Election Day 2008 – November 4th – is right around the corner. OPAC is your source for the most current political insight and news. The following is a preview of Congressional elections in 2008, and updates on OPAC’s political activities!
Upcoming Special Elections
U.S. Senate
Mississippi
The Mississippi State Supreme Court recently ruled that the election to replace former Sen. Trent Lott (R) will be held on November 4, 2008. Upon Sen. Lott’s resignation, Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour appointed U.S. Rep. Roger Wicker (R) to fill the vacant seat until an election is held. Wicker will face former Gov. Ronnie Musgrove (D) in the special election. Musgrove served as Governor of Mississippi from 2000 to 2004, when he was defeated by current Gov. Barbour. Mississippi is a strong Republican state and Sen. Wicker should be able to win this election.
U.S. House of Representatives
Illinois 14th District
On February 5, 2008, businessman Jim Oberweis won the Republican Primary in this open seat, vacated by the retirement of U.S. Rep. Dennis Hastert (R). The Democratic primary results are on hold pending a recount of provisional and absentee ballots. Either 2006 nominee John Laesch or businessman Bill Foster will challenge Oberweis in the March 8th election. Having run for U.S. Senate in previous elections, Oberweis has strong name identification in the district. He also was endorsed by Hastert during the primary race and should be able to keep this seat in the GOP column.
Indiana 7th District
On December 15, 2007, U.S. Rep. Julia Carson (D) lost her battle with lung cancer, leaving Indiana’s 7th District open. A special election will be held March 11, 2008 to elect her successor. Party conventions were held earlier this month. Democrats selected City-County Councilor Andre Carson, the late Rep. Julia Carson’s grandson. Republicans chose state Rep. Jon Elrod. This seat favors Democrats significantly, and they should hold this seat. A low turnout is expected and the winner of the special election will run again in the May 6, 2008 primary for the November 4, 2008 general election.
Louisiana 1st District
After Gov. Bobby Jindal’s inauguration earlier this month, voters in Louisiana’s 1st District head to the polls to select his successor. A primary election will be held on March 8, 2008 and the general election will follow on May 3, 2008. The early frontrunner for the GOP nod is state Sen. Steve Scalise. His most likely opponents are state Rep. Tim Burns, Slidell Mayor Ben Morris and Jefferson Parish Councilor John Young, Jr. So far, the only Democrat in the race is University of New Orleans professor Gilda Reed, who
began her quest for the seat prior to Jindal’s gubernatorial candidacy. This is a seat that the GOP will win.
Louisiana 6th District
U.S. Rep. Richard Baker (R) recently his retired. Louisianans vote to elect his successor in a March 8, 2008 primary election with the general election following on May 3, 2008. This is a solid Republican district where Rep. Baker won re-election in 2006 with nearly 85% of the vote. On the GOP side, former state Rep. Woody Jenkins, former Chief of Staff to Rep. Baker, Paul Sawyer, and lobbyist Laurinda Calongne have announced their candidacy. Among Democrats, state Rep. Donald Cazayoux and former Chief of Staff to Gov. Blanco, Andy Kapplin, have filed. If no candidate receives at least 50% of the vote in the March 8 primary, a runoff will be held on April 5, 2008. Whoever wins the GOP nomination will more than likely win the general election.
2008 Student Outreach Plans
Student outreach is a major focus of OPAC this year. OPAC is working with leadership of SOMA and COSGP to implement our student outreach plans on each campus, and establish a student representative on each campus to be our primary point of contact regarding political happenings.
In addition, OPAC’s Board of Directors recently approved two student merit awards designed to increase student involvement. OPAC will make an annual monetary award to the most politically active individual student and student body. These awards will be applied for through OPAC and will be made in conjunction with D.O. Day on Capitol Hill each spring in Washington, D.C.
Finally, plans are underway for OPAC to visit campuses around the country prior to Election Day 2008 and meet with students to discuss political and policy issues, as well as provide students with tips and ideas on becoming more politically active. OPAC completed visits to a number of campuses already and future visits are being planned. OPAC realizes that student doctors are an untapped resource that has the ability, when mobilized, to make a significant difference in campaigns and elections. By visiting campuses and speaking with students, OPAC can identify those students who are already politically active, and encourage those who have not been involved with past elections to get involved now. We look forward to serving as a resource for students to become more politically involved and having more students impact the crucial 2008 Elections!
2008 Senate Races to Watch
Alaska
Current Sen. Ted Stevens (R) remains under FBI and IRS investigation for alleged improper dealings with an Alaskan based oil company, Veco. Stevens will be challenged by Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich, a Democrat. Begich must first defeat former state Rep. Ray Metcalfe in their party’s primary. A Stevens versus Begich match-up would move this race from a solid GOP hold to a tossup. This will be fun to watch.
Colorado
Sen. Wayne Allard’s (R) retirement makes this open seat a top pick up opportunity for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC). Both candidates, U.S. Rep. Mark Udall (D) and former U.S. Rep. Bob Schaffer (R) are raising money furiously. Schaffer trails Udall by over $2 million cash on hand according to 2007 year end financial disclosures. Colorado is a state that has trended Democrat but recent polling has the candidates in a dead heat. Udall is the favorite now, but this race will go down to the wire.
Kentucky
This race moves into the top ten most competitive races with the recent entry of businessman Bruce Lunsford (D). Lunsford will be able to spend a lot of his personal wealth in an attempt to unseat incumbent Sen. Mitch McConnell (R). Lunsford ran unsuccessfully in the 2002 and 2007 Democratic gubernatorial primaries. This time around, national Democrats relish the opportunity to knock off the Senate GOP’s current leader and will invest heavily in this race. McConnell should be able to hold on here, but it will be a tougher race than he expected.
Louisiana
Sen. Mary Landrieu (D) is the only incumbent Democrat to face a serious challenge this fall. She is the top target of the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) whose candidate, state Treasurer John Kennedy, has had only modest fundraising success. Landrieu amassed an impressive war chest and should be able to counter any financial help Kennedy receives from the NRSC. Louisiana’s voter demographics dramatically changed as a result of Hurricane Katrina and the national GOP is optimistic of their chances, especially on the heels of their 2007 gubernatorial victory with Gov. Bobby Jindal. This is a race to keep an eye on and will be neck and neck through Election Day.
Maine
Incumbent Sen. Susan Collins (R) is extremely popular among Mainers, but she will face the fight of her political life this fall. She maintains a significant cash advantage over her opponent Tom Allen (D), which will be cut by the DSCC which will invest heavily here, seeing it as another prime opportunity to pick up a seat. Collins has a moderate record in the U.S. Senate causing Allen to likely make this race a referendum on the war in Iraq. The more the situation in Iraq improves the more likely Collins’ re-election becomes and vice versa. It will be a tough seat for the moderate GOPer to hold.
Minnesota
Sen. Norm Coleman is a Republican in a blue state seeking re-election to a second term. He will face the winner of the September 9, 2008 Democratic primary, either comedian Al Franken or lawyer and 2000 candidate Mike Ciresi. Franken is the clear front runner in the Democratic primary, holding a huge cash on hand advantage and leading in all recent polls. Coleman is vulnerable but should receive a positive bump from the GOP Presidential Convention being held in the Twin Cities and hold onto this seat.
New Hampshire
Sen. John Sununu is the most endangered Republican incumbent in 2008. He faces former Gov. Jeanne Shaheen (D) in a rematch of the 2002 election. New Hampshire is another state that has trended Democratic in recent elections. Shaheen leads Sununu in most published poll results, as well as fundraising numbers. Unless the national environment for the GOP improves, Sununu’s days in the U.S. Senate are numbered.
New Mexico
Sen. Pete Domenici’s (R) retirement leaves the GOP with another open seat to defend this year. Democrats are unified behind current U.S. Rep. Tom Udall who will face the winner of the GOP primary, either U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce or U.S. Rep. Heather Wilson. Wilson is a strong fundraiser and has out raised Pearce, despite his endorsement by the Club for Growth. Regardless of who wins the Republican nomination, Democrats should take this seat, adding to their numbers in the Senate.
Oregon
National Democrats continue to be excited about Oregon Speaker of the House Jeff Merkley’s chances to unseat incumbent U.S. Sen. Gordon Smith (R). Merkley has succeeded in raising money, but will be forced to spend it on his primary race against activist Steve Novick (D). Being a Republican in a Democratic state makes Smith vulnerable, but he has distanced himself recently from the Bush Administration and Merkley is yet to prove he is ready to be a significant challenger. Smith should be able to hold onto this seat for the GOP.
Virginia
The Democrats are excited, and for good reason, about their opportunity to add this Senate seat to their column in 2008. U.S. Sen. John Warner (R) is retiring, and it is all but certain that former Gov. Mark Warner (D) will be the next Senator from Virginia. Former Governor and one time candidate in the 2008 Presidential race, Jim Gilmore, is the GOP’s candidate. Given Warner’s popularity throughout Virginia, coupled with Sen. Jim Webb’s (D) victory in 2008, pundits agree that this seat will switch parties in November.
2008 House of Representative Retirements
Following is a list of all members who have announced their retirement from the U.S. House of Representatives following the completion of the current term.
State |
District |
Name |
Party |
Alabama |
2nd |
Terry Everett |
Republican |
Arizona |
1st |
Rick Renzi |
Republican |
California |
4th |
John Doolittle |
Republican |
California |
52nd |
Duncan Hunter |
Republican |
Colorado |
2nd |
Mark Udall |
Democrat |
Colorado |
6th |
Tom Tancredo |
Republican |
Florida |
15th |
Kurt Weldon |
Republican |
Illinois |
11th |
Jerry Weller |
Republican |
Illinois |
18th |
Ray LaHood |
Republican |
Louisiana |
4th |
Jim McCrery |
Republican |
Louisiana |
6th |
Richard Baker |
Republican |
Maine |
1st |
Tom Allen |
Democrat |
Minnesota |
3rd |
Jim Ramstad |
Republican |
Missouri |
9th |
Kenny Hulshof |
Republican |
Mississippi |
3rd |
Chip Pickering |
Republican |
New Jersey |
3rd |
Jim Saxton |
Republican |
New Jersey |
7th |
Mike Ferguson |
Republican |
New Mexico |
1st |
Heather Wilson |
Republican |
New Mexico |
2nd |
Steve Pearce |
Republican |
New Mexico |
3rd |
Tom Udall |
Democrat |
New York |
21st |
Michael McNulty |
Republican |
New York |
25th |
Jim Walsh |
Republican |
Ohio |
7th |
Dave Hobson |
Republican |
Ohio |
15th |
Deborah Pryce |
Republican |
Ohio |
16th |
Ralph Regula |
Republican |
Oregon |
5th |
Darlene Hooley |
Democrat |
Pennsylvania |
5th |
John Peterson |
Republican |
Virginia |
11th |
Tom Davis |
Republican |
Wyoming |
At Large |
Barbara Cubin |
Republican |
2008 Gubernatorial Elections
The following states will hold gubernatorial elections in 2008.
Delaware
Gov. Ruth Ann Minner is term limited in 2008 and will not be eligible for re-election. Leading Democratic contenders to replace Minner include Lt. Gov. John Carney and State. Treasurer Jack Markell. Republican candidates include state Rep. Greg Lavelle, retired Superior Court judge and 2004 candidate Bill Lee, state Rep. Bill Oberle, and state House Speaker Terry Spence. Democrats have inhabited Delaware’s governor’s mansion for 16 years and likely will continue this streak. Party primary elections will be held on September 9, 2008 with the general election on November 4, 2008.
Indiana
Gov. Mitch Daniels (R) became Indiana’s first Republican Governor in fifteen years with his election in 2004 and may be somewhat vulnerable in 2008. His approval ratings have remained under 50% since 2005 and his deal to privatize the Indiana Toll Road in 2006 angered many Indianans. Daniels will face the winner of the May 6, 2008 Democratic primary in the general election. Democratic candidates include architect Jim Schellinger, former U.S. Rep. Jill Long Thompson, and state Sen. Minority Leader Richard Young. Daniels won election in 2004 with 53% of the vote, but this race will likely be a nail biter.
Missouri
On January 22, 2008, Gov. Matt Blunt (R) announced he would not seek re-election. He would have faced an extremely tough re-election battle and this is a governorship that Democrats likely will gain. Leading candidates for the Democratic nomination include Sec. of State Robin Carnahan and Attorney General Jay Nixon. Republican contenders include current U.S. Rep. Kenny Hulshof, Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder and state Treasurer Sarah Steelman. Party nominees will be selected in the August 5, 2008 primary elections with the general election held on November 4, 2008.
Montana
Gov. Brian Schweitzer (D) will likely win re-election on November 4, 2008. He was elected in 2004 with just 50% of the vote but since has seen his popularity rise. He has raised a significant amount of money for his re-elect. Republicans will select their candidate in the June 3, 2008 primary and the early frontrunner is state Sen. Roy Brown. Other candidates for the GOP nomination include businessman Steve Daines and former state Sen. Bob Keenan. Schweitzer will likely defeat Brown in the general election to keep this one in the Democrat column.
New Hampshire
Gov. John Lynch (D) will win re-election this year after winning in 2006 with 74% of the vote. Two Republicans – Manchester Mayor Frank Guinta and state Sen. Joe Kenney – will seek their party’s nomination in a September 6, 2008 primary, but neither is likely to pose a significant challenge to Lynch in November.
North Carolina
Gov. Mike Easley (D) is term limited and will not be eligible for re-election in 2008. Democrats have controlled the governorship here for the past 16 years and will continue their control through the 2008 elections. Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue (D) is likely to win the Democratic nomination as well as the general election. She will face state Treasurer Richard Moore in the Democratic Primary
on May 6, 2008. Republicans will choose their candidate on the same day from a field of attorney Bill Graham, Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory, and state Sen. Fred Smith.
North Dakota
Gov. John Hoeven (R) will seek re-election to his third term in 2008. He will face a challenger, news talk-show host Ryan Cunningham, in the June 10, 2008 primary but is expected to easily win the GOP nomination as well as the general election. He won with 71% of the vote in 2004 and his approval ratings remain high. Democrats vying for the opportunity to challenge him include state Rep. Merle Boucher, state Sen. Joel Heitkamp, and state Sen. Tim Mathern. This is a governorship that the GOP will hold.
Utah
Gov. Jon Huntsman (R) will seek, and likely win, re-election this year. Republicans have inhabited the Utah Governor’s mansion for the last 24 years and no one has filed to challenge Huntsman in either the Republican primary of the general election. The filing deadline is March 17, 2008 so Huntsman will know soon enough if he will have a challenger.
Vermont
Gov. Jim Doulgas (R) third term ends this year and it is highly likely that he will seek re-election. He was elected in 2006 with 56% of the vote and no Democratic candidate has filed to challenge him. Current Sec. of State Deb Markowitz (D) is often rumored to cherish this seat but as of now, she has no intentions of running in 2008.
Washington
Gov. Christine Gregoire (D) will face a rematch from her 2004 challenger former state Sen. Dino Rossi. Gregoire won the 2004 election by just 133 votes in the second recount after losing the initial count by 261 votes and the first recount by 24 votes. Democrats have held Washington’s governorship for 24 years, but this race is a complete toss up.
West Virginia
Gov. Joe Manchin (D) will seek election to his second term after winning the 2004 election with nearly 65% of the vote. Primary elections will be held on May 13, 2008 and state Del. Mel Kessler will challenge Manchin. The winner will face lone Republican candidate Russ Weeks, a former state senator, in the general election. Manchin should not have a problem defeating Kessler and will then cruise to re-election.
2008 Presidential Election Delegate Breakdown
There are currently 4,049 total delegates to the Democratic National Convention including 3,253 pledged delegates and 796 superdelegates. Pledged delegates are won by candidates in primaries and caucuses or who have pledged to support candidates at the national convention. Superdelegates are chief Democratic officeholders (i.e. U.S. Senators, Congressmen and state Governors) and top party officials who can support the candidate of their choice at the national convention. The total number of delegate votes needed to win the Democratic nomination is 2,025.
There are currently 2,380 total delegates to the Republican National Convention including 1,917 pledged delegates and 463 unpledged delegates. Unpledged delegates are top Republican Party officials who can support the candidate of their choice at the national convention. The total number of delegate votes needed to win the nomination is 1,191.
State |
# of Republican Delegates |
Delegates for McCain |
Delegates for Huckabee |
# of Democratic Delegates |
Delegates for Clinton |
Delegates for Obama |
Alabama |
48 |
16 |
21 |
60 |
25 |
26 |
Alaska |
29 |
3 |
6 |
18 |
4 |
9 |
American Samoa |
9 |
|
|
9 |
4 |
1 |
Arizona |
53 |
50 |
|
67 |
31 |
25 |
Arkansas |
34 |
1 |
29 |
47 |
27 |
8 |
California |
173 |
149 |
0 |
441 |
204 |
161 |
Colorado |
46 |
0 |
0 |
71 |
9 |
19 |
Connecticut |
30 |
27 |
0 |
60 |
22 |
26 |
Delaware |
18 |
18 |
0 |
23 |
6 |
9 |
District of Columbia |
19 |
16 |
0 |
37 |
3 |
11 |
Florida |
114 |
57 |
0 |
No Delegates* |
|
|
Georgia |
72 |
3 |
45 |
103 |
26 |
59 |
Guam |
9 |
|
|
9 |
|
|
Hawaii |
20 |
|
|
29 |
6 |
14 |
Idaho |
32 |
|
|
23 |
3 |
15 |
Illinois |
70 |
54 |
0 |
185 |
49 |
104 |
Indiana |
57 |
|
|
84 |
|
|
Iowa |
40 |
3 |
17 |
57 |
15 |
16 |
Kansas |
39 |
0 |
36 |
41 |
9 |
23 |
Kentucky |
45 |
|
|
60 |
|
|
Louisiana |
47 |
0 |
0 |
68 |
22 |
33 |
Maine |
21** |
0 |
0 |
34 |
9 |
15 |
Maryland |
37 |
13 |
0 |
99 |
18 |
28 |
Massachusetts |
43 |
18 |
0 |
121 |
55 |
38 |
Michigan |
60 |
5 |
1 |
No Delegates* |
|
|
Minnesota |
41 |
0 |
0 |
88 |
24 |
48 |
Mississippi |
39 |
|
|
40 |
|
|
Missouri |
58 |
58 |
0 |
88 |
36 |
36 |
Montana |
25 |
0 |
0 |
24 |
|
|
Nebraska |
33 |
|
|
31 |
8 |
16 |
Nevada |
32 |
4 |
2 |
33 |
12 |
13 |
New Hampshire |
12 |
7 |
1 |
27 |
9 |
9 |
New Jersey |
52 |
52 |
0 |
127 |
59 |
48 |
New Mexico |
32 |
|
|
38 |
14 |
13 |
New York |
101 |
101 |
0 |
281 |
139 |
93 |
Northern Marianas |
9 |
9 |
|
|
|
|
North Carolina |
69 |
|
|
134 |
|
|
North Dakota |
26 |
5 |
5 |
21 |
5 |
8 |
Ohio |
88 |
|
|
161 |
|
|
Oklahoma |
41 |
32 |
6 |
47 |
24 |
14 |
Oregon |
30 |
|
|
65 |
|
|
Pennsylvania |
74 |
|
|
188 |
|
|
Puerto Rico |
23 |
20 |
|
63 |
|
|
Rhode Island |
20 |
|
|
32 |
|
|
South Carolina |
24 |
19 |
5 |
54 |
12 |
25 |
South Dakota |
27 |
|
|
23 |
|
|
Tennessee |
55 |
15 |
23 |
85 |
40 |
28 |
Texas |
140 |
|
|
228 |
|
|
Utah |
36 |
0 |
0 |
29 |
9 |
14 |
Vermont |
17 |
|
|
23 |
|
|
Virginia |
63 |
63 |
0 |
101 |
29 |
50 |
Virgin Islands |
9 |
|
|
9 |
0 |
3 |
Washington |
40 |
|
|
97 |
|
|
West Virginia |
30 |
0 |
18 |
39 |
|
|
Wisconsin |
40 |
31 |
|
92 |
32 |
42 |
Wyoming |
14** |
0 |
0 |
18 |
|
|
* Delegates Stripped by DNC Party Officials for Violations
** Delegates unbound until convention.
2008 Presidential Primary Election Dates
The 2008 Presidential Primaries are in full swing. Click here for information regarding voter registration and stayed tuned to our website for details on each candidate’s health care platforms.
State |
Democrat |
Republican |
Alabama |
2/5/2008 |
2/5/2008 |
Alaska |
2/5/2008 |
2/5/2008 |
Arizona |
2/5/2008 |
2/5/2008 |
Arkansas |
2/5/2008 |
2/5/2008 |
California |
2/5/2008 |
2/5/2008 |
Colorado |
2/5/2008 |
2/5/2008 |
Connecticut |
2/5/2008 |
2/5/2008 |
DC |
2/12/2008 |
2/12/2008 |
Delaware |
2/5/2008 |
2/5/2008 |
Florida |
1/29/2008 |
1/29/2008 |
Georgia |
2/5/2008 |
2/5/2008 |
Hawaii |
2/19/2008 |
3/2/2008 |
Idaho |
2/5/2008 |
5/27/2008 |
Illinois |
2/5/2008 |
2/5/2008 |
Indiana |
5/6/2008 |
5/6/2008 |
Iowa |
1/3/2008 |
1/3/2008 |
Kansas |
2/5/2008 |
2/9/2008 |
Kentucky |
5/20/2008 |
5/20/2008 |
Louisiana |
2/9/2008 |
2/9/2008 |
Maine |
2/10/2008 |
2/1/2008 |
Maryland |
2/12/2008 |
2/12/2008 |
Massachusetts |
3/4/2008 |
3/4/2008 |
Michigan |
1/15/2008 |
1/15/2008 |
Minnesota |
2/5/2008 |
2/5/2008 |
Mississippi |
3/11/2008 |
3/11/2008 |
Missouri |
2/5/2008 |
2/5/2008 |
Montana |
6/3/2008 |
6/3/2008 |
Nebraska |
5/13/2008 |
5/13/2008 |
Nevada |
1/19/2008 |
1/19/2008 |
New Hampshire |
1/8/08 |
1/8/2008 |
New Jersey |
2/5/2008 |
2/5/2008 |
New Mexico |
2/5/2008 |
6/3/2008 |
New York |
2/5/2008 |
2/5/2008 |
North Carolina |
5/6/2008 |
5/6/2008 |
North Dakota |
2/5/2008 |
2/5/2008 |
Ohio |
3/4/2008 |
3/4/2008 |
Oklahoma |
2/5/2008 |
2/5/2008 |
Oregon |
5/20/2008 |
5/20/2008 |
Pennsylvania |
4/22/2008 |
4/22/2008 |
Rhode Island |
3/4/2008 |
3/4/2008 |
South Carolina |
1/29/2008 |
1/19/2008 |
South Dakota |
6/3/2008 |
6/3/2008 |
Tennessee |
2/5/2008 |
2/5/2008 |
Texas |
3/4/2008 |
3/4/2008 |
Utah |
2/5/2008 |
2/5/2008 |
Vermont |
3/4/2008 |
3/4/2008 |
Virginia |
2/12/2008 |
2/12/2008 |
Washington |
2/19/2008 |
2/19/2008 |
West Virginia |
5/13/2008 |
5/13/2008 |
Wisconsin |
2/19/2008 |
2/19/2008 |
Wyoming |
3/8/2008 |
1/5/2008 |
If you haven’t supported OPAC in 2008, we encourage you to do so today. Make a contribution online at www.OsteopathicPAC.org today!
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