2008 United States House of Representatives elections in Maryland

none February 2026 September 2023 2008 United States House of Representatives elections in Maryland Maryland legislative no 2006 United States House of Representatives elections in Maryland 2006 2010 United States House of Representatives elections in Maryland 2010 All 8 Maryland seats to the United States House of Representatives 2008 11 04 Democratic Party (United States) 6 7 1 1,677,490 67.15% 2.52% Republican Party (United States) 2 1 1 762,587 30.53% 1.62% 320px District results 320px County results Democratic #B9D7FF 40–50% #86b6f2 50–60% #4389e3 60–70% #1666CB 70–80% #0645B4 80–90% #002B84 90–100% Republican #f2b3be 40–50% #E27F90 50–60% #cc2f4a 60–70% The 2008 congressional elections in Maryland were held on November 4, 2008, to determine who would represent the state of Maryland in the United States House of Representatives, coinciding with the presidential election. Representatives are elected for two-year terms; those elected serve in the 111th Congress from January 3, 2009, until January 3, 2011. Maryland has eight seats in the House, apportioned according to the 2000 United States census. Its 2007–2008 congressional delegation consisted of six Democrats and two Republicans. Following the election, the delegation became seven Democrats and one Republican. District 1 was the only seat which changed party (from Republican to Democratic), and was the only district CQ Politics had forecast to be at some risk for the incumbent party. Overview United States House of Representatives elections in Maryland, 2008http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/2008/2008Stat.htm#stateMD Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of RepresentativesPartyVotesPercentage+/−Seats+/− Democratic 1,677,490 67.15% +2.52% 7 +1 Republican 762,587 30.53% −1.62% 1 −1 Libertarian 47,708 1.91% +1.62% 0 — Green 6,828 0.27% −2.25% 0 — Others 3,339 0.13% −0.25% 0 — Totals 2,497,952 100.00% — 8 — District 1 2008 Maryland's 1st congressional district election Maryland presidential no 2006 United States House of Representatives elections in Maryland#District 1 2006 2010 United States House of Representatives elections in Maryland#District 1 2010 x150px File:Official FK Picture (cropped).JPG Frank Kratovil Democratic Party (United States) 177,065 49.1% File:Andy Harris, Official Portrait, 112th Congress (cropped).jpg Andy Harris Republican Party (United States) 174,213 48.3% 2008 MD-01 election results.svg 200px County resultsKratovil: #b4c7ec 40–50% #8da9e2 50–60% #678cd7 60–70% Harris: #ed8783 50–60% U.S. Representative Wayne Gilchrest Republican Party (United States) Frank Kratovil Democratic Party (United States) Maryland's 1st congressional district Opinion polling for the United States House of Representatives elections, 2008#Maryland The district encompasses the entire Eastern Shore of Maryland, as well as parts of Anne Arundel, Baltimore and Harford Counties, and was represented by Republican Wayne Gilchrest since 1991. Incumbent Wayne Gilchrest, a Republican, lost to state senator Andy Harris in the Republican primary, in which E.J. Pipkin also ran. Gilchrest was one of only two Republicans to vote for the bill to set a timetable on the Iraq War, which passed, 218–212; he also voted on April 25, 2007, for anotherJuly 2008 Democratic Iraq War bill, which passed, 218–208. Harris was first elected to the Maryland Senate in 1998http://www.elections.state.md.us/elections/1998/results_1998/gasse.html Maryland State Board of Elections 1998 Gubernatorial General Election Results 2000-10-24 2008-04-08 and served as Minority Whip, 2003–2006. He has worked as an anesthesiologist, an associate professor of anesthesiology and critical care medicine, and chief of obstetric anesthesiology at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Harris entered the February 12 primary with endorsements from the Club for Growth,http://andyharris08.org/news/club-for-growth-endorses-andy-harris.html Club for Growth Endorses Andy Harris Andy Harris for Congress 2007-08-13 2007-08-17 https://web.archive.org/web/20070928023915/http://andyharris08.org/news/club-for-growth-endorses-andy-harris.html 2007-09-28 dead former Governor Bob Ehrlich,http://www.washingtontimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071019/METRO/110190065 Ehrlich supports Harris for seat Associated Press 2007-10-19 2007-10-19 https://web.archive.org/web/20080220023036/http://www.washingtontimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20071019%2FMETRO%2F110190065 2008-02-20 dead seven of ten state senators who represent parts of the Congressional district, and House minority leader Anthony J. O'Donnell.https://news.yahoo.com/s/cq/20071002/pl_cq_politics/elevenrepublicanincumbentshavetowatchtheirbacksinhouseprimaries_1 Eleven Republican Incumbents Have to Watch Their Backs in House Primaries CQ Staff 2007-10-02 2007-10-19 October 2010 H3llBot Despite Gilchrest's endorsement by The Baltimore Sun, Harris defeated him by 10 pointshttp://www.elections.state.md.us/elections/2008/results/primary/office_Representative_in_Congress.html Representative in Congress Results Maryland State Board Of Elections 2008-03-26 in a relatively bitter race. Queen Anne's County State's Attorney Frank M. Kratovil, Jr., went into the February 12 primary as the Democratic frontrunner, with primary endorsement from The Baltimore Sun,http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/bal-ed.first07feb07,0,3528669.story Sun endorsements: Experience counts 2008-02-07 2008-04-08 The Baltimore Sun https://web.archive.org/web/20081011200838/http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/bal-ed.first07feb07,0,3528669.story 2008-10-11 dead governor Martin O'Malley, and Maryland comptroller Peter Franchot. Kratovil became Assistant State's Attorney in 1997, State's Attorney in 2003, and president of Maryland State's Attorney's Association, 2005–2007. He defeated his closest opponent, Cambridge lawyer Christopher Robinson, by nine points in a primary that was considered much more civil than on the Republican side.http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/politics/bal-md.first02feb02,0,2402099.story GOP brawling in the 1st: Democrats hope for Gilchrest loss The Baltimore Sun Olson, Bradley 2008-02-02 2008-04-08August 2026 medicmedic While Harris had stated his belief that "the 1st Congressional District was drawn by Democrats to elect Republicans" and Gilchrest had carried the district for nine terms, Democratic leaders believed the district had "a moderate character" and was ready to support Kratovil competitively.http://www.gazette.net/stories/022208/polinew200633_32362.shtml Dems ready to spend big on Kratovil: Van Hollen, Hoyer say District 1 seat is in play Brody, Alan Maryland Community Newspapers 2008-02-22 2008-04-08 Gaithersburg Gazette https://web.archive.org/web/20080918171447/http://www.gazette.net/stories/022208/polinew200633_32362.shtml 2008-09-18 dead In addition to targeting by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee,http://dccc.org/page/content/races_south 2008 Races Map: South Region Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee 2008-04-08 https://web.archive.org/web/20080318164710/http://dccc.org/page/content/races_south 2008-03-18 dead Gilchrest staffers held "Republicans for Kratovil" events.http://washingtontimes.com/article/20080314/METRO/483387228/1001 Gilchrest staffers support Democrat LoBianco, Tom 2008-03-14 2008-04-08 The Washington Times Gilchrest hinted early on that he would endorse Kratovil, being quoted as saying, "Let's see, the Republican Party, or my eternal soul?" and "Party loyalty, or integrity?"http://www.politickermd.com/top-gilchrest-staffer-kicksoff-039republicans-kratovil039-1258 Top Gilchrest staffer kicks-off 'Republicans for Kratovil' Edge, Wally 2008-02-29 2008-04-08 Politicker MD https://web.archive.org/web/20080509023500/http://www.politickermd.com/top-gilchrest-staffer-kicksoff-039republicans-kratovil039-1258 2008-05-09 dead On April 17, 2008, an article in Politico announced that long-time Wayne Gilchrest campaign manager Lynn Caliguri, spouse of Gilchrest chief of staff Tony Caliguri, had joined the Kratovil campaign.The Crypt's Blog – Politico.com In early September 2008, Gilchrest officially endorsed Kratovil.Gilchrest crosses party lines, endorses Democrat Kratovil, even cutting an ad for him (baltimoresun.com)August 2026 medicmedic Kratovil defeated Harris by a margin of 0.79 percentage points. As of 2026, this is the first, and to date, the only time Andy Harris lost in the district,It was also the only time Harris was defeated in any election. as he would go on to defeat Kratovil two years later and win every election since then. Republican primary Nominee Andy Harris, state senator Eliminated in primary Wayne Gilchrest, incumbent U.S. representative E. J. Pipkin, state senator Joe Arminio, author Robert Banks, former state official Results thumb|2008 GOP primary results by county: #FACA33 Harris #FDE387 40–50% #FACA33 50–60% #D0A828 60–70% #E27F7F Gilchrest #FFC8CD 30–40% #FFB2B2 40–50% #E27F7F 50–60% #D75D5D 60–70% #B380FF Thomas #E6CDFF 30–40% Republican primary results Andy Harris Republican Party (United States) 33,627 43.44% Wayne Gilchrest (incumbent) Republican Party (United States) 25,624 33.10% E. J. Pipkin Republican Party (United States) 15,700 20.28% Joe Arminio Republican Party (United States) 1,277 1.65% Robert Banks Republican Party (United States) 1,186 1.53% 77,414 100.0% 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 2008Tossup 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 2008Tossup 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 2008Lean 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 2008Lean 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 2008Tossup November 6, 2008 Maryland's 1st Congressional District: 2008 Democratic Party (US) Frank Kratovil 177,065 49.12% +18.01 Republican Party (US) Andy Harris 174,213 48.33% −20.47 Libertarian Party (US) Richard J. Davis 8,873 2.46% +2.46 (Write-ins) Write-ins 329 0.09 360,480 100.00 Democratic Party (United States) Republican Party (United States) District 2 thumb Maryland's 2nd congressional district The district comprises parts of Harford, Baltimore, and Anne Arundel Counties, as well as small portions of the City of Baltimore, and has been represented by Democrat Dutch Ruppersberger since 2003. Prior to serving in Congress, Ruppersberger was Baltimore County Executive from 1994 to 2002. Ruppersberger serves on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, the House Committee on Appropriations, and the Democratic Steering Committee. The Republican candidate is Richard Matthews, a 28-year-old computer systems engineer from Orchard Beach, who is also the Anne Arundel County, Maryland organizer for the Ron Paul 2008 Presidential campaign.http://www.hometownannapolis.com/vault/cgi-bin/gazette/view/2008G/02/09-01.HTM Local challengers have difficult task Allison Bourg 2008-02-09 2008-03-21 The Capital Matthews is a moderate Republican with libertarian political views on civil liberties and economic freedom. He opposes the Iraq War, and generally supports freedom of choice in both personal and economic matters. 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 Maryland's 2nd Congressional District: 2008 Democratic Party (US) Dutch Ruppersberger (incumbent) 198,578 71.86% +2.65 Republican Party (US) Richard Matthews 68,561 24.81% −5.87 Libertarian Party (US) Lorenzo Gaztanaga 8,786 3.18% +3.18 (Write-ins) Write-ins 408 0.15 +0.04 276,333 100.00 Democratic Party (US) District 3 thumb Maryland's 3rd congressional district The district comprises portions of Baltimore, Howard and Anne Arundel counties, as well as a significant part of the independent city of Baltimore, and has been represented by Democrat John Sarbanes since 2007. Sarbanes faced off against Republican candidate Thomas Harris; in this staunchly liberal district, Harris faced little chance against the popular Sarbanes. 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 Maryland's 3rd Congressional District: 2008 Democratic Party (US) John Sarbanes (incumbent) 203,711 69.66% +5.63 Republican Party (US) Thomas E. Harris 87,971 30.08% −3.68 (Write-ins) Write-ins 766 0.26 +0.16 292,448 100.00 Democratic Party (US) District 4 thumb Maryland's 4th congressional district Maryland's 4th congressional district special election, 2008 The district comprises portions of Prince George's and Montgomery Counties, and has been represented by Democrat Al Wynn since 1993. Coming off a close primary against progressive advocate Donna Edwards in 2006, Wynn faced a competitive primary against her again in 2008. While Wynn made an effort to appear more progressive, he remains one of the most conservative members of the Congressional Black Caucus. This time, Edwards defeated Wynn in the primary. Wynn then announced he would be leaving Congress before his term's expiration in January 2009, which triggered a special election.O'Malley To Push For One Special Election To Replace Wynn https://web.archive.org/web/20081031063226/http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=news-000002696824 October 31, 2008 Michael Teitelbaum, CQ Politics, April 3, 2008 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 Maryland's 4th Congressional District: 2008 Democratic Party (US) Donna Edwards 258,704 85.83% +5.16 Republican Party (US) Peter James 38,739 12.85% −5.79 Libertarian Party (US) Thibeaux Lincecum 3,384 1.12% +1.12 (Write-ins) Write-ins 604 0.20 −0.49 301,431 100.00 Democratic Party (US) District 5 thumb Maryland's 5th congressional district The district comprises all of Charles, St. Mary's, and Calvert Counties, as well as portions of Prince George's and Anne Arundel Counties. The seat has been represented by Democrat and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer since 1981. He was challenged by Collins Bailey, a businessman and fourth-term elected member of the Charles County Board of Education. 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 Maryland's 5th Congressional District: 2008 Democratic Party (US) Steny Hoyer (incumbent) 253,854 73.65% −9.03 Republican Party (US) Collins Bailey 82,631 23.97% +23.97 Libertarian Party (US) Darlene H. Nicolas 7,829 2.27% +2.27 (Write-ins) Write-ins 377 0.11 −0.44 344,691 100.00 Democratic Party (US) District 6 thumb Maryland's 6th congressional district The district comprises all of Garrett, Allegany, Washington, Frederick and Carroll Counties, as well as portions of Montgomery, Baltimore, and Harford Counties, and has been represented by Republican Roscoe Bartlett since 1993. Bartlett's district is one of the more Republican seats in heavily Democratic Maryland, and includes several western cities such as Frederick and Hagerstown. Bartlett was 82 as of June 3, 2008. While he still managed to receive 58% of the vote in 2006 against little-known Democratic opponent Andrew J. Duck, a stockbroker and U.S. Army veteran, it was nine points lower than his 2004 showing. Although there were early rumors that Bartlett would retire rather than run again, he subsequently filed his candidacy for re-election. Duck, too, ran again in 2008. In a surprise, former Cumberland Mayor Frank K. Nethken announced that he would be a candidate for the GOP nomination even if Bartlett sought re-election. While Andrew Duck ran for the Democratic nomination, he lost to Jennifer Dougherty, the former Mayor of Frederick. Roscoe Bartlett won the Republican nomination. 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 Maryland's 6th Congressional District: 2008 Republican Party (US) Roscoe Bartlett (incumbent) 190,926 57.76% −1.21 Democratic Party (US) Jennifer Dougherty 128,207 38.79% +0.36 Libertarian Party (US) Gary W. Hoover, Sr. 11,060 3.35% +3.35 (Write-ins) Write-ins 342 0.10 +0.05 330,535 100.00 Republican Party (US) District 7 thumb Maryland's 7th congressional district The district encompasses parts of Baltimore City, Baltimore County, and Howard County, and has been represented by Democrat Elijah Cummings since 1996. Cummings did not face any opposition in the Democratic primary or general election in his last election, but faced Republican Michael Hargadon and Libertarian Ronald Owens-Bey, whom he easily defeated. 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 Maryland's 7th Congressional District: 2008 Democratic Party (US) Elijah Cummings (incumbent) 227,379 79.50% −18.56 Republican Party (US) Michael T. Hargadon 53,147 18.58% +18.58 Libertarian Party (US) Ronald M. Owens-Bey 5,214 1.82% +1.82 (Write-ins) Write-ins 280 0.10 -1.84 286,020 100.00 Democratic Party (US) District 8 thumb Maryland's 8th congressional district The district mostly consists of the larger part of Montgomery County, but also includes a small portion of Prince George's County, and has been represented by Democrat Chris Van Hollen since 2003. Van Hollen has achieved national prominence as head of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. 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 Maryland's 8th Congressional District: 2008 Democratic Party (US) Chris Van Hollen (incumbent) 229,740 75.08% −1.44 Republican Party (US) Steve Hudson 66,351 21.68% −0.22 Green Party (US) Gordon Clark 6,828 2.23% +0.74 Libertarian Party (US) Ian Thomas 2,562 0.84% +0.84 Write-in All write-ins 533 0.17% 306,014 100.00 Democratic Party (US) Notes References External links Maryland State Board of Elections U.S. Congress candidates for Maryland https://web.archive.org/web/20081025011541/http://www.votesmart.org/election_congress_state.php?state_id=MD&go33.x=8&go33.y=8 October 25, 2008 at Project Vote Smart Maryland U.S. House Races from 2008 Race Tracker Campaign contributions for Maryland congressional races from OpenSecrets 2008 Maryland United States House of Representatives