2008 United States House of Representatives elections in Colorado|
|
|
|
|
Majority party
|
Minority party
|
|
|
|
|
| Party
|
Democratic
|
Republican
|
| Last election
|
4 seats, 54.12%
|
3 seats, 40.53%
|
| Seats before
|
4
|
3
|
| Seats won
|
5
|
2
|
| Seat change
|
 1
|
 1
|
| Popular vote
|
1,259,768
|
990,870
|
| Percentage
|
55.16%
|
43.38%
|
| Swing
|
1.04%
|
2.85%
|
|
 District results County results
|
Democratic
50–60%
60–70%
70–80%
80–90%
|
Republican
40–50%
50–60%
60–70%
70–80%
| |
The 2008 congressional elections in Colorado were held on November 4, 2008, to determine who will represent the state of Colorado in the United States House of Representatives, coinciding with the presidential and senatorial elections. Representatives are elected for two-year terms; those elected served in the 111th Congress from January 3, 2009, until January 3, 2011.
Colorado had seven seats in the House, apportioned according to the 2000 United States census. Its 2007-2008 congressional delegation consisted of four Democrats and three Republicans. After the elections, it consisted of five Democrats and two Republicans. District 4 changed party (from Republican to Democratic), which was the only district CQ Politics had forecasted to be at some risk for the incumbent party.
The Primary election was held August 12, 2008.1
Overview
Statewide
Popular vote
|
|
|
| Democratic |
|
55.16% |
| Republican |
|
43.38% |
| Libertarian |
|
0.61% |
| Other |
|
0.85% |
House seats
|
|
|
| Democratic |
|
71.43% |
| Republican |
|
28.57% |
By district
Results of the 2008 United States House of Representatives elections in Colorado by district:
District 1
2008 Colorado's 1st congressional district election|
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|
|
 County results
DeGette: 50–60% 70–80%
Lilly: 60–70% |
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Incumbent Democrat Diana DeGette, who had represented this Denver based district since 1997, ran for re-election. She was re-elected with 79.8% of the vote in 2006 and the district had a PVI of D+18.4
Democratic primary
Candidates
Nominee
Results
Democratic primary results
| Party
|
Candidate
|
Votes
|
%
|
|
|
Democratic
|
Diana DeGette (incumbent)
|
35,804
|
100.0
|
| Total votes
|
35,804
|
100.0
|
Republican primary
Candidates
Nominee
Eliminated in primary
Results
Republican primary results
| Party
|
Candidate
|
Votes
|
%
|
|
|
Republican
|
George Lilly
|
6,300
|
58.2
|
|
|
Republican
|
Charles Crain
|
4,533
|
41.8
|
| Total votes
|
10,833
|
100.0
|
General election
Endorsements
Diana DeGette (D)
Labor unions
Organizations
Newspapers
Predictions
Results
Finances
Campaigns
| Candidate (party)
|
Raised
|
Spent
|
Cash on hand
|
| Diana DeGette (D)
|
$808,491
|
$925,776
|
$106,102
|
| George Lilly (R)
|
$13,746
|
$14,060
|
$9
|
| Martin Buchanan (L)
|
Unreported
|
Outside Spending
| Candidate (party)
|
Supported
|
Opposed
|
| Diana DeGette (D)
|
$2,455
|
$0
|
| George Lilly (R)
|
$0
|
$0
|
| Martin Buchanan (L)
|
$0
|
$0
|
District 2
2008 Colorado's 2nd congressional district election|
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|
|
 County results
Polis: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80%
Starin: 40–50% |
|
Incumbent Democrat Mark Udall, who had represented the district, centred around heavily Democratic Boulder, since 1999, ran for the Senate following the retirement of Senator Wayne Allard, leaving this an open seat. He was re-elected with 68.2% of the vote in 2006 and the district had a PVI of D+8.4
Democratic primary
Candidates
Nominee
Eliminated in primary
Declined
Endorsements
Results
Democratic primary results
| Party
|
Candidate
|
Votes
|
%
|
|
|
Democratic
|
Jared Polis
|
20,493
|
41.7
|
|
|
Democratic
|
Joan Fitz-Gerald
|
18,599
|
37.8
|
|
|
Democratic
|
Will Shafroth
|
10,075
|
20.5
|
| Total votes
|
49,167
|
100.0
|
Republican primary
Candidates
Nominee
Declined
Results
Republican primary results
| Party
|
Candidate
|
Votes
|
%
|
|
|
Republican
|
Scott Starin
|
19,293
|
100.0
|
| Total votes
|
19,293
|
100.0
|
Green primary
Candidates
Nominee
- J. A. Calhoun, nominee for this seat in 2006
Declined
Unity primary
Candidates
Nominee
General election
Endorsements
Predictions
Results
Colorado's 2nd congressional district election, 20082
| Party
|
Candidate
|
Votes
|
%
|
|
|
Democratic
|
Jared Polis
|
215,602
|
62.6
|
|
|
Republican
|
Scott Starin
|
116,619
|
33.9
|
|
|
Green
|
J. A. Calhoun
|
10,031
|
2.9
|
|
|
Unity
|
Bill Hammons
|
2,176
|
0.6
|
| Majority
|
98,983
|
28.7
|
| Valid ballots
|
344,428
|
93.5
|
| Invalid or blank votes
|
23,805
|
6.5
|
| Turnout
|
368,233
|
92.5
|
| Registered electors
|
398,114
|
|
|
|
Democratic hold
|
Finances
Campaigns
| Candidate (party)
|
Raised
|
Spent
|
Cash on hand
|
| Jared Polis (D)
|
$7,353,034
|
$7,323,502
|
$29,533
|
| Scott Starin (R)
|
$88,757
|
$90,426
|
$24
|
| J. A. Calhoun (G)
|
Unreported
|
| William Hammons (U)
|
$22,467
|
$22,247
|
$164
|
Outside Spending
| Candidate (party)
|
Supported
|
Opposed
|
| Jared Polis (D)
|
$0
|
$42,573
|
| Scott Starin (R)
|
$4,768
|
$0
|
| J. A. Calhoun (G)
|
$0
|
$0
|
| William Hammons (U)
|
$0
|
$0
|
District 3
2008 Colorado's 3rd congressional district election|
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|
|
 County results Precinct resultsSalazar: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% >90%
Wolf: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80%
Tie: 50–60% No Votes |
|
Incumbent Democrat John Salazar, who had represented the conservative, west Colorado district since 2005, ran for re-election. He was re–elected with 61.6% of the vote in 2006 and the district had a PVI of R+6.4
Democratic primary
Candidates
Nominee
Results
Democratic primary results
| Party
|
Candidate
|
Votes
|
%
|
|
|
Democratic
|
John Salazar (incumbent)
|
22,192
|
100.0
|
| Total votes
|
22,192
|
100.0
|
Republican primary
Candidates
Nominee
Declined
Results
Republican primary results
| Party
|
Candidate
|
Votes
|
%
|
|
|
Republican
|
Wayne Wolf
|
24,263
|
100.0
|
| Total votes
|
24,263
|
100.0
|
General election
Endorsements
John Salazar (D)
Labor unions
Organizations
Newspapers
Predictions
Results
Finances
Campaigns
| Candidate (party)
|
Raised
|
Spent
|
Cash on hand
|
| John Salazar (D)
|
$1,335,166
|
$901,272
|
$464,754
|
| Wayne Wolf (R)
|
$21,704
|
$21,669
|
$33
|
Outside Spending
| Candidate (party)
|
Supported
|
Opposed
|
| John Salazar (D)
|
$1,051
|
$0
|
| Wayne Wolf (R)
|
$0
|
$0
|
District 4
2008 Colorado's 4th congressional district election|
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|
|
 County results Precinct resultsMarkey: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90%
Musgrave: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% >90%
Tie: 50–60% No Votes |
|
Incumbent Republican Marilyn Musgrave, who had represented this conservative east Colorado-based district since 2003, ran for re-election. She was re-elected with 45.6% of the vote in 2006 and the district had a PVI of R+9.4 Musgrave, a conservative known for her staunch opposition to gay marriage, won in 2006 by winning a plurality (46%) of the vote against Angie Paccione and a strong Reform Party challenge from Eric Eidsness, who managed to garner 11% of the vote. That, along with her 51% showing in 2004 despite George W. Bush winning 58% of the vote in this eastern Colorado district that includes the Fort Collins area, made her seem vulnerable in 2008.
Republican primary
Candidates
Nominee
Results
Republican primary results
| Party
|
Candidate
|
Votes
|
%
|
|
|
Republican
|
Marilyn Musgrave (incumbent)
|
31,822
|
100.0
|
| Total votes
|
31,822
|
100.0
|
Democratic primary
Democrats suffered a setback earlier when State Senator Brandon Shaffer suddenly dropped out, citing his party's failure to clear the field.21 Eidsness switched parties again, having switched from Republican to Reform Party the year prior, and became a Democrat, which could have fuelled a potential rematch with Musgrave in 2008. 2006 nominee Angie Paccione briefly launched a campaign as well, but left the race in September 2007.
Candidates
Nominee
Withdrawn
Declined
Results
Democratic primary results
| Party
|
Candidate
|
Votes
|
%
|
|
|
Democratic
|
Betsy Markey
|
19,010
|
100.0
|
| Total votes
|
19,010
|
100.0
|
General election
Campaign
Musgrave launched a negative advertisement, attacking Markey over the business of Syscom Systems, the data-processing equipment company run by Markey and her husband. The Musgrave ad was called "highly misleading" by a Denver television station that investigated the facts.25 On October 24, the National Republican Congressional Committee abandoned Marilyn Musgrave's 2008 re-election campaign, believing the race was lost. This decision was based solely on Musgrave's poor poll numbers.
Endorsements
Betsy Markey (D)
Labor unions
Organizations
Newspapers
Polling
| Poll source
|
Date(s)
administered
|
Sample
sizea
|
Margin of
error
|
Marilyn
Musgrave (R)
|
Betsy
Markey (D)
|
Undecided
|
| SurveyUSA (Roll Call)29
|
August 22–24, 2008
|
618 (LV)
|
±4.0%
|
43%
|
50%
|
7%
|
Predictions
Results
After her defeat, Musgrave would not comment on the election results with the media, nor would she concede the race or contact Markey to congratulate her. She also did not thank her campaign staff for their efforts. She later recorded a robocall for Republican Georgia senator Saxby Chambliss, saying that she was defeated by "leftist special interests" who "suppressed the truth with vicious attacks and lies."
Finances
Campaigns
| Candidate (party)
|
Raised
|
Spent
|
Cash on hand
|
| Marilyn Musgrave (R)
|
$2,862,907
|
$2,869,703
|
$62,132
|
| Betsy Markey (D)
|
$2,893,744
|
$2,872,153
|
$21,591
|
Outside Spending
| Candidate (party)
|
Supported
|
Opposed
|
| Marilyn Musgrave (R)
|
$170,281
|
$1,505,831
|
| Betsy Markey (D)
|
$580,289
|
$897,027
|
District 5
2008 Colorado's 5th congressional district election|
|
|
|
 County results
Lamborn: 50–60% 60–70%
Bidlack: 50–60% |
|
Incumbent Republican Doug Lamborn, who had represented this conservative district based in Colorado Springs and its suburbs district since 2007, ran for re-election. He was elected with 59.6% of the vote in 2006 and the district had a PVI of R+16.4
Republican primary
Campaign
Lamborn had received bad press when two constituents accused him of making a threatening phone call in response to a critical letter they wrote.30 He won against Jeff Crank and Bentley Rayburn, more moderate Republicans who had also run in 2006, in the Republican primary. In 2006, Lamborn had narrowly won a nasty multi-candidate primary with 27% of the vote, despite previous representative Joel Hefley's endorsement of Crank, citing Lamborn's "sleazy" campaign. Crank and Rayburn thus came to a gentleman's agreement - they would jointly conduct a poll of the primary, and whoever of the two of them was in third place would drop out and endorse the other, so as to have a better chance of defeating Lamborn. Rayburn came third in the poll, but he refused to drop out.31
Candidates
Nominee
Eliminated in primary
Endorsements
Results
Republican primary results
| Party
|
Candidate
|
Votes
|
%
|
|
|
Republican
|
Doug Lamborn (incumbent)
|
24,995
|
44.0
|
|
|
Republican
|
Jeff Crank
|
16,794
|
29.6
|
|
|
Republican
|
Bentley Rayburn
|
14,986
|
26.4
|
| Total votes
|
56,775
|
100.0
|
Democratic primary
Candidates
Nominee
Declined
Results
Democratic primary results
| Party
|
Candidate
|
Votes
|
%
|
|
|
Democratic
|
Hal Bidlack
|
13,146
|
100.0
|
| Total votes
|
13,146
|
100.0
|
General election
Endorsements
Predictions
Results
Amid worries of vulnerability, Lamborn won the general election by a 59%-41% margin, becoming the highest vote getter for a GOP Congressional candidate in the state in the 2008 cycle.
Finances
Campaigns
| Candidate (party)
|
Raised
|
Spent
|
Cash on hand
|
| Doug Lamborn (R)
|
$611,755
|
$593,491
|
$46,469
|
| Hal Bidlack (D)
|
$241,725
|
$240,738
|
$986
|
| Brian Scott (C)
|
Unreported
|
Outside Spending
| Candidate (party)
|
Supported
|
Opposed
|
| Doug Lamborn (R)
|
$13,573
|
$0
|
| Hal Bidlack (D)
|
$0
|
$0
|
| Brian Scott (C)
|
$0
|
$0
|
District 6
2008 Colorado's 6th congressional district election|
|
|
|
 County results Precinct resultsCoffman: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90%
Eng: 50–60% 60–70%
Tie: 50–60% No Votes |
|
Incumbent Republican Tom Tancredo, who had represented this solidly conservative district based in the Denver suburbs since 1999, retired in order to run for President. He was re-elected with 58.6% of the vote in 2006 and the district had a PVI of R+10.4
His seat was considered to be the most Republican-dominated district of the Denver-area seats and was also one of the wealthiest in the nation. Tancredo was the second highest vote getter for a Republican congressional candidate statewide in 2006, just behind Doug Lamborn in the 5th district. The district includes Columbine High School, which was devastated in a tragic 1999 school massacre.
Republican primary
Candidates
Nominee
Eliminated in primary
Declined
Results
Republican primary results
| Party
|
Candidate
|
Votes
|
%
|
|
|
Republican
|
Mike Coffman
|
28,509
|
40.1
|
|
|
Republican
|
Wil Armstrong
|
23,213
|
32.7
|
|
|
Republican
|
Ted Harvey
|
10,886
|
15.3
|
|
|
Republican
|
Steve Ward
|
8,452
|
11.9
|
| Total votes
|
71,060
|
100.0
|
Democratic primary
Candidates
Nominee
Withdrawn
- Mike Collins, Vietnam veteran17
Declined
Results
Democratic primary results
| Party
|
Candidate
|
Votes
|
%
|
|
|
Democratic
|
Hank Eng
|
27,661
|
100.0
|
| Total votes
|
27,661
|
100.0
|
General election
Campaign
Despite some minor controversies surrounding Mike Coffman and Colorado Ethics Watch, CQ Politics, The Cook Political Report and The Rothenberg Political Report all forecasted the race as 'Safe Republican'.34
Endorsements
Predictions
Results
Finances
Campaigns
| Candidate (party)
|
Raised
|
Spent
|
Cash on hand
|
| Mike Coffman (R)
|
$1,467,713
|
$1,304,685
|
$163,029
|
| Hank Eng (D)
|
$273,696
|
$270,609
|
$3,084
|
Outside Spending
| Candidate (party)
|
Supported
|
Opposed
|
| Mike Coffman (R)
|
$11,651
|
$0
|
| Hank Eng (D)
|
$0
|
$0
|
District 7
2008 Colorado's 7th congressional district election|
|
|
|
 County results Precinct resultsPerlmutter: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90%
Lerew: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90%
Tie: 50–60% No Votes |
|
Incumbent Democratic Ed Perlmutter, who had represented this suburban Denver district since 2007, ran for re-election. He was elected with 54.9% of the vote in 2006 and the district had a PVI of D+2.4 The district's voter registration was split, with independents constituting a slim plurality of 35% compared to Democrats (34%) and Republicans (31%).
Democratic primary
Candidates
Nominee
Results
Democratic primary results
| Party
|
Candidate
|
Votes
|
%
|
|
|
Democratic
|
Ed Perlmutter (incumbent)
|
29,704
|
100.0
|
| Total votes
|
29,704
|
100.0
|
Republican primary
Candidates
Nominee
- John Lerew, founder of a financial planning center
Results
Republican primary results
| Party
|
Candidate
|
Votes
|
%
|
|
|
Republican
|
John Lerew
|
25,155
|
100.0
|
| Total votes
|
25,155
|
100.0
|
General election
Endorsements
Ed Perlmutter (D)
Labor unions
Organizations
Newspapers
Predictions
Results
Finances
Campaigns
| Candidate (party)
|
Raised
|
Spent
|
Cash on hand
|
| Ed Perlmutter (D)
|
$1,770,087
|
$1,228,238
|
$544,853
|
| John Lerew (R)
|
$34,048
|
$34,048
|
$0
|
Outside Spending
| Candidate (party)
|
Supported
|
Opposed
|
| Ed Perlmutter (D)
|
$7,736
|
$0
|
| John Lerew (R)
|
$10,861
|
$0
|
Notes
Notes
- Key:
A – all adults
RV – registered voters
LV – likely voters
V – unclear
References
References
- Candidate List for the August 12, 2008 Primary Election Archived July 16, 2008, at the Wayback Machine Colorado Secretary of State
- "Official Publication of the Abstract of Votes Cast for the 2008 Primary and 2008 General" (PDF). Secretary of State of Colorado. August 14, 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 27, 2010. Retrieved October 8, 2009.
- "Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives".
- POLIDATA. "Cook Political Report, PVI for the 110th Congress" (PDF). cookpolitical.com. Cook Political Report. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 2, 2008. Retrieved December 17, 2025.
- "Colorado AFL-CIO Candidate Endorsements". aflcio.org. AFL-CIO. Archived from the original on November 7, 2008. Retrieved December 19, 2025.
- "Global Solutions PAC Endorsed Candidate". globalsolutions.org. Archived from the original on November 6, 2008. Retrieved November 21, 2025.
- "2008 Congressional Results". Planned Parenthood Action Fund. Archived from the original on November 6, 2008. Retrieved November 21, 2025.
- "Endorsements". The Denver Post. October 23, 2008. Archived from the original on October 29, 2008. Retrieved December 19, 2025.
- "Republican Liberty Caucus 2008 Endorsed Candidates". www.rlc.org/. Archived from the original on November 6, 2008. Retrieved November 21, 2025.
- "2008 Competitive House Race Chart". House: Race Ratings. The Cook Political Report. November 6, 2006. Archived from the original on November 6, 2008. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
- "2008 House Ratings". House Ratings. The Rothenberg Political Report. November 2, 2006. Archived from the original on November 6, 2008. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
- "2008 House". Sabato's Crystal Ball. November 6, 2008. Archived from the original on November 6, 2008. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
- "Battle for the House of Representatives". realclearpolitics.com. Real Clear Politics. November 7, 2008. Archived from the original on December 17, 2008. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
- "Race Ratings Chart: House". cqpolitics.com. Congressional Quarterly Inc. Archived from the original on November 6, 2008. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
- "Fitz-Gerald to file exploratory committee to run for Congress". Summit Daily News. Denver, CO. Associated Press. April 3, 2007. Retrieved December 18, 2025.
- Greg Giroux (April 18, 2007). "Leading State Lawmaker to Bid for Udall's Open Colorado House Seat". New York Times. Congressional Quarterly. Retrieved December 18, 2025.
- David Drucker (February 25, 2008). "Colorado Has Seen Heavy Turnover in House Districts". rollcall.com. Roll Call. Retrieved December 18, 2025.
- David Drucker (July 21, 2008). "Colorado: Newspaper Prefers Upstart in House Race". rollcall.com. Roll Call. Retrieved December 18, 2025.
- "GOP's Wolf makes switch for House run official". The Denver Post. Grand Junction, CO. Associated Press. January 3, 2008. Retrieved December 18, 2025.
- "Blue Dog Members and Fundraisers". bluedogdems.com. Blue Dog Political Action Committee. Archived from the original on November 6, 2008. Retrieved November 21, 2025.
- [1] The Coloradoan
- David Drucker (September 27, 2007). "Paccione Decides Against Rematch With Musgrave". rollcall.com. Roll Call. Retrieved December 18, 2025.
- Josh Kurtz (June 4, 2007). "Democrats Search for Consensus in Musgrave District". rollcall.com. Roll Call. Retrieved December 18, 2025.
- Josh Kurtz (April 2, 2007). "Chair: Five Democrats Consider Musgrave Race". rollcall.com. Roll Call. Retrieved December 18, 2025.
- "Musgrave Attack Ad Hits Markey On Biz Dealings". cbs4denver.com. KCNC-TV. September 19, 2008. Archived from the original on October 30, 2008. Retrieved October 30, 2008.
- "2008 Candidates Endorsed By Eagle Forum PAC". eagleforum.org. Eagle Forum PAC. November 3, 2008. Archived from the original on November 6, 2008. Retrieved November 21, 2025.
- "Red to Blue 2008". actblue.com. DCCC. Archived from the original on November 6, 2008. Retrieved November 21, 2025.
- "Full Candidate Listing". emilyslist.org. EMILY's List. Archived from the original on November 6, 2008. Retrieved December 19, 2025.
- SurveyUSA 4th
- Colo Springs couple says got threatening call from congressman Archived 2007-09-28 at the Wayback Machine KJCT 8 News, September 2, 2007
- "Rayburn loses GOP gamble | Colorado Statesman". Archived from the original on April 7, 2014. Retrieved April 2, 2014.
- Mozgovaya, Natasha: "Democratic Convention Notes: Meet Chinese Jewish candidate Hank Eng", Haaretz.com. August 25, 2008. Accessed November 05, 2008
- "Elections 2008", Chicago Sun-Times. Accessed on November 05, 2008.
- Ethics Watch Requests Criminal Investigation of Coffman Archived 2009-01-09 at the Wayback Machine Colorado Ethics Watch, June 15, 2007
General
External links
External links
