The 2008 United States House of Representatives elections in Iowa were held on November 4, 2008, to elect the five U.S. representatives from the State of Iowa, one from each of the state's congressional districts. All five incumbents were re-elected.
Overview United States House of Representatives elections in Iowa, 2008PartyVotesPercentageSeats+/– Democratic 759,460 51.25% 3 — Republican 698,241 47.12% 2 — Independents 24,106 1.63% 0 — Totals 1,481,807 100.00% 5 —
District 1
Democrat Bruce Braley, an attorney from Waterloo, the incumbent, was completing his first term. His Republican challenger was state Senator David Hartsuch.
As of 2025, this is the last time a Democrat running for the House received over 60% of the vote in any of Iowa's congressional districts. 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 2
Democrat Dave Loebsack of Mount Vernon, a former political science professor at Cornell College, the incumbent, was also completing his first term. His Republican challenger was U.S. Army Lt. Col. (Ret.) Dr. Mariannette Miller-Meeks of Ottumwa, Iowa. He was also challenged by the Green Party's Wendy Barth and by Brian White, who was nominated by petition.
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
Leonard Boswell, a Democrat from Des Moines, the incumbent, was completing his sixth term. His Republican challenger was Kim Schmett and his Socialist Workers Party challenger was Frank Forrestal.
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
Republican Tom Latham of Alexander, the incumbent, was completing his eighth term. His Democratic challenger was Becky Greenwald.
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
Steve King, a Republican from Kiron, the incumbent, was completing his third term. His Democratic challenger was Rob Hubler and was also challenged by independent candidate Victor Vara.
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
References
External links Candidate list from the Iowa Secretary of State's office. U.S. Congress candidates for Iowa at Project Vote Smart Iowa U.S. House Races from 2008 Race Tracker Campaign contributions for Iowa congressional races from OpenSecrets