The 2008 United States House of Representatives elections in Alabama were held on November 4, 2008, to determine the representation of the state of Alabama in the United States House of Representatives, coinciding with the presidential and senatorial elections. Representatives are elected for two-year terms; those elected served in the 111th Congress from January 4, 2009, until January 3, 2011.
Alabama has seven seats in the House, apportioned according to the 2000 United States Census. Its 2007–2008 congressional delegation consisted of five Republicans and two Democrats. It is now four Republicans and three Democrats. District 2 changed party (from open Republican to Democratic). As of 2020, this is the last election in which Democrats won more than one congressional district in Alabama.
Overview
By district
Results of the 2008 United States House of Representatives elections in Alabama by district:
District 1
The 1st district is based on the Gold Coast of Alabama, including Mobile, Saraland, Bay Minette, Foley, Chatom, and Monroe. The district includes all of Mobile, Baldwin, Escambia, Washington, Monroe, and parts of Clarke County. Due to redistricting, the district lost territory in portions of Clarke County to the 7th district, but gained portions of Monroe County, now having the entire county in the 1st district. The 1st district has a PVI of R+16 but voted for John McCain by 22 points in the concurring presidential election. The incumbent is Republican Jo Bonner, who was reelected with 68.10% of the vote in 2006.
The Democratic and Republican primaries were not contested, with incumbent representative Jo Bonner winning the Republican party and Thomas Fuller winning the Democratic primary. However, Fuller withdrew from the race on June 12, 2008, stating he was unable to wage a creditable campaign in the district.
Republican nominee
Jo Bonner, incumbent U.S. representative since 2003
Democratic nominee
Thomas Fuller, Chair of the Washington County Executive Committee (withdrawn)
General election
Predictions
Results
District 2
This district covers southeastern Alabama, including Dothan and Montgomery. CQ Politics forecasted the race as 'No Clear Favorite'. The Rothenberg Political Report rated it 'Pure Toss-Up'. The Cook Political Report ranked it 'Republican Toss Up'.
Republican Terry Everett, who had represented the district since 1993, decided to retire. Montgomery Mayor Bobby Bright won the Democratic primary. State Representative Jay Love won the Republican run-off election on July 15 against State Senator Harri Anne Smith (campaign website). George W. Bush won 67% in 2004 here. Bright won 50% of the vote to Love's 49%. Bobby Bright (D) (campaign website) Jay Love (R) (campaign website) 2nd district race ranking and background from CQ Politics Alabama District 2 race from OurCampaigns.org Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets Love (R) vs Bright (D) graph of collected poll results from Pollster.com
District 3
District 4
District 5
This district includes the counties of Colbert, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Jackson, and parts of Morgan. Democratic incumbent Bud Cramer has represented the district since 1990. He did not seek reelection and endorsed State Senator Parker Griffith. CQ Politics forecasted the race as 'No Clear Favorite'. The Rothenberg Political Report rated it 'Pure Toss-Up'. The Cook Political Report ranked it 'Democrat Toss Up'.
Eight candidates were running for the seat in the June 3, 2008, primary election. On the Democratic side, State Senator Dr. Parker Griffith defeated physicist David Maker ( website), carrying 90% of the vote. Wayne Parker won the Republican runoff on July 15 against attorney Cheryl Baswell Guthrie (campaign website). In the primary, Wayne Parker failed to gain the necessary 51% vote to avoid the runoff. Guthrie had carried 18% of the vote.
A year after his election, Griffith switched parties and ran for a second term in the 2010 Republican primary.
Parker Griffith (D) - State Senator, businessman, and Huntsville's first radiation oncologist (campaign website) Wayne Parker (R) - Insurance executive, lost to Cramer in 1994 and 1996 (campaign website) 5th District race ranking and background from CQ Politics Alabama District 5 race from OurCampaigns.org Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets LoParker (R) vs Griffith (D) graph of collected poll results from Pollster.com
