2008 United States Senate election in Iowa

The 2008 United States Senate election in Iowa was held on November 4, 2008. Incumbent Senator Tom Harkin sought re-election to a fifth and final term in office. Unlike Harkin's three previous reelection bids, he was not challenged by a sitting United States Congressman but instead faced small businessman Christopher Reed, who won the Republican primary by just a few hundred votes. Harkin defeated Reed in a landslide, winning 94 of Iowa's 99 counties. , this is the last time that a Democrat has won a U.S. Senate election in Iowa.

Democratic primary Candidates Tom Harkin, incumbent U.S. senator

Results

Republican primary Candidates George Eichhorn, former Iowa state representative Steve Rathje, construction company executive Christopher Reed, small businessman

Results

General 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 November 4, 2008

Polling

Poll source Dates administered ChristopherReed (R) TomHarkin (D)Survey USASurvey USA April 21–23, 2008 20% 59%Research 2000Research 2000 June 10, 2008 37% 53%Rasmussen ReportsRasmussen Reports July 10, 2008 37% 55%Rasmussen ReportsRasmussen Reports August 7, 2008 36% 60%Rasmussen ReportsRasmussen Reports September 17–18, 2008 37% 60%Survey USASurvey USA October 23, 2008 41% 57%Rasmussen ReportsRasmussen Reports October 29, 2008 35% 61%

Results

Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic Butler (largest city: Parkersburg) Crawford (largest city: Denison) Delaware (largest city: Manchester) Van Buren (Largest city: Keosauqua) Plymouth (largest city: Le Mars) Grundy (largest city: Grundy Center) Harrison (largest city: Missouri Valley) Cass (largest city: Atlantic) Ida (largest city: Ida Grove) Fremont (largest city: Sidney) Pottawattamie (largest city: Council Bluffs) Sac (largest city: Sac City) Shelby (largest city: Harlan) Marion (largest city: Pella) Mills (largest city: Glenwood) Montgomery (largest city: Red Oak) Mahaska (largest city: Oskaloosa)

By congressional district Harkin won all five congressional districts, including two that elected Republicans. District Harkin Reed Representative 67% 33%Bruce Braley 68% 32%Dave Loebsack 60% 40%Leonard Boswell 62% 38%Tom Latham 55% 45%Steve King

See also 2008 United States Senate elections

References