtesian Charles 2010-01-25 Beau Biden declines Senate bid https://www.POLITICO.com/story/2010/01/beau-biden-declines-senate-bid-031952 2025-02-19 POLITICO en O'Donnell once again ran unsuccessfully for the seat, defeating congressman Mike Castle in the Republican primary in an upset but losing the general election to Democrat Chris Coons.James Frank 2010-11-02 Chris Coons Defeats Christine O'Donnell In Delaware: CNN, AP https://www.npr.org/sections/itsallpolitics/2010/11/02/131023701/chris-coons-defeats-christine-o-donnell-in-delaware-cnn 2025-02-19 NPR en In 2015, she was sued by the Federal Election Commission (FEC) for misuse of campaign funds and was found guilty a year later.Chase Randal 2015-11-20 Ex-Senate candidate O'Donnell: FEC lawsuit is a 'witch hunt' https://apnews.com/general-news-domestic-news-domestic-news-7b2b93dcd5bb417ca5ef7c0d63cbec5c 2026-02-06 Associated Press enMasulli Reyes Jessica Albright Matthew September 22, 2016 Judge: Christine O'Donnell violated election law https://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/local/2016/09/22/judge-christine-odonnell-violated-election-law/90847586/ 2026-02-06 The News Journal en-US Notes Partisan and media clients References External links Official campaign websites Joe Biden (D) Christine O'Donnell (R) 2008 Delaware United States Senate 2008 election