The 2008 United States House of Representatives election in Alaska was held on November 4, 2008, to determine who would represent the state of Alaska in the United States House of Representatives. Alaska has one seat in the House, apportioned according to the 2000 United States census. Representatives are elected for two-year terms; whoever was elected would serve in the 111th Congress from January 4, 2009, until January 3, 2011. The election coincided with the nationwide presidential election. The primary election was held August 26, 2008.Alaska Division of Elections

Alaska's at-large congressional district covers the entire state and had been represented by Republican Don Young since 1973. He was challenged by Democratic nominee Ethan Berkowitz and Alaskan Independence candidate Don Wright.

Berkowitz won the Democratic primary against Diane E. Benson and Jake Metcalfe. The Republican primary was so close that Young and Sean Parnell needed to wait for the overseas absentee ballots, which had until September 10, 2008, to arrive and be counted. Young held a narrow lead of 239 votes after counting the other absentee and questioned ballots on September 6, 2008.Sutton, Anne Young's slim lead grows a bit more in Alaska House race Anchorage Daily News, September 6, 2008 Final results on September 18 showed Young winning by 304 votes, and Parnell announced that he would not seek a recount.Anne Sutton, "No recount in GOP race for Alaska's House seat", Associated Press, September 18, 2008.

According to the 9/15-17 Research 2000 poll for Daily Kos, Berkowitz led Young in the general election by a 53%–39% margin, with a ±4% margin of error.AK-Sen, AK-AL: No "Palin bump" for House and Senate races kos, Daily Kos, September 18, 2008 After the primary, CQ Politics changed its forecast to 'Leans Democratic'. The Cook Political Report ranked it 'Republican Toss Up' and The Rothenberg Political Report rated it 'Democrat Favored'.

On November 12, 2008, Young was declared the winner, retaining the seat for his 19th term, despite a strong challenge from Berkowitz. Young was proclaimed winner, getting 50% of the vote compared to Berkowitz's 45%.ap.google.com, Young retains US House seat in Alaskakfor.com, Young retains US House seat in Alaska

ADL primary The "ADL" ballot contained all of the primary candidates for the Alaska Democratic Party, the Alaskan Independence Party, and Libertarian Party of Alaska.

Candidates Alaskan Independence Don Wright

Democratic Diane E. Benson, 2006 nominee, 2002 Green Party nominee for governor Ethan Berkowitz, nominee, former Minority Leader, Alaska House of Representatives Jake Metcalfe, former chair of the Alaska Democratic Party. He suspended his campaign amid allegations that his political adviser, Bill Scannell, had purchased domain names — containing Berkowitz's name — that re-directed users to a mock blog, and a San Francisco LGBT website.Web site flap prompts Alaska Democrat to give up House race AP, May 7, 2008

Results

Republican primary Candidates Gabrielle LeDoux, state representative Sean Parnell, lieutenant governor of Alaska Don Young, nominee, incumbent congressman

Results 2008 Alaska Republican House of Representatives primaryCandidateVotesPercentage Don Young (incumbent) 48,195 45.47% Sean Parnell 47,891 45.19% Gabrielle LeDoux 9,901 9.34% Totals 105,987 100.00%

General election Polling Source Date EthanBerkowitz (D) DonYoung (R)Research 2000Research 2000 May 12–14, 2008 50% 40%Research 2000Research 2000 December 3–6, 2007 49% 42%

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 Specific

General 2008 Competitive House Race Chart The Cook Political Report, November 4, 2008. 2008 House Ratings The Rothenberg Political Report, November 2, 2008

External links Race ranking and details from CQ Politics U.S. Congress candidates for Alaska at Project Vote Smart Alaska U.S. House Races from 2008 Race Tracker Campaign contributions for Alaska congressional races from OpenSecrets Young (R-i) vs Berkowitz (D) graph of collected poll results from Pollster.com 2008 Election from The Anchorage Daily News newspaper Official campaign websites Don Young for Congress, Republican Incumbent . Republican Gabrielle LeDoux for Congress , Republican Diane Benson for Congress, Democratic Ethan Berkowitz for Congress, Democratic Jake Metcalfe for Congress, Democratic