2008 United States House of Representatives elections

The 2008 United States House of Representatives elections were held on November 4, 2008, to elect members to the United States House of Representatives to serve in the 111th United States Congress from January 3, 2009, until January 3, 2011. It coincided with the election of Barack Obama as president. All 435 voting seats, as well as all 6 non-voting seats, were up for election. The Democratic Party, which won a majority of seats in the 2006 election, expanded its control in 2008.

The Republican Party, hoping to regain the majority it lost in the 2006 election or at least expand its congressional membership, lost additional seats. With one exception (Louisiana's 2nd district), the only seats to switch from Democratic to Republican had been Republican-held prior to the 2006 elections. Republicans gained five Democratic seats total, while losing 26 of their own, giving the Democrats a net gain of 21 seats, effectively erasing all gains made by the GOP since 1994. In addition, with the defeat of Republican congressman Chris Shays in Connecticut's 4th district, this became the first time since the 1850s that no Republican represented the New England region.

The 10.6% popular vote advantage by the Democrats was the largest by either party since 1982, 26 years earlier, and as of 2022 remains the most recent time that either party won by a double-digit margin in the overall popular vote for the House of Representatives. Turnout increased due to the concurrent presidential election. The presidential election, 2008 Senate elections, and 2008 gubernatorial elections, as well as many other state and local elections, occurred on the same date. This was the first and, as of 2022, the only election since 1980 in which the party of a newly elected president simultaneously gained seats in the House. It was the only time since 1994, and the last time until 2018, that Republicans held less than 200 House seats.

As of 2022, this remains the last election in which Democrats won house seats in Idaho, North Dakota, and South Dakota, the last election in which Democrats won more than one seat in Alabama, and the last election in which Democrats won a majority of seats in Arkansas, Indiana, Mississippi, Ohio, Tennessee, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. It is also the last time Republicans won a seat in Delaware.

Per state

 * The number of non-voting members also includes the non-voting member-elect from Puerto Rico, Pedro Pierluisi, who is a member of the New Progressive Party of Puerto Rico, but will caucus with the Democrats. The New Progressive Party is affiliated with both the Democratic and Republican Parties and the last representative from Puerto Rico, Luis Fortuño, caucused with the Republicans. The vote total for the non-voting members also includes the Popular Democratic Party of Puerto Rico, which has ties to the Democratic Party.
 * Both non-voting independents, American Samoa's representative Eni Faleomavaega and the Northern Mariana Islands' representative-elect Gregorio Sablan, will caucus with the Democrats. In America Samoa all elections are non-partisan. In the Northern Mariana Islands, Sablan appeared on the ballot as an independent.

Retiring incumbents
Thirty-three incumbents voluntarily retired.

Democratic incumbents
All seven seats held by retiring Democrats were won by Democrats.
 * 1) Alabama's 5th congressional district: Bud Cramer: "[T]o spend more time with my family and begin another chapter in my life"
 * 2) CA's 12th congressional district: Tom Lantos: died February 11, 2008, having already announced his planned retirement.
 * 3) Colorado's 2nd congressional district: Mark Udall: Ran for and won the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Wayne Allard.
 * 4) Maine's 1st congressional district: Tom Allen: Ran against and lost to Susan Collins in the U.S. Senate election.
 * 5) New Mexico's 3rd congressional district: Tom Udall: Ran for and won the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Pete Domenici.
 * 6) New York's 21st congressional district: Michael McNulty: "[I]t's not what I want to do for the rest of my life."
 * 7) Oregon's 5th congressional district: Darlene Hooley: Because of the "cumulative effect of arduous travel, the relentless demands of fund-raising and 32 years of public service"

Republican incumbents
Twenty-seven Republicans retired. Thirteen of their seats were then won by Democrats (see Open seat gains, below).


 * 1) Alabama's 2nd congressional district: Terry Everett: Because of age and health
 * 2) Arizona's 1st congressional district: Rick Renzi: To fight federal criminal charges involving a land-swap deal
 * 3) California's 4th congressional district: John Doolittle: To fight an FBI corruption investigation
 * 4) California's 52nd congressional district: Duncan Hunter Ran for and lost the race for the Republican nomination for president. Already planned to retire
 * 5) Colorado's 6th congressional district: Tom Tancredo: Ran for and lost the race for the Republican nomination for President
 * 6) Florida's 15th congressional district: Dave Weldon: To return to his medical practice
 * 7) Illinois's 11th congressional district: Jerry Weller: To spend more time with his family, amid questions about his Nicaraguan land dealings, his wife's investments, and his relationship to an indicted defense contractor
 * 8) Illinois's 18th congressional district: Ray LaHood (On December 19, 2008, President-elect Barack Obama announced his intention to nominate LaHood to serve as the next Secretary of Transportation.) He was later confirmed.
 * 9) Kentucky's 2nd congressional district: Ron Lewis
 * 10) Louisiana's 4th congressional district: Jim McCrery
 * 11) Minnesota's 3rd congressional district: Jim Ramstad
 * 12) Mississippi's 3rd congressional district: Chip Pickering
 * 13) Missouri's 9th congressional district: Kenny Hulshof: Ran for and lost the election for governor
 * 14) New Jersey's 3rd congressional district: Jim Saxton: Because of age and health
 * 15) New Jersey's 7th congressional district: Mike Ferguson: To spend more time with his family
 * 16) New Mexico's 1st congressional district: Heather Wilson: Ran in and lost the Republican primary for New Mexico's open U.S. Senate seat
 * 17) New Mexico's 2nd congressional district: Steve Pearce: Ran for and lost the election for New Mexico's open U.S. Senate seat
 * 18) New York's 13th congressional district: Vito Fossella: Amid scandal following a drunk driving arrest which led to revelations of infidelity and a secret family he maintained in Virginia
 * 19) New York's 25th congressional district: Jim Walsh
 * 20) New York's 26th congressional district: Tom Reynolds
 * 21) Ohio's 7th congressional district: Dave Hobson: "I wanted to go out on top"
 * 22) Ohio's 15th congressional district: Deborah Pryce: To spend more time with her family
 * 23) Ohio's 16th congressional district: Ralph Regula
 * 24) Pennsylvania's 5th congressional district: John Peterson: To spend more time with his family
 * 25) Puerto Rico's at-large congressional district: Luis Fortuño: Ran for and won the Governorship of Puerto Rico defeating Gov. Aníbal Acevedo Vilá
 * 26) Virginia's 11th congressional district: Thomas M. Davis: "It's time for me to take a sabbatical"
 * 27) Wyoming's at-large congressional district: Barbara Cubin

Incumbents defeated in primary election
One Republican lost in a primary and the seat was eventually won by a Democrat. One Democrat lost the primary as did two Republicans. The three primary winners, however, managed to retain the seat for the same party.
 * 1) Maryland's 1st congressional district: Wayne Gilchrest (R), whose seat was later won by a Democrat
 * 2) Maryland's 4th congressional district: Albert Wynn (D), who subsequently resigned May 31, 2008
 * 3) Utah's 3rd congressional district: Chris Cannon (R)
 * 4) Tennessee's 1st congressional district: David Davis (R)

Incumbents defeated in general election
Fourteen Republicans and five Democrats lost their general elections, thereby losing their seats to the other party.


 * 1) Colorado's 4th congressional district: Marilyn Musgrave (R)
 * 2) Connecticut's 4th congressional district: Christopher Shays (R)
 * 3) Florida's 8th congressional district: Ric Keller (R)
 * 4) Florida's 16th congressional district: Tim Mahoney (D)
 * 5) Florida's 24th congressional district: Tom Feeney (R)
 * 6) Idaho's 1st congressional district: Bill Sali (R)
 * 7) Kansas's 2nd congressional district: Nancy Boyda (D)
 * 8) Louisiana's 2nd congressional district: William J. Jefferson (D)
 * 9) Louisiana's 6th congressional district: Don Cazayoux (D)
 * 10) Michigan's 7th congressional district: Tim Walberg (R)
 * 11) Michigan's 9th congressional district: Joe Knollenberg (R)
 * 12) Nevada's 3rd congressional district: Jon Porter (R)
 * 13) New York's 29th congressional district: Randy Kuhl (R)
 * 14) North Carolina's 8th congressional district: Robin Hayes (R)
 * 15) Ohio's 1st congressional district: Steve Chabot (R)
 * 16) Pennsylvania's 3rd congressional district: Phil English (R)
 * 17) Texas's 22nd congressional district: Nick Lampson (D)
 * 18) Virginia's 2nd congressional district: Thelma Drake (R)
 * 19) Virginia's 5th congressional district: Virgil Goode (R)

Open seat gains
Twelve seats (and one delegate's seat) held by retiring Republicans were won by Democrats. No Democratic retirements were picked up by Republicans.


 * 1) Alabama's 2nd congressional district: Democratic gain.
 * 2) Arizona's 1st congressional district: Democratic gain.
 * 3) Illinois's 11th congressional district: Democratic gain.
 * 4) Maryland's 1st congressional district: Democratic gain.
 * 5) New Jersey's 3rd congressional district: Democratic gain.
 * 6) New Mexico's 1st congressional district: Democratic gain.
 * 7) New Mexico's 2nd congressional district: Democratic gain.
 * 8) New York's 13th congressional district: Democratic gain.
 * 9) New York's 25th congressional district: Democratic gain.
 * 10) Ohio's 15th congressional district: Democratic gain.
 * 11) Ohio's 16th congressional district: Democratic gain.
 * 12) Puerto Rico At-large: NPP/Democratic gain.
 * 13) Virginia's 11th congressional district: Democratic gain.

Closest races
Fifty-two races were decided by 10% or lower.

Special elections
The thirteen special elections to the 110th United States Congress are listed below by election date.

In 2008 there were eight special elections for vacant seats in the United States House of Representatives, for the 110th United States Congress. In the special elections, Democrats gained three seats while keeping hold of five seats. Republicans held only one of their four seats.

! Illinois's 14th congressional district New member elected March 8, 2008. Democratic gain.
 * Dennis Hastert
 * 1986
 * | Incumbent resigned November 26, 2007.
 * | Incumbent resigned November 26, 2007.
 * nowrap |

✅ Bill Foster (Democratic) 52.53%

Jim Oberweis (Republican) 47.47%

! Indiana's 7th congressional district New member elected March 11, 2008. Democratic hold.
 * Julia Carson
 * 1996
 * | Incumbent died December 17, 2007.
 * | Incumbent died December 17, 2007.
 * nowrap |

✅ André Carson (Democratic) 54.00%

Jon Elrod (Republican) 43.07%

Sean Shepard (Libertarian) 2.87%

! California's 12th congressional district New member elected April 8, 2008. Democratic hold.
 * Tom Lantos
 * 1980
 * | Incumbent died February 11, 2008.
 * | Incumbent died February 11, 2008.
 * nowrap |

✅ Jackie Speier (Democratic) 77.72%

Greg Conlon (Republican) 9.37%

Michelle McMurry (Democratic) 5.33%

Mike Moloney (Republican) 5.30%

Barry Hermanson (Green) 2.28%

! Louisiana's 1st congressional district New member elected May 3, 2008. Republican hold.
 * Bobby Jindal
 * 2004
 * | Incumbent resigned January 14, 2008, to become Governor of Louisiana.
 * | Incumbent resigned January 14, 2008, to become Governor of Louisiana.
 * nowrap |

✅ Steve Scalise (Republican) 75.13%

Gilda Reed (Democratic) 22.50%

R. A. Galan (Independent) 1.74%

Anthony Gentile (Independent) 0.62%

! Louisiana's 6th congressional district New member elected May 3, 2008. Democratic gain.
 * Richard Baker
 * 1986
 * | Incumbent resigned February 2, 2008, to become Director of the Managed Funds Association.
 * | Incumbent resigned February 2, 2008, to become Director of the Managed Funds Association.
 * nowrap |

✅ Don Cazayoux (Democratic) 49.20%

Woody Jenkins (Republican) 46.27%

Ashley Casey (Independent) 3.68%

Peter J. Aranyosi (Independent) 0.44%

Randall T. Hayes (Constitution) 0.40%

! Mississippi's 1st congressional district New member elected May 13, 2008. Democratic gain.
 * Roger Wicker
 * 1994
 * | Incumbent resigned December 31, 2007, when appointed U.S. Senator.
 * | Incumbent resigned December 31, 2007, when appointed U.S. Senator.
 * nowrap |

✅ Travis Childers (Democratic) 53.78%

Greg Davis (Republican) 46.22%

! Maryland's 4th congressional district New member elected June 17, 2008. Democratic hold.
 * Albert Wynn
 * 1992
 * | Incumbent resigned May 31, 2008, after losing renomination.
 * | Incumbent resigned May 31, 2008, after losing renomination.
 * nowrap |

✅ Donna Edwards (Democratic) 80.54%

Peter James (Republican) 17.78%

Thibeaux Lincecum (Libertarian) 1.06%

! Ohio's 11th congressional district New member elected November 18, 2008. Democratic hold.
 * Stephanie Tubbs Jones
 * 1998
 * | Incumbent died August 20, 2008.
 * | Incumbent died August 20, 2008.
 * nowrap |

✅ Marcia Fudge (Democratic) 97.19%

Uncontested


 * }

American Samoa
See Non-voting delegates, below.

District of Columbia
See Non-voting delegates, below.

Guam
See Non-voting delegates, below.

Louisiana
Note: In Louisiana's 2nd and 4th districts, primary runoffs were held November 4, 2008 and the general election for both of these races were held December 6, 2008.

Northern Mariana Islands
See Non-voting delegates, below.

Puerto Rico
See Non-voting delegates, below.

U.S. Virgin Islands
See Non-voting delegates, below.

Non-voting delegates


! American Samoa At-large
 * Eni Faleomavaega
 * 1988
 * Incumbent re-elected.
 * nowrap |
 * nowrap |

✅ Eni Faleomavaega (Democratic) 60.4%

Amata Coleman Radewagen (Republican) 35.0%

Rosie F. Tago Lancaster (Independent) 4.6%

! District of Columbia At-large
 * Eleanor Holmes Norton
 * 1990
 * Incumbent re-elected.
 * nowrap |
 * nowrap |

✅ Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democratic) 92.3%

Maude Hills (Green) 6.8%

! Guam At-large
 * Madeleine Bordallo
 * 2002
 * Incumbent re-elected.
 * nowrap |
 * nowrap |

✅ Madeleine Bordallo (Democratic) Uncontested

! Northern Mariana Islands At-large Independent gain.
 * colspan=3 | New seat
 * | New seat. New delegate elected.
 * nowrap |

✅ Gregorio Sablan (Independent) 24.5%

Pedro Tenorio (Republican) 20.7%

John Gonzales (Independent) 18.7%

Juan Lizama (Independent) 17.3%

Luis Cristostimo (Independent) 9.5%

David Cing (Democratic) 2.9%

Felipe Atalig (Independent) 2.5%

Chong Won (Independent) 2.4%

John Davis (Independent) 1.5%

! Puerto Rico At-large New Progressive hold. Democratic gain.
 * Luis Fortuño
 * | New Progressive/ Republican
 * 2004
 * | Incumbent retired to run for Governor of Puerto Rico. New resident commissioner elected.
 * nowrap |

✅ Pedro Pierluisi (PNP/Democratic) 53.1%

Alfredo Salazar (PPD/Democratic) 42.5%

Carlos Alberto Velazquez Lopez (PPPR) 2.4%

Jessica Martinez (PIP) 2.0%

! U.S. Virgin Islands At-large
 * Donna Christian-Christensen
 * 1996
 * Incumbent re-elected.
 * nowrap |
 * nowrap |

✅ Donna Christian-Christensen (Democratic) 99.6%


 * }