United States House of Representatives elections in Wisconsin, 2008
Encyclopedia
The 2008 congressional elections in Wisconsin were held on November 4, 2008 to determine who would represent the state
of Wisconsin
in the United States House of Representatives
. Representatives were elected for two-year terms; those elected served in the 111th Congress
from January 3, 2009 until January 3, 2011. The election coincided with the 2008 U.S. presidential election
and other Wisconsin elections
.
Wisconsin has eight seats in the House, apportioned according to the 2000 United States Census. Its 2007-2008 congressional delegation consisted of five Democrats
and three Republicans
. That remained unchanged after the 2008 congressional elections in Wisconsin as all incumbent candidate won re-election, although CQ Politics had forecasted Wisconsin's 8
district to be at some risk for the incumbent party.
In this relatively moderate district in southeast Wisconsin
, incumbent Republican Congressman Paul Ryan
has enjoyed popularity and faced no serious challenge from Democratic nominee, Marge Krupp, a chemist. Despite Barack Obama
's strong performance in Wisconsin
that year in the presidential election, Ryan was re-elected overwhelmingly.
In this very liberal district based in the Madison metropolitan area
, incumbent Democratic Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin
, the first openly-lesbian member of the House
, easily turned away a challenge from Republican candidate Peter Theron and won her sixth term with nearly seventy percent of the vote.
, incumbent Democratic Congressman Ron Kind
easily won a seventh term over Republican challenger Paul Stark.
Incumbent Democratic Congresswoman Gwen Moore
, running for her third term, faced easy re-election prospects in this very liberal district based in Milwaukee; no Republican candidate even filed to run against her. Moore crushed independent candidate Michael LaForest in a landslide.
easily defeated his only challenger, independent candidate Robert Raymond, to win a sixteenth term in Congress.
This traditionally conservative district based in the Oshkosh
-Neenah
, Metropolitan Statistical Area was narrowly won by Democratic nominee Barack Obama
in the 2008 election
, but long-serving Republican incumbent Congressman Tom Petri
held a tight grip on his seat. Petri sought and won a sixteenth term against Democratic candidate Roger Kittelson, winning handily.
Long-serving incumbent Democratic Congressman Dave Obey
held an iron grip on this district based in northwestern Wisconsin
for forty years. Seeking a twenty-first term in Congress, Obey was overwhelmingly re-elected again over Republican challenger Dan Mielke despite the centrist nature of the district.
Incumbent Congressman Steve Kagen
faced off against former Wisconsin State Assembly
Speaker John Gard
for a second time in this Republican-leaning district that is based in northeastern Wisconsin
and that includes the cities of Green Bay
and Wisconsin
. Seeking a second term, Kagen defeated Gard by a larger margin than he did in 2006, allowing him to keep this swing district under Democratic control.
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 Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
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...
. Representatives were elected for two-year terms; those elected served 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 3, 2009 until January 3, 2011. The election coincided 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...
and other Wisconsin elections
Wisconsin state elections, 2008
The Wisconsin spring nonpartisan general election was held April 1, 2008. Voters statewide cast ballots for Wisconsin Supreme Court and an amendment to the state Constitution.The Wisconsin fall partisan primary was held on September 9, 2008...
.
Wisconsin has eight seats in the House, apportioned according to the 2000 United States Census. Its 2007-2008 congressional delegation consisted of five Democrats
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
and three Republicans
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
. That remained unchanged after the 2008 congressional elections in Wisconsin as all incumbent candidate won re-election, although CQ Politics had forecasted Wisconsin's 8
Wisconsin's 8th congressional district
Wisconsin's 8th congressional district is a congressional district of the United States House of Representatives in northeastern Wisconsin. The district includes Green Bay and Appleton. It is currently represented by Reid Ribble, a Republican. Ribble defeated incumbent Democrat Steve Kagen for...
district to be at some risk for the incumbent party.
Overview
| United States House of Representatives elections in Wisconsin, 2008 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Votes | Percentage | Seats | +/– | |
| Democratic | 1,383,536 | 49.85% | 5 | — | |
| Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S... |
1,274,987 | 45.94% | 3 | — | |
| Independents | 116,651 | 4.20% | 0 | — | |
| Totals | 2,775,174 | 100.00% | 8 | — | |
District 1
In this relatively moderate district in southeast Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
, incumbent Republican Congressman Paul Ryan
Paul Ryan
Paul Ryan may refer to:* Paul Ryan , member of the U.S. House of Representatives* Paul Ryan , music agent for The Agency, former Cradle of Filth guitarist* Paul Ryan , comics artist...
has enjoyed popularity and faced no serious challenge from Democratic nominee, Marge Krupp, a chemist. Despite Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
's strong performance in Wisconsin
United States presidential election in Wisconsin, 2008
The 2008 United States presidential election in Wisconsin took place on November 4, 2008 throughout all 50 states and D.C., which was part of the 2008 United States presidential election. Voters chose 10 representatives, or electors to the Electoral College, who voted for President and Vice...
that year in the presidential election, Ryan was re-elected overwhelmingly.
District 2
In this very liberal district based in the Madison metropolitan area
Madison metropolitan area
The Madison Metropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the United States Census Bureau, is an area consisting of three counties in Wisconsin, anchored by the city of Madison. As of the 2010 census, the MSA had a population of 568,593.-Definitions:...
, incumbent Democratic Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin
Tammy Baldwin
Tammy Suzanne Green Baldwin is the U.S. Representative for Wisconsin's 2nd congressional district, serving since 1999. She is a member of the Democratic Party. In September 2011, Baldwin announced she would be a candidate in the 2012 U.S...
, the first openly-lesbian member of the House
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...
, easily turned away a challenge from Republican candidate Peter Theron and won her sixth term with nearly seventy percent of the vote.
District 3
In this relatively liberal district based in western WisconsinWisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
, incumbent Democratic Congressman Ron Kind
Ron Kind
Ronald James "Ron" Kind is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 1997. He is a member of the Democratic Party. His district is located in the western portion of the state and is anchored by La Crosse and Eau Claire and Platteville....
easily won a seventh term over Republican challenger Paul Stark.
District 4
Incumbent Democratic Congresswoman Gwen Moore
Gwen Moore
Gwendolynne Sophia Moore is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2005. She is a member of the Democratic Party.The district is based in Milwaukee and also includes South Milwaukee, Cudahy and St. Francis, and part of West Allis. She is the first woman to represent the district...
, running for her third term, faced easy re-election prospects in this very liberal district based in Milwaukee; no Republican candidate even filed to run against her. Moore crushed independent candidate Michael LaForest in a landslide.
District 5
In the wealthiest and most conservative district in Wisconsin, based in the northern suburbs of Milwaukee, long-serving incumbent Republican Congressman Jim SensenbrennerJim Sensenbrenner
Frank James Sensenbrenner, Jr. is an American politician who has been a member of the Republican Party in the United States House of Representatives since 1979, representing . The district, the state's richest, includes many of Milwaukee's northern and western suburbs, and extends into rural...
easily defeated his only challenger, independent candidate Robert Raymond, to win a sixteenth term in Congress.
District 6
This traditionally conservative district based in the Oshkosh
Oshkosh, Wisconsin
As of the census of 2000, there were 62,916 people, 24,082 households, and 13,654 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,662.2 people per square mile . There were 25,420 housing units at an average density of 1,075.6 per square mile...
-Neenah
Neenah, Wisconsin
Neenah is a city on Lake Winnebago in Winnebago County, Wisconsin, United States. Its population was 24,507 at the 2000 census. The city is bordered by, but is politically independent of, the Town of Neenah. Neenah is the southwestern-most of the Fox Cities of Northeast Wisconsin...
, Metropolitan Statistical Area was narrowly won by Democratic nominee Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
in the 2008 election
United States presidential election in Wisconsin, 2008
The 2008 United States presidential election in Wisconsin took place on November 4, 2008 throughout all 50 states and D.C., which was part of the 2008 United States presidential election. Voters chose 10 representatives, or electors to the Electoral College, who voted for President and Vice...
, but long-serving Republican incumbent Congressman Tom Petri
Tom Petri
Thomas Evert Petri is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 1979. He is a member of the Republican Party. The district includes most of the east-central part of the state.-Early life, education, and early career:...
held a tight grip on his seat. Petri sought and won a sixteenth term against Democratic candidate Roger Kittelson, winning handily.
District 7
Long-serving incumbent Democratic Congressman Dave Obey
Dave Obey
David Ross "Dave" Obey is the former U.S. Representative for , serving 21 consecutive terms from 1969 until 2011. The district includes much of the northwestern portion of the state, including Wausau and Superior...
held an iron grip on this district based in northwestern Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
for forty years. Seeking a twenty-first term in Congress, Obey was overwhelmingly re-elected again over Republican challenger Dan Mielke despite the centrist nature of the district.
District 8
Incumbent Congressman Steve Kagen
Steve Kagen
Steven Leslie Kagen, M.D. is a physician and was the U.S. Representative for , serving from 2007 to 2011. He is a member of the Democratic Party...
faced off against former Wisconsin State Assembly
Wisconsin State Assembly
The Wisconsin State Assembly is the lower house of the Wisconsin Legislature. Together with the smaller Wisconsin Senate, the two constitute the legislative branch of the U.S. state of Wisconsin....
Speaker John Gard
John Gard
John Gard was a Republican member of the Wisconsin State Assembly representing the 89th Assembly District from 1987 until 2007. He served as Speaker of the State Assembly from 2003 until 2007....
for a second time in this Republican-leaning district that is based in northeastern Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
and that includes the cities of Green Bay
Green Bay, Wisconsin
Green Bay is a city in and the county seat of Brown County in the U.S. state of Wisconsin, located at the head of Green Bay, a sub-basin of Lake Michigan, at the mouth of the Fox River. It has an elevation of above sea level and is located north of Milwaukee. As of the 2010 United States Census,...
and Wisconsin
Appleton, Wisconsin
Appleton is a city in Outagamie, Calumet, and Winnebago Counties in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. It is situated on the Fox River, 30 miles southwest of Green Bay and 100 miles north of Milwaukee. Appleton is the county seat of Outagamie County. The population was 78,086 at the 2010 census...
. Seeking a second term, Kagen defeated Gard by a larger margin than he did in 2006, allowing him to keep this swing district under Democratic control.
External links
- State of Wisconsin Congressional Districts
- Elections Division from the Wisconsin Government Accountability Board
- Wisconsin U.S. House Races from 2008 Race Tracker
- Campaign contributions for Wisconsin 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...
- Politics Plus State and Local Elections from the Milwaukee Journal SentinelMilwaukee Journal SentinelThe Milwaukee Journal Sentinel is a daily morning broadsheet printed in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA. It is the primary newspaper in Milwaukee, the largest newspaper in Wisconsin and is distributed widely throughout the state...
newspaper