2008 United States Senate election in Maine
The 2008 United States Senate election in Maine took place on November 4, 2008. Incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Susan Collins won re-election to a third term against Democrat Tom Allen, the U.S. Congressman from the 1st district.
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 County results Collins: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% | |||||||||||||||||
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| Elections in Maine |
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Democratic primary
Candidates
- Tom Allen, U.S. Representative
- Thomas Ledue, educator
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Tom Allen | 69,932 | 85.6% | |
| Democratic | Tom Ledue | 11,795 | 14.4% | |
| Total votes | 81,727 | 100.0% | ||
Campaign
Allen tried to tie Collins to George W. Bush, but these tactics failed as Collins maintained her image as a very popular, moderate, independent Republican. She obtained an endorsement from Independent and former Democratic U.S. Senator Joe Lieberman.[1]
When Collins was first elected in 1996 she pledged to serve only two terms (twelve years) in office, which would have been up in 2008. She instead decided to seek a third term, and defeated Allen with over 60% of the vote. She was the only Republican Senate candidate to win in 2008 in a state that was simultaneously won by Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama.
Predictions
CQ Politics rated this race as 'Leans Republican'.[2] The Cook Political Report considered it 'Lean Republican'.[3] The Rothenberg Political Report considered it a 'Clear Advantage for Incumbent Party'.[4] UpFront Politics listed the race as 'Leans Republican'. Swing State Project listed the race as "Likely Republican." The Hotline's Senate Rankings showed the Maine Senate race fall from 7th- to 11th-most competitive senate race in the country.
Polling
| Poll source | Dates administered | Tom Allen (D) |
Susan Collins (R) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rasmussen Reports | November 1, 2008 | 41% | 57% |
| Survey USA | October 20, 2008 | 43% | 54% |
| Rasmussen Reports | October 2, 2008 | 43% | 53% |
| Survey USA | September 22–23, 2008 | 39% | 55% |
| Rasmussen Reports | September 17, 2008 | 42% | 55% |
| Rasmussen Reports | August 12, 2008 | 40% | 55% |
| Rasmussen Reports | July 17, 2008 | 42% | 49% |
| Pan Atlantic SMS Group | June 18, 2008 | 31% | 56% |
| Rasmussen Reports | June 16, 2008 | 42% | 49% |
| Rasmussen Reports | May 14, 2008 | 42% | 52% |
| Rasmussen Reports | April 1, 2008 | 38% | 54% |
| McLaughlin & Associates/ Coalition for a Democratic Workforce |
March 6–9, 2008 | 31% | 54% |
| Critical Insights | October 12–30, 2007 | 34% | 54% |
| Survey USA | October 26–29, 2007 | 38% | 55% |
| Research 2000/Daily Kos | October 15–17, 2007 | 33% | 56% |
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Susan Collins (incumbent) | 444,300 | 61.33% | +2.9% | |
| Democratic | Tom Allen | 279,510 | 38.58% | -3.0% | |
| Write-in | 620 | 0.09% | n/a | ||
| Total votes | 724,430 | 100.00% | n/a | ||
| Republican hold | |||||
See also
References
- Lieberman Backs Susan Collins, Gives $5K To Her Re-election Campaign - CBS News
- Race Ratings Chart: Senate Archived October 28, 2010, at the Wayback Machine CQ Politics
- 2008 Senate Race Ratings Archived November 20, 2008, at the Wayback Machine The Cook Political Report, October 8, 2008
- 2008 Senate Ratings The Rothenberg Political Report, September 29, 2008
External links
- Elections Division from the Maine Secretary of State
- U.S. Congress candidates for Maine at Project Vote Smart
- Maine, U.S. Senate from CQ Politics
- Maine U.S. Senate from OurCampaigns.com
- Maine U.S. Senate race from 2008 Race Tracker
- Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets.org
- Collins vs Allen graph of multiple polls from Pollster.com
- ME-Sen: Baseline poll kos, DailyKos, October 22, 2007
- A Lopsided Senate Lineup Charlie Cook, Cook Political January 20, 2007