The 2008 United States Senate election in Oklahoma was held on November 4, 2008. The statewide primary election was held July 29, with the run-off on August 26. Incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe won re-election to a third term over Democrat Andrew Rice.

This was the last time a Democrat carried any counties in an Oklahoma U.S. Senate election until 2022, and as of 2026 is the last time any Democrat did so in a regular Senate election. This is also the last Oklahoma U.S. Senate race where the winner received less than 61% of votes.

Republican primary Candidates Jim Inhofe, incumbent U.S. Senator Dennis Lopez Evelyn Rogers Ted Ryals

Results

Democratic primary Background Rice officially filed as a candidate for the United States Senate from Oklahoma on Monday, June 2, 2008.Candidates for Federal, State and Legislative Offices Oklahoma State Election Board, June 2–4, 2008"State Lawmaker To Run For U.S. Senate" , Associated Press, August 3, 2007 He won the Democratic primary against Jim Rogers, a retired schoolteacher who stressed campaign finance reform. As in earlier campaigns, Rogers refused to accept money to avoid any question of his allegiances. State Senator Kenneth Corn had earlier expressed interest in the race.

Candidates Andrew Rice, State Senator Jim Rogers

Results

General election Candidates Jim Inhofe (R), incumbent U.S. Senator Andrew Rice (D), State Senator Stephen Wallace (I), businessman

Campaign Inhofe, who in August 2008 had a 61% approval rating, emphasized his conservative record and tried to label Rice as a "committed liberal." In the debates, Rice tried to connect Inhofe to George W. Bush saying "An era allowed this to happen. George Bush came into office eight years ago with a Republican majority and ... an agenda of radical deregulation." Rice also believed in climate change, something Inhofe is known for denying. In the election, Inhofe had over $5 million in the bank. Rice had $3.8 million.

Endorsements

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 Rice InhofeBenenson Strategy GroupBenenson Strategy Group December 8–12, 2007 35% 49%Tulsa World/KOTV/SoonerPollTulsa World/KOTV/SoonerPoll December 16–19, 2007 19% 60%Research 2000/Daily KosResearch 2000/Daily Kos June 9–11, 2008 31% 53%KSWOKSWO August 12–14, 2008 41% 50%Survey USASurvey USA September 5–7, 2008 34% 56%Rasmussen ReportsRasmussen Reports September 11, 2008 39% 55%Survey USASurvey USA September 29, 2008 37% 53%Survey USASurvey USA October 19, 2008 39% 51%Survey USASurvey USA October 29, 2008 36% 56%

Results

Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican Atoka (Largest city: Atoka) Coal (Largest city: Coalgate) Bryan (Largest city: Durant) Johnston (Largest city: Tishomingo) Ottawa (Largest city: Miami) Harmon (Largest city: Hollis) Kiowa (Largest city: Hobart) Jefferson (Largest city: Waurika) Love (Largest city: Marietta) Murray (Largest city: Sulphur) Pushmataha (Largest city: Antlers) Choctaw (Largest city: Hugo) Le Flore (Largest city: Poteau) McCurtain (Largest city: Idabel) Hughes (Largest city: Holdenville) Seminole (Largest city: Seminole) Okfuskee (Largest city: Okemah) Latimer (Largest city: Wilburton) Pittsburg (Largest city: McAlester) Sequoyah (Largest city: Sallisaw) Haskell (Largest city: Stigler)

See also 2008 United States Senate elections

References

External links U.S. Congress candidates for Oklahoma at Project Vote Smart Oklahoma, U.S. Senate from CQ Politics Oklahoma U.S. Senate from OurCampaigns.com Oklahoma U.S. Senate race from 2008 Race Tracker Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets Inhofe (R-i) vs Rice (D) graph of multiple polls from Pollster.com Official campaign websites (Archived) James Inhofe, (R) Andrew Rice (D)