2008 United States Senate elections: Difference between revisions

Content deleted Content added

Inline

Revision as of 17:48, 20 April 2007

Template:Future election in the United States

Elections for the United States Senate will be held on November 4 2008, with 33 of the 100 seats in the Senate being contested. Since Senators are elected for six-year terms, those elected will serve from January 3 2009 until January 3 2015. They will join Senate Class II, which traces its roots back to the Senators who served four-year terms from March 4, 1789 until March 2, 1793. Current Class II Senators, who were elected in 2002, will seek re-election or retire in 2008.

The U.S. presidential election, 2008, U.S. gubernatorial elections, 2008 and U.S. House election, 2008 will occur on the same date, as well as many state and local elections.

The composition of the Senate going into the 2008 election will include 49 Republicans and 49 Democrats (plus two independents, Bernie Sanders (VT) and Joe Lieberman (CT), who will caucus with Democrats). Of the seats up for election in 2008, 21 are held by Republicans and 12 by Democrats.

There may be additional changes of incumbents to the list below if Senators die or resign. If Senators in other classes die or resign between 2006 and 2008, there may be additional special elections in 2008. The dates between which the death or resignation of a Senator would lead to a special election in 2008 vary from state to state. Currently, as of February 2007, Senator Tim Johnson (D-SD) is recovering from a Cerebral arteriovenous malformation, Senator Craig Thomas (R-WY) is undergoing cancer treatment, and Utah Senator Orrin Hatch has been mentioned as an Attorney General candidate (up for re-election in 2012), and there has been public speculation as to whether these three senators will remain in office.

Predictions

Democrats possess the field advantage in 2008. They need only to defend twelve seats, while Republicans must defend twenty-one. Of the twenty-one Republicans however, only four are in states won by Senator John Kerry in the 2004 election (OR, ME, MN, and NH). Six of the twelve Democrats on the other hand are in states won by President George W. Bush (AR, IA, LA, MT, SD, and WV).

The Hotline

In February 2007, The Hotline's Chuck Todd named Mary Landrieu (D-LA), Norm Coleman (R-MN), John Sununu (R-NH), Susan Collins (R-ME), Tim Johnson (D-SD), Gordon Smith (R-OR), Elizabeth Dole (R-NC), Max Baucus (D-MT), and Tom Harkin (D-IA) as the nine most vulnerable Senate incumbents from most to least vulnerable.^[1]

CQPolitics

CQPolitics.com produced their first analysis of the 2008 Senate race on January 26, 2007.^[2] They rank the contests accordingly:

Eight Republican seats (AK, ID, KS, KY, MS, NE, NM and WY) are considered Safe Republican, meaning the races are not expected to be competitive.
Seven Republican seats (AL, GA, OK, SC, TN, TX and VA) are considered Republican Favored, meaning the races are not currently competitive but could conceivably become so under the right circumstances.
Five Republican seats currently held by Susan Collins (ME), Norm Coleman (MN), John E. Sununu (NH), Elizabeth Dole (NC) and Gordon H. Smith (OR) are considered Leans Republican, meaning the race is competitive but the Republican has a distinct advantage.
Two seats, currently held by retiring Republican Wayne Allard (CO) and Democrat Tim Johnson (SD), are rated No Clear Favorite, meaning no party has a distinct advantage.
One Democratic seat currently held by Mary Landrieu (LA) is considered Leans Democratic.
Four Democratic seats (AR, IA, MT and NJ) are considered Democrat Favored.
Six Democratic seats (DE, IL, MA, MI, RI and WV) are considered Safe Democratic.

Races

Retiring Senators

Only one senator, Wayne Allard of Colorado, has announced his retirement, and three have not announced their re-election plans: Chuck Hagel of Nebraska, Larry Craig of Idaho, and John Warner of Virginia. Senator Joe Biden of Delaware will run for re-election if his bid for the Democratic Presidential nomination is unsuccessful. Other senators who have announced their candidacies for re-election may voluntarily or involuntarily cancel their plans.

Wayne Allard (R) of Colorado

In Colorado, incumbent Republican Wayne Allard limited himself to two terms. On January 15, 2007, Allard formally announced he would not seek re-election. this race would have been close, because a November poll has Allard's approval rating at 44% with 43% disapproving- a 1% net.^[3]

Republicans: Former U.S. Representatives Bob Schaffer is a likely candidate. Also considering running is former Representative Bob Beauprez, who lost in the 2006 gubernatorial election to Bill Ritter. Retired Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway and former governor Bill Owens have both ruled out a run.^[4]^[5] On March 21, 2007 McInnis dropped out of the race. The strongest best-known Republican in consideration is widely held to be state Attorney General John Suthers, a former El Paso County District Attorney.

Democrats: The Democratic nominee will almost certainly be U.S. Representative Mark Udall, who has announced that he will seek the seat and is unlikely to draw significant primary opposition.^[6]

Possible retiring Senators

Joe Biden (D) of Delaware

Incumbent Democratic Senator Joe Biden has announced he is running for President.^[7] Biden may run for both the Presidency and the Senate simultaneously, but may choose to retire from the Senate to focus exclusively on the Presidency. Should he retire, the 2008 race would feature the first open Delaware seat since 1970, should he not run for re-election, State Treasurer Jack Markell (D) or Attorney General Beau Biden, Sen. Biden's son, may run.

Republican U.S. Representative Michael Castle is a potential Republican candidate.

Larry Craig (R) of Idaho

In Idaho, Larry Craig has not indicated if he will run for a fourth term. Former Canyon County commissioner Robert Vasquez, a border security supporter who lost a crowded GOP primary for Congress in 2006 won by current Rep. Bill Sali, is an announced candidate on the Republican side whether Craig runs or not. Lieutenant Governor Jim Risch has also been mentioned as as possible Republican candidate if Craig chooses not to seek reelection, as has Congressman Mike Simpson. On the Democratic side, former Congressman Larry LaRocco announced his candidacy in April 2007. Larry Grant, who had also been mentioned as a possible Democratic contender, will most likely rematch against Sali instead, leaving LaRocco as the frontrunner for the Democratic nomination.^[8] Craig, who will be 63 in 2008 and who has never faced a serious electoral challenge from either party in over 25 years in Congress, would be solidly favored to win a reelection campaign. The seat would remain favored Republican even if Craig retires, as no Democrat has won a Senate race in Idaho since Frank Church in 1974.

Chuck Hagel (R) of Nebraska

In Nebraska, incumbent Republican Chuck Hagel may retire, regardless of whether he runs for President.^[9] Hagel would likely be reelected for a third term should he decide to run. On the Democratic side, three influential Senators have encouraged two-term Omaha Mayor Mike Fahey to consider a bid for the seat should Hagel decide to retire. Those Senators include Harry Reid (Majority Leader), Charles Schumer (DSCC Chair), and Ben Nelson (of Nebraska).^[10] On April 19, 2007, Nebraska Attorney General Jon Bruning said in an interview with Lincoln Journal-Star that he would challenge Hagel in the Republican primary.

John Warner (R) of Virginia

In Virginia, John Warner has announced that he will run for a sixth term in 2008, at which point he will be 82 years old. However, highly popular former Governor Mark Warner, who won 47% of the vote in a challenge to Warner in 1996 as a little-known political neophyte, may run.^[11] However, Warner raised only $500 for re-election in the first quarter of 2007, which may indicate he will retire after all. Should that happen, possible Republican candidates include Congressman Tom Davis and Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling.

Democratic incumbent races

Max Baucus of Montana

Max Baucus is a popular Democrat in Montana, serving in a state that has long been fairly Republican but also is receptive to Democrats in state and local elections. President George W. Bush won Montana by more than 20 points in both 2000 and 2004, but Montana also has a popular Democratic governor and a newly-elected Democratic junior senator. Senator Baucus is unlikely to face a significant challenge, unless Republican Congressman Denny Rehberg runs, which would be a rematch of the 1996 contest. Rehberg has not made any formal announcement that he plans to do so, and, should he desire a promotion to the Senate, is more likely to wait until 2012, when freshman Senator Jon Tester will come up for re-election.

Dick Durbin of Illinois

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.

Tom Harkin of Iowa

Tom Harkin says he is "doing everything" he can to run for re-election including raising money and putting together a campaign organization.^[12]

Harkin received 54% of the vote in 2002 against former Republican Congressman Greg Ganske. In 2006, the Democrats gained two US House seats and won both State Houses 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.^[13]|format= |work=The Des Moines Register |date=2007-04-09}}</ref>

Tim Johnson of South Dakota

In South Dakota, the seat of Tim Johnson could be a top GOP target in 2008, considering Johnson's narrow 524-vote victory in 2002 over then-Congressman John Thune, as well as his recent health problems. (Johnson underwent surgery in December 2006 for a Cerebral arteriovenous malformation.) According to a November 2006 SurveyUSA poll, Johnson has an approval rating of 70%, with just 26% disapproving of his performance.^[14] Republican Governor Mike Rounds would have the power to appoint a replacement should Johnson vacate his seat prematurely. Republicans are attempting to persuade Rounds himself to run, and his approval ratings are similar to Johnson's.

John Kerry of Massachusetts

John Kerry will seek another Senate term in Massachusetts.^[15] A December 2006 SurveyUSA poll put Kerry's approval rating at only 43%, with 53% disapproving.^[16]

Republican author and conservative activist Jerome Corsi, known for his public criticism of Kerry, has stated that he will run for the seat in 2008.^[17]

Mary Landrieu of Louisiana

Mary Landrieu was elected in 1996 following a recount, and narrowly re-elected in 2002 following a runoff. 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 to the Senate in 2004, the state's first Republican Senator since Reconstruction. Lousiana's electoral votes also went to George W. Bush in 2000 and 2004. Possible Republican opponents include U.S. Representative Richard Baker, Secretary of State Jay Dardenne, and former state Elections Commissioner Suzanne Haik Terrell, who was Landrieu's opponent in 2002.

Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey

Frank Lautenberg has indicated that he will seek reelection in 2008 at the age of 84, though other Democratic politicians have also shown interest in running in New Jersey, such as Congressmen Rush Holt and Rob Andrews. It is unclear if any of these Democrats will actually challenge Lautenberg, who has the lowest approval rating of any Democrat running for re-election.^[18]

Republicans have a field of potential candidates. The 2006 Republican nominee, state Senator Tom Kean, Jr., could decide to run again. Republican Assemblyman Michael J. Doherty is also weighing a run against Lautenberg. Doherty is a lawyer and West Point graduate who has been in the Assembly since 2001.^[19] Also considering a run is wealthy real estate developer Anne Evans Estabrook, who would be supported by moderate and liberal elements within the state Republican Party.

A November 2006 SurveyUSA poll on Senator Lautenberg shows an approval rating of 39% with 45% disapproval,^[20] although similar lopsided disapproval ratings did not impair the election of his colleague Senator Robert Menendez.

Carl Levin of Michigan

Carl Levin has announced he will seek re-election in Michigan.^[21] He will be 74 in 2008.

Mark Pryor of Arkansas

Mark Pryor might be targeted in his first race as an incumbent. Pryor was the only Democrat to defeat an incumbent Republican Senator in the otherwise GOP-dominant 2002 election. While George W. Bush won in Arkansas in both 2000 and 2004, he won it by a smaller margin than most of the other Southern states, and the home of the Clinton family has Democratic Representatives for three out of its four House seats along with Democratic Senator Blanche Lincoln.

Jack Reed of Rhode Island

In Rhode Island, Jack Reed had an approval rating of 66% in November 2006 according to SurveyUSA.^[22] National Journal has declared that "Reed is probably the safest incumbent of the (2008) cycle."[1]

Jay Rockefeller of West Virginia

Jay Rockefeller, a great-grandson of oil tycoon John D. Rockefeller and the only current politician out of the Rockefeller family, will seek reelection in West Virginia. Even though West Virginia is a traditionally 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.^[23].

Republican incumbent races

Lamar Alexander of Tennessee

Lamar Alexander has announced he will seek a second term in 2008..^[24]

For the Democrats, a leading candidate in 2008 could be former Representative and 2006 U.S. Senate nominee Harold Ford, who ran a surprisingly strong campaign in Tennessee in 2006. In December 2006, Ford said that he was planning to run for Alexander's seat, but in January 2007 he said that he then had no such plan.^[25]^[26]

Saxby Chambliss of Georgia

In 2002, Georgian Saxby Chambliss defeated Democrat Max Cleland, a disabled Vietnam Veteran. Chambliss will seek reelection in 2008. Vernon Jones, the CEO of Dekalb County has indicated an interest in running and is canvassing the state to determine voters' concerns. Jones is African-American and is a conservative Democrat who voted for George Bush in 2004.^[27] Jim Marshall is under pressure to not run, as some Democrats are worried he would lose his House seat representing Georgia's 8th congressional district.^[28] There is some speculation that former Secretary of State Cathy Cox, a Democrat, who unsuccessfully sought her party's nomination for governor in 2006, may jump into the race. Another potential candidate is wealthy Macon-based trial attorney Jim Butler.

Thad Cochran of Mississippi

In Mississippi, incumbent Republican Thad Cochran has decided to run for reelection.^[29] The only mentioned possible Democratic opponents are former Mississippi Attorney General Mike Moore, who is famous for the millions he brought to Mississippi in the tobacco lawsuit, and former governor Ronnie Musgrove, who narrowly lost in his re-election bid to Haley Barbour in 2003.

Norm Coleman of Minnesota

Norm Coleman won a tight contest in 2002 against former Democratic Vice-President Walter Mondale after the incumbent Senator, Democrat Paul Wellstone, died in an October plane crash. Minnesota politics, which had been getting less Democratic for a decade, showed signs of returning to its Democratic roots in 2004 after major gains in the state legislature and support for John Kerry by one point more than Al Gore had in 2000. In 2006, relatively popular Republican Governor Tim Pawlenty barely won re-election, Democrat Amy Klobuchar handily beat retiring Republican Representative Mark Kennedy in a Senate race, and the Democrats took large majorities in the Minnesota State House, gaining 19 additional seats, and made further gains in the state senate. Six term Republican Rep. Gil Gutknecht was also defeated that year.

Comedian and former radio talk show host Al Franken confirmed on the final broadcast of his radio show Air America, February 14, 2007, that he will run for the Senate seat in 2008.^[30] He had publicly speculated about running for some time and in 2005, he established the Midwest Values PAC to lay the groundwork for that campaign.

The 2008 Republican National Convention is being held in the capital city of St. Paul, where Coleman was once Mayor (elected in 1993 as a moderate-to-conservative DFLer and re-elected in 1997 as a Republican).

According to a January 2007 SurveyUSA poll, Coleman has an approval rating of 55%, with 36% disapproving of his performance.^[31] However, a late March SurveyUSA poll has his approvals sinking to 47 percent with 43 percent dissaproving. Franken is reporting that he has raised 1.3 million dollars in the first quarter of 2007.

Susan Collins of Maine

In Maine, Susan Collins has informed the Lewiston Sun Journal that she intends to seek another term.^[32] Collins remains very popular, with a 73% job approval rating in November 2006, and is likely to start as a strong favorite.^[33] Also in Collins' favor is the landslide re-election of Maine's senior senator, Republican Olympia Snowe, who had the largest margin of victory of any Senate candidate (besides the largely unopposed Indiana Republican Dick Lugar) in the 2006 election cycle. Collins was re-elected with 58% of the vote in 2002 over state senator Chellie Pingree. Sen. Joe Lieberman, citing his status as an independent, endorsed Sen. Collins in her 2008 re-election bid.

Democratic Congressman Tom Allen recently expressed some interest in running and has been building the apparatus necessary to wage a senate campaign.^[34]

John Cornyn of Texas

John Cornyn has a 45% job approval rating as of November 2006.^[35] Texas has not elected a Democrat in a statewide election since 1994. The strongest Democrats whose names are mentioned as possible challengers to Cornyn are Houston Mayor Bill White and Hispanic conservative Democrat U.S. Representative Henry Cuellar. Texas state representative and military veteran Rick Noriega may also consider a bid.

Elizabeth Dole of North Carolina

In North Carolina, there had been rumors that Elizabeth Dole would retire from the Senate and run for Governor, but she said in 2006 that she intends to run for re-election.^[36] If she does, she will probably be an initial favorite unless she faces Democratic Governor Mike Easley, who will not be running for re-election because of term limits. A Dole-Easley race would be highly competitive, but Easley has indicated that he is not interested in serving in any legislature. The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee has attempted to recruit Easley for the 2008 race. A recent poll showed Easley defeating Dole, 44% to 41%.^[37] There are other Democrats whose names have been mentioned, such as first lady Mary Easley, Congressman Brad Miller, state Rep. Grier Martin, state Sen. Kay Hagan, retired Gen. Henry Hugh Shelton, and state Attorney General Roy A. Cooper. Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue and state Treasurer Richard H. Moore have been mentioned, but both seem sure to run for Governor in 2008 instead. ^[38] A Public Policy Polling poll shows Dole leading Miller 44-33 with 22% undecided.

Pete Domenici of New Mexico

Incumbent Republican Pete Domenici has declared that he will seek reelection in New Mexico. Rumors of a possible retirement have persisted due to Domenici's lack of fundraising activity, but his February campaign announcement included a fundraising schedule and confidence in his ability to raise appropriate funds.^[39] Domenici would be normally expected to win re-election easily, having won his current term with the support of two out of three New Mexico voters; however, his involvement in a scandal regarding the firing of U.S. attorneys could put this race in play. Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chavez is thinking of running and is waiting to see how the controversy plays out. Former state Attorney General and 2006 congressional candidate Patricia Madrid is another speculated challenger.

Michael Enzi of Wyoming

Mike Enzi is likely to be re-elected without significant opposition in strongly Republican Wyoming, barring some unforeseen development.

Lindsey Graham of South Carolina

Lindsey Graham, as a reasonably popular Republican incumbent in strongly conservative South Carolina, is unlikely to be vulnerable to a Democratic challenge, though he is expected to face opposition in the Republican primary.^{[citation needed]}

Jim Inhofe of Oklahoma

In Oklahoma, Jim Inhofe has been quiet about his plans for 2008. A November 2006 SurveyUSA poll put Inhofe's approval rating at 46 percent, with 41 percent disapproving of his performance.^[40]

Mitch McConnell of Kentucky

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell will be a target for Democrats, who have a number of potential candidates to challenge him in Kentucky.^{[citation needed]}

Pat Roberts of Kansas

Pat Roberts has indicated that he will seek reelection. Kansas has not elected a Democrat to the Senate since 1932. But rumors that the popular Kansas governor, Katherine Sebelius, may make this a more competitive race.

Jeff Sessions of Alabama

In Alabama, Jeff Sessions has a strong chance of being re-elected. On January 10th, 2007, Congressman Artur Davis announced that he will not run for the seat.^[41] Despite going heavily for George W. Bush in 2004, Alabama still has a strong Democratic presence; Democrats still control a majority of both houses in the Alabama Legislature. The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee recently said that state Agriculture Commissioner Ron Sparks and state Senator Vivian Davis Figures are considering running for the seat. Sparks was reelected to his second term as Alabama's Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries by a solid margin in 2006, and Figures has won elections in the Republican-voting Mobile area. Markos Moulitsas, creator of Daily Kos, wrote favorably of Sparks after a favorable profile of him was posted on the Swing State Project.

Gordon Smith of Oregon

Gordon Smith is likely to run for a third term in Oregon, and may be vulnerable. Oregon businessman Ty Pettit and attorney and Democratic consultant Steve Novick are so far the only announced candidate for the Democratic nomination, although Novick has said he will drop out if a stronger candidate announces. The Democrats' dream candidate in this race would be highly popular former Governor John Kitzhaber, though he has declared he is not running. With Kitzhaber out of the running, the three strongest Democratic contenders are held to be Congressmen Earl Blumenauer and Peter DeFazio and state Senator Ben Westlund. DeFazio is considered the strongest of the three, as a poll shows him beating Smith 42-38. After the poll and being courted by the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee DeFazio declined to challenge Smith. Smith could also draw opposition from the right. He has been singled out by the Club for Growth for not doing enough to control spending; anti-tax activist Bill Sizemore has not ruled out challenging Smith in the Republican primary.

Ted Stevens of Alaska

In Alaska, Ted Stevens will be 85 years old in 2008, but he has indicated that he will seek reelection.

John Sununu of New Hampshire

John Sununu represents swing state New Hampshire, which traditionally leans Republican, but which John Kerry from neighboring Massachusetts narrowly won in the 2004 Presidential election and which saw major Democratic gains in the 2006 elections. Democrats took both of the previously Republican-held House seats, the gubernatorial race by a record margin, and majorities in the State House and Senate.

A spokesman for popular Democratic Governor John Lynch said Lynch would not run for Sununu's seat in 2008.^[42] Portsmouth' Mayor Steve Marchand (D) has announced his candidacy^[43] and Katrina Swett (D), who ran unsuccessfully for Congress in 2002 and whose husband Richard Swett once served in Congress, has also announced.^[44] Dr. Jay Buckey, a medical school director and former astronaut, is also running and his non-political background could be appealing. However, Sununu's 2002 opponent, former Governor Jeanne Shaheen is considering a run and would is generally held to be a far more formidable challenger. An American Research Group poll shows Shaheen beating Sununu by a double-digit margin, 44% to 34%.

Senate contests in 2008

State	Incumbent	Status	Possible opposing candidates	2002 Election Results^[45]
Alabama	Jeff Sessions (R)	Running for Re-election	Vivian Davis Figures (D) Ron Sparks (D)	Jeff Sessions (R) 59%; Susan Parker (D) 40%; Other 1%
Alaska	Ted Stevens (R)	Running for Re-election	Mark Begich (D)	Ted Stevens (R) 78% ; Frank J. Vondersaar (D) 11%; Jim Sykes (G) 8%; Other 3%
Arkansas	Mark Pryor (D)	Running for Re-election		Tim Hutchinson (R) 46%; Mark Pryor (D) 54%
Colorado	Wayne Allard (R)	Retiring	Bob Beauprez (R) Gale Norton (R) Bentley Rayburn (R) Bob Schaffer (R) John Suthers (R) Tom Strickland (D) Mark Udall (D)	Wayne Allard (R) 51%; Tom Strickland (D) 46%; Other 3%
Delaware	Joe Biden (D)	Running for President	Michael Castle (R)	Joe Biden (D) 58%; Raymond J. Clatworthy (R) 41%; Other 1%
Georgia	Saxby Chambliss (R)	Running for Re-election	Vernon Jones (D)	Max Cleland (D) 46%; Saxby Chambliss (R) 53%; Other 1%
Idaho	Larry Craig (R)		Robert Vasquez (R) Larry Grant (D) Larry LaRocco (D)	Larry Craig (R) 65%; Alan Blinken (D) 33%; Other 2%
Illinois	Dick Durbin (D)	Running for Re-election	Bill Brady (R) Steve Greenberg (R) Andy Martin (R) Kevin O'Hara (R) Tony Peraica (R) Kathy Salvi (R)	Dick Durbin (D) 60%; Jim Durkin (R) 38%; Other 2%
Iowa	Tom Harkin (D)	Running for Re-election	Steve King (R) Tom Latham (R)	Tom Harkin (D) 54%; Greg Ganske (R) 44%; Other 2%
Kansas	Pat Roberts (R)	Running for Re-election		Pat Roberts (R) 83%; Steven A. Rosile (L) 9%; George Cook (Reform) 8%
Kentucky	Mitch McConnell (R)	Running for Re-election	Phyllis George (D)	Mitch McConnell (R) 65%; Lois Combs Weinberg (D) 35%
Louisiana	Mary Landrieu (D)	Running for Re-election		Mary Landrieu (D) 52%; Suzanne Haik Terrell (R) 48%
Maine	Susan Collins (R)	Running for Re-election	Tom Allen (D)	Susan Collins (R) 58%; Chellie Pingree (D) 42%
Massachusetts	John Kerry (D)	Running for Re-election	Jerome Corsi (R)	John Kerry (D) 80%; Michael E. Cloud (L) 18%; Others 2%
Michigan	Carl Levin (D)	Running for Re-election	Michelle Engler (R)	Carl Levin (D) 60%; Andrew Raczkowski (R) 38%; Other 2%
Minnesota	Norm Coleman (R)	Running for Re-election	Mike Ciresi (D) Judi Dutcher (D) Al Franken (D) Dean Johnson (D) Becky Lourey (D) Betty McCollum (D) R. T. Rybak (D) Patty Wetterling (D)	Norm Coleman (R) 50%; Walter Mondale (D) 47%; Other 4%
Mississippi	Thad Cochran (R)		Chip Pickering (R) Roger Wicker (R) Mike Moore (D) Gene Taylor (D)	Thad Cochran (R) 85%; Shawn O'Hara (Reform) 15%
Montana	Max Baucus (D)	Running for Re-election	Marc Racicot (R) Denny Rehberg (R)	Max Baucus (D) 63%; Mike Taylor (R) 32%; Other 5%
Nebraska	Chuck Hagel (R)		Jon Bruning (R) Mike Fahey (D) Bob Kerrey (D) Scott Kleeb (D)	Chuck Hagel (R) 83%; Charlie A. Matulka (D) 15%; Other 2%
New Hampshire	John Sununu (R)	Running for Re-election	Jay Buckey (D) Steve Marchand (D) Jeanne Shaheen (D) Katrina Swett (D)	John Sununu (R) 51%; Jeanne Shaheen (D) 46%; Other 3%
New Jersey	Frank Lautenberg (D)	Running for Re-election		Frank Lautenberg (D) 54%; Douglas R. Forrester (R) 44%; Other 2%
New Mexico	Pete Domenici (R)	Running for Re-election	Tom Udall (D)	Pete Domenici (R) 65%; Gloria Tristani (D) 35%
North Carolina	Elizabeth Dole (R)	Running for Re-election	Roy A. Cooper (D) Mike Easley (D) Bob Etheridge (D) Brad Miller (D)	Elizabeth Dole (R) 54%; Erskine Bowles (D) 45%; Other 1%
Oklahoma	Jim Inhofe (R)	Running for Re-election	Brad Carson (D)	Jim Inhofe (R) 57%; David Walters (D) 36%; James Germalic Independent 6%; Other 1%
Oregon	Gordon Smith (R)	Running for Re-election	Bill Sizemore (R) Earl Blumenauer (D) Steve Novick (D) Ben Westlund (D)	Gordon Smith (R) 56%; Bill Bradbury (D) 40%; Other 4%
Rhode Island	Jack Reed (D)	Running for Re-election		Jack Reed (D) 78%; Robert G. Tingle (R) 22%
South Carolina	Lindsey Graham (R)	Running for Re-election		Lindsey Graham (R) 54%; Alex Sanders (D) 44%; Other 2%
South Dakota	Tim Johnson (D)		Mike Rounds (R)	Tim Johnson (D) 50%; John R. Thune (R) 49%; Other 1%
Tennessee	Lamar Alexander (R)	Running for Re-election		Lamar Alexander (R) 54%; Bob Clement (D) 44%; Other 2%
Texas	John Cornyn (R)	Running for Re-election	Rick Noriega (D)	John Cornyn (R) 55%; Ron Kirk (D) 43%; Other 2%
Virginia	John Warner (R)		Tom Davis (R) Don Beyer (D) R. Creigh Deeds (D) Claudia Kennedy (D) Brian Moran (D) Mark Warner (D)	John Warner (R) 83%; Nancy Spannaus (Independent) 10%; Jacob G. Hornberger, Jr. (Independent) 7%
West Virginia	Jay Rockefeller (D)	Running for Re-election		Jay Rockefeller (D) 63%; Jay Wolfe (R) 37%
Wyoming	Mike Enzi (R)	Running for Re-election	Gary Trauner (D)	Mike Enzi (R) 73%; Joyce Jansa Corcoran (D) 27%
State	Incumbent	Status	Opposing candidates	2002 Election Results

External links

References

^ Todd, Chuck (2006-02-12). "Campaign Race Rankings: 2008 Senate Races". National Journal. National Journal. Retrieved 2007-02-24.
^ CQ Staff (2007-01-26). "Ratings Chart: 2008 Senate Races". Congressional Quarterly Inc. Retrieved 2007-02-05.
^ Cillizza, Chris (January 16, 2007). "Sen. Allard Says He Will Retire in 2008". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2007-02-06.
^ "Allard won't run again in 2008". Cañon City Daily Record. Associated Press. 2007-01-16. Retrieved 2007-02-05.
^ "Elway nixes '08 Senate run". Rocky Mountain News. 2007-01-17. Retrieved 2007-02-05.
^ Sealover, Ed (November 8, 2006). "Shift puts key state issues in question". Colorado Springs Gazette. Retrieved 2006-11-11.
^ Associated Press (November 13, 2006). "McCain considers running for US presidency in 2008; Biden plans run; Feingold steps out". International Herald Tribune. Retrieved 2006-11-15. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
^ LaRocco to run for Senate; Craig mum on future Accessed 6 April 2007
^ Kaiser, Robert G. (November 15, 2004). "The Political Veteran". Washington Post. Retrieved 2006-11-15.
^ Kotok, C. David (February 11, 2007). "D.C. chat has Fahey considering Senate bid". Omaha World-Herald. Retrieved 2007-02-11.
^ Cillizza, Chris (February 28, 2007). "Va.'s Two Warners May Be Headed for Rematch". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2007-03-01. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
^ Norman, Jane (2007-01-18). "Harkin points toward re-election bid". The Des Moines Register. Retrieved 2007-02-06.
^ {{cite news|first=David |last=Yepsen| title=Harkin and Grassley Forever?|url=http://blogs.dmregister.com/?p=5243
^ "Results of SurveyUSA News Poll #11163". SurveyUSA. 2006. Retrieved 2007-02-05. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
^ Klein, Rick (2007-01-24). "Kerry won't run for president in '08". The Boston Globe. Retrieved 2007-02-05.
^ "Results of SurveyUSA News Poll #11479". SurveyUSA. 2006-12-20. Retrieved 2007-02-05.
^ Finer, Jonathan (January 28, 2005). "Another Crack at Kerry". Washington Post. Retrieved 2006-11-16. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
^ "Results of SurveyUSA News Poll #11152". SurveyUSA. 2006. Retrieved 2007-02-05. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
^ Burton, Cynthia (2007-02-06). "Lautenberg bulks up funds for '08 run". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved 2007-02-06.
^ "Results of SurveyUSA News Poll #11152". SurveyUSA. 2006. Retrieved 2007-02-05. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
^ "Levin to seek another Senate term in '08". Associated Press, MSNBC.com. December 4, 2006. Retrieved 2006-02-06.
^ "Results of SurveyUSA News Poll #11161". SurveyUSA. 2006-11-22. Retrieved 2007-02-05.
^ "Election 2004 West Virginia Exit Poll". CNN.com. 2004-11-02. Retrieved 2007-02-06.
^ "Alexander Running Again, Sets Fundraiser". The Chattanoogan. 2007-04-03. Retrieved 2007-04-06.
^ Richard Locker, Another Senate seat might tempt Ford, The Commercial Appeal, December 11, 2006
^ "Ford says he has no plans of a Senate bid against Alexander". WMCTV.com. Associated Press. 2007-01-23. Retrieved 2007-02-06.
^ Tagami, Ty (2007-02-13). "DeKalb CEO fund-raiser may test Senate campaign waters". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved 2007-02-13.
^ Grim, Ryan (2007-02-12). "Headline: In 'Open' Season, Candidates Are Blossoming". The Politico. Retrieved 2007-02-13.
^ "Cochran raising money for anticipated bid for 6th term". Associated Press. February 21, 2007. Retrieved 2007-02-23. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
^ Smith, Dane (February 14, 2007). "Franken jumps into Senate race". Minneapolis Star Tribune. Retrieved 2007-02-15.
^ "Results of SurveyUSA News Poll #11626". SurveyUSA. 2007-01-24. Retrieved 2007-02-05.
^ Farmer, David (2006-10-13). "Collins to seek 3rd term". Sun Journal. Retrieved 2007-02-05.
^ "Results of SurveyUSA News Poll #11141". SurveyUSA. 2006-11-22. Retrieved 2007-02-05.
^ Duran, Nicole (December 12, 2006). "Allen Ponders 2008 Senate Race". Roll Call. Retrieved 2007-02-15.
^ "Results of SurveyUSA News Poll #11165". SurveyUSA. 2006-11-22. Retrieved 2007-02-05.
^ Christensen, Rob (2006-06-12). "Mary Easley has active public life, but she's no Hillary Clinton". The News & Observer. Retrieved 2007-02-05.
^ Dan Kane (2007-01-25). "Poll puts Easley over Dole". The News & Observer. Retrieved 2007-02-05. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
^ http://www.newsobserver.com/114/story/563228.html
^ Talhelm, Jennifer (2007-02-13). "Domenici: 'I am running' in 2008". The Santa Fe New Mexican. Retrieved 2007-02-14.
^ "Results of SurveyUSA News Poll #11158". SurveyUSA. 2006-11-22. Retrieved 2007-02-05.
^ Associated Press (January 9, 2007). "Davis Won't Challenge Stevens". WTOK. Retrieved 2007-01-10.
^ Pindell, James (2006-01-17). "Shaheen doesn't rule out US Senate re-match". The Boston Globe. Retrieved 2007-02-05.
^ Haberman, Shir (2007-01-11). "Marchand says he'll run for Senate". The Portsmouth Herald. Retrieved 2007-02-06.
^ Moskowitz, Eric (2007-01-19). "Swett plans campaign for U.S. Senate". Concord Monitor. Retrieved 2007-02-06.
^ "Federal Elections: 2002 U.S. Senate Results". Federal Election Commission. Retrieved 2007-02-05.

@@ Line 221: / Line 221: @@
 {{main|Oregon United States Senate election, 2008}}
-[[Gordon Smith]] is likely to run for a third term in [[Oregon]], and may be vulnerable. Oregon businessman [[Ty Pettit]] and attorney and Democratic consultant [[Steve Novick]] are so far the only announced candidate for the Democratic nomination, although Novick has said he will drop out if a stronger candidate announces.  The Democrats' dream candidate in this race would be highly popular former [[Governor of Oregon|Governor]] [[John Kitzhaber]], though he has declared he is not running. With Kitzhaber out of the running, the three strongest Democratic contenders are held to be Congressmen [[Earl Blumenauer]] and [[Peter DeFazio]] and state Senator [[Ben Westlund]].  DeFazio is considered the strongest of the three, as a poll shows him beating Smith 42-38. Smith could also draw opposition from the right. He has been singled out by the [[Club for Growth]] for not doing enough to control spending; anti-tax activist [[Bill Sizemore]] has not ruled out challenging Smith in the Republican primary.
+[[Gordon Smith]] is likely to run for a third term in [[Oregon]], and may be vulnerable. Oregon businessman [[Ty Pettit]] and attorney and Democratic consultant [[Steve Novick]] are so far the only announced candidate for the Democratic nomination, although Novick has said he will drop out if a stronger candidate announces.  The Democrats' dream candidate in this race would be highly popular former [[Governor of Oregon|Governor]] [[John Kitzhaber]], though he has declared he is not running. With Kitzhaber out of the running, the three strongest Democratic contenders are held to be Congressmen [[Earl Blumenauer]] and [[Peter DeFazio]] and state Senator [[Ben Westlund]].  DeFazio is considered the strongest of the three, as a poll shows him beating Smith 42-38. After the poll and being courted by the [[Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee]] DeFazio declined to challenge Smith. Smith could also draw opposition from the right. He has been singled out by the [[Club for Growth]] for not doing enough to control spending; anti-tax activist [[Bill Sizemore]] has not ruled out challenging Smith in the Republican primary.
 ====Ted Stevens of Alaska====