The 2008 congressional elections in West Virginia was held on November 4, 2008, to determine who would represent the state of West Virginia in the United States House of Representatives. Representatives are elected for two-year terms; whoever is elected will serve in the 111th Congress from January 4, 2009, until January 3, 2011. The election coincided with the 2008 U.S. presidential election.
West Virginia has three seats in the House, apportioned according to the 2000 United States census. Its 2007–2008 congressional delegation consisted of two Democrats and one Republican. As of , this is the last time that Democrats won both a majority of congressional districts and the House popular vote in West Virginia.
Overview United States House of Representatives elections in West Virginia, 2008PartyVotesPercentageSeats+/– Democratic 432,075 66.93% 2 — Republican 213,339 33.05% 1 — Independents 146 0.02% 0 — Totals 645,560 100.00% 3 —
District 1
Democratic incumbent Alan Mollohan ran unopposed.
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
Republican incumbent Shelley Moore Capito (campaign website) won against Democratic nominee Anne Barth (campaign website), a longtime former aide to U.S. Senator Robert Byrd. CQ Politics ranked the race 'Leans Republican'. The Rothenberg Political Report considered it 'Republican Favored'.2008 House Ratings The Rothenberg Political Report, October 14, 2008 The Cook Political Report considered it 'Likely Republican'.2008 Competitive House Race Chart The Cook Political Report, October 16, 2008
In 2006, Capito was reelected with 57%, a solid margin, but not a sign of political security. She faced a potentially difficult challenge from state Sen. John Unger (D), but Unger surprised many when he dropped out of the race.Mannix Porterfield, State Sen. Unger running for U.S. Congress The Register Herald May 21, 2007 Retrieved June 2, 2007
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
Democratic incumbent Nick Rahall was challenged by Republican Marty Gearheart.
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 Elections at the West Virginia Secretary of State U.S. Congress candidates for West Virginia at Project Vote Smart Campaign contributions for West Virginia congressional races from OpenSecrets