United States House of Representatives elections in Missouri, 2008
Encyclopedia
The 2008 congressional elections in Missouri were held on November 4, 2008 to determine who will represent the state
of Missouri
in the United States House of Representatives
. The primary election for candidates seeking the nomination of the Republican Party, the Democratic Party, and the Libertarian Party will be held on August 5.
Missouri has nine seats in the House, apportioned according to the 2000 United States Census. Representatives are elected for two-year terms; those elected will serve in the 111th Congress
from January 4, 2009 until January 3, 2011. The election coincides with the 2008 U.S. presidential election
.
The races not forecasted as safe for the incumbent party were 6 and 9; however, the Republicans held both seats.
Incumbent Democratic Congressman William Lacy Clay, Jr.
easily dispatched with Libertarian challenger Robb Cunningham in this St. Louis-based liberal district.
Incumbent Republican Congressman Todd Akin
easily won re-election to a fifth term over Democratic nominee Bill Haas and Libertarian candidate Thomas Knapp in this conservative district rooted in the northern and western suburbs of St. Louis.
In this fairly liberal district based in the southern portion of St. Louis and previously represented by House Minority Leader
Dick Gephardt
, Democratic Congressman Russ Carnahan
easily defeated Republican Chris Sander, Libertarian Kevin Babcock, and Constitution Party candidate Cindy Redburn to win a third term.
Long-serving incumbent Democratic Congressman Ike Skelton
, the Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee
, easily defeated Republican nominee Jeff Parnell in this conservative, west-central Missouri district to win a seventeenth term.
Democratic incumbent Congressman Emanuel Cleaver
defeated Republican nominee Jacob Turk to win a third term in this fairly liberal district based in Kansas City
.
Incumbent Republican Congressman Sam Graves
survived a high-profile challenge from Democratic nominee and former Kansas City
Mayor Kay Barnes
by a much healthier margin than expected. Barnes' inability to capitalize on the strong Democratic wave sweeping the country ultimately left her defeated in this normally conservative district based in northwest Missouri.
Incumbent Republican Congressman Roy Blunt
, a former short-serving House Majority Leader defeated Democrat Richard Monroe, Libertarian Kevin Craig, and Constitution candidate Travis Maddox to easily win another term in office.
In this staunchly conservative district based in southeast Missouri, incumbent Republican Congresswoman Jo Ann Emerson
had no difficulty in dispatching Democrat Joe Allen, Libertarian Branden McCullough, and Constitution candidate Richard Smith to win another term in office.
When Republican Congressman Kenny Hulshof
declined to seek another term in favor of running for Governor
, an open seat emerged. Former Missouri State Representative
Blaine Luetkemeyer
, the Republican nominee, defeated Democratic nominee Judy Baker
, a member of the Missouri House of Representatives
by a thin margin in this normally conservative district based in northeast Missouri, a part of "Little Dixie
."
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Missouri
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
in the United States House of Representatives
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
. The primary election for candidates seeking the nomination of the Republican Party, the Democratic Party, and the Libertarian Party will be held on August 5.
Missouri has nine seats in the House, apportioned according to the 2000 United States Census. Representatives are elected for two-year terms; those elected will serve in the 111th Congress
111th United States Congress
The One Hundred Eleventh United States Congress was the meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government from January 3, 2009 until January 3, 2011. It began during the last two weeks of the George W. Bush administration, with the remainder spanning the first two years of...
from January 4, 2009 until January 3, 2011. The election coincides with the 2008 U.S. presidential election
United States presidential election, 2008
The United States presidential election of 2008 was the 56th quadrennial presidential election. It was held on November 4, 2008. Democrat Barack Obama, then the junior United States Senator from Illinois, defeated Republican John McCain, the senior U.S. Senator from Arizona. Obama received 365...
.
The races not forecasted as safe for the incumbent party were 6 and 9; however, the Republicans held both seats.
Overview
| United States House of Representatives elections in Missouri, 2008 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Votes | Percentage | Seats | +/– | |
| Democratic | 1,413,016 | 50.08% | 4 | — | |
| Republican | 1,313,018 | 46.54% | 5 | — | |
| Independents | 95,450 | 2.52% | 0 | — | |
| Totals | 2,821,484 | 100.00% | 9 | — | |
District 1
Incumbent Democratic Congressman William Lacy Clay, Jr.
William Lacy Clay, Jr.
William Lacy Clay, Jr., usually known as Lacy Clay is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2001. He is a member of the Democratic Party....
easily dispatched with Libertarian challenger Robb Cunningham in this St. Louis-based liberal district.
District 2
Incumbent Republican Congressman Todd Akin
Todd Akin
William Todd Akin is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2001. He is a member of the Republican Party.The district includes the western St. Louis suburbs of Ballwin, Kirkwood, Chesterfield, Wildwood, Town and Country, and Des Peres located along Interstate 270 in West County and the...
easily won re-election to a fifth term over Democratic nominee Bill Haas and Libertarian candidate Thomas Knapp in this conservative district rooted in the northern and western suburbs of St. Louis.
District 3
In this fairly liberal district based in the southern portion of St. Louis and previously represented by House Minority Leader
Minority leader of the United States House of Representatives
The House Minority Leader is one of the party leaders of the United States House of Representatives. This title is currently held by Democratic Representative Nancy Pelosi of California....
Dick Gephardt
Dick Gephardt
Richard Andrew "Dick" Gephardt is a lobbyist and former prominent American politician of the Democratic Party. Gephardt served as a U.S. Representative from Missouri from January 3, 1977, until January 3, 2005, serving as House Majority Leader from 1989 to 1995, and as Minority Leader from 1995 to...
, Democratic Congressman Russ Carnahan
Russ Carnahan
John Russell "Russ" Carnahan is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2005. He is a member of the Democratic Party.The district includes the southern third of the city of St. Louis and most of the southern St. Louis suburbs including most of Jefferson County and all of Ste. Genevieve County...
easily defeated Republican Chris Sander, Libertarian Kevin Babcock, and Constitution Party candidate Cindy Redburn to win a third term.
District 4
Long-serving incumbent Democratic Congressman Ike Skelton
Ike Skelton
Isaac Newton "Ike" Skelton IV is the former U.S. Representative for . During his tenure, he has served as the chairman of the House Armed Services Committee. He is a member for the Democratic Party...
, the Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee
United States House Committee on Armed Services
thumb|United States House Committee on Armed Services emblemThe U.S. House Committee on Armed Services, commonly known as the House Armed Services Committee, is a standing committee of the United States House of Representatives...
, easily defeated Republican nominee Jeff Parnell in this conservative, west-central Missouri district to win a seventeenth term.
District 5
Democratic incumbent Congressman Emanuel Cleaver
Emanuel Cleaver
Emanuel Cleaver II is a United Methodist pastor and the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2005. He is a member of the Democratic Party, and in January 2010 became chair of the Congressional Black Caucus....
defeated Republican nominee Jacob Turk to win a third term in this fairly liberal district based in Kansas City
Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and is the anchor city of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, the second largest metropolitan area in Missouri. It encompasses in parts of Jackson, Clay, Cass, and Platte counties...
.
District 6
Incumbent Republican Congressman Sam Graves
Sam Graves
Samuel B. Graves, Jr. is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2001. He is a member of the Republican Party. The district consists of Northwest Missouri and includes the portion of Kansas City north of the Missouri River and many northern suburbs.-Early life, education and career:Graves is a...
survived a high-profile challenge from Democratic nominee and former Kansas City
Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and is the anchor city of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, the second largest metropolitan area in Missouri. It encompasses in parts of Jackson, Clay, Cass, and Platte counties...
Mayor Kay Barnes
Kay Barnes
Kay Waldo Barnes is a former two-term mayor of Kansas City, Missouri. She was the Democratic nominee for of the United States House of Representatives in the 2008 election against Republican incumbent Sam Graves.-Biography:...
by a much healthier margin than expected. Barnes' inability to capitalize on the strong Democratic wave sweeping the country ultimately left her defeated in this normally conservative district based in northwest Missouri.
District 7
Incumbent Republican Congressman Roy Blunt
Roy Blunt
Roy D. Blunt is the junior United States Senator from Missouri. He is a member of the Republican Party. His Senate seat was previously held by Republican Kit Bond, until his retirement....
, a former short-serving House Majority Leader defeated Democrat Richard Monroe, Libertarian Kevin Craig, and Constitution candidate Travis Maddox to easily win another term in office.
District 8
In this staunchly conservative district based in southeast Missouri, incumbent Republican Congresswoman Jo Ann Emerson
Jo Ann Emerson
Jo Ann Emerson is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 1996. The district consists of Southeast and South Central Missouri and includes the Bootheel, the Lead Belt and the Ozarks. Emerson is a member of the Republican Party....
had no difficulty in dispatching Democrat Joe Allen, Libertarian Branden McCullough, and Constitution candidate Richard Smith to win another term in office.
District 9
When Republican Congressman Kenny Hulshof
Kenny Hulshof
Kenneth C. "Kenny" Hulshof is a politician from the U.S. state of Missouri, and represented in the United States House of Representatives. He was the unsuccessful nominee of the Republican Party for Governor of Missouri in the 2008 election.- Biography :...
declined to seek another term in favor of running for Governor
Missouri gubernatorial election, 2008
-Polling:-Results:-See also:* U.S. gubernatorial elections, 2008* Missouri gubernatorial election, 2004* Missouri Lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2008-External links:* from the Missouri Secretary of State* at Project Vote Smart...
, an open seat emerged. Former Missouri State Representative
Missouri House of Representatives
The Missouri House of Representatives is the lower chamber of the Missouri General Assembly. It has 163 members, representing districts with an average size of 31,000 residents. House members are elected for two-year terms during general elections held in even-numbered years.In 1992 Missouri...
Blaine Luetkemeyer
Blaine Luetkemeyer
Blaine Luetkemeyer is the U. S. Representative for , serving since 2009. He is a member of the Republican Party. The district contains most of Northeastern Missouri. As a result of the 2010 Census Missouri will lose a Congressional district effective 2013...
, the Republican nominee, defeated Democratic nominee Judy Baker
Judy Baker
Judith W. "Judy" Baker was a Democratic member of the Missouri House of Representatives, representing the 25th District from 2005-2009...
, a member of the Missouri House of Representatives
Missouri House of Representatives
The Missouri House of Representatives is the lower chamber of the Missouri General Assembly. It has 163 members, representing districts with an average size of 31,000 residents. House members are elected for two-year terms during general elections held in even-numbered years.In 1992 Missouri...
by a thin margin in this normally conservative district based in northeast Missouri, a part of "Little Dixie
Little Dixie
-Communities:*Little Dixie, Arkansas, unincorporated community in Arkansas on the Woodruff-Prairie county line*Little Dixie, California, former community in Kern County*Little Dixie, Kentucky, also known as Dixiefield, in Henderson County, Kentucky...
."
External links
- Elections from the Missouri Secretary of State
- U.S. Congress candidates for Missouri at Project Vote SmartProject Vote SmartProject Vote Smart is a non-profit, non-partisan research organization that collects and distributes information on candidates for public office in the United States...
- Campaign contributions for Missouri congressional races from OpenSecrets.orgCenter for Responsive PoliticsThe Center for Responsive Politics is a non-profit, nonpartisan research group based in Washington, D.C. that tracks money in politics and the effect of money and lobbying activity on elections and public policy and maintains a public online database of its information.Their database...