Wikipedia

2008 United States Senate election in Maine

The 2008 United States Senate election in Maine took place on November 4, 2008. Incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Susan Collins won re-election to a third term against Democrat Tom Allen, the U.S. Congressman from the 1st district.

2008 United States Senate election in Maine
← 2002 November 4, 2008 2014 →
 
Nominee Susan Collins Tom Allen
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 444,300 279,510
Percentage 61.33% 38.58%
Collins:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%
Allen:      50–60%      60–70%
U.S. senator before election

Susan Collins
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Susan Collins
Republican

Democratic primary

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Candidates

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  • Tom Allen, U.S. Representative
  • Thomas Ledue, educator

Results

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Democratic primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Tom Allen 69,932 85.6%
Democratic Tom Ledue 11,795 14.4%
Total votes 81,727 100.0%

General election

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Campaign

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Allen tried to tie Collins to George W. Bush, but these tactics failed as Collins maintained her image as a very popular, moderate, independent Republican. She obtained an endorsement from Independent and former Democratic U.S. Senator Joe Lieberman.[1]

When Collins was first elected in 1996 she pledged to serve only two terms (twelve years) in office, which would have been up in 2008. She instead decided to seek a third term, and defeated Allen with over 60% of the vote. She was the only Republican Senate candidate to win in 2008 in a state that was simultaneously won by Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama.

Predictions

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Source Ranking As of
The Cook Political Report[2] Likely R October 23, 2008
CQ Politics[3] Lean R October 31, 2008
Rothenberg Political Report[4] Likely R November 2, 2008
Real Clear Politics[5] Likely R November 1, 2008

Polling

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Poll source Dates administered Tom
Allen (D) 		Susan
Collins (R)
Rasmussen Reports[6] November 1, 2008 41% 57%
Survey USA[7] October 20, 2008 43% 54%
Rasmussen Reports[8] October 2, 2008 43% 53%
Survey USA[9] September 22–23, 2008 39% 55%
Rasmussen Reports[10] September 17, 2008 42% 55%
Rasmussen Reports[11] August 12, 2008 40% 55%
Rasmussen Reports[12] July 17, 2008 42% 49%
Pan Atlantic SMS Group[13] June 18, 2008 31% 56%
Rasmussen Reports[14] June 16, 2008 42% 49%
Rasmussen Reports[15] May 14, 2008 42% 52%
Rasmussen Reports[16] April 1, 2008 38% 54%
McLaughlin & Associates/
Coalition for a Democratic Workforce[17] 		March 6–9, 2008 31% 54%
Critical Insights[18] October 12–30, 2007 34% 54%
Survey USA[19] October 26–29, 2007 38% 55%
Research 2000/Daily Kos[20] October 15–17, 2007 33% 56%

Results

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General election results
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Susan Collins (incumbent) 444,300 61.33% +2.9%
Democratic Tom Allen 279,510 38.58% −3.0%
Write-in 620 0.09% n/a
Total votes 724,430 100.00% n/a
Republican hold

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Lieberman Backs Susan Collins, Gives $5K To Her Re-election Campaign - CBS News
  2. ^ "2008 Senate Race ratings for October 23, 2008". The Cook Political Report. Retrieved April 1, 2021.
  3. ^ Race Ratings Chart: Senate Archived October 28, 2010, at the Wayback Machine CQ Politics
  4. ^ "2008 Senate ratings". Inside Elections. Retrieved April 1, 2021.
  5. ^ "2008 RCP Averages & Senate Results". Real Clear Politics. Retrieved August 31, 2021.
  6. ^ Rasmussen Reports
  7. ^ Survey USA
  8. ^ Rasmussen Reports
  9. ^ Survey USA
  10. ^ Rasmussen Reports
  11. ^ Rasmussen Reports
  12. ^ Rasmussen Reports
  13. ^ Pan Atlantic SMS Group
  14. ^ Rasmussen Reports
  15. ^ Rasmussen Reports
  16. ^ Rasmussen Reports
  17. ^ McLaughlin & Associates/
    Coalition for a Democratic Workforce
  18. ^ Critical Insights
  19. ^ Survey USA
  20. ^ Research 2000/Daily Kos
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