2008 United States House of Representatives elections in Utah

The 2008 congressional elections in Utah were held on November 4, 2008 to determine the representatives of the state of Utah in the United States House of Representatives for the 111th Congress from January 3, 2009, until their terms of office expire on January 3, 2011. Incumbent Rob Bishop (R) was reelected in Utah's 1st congressional district. Incumbent Jim Matheson (D) was reelected in Utah's 2nd congressional district. Jason Chaffetz (R) was elected to succeed Chris Cannon (R) in Utah's 3rd congressional district.

2008 United States House of Representatives elections in Utah

← 2006 November 4, 2008 2010 →

All 3 Utah seats to the United States House of Representatives
  Majority party Minority party
 
Party Republican Democratic
Last election 2 1
Seats won 2 1
Seat change Steady Steady
Popular vote 503,917 393,761
Percentage 53.79% 42.03%
Swing Increase2.49% Decrease0.89%

Utah has three seats in the House, apportioned according to the 2000 United States census. Representatives are elected for two-year terms. The election coincided with the 2008 U.S. presidential election.

All races were forecasted as safe for the incumbent party.

United States House of Representatives elections in Utah, 2008[1]
Party Votes Percentage Seats +/–
Republican 503,917 53.79% 2
Democratic 393,761 42.03% 1
Constitution 27,805 2.97% 0
Libertarian 11,356 1.21% 0
Totals 936,839 100.00% 3

District 1

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This district covers the northwest area of Utah including Ogden, Logan, Tooele, the northwest portion of Salt Lake City, and the entirety of the Great Salt Lake. It has been represented by Republican Rob Bishop since January 2003. His challengers were Democrat Morgan Bowen, Libertarian Joseph Geddes Buchman, and Constitution candidate Kirk D. Pearson. CQ Politics forecast the race as 'Safe Republican'.

Utah's 1st congressional district election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Rob Bishop (inc.) 196,799 64.85%
Democratic Morgan Bowen 92,469 30.47%
Constitution Kirk D. Pearson 7,397 2.44%
Libertarian Joseph G. Buchman 6,780 2.24%
Total votes 303,445 100.00%
Republican hold

District 2

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This district covers the largely rural southern and eastern portions of Utah (including Saint George and Moab in the south and Vernal in the east), as well as the east side of urban Salt Lake County, the northern portion of Utah County, and Wasatch County. It has been represented by Democrat Jim Matheson since 2001. His challengers were Republican Bill Dew, Libertarian Mathew Arndt and Independent Dennis Ray Emery. CQ Politics forecasted the race as 'Safe Democrat'.

Utah's 2nd congressional district election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Jim Matheson (inc.) 220,666 63.35%
Republican Bill Dew 120,083 34.47%
Libertarian Matthew Arndt 4,576 1.32%
Constitution Dennis Ray Emery 3,000 0.86%
Total votes 348,325 100.00%
Democratic hold

District 3

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This district covers central and west central Utah, including nearly all of Utah County and the west side of Salt Lake County. It has been represented by Republican Chris Cannon since 1997, who lost to Jason Chaffetz in the primary. His challengers were Democrat Bennion Spencer and Constitution Party Candidate Jim Noorlander. CQ Politics forecasted the race as 'Safe Republican'.

Utah's 3rd congressional district election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Jason Chaffetz 187,035 65.61%
Democratic Bennion L. Spencer 80,626 28.28%
Constitution Jim Noorlander 17,408 6.11%
Total votes 285,069 100.00%
Republican hold

See also

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United States House of Representatives elections, 2008

References

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  1. ^ "Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives".
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Preceded by
2006 elections
United States House elections in Utah
2008
Succeeded by
2010 elections