2008 United States House of Representatives elections in Washington

2008 United States House of Representatives elections in Washington

November 4, 2008 (2008-11-04)

All 9 Washington seats to the United States House of Representatives
  Majority party Minority party
 
Party Democratic Republican
Last election 6 3
Seats won 6 3
Seat change Steady Steady
Popular vote 1,725,316 1,189,147
Percentage 59.20% 40.80%
Swing Decrease 5.07% Increase 5.66%

The 2008 congressional elections in Washington was held on November 4, 2008, to determine who will represent the state of Washington in the United States House of Representatives. Representatives are elected for two-year terms; those 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. Nonpartisan blanket primary elections were held on August 19, 2008.[1]

Washington has nine seats in the House, apportioned according to the 2000 United States census. Its 2007-2008 congressional delegation consisted of six Democrats and three Republicans. All of the incumbents were re-elected, with only the 8th district race being considered competitive.

District 1

Incumbent Democrat Jay Inslee has represented the 1st district in Congress since 1999. Inslee won in the 2006 election with 68% of the vote. He was opposed by Republican candidate Larry Ishmael.

Primary results

Washington's 1st congressional district primary election, August 19, 2008[2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Jay Inslee 104,342 66.44%
Republican Larry Ishmael 52,700 33.56%
Total votes 157,042 100%

General election

Predictions

Source Ranking As of
The Cook Political Report[3] Safe D November 6, 2008
Rothenberg[4] Safe D November 2, 2008
Sabato's Crystal Ball[5] Safe D November 6, 2008
Real Clear Politics[6] Safe D November 7, 2008
CQ Politics[7] Safe D November 6, 2008

Results

Washington's 1st congressional district general election, November 4, 2008[8]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Jay Inslee 233,780 67.76%
Republican Larry Ishmael 111,240 32.24%
Total votes 345,020 100%

By county

County results
County[9] Jay Inslee

Democratic

Larry Ishmael

Republican

Margin Total votes
# % # % # %
King (part) 85,283 69.71% 37,062 30.29% 48,221 39.41% 122,345
Kitsap (part) 41,602 66.15% 21,284 33.85% 20,318 32.31% 62,886
Snohomish (part) 106,895 66.90% 52,894 33.10% 54,001 33.80% 159,789
Totals 233,780 67.76% 111,240 32.24% 122,540 35.52% 345,020

District 2

Incumbent Democrat Rick Larsen has represented the 2nd district in Congress since 2001. Larsen won in the 2006 election with 64% of the vote. He was opposed by Republican candidate Rick Bart. Two other Democrats challenged the two in the primary election, Doug Schaffer and Glen Johnson.

Primary results

Washington's 2nd congressional district primary election, August 19, 2008[10]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Rick Larsen 98,304 54.33%
Republican Rick Bart 68,189 37.69%
Democratic Doug Schaffer 8,857 4.89%
Democratic Glen Johnson 5,590 3.09%
Total votes 157,042 100%

General election

Predictions

Source Ranking As of
The Cook Political Report[3] Safe D November 6, 2008
Rothenberg[4] Safe D November 2, 2008
Sabato's Crystal Ball[5] Safe D November 6, 2008
Real Clear Politics[6] Safe D November 7, 2008
CQ Politics[7] Safe D November 6, 2008

Results

Washington's 2nd congressional district general election, November 4, 2008[11]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Rick Larsen 217,416 62.39%
Republican Rick Bart 131,051 37.61%
Total votes 345,020 100%

By county

County[12] Rick Larsen
Democratic
Rick Bart
Republican
Margin Total votes cast
# % # % # %
Island 24,948 61.70% 15,489 38.30% 9,459 23.39% 40,437
King (part) 198 66.89% 98 33.11% 100 33.78% 296
San Juan 7,308 72.44% 2,781 27.56% 4,527 44.87% 10,089
Skagit 34,641 64.52% 19,051 35.48% 15,590 29.04% 53,692
Snohomish (part) 87,457 59.00% 60,784 41.00% 26,673 17.99% 148,241
Whatcom 62,864 65.68% 32,848 34.32% 30,016 31.36% 95,712
Totals 217,416 62.39% 131,051 37.61% 86,365 24.78% 348,467

District 3

2008 Washington's 3rd congressional district election

 
Nominee Brian Baird Michael Delavar
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 216,701 121,828
Percentage 64.0% 36.0%

County results
Baird:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

U.S. Representative before election

Brian Baird
Democratic

Elected U.S. Representative

Brian Baird
Democratic

Incumbent Democrat Brian Baird has represented the 3rd district in Congress since 1999. Baird won in the 2006 election with 63% of the vote. He was opposed by Republican candidate Michael Delavar. Democrat Cheryl Crist and Republican Christine Webb also entered the primary.

Primary results

Washington's 3rd congressional district primary election, August 19, 2008[13]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Brian Baird 83,409 50.59%
Republican Michael Delavar 32,372 19.63%
Republican Christine Webb 27,738 16.82%
Democratic Cheryl Crist 21,356 12.95%
Total votes 164,875 100%

General election

Predictions

Source Ranking As of
The Cook Political Report[3] Safe D November 6, 2008
Rothenberg[4] Safe D November 2, 2008
Sabato's Crystal Ball[5] Safe D November 6, 2008
Real Clear Politics[6] Safe D November 7, 2008
CQ Politics[7] Safe D November 6, 2008

Results

Washington's 3rd congressional district general election, November 4, 2008[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Brian Baird 216,701 64.01%
Republican Michael Delavar 121,828 35.99%
Total votes 338,529 100%

By county

County results
County[15] Brian Baird

Democratic

Michael Delavar

Republican

Margin Total votes
# % # % # %
Clark 106,878 61.21% 67,733 38.79% 39,145 22.42% 174,611
Cowlitz 29,102 66.71% 14,523 33.29% 14,579 33.42% 43,625
Lewis 19,745 59.03% 13,705 40.97% 6,040 18.06% 33,450
Pacific 7,706 72.57% 2,913 27.43% 4,793 45.14% 10,619
Skamania (part) 2,309 60.19% 1,527 39.81% 782 20.39% 3,836
Thurston (part) 49,456 70.50% 20,699 29.50% 28,757 40.99% 70,155
Wahkiakum 1,505 67.40% 728 32.60% 777 34.80% 2,233
Totals 216,701 64.01% 121,828 35.99% 94,873 28.03% 338,529

District 4

Incumbent Republican Doc Hastings has represented the 4th district in Congress since 1995. Hastings won in the 2006 election with 60% of the vote. He was opposed by Democratic candidate George Fearing. Republican Gordon Allen Pross was eliminated in the primary.

Primary results

Washington's 4th congressional district primary election, August 19, 2008[16]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Doc Hastings 93,241 62.19%
Democratic George Fearing 49,841 33.24%
Republican Gordon Allen Pross 6,842 4.56%
Total votes 149,924 100%

General election

Predictions

Source Ranking As of
The Cook Political Report[3] Safe R November 6, 2008
Rothenberg[4] Safe R November 2, 2008
Sabato's Crystal Ball[5] Safe R November 6, 2008
Real Clear Politics[6] Safe R November 7, 2008
CQ Politics[7] Safe R November 6, 2008

Results

Washington's 4th congressional district general election, November 4, 2008[17]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Doc Hastings 169,940 63.09%
Democratic George Fearing 99,430 36.91%
Total votes 269,370 100%

By county

County results
County[18] Doc Hastings

Republican

George Fearing

Democratic

Margin Total votes
# % # % # %
Adams (part) 1,522 67.08% 747 32.92% 775 34.16% 2,269
Benton 46,603 65.23% 24,838 34.77% 21,765 30.47% 71,441
Chelan 20,270 65.49% 10,681 34.51% 9,589 30.98% 30,951
Douglas 10,108 68.52% 4,644 31.48% 5,464 37.04% 14,752
Franklin 12,408 64.06% 6,960 35.94% 5,448 28.13% 19,368
Grant 18,460 69.17% 8,227 30.83% 10,233 38.34% 26,687
Kittitas 10,095 58.57% 7,142 41.43% 2,953 17.13% 17,237
Klickitat 5,603 57.25% 4,184 42.75% 1,419 14.50% 9,787
Skamania (part) 717 52.11% 659 47.89% 58 4.22% 1,376
Yakima 44,154 58.48% 31,348 41.52% 12,806 16.96% 75,502
Totals 169,940 63.09% 99,430 36.91% 70,510 26.18% 269,370

District 5

Incumbent Republican Cathy McMorris Rodgers has represented the 2nd district in Congress since 2005. Rodgers was elected in 2006 with 56% of the vote. She was opposed by Democratic candidate Mark Mays. Barbara Lampert of the Democratic party, Republican Kurt Erickson, Libertarian John Beck and Constitution candidate Randall Yearout were eliminated in the primary.

Primary results

Washington's 5th congressional district primary election, August 19, 2008[19]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Cathy McMorris Rodgers 96,584 56.29%
Democratic Mark Mays 34,251 19.96%
Democratic Barbara Lampert 19,645 11.45%
Republican Kurt Erickson 12,155 7.08%
Constitution Randall Yearout 5,268 3.07%
Libertarian John H. Beck 3,673 2.14%
Total votes 171,576 100%

General election

Predictions

Source Ranking As of
The Cook Political Report[3] Safe R November 6, 2008
Rothenberg[4] Safe R November 2, 2008
Sabato's Crystal Ball[5] Safe R November 6, 2008
Real Clear Politics[6] Safe R November 7, 2008
CQ Politics[7] Safe R November 6, 2008

Results

Washington's 5th congressional district general election, November 4, 2008[20]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Cathy McMorris Rodgers 211,305 65.28%
Democratic Mark Mays 112,382 34.72%
Total votes 323,687 100%

By county

County results
County[21] Cathy McMorris Rodgers

Republican

Mark Mays

Democratic

Margin Total votes
# % # % # %
Adams (part) 1,964 82.45% 418 17.55% 1,546 64.90% 2,382
Asotin 6,422 67.96% 3,028 32.04% 3,394 35.92% 9,450
Columbia 1,795 81.78% 400 18.22% 1,395 63.55% 2,195
Ferry 2,448 71.60% 971 28.40% 1,477 43.20% 3,419
Garfield 1,081 80.91% 255 19.09% 826 61.83% 1,336
Lincoln 4,586 78.10% 1,286 21.90% 3,300 56.20% 5,872
Okanogan 11,082 67.37% 5,367 32.63% 5,715 34.74% 16,449
Pend Oreille 4,426 69.62% 1,931 30.38% 2,495 39.25% 6,357
Spokane 134,228 62.79% 79,531 37.21% 54,697 25.59% 213,759
Stevens 16,068 73.14% 5,902 26.86% 10,166 46.27% 21,970
Walla Walla 16,713 70.62% 6,954 29.38% 9,759 41.23% 23,667
Whitman 10,492 62.34% 6,339 37.66% 4,153 24.67% 16,831
Totals 211,305 65.28% 112,382 34.72% 98,923 30.56% 323,687

District 6

Incumbent Democrat Norm Dicks has represented the 6th district in Congress since 1977. Dicks won in the 2006 election with 71% of the vote. He was opposed by Republican candidate Doug Cloud. Green candidate Gary Murrell and Democrat Paul Richmond also entered the primary.

Primary results

Washington's 6th congressional district primary election, August 19, 2008[22]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Norm Dicks 96,862 57.26%
Republican Doug Cloud 51,300 30.33%
Democratic Paul Richmond 14,983 8.86%
Green Glen Johnson 6,014 3.56%
Total votes 169,159 100%

General election

Predictions

Source Ranking As of
The Cook Political Report[3] Safe D November 6, 2008
Rothenberg[4] Safe D November 2, 2008
Sabato's Crystal Ball[5] Safe D November 6, 2008
Real Clear Politics[6] Safe D November 7, 2008
CQ Politics[7] Safe D November 6, 2008

Results

Washington's 6th congressional district general election, November 4, 2008[23]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Norm Dicks 205,991 66.86%
Republican Doug Cloud 102,081 33.14%
Total votes 308,072 100%

By county

County results
County[24] Norm Dicks

Democratic

Doug Cloud

Republican

Margin Total votes
# % # % # %
Clallam 20,745 55.72% 16,489 44.28% 4,256 11.43% 37,234
Grays Harbor 18,783 66.64% 9,403 33.36% 9,380 33.28% 28,186
Jefferson 13,462 70.23% 5,706 29.77% 7,756 40.46% 19,168
Kitsap (part) 39,404 67.77% 18,736 32.23% 20,668 35.55% 58,140
Mason 17,710 64.11% 9,915 35.89% 7,795 28.22% 27,625
Pierce (part) 95,887 69.63% 41,832 30.37% 54,055 39.25% 137,719
Totals 205,991 66.86% 102,081 33.14% 103,910 33.73% 308,072

District 7

Incumbent Democrat Jim McDermott has represented the 7th district in Congress since 1989. McDermott won in the 2006 election with 79% of the vote in the most Democratic district in the state. He was opposed by Republican candidate Steve Beren. Democrats Donovan Rivers and Goodspaceguy entered the primary, as well as independents Mark Goldman and Al Schaefer.

Primary results

Washington's 7th congressional district primary election, August 19, 2008[25]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Jim McDermott 95,344 73.82%
Republican Steve Beren 19,307 14.95%
Democratic Donovan Rivers 6,685 5.18%
Independent Mark A. Goldman 3,410 2.64%
Democratic Goodspaceguy Nelson 3,199 2.48%
Independent Al Schaefer 1,216 0.94%
Total votes 129,161 100%

General election

Predictions

Source Ranking As of
The Cook Political Report[3] Safe D November 6, 2008
Rothenberg[4] Safe D November 2, 2008
Sabato's Crystal Ball[5] Safe D November 6, 2008
Real Clear Politics[6] Safe D November 7, 2008
CQ Politics[7] Safe D November 6, 2008

Results

Washington's 7th congressional district general election, November 4, 2008[26]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Jim McDermott 291,963 83.65%
Republican Steve Beren 57,054 16.35%
Total votes 349,017 100%

By county

County results
County[27] Jim McDermott

Democratic

Steve Beren

Republican

Margin Total votes
# % # % # %
King (part) 291,963 83.65% 57,054 16.35% 234,909 67.31% 349,017
Totals 291,963 83.65% 57,054 16.35% 234,909 67.31% 349,017

District 8

Incumbent Republican Dave Reichert has represented the 8th district in Congress since 2005. Reichert won in the 2006 election with 51.5% of the vote. He was opposed by Democratic candidate Darcy Burner. The primary also included Democrats James Vaughn and Keith Arnold, and Independents Richard Todd and Boleslaw Orlinski.

The District 8 race was considered competitive: it voted for Obama by a large margin and had a Cook PVI of D+2. It was rated "toss up" by Cook, "no clear favorite" by CQ Politics and "toss up/tilt Republican" by Rothenberg.[28][29][30]

Primary results

Washington's 8th congressional district primary election, August 19, 2008[31]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Dave Reichert 74,140 48.54%
Democratic Darcy Burner 68,010 44.53%
Democratic James E. Vaughn 5,051 3.31%
Independent Richard Todd 2,116 1.39%
Democratic Keith Arnold 1,886 1.23%
Independent Boleslaw Orlinski 1,523 1.00%
Total votes 152,726 100%

General election

Predictions

Source Ranking As of
The Cook Political Report[3] Tossup November 6, 2008
Rothenberg[4] Tosusp November 2, 2008
Sabato's Crystal Ball[5] Lean D (flip) November 6, 2008
Real Clear Politics[6] Tossup November 7, 2008
CQ Politics[7] Tossup November 6, 2008

Results

Washington's 8th congressional district general election, November 4, 2008[32]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Dave Reichert 191,568 52.78%
Democratic Darcy Burner 171,358 47.22%
Total votes 362,926 100%

By county

County results
County[33] Dave Reichert

Republican

Darcy Burner

Democratic

Margin Total votes
# % # % # %
King (part) 147,170 51.22% 140,165 48.78% 7,005 2.44% 287,335
Pierce (part) 44,398 58.73% 31,193 41.27% 13,205 17.47% 75,591
Totals 191,568 52.78% 171,358 47.22% 20,210 5.57% 362,926

District 9

Incumbent Democrat Adam Smith has represented the 9th district in Congress since 1997. Smith won in the 2006 election with 66% of the vote. He was opposed by Republican candidate James Postma.

Primary results

Washington's 9th congressional district primary election, August 19, 2008[34]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Adam Smith 81,503 64.70%
Republican James Postma 44,472 35.30%
Total votes 125,975 100%

General election

Predictions

Source Ranking As of
The Cook Political Report[3] Safe D November 6, 2008
Rothenberg[4] Safe D November 2, 2008
Sabato's Crystal Ball[5] Safe D November 6, 2008
Real Clear Politics[6] Safe D November 7, 2008
CQ Politics[7] Safe D November 6, 2008

Results

Washington's 9th congressional district general election, November 4, 2008[35]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Adam Smith 176,295 65.45%
Republican James Postma 93,080 34.55%
Total votes 269,375 100%

By county

County results
County[36] Adam Smith

Democratic

James Postma

Republican

Margin Total votes
# % # % # %
King (part) 82,368 69.66% 35,877 30.34% 46,491 39.32% 118,245
Pierce (part) 62,448 60.81% 40,254 39.19% 22,194 21.61% 102,702
Thurston (part) 31,479 65.00% 16,949 35.00% 14,530 30.00% 48,428
Totals 176,295 65.45% 93,080 34.55% 83,215 30.89% 269,375

References

  1. ^ Top 2 Primary: FAQs for Voters Washington Secretary of State
  2. ^ "Congressional District 1". Secretary of State of Washington. September 4, 2008. Retrieved July 13, 2016.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i "2008 Competitive House Race Chart". House: Race Ratings. The Cook Political Report. November 6, 2006. Archived from the original on November 6, 2008. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i "2008 House Ratings". House Ratings. The Rothenberg Political Report. November 2, 2006. Archived from the original on November 6, 2008. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i "2008 House". Sabato's Crystal Ball. November 6, 2008. Archived from the original on November 6, 2008. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Battle for the House of Representatives". realclearpolitics.com. Real Clear Politics. November 7, 2008. Archived from the original on December 17, 2008. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Race Ratings Chart: House". cqpolitics.com. Congressional Quarterly Inc. Archived from the original on November 6, 2008. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
  8. ^ "Congressional District 1". Secretary of State of Washington. November 26, 2008. Retrieved July 13, 2016.
  9. ^ Reed, Sam (November 4, 2008). "U.S. Congressional District 1 - Representative - County Results". Secretary of State of Washington. Archived from the original on July 25, 2015. Retrieved August 12, 2025.
  10. ^ "Congressional District 2". Secretary of State of Washington. September 4, 2008. Retrieved July 14, 2016.
  11. ^ "Congressional District 2". Secretary of State of Washington. November 26, 2008. Retrieved July 14, 2016.
  12. ^ Reed, Sam (November 4, 2008). "U.S. Congressional District 2 - Representative - County Results". Secretary of State of Washington. Archived from the original on July 25, 2015. Retrieved August 12, 2025.
  13. ^ "Congressional District 3". Secretary of State of Washington. September 3, 2008. Retrieved July 14, 2016.
  14. ^ "Congressional District 3". Secretary of State of Washington. November 29, 2008. Retrieved July 14, 2016.
  15. ^ Reed, Sam (November 4, 2008). "U.S. Congressional District 3 - Representative - County Results". Secretary of State of Washington. Archived from the original on May 1, 2025. Retrieved August 12, 2025.
  16. ^ "Congressional District 4". Secretary of State of Washington. September 4, 2008. Retrieved July 14, 2016.
  17. ^ "Congressional District 4". Secretary of State of Washington. November 26, 2008. Retrieved July 14, 2016.
  18. ^ Reed, Sam (November 4, 2008). "U.S. Congressional District 4 - Representative - County Results". Secretary of State of Washington. Archived from the original on July 25, 2015. Retrieved August 12, 2025.
  19. ^ "Congressional District 5". Secretary of State of Washington. September 4, 2008. Retrieved July 14, 2016.
  20. ^ "Congressional District 5". Secretary of State of Washington. November 26, 2008. Retrieved July 14, 2016.
  21. ^ Reed, Sam (November 4, 2008). "U.S. Congressional District 5 - Representative - County Results". Secretary of State of Washington. Archived from the original on December 8, 2021. Retrieved August 12, 2025.
  22. ^ "Congressional District 6". Secretary of State of Washington. September 4, 2008. Retrieved July 14, 2016.
  23. ^ "Congressional District 6". Secretary of State of Washington. November 26, 2008. Retrieved July 14, 2016.
  24. ^ Reed, Sam (November 4, 2008). "U.S. Congressional District 6 - Representative - County Results". Secretary of State of Washington. Archived from the original on July 25, 2015. Retrieved August 12, 2025.
  25. ^ "Congressional District 7". Secretary of State of Washington. September 4, 2008. Retrieved July 14, 2016.
  26. ^ "Congressional District 7". Secretary of State of Washington. November 26, 2008. Retrieved July 14, 2016.
  27. ^ Reed, Sam (November 4, 2008). "U.S. Congressional District 7 - Representative - County Results". Secretary of State of Washington. Archived from the original on July 25, 2015. Retrieved August 12, 2025.
  28. ^ House Archived 2010-10-05 at the Wayback Machine The Cook Political Report
  29. ^ U.S. House, Washington - 8th District Archived 2008-06-17 at the Wayback Machine CQ Politics
  30. ^ 2008 House Ratings from The Rotherberg Political Report, July 4, 2008
  31. ^ "Congressional District 8". Secretary of State of Washington. September 4, 2008. Retrieved July 14, 2016.
  32. ^ "Congressional District 8". Secretary of State of Washington. November 26, 2008. Retrieved July 14, 2016.
  33. ^ Reed, Sam (November 4, 2008). "U.S. Congressional District 8 - Representative - County Results". Secretary of State of Washington. Archived from the original on July 25, 2015. Retrieved August 12, 2025.
  34. ^ "Congressional District 9". Secretary of State of Washington. September 4, 2008. Retrieved July 14, 2016.
  35. ^ "Congressional District 9". Secretary of State of Washington. November 26, 2008. Retrieved July 14, 2016.
  36. ^ Reed, Sam (November 4, 2008). "U.S. Congressional District 9 - Representative - County Results". Secretary of State of Washington. Archived from the original on June 7, 2025. Retrieved August 12, 2025.