2008 United States Senate special election in Wyoming
The 2008 United States Senate special election in Wyoming took place on November 4, 2008, at the same time as the regular election to the United States Senate in Wyoming. The special election occurred to complete the term of Republican incumbent Craig L. Thomas, who won reelection in 2006, but died in June 2007. Despite being a Democrat, Governor Dave Freudenthal was obliged by state law to appoint a Republican, and selected state senator John Barrasso, who was unopposed in the Republican primary and won the general election to fill the remainder of the term ending January 3, 2013.[1] This is the last time that both of Wyoming's U.S. Senate seats were concurrently up for election.
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Barrasso: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% >90% Carter: 50–60% 60–70% Tie: 50% No votes | |||||||||||||||||
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Background
editWyoming law dictates that when a U.S. Senate seat becomes vacant, the departing senator's state party at the time of the most recent election must create a list of three finalists, with the governor to select one of those candidates to fill the seat.[2] Speculation about potential Republican challengers had included the other finalists to succeed Thomas, Cynthia Lummis and Tom Sansonetti; as well as former state House Speaker Randall Luthi, and former U.S. Attorney Matt Mead.[3]
Democratic primary
editCandidates
edit- Nick Carter, attorney
- Keith Goodenough, Casper city councilman and former Wyoming State Senator
Results
editParty | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Nick Carter | 12,316 | 50.67 | |
Democratic | Keith Goodenough | 11,984 | 49.31 | |
Total votes | 22,799 | 100.00 |
Republican primary
editCandidates
edit- John Barrasso, incumbent U.S. Senator
Results
editParty | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | John Barrasso (incumbent) | 68,194 | 100.00 | |
Total votes | 68,194 | 100.00 |
General election
editCandidates
edit- John Barrasso (R), incumbent U.S. Senator
- Nick Carter (D), attorney
Predictions
editSource | Ranking | As of |
---|---|---|
The Cook Political Report[6] | Safe R | October 23, 2008 |
CQ Politics[7] | Safe R | October 31, 2008 |
Rothenberg Political Report[8] | Safe R | November 2, 2008 |
Real Clear Politics[9] | Safe R | November 4, 2008 |
Polling
editPoll Source | Dates administered | Nick Carter (D) |
John Barrasso (R) |
---|---|---|---|
Research 2000/Daily Kos[10] | September 22–24, 2008 | 34% | 58% |
Results
editParty | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | John Barrasso (incumbent) | 183,063 | 73.35% | +3.37% | |
Democratic | Nick Carter | 66,202 | 26.53% | −3.33% | |
Write-ins | 293 | 0.12% | |||
Majority | 116,861 | 46.83% | +6.70% | ||
Turnout | 249,558 | ||||
Republican hold | Swing |
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Gruver, Mead (May 16, 2008). "Barrasso plans Monday kickoff". trib.com. Associated Press. Retrieved May 17, 2008.
- ^ "Gov. outlines process for interviews | News | trib.com". Archived from the original on February 1, 2020. Retrieved February 1, 2020.
- ^ Jared Miller and Barbara Nordby (June 23, 2007). "Barrasso ready to pick up where Thomas left off". Casper Star-Tribune. Retrieved June 23, 2007.
- ^ "Results" (PDF). soswy.state.wy.us. Retrieved May 8, 2021.
- ^ "Results" (PDF). soswy.state.wy.us. Retrieved May 8, 2021.
- ^ "2008 Senate Race ratings for October 23, 2008". The Cook Political Report. Retrieved April 1, 2021.
- ^ Race Ratings Chart: Senate Archived October 28, 2010, at the Wayback Machine CQ Politics
- ^ "2008 Senate ratings". Inside Elections. Retrieved April 1, 2021.
- ^ "2008 RCP Averages & Senate Results". Real Clear Politics. Retrieved August 31, 2021.
- ^ Research 2000/Daily Kos
- ^ "Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives". Clerk.house.gov. Retrieved May 8, 2021.
External links
edit- Elections from the Wyoming Secretary of State
- U.S. Congress candidates for Wyoming at Project Vote Smart
- 2008 Wyoming Senate race from CQ Politics
- Wyoming U.S. Senate - Class I Class II from OurCampaigns.com
- Campaign contributions for Wyoming congressional races from OpenSecrets
- Official campaign websites
- John Barrasso, Republican incumbent candidate (Class I)
- Nick Carter Democratic candidate (Class I)