The 2008 United States Senate election in Alabama was held on November 4, 2008, to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the state of Alabama. Republican incumbent Jeff Sessions won re-election to a third term, defeating Democratic state senator Vivian Davis Figures.
Background On January 10, 2007, Rep. Artur Davis announced that he would not run for the seat. Despite voting heavily for George W. Bush in 2004, Alabama still had a strong Democratic presence in 2008, and Democrats controlled majorities in both chambers in the Alabama Legislature. Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries Ron Sparks appeared to be preparing for a run, but on June 12, 2007, he announced that he would not seek the Senate seat, in order to avoid a primary battle with State Senator Vivian Davis Figures.
Primary elections were held on June 3.Election Dates from the Alabama Secretary of State]
Republican primary Candidates Nominee Jeff Sessions, incumbent U.S. senator (1997–2017) Eliminated in primary Earl Mack Gavin, perennial candidate
Results
Democratic primary Candidates Nominee Vivian Davis Figures, state senator from SD-33 (1997–present) Eliminated in primary Johnny Swanson, army veteran Mark Townsend, candidate for governor in 2002
Results
Independents Candidates Darryl W. Perry (write-in), perennial candidatesenate.dwp2016.org
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 JeffSession (R) VivianFigures (D) Other UndecidedSurveyUSAOctober 27–28, 2008650 (LV)± 3.7%65%32%–3%SurveyUSAOctober 9–10, 2008697 (LV)± 3.6%64%33%–3%Rasmussen ReportsSeptember 22, 2008500 (LV)± 4.5%59%30%4%8%SurveyUSASeptember 16–17, 2008655 (LV)± 3.7%66%31%–3%Rasmussen ReportsJuly 31, 2008500 (LV)–58%31%–11%Rasmussen ReportsJune 26, 2008500 (LV)–58%34%–8%Rasmussen ReportsMay 27, 2008500 (LV)± 4.5%62%29%1%8%Rasmussen ReportsApril 2, 2008500 (LV)± 4.5%57%36%3%4%SurveyUSAAugust 25–27, 2007530 RV)± 4.3%59%37%–4%
Results
Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican Marengo (largest municipality: Linden) Pickens (Largest city: Aliceville) Colbert (Largest city: Muscle Shoals) Lawrence (Largest city: Moulton)
Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic Montgomery (largest municipality: Montgomery)
See also 2008 United States elections
Notes
Partisan clients
References
External links 2008 Election Information from the Secretary of State of Alabama U.S. Congress candidates for Alabama at Project Vote Smart Alabama U.S. Senate race from Congress.org Alabama, U.S. Senate from CQ Politics Alabama U.S. Senate race from The Green Papers Alabama U.S. Senate race from OurCampaigns.com Alabama U.S. Senate race from 2008 Race Tracker Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets Sessions (R-i) vs Figures (D) graph of multiple polls from Pollster.com Election News from Alabama Live news media Vivian Davis Figures, Democratic candidate Darryl W. Perry, Write-in candidate (Alabama Statesmen/Boston Tea Party) Jeff Sessions , Republican incumbent Johnny Swanson, Democratic candidate