The 2008 United States Senate election in Colorado was held November 4, 2008. The primary elections were held August 12, 2008. Incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Wayne Allard decided to retire instead of seeking a third term. Democratic nominee Mark Udall won the open seat, making this the first time a Democrat won this seat since 1972, and that Democrats held both Senate seats since 1979.
Democratic primary Candidates Mark Udall, U.S. Representative
Results
Republican primary Candidates Bob Schaffer, Colorado State Board of Education member, former U.S. Representative and candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2004
Results
General election Campaign The election featured an open contest because incumbent U.S. Senator Wayne Allard declined to seek re-election. He honored his 1996 pledge to serve no more than two terms in the U.S. Senate and announced that he would retire from his service to the US Senate and not seek a 3rd term, leaving Colorado's Class II Senate seat open. Both parties believed this senate contest would be one of the most competitive senate races during the 2008 election.
Predictions SourceRankingAs of The Cook Political Report October 23, 2008 CQ PoliticsRace Ratings Chart: Senate CQ Politics October 31, 2008 Rothenberg Political Report November 2, 2008 Real Clear Politics October 28, 2008
Polling Poll source Dates administered MarkUdall (D) BobSchaffer (R)Hill Research ConsultantsHill Research Consultants August 26–28, 2007 45% 40%Ciruli AssociatesCiruli Associates September 12–15, 2007 36% 35%SurveyUSASurveyUSA October 27–30, 2007 48% 41%Rasmussen ReportsRasmussen Reports November 28, 2007 41% 42%Research for ChangeResearch for Change December 3–5, 2007 39% 37%Rasmussen ReportsRasmussen Reports February 11, 2008 43% 44%McLaughlin & Associates/Coalition for a Democratic WorkplaceMcLaughlin & Associates/Coalition for a Democratic Workplace March 6–9, 2008 44% 32%Rasmussen Reports March 17, 2008 46% 43%New Leadership USA/TargetPointNew Leadership USA/TargetPoint March 31 – April 7, 2008 45% 45%Rasmussen ReportsRasmussen Reports April 16, 2008 45% 42%Rasmussen Reports May 19, 2008 47% 41%Rasmussen ReportsRasmussen Reports June 17, 2008 49% 40%Garin-Hart-Yang/DSCCGarin-Hart-Yang/DSCC June 15–17, 2008 46% 37%QuinnipiacQuinnipiac June 26, 2008 48% 38%Public Policy Polling (PPP)Public Policy Polling(PPP) July 10, 2008 47% 38%Keith FrederickKeith Frederick July 22, 2008 48% 39%Rasmussen Reports July 22, 2008 49% 46%QuinnipiacQuinnipiac July 24, 2008 44% 44%Rasmussen Reports August 13, 2008 50% 42%Hill Research ConsultantsHill Research Consultants August 24, 2008 41% 38%Tarrance GroupTarrance Group September 3, 2008 41% 40%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling September 21, 2008 48% 40%QuinnipiacQuinnipiac September 14–21, 2008 48% 40%Rasmussen Reports September 23, 2008 46% 44%Denver PostDenver Post September 29 – October 1, 2008 43% 38%Ciruli Associates October 1, 2008 45% 38%Rasmussen Reports October 16, 2008 51% 44%
Results
Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic Alamosa (largest municipality: Alamosa) Arapahoe (largest city: Aurora) Broomfield Chaffee (largest city: Salida) Conejos (largest municipality: Manassa) Eagle (largest municipality: Edwards) Grand (Largest city: Granby) Garfield (largest municipality: Glenwood Springs) Jefferson (largest city: Lakewood) Larimer (largest city: Fort Collins) Mineral (Largest city: Creede) Ouray (largest city: Ouray) San Juan (largest municipality: Silverton)
See also 2008 United States Senate elections
References
External links Elections Center from the Colorado Secretary of State U.S. Congress candidates for Colorado at Project Vote Smart Colorado, U.S. Senate from CQ Politics Colorado U.S. Senate from OurCampaigns.com
Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets Schaffer (R) vs Udall (D) graph of multiple polls from Pollster.com Official campaign websites (Archived) Bob Kinsey, Green Party candidate Bob Schaffer, Republican candidate Mark Udall, Democratic candidate