2008 United States Senate elections

Senate Seats up for election:

  Two Republican incumbents

  Republican incumbent

  Retiring Republican

  Democratic incumbent

  No election

Elections for the United States Senate will be held on November 4 2008, with 35 of the 100 seats in the Senate being contested. Thirty-three seats are regular elections; the winners will be eligible to serve six-year terms from January 3 2009 until January 3 2015 as members of Senate Class II. There are also two special elections: one in Wyoming and another in Mississippi; the winners will serve the remainder of terms that expire on January 32013, as members of Senate Class I.

The 2008 presidential election, gubernatorial elections, and House of Representatives elections will occur on the same date, as well as many state and local elections.

The current composition of the Senate, going into the 2008 election, consists of 49 Republicans, 49 Democrats, and two independents (Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Joe Lieberman of Connecticut, who both caucus with Democrats). Of the seats up for election in 2008, 23 are held by Republicans and 12 by Democrats.

There may be changes to the list of incumbents below if senators die or resign. The date of a death or resignation determines if there will be a special election in 2008, and the rules vary from state to state.

Predictions

Democrats possess a field advantage in 2008, needing to defend only 12 seats, while Republicans must defend 23. In addition, five Republicans and no Democrats have announced that they are retiring. The open seat gap between the parties is the biggest in 50 years.

Political pundits often use statewide results of recent presidential elections for comparison with subsequent Senate elections. Six of the 12 Democrats are from states won by George W. Bush in the 2004 election (Arkansas, Iowa, Louisiana, Montana, South Dakota, and West Virginia) while four of the 23 Republicans are from states won by John Kerry (Maine, Minnesota, New Hampshire, and Oregon).

Below is a table summarizing various non-partisan election analyses. Although the nomenclature varies slightly, the categories can be understood as follows:
"Safe" -- the race is not expected to become competitive.
"Favored" -- the race is currently not competitive, but may become competitive if new political factors intervene.
"Leans" -- the race is competitive, but one candidate has a clear advantage.
"Tossup" -- neither candidate has a clear advantage.

The ratings below are current as of January 282008.

Races where one party is considered "Safe" by all sources are not included in the table. Currently these include:
SAFE DEMOCRATIC:
Delaware, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Rhode Island, and West Virginia
SAFE REPUBLICAN:
Idaho, Kansas, Mississippi, Wyoming, and Wyoming*

Also not included in the table are the 39 Democratic and 26 Republican seats not up for election this year.

An asterisk (*) denotes a special election.

Source	Safe Democratic	Democrat Favored	Leans Democratic	Tossup	Leans Republican	Republican Favored	Safe Republican
The Cook Political Report (updates)	Arkansas Iowa Montana New Jersey	South Dakota Virginia	Louisiana	Colorado New Hampshire New Mexico	Maine Minnesota	Alaska Mississippi* Nebraska Oregon	Alabama Georgia Kentucky North Carolina Oklahoma South Carolina Tennessee Texas
CQ Politics (updates)		Arkansas Iowa Montana New Jersey South Dakota Virginia	Louisiana	Colorado Minnesota New Hampshire New Mexico	Maine Oregon	Alabama Alaska Georgia Kentucky Mississippi* Nebraska North Carolina Oklahoma South Carolina Tennessee Texas
Intrade1 (updates)	Arkansas Iowa Montana	New Jersey South Dakota Virginia	Colorado Louisiana New Hampshire New Mexico	Mississippi*	Maine Minnesota	Alaska Kentucky Nebraska North Carolina Oregon	Alabama Georgia Oklahoma South Carolina Tennessee Texas
The Rothenberg Political Report (updates)	Arkansas Iowa Montana New Jersey South Dakota	(none)	Virginia	Colorado Louisiana New Hampshire New Mexico	Maine Minnesota Oregon	Alaska Kentucky Nebraska North Carolina	Alabama Georgia Mississippi* Oklahoma South Carolina Tennessee Texas
Larry Sabato's Crystal Ball (updates)	Arkansas Iowa Montana New Jersey South Dakota	(none)	Colorado New Hampshire Virginia	Louisiana New Mexico	Alaska Maine Minnesota Mississippi* Oregon	(none)	Alabama Georgia Kentucky Nebraska North Carolina Oklahoma South Carolina Tennessee Texas
UpFront Politics (updates)	Arkansas Iowa Montana	New Jersey South Dakota Virginia	Colorado Louisiana New Hampshire	New Mexico	Maine Minnesota Oregon	Alaska Kentucky Nebraska North Carolina	Alabama Georgia Mississippi* Oklahoma South Carolina Tennessee Texas

Blue=Seats held by Democrats prior to 2008 elections
Red=Seats held by Republicans prior to 2008 elections
1=Intrade does not have named categories, but instead gives percentage chances of a given outcome, based on what the market will bear. "Safe" races are those were one candidate is given a 90% or more chance to win, "favored" are those where a candidate is given a 67% or more chance to win, "leans" are those where one candidate is favored by at least 55%, and "tossup" are those where neither candidate has 55%.

Races

Retirements

Five senators, all Republicans, — Wayne Allard (CO), John Warner (VA), Chuck Hagel (NE), Larry Craig (ID), and Pete Domenici (NM) — have announced their retirements.

Wayne Allard (R) of Colorado

Main article: United States Senate election in Colorado, 2008

In Colorado, incumbent Republican Senator Wayne Allard limited himself to two terms. On January 15, 2007, he announced he would not seek re-election. Allard has a fairly low approval ratings, suggesting this race could have been close.

Former Representative Bob Schaffer has announced his candidacy. He is helped by the fact that other possible candidates, like former Congressman Scott McInnis and Colorado Attorney General John Suthers, a former El Paso County District Attorney, decided not to run.

The Democratic nominee will almost certainly be Representative Mark Udall, (CO-2) who has announced that he will seek the seat and is unlikely to draw significant primary opposition.

The 2008 Democratic National Convention will be held in Denver. Bob Kinsey is also running as the Green Party nominee .

Larry Craig (R) of Idaho

Main article: United States Senate election in Idaho, 2008

On September 1 2007, Senator Larry Craig announced his intent to resign from the Senate effective September 30 . The announcement followed by just six days the disclosure that he had pleaded guilty on August 1 to a reduced misdemeanor charge arising out of his arrest on June 11 at the Minneapolis airport for soliciting sex with a man in the restroom. Craig found almost no support among Republicans in his home state or Washington.

On October 4, Senator Craig announced he will not seek reelection, but would remain in office until the end of his term.

Lieutenant Governor Jim Risch is the leading Republican candidate. On the Democratic side, former congressman Larry LaRocco is the leading candidate. Risch and LaRocco ran against each other in the 2006 Lieutenant Governor race, which Risch won by a wide margin.

The last Democratic Senator from Idaho was Frank Church, who was defeated in the Republican landslide of 1980 after serving four terms.

Chuck Hagel (R) of Nebraska

Main article: United States Senate election in Nebraska, 2008

In Nebraska, incumbent Republican Senator Chuck Hagel chose to retire and will not seek the 2008 Presidential nomination. This makes what was a safe Republican seat more competitive.

Republican Attorney General Jon Bruning had already declared his intent to run whether Hagel vacates the seat or not. Bruning dropped out of the race on November 20, 2007. This now makes former Governor Mike Johanns, who recently resigned as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture the likely nominee for the Republican Party.

On the Democratic side, former Senator Bob Kerrey and Omaha Mayor Mike Fahey were considered likely candidates, but both have ruled out a run. Democrats are now courting 2006 Congressional candidate Scott Kleeb for a possible run.

Nebraska state Green Party Co-Chairman Steve Larrick is also a candidate.

Pete Domenici (R) of New Mexico

Main article: United States Senate election in New Mexico, 2008

While Senator Pete Domenici had declared that he would seek reelection in New Mexico, he changed his mind and announced on October 4 that he was retiring at the end of his current term due to a degenerative brain disorder. Domenici normally would have been expected to win re-election easily, having won his current term with the support of two out of three New Mexico voters; however, he is to be investigated by the Senate Ethics Committee for his role in firing U.S. Attorney David Iglesias. Domenici's role in the developing scandal had reduced the probability he would have been re-elected, and a SurveyUSA poll showed his approval ratings at 41%, with 54% disapproving. The potential scandal may have also contributed to his decision to leave the Senate.

Rep. Tom Udall (D) had initially ruled out a run, but announced on November 12 that he is running. .

Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chavez had announced that he will run for the open seat . Chavez was the Democratic nominee for Governor in 1998. On December 7, however, he bowed out of the race and supported Udall.

One minor Democratic candidate has also expressed intent to run. Leland Lehrman, 37, edits an alternative bi-weekly newspaper in northern New Mexico.

Among Republicans, Rep. Heather Wilson, who is considered by many to be Domenici's protégé, has announced her candidacy. She has won re-election in a highly marginal district against well-financed challenges. However, she is also snared in the same U.S. Attorney controversy as Domenici, although how much damage it will cause is unclear. Rep. Steve Pearce, who represents the more conservative southern part of the state, has also announced .

John Warner (R) of Virginia

Main article: United States Senate election in Virginia, 2008

John Warner announced on August 31, 2007 that he would not seek reelection for another term. Former Governor Jim Gilmore, who recently dropped out of the 2008 presidential election, plans to run for the seat. After the state Republican Party chose to choose the 2008 U.S. Senate nominee through a convention rather than a primary, Congressman Thomas M. Davis, who was interested in running, decided against the Senate race.

Popular Democratic former Governor Mark Warner has entered the race. Early polling shows him being a strong favorite to win the seat.

Possible retirements

Ted Stevens (R) of Alaska

Main article: United States Senate election in Alaska, 2008

While Senator Ted Stevens has announced he will run for re-election for a sixth term, it is possible he will reconsider. He will be 85 years old in November, but, more importantly, the FBI and IRS are investigating Stevens. An oil company executive that bribed many Alaskan politicians paid for construction work on Stevens' personal residence. It has also been revealed that the FBI had recorded Stevens' phone calls with the Alaskan contractor who is cooperating with them.

The FBI is investigating the remodeling of Stevens home by Veco Corp. which is part of a broader corruption investigation involving Stevens' son, former State Senate President Ben Stevens. Two former Veco executives have plead guilty to paying the younger Stevens $242,000 in bribes. On July 30, 2007, the IRS and FBI raided Stevens' home in Alaska. On September 14, 2007, former Veco CEO Bill Allen testified at the trial of former State House Speaker Pete Kott that Veco paid people working to double the size of Stevens' home.

Republicans have several choices in this conservative state such as: Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell; former Lt. Gov. Loren Leman; former State Sen. John Binkley, who ran for Governor in 2006; State Senate Minority Leader Gene Therriault; State House Speaker John Harris; and State Rep. Tom Anderson.

Among Democrats mentioned, Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich, the son of popular former Democratic Rep. Nick Begich, heads the list. It also includes Democratic State Rep. Eric Croft, a reformer who garnered attention when he sought the governorship in 2006. State Senators Hollis French and Johnny Ellis as well as State Rep. Scott Kawasaki are also on the list of Democratic prospects."

On October 19, 2007, the AP reported that despite the allegations and FBI probe, several long-standing GOP Senators -- including Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX), and Kit Bond (R-MO) -- donated enough money to Stevens' re-election campaign to make it one of Stevens' most successful fund raising quarters ever.

Michael Enzi of Wyoming

Main article: United States Senate elections in Wyoming, 2008

Senator Mike Enzi is likely to be re-elected without significant opposition for a third term in strongly Republican Wyoming. However, it is still possible that he may retire [2]

Democratic incumbent races

Mark Pryor of Arkansas

Main article: United States Senate election in Arkansas, 2008

Senator Mark Pryor could be targeted in his first race as an incumbent. Pryor was the only Democrat to defeat an incumbent Republican senator in the otherwise GOP-dominated 2002 elections. While George W. Bush won Arkansas in both 2000 and 2004, he won it by a significantly smaller margin than most of the other Southern states, and the home of the Clinton family has Democrats representing three of its four U.S. House districts, as well as Democratic senior Senator Blanche Lincoln.

Currently, the only Republican who has shown interest in challenging Pryor is former U.S. Attorney Chuck Banks, who lost the GOP primary for lieutenant governor in 2006 and a race for the U.S. House in 1982. If former Governor Mike Huckabee were forced out of the Republican presidential race early, he could challenge Pryor.

Current Democratic Lieutenant Governor Bill Halter has angered a number of Democrats in the state because he has not denied rumors that he may challenge Pryor in a primary. Halter has not been known to have much influence, even though he defeated three seasoned state legislators to win the primary, and a significant primary challenge could damage Pryor.

Also in the race is Green Party candidate Rebekah Kennedy, who in 2006 ran for state attorney general, capturing 4.4% of the vote.

Joe Biden of Delaware

Main article: United States Senate election in Delaware, 2008

After dropping his presidential run following a poor showing in the Iowa caucuses, Biden is not expected to face serious opposition in his bid for re-election.

Dick Durbin of Illinois

Main article: United States Senate election in Illinois, 2008

Senate Majority Whip Richard Durbin remains favored in Illinois. He seeks to be reelected in a state that has steadily become more Democratic since 1992. CQpolitics.com rates the contest as "safe Democrat."

Frequent candidate Anthony "Andy" Martin-Trigona, a journalist and activist lawyer, has declared his intent to run. Martin has been sanctioned in federal court for filing hundreds of lawsuits without merit. As a result of these findings, the Illinois Supreme Court denied him a law license. On May 14, Steve Sauerberg, M.D. of La Grange, a political newcomer, declared his intent to seek the Republican nomination. Sauerberg is the candidate currently supported by the Illinois Republican Party. Professional truck driver Mike Psak is also seeking the Republican nomination for this office. Psak has been campaigning since the summer of 2006, and he declared his campaign on Mar. 10, 2007.

Tom Harkin of Iowa

Main article: United States Senate election in Iowa, 2008

Senator Tom Harkin has announced he will seek re-election.

Harkin received 54% of the vote in 2002 against former Republican Congressman Greg Ganske. In 2006, the Democrats gained two of Iowa's U.S. House seats and won majorities in both chambers of the state legislature as well as retaining the Iowa Governor's Mansion.

As of April 2007, veteran Iowa political reporter David Yepsen was reporting that Harkin, having raised over $2 million, was unlikely to face a big-name Republican challenge. In a subsequent article, he wrote that it was possible that wealthy propane retailer Bruce Rastetter, formerly in the hog-feeding business, was a potential candidate for Republicans.

Steve Rathje, a businessman from Cedar Rapids, has entered the race.

Conservative Rep. Steve King (R-IA-5) has become increasingly vocal about the proposal to pass legislation that allows immigrants in the United States illegally a path to citizenship and has recently sparred with Harkin over the issue. This has led to some speculation that King has not ruled out running.

Mary Landrieu of Louisiana

Main article: United States Senate election in Louisiana, 2008

Senator Mary Landrieu was elected in 1996 following a recount and was narrowly re-elected in 2002 in a runoff election. Landrieu must now endure the loss of many reliable Democratic voters since Hurricane Katrina dispersed many African-Americans from New Orleans. Louisiana elected David Vitter in 2004, the state's first Republican senator since Reconstruction. Louisiana's electoral votes also went to George W. Bush in 2000 and 2004

On August 27, 2007, state Treasurer John N. Kennedy announced he was switching parties from Democrat to Republican. On November 29th, after being personally recruited by Vitter and former Bush administration official Karl Rove, Kennedy announced plans to challenge Landrieu in 2008 . A Survey poll shows him trailing Landrieu 42% to 46%.

John Kerry of Massachusetts

Main article: United States Senate election in Massachusetts, 2008

Senator John Kerry will seek another Senate term in Massachusetts. An August 2007 poll put Kerry's approval rating at 47%, with 45% disapproving.

Republican author and conservative activist Jerome Corsi, known for his public criticism of Kerry, had stated that he would run for the seat in 2008 but later changed his mind. Another challenger to Kerry is Jeff Beatty, an ex-Army Delta Force officer who garnered 30% of the vote in a challenge to Democratic Congressman Bill Delahunt in 2006. In addition, Jim Ogonowski, a retired Air Force pilot who was narrowly defeated by now-Representative Niki Tsongas in a 2007 special election, is considering the race as is former congressman Peter Blute.

Kerry is being challenged by defense attorney Edward O'Reilly for the Democratic nomination.

Carl Levin of Michigan

Main article: United States Senate election in Michigan, 2008

Senator Carl Levin has announced he will seek a sixth term in Michigan.

With the Democratic Party takeover of Capitol Hill in the 2006 midterm elections, Levin, as chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, has become one of the most powerful people in Washington. He is expected to easily win re-election. Members of Congress Candice Miller (R-MI-10) and Mike J. Rogers (R-MI-8) have declined to challenge him. Levin's opponent in 2002, Republican former State Representative Andrew Raczkowski, along with Republican State Representative Jack Hoogendyk are preparing to declare their candidacies to challenge Levin.

Max Baucus of Montana

Main article: United States Senate election in Montana, 2008

Senator Max Baucus is a popular Democrat in Montana, representing a state that has long been fairly Republican but also is receptive to Democrats in state and local elections. President Bush won Montana by more than 20 points in both 2000 and 2004, but Montana also has a popular Democratic governor, Brian Schweitzer, and a newly elected Democratic junior senator, Jon Tester. Baucus is unlikely to face a significant challenge.

Rep Denny Rehberg was thought to be a potential candidate, which would have made the race a rematch of the 1996 contest, but on July 6, 2007 Rehberg announced that he would seek to remain in the House. Michael Lange, the recently-ousted state House Majority Leader, announced on June 29, 2007 that he would challenge Baucus. However, former state Senator Bob Keenan has been approached by Republican leaders about a possible candidacy, due to their worries that Lange is not a viable candidate.

Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey

Main article: United States Senate election in New Jersey, 2008

Senator Frank Lautenberg has indicated that he will seek reelection in 2008 at the age of 84, although other Democratic politicians have also shown interest in running in New Jersey, including Congressmen Rob Andrews (NJ-1) and Rush Holt (NJ-12). It is unclear if any of these Democrats will actually challenge Lautenberg. In November, 2006, he had the lowest approval rating of any Democrat running for re-election in 2008 (with 39% approving and 45% disapproving),, with his approval standing only at 42% as of September 2007 with voters saying he does not deserve re-election 46%-36%

Among Republicans, wealthy real estate developer Anne Evans Estabrook has announced her candidacy and is supported by moderate and liberal elements in the party. Other potential Republican candidates include state Assemblyman Joseph Pennacchio and Murray Sabrin, an unsuccessful candidate in the 2000 U.S. Senate primary.

Jack Reed of Rhode Island

Main article: United States Senate election in Rhode Island, 2008

In Rhode Island, Democratic Senator Jack Reed had an approval rating of 66% in November 2006. National Journal has declared that "Reed is probably the safest incumbent of the [2008] cycle."

Tim Johnson of South Dakota

Main article: United States Senate election in South Dakota, 2008

In South Dakota, Senator Tim Johnson's seat could be a top GOP target in 2008, considering Johnson's narrow 524-vote victory in 2002 over then-Congressman and current U.S. Senator John Thune, as well as his recent health problems. Johnson underwent surgery in December 2006 for a Cerebral arteriovenous malformation and was discharged from the hospital on April 30, 2007. On October 19, Johnson formally announced that he is seeking re-election. According to a November 2006 SurveyUSA poll, Johnson has an approval rating of 70%, with just 26% disapproving of his performance, making him an early favorite despite the state's Republican leaning.

Republicans are attempting to persuade Governor Mike Rounds to run, and his approval ratings are similar to Johnson's. However, when the Republicans began polling potential challengers to Johnson, Rounds was not among them. State Representative Joel Dykstra (R) announced that he was running on July 5, 2007. Rounds recently indicated that he isn't interested in challenging Johnson, but would seriously consider running if Johnson were to retire.

Jay Rockefeller of West Virginia

Main article: United States Senate election in West Virginia, 2008

Senator Jay Rockefeller, great-grandson of oil tycoon John D. Rockefeller, will seek a fifth term in West Virginia. Even though West Virginia is a historically Democratic state, in which the party had a 50-32% edge in party affiliation over the Republicans in the 2004 elections, the state party is more conservative than the national party, giving 30% of its votes to President George W. Bush in that election to allow him to win then and in 2000.

Republican incumbent races

Jeff Sessions of Alabama

Main article: United States Senate election in Alabama, 2008

In Alabama, Senator Jeff Sessions is running for re-election. CQpolitics.com rates the race as "Republican Favored." On January 10, 2007, U.S. Representative Artur Davis (AL-7) announced that he will not run for the seat. Despite going heavily for Bush in 2004, Alabama still has a strong Democratic presence; Democrats control majorities of both chambers in the state legislature. Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries Ron Sparks appeared to be preparing for a run, but on June 12, 2007, Sparks announced that he will not seek the Senate seat, in order to avoid a primary battle with state Senator Vivian Davis Figures. Figures has won elections in the Republican-leaning Mobile area.

One Independent has already announced he will run. Johnny Swanson announced in March 2006.

Saxby Chambliss of Georgia

Main article: United States Senate election in Georgia, 2008

In 2002, Republican Senator Saxby Chambliss defeated Democratic incumbent Max Cleland, a decorated disabled Vietnam Veteran. Chambliss will seek reelection in 2008. As of December 2007, Chambliss has an approval rating of 53%, with 34% disapproval rating according to Strategic Vision, a Republican polling firm.

Democrat Vernon Jones, CEO of Dekalb County, has indicated an interest in running and is canvassing the state to determine voters' concerns. Jones is African-American and a conservative Democrat who voted for George W. Bush in 2004. Veteran Atlanta investigative journalist Dale Cardwell declared his candidacy in June 2007. Rep. Jim Marshall (GA-8) is under pressure to not run, as Democrats are worried the party would then lose his seat.

There has been speculation that state Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond or former Governor Roy Barnes could jump into the race to take on Chambliss. Another rumor is that former Sen. Sam Nunn may consider returning to the Senate if he does not decide to launch an independent bid for the White House in 2008. Recently, Vietnam War Veteran and ex-congressional aide to former Sen. Herman Talmadge (D-GA), Josh Lanier, has announced that he will run for the Senate in 2008. Finally, recent speculation has centered around Adj. Gen. of the Georgia National Guard, Vietnam War Veteran David Poythress, a former Labor Commissioner and Secreatry of State who retired from the National Guard in November.

Libertarian Allen Buckley is also a declared candidate along with frequent candidate Eleanor Garcia of the Socialist Workers Party.

Pat Roberts of Kansas

Main article: United States Senate election in Kansas, 2008

Senator Pat Roberts has indicated that he will seek re-election. Kansas has not elected a Democrat to the Senate since 1932. Pat Roberts currently has an approval rating of 56%.

Democrat Greg Orman, a Kansas businessman, will challenge Roberts.

Previously the Topeka Capital Journal reports that former Congressman Jim Slattery, who served in Congress for 12 years, was considering a run against Roberts. Slattery was the Democratic nominee for Governor in 1994 and lost by a wide margin. Former Congressman Dan Glickman and Former GOP House Majority Leader Joe Hoagland, who recently switched to the Democratic Party, may also run.

Mitch McConnell of Kentucky

Main article: United States Senate election in Kentucky, 2008

Democrats have made Senate Minority Leader, four-term Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky a target due to his leadership of Senate Republicans and his ties to President Bush, as well as his mediocre approval rating in the state, which is below 50%. Former Attorney General and Congressman Ben Chandler (KY-6) was the top pick among national Democrats as he has won statewide recognition and was reelected in his Republican leaning district, but he has stated he will pass on the race.

Businessman Bruce Lunsford and Andrew Horne, a Louisville attorney, and Iraq War Veteran have filed to run in the Democratic Primary, as have six other candidates.

Susan Collins of Maine

Main article: United States Senate election in Maine, 2008

In Maine, Susan Collins has informed the Lewiston Sun Journal that she intends to seek another term. Collins is likely to start as a strong favorite. Also in her favor is the landslide re-election of Maine's senior Senator, Olympia Snowe, who had the largest margin of victory of any GOP Senate candidate - besides the largely unopposed Dick Lugar (R-IN) - in the 2006 election cycle. Collins was re-elected with 58% of the vote in 2002 over State Sen. Chellie Pingree. Sen. Joe Lieberman, citing his status as an independent, endorsed Sen. Collins in her 2008 re-election bid.

On May 8, 2007, Rep. Tom Allen (ME-1) announced his candidacy on his website. He had already expressed interest in running and had been building the apparatus necessary to wage a senate campaign. On the same day a poll was released by Critical Insights, an independent polling firm in Portland, ME, which showed Sen. Collins as the clear early favorite, with Collins leading Allen 57% to 30%, and another poll shows Collins with a lead of 57% to 32%.

Norm Coleman of Minnesota

Main article: United States Senate election in Minnesota, 2008

Senator Norm Coleman won a tight contest in 2002 against former VP Walter Mondale after incumbent Paul Wellstone (DFL), died in an October plane crash. Many of Minnesota's more experienced politicos saw Coleman's electoral success as emanating directly from the reports of the Wellstone memorial as highly partisan and not, as many say, a rightward drift in Minnesota politics. In 2006, popular Republican Governor Tim Pawlenty barely won re-election, Democrat Amy Klobuchar defeated retiring Republican representative Mark Kennedy in a senate race, and the Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) party took large majorities in the State House, gaining 19 seats, and made further gains in the state senate. Six term Republican representative Gil Gutknecht was also defeated that year.

Comedian and former radio talk show host Al Franken confirmed on the final broadcast of his radio show Air America, February 14, 2007, that he will run for the Senate seat in 2008. He had publicly speculated about running for some time and in 2005, he established the Midwest Values PAC to lay the groundwork for that campaign. Attorneys Mike Ciresi and Jim Cohen have also entered the race. Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer, a professor at the University of St Thomas, joined the race in October of 2007.

The 2008 Republican National Convention is being held in the capital city of Saint Paul, where Coleman was once Mayor (elected in 1993 as a moderate-to-conservative DFLer and re-elected in 1997 as a Republican).

A December 2007 poll has his approval rating at 53%.

On June 12, 2007, Joe Repya announced that he is considering challenging Coleman in the Republican primary. The previous week Repya ran for election of the chair of the Minnesota GOP. He lost that election. Repya, a retired lieutenant colonel, is a pro-Iraq War activist and formerly advised Coleman on military and veterans issues in his 2002 campaign. Michael Cavlan the 2006 Green Party candidate for the United States Senate is running again in 2008.

Early polling showed Coleman with a large lead over prospective Democratic opponents; however, the polls have considerably narrowed since then, with a January 29 Minnesota Public Radio poll showing the first lead by Democratic candidates Franken and Ciresi over Coleman.

Thad Cochran of Mississippi

Main article: United States Senate election in Mississippi, 2008

Incumbent Senator Thad Cochran has announced that he will seek re-election for a sixth term. Cochran has not faced serious opposition since he was reelected in 1984.

Roger Wicker (R) of Mississippi

Main article: United States Senate special election in Mississippi, 2008

Roger Wicker, formerly the representative of Mississippi's 1st congressional district, was appointed by Governor Haley Barbour on December 312007, to fill the vacancy caused by the December 18 resignation of Trent Lott. It has been speculated that Lott wished to resign before a new lobbying reform law, effective the first day of 2008, took effect; resigning before the end of 2007 will allow Lott to become a lobbyist, if he so chooses, in 2009 instead of 2010. No Republican is expected to challenge Wicker. Former governor Ronnie Musgrove and former congressman Ronnie Shows have announced that they will run for the Democratic nomination. There will be no special primary election for this race; if the top vote getter does not get a majority of the votes, a runoff election with the top two vote getters will be held three weeks later.

Controversy arose when Barbour called for the special election to be held on the same day as the general election. As a result, Mississippi's Attorney General Jim Hood challenged Barbour in court, claiming that the special election needed to be held within 100 days of Lott's resignation, as per state law. Initially, a Mississippi Circuit Court judge sided with Hood, ruling that the election take place on or before March 192008. However, Barbour filed an appeal to the Mississippi Supreme Court which overturned the earlier ruling and set the special election for November 82008.

John Sununu of New Hampshire

Main article: United States Senate election in New Hampshire, 2008

Senator John Sununu represents the swing state of New Hampshire. The state traditionally leaned Republican, but John Kerry from neighboring Massachusetts narrowly won in the 2004 Presidential election. New Hampshire also saw major Democratic gains in the 2006 elections, when Democrats took both of the previously Republican-held House seats, the gubernatorial race with a record vote share of 74%, and majorities in the State House and Senate, giving them concurrent control of both bodies for the first time since 1874. However, New Hampshire has not elected a Democratic United States Senator since 1975.

A spokesman for popular Democratic Governor John Lynch said Lynch would not run for Sununu's seat in 2008. Portsmouth' Mayor Steve Marchand (D) had announced his candidacy but withdrew from the race due to Shaheen's entry. Katrina Swett (D), wife of former Democratic congressman Richard Swett, has also announced but since then she withdrew from the race and endorsed Shaheen. Jay Buckey MD, a medical school director, Air Force Reserve flight surgeon, and former astronaut, is also running, and his non-political background could be appealing. However, Sununu's 2002 opponent, former Governor Jeanne Shaheen, has decided to run and is generally held to be a far more formidable challenger. A Rasmussen Reports poll shows Shaheen defeating Sununu by 48% to 43%. A recent poll by the American Research Group shows Sununu pulling ahead by a 52% to 41% margin.

Elizabeth Dole of North Carolina

Main article: United States Senate election in North Carolina, 2008

In North Carolina, there had been rumors that Senator Elizabeth Dole would retire from the Senate and run for governor, but she said in 2006 that she intends to run for re-election. She is believed to be the favorite unless she faces Democratic Governor Mike Easley, who will not be running for re-election because of term limits. A Dole-Easley race would be highly competitive, but Easley has indicated that he is not interested in serving in any legislature when the DSCC attempted to recruit him for the race. A January 2007 poll showed Easley defeating Dole, 44% to 41%.

Jim Neal, a financial adviser and a former national finance committee member for Wes Clark for President and the Kerry-Edwards campaigns, has entered the race, as have John Ross Hendrix and state Senator Kay R. Hagan. There are other Democrats whose names have been mentioned, such as first lady Mary Easley, state Representative/Army Major Grier Martin, retired General Henry Hugh Shelton, state Secretary of State Elaine Marshall, and state Attorney General Roy A. Cooper. A Public Policy Polling poll showed Dole leading U.S. Representative Brad Miller 44% to 33%, with 22% undecided, but Miller announced June 25 that he would not run against her.

Jim Inhofe of Oklahoma

Main article: United States Senate election in Oklahoma, 2008

In Oklahoma, Senator Jim Inhofe had been quiet about his plans for 2008. A September 2007 poll put Inhofe's approval rating at 47%, with 41% disapproving of his performance. However, Inhofe recently announced he will seek a third term.

State Senator Andrew Rice announced he will run against Inhofe, and will make a formal announcement after Labor Day.

Gordon Smith of Oregon

Main article: United States Senate election in Oregon, 2008

Senator Gordon Smith of Oregon is running for a third term, and may be vulnerable.

Oregon House of Representatives Speaker Jeff Merkley and long time Democratic activist Steve Novick are the two announced candidates for the Democratic nomination.

Smith could also draw opposition from the right. He has been singled out by the Club for Growth for not doing enough to cut taxes; anti-tax activist Bill Sizemore has not ruled out challenging Smith in the Republican primary.

Lindsey Graham of South Carolina

Main article: United States Senate election in South Carolina, 2008

Senator Lindsey Graham, as a popular Republican incumbent in strongly conservative South Carolina, is unlikely to be vulnerable to a Democratic challenge. Graham's support for a compromise immigration bill, however, has drawn an angry response from many South Carolina conservatives, which could help fuel a conservative primary challenge. Summerville businessman and "grassroots right wing conservative" John J. Cina has already launched a challenge to Graham for the Republican nomination. Recently there has been talk that former state House Speaker David Wilkins, currently United States Ambassador to Canada, may run.

Lamar Alexander of Tennessee

Main article: United States Senate election in Tennessee, 2008

Former Governor and U.S. Secretary of Education Lamar Alexander was elected in 2002 to succeed retiring Senator Fred Thompson. He has announced he will seek a second term in 2008.

Businessman Mike McWherter, son of Alexander's gubernatorial successor Ned McWherter, has met with Tennessee Democratic Party chair Gray Sasser and members of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee to discuss a possible senate candidacy. On November 27, however, McWherter announced that he would not to run for the Democratic nomination.

Campaign finance reform activist and perennial candidate John Jay Hooker will likely run for the seat, either in the Democratic Primary or as an independent in the general election. He has not, however, been considered a serious candidate since he lost the 1976 senatorial primary to Jim Sasser. His many recent statewide campaigns have been seen merely as excuses for him to file lawsuits against the opposing candidates for supposedly-unethical campaign fundraising practices and to promote his own campaign finance reform efforts.

In January, 2007, former Democratic Congressman (and 2006 U.S. Senate candidate) Harold Ford declined to run for this seat.

John Cornyn of Texas

Main article: United States Senate election in Texas, 2008

Senator John Cornyn has a 42% job approval rating as of June 2007. Texas has not elected a Democrat in a statewide election since 1994. The only announced Democratic candidates are educator Ray McMurrey and state representative and Afghanistan War Veteran Rick Noriega. Plaintiff's attorney Mikal Watts had explored a bid for the Democratic nomination but announced on October 23, 2007 his decision not to run.

Christian activist Larry Kilgore of Mansfield, Texas, is a Republican challenger for the March 2008 primary election.

There are three Libertarians, including 2006 LP senate nominee Scott Jameson, running for their party's nomination. The Green Party of Texas is seeking ballot access for its candidate David B. Collins .

John Barrasso of Wyoming

Main article: United States Senate elections in Wyoming, 2008

John Barrasso was appointed by Governor Dave Freudenthal (D) on June 22 2007 to fill the senate seat of Craig L. Thomas, who died on June 4. Wyoming law requires that the interim senator be affiliated with the same political party as the departed senator. As Thomas was a Republican, the state's Republican central committee was to provide three names to Governor Freudenthal within two weeks, and the governor then had five days to appoint a person from that list to act as interim Senator. The number of applicants for the vacant senate seat was 31. The state Republican central committee met to choose the three nominees on Tuesday, June 19; they selected Assistant U.S. Attorney General Tom Sansonetti, state senator Barrasso and former state treasurer Cynthia Lummis. Senator Barrasso will serve until a special election which will be held, concurrent with the regular 2008 election, to fill the remainder of Thomas' term, which ends in January 2013. Barrasso is expected to run in the Republican primary prior to that election. Of the two finalists who were not chosen, Sansonetti has vowed not to challenge Barrasso while Lummis initially did not rule out running but she later opted to run for the seat of retiring Rep. Barbara Cubin. Former U.S. attorney Matt Mead, who resigned (as required by the Hatch Act of 1939) to unsuccessfully apply for interim senator, chose not to reapply for his old U.S. attorney position so he may challenge Barrasso in the Republican primary.

Governor Dave Freudenthal is a possible Democratic candidate.

Summary table

State	Incumbent	Status	Announced opposing candidates	Previous Election Results
Alabama	Jeff Sessions (R)	Running for Re-election	Vivian Davis Figures (D) Johnny Swanson (D)	Jeff Sessions (R) 59%; Susan Parker (D) 40%; Other 1%
Alaska	Ted Stevens (R)	Running for Re-election	Nels Anderson (D) Rocky Caldero (D) Ted Gianoutsos (Veterans)	Ted Stevens (R) 78% ; Frank Vondersaar (D) 11%; Jim Sykes (G) 8%; Other 3%
Arkansas	Mark Pryor (D)	Running for Re-election	Rebekah Kennedy (G)	Tim Hutchinson (R) 46%; Mark Pryor (D) 54%
Colorado	Wayne Allard (R)	Retiring	Bob Schaffer (R) Vincent Martinez (R) Mark Udall (D) Bob Kinsey (G)	Wayne Allard (R) 51%; Tom Strickland (D) 46%; Other 3%
Delaware	Joe Biden (D)	Running for Re-election		Joe Biden (D) 58%; Raymond Clatworthy (R) 41%; Other 1%
Georgia	Saxby Chambliss (R)	Running for Re-election	Dale Cardwell (D) Vernon Jones (D) Rand Knight (D) Josh Lanier (D) Jon Banks (L) Allen Buckley (L)	Max Cleland (D) 46%; Saxby Chambliss (R) 53%; Other 1%
Idaho	Larry Craig (R)	Retiring	Rex Rammell (R) Jim Risch (R) Larry LaRocco (D) Marvin Richardson (I)	Larry Craig (R) 65%; Alan Blinken (D) 33%; Other 2%
Illinois	Dick Durbin (D)	Running for Re-election	Andy Martin (R) Mike Psak (R) Steve Sauerberg (R) Arno Sponeman (G) Alton Franklin (I)	Dick Durbin (D) 60%; Jim Durkin (R) 38%; Other 2%
Iowa	Tom Harkin (D)	Running for Re-election	Bob McDowell (R) Steve Rathje (R)	Tom Harkin (D) 54%; Greg Ganske (R) 44%; Other 2%
Kansas	Pat Roberts (R)	Running for Re-election	Greg Orman (D)	Pat Roberts (R) 83%; Steven Rosile (L) 9%; George Cook (Reform) 8%
Kentucky	Mitch McConnell (R)	Running for Re-election	Michael Cassaro (D) Andrew Horne (D)	Mitch McConnell (R) 65%; Lois Combs Weinberg (D) 35%
Louisiana	Mary Landrieu (D)	Running for Re-election	John N. Kennedy (R)	Mary Landrieu (D) 52%; Suzanne Haik Terrell (R) 48%
Maine	Susan Collins (R)	Running for Re-election	Tom Allen (D)	Susan Collins (R) 58%; Chellie Pingree (D) 42%
Massachusetts	John Kerry (D)	Running for Re-election	Ed O'Reilly (D) Jeff Beatty (R) Kevin Scott (R)	John Kerry (D) 80%; Michael Cloud (L) 18%; Other 2%
Michigan	Carl Levin (D)	Running for Re-election		Carl Levin (D) 60%; Andrew Raczkowski (R) 38%; Other 2%
Minnesota	Norm Coleman (R)	Running for Re-election	Mike Ciresi (DFL) Jim Cohen (DFL) Al Franken (DFL) Dick Franson (DFL) Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer (DFL) James Wellstone (MIP)	Walter Mondale (D) 47%; Norm Coleman (R) 50%; Other 3%
Mississippi	Thad Cochran (R)	Running for Re-election		Thad Cochran (R) 85%; Shawn O'Hara (Reform) 15%
Mississippi (Special)	Roger Wicker (R)	Running for Election	Ronnie Musgrove (D) Ronnie Shows (D)	Trent Lott (R) 64%; Erik Fleming (D) 35%
Montana	Max Baucus (D)	Running for Re-election	Mike Lange (R)	Max Baucus (D) 63%; Mike Taylor (R) 32%; Other 5%
Nebraska	Chuck Hagel (R)	Retiring	Mike Johanns (R) Pat Flynn (R) Steve Larrick (G)	Chuck Hagel (R) 83%; Charlie Matulka (D) 15%; Other 2%
New Hampshire	John Sununu (R)	Running for Re-election	Jeanne Shaheen (D) Jay Buckey (D) Bea Francoeur (L)	John Sununu (R) 51%; Jeanne Shaheen (D) 46%; Other 3%
New Jersey	Frank Lautenberg (D)	Running for Re-election	Anne Evans Estabrook (R) Joseph Pennacchio (R) Anthony Fisher (I)	Frank Lautenberg (D) 54%; Doug Forrester (R) 44%; Other 2%
New Mexico	Pete Domenici (R)	Retiring	Heather Wilson (R) Steve Pearce (R) Tom Udall (D) Leland Lehrman (D)	Pete Domenici (R) 65%; Gloria Tristani (D) 35%
North Carolina	Elizabeth Dole (R)	Running for Re-election	Jim Neal (D) Kay R. Hagan (D) John Ross Hendrix (D)	Elizabeth Dole (R) 54%; Erskine Bowles (D) 45%; Other 1%
Oklahoma	Jim Inhofe (R)	Running for Re-election	Andrew Rice (D)	Jim Inhofe (R) 57%; David Walters (D) 36%; James Germalic (I) 6%; Other 1%
Oregon	Gordon Smith (R)	Running for Re-election	Jeff Merkley (D) Steve Novick (D) Pavel Goberman (D) John Frohnmayer (I)	Gordon Smith (R) 56%; Bill Bradbury (D) 40%; Other 4%
Rhode Island	Jack Reed (D)	Running for Re-election		Jack Reed (D) 78%; Robert Tingle (R) 22%
South Carolina	Lindsey Graham (R)	Running for Re-election	Tim Carnes (R) John J. Cina (R)	Lindsey Graham (R) 54%; Alex Sanders (D) 44%; Other 2%
South Dakota	Tim Johnson (D)	Running for Re-election	Joel Dykstra (R) Sam Kephart (R)	Tim Johnson (D) 50%; John Thune (R) 49%; Other 1%
Tennessee	Lamar Alexander (R)	Running for Re-election	David Gatchell (I) Emory "Bo" Heyward (I)	Lamar Alexander (R) 54%; Bob Clement (D) 44%; Other 2%
Texas	John Cornyn (R)	Running for Re-election	Larry Kilgore (R) Rick Noriega (D)	John Cornyn (R) 55%; Ron Kirk (D) 43%; Other 2%
Virginia	John Warner (R)	Retiring	Mark Warner (D) Jim Gilmore (R)	John Warner (R) 83%; Nancy Spannaus (I) 10%; Jacob G. Hornberger (I) 7%
West Virginia	Jay Rockefeller (D)	Running for Re-election		Jay Rockefeller (D) 63%; Jay Wolfe (R) 37%
Wyoming	Mike Enzi (R)	Running for Re-election		Mike Enzi (R) 73%; Joyce Jansa Corcoran (D) 27%
Wyoming (Special)	John Barrasso (R)	Running for Election		Craig Thomas (R) 70%; Dale Groutage (D) 30%
State	Incumbent	Status	Announced opposing candidates	Previous Election Results

See also

• United States House elections, 2008
• United States presidential election, 2008
• United States gubernatorial elections, 2008
• United States Senate elections, 2006
• United States Senate elections, 2010

External links

• Cook Political Report 2008 Senate Race Ratings
• CQ Politics Senate Analysis