2008 United States House of Representatives elections in Nebraska

The 2008 congressional elections in Nebraska were held on November 4, 2008, to determine who would represent the state of Nebraska in the United States House of Representatives, coinciding with the presidential and senatorial elections. Representatives are elected for two-year terms; those elected will serve in the 111th Congress from January 3, 2009, until January 3, 2011.

2008 United States House of Representatives elections in Nebraska

← 2006 November 4, 2008 (2008-11-04) 2010 →

All 3 Nebraska seats to the United States House of Representatives
  Majority party Minority party
 
Party Republican Democratic
Last election 3 0
Seats won 3 0
Seat change Steady Steady
Popular vote 510,513 264,885
Percentage 65.84% 34.16%

Nebraska has three seats in the House, apportioned according to the 2000 United States census. Its 2007-2008 congressional delegation consisted of three Republicans. No district changed hands, although CQ Politics had forecasted district 2 to be at some risk for the incumbent party.

The party primary elections were held May 13.[1]

Match-up summary

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District Incumbent 2008 Status Democratic Republican Other Party
1 Jeff Fortenberry Re-election Max Yashirin Jeff Fortenberry
2 Lee Terry Re-election Jim Esch Lee Terry
3 Adrian Smith Re-election Jay C. Stoddard Adrian Smith

Overview

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United States House of Representatives elections in Nebraska, 2008[2]
Party Votes Percentage Seats +/–
Republican 510,513 65.84% 3
Democratic 264,885 34.16% 0
Totals 775,398 100.00% 3

District 1

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2006 Nebraska's 1st congressional district election
 
← 2006
2010 →
   
Nominee Jeff Fortenberry Max Yashirin
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 184,923 77,897
Percentage 70.4% 29.6%

 
County results
Fortenberry:      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%

U.S. Representative before election

Jeff Fortenberry
Republican

Elected U.S. Representative

Jeff Fortenberry
Republican

 

This district encompassed most of the eastern quarter of the state. Republican incumbent Jeff Fortenberry (campaign website) won re-election. Max Yashirin (campaign website) was the Democratic nominee. CQ Politics forecasted the race as 'Safe Republican'.

Results

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Nebraska's 1st congressional district election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Jeff Fortenberry (inc.) 184,923 70.36
Democratic Max Yashirin 77,897 29.64
Total votes 262,820 100.00
Republican hold

District 2

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This district encompassed the core of the Omaha metropolitan area. Republican incumbent Lee Terry won against Democratic nominee Jim Esch, an Omaha businessman. CQ Politics forecasted the race as 'Leans Republican'. The Cook Political Report ranked it 'Republican Toss Up'. The Rothenberg Political Report rated it 'Toss-Up/Tilt Democratic'.

While campaigning, Terry had pledged that he would serve no more than three two year terms. However, he announced just months later that he would break the pledge. This garnered some bad press, but he won three more terms with little trouble. However, in 2006, he won by 55% to 45%, much less than expected in a solidly Republican district. His Democratic opponent in that race, Jim Esch, faced him again in 2008.

Lee Terry (R) - Incumbent (campaign website)
Jim Esch (D) (campaign website)

Results

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Nebraska's 2nd congressional district election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Lee Terry (inc.) 142,473 51.93
Democratic Jim Esch 131,901 48.07
Total votes 274,374 100.00
Republican hold

District 3

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This district encompassed the western three-fourths of the state. Republican incumbent Adrian Smith (campaign website) won against Democratic nominee Jay C. Stoddard (campaign website). CQ Politics forecasted the race as 'Safe Republican'.

Results

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Nebraska's 3rd congressional district election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Adrian Smith (inc.) 183,117 76.87
Democratic Jay C. Stoddard 55,087 23.13
Total votes 238,204 100.00
Republican hold

References

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Specific

  1. ^ November 2008 Elections Nebraska Secretary of State
  2. ^ "Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives".

General

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Preceded by
2006 elections
United States House elections in Nebraska
2008
Succeeded by
2010 elections