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2008 United States Senate special election in Wyoming

(Redirected from United States Senate special election in Wyoming, 2008)

For the other Senate election in Wyoming held in parallel, see 2008 United States Senate 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.

2008 United States Senate special election in Wyoming
← 2006 November 4, 2008 2012 →
 
Nominee John Barrasso Nick Carter
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 183,063 66,202
Percentage 73.35% 26.53%
Barrasso:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%
Carter:      50–60%      60–70%
Tie:      50%      No votes
U.S. senator before election

John Barrasso
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

John Barrasso
Republican

Background

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Wyoming 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

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Candidates

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Results

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Democratic primary results[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Nick Carter 12,316 50.67
Democratic Keith Goodenough 11,984 49.31
Total votes 22,799 100.00

Republican primary

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Candidates

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Results

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Republican primary results[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican John Barrasso (incumbent) 68,194 100.00
Total votes 68,194 100.00

General election

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Candidates

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  • John Barrasso (R), incumbent U.S. Senator
  • Nick Carter (D), attorney

Predictions

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Source 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

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Poll Source Dates administered Nick
Carter (D) 		John
Barrasso (R)
Research 2000/Daily Kos[10] September 22–24, 2008 34% 58%

Results

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United States Senate special election in Wyoming, 2008[11]
Party 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

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References

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  1. ^ Gruver, Mead (May 16, 2008). "Barrasso plans Monday kickoff". trib.com. Associated Press. Retrieved May 17, 2008.
  2. ^ "Gov. outlines process for interviews | News | trib.com". Archived from the original on February 1, 2020. Retrieved February 1, 2020.
  3. ^ Jared Miller and Barbara Nordby (June 23, 2007). "Barrasso ready to pick up where Thomas left off". Casper Star-Tribune. Retrieved June 23, 2007.
  4. ^ "Results" (PDF). soswy.state.wy.us. Retrieved May 8, 2021.
  5. ^ "Results" (PDF). soswy.state.wy.us. Retrieved May 8, 2021.
  6. ^ "2008 Senate Race ratings for October 23, 2008". The Cook Political Report. Retrieved April 1, 2021.
  7. ^ Race Ratings Chart: Senate Archived October 28, 2010, at the Wayback Machine CQ Politics
  8. ^ "2008 Senate ratings". Inside Elections. Retrieved April 1, 2021.
  9. ^ "2008 RCP Averages & Senate Results". Real Clear Politics. Retrieved August 31, 2021.
  10. ^ Research 2000/Daily Kos
  11. ^ "Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives". Clerk.house.gov. Retrieved May 8, 2021.
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