The 2008 Virginia Democratic presidential primary took place on February 12, 2008, an election day nicknamed the "Potomac Primary" because the District of Columbia and Maryland also held Democratic primaries. The Virginia Democratic primary was an open primary, and was competitive for the first time since 1988. Barack Obama won the primary, as he did the other Potomac contests that day.
Candidates Six national candidates appeared on the ballot in the Virginia primary. However, all but Obama and Hillary Clinton had withdrawn prior to the primary on February 12.
Remaining New York Senator Hillary Clinton Illinois Senator Barack Obama
Eliminated Former North Carolina Senator John Edwards Dropped out on January 30, 2008 Ohio Representative Dennis Kucinich Dropped out on January 25, 2008 New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson Dropped out on January 10, 2008 Delaware Senator Joe Biden Dropped out on January 3, 2008
Background The prior week, Barack Obama had beaten Hillary Clinton in Nebraska (68%-32%), in Washington (68%-31%) and in Louisiana (57%-36%) by large margins.
The Clinton Campaign looked towards the primary in Virginia as well as those in Maryland and Washington, D.C. which were held on the same day. Though Hillary Clinton spent more resources in the Maryland Primary, she also campaigned in Virginia, particularly in Northern Virginia.
Strategy
The Barack Obama campaign divided Virginia into 4 regions in which to campaign: Northern Virginia, Richmond, Charlottesville, and the Tidewater region in the southeast. He was expected to do well with affluent and independent voters, as well as with African-American voters, who could total 25% of the vote on primary day.
The Hillary Clinton campaign said it would focus its efforts on Prince William and Loudoun counties, especially older white professional women, and also in the unemployment plagued Southwest Virginia.
Polling
Barack Obama had a significant lead over Hillary Clinton in final polling throughout the state. Final Polling Pollster Barack Obama Hillary Clinton Survey USA 60% 38% Mason Dixon 53% 37% InsiderAdvantage 52% 37% Rasmussen 55% 37% Results
Key: Withdrewprior to contest Virginia Democratic presidential primary, 200899.95% of precincts reportingCandidateVotesPercentageNational delegatesThe Green Papers Barack Obama 627,820 63.66% 54 Hillary Clinton 349,766 35.46% 29 John Edwards 5,206 0.52% 0 Dennis Kucinich 1,625 0.16% 0 Bill Richardson 991 0.10% 0 Joe Biden 795 0.08% 0 Totals986,203100.00%83 Analysis 2008 Virginia Democratic presidential primaryDemographic subgroupObamaClinton% of total voteWhite men564227White women455435Black men93713Black women851517
See also Democratic Party (United States) presidential primaries, 2008 Virginia Republican primary, 2008
References