The 2008 North Dakota gubernatorial election took place on November 4, 2008 for the post of Governor of North Dakota. Incumbent Republican governor John Hoeven was easily reelected again, defeating Democratic-NPL challenger Tim Mathern. The primaries took place on June 10, 2008. In this election, Hoeven outperformed John McCain, the Republican presidential nominee, by about 21%; McCain defeated Democratic nominee Barack Obama 53%–45% in the concurrent presidential election.
In 2022, voters voted in favor of Constitutional Measure 1 to term-limit governors. Doug Burgum, who was in his second term when the measure passed, would have been eligible to run for a third under grandfather clause, but he ultimately chose not to, making 2008 the last time an incumbent ran for a third consecutive term.
Candidates Republican John Hoeven, Governor of North Dakota Running mate: Jack Dalrymple, Lieutenant Governor of North Dakota
Democratic-NPL Tim Mathern, State Senator Running mate: Merle Boucher, State Representative
Independent DuWayne Hendrickson Running mate: Dana Brandenberg
General election
Predictions SourceRankingAs ofThe Cook Political ReportOctober 16, 2008 Rothenberg Political Report November 2, 2008 Sabato's Crystal Ball November 3, 2008Real Clear PoliticsNovember 4, 2008
Polling Source Date John Hoeven (R) Tim Mathern (D) Rasmussen Reports September 8, 2008 68% 28% Rasmussen Reports July 8, 2008 67% 27%
Results
Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican Sioux (Largest CDP: Cannon Ball)
References
External links Elections and Voting from the North Dakota Secretary of State North Dakota Governor candidates at Project Vote Smart North Dakota Governor race from OurCampaigns.com North Dakota Governor race from 2008 Race Tracker Campaign contributions from Follow the Money Hoeven (R-i) vs. Mathern (D) graph of collected poll results from Pollster.com Official campaign websites (Archived) John Hoeven, Republican incumbent nominee Tim Mathern, Democratic-NPL nominee Gregg Boyer, Independent candidate