2008 United States Senate election in West Virginia

The 2008 United States Senate election in West Virginia was held on November 4, 2008, to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the state of West Virginia. Democratic incumbent Jay Rockefeller won re-election to a fifth term in a landslide, defeating Republican former nominee Jay Wolfe. As of 2026, this election is the last time a Democrat won West Virginia's Class II U.S. Senate seat.

Democratic primary Candidates Nominee Jay Rockefeller, incumbent U.S. senator (1985–2015) Eliminated in primary Sheirl Fletcher Billy Hendricks

Results

Republican primary Candidates Nominee Jay Wolfe, former state senator for SD-13, and nominee in 1988 and 2002

Results Wolfe was unopposed for the Republican nomination.

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 Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error JayRockefeller (D) JayWolfe (R) Other UndecidedPublic Policy Polling (D)October 29–30, 20082,128 (LV)± 2.1%58%40%–2%Rasmussen ReportsSeptember 24, 2008500 (LV)± 4.5%61%33%1%5%

Results

Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic Morgan (largest municipality: Berkeley Springs)

See also 2008 United States elections

Notes

References

External links Elections from the West Virginia Secretary of State U.S. Congress candidates for West Virginia at Project Vote Smart West Virginia, U.S. Senate from CQ Politics West Virginia U.S. Senate from OurCampaigns.com West Virginia U.S. Senate race from 2008 Race Tracker Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets Official campaign websites (Archived) Jay Rockefeller, Democratic candidate Jay Wolfe, Republican candidate