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2008 United States Senate election in Louisiana

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The 2008 United States Senate election in Louisiana was held on November 4, 2008. This was the first time since the 1970s that Louisiana used primaries for federal races. Incumbent Senator Mary Landrieu won a third term by 6.39 percentage points despite being forecast as one of the most vulnerable Senate Democrats during 2008. She had received praise and wide publicity for her advocacy after Hurricane Katrina, particularly during hearings regarding FEMA's response to the disaster. This is the last time that Democrats won any statewide election in Louisiana other than Governor.

2008 United States Senate election in Louisiana
← 2002 November 4, 2008 2014 →
 
Nominee Mary Landrieu John Kennedy
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 988,298 867,177
Percentage 52.11% 45.72%
Landrieu:      40-50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%
Kennedy:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%
Tie:      40–50%      50%
U.S. senator before election

Mary Landrieu
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Mary Landrieu
Democratic

Landrieu's main opponent John Kennedy garnered allegations of being a political opportunist after switching parties from Democrat to Republican in 2007.[1] He won the state's other U.S. Senate seat in 2016 and 2022 as a Republican, having unsuccessfully run as a Democrat for it in 2004.

Background

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Landrieu's increased vulnerability was supposed to be the result of a significant drop in the state's African-American population after Hurricane Katrina, especially in Landrieu's home city of New Orleans. Louisiana also elected a Republican senator in 2004 and President Bush won the state twice, in 2004 with 56.72% of the vote. Also, Republican Bobby Jindal won the 2007 gubernatorial election with 54% of the vote.

Major candidates

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Democratic

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Republican

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General election

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Predictions

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

Polling

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Poll Source Dates administered Mary
Landrieu (D) 		John
Kennedy (R)
Rasmussen Reports[6] October 21, 2008 53% 43%
Rasmussen Reports[7] September 25, 2008 54% 41%
Rasmussen Reports[8] August 17, 2008 56% 39%
Rasmussen Reports[9] July 9, 2008 49% 44%
Southern Media & Opinion Research[10] July 1, 2008 46% 40%
Rasmussen Reports[11] May 28, 2008 47% 44%
Southern Media & Opinion Research[12] March 26 – April 9, 2008 50% 38%
Survey USA[13] December 6–10, 2007 46% 42%

Results

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Though she was considered one of the most vulnerable incumbent senators in 2008, Landrieu won reelection by a margin of 121,121 votes and 6.39%, over-performing Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama in the state by more than 12 percentage points.

2008 United States Senate election in Louisiana
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Mary Landrieu (incumbent) 988,298 52.11% +0.41%
Republican John Kennedy 867,177 45.72% −2.58%
Libertarian Richard Fontanesi 18,590 0.98% n/a
Independent Jay Patel 13,729 0.72% n/a
Independent Robert Stewart 8,780 0.46% n/a
Majority 121,121 6.39% +2.99
Turnout 1,896,574 100%
Democratic hold Swing

Parishes that flipped from Democratic to Republican

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Parishes that flipped from Republican to Democratic

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ Scott, Robert (April 27, 2014). "Treasurer bolts to GOP | NOLA.com". Archived from the original on April 27, 2014. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
  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. ^ Rasmussen Reports
  8. ^ Rasmussen Reports
  9. ^ Rasmussen Reports
  10. ^ Southern Media & Opinion Research
  11. ^ Rasmussen Reports
  12. ^ Southern Media & Opinion Research
  13. ^ Survey USA
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