The 2008 United States House of Representatives elections in Alabama were held on November 4, 2008, to determine the representation of the state of Alabama in the United States House of Representatives, coinciding with the presidential and senatorial elections. Representatives are elected for two-year terms; those elected served in the 111th Congress from January 3, 2009, until January 3, 2011.

Alabama has seven seats in the House, apportioned according to the 2000 United States census. Its 2007–2008 congressional delegation consisted of five Republicans and two Democrats. Afterwards, it contained four Republicans and three Democrats, as District 2 changed from open Republican to Democratic.

Overview

By district Results of the 2008 United States House of Representatives elections in Alabama by district:

DistrictRepublicanDemocraticOthers (write-in)TotalResult Votes % Votes % Votes % Votes %District 1 210,660 98.27% 0 0 3,707 1.73% 214,367 100.0% Republican holdDistrict 2 142,578 49.61% 144,368 50.23% 448 0.16% 287,394 100.0% Democratic gainDistrict 3 150,819 53.39% 131,299 46.48% 367 0.13% 282,485 100.0% Republican holdDistrict 4 196,741 74.76% 66,077 25.11% 349 0.13% 263,167 100.0% Republican holdDistrict 5 147,314 47.94% 158,324 51.52% 1,644 0.54% 307,282 100.0% Democratic holdDistrict 6 280,902 97.80% 0 0.00% 6,335 2.21% 287,237 100.0% Republican holdDistrict 7 0 0.00% 228,518 98.63% 3,183 1.37% 231,701 100.0% Democratic holdTotal 1,120,903 60.42% 718,367 38.72% 16,033 0.86% 1,855,303 100.0%

District 1

The 1st district was based in the Gold Coast of Alabama, including Mobile, Saraland, Bay Minette, Foley, Chatom, and Monroe. The district included all of Mobile, Baldwin, Escambia, Washington, Monroe, and parts of Clarke County. Due to redistricting, the district lost territory in portions of Clarke County to the 7th district, but gained portions of Monroe County, now having the entire county in the 1st district. The 1st district has a PVI of R+16 but voted for John McCain by 22 points in the concurring presidential election. The incumbent was Republican Jo Bonner, who was reelected with 68.10% of the vote in 2006.

The Democratic and Republican primaries were not contested, with incumbent representative Jo Bonner winning the Republican party and Thomas Fuller winning the Democratic primary. However, Fuller withdrew from the race on June 12, 2008, stating he was unable to wage a creditable campaign in the district.AP, Democrat drops out of 1st District congressional race June 12, 2008

Republican nominee Jo Bonner, incumbent U.S. representative since 2003

Democratic nominee Thomas Fuller, Chair of the Washington County Executive Committee (withdrawn)

General election Predictions SourceRankingAs of The Cook Political Report November 6, 2008 Rothenberg November 2, 2008 Sabato's Crystal Ball November 6, 2008 Real Clear Politics November 7, 2008 CQ Politics November 6, 2008

Results

District 2

This district covered southeastern Alabama, including Dothan and Montgomery. Republican Terry Everett, who had represented the district since 1993, decided to retire. Montgomery Mayor Bobby Bright won the Democratic primary. State Representative Jay Love won the Republican run-off election on July 15 against State Senator Harri Anne Smith (campaign website).Alabama - Summary Vote Results AL.com, July 17, 2008 George W. Bush won 67% in 2004 here. Bright won 50% of the vote to Love's 49%. Bobby Bright (D) (campaign website) Jay Love (R) (campaign website) 2nd district race ranking and background from CQ Politics Alabama District 2 race from OurCampaigns.org Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets Love (R) vs Bright (D) graph of collected poll results from Pollster.com

Predictions SourceRankingAs of The Cook Political Report November 6, 2008 Rothenberg November 2, 2008 Sabato's Crystal Ball November 6, 2008 Real Clear Politics November 7, 2008 CQ Politics November 6, 2008

District 3

Incumbent Republican Representative Mike Rogers won re-election with 54% of the vote. He defeated Democrat Joshua Segall by 8.19%.

Predictions SourceRankingAs of The Cook Political Report November 6, 2008 Rothenberg November 2, 2008 Sabato's Crystal Ball November 6, 2008 Real Clear Politics November 7, 2008 CQ Politics November 6, 2008

District 4

Incumbent Republican Representative Robert Aderholt won re-election with 74.76% of the vote. He defeated Democrat Nick Sparks by 49.65%.

Predictions SourceRankingAs of The Cook Political Report November 6, 2008 Rothenberg November 2, 2008 Sabato's Crystal Ball November 6, 2008 Real Clear Politics November 7, 2008 CQ Politics November 6, 2008

District 5

This district includes the counties of Colbert, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Jackson, and parts of Morgan. Democratic incumbent Bud Cramer has represented the district since 1990. He did not seek reelection and endorsed State Senator Parker Griffith.

Eight candidates were running for the seat in the June 3, 2008, primary election. On the Democratic side, State Senator Dr. Parker Griffith defeated physicist David Maker ( website), carrying 90% of the vote. Wayne Parker won the Republican runoff on July 15 against attorney Cheryl Baswell Guthrie (campaign website). In the primary, Wayne Parker failed to gain the necessary 51% vote to avoid the runoff. Guthrie had carried 18% of the vote.

A year after his election, Griffith switched parties and ran for a second term in the 2010 Republican primary.

Parker Griffith (D) - State Senator, businessman, and Huntsville's first radiation oncologist (campaign website) Wayne Parker (R) - Insurance executive, lost to Cramer in 1994 and 1996 (campaign website) 5th District race ranking and background from CQ Politics Alabama District 5 race from OurCampaigns.org Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets LoParker (R) vs Griffith (D) graph of collected poll results from Pollster.com

Predictions SourceRankingAs of The Cook Political Report November 6, 2008 Rothenberg November 2, 2008 Sabato's Crystal Ball November 6, 2008 Real Clear Politics November 7, 2008 CQ Politics November 6, 2008

District 6

The 6th district was based in the city of Birmingham's suburbs and exurbs, including Alabaster, Trussville, Vestavia Hills, Pell City, Hueytown, and portions of Birmingham. The district includes all of Chilton, Bibb, Shelby, and parts of Tuscaloosa, Jefferson, St. Clair, and Coosa Counties. Due to redistricting, the district gained more territory around Tuscaloosa and Birmingham, as well as portions of St. Clair County, along with gaining the rest of Bibb, all of Chilton, and portions of Coosa Counties. The 6th district has a PVI of R+18 but voted for John McCain by 53 points in the concurrent presidential election. The incumbent is Republican Spencer Bachus, who was reelected with 98.32% of the vote in 2006.

The Republican primary was not contested, with incumbent representative Spencer Bachus winning the nomination unopposed.

Republican nominee Spencer Bachus, incumbent U.S. Representative since 1993

General election Predictions SourceRankingAs of The Cook Political Report November 6, 2008 Rothenberg November 2, 2008 Sabato's Crystal Ball November 6, 2008 Real Clear Politics November 7, 2008 CQ Politics November 6, 2008

Results

District 7

The 7th district is based in Alabama's 'Black Belt' region, including Selma, Tuscaloosa, Eutaw, Livingston, Bessemer, and portions of Birmingham. The district includes all of Dallas, Wilcox, Marengo, Choctaw, Sumter, Greene, Hale, and parts of Jefferson, Pickens, Clarke, and Tuscaloosa Counties. Due to redistricting, the district lost all its territory in Lowndes County and its portions of Montgomery County, but gained more territory around Tuscaloosa and Birmingham. The 7th district has a PVI of D+14 but voted for Barack Obama by 45 points in the concurring presidential election. The incumbent is Democrat Artur Davis, who was reelected with 99.04% of the vote in 2006.

The Democratic primary was not contested, with incumbent representative Artur Davis winning the nomination unopposed.

Democratic nominee Artur Davis, incumbent U.S. Representative since 2003

General election Predictions SourceRankingAs of The Cook Political Report November 6, 2008 Rothenberg November 2, 2008 Sabato's Crystal Ball November 6, 2008 Real Clear Politics November 7, 2008 CQ Politics November 6, 2008

Results

References

External links U.S. Congress candidates for Alabama at Project Vote Smart Alabama U.S. House Races from 2008 Race Tracker Campaign contributions for Alabama congressional races from OpenSecrets Election News from Alabama Live news media