12 November 2008
Get the rundown on 13 key Senate races in the 2008 election. There are 35 US Senate seats up for grabs; 33 are regular, every-six-year events. The other two are special elections. Because 23 of the contested seats are Republican -- including all seven open seats -- the GOP is under more pressure than the Democrats. Currently the Senate is composed of 49 Republicans, 49 Democrats, and two independents who caucus with Democrats. The 2008 election could seal a Democratic majority.
11. Oregon
Incumbent: Gordon Smith, R; two terms
Oregon may be part of the left coast, but voters have kept Smith's seat Republican for decades; he was elected in 1996 when Republican Mark Hatfield retired after 30 years in the Senate. However, Smith is the sole Republican holding a statewide office in Oregon. His challenger is Democrat Jeff Merkley, Oregon's speaker of the House. Merkley has served in the House since being elected in 1998. Since 1998, Oregon has voted Democratic in the presidential election. Is it time to turn that Senate seat blue, too?
Update: too close to call, but Merkley has edge.
Winner: Merkley
Oregon may be part of the left coast, but voters have kept Smith's seat Republican for decades; he was elected in 1996 when Republican Mark Hatfield retired after 30 years in the Senate. However, Smith is the sole Republican holding a statewide office in Oregon. His challenger is Democrat Jeff Merkley, Oregon's speaker of the House. Merkley has served in the House since being elected in 1998. Since 1998, Oregon has voted Democratic in the presidential election. Is it time to turn that Senate seat blue, too?
Update: too close to call, but Merkley has edge.
Winner: Merkley
12. Virginia
Incumbent: John Warner, R; five terms; not seeking re-election
Will Virginia go blue in this election? When Sen. Warner announced in 2007 that he would not run for re-election, former Democratic Governor Mark Warner (no relation) announced his intention to run. Gov. Warner was very popular, leaving office with a 70% approval rating. (Governors can serve only one term.) Possible GOP contenders included former Gov. Jim Gilmore and Rep. Tom Davis; Gilmore won the convention vote by less than 1%. Virginia has voted Republican since the 1972 presidential cycle, but Warner could be instrumental in turning that tide.
Update: Mark Warner leading hands-down. (How many Virginians think that it's John running for re-election?)
Winner: Warner
Will Virginia go blue in this election? When Sen. Warner announced in 2007 that he would not run for re-election, former Democratic Governor Mark Warner (no relation) announced his intention to run. Gov. Warner was very popular, leaving office with a 70% approval rating. (Governors can serve only one term.) Possible GOP contenders included former Gov. Jim Gilmore and Rep. Tom Davis; Gilmore won the convention vote by less than 1%. Virginia has voted Republican since the 1972 presidential cycle, but Warner could be instrumental in turning that tide.
Update: Mark Warner leading hands-down. (How many Virginians think that it's John running for re-election?)
Winner: Warner
13. Wyoming
Incumbent: John Barrasso, R; appointed 2007
Wyoming Gov. Dave Freudenthal appointed State Sen. Barrasso to temporarily fill the US Senate seat vacated when Republican Sen. Craig Thomas died in June 2007. Two Democrats have filed to run against Barrasso in the November special election; this Senate seat expires with the 2012 election. Thomas was elected in 1989 to replace Rep. Dick Cheney, who stepped down to become Secretary of Defense. In 1994, he won the open Senate seat vacated by Republican Malcolm Wallop.
In a rare electoral event, both Senate seats are in play. Two-term Republican Sen. Enzi is also running for re-election.
Update: Barrasso polling like an incumbent; no contest.
Winner: Barrasso
Wyoming Gov. Dave Freudenthal appointed State Sen. Barrasso to temporarily fill the US Senate seat vacated when Republican Sen. Craig Thomas died in June 2007. Two Democrats have filed to run against Barrasso in the November special election; this Senate seat expires with the 2012 election. Thomas was elected in 1989 to replace Rep. Dick Cheney, who stepped down to become Secretary of Defense. In 1994, he won the open Senate seat vacated by Republican Malcolm Wallop.
In a rare electoral event, both Senate seats are in play. Two-term Republican Sen. Enzi is also running for re-election.
Update: Barrasso polling like an incumbent; no contest.
Winner: Barrasso
