[edit] Wayne Allard (R) of Colorado
Main article: United States Senate election in Colorado, 2008
In Colorado, incumbent Republican Senator Wayne Allard limited himself to two terms. On January 15, 2007, he announced he would not seek re-election.[3] Allard has a fairly low approval ratings, suggesting this race could have been close.
Former Representative Bob Schaffer has announced his candidacy.[4] He is helped by the fact that other possible candidates, like former Congressman Scott McInnis and Colorado Attorney General John Suthers, a former El Paso County District Attorney, decided not to run.
The Democratic nominee will almost certainly be Representative Mark Udall, (CO-2) who has announced that he will seek the seat and is unlikely to draw significant primary opposition.[5]
The 2008 Democratic National Convention will be held in Denver. Bob Kinsey is also running as the Green Party nominee [6].
[edit] Larry Craig (R) of Idaho
Main article: United States Senate election in Idaho, 2008
On September 1, 2007, Senator Larry Craig announced his intent to resign from the Senate effective September 30 [7]. The announcement followed by just six days the disclosure that he had pleaded guilty on August 1 to a reduced misdemeanor charge arising out of his arrest on June 11 at the Minneapolis airport for soliciting sex with a man in the restroom. Craig found almost no support among Republicans in his home state or Washington.
On October 4, Senator Craig announced he will not seek reelection, but would remain in office until the end of his term. [8]
Lieutenant Governor Jim Risch is the leading Republican candidate.[9] On the Democratic side, former congressman Larry LaRocco is the leading candidate.[10] Risch and LaRocco ran against each other in the 2006 Lieutenant Governor race, which Risch won by a wide margin.
The last Democratic Senator from Idaho was Frank Church, who was defeated in the Republican landslide of 1980 after serving four terms.
[edit] Chuck Hagel (R) of Nebraska
Main article: United States Senate election in Nebraska, 2008
In Nebraska, incumbent Republican Senator Chuck Hagel chose to retire and will not seek the 2008 Presidential nomination. This makes what was a safe Republican seat more competitive.[11]
Former Governor Mike Johanns, who recently resigned as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture is the likely nominee for the Republican Party.
On the Democratic side, former Congressional candidate Scott Kleeb announced on February 25, 2008 that he will run. Kleeb, a 32-year-old rancher and history professor at Hastings College, lost an open seat race to Rep. Adrian Smith in 2006 by 10 points, a very strong showing in a conservative House district.
Nebraska state Green Party Co-Chairman Steve Larrick is also a candidate[12].
[edit] Pete Domenici (R) of New Mexico
Main article: United States Senate election in New Mexico, 2008
While Senator Pete Domenici had declared that he would seek reelection in New Mexico, he changed his mind and announced on October 4 that he was retiring at the end of his current term due to a degenerative brain disorder. [13] Domenici normally would have been expected to win re-election easily, having won his current term with the support of two out of three New Mexico voters; however, he is to be investigated by the Senate Ethics Committee for his role in firing U.S. Attorney David Iglesias. Domenici's role in the developing scandal had reduced the probability he would have been re-elected, and a SurveyUSA poll showed his approval ratings at 41%, with 54% disapproving.[14] The potential scandal may have also contributed to his decision to leave the Senate.
Rep. Tom Udall (D) had initially ruled out a run, but announced on November 12 that he is running. [15].
Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chavez had announced that he will run for the open seat [16]. Chavez was the Democratic nominee for Governor in 1998. On December 7, however, he bowed out of the race and supported Udall.[17]
One minor Democratic candidate has also expressed intent to run. Leland Lehrman, 37, edits an alternative bi-weekly newspaper in northern New Mexico.[18]
Among Republicans, Rep. Heather Wilson, who is considered by many to be Domenici's protégé, has announced her candidacy.[19] She has won re-election in a highly marginal district against well-financed challenges. However, she is also snared in the same U.S. Attorney controversy as Domenici, although how much damage it will cause is unclear. Rep. Steve Pearce, who represents the more conservative southern part of the state, has also announced [20].
[edit] John Warner (R) of Virginia
Main article: United States Senate election in Virginia, 2008
John Warner announced on August 31, 2007 that he would not seek reelection for another term. [21] Former Governor Jim Gilmore, who recently dropped out of the 2008 presidential election, plans to run for the seat[22]. After the state Republican Party chose to choose the 2008 U.S. Senate nominee through a convention rather than a primary, Congressman Thomas M. Davis, who was interested in running, decided against the Senate race.[23]
Popular Democratic former Governor Mark Warner has entered the race.[24] Early polling shows him being a strong favorite to win the seat.[25]
[edit] Possible retirements
[edit] Ted Stevens (R) of Alaska
Main article: United States Senate election in Alaska, 2008
While Senator Ted Stevens has announced he will run for re-election for an eighth term, it is possible he will reconsider. He will be 85 years old in November, but, more importantly, the FBI and IRS are investigating Stevens. An oil company executive that bribed many Alaskan politicians paid for construction work on Stevens' personal residence. It has also been revealed that the FBI had recorded Stevens' phone calls with the Alaskan contractor who is cooperating with them.[26]
The FBI is investigating the remodeling of Stevens home by Veco Corp. which is part of a broader corruption investigation involving Stevens' son, former State Senate President Ben Stevens.[27] Two former Veco executives have plead guilty to paying the younger Stevens $242,000 in bribes.[28] On July 30, 2007, the IRS and FBI raided Stevens' home in Alaska. On September 14, 2007, former Veco CEO Bill Allen testified at the trial of former State House Speaker Pete Kott that Veco paid people working to double the size of Stevens' home.[29]
Republicans have several choices in this conservative state such as: Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell; former Lt. Gov. Loren Leman; former State Sen. John Binkley, who ran for Governor in 2006; State Senate Minority Leader Gene Therriault; State House Speaker John Harris; and State Rep. Tom Anderson.
Among Democrats mentioned, Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich, the son of popular former Democratic Rep. Nick Begich, heads the list. It also includes Democratic State Rep. Eric Croft, a reformer who garnered attention when he sought the governorship in 2006. State Senators Hollis French and Johnny Ellis as well as State Rep. Scott Kawasaki are also on the list of Democratic prospects."[30]
On October 19, 2007, the AP reported that despite the allegations and FBI probe, several long-standing GOP Senators -- including Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) and Kit Bond (R-MO) -- donated enough money to Stevens' re-election campaign to make it one of Stevens' most successful fund raising quarters ever. [31]
[edit] Michael Enzi (R) of Wyoming
Main article: United States Senate elections in Wyoming, 2008
Senator Mike Enzi is likely to be re-elected without significant opposition for a third term in strongly Republican Wyoming. However, it is still possible that he may retire.
[edit] Democratic incumbent races
[edit] Mark Pryor of Arkansas
Main article: United States Senate election in Arkansas, 2008
Senator Mark Pryor could be targeted in his first race as an incumbent. Pryor was the only Democrat to defeat an incumbent Republican senator in the otherwise GOP-dominated 2002 elections. While George W. Bush won Arkansas in both 2000 and 2004, he won it by a significantly smaller margin than most of the other Southern states, and the home of the Clinton family has Democrats representing three of its four U.S. House districts, as well as Democratic senior Senator Blanche Lincoln.
Currently, the only Republican who has shown interest in challenging Pryor is former U.S. Attorney Chuck Banks, who lost the GOP primary for lieutenant governor in 2006 and a race for the U.S. House in 1982.
Democratic Lieutenant Governor Bill Halter has angered a number of Democrats in the state because he has not denied rumors that he may challenge Pryor in a primary. Halter has not been known to have much influence, even though he defeated three seasoned state legislators to win the primary, and a significant primary challenge could damage Pryor.
Also in the race is Green Party candidate Rebekah Kennedy, who in 2006 ran for state attorney general, capturing 4.4% of the vote[32].
Former Governor & current Presidential candidate Mike Huckabee ruled out a run on February 23, 2008, saying, "It's more likely I'll dye my hair green, get a bunch of tattoos and go on tour with Amy Winehouse". Polling had shown Huckabee to be the strongest challenger against Pryor. [33]
[edit] Joe Biden of Delaware
Main article: United States Senate election in Delaware, 2008
After dropping his presidential run[34] following a poor showing in the Iowa caucuses, Biden is not expected to face serious opposition in his bid for re-election.
[edit] Dick Durbin of Illinois
Main article: United States Senate election in Illinois, 2008
Senate Majority Whip Richard Durbin remains favored in Illinois. He seeks to be reelected in a state that has steadily become more Democratic since 1992. CQpolitics.com rates the contest as "safe Democrat."
Physician Steve Sauerberg of La Grange won the February 5 Republican primary. [35]
[edit] Tom Harkin of Iowa
Main article: United States Senate election in Iowa, 2008
Senator Tom Harkin has announced he will seek re-election.[36]
Harkin received 54% of the vote in 2002 against former Republican Congressman Greg Ganske. In 2006, the Democrats gained two of Iowa's U.S. House seats and won majorities in both chambers of the state legislature as well as retaining the Iowa Governor's Mansion.
As of April 2007, veteran Iowa political reporter David Yepsen was reporting that Harkin, having raised over $2 million, was unlikely to face a big-name Republican challenge.[37] In a subsequent article, he wrote that it was possible that wealthy propane retailer Bruce Rastetter, formerly in the hog-feeding business, was a potential candidate for Republicans[38].
Steve Rathje, a businessman from Cedar Rapids, has entered the race.[citation needed]
Conservative Rep. Steve King (R-IA-5) has become increasingly vocal in opposing legislation that would allow illegal immigrants a path to citizenship and has recently sparred with Harkin over the issue. This has led to some speculation that King has not ruled out running.[citation needed]
[edit] Mary Landrieu of Louisiana
Main article: United States Senate election in Louisiana, 2008
Senator Mary Landrieu was elected in 1996 following a recount and was narrowly re-elected in 2002 in a runoff election. Landrieu must now endure the loss of many reliable Democratic voters since Hurricane Katrina dispersed many African-Americans from New Orleans. Louisiana elected David Vitter in 2004, the state's first Republican senator since Reconstruction. Louisiana's electoral votes also went to George W. Bush in 2000 and 2004
On August 27, 2007, state Treasurer John N. Kennedy announced he was switching parties from Democrat to Republican. On November 29th, after being personally recruited by Vitter and former Bush administration official Karl Rove, Kennedy announced plans to challenge Landrieu in 2008 [39] [40]. A Survey poll shows him trailing Landrieu 42% to 46%. [41]
[edit] John Kerry of Massachusetts
Main article: United States Senate election in Massachusetts, 2008
Senator John Kerry will seek another Senate term in Massachusetts.[42] An August 2007 poll put Kerry's approval rating at 47%, with 45% disapproving. [43]
Republican author and conservative activist Jerome Corsi, known for his public criticism of Kerry, had stated that he would run for the seat in 2008 but later changed his mind. Another challenger to Kerry is Jeff Beatty, an ex-Army Delta Force officer who garnered 30% of the vote in a challenge to Democratic Congressman Bill Delahunt in 2006. In addition, Jim Ogonowski, a retired Air Force pilot who was narrowly defeated by now-Representative Niki Tsongas in a 2007 special election, is considering the race as is former congressman Peter Blute.[44]
Kerry is being challenged by defense attorney Edward O'Reilly for the Democratic nomination.
[edit] Carl Levin of Michigan
Main article: United States Senate election in Michigan, 2008
Senator Carl Levin has announced he will seek a sixth term in Michigan.[45]
With the Democratic Party takeover of Capitol Hill in the 2006 midterm elections, Levin, as chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, has become one of the most powerful people in Washington. He is expected to easily win re-election. Members of Congress Candice Miller (R-MI-10) and Mike J. Rogers (R-MI-8) have declined to challenge him. Levin's opponent in 2002, Republican former State Representative Andrew Raczkowski, along with Republican State Representative Jack Hoogendyk are preparing to declare their candidacies to challenge Levin.[46] A third possible candidate is Troy engineer Bart Baron.[47]
[edit] Max Baucus of Montana
Main article: United States Senate election in Montana, 2008
Senator Max Baucus is a popular Democrat in Montana, representing a state that has long been fairly Republican but also is receptive to Democrats in state and local elections. President Bush won Montana by more than 20 points in both 2000 and 2004, but Montana also has a popular Democratic governor, Brian Schweitzer, and a newly elected Democratic junior senator, Jon Tester. Baucus is unlikely to face a significant challenge.
Rep Denny Rehberg was thought to be a potential candidate, which would have made the race a rematch of the 1996 contest, but on July 6, 2007 Rehberg announced that he would seek to remain in the House. [48] Michael Lange, the recently-ousted state House Majority Leader, announced on June 29, 2007 that he would challenge Baucus. However, former state Senator Bob Keenan has been approached by Republican leaders about a possible candidacy, due to their worries that Lange is not a viable candidate[49].
[edit] Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey
Main article: United States Senate election in New Jersey, 2008
Senator Frank Lautenberg has indicated that he will seek reelection in 2008 at the age of 84, although other Democratic politicians have also shown interest in running in New Jersey, including Congressmen Rob Andrews (NJ-1) and Rush Holt (NJ-12). It is unclear if any of these Democrats will actually challenge Lautenberg. In November, 2006, he had the lowest approval rating of any Democrat running for re-election in 2008 (with 39% approving and 45% disapproving),[50], with his approval standing only at 42% as of September 2007 with voters saying he does not deserve re-election 46%-36% [51]
Among Republicans, wealthy real estate developer Anne Evans Estabrook has announced her candidacy[52] and is supported by moderate and liberal elements in the party. Dr. Murray Sabrin, a professor of economics and finance at Ramapo College and unsuccessful candidate in the 2000 U.S. Senate primary, has also announced his candidacy. [53] In January of 2008, Dr. Sabrin was endorsed by Republican Presidential Candidate and longtime friend, Dr. Ron Paul. [54] Another potential Republican candidate is state Assemblyman Joseph Pennacchio. [55]
[edit] Jack Reed of Rhode Island
Main article: United States Senate election in Rhode Island, 2008
In Rhode Island, Democratic Senator Jack Reed had an approval rating of 66% in November 2006.[56] National Journal has declared that "Reed is probably the safest incumbent of the [2008] cycle."[57]
[edit] Tim Johnson of South Dakota
Main article: United States Senate election in South Dakota, 2008
In South Dakota, Senator Tim Johnson's seat could be a top GOP target in 2008, considering Johnson's narrow 524-vote victory in 2002 over then-Congressman and current U.S. Senator John Thune, as well as his recent health problems. Johnson underwent surgery in December 2006 for a Cerebral arteriovenous malformation and was discharged from the hospital on April 30, 2007. On October 19, Johnson formally announced that he is seeking re-election.[58] According to a November 2006 SurveyUSA poll, Johnson has an approval rating of 70%, with just 26% disapproving of his performance,[59] making him an early favorite despite the state's Republican leaning.
Republicans are attempting to persuade Governor Mike Rounds to run, and his approval ratings are similar to Johnson's. However, when the Republicans began polling potential challengers to Johnson, Rounds was not among them. Rounds recently indicated that he isn't interested in challenging Johnson, but would seriously consider running if Johnson were to retire[60]. State Representative Joel Dykstra (R) announced that he was running on July 5, 2007. Former Lieutenant Governor Steve Kirby, who ran unsuccessfully for Governor in 2002, is also thinking of running [4].
[edit]
Jay Rockefeller of West Virginia
Main article: United States Senate election in West Virginia, 2008
Senator Jay Rockefeller, great-grandson of oil tycoon John D. Rockefeller, will seek a fifth term in West Virginia. Even though West Virginia is a historically Democratic state, in which the party had a 50-32% edge in party affiliation over the Republicans in the 2004 elections, the state party is more conservative than the national party, giving 30% of its votes to President George W. Bush in that election to allow him to win then and in 2000.[61]
[edit] Republican incumbent races
[edit] Jeff Sessions of Alabama
Main article: United States Senate election in Alabama, 2008
In Alabama, Senator Jeff Sessions is running for re-election. CQpolitics.com rates the race as "Republican Favored." On January 10, 2007, U.S. Representative Artur Davis (AL-7) announced that he will not run for the seat.[62] Despite going heavily for Bush in 2004, Alabama still has a strong Democratic presence; Democrats control majorities of both chambers in the state legislature. Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries Ron Sparks appeared to be preparing for a run, but on June 12, 2007, Sparks announced that he will not seek the Senate seat, in order to avoid a primary battle with state Senator Vivian Davis Figures.[63] Figures has won elections in the Republican-leaning Mobile area.
One Independent has already announced he will run. Johnny Swanson announced in March 2006.[64]
[edit] Saxby Chambliss of Georgia
Main article: United States Senate election in Georgia, 2008
In 2002, Republican Senator Saxby Chambliss defeated Democratic incumbent Max Cleland, a decorated disabled Vietnam Veteran. Chambliss will seek reelection in 2008. As of December 2007, Chambliss has an approval rating of 53%, with 34% disapproval rating according to Strategic Vision, a Republican polling firm.[65]
Democrat Vernon Jones, CEO of Dekalb County, has indicated an interest in running and is canvassing the state to determine voters' concerns. Jones is African-American and a conservative Democrat who voted for George W. Bush in 2004.[66] Veteran Atlanta investigative journalist Dale Cardwell declared his candidacy in June 2007. Rep. Jim Marshall (GA-8) is under pressure to not run, as Democrats are worried the party would then lose his seat.[67]
There has been speculation that state Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond or former Governor Roy Barnes could jump into the race to take on Chambliss.[citation needed] Another rumor is that former Sen. Sam Nunn may consider returning to the Senate if he does not decide to launch an independent bid for the White House in 2008.[citation needed] Recently, Vietnam War Veteran and ex-congressional aide to former Sen. Herman Talmadge (D-GA), Josh Lanier, has announced that he will run for the Senate in 2008. Finally, recent speculation has centered around Adj. Gen. of the Georgia National Guard, Vietnam War Veteran David Poythress, a former Labor Commissioner and Secreatry of State who retired from the National Guard in November.
Libertarian Allen Buckley is also a declared candidate[68] along with frequent candidate Eleanor Garcia of the Socialist Workers Party[69].
[edit] Pat Roberts of Kansas
Main article: United States Senate election in Kansas, 2008
Senator Pat Roberts has indicated that he will seek re-election. Kansas has not elected a Democrat to the Senate since 1932. Pat Roberts currently has an approval rating of 56%.[70]
Democrat Greg Orman, a Kansas businessman, will challenge Roberts.[71]
Previously the Topeka Capital Journal reports that former Congressman Jim Slattery, who served in Congress for 12 years, was considering a run against Roberts.[72] Slattery was the Democratic nominee for Governor in 1994 and lost by a wide margin. Former Congressman Dan Glickman and Former GOP House Majority Leader Joe Hoagland, who recently switched to the Democratic Party, may also run.[citation needed]
[edit] Mitch McConnell of Kentucky
Main article: United States Senate election in Kentucky, 2008
Democrats have made Senate Minority Leader, four-term Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky a target due to his leadership of Senate Republicans and his ties to President Bush, as well as his mediocre approval rating in the state, which is below 50%.[73] Former Attorney General and Congressman Ben Chandler (KY-6) was the top pick among national Democrats as he has won statewide recognition and was reelected in his Republican leaning district, but he has stated he will pass on the race.
Businessman Bruce Lunsford, who appears to have the backing of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and Greg Fischer have filed to run in the Democratic Primary, as have six other candidates.[74]
Andrew Horne, a Louisville attorney, and Iraq War Veteran who appeared to be a strong candidate for the Democratic nomination, dropped out two weeks after filing to run.[75]
[edit] Susan Collins of Maine
Main article: United States Senate election in Maine, 2008
In Maine, Susan Collins has informed the Lewiston Sun Journal that she intends to seek another term.[76] Collins is likely to start as a strong favorite.[77] Also in her favor is the landslide re-election of Maine's senior Senator, Olympia Snowe, who had the largest margin of victory of any GOP Senate candidate - besides the largely unopposed Dick Lugar (R-IN) - in the 2006 election cycle. Collins was re-elected with 58% of the vote in 2002 over State Sen. Chellie Pingree. Sen. Joe Lieberman, citing his status as an independent, endorsed Sen. Collins in her 2008 re-election bid.
On May 8, 2007, Rep. Tom Allen (ME-1) announced his candidacy on his website. He had already expressed interest in running and had been building the apparatus necessary to wage a senate campaign.[78] On the same day a poll was released by Critical Insights, an independent polling firm in Portland, ME, which showed Sen. Collins as the clear early favorite, with Collins leading Allen 57% to 30%, and another poll shows Collins with a lead of 57% to 32%.
[edit] Norm Coleman of Minnesota
Main article: United States Senate election in Minnesota, 2008
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