2008 United States Senate election in Idaho

The 2008 United States Senate election in Idaho was held on November 4, 2008, to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the state of Idaho. Republican lieutenant governor Jim Risch won his first term in office, defeating Democratic former congressman Larry LaRocco and independent perennial candidate Rex Rammell. Risch succeeded Republican incumbent Larry Craig who did not seek a fourth term.

Primary elections were held on May 27.Elections, Campaign Disclosure and Lobbyists Idaho Secretary of State

Background Incumbent Larry Craig announced his intent to resign following an incident where he allegedly solicited another man for gay sex in a public restroom. Craig later decided not to resign but did announce that he would not seek re-election. The filing deadline for the election was March 21, 2008. A total of 13 candidates filed for the seat. Republican and Democratic candidates ran for their respective nominations in the May 27 primary.

Lieutenant Governor Jim Risch defeated a crowded field for the Republican nomination, while former Congressman Larry LaRocco won the Democratic nomination in similar fashion. Conservative independents Rex Rammell and Pro-Life (formerly Marvin Richardson) also qualified for the general election ballot. Former Caldwell city council member Kent Marmon secured the Libertarian nomination. In the general election, Risch defeated LaRocco and the other candidates to keep the seat in Republican hands.

Republican primary Candidates Nominee Jim Risch, lieutenant governor of Idaho Eliminated in primary Fred Adams Brian Hefner Bill Hunter Richard Phenneger, Businessman Hal James Styles Scott Syme, Iraq War veteran Neal Thompson

Results

Democratic primary Candidates Nominee Larry LaRocco, former U.S. representative for Idaho's 1st congressional district (1991–1995) Eliminated in primary David J. Archuleta

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 Aggregate polls Source of pollaggregationDatesadministeredDatesupdated JimRisch (R) LarryLaRocco (D) Other/UndecidedMarginRasmussen ReportsSeptember 9, 2008September 9, 200858.0%30.0%12.0%Risch +28.0%RealClearPoliticsAugust 18–September 17, 2008September 17, 200851.7%30.7%17.6%Risch +21.0%Average54.9%30.4%14.7%Risch +24.5%

Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error JimRisch (R) LarryLaRocco (D) RexRammell (I) Other UndecidedResearch 2000September 16–17, 2008500 (LV)± 4.0%56%33%3%3%5%Rasmussen ReportsSeptember 9, 2008500 (LV)± 4.0%58%30%–2%9%Greg Smith PollingAugust 18–22, 2008600 (LV)± 4.0%41%30%3%–26%Research 2000July 28–30, 2008500 (LV)± 4.5%42%32%5%4%17%Celinda Lake (D)May 20–25, 2008500 (LV)± 4.5%43%28%5%–24%Robinson ResearchNovember 27 – December 12, 2007––46%27%––27%Myers Research (D)November 13–19, 2007600 (LV)–48%34%––18%SurveyUSASeptember 6, 2007534 (RV)± 4.3%52%36%––13%

Generic Republican vs. Generic Democrat Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error GenericRepublican GenericDemocrat Other UndecidedMyers Research (D)November 13–19, 2007600 (LV)–36%42%1%21%

Dirk Kempthorne vs. Larry LaRocco Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error DirkKempthorne (R) LarryLaRocco (D) Other UndecidedSurveyUSASeptember 6, 2007534 (RV)± 4.3%55%36%–9%

David Leroy vs. Larry LaRocco Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error DavidLeroy (R) LarryLaRocco (D) Other UndecidedSurveyUSASeptember 6, 2007534 (RV)± 4.3%42%39%–19%

Mike Simpson vs. Larry LaRocco Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error MikeSimpson(R) LarryLaRocco (D) Other UndecidedSurveyUSASeptember 6, 2007534 (RV)± 4.3%54%34%–12%

Lawrence Wasden vs. Larry LaRocco Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error LawrenceWasden (R) LarryLaRocco (D) Other UndecidedSurveyUSASeptember 6, 2007534 (RV)± 4.3%46%36%–17%

Dane Watkins vs. Larry LaRocco Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error DaneWatkins (R) LarryLaRocco (D) Other UndecidedSurveyUSASeptember 6, 2007534 (RV)± 4.3%40%41%–19%

Results

Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic Latah (largest municipality: Moscow) Shoshone (largest municipality: Kellogg) Teton (largest municipality: Victor)

See also 2008 United States House of Representatives elections in Idaho 2008 United States presidential election in Idaho

Notes

Partisan clients

References

External links U.S. Congress candidates for Idaho at Project Vote Smart Robinson Research Idaho, U.S. Senate from CQ Politics Idaho U.S. Senate from OurCampaigns.com Idaho U.S. Senate race from 2008 Race Tracker Campaign contributions for Idaho congressional races from OpenSecrets Official campaign websites (Archived) Jim Risch, Republican nominee , Democratic nominee Kent Marmon, Libertarian nominee Rex Rammell, Independent candidate