The 2008 United States Senate election in South Carolina was held on November 4, 2008, to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the State of South Carolina. Incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham won election to a second term.US Senate recount shows Conley to face Graham. WBTV 3 News. June 16, 2008. Accessed November 17, 20082008 General election statewide results. South Carolina State Election Commission. Accessed November 17, 2008.
Republican primary Candidates Tim Carnes,Tim Carnes former pastor Lindsey Graham, incumbent U.S. senator Buddy Witherspoon, former national committeeman of the South Carolina Republican Party
Polling Source Date Graham Witherspoon CarnesPublic Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling January 17, 2008 52% 5% 4%
Results
Democratic primary Candidates Bob Conley, pilot Michael Cone, attorney
Campaign Conley, a conservative Democrat, supported ending illegal immigration, "protecting American workers," bringing American troops home from the Iraq War, increasing veterans' benefits, reducing American dependence on foreign oil, tougher regulations on Wall Street (bringing back Glass-Steagall), ending Wall Street bailouts, repealing the Patriot Act, "cutting spending," and "fidelity to the Constitution." He also opposed same-sex marriage.
Michael Cone, Conley's primary opponent, criticized Conley for being too conservative, saying, "We've nominated a Republican in a Democratic primary." Conley was a Republican but left the party due to frustration over immigration, trade, and the Iraq War. Some compared him to Republican Congressman Ron Paul, as Conley supported Paul in his presidential campaign.Elonkey. Bob Conley: "The Ron Paul Democrat" June 23, 2008
Results
Conley defeated Cone in the primary election on June 16, following a recount, by a margin of 1,058 votes.US Senate recount shows Conley to face Graham. WBTV 3 News.
General election Candidates Bob Conley (D), pilot Lindsey Graham (R), incumbent U.S. senator
Campaign Conley, who had switched to the Democratic Party from the Republican Party,Graham's Dem challenger was SC county GOP official. International Herald Tribune, June 20, 2008. Accessed November 17, 2008 was opposed by much of the Democratic establishment because of his controversial positions, such as his vocal opposition to immigration reform and same-sex marriage and his support of Ron Paul's presidential bid. A number of prominent Democratic figures in the state, including U.S. Congressman Jim Clyburn, supported Lindsey Graham over Conley in the general election.Graham easily wins second term. The State, November 5, 2008. Accessed November 17, 2008. Political scientist Bill Moore claimed, "The bottom line is, by not paying attention to this race, they ended up embarrassed by what has transpired: a Republican getting the Democratic Party's nomination for U.S. Senate and a Republican who comes across as even more conservative than Lindsey Graham."
Graham had $3.8 million. He spent more time on the campaign trail for John McCain than he did defending his own seat. Conley only raised $23,628 during the campaign. Conley was so unknown that even Graham admitted "Almost no one knows my opponent. The Democrats really didn't field a — make a serious challenge — in terms of trying to find an opponent for me."Republican Graham aims to turn aside Dem challenge | SCNOW
Despite Conley's landslide defeat, he is the last Democrat to carry McCormick County in a Senate election as of 2023.
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 November 4, 2008
Polling Poll Source Dates administered Conley GrahamPublic Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling July 9–11, 2008 32% 54%Rasmussen ReportsRasmussen Reports September 18, 2008 41% 50%Survey USASurvey USA September 21–22, 2008 40% 54%Survey USASurvey USA October 12–13, 2008 40% 56%Survey USASurvey USA October 28–29, 2008 39% 58%
Results
Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican Calhoun (largest town: St. Matthews) Darlington (largest city: Hartsville) Dillon (largest city: Dillon) Abbeville (largest city: Abbeville) Chesterfield (largest city: Cheraw) Lancaster (largest city: Lancaster)
See also 2008 United States Senate elections 2008 United States House of Representatives elections in South Carolina
References
External links South Carolina State Election Commission U.S. Congress candidates for South Carolina at Project Vote Smart South Carolina, U.S. Senate from CQ Politics South Carolina U.S. Senate from OurCampaigns.com Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets Graham (R-i) vs Conley (D) graph of multiple polls from Pollster.com Official campaign websites (archived) Lindsey Graham Bob Conley John J. Cina