United States Senate election in Louisiana, 2008

United States Senate election in Louisiana, 2008
Louisiana
November 4, 2008
 
Nominee Mary Landrieu John Neely Kennedy
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 988,298 867,177
Percentage 52.1% 45.7%

Parish results
U.S. Senator before election

Mary Landrieu
Democratic

 Elected U.S. Senator

Mary Landrieu
Democratic

The 2008 United States Senate election in Louisiana was held on November 4, 2008. This was the first time since the 1970s that Louisiana used primaries for federal races. Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu won re-election to a third term.

Background

Landrieu's increased vulnerability was supposed to be the result of a significant drop in the state's African-American population after Hurricane Katrina, especially in Landrieu's home city of New Orleans. Louisiana also elected a Republican senator in 2004 and President Bush carried the state twice, in 2004 with 58 percent of the vote. Also, Republican Congressman Bobby Jindal won the 2007 gubernatorial election with 54 percent of the vote.

Major candidates

Democratic

Republican

Predictions

CQ Politics rated this race as 'Leans Democrat'.[1] The Cook Political Report considered it 'Lean Democrat'.[2] The Rothenberg Political Report considered it a 'Narrow Advantage for Incumbent Party'.[3] Landrieu was considered the most vulnerable Democratic senator up for re-election in 2008.[4]

Polling

Poll Source Dates administered Landrieu (D) Kennedy (R)
Rasmussen Reports October 21, 2008 53% 43%
Rasmussen Reports September 25, 2008 54% 41%
Rasmussen Reports August 17, 2008 56% 39%
Rasmussen Reports July 9, 2008 49% 44%
Southern Media & Opinion Research July 1, 2008 46% 40%
Rasmussen Reports May 28, 2008 47% 44%
Southern Media & Opinion Research March 26 - April 9, 2008 50% 38%
Survey USA December 6–10, 2007 46% 42%

Results

Landrieu despite being one of the most vulnerable incumbent senators in 2008, won on election night by 121,121 votes and 6.39%. Landrieu also won despite then-senator Barack Obama losing the state to senator John McCain.

General election results
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Mary Landrieu (Incumbent) 988,298 52.11 +0.41
Republican John Neely Kennedy 867,177 45.72 -2.58
Libertarian Richard Fontanesi 18,590 0.98 n/a
Independent Jay Patel 13,729 0.72 n/a
Independent Robert Stewart 8,780 .46 n/a
Majority 121,121 6.39 +2.99
Turnout 1,896,574
Democratic hold Swing

References

  1. ↑ Race Ratings Chart: Senate CQ Politics
  2. ↑ 2008 Senate Race Ratings The Cook Political Report, October 9, 2008
  3. ↑ 2008 Senate Ratings The Rothenberg Political Report, September 29, 2008
  4. ↑ Louisiana U.S. Senate from CQ Politics

External links