United States House of Representatives elections in Maryland, 2008
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This article or section contains information about an upcoming or ongoing election in the United States. Content may change as the election approaches. |
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The 2008 congressional elections in Maryland will be held on November 4, 2008 to determine who will represent the state of Maryland in the United States House of Representatives. The primary election for candidates seeking the nomination of the Republican Party or the Democratic Party was held on February 12, 2008.
Maryland has eight 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.
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[edit] Predictions
In the following predictions, CQ defines "Favored" as meaning that the races are not currently competitive but could conceivably become so under the right circumstances. "Leans" means the race is competitive but the indicated party has a distinct advantage. Other analysts use similar terms and definitions, but it cannot be assumed that their criteria are the same even if shown in the table with the same color. Hotline rankings do not use similar levels at all, and so no color can be assigned. Instead Hotline lists the most vulnerable races such that the #1 race is the seat most likely to flip.[citation needed]
Initial analysis by the sources below indicates there is a low possibility of any seat in Maryland switching parties.
| Dist. | Incumbent | CQ[1] | Rothenberg[2] |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gilchrest (lost Primary) | Favored R | Safe R |
| 2 | Ruppersberger | Safe D | Safe D |
| 3 | Sarbanes | Safe D | Safe D |
| 4 | Wynn (lost Primary) | Safe D | Safe D |
| 5 | Hoyer | Safe D | Safe D |
| 6 | Bartlett | Safe R | Safe R |
| 7 | Cummings | Safe D | Safe D |
| 8 | Van Hollen | Safe D | Safe D |
[edit] District breakdown
[edit] First district
Maryland's 1st congressional district encompasses the entire Eastern Shore of Maryland, as well as parts of Anne Arundel, Baltimore and Harford Counties, and has been represented by Republican Wayne Gilchrest since 1991.
In the Republican primary election, State Senator Andrew P. Harris defeated Gilchrest. Gilchrest faced a tough primary as a result of his vote for the bill to set a timetable on the Iraq War. Only 2 Republicans voted for the bill, which passed 218 to 212. Gilchrest is a moderate Republican who may run for the U.S. Senate in 2010, and also voted on April 25, 2007 for another Democratic Iraq War bill which passed 218-208. Harris had been endorsed by the Club for Growth,[3] former Governor Bob Ehrlich,[4] seven of eight state senators who represent parts of the district, and House Minority leader Anthony J. O'Donnell. [5]
In the Democratic primary, Queen Anne's County State Attorney Frank Kratovil is the Democratic nominee. He has been endorsed by Governor Martin O'Malley, and Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot. George W. Bush won with 62% here in 2004.
The following candidates have registered with the Maryland Board of Elections.[6]
| Candidate | Party | Occupation | Religion | Education | Birth year | Website | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frank Kratovil | Democrat | Attorney | Western Maryland College, University of Baltimore | http://frankkratovil.com/ | 2008 Democrat nominee | ||
| Andy Harris, M.D. | Republican | State Senator | Roman Catholic | The Johns Hopkins University | 1957 | http://www.andyharris08.org | 2008 Republican nominee |
| Richard J. Davis, D.D.S. | Libertarian | Dentist | 2008 Libertarian nominee |
[edit] Second district
Maryland's 2nd congressional district comprises parts of Harford, Baltimore, and Anne Arundel Counties, as well as small portions of the City of Baltimore, and has been represented by Democrat Dutch Ruppersberger since 2003. Prior to serving in Congress, Ruppersberger was Baltimore County Executive from 1994-2002. Ruppersberger serves on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, the House Committee on Appropriations, and the Democratic Steering Committee.
The following candidates are running in the November election:.[6]
| Candidate | Party | Occupation | Religion | Education | Birth year | Website | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dutch Ruppersberger | Democrat | Congressman | Methodist | University of Maryland, University of Baltimore | 1946 | http://www.dutchforcongress.com/ | Incumbent |
| Richard Pryce Matthews | Republican | Computer Systems Engineer | Christian | 1980 | http://www.richardmatthews.org/ | 2008 Republican nominee | |
| Lorenzo Gaztanaga | Libertarian | Public advocate | Christian | Loyola College, Towson State University University of Baltimore | 1949 | http://www.md.lp.org/candidates/2/ | 2008 Libertarian nominee, 2002 LP candidate for Lieutenant Governor |
[edit] Third district
Maryland's 3rd congressional district comprises portions of Baltimore, Howard and Anne Arundel counties, as well as a significant part of the independent city of Baltimore, and has been represented by Democrat John Sarbanes since 2007. Sarbanes is the son of former Maryland Senator Paul Sarbanes.
The following candidates are running in the November election:[6]
| Candidate | Party | Occupation | Religion | Education | Birth year | Website | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Sarbanes | Democrat | Congressman | Greek Orthodox | Princeton University, Harvard University | 1962 | http://www.sarbanesforcongress.com/ | Incumbent |
| Thomas E. Harris | Republican | 2008 Republican Primary Winner | |||||
| Sebastian Sassi | Libertarian | 2008 Libertarian nominee |
[edit] Fourth district
Maryland's 4th congressional district comprises portions of Prince George's and Montgomery Counties, and has been represented by Democrat Al Wynn since 1993.
Coming off a close primary against progressive advocate Donna Edwards in 2006, Wynn faced a competitive primary against her again in 2008. While Wynn made an effort to appear more progressive, he remains one of the most conservative members of the Congressional Black Caucus. This time, Edwards defeated Wynn in the primary.
Wynn announced he will be leave Congress in July which would trigger a special election.[7]
The following candidates are running in the November election:[6]
| Candidate | Party | Occupation | Religion | Education | Birth year | Website | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Donna Edwards | Democrat | Attorney | Wake Forest University, Franklin Pierce Law School | 1958 | http://www.donnaedwardsforcongress.com/ | 2008 Democratic nominee | |
| Peter James | Republican | Public advocate | Christian | University of Delaware, University of Maryland | 1955 | http://peterjames08.com | 2008 Republican nominee |
| Brian Crider | Green | Frostburg State University | 1983 | http://votecrider.com/ | 2008 Green nominee | ||
| Thibeaux Lincecum | Libertarian | http://lincecum.us/ | 2008 Libertarian nominee |
[edit] Fifth district
Maryland's 5th congressional district comprises all of Charles, St. Mary's, and Calvert Counties, as well as portions of Prince George's and Anne Arundel Counties. The seat has been represented by Democrat and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer since 1981.
The following candidates are running in the November election:[6]
| Candidate | Party | Occupation | Religion | Education | Birth year | Website | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steny Hoyer | Democrat | Congressman | Baptist | University of Maryland, Georgetown University Law Center | 1940 | http://hoyerforcongress.com/ | Incumbent, House Majority Leader |
| Collins A. Bailey | Republican | Self-employed lumber broker | Christian | Accounting, business management | 1954 | http://BaileyforUSCongress.com/ | Won 2008 Republican nomination |
| Darlene Nicholas | Libertarian | Principle Project Management Analyst for General Dynamics | Christian | http://www.md.lp.org/candidates/5/ | 2008 Libertarian nominee |
[edit] Sixth district
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Maryland's 6th congressional district comprises all of Garrett, Allegany, Washington, Frederick and Carroll Counties, as well as portions of Montgomery, Baltimore, and Harford Counties, and has been represented by Republican Roscoe Bartlett since 1993.
Bartlett's district is one of the more Republican seats in heavily Democratic Maryland, and includes several western cities such as Frederick and Hagerstown. Bartlett will be 82 in 2008, and received 58% in 2006, nine points smaller than his 2004 showing, against little-known opponent Andrew Duck. Duck may run again in 2008. Although there were early rumors that Bartlett would retire rather than run again, he has since filed his candidacy for re-election. In 2006, Bartlett defeated Democrat Andrew Duck, a stockbroker and U.S. Army veteran; Duck will run again. In a surprise, former Cumberland Mayor Frank K. Nethken announced that he would be a candidate for the GOP nomination even if Bartlett sought reelection.
The following candidates are running in the November election:[6]
| Candidate | Party | Occupation | Religion | Education | Birth year | Website | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jennifer Dougherty | Democrat | Businesswoman | Mount Saint Mary’s College | 1961 | http://www.jenniferdougherty.com/ | 2008 nominee, Former mayor of Frederick, Maryland | |
| Roscoe Bartlett | Republican | Congressman | Seventh-day Adventist | Columbia Union College, University of Maryland | 1926 | http://www.bartlettforcongress.org | Incumbent |
| Gary William Hoover, Sr. | Libertarian | http://www.hoover4congress08.com/ |
[edit] Seventh district
Maryland's 7th congressional district encompasses parts of Baltimore City, Baltimore County, and Howard County, and has been represented by Democrat Elijah Cummings since 1996. Cummings did not face any opposition in the Democratic primary or general election in 2006.
The following candidates are running on the November election:[6]
| Candidate | Party | Occupation | Religion | Education | Birth year | Website | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elijah Cummings | Democrat | Congressman | Baptist | Baltimore City College, Howard University, University of Maryland School of Law | 1951 | http://www.cummingsforcongress.com/ | Incumbent |
| Michael T. Hargadon | Republican | Dentist | Catholic, Eastern Rite | University of Maryland, Baltimore, M.S. Microbiology, University of Maryland Dental School | 1951 | http://www.HargadonforUSCongress.com | Won Republican Primary in February. |
| Ronald Owens-Bey | Libertarian | Frequent candidate of numerous parties |
[edit] Eighth district
Maryland's 8th congressional district mostly consists of the larger part of Montgomery County, but also includes a small portion of Prince George's County, and has been represented by Democrat Chris Van Hollen since 2003. Van Hollen has achieved national prominence as head of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.
The following candidates are running on the November election. [6]
| Candidate | Party | Occupation | Religion | Education | Birth year | Website | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chris Van Hollen | Democrat | Congressman | Episcopalian | Swarthmore College, Harvard University, Georgetown University | 1959 | http://www.vanhollen.org/ | Incumbent |
| Steven J. Hudson | Republican | Surgeon, Attorney | Christian | Uniformed Services University School of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Law, Marist College, University of Pittsburgh | 1968 | http://www.stevehudson2008.com/ | Won Republican Primary in February |
| Gordon Clark | Green | Political Organizer and Activist | Christian | Brown University | 1960 | http://www.clarkforcongress.net/ | 2008 Green nominee |
| Benjamin Parker | Libertarian | 2008 Libertarian nominee | |||||
| Deborah Vollmer | Write in | Attorney | http://www.deborahvollmer.com/ | Lost 2008 Democratic Primary |
[edit] References
- ^ CQPolitics Analysis: House Democrats Carry Momentum into 2008 Campaign. Congressional Quarterly.
- ^ 2008 House Ratings. Rothenberg Political Report (2007-09-08).
- ^ Club for Growth Endorses Andy Harris Andy Harris For Congress Press Release. August 13, 2007. Retrieved August 17, 2007
- ^ Ehrlich supports Harris for seat ASSOCIATED PRESS October 19, 2007. Retrieved October 19, 2007
- ^ Eleven Republican Incumbents Have to Watch Their Backs in House Primaries By CQ Staff. October 2, 2007. Retrieved October 19,2007
- ^ a b c d e f g h 2008 Presidential Election Candidates - Maryland Board of Elections
- ^ CQ Politics | Home
[edit] External links
| Preceded by 2006 elections |
United States House elections in Maryland 2008 |
Succeeded by 2010 elections |
