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2008 United States Senate election in Georgia

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Field	Value
election_name	2008 United States Senate election in Georgia
flag_image	Flag of Georgia (U.S. state).svg
type	presidential
ongoing	no
previous_election	2002 United States Senate election in Georgia
previous_year	2002
next_election	2014 United States Senate election in Georgia
next_year	2014
election_date	November 4, 2008 (first round)
December 2, 2008 (runoff)
image_size	x150px
1blank	First round
2blank	Runoff
image1	Saxby Chambliss.jpg
nominee1	Saxby Chambliss
1data1	**1,867,097
49.76%**
2data1	**1,228,033
57.44%**
party1	Republican Party (United States)
image2	Jim Martin october 2008.png
nominee2	Jim Martin
party2	Democratic Party (United States)
1data2	**1,757,393
46.83%**
2data2	909,923
42.56%
map
map_caption	Chambliss:
Martin:
Tie:
title	U.S. Senator
before_election	Saxby Chambliss
before_party	Republican Party (United States)
after_election	Saxby Chambliss
after_party	Republican Party (United States)

December 2, 2008 (runoff) 49.76%** 57.44%** 46.83%** 42.56% Martin:
Tie: The 2008 United States Senate election in Georgia took place on November 4, 2008. The runoff election took place on December 2, 2008. Republican Senator Saxby Chambliss, first elected in 2002, sought re-election to his position as a United States Senator from Georgia. He was challenged by Democratic nominee Jim Martin and Libertarian nominee Allen Buckley. After a runoff election on December 2, Chambliss was elected.

The runoff was necessary as neither Chambliss nor Martin, the two major party candidates, had won a majority of the vote in the first round. Early voting hours were set by county, and started November 17 or November 18. Prior to the runoff, advanced polls were open from November 24 to the 26th. Since the election was a runoff, only those voters who registered in time for the general election could cast ballots. It was the second Senate runoff election to be held in Georgia since runoffs were first mandated in 1964, following a runoff in 1992.

As of , this remains the only time in history that a Republican has won re-election to Georgia's Class 2 Senate seat, and the first time that a Republican has also won re-election into a second successful full term in office.

Republican primary

Candidates

Saxby Chambliss, incumbent U.S. Senator

Results

Democratic primary

The general primary was held July 15, 2008. A run-off between the top two Democratic contenders was held on August 5, in which Jim Martin defeated Vernon Jones.

Candidates

Jim Martin, former State Representative and nominee for Lieutenant Governor in 2006
Vernon Jones, businessman, DeKalb County chief executive officer and former State Representative
Dale Cardwell, TV journalist
Rand Knight, businessman
Josh Lanier, Vietnam War veteran and former aide to U.S. Senator Herman Talmadge

Polling

Source	Date	Cardwell	Jones	Knight	Lanier	Martin
Strategic Vision (R)	May 9–11, 2008	20%		28%	11%	5%	15%
Insider Advantage	May 12, 2008	14%		21%	1%	5%	3%
Mellman Group (D)	May 29, 2008	7%	16%	2%	3%		21%
Strategic Vision (R)	June 27–29, 2008	22%		25%	14%	6%	17%
Insider Advantage	July 8–9, 2008	11%	20%	4%	1%		31%

Initial results

Results for the first round showed that since Vernon Jones did not win a majority of the vote, a runoff was held between him and Martin. Martin subsequently won the runoff.

Run off results

General election

Candidates

Democratic

Jim Martin, a former State Representative, former State Human Resources Commissioner, Vietnam War veteran, and 2006 nominee for lieutenant governor, challenged Chambliss for his seat. He made his support for PeachCare and other social services a signature issue in the campaign.

Libertarian

Allen Buckley - Attorney, accountant, 2004 Senate nominee, and 2006 nominee for lieutenant governor. He was eliminated in the general election, but his endorsement was sought by both the Martin and Chambliss campaigns.

Republican

Sen. Saxby Chambliss running for re-election for the first time, is a member of the Republican Party. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 1994 and had only one serious election challenge while in the House. He maintained high ratings from conservative interest groups such as the National Rifle Association of America, and the National Right to Life Committee, and correspondingly low marks from liberal interest groups such as the NAACP and ACLU. He sponsored legislation while in the Senate to replace the income tax with a national sales tax.

Predictions

Source	Ranking	As of
The Cook Political Report		October 23, 2008
CQ Politics		October 31, 2008
Rothenberg Political Report		November 2, 2008
Real Clear Politics		November 2, 2008

Polling

Chambliss vs. Martin

Source	Date	Chambliss (R)	Martin (D)
Rasmussen Reports	June 26, 2008		52%	39%
Strategic Vision	June 29, 2008		57%	28%
Rasmussen Reports	July 21, 2008		51%	40%
Rasmussen Reports	August 14, 2008		50%	44%
Survey USA	September 14–16, 2008		53%	36%
Rasmussen Reports	September 16, 2008		50%	43%
Survey USA	September 29, 2008		46%	44%
Research 2000	September 29 – October 1, 2008		45%	44%
Rasmussen Reports	October 7, 2008		50%	44%
Insider Advantage	October 9, 2008	45%	45%
Survey USA	October 12, 2008		46%	43%
Rasmussen Reports	October 22, 2008		47%	45%
Rasmussen Reports	October 30, 2008		48%	43%
Survey USA	November 2, 2008		48%	44%
Public Policy Polling	November 2, 2008		48%	46%

Chambliss vs. Jones (Hypothetical)

Source	Date	Jones (D)
Rasmussen Reports	July 21, 2008	59%	29%
Strategic Vision	June 29, 2008	57%	27%
Rasmussen Reports	June 26, 2008	57%	30%
Strategic Vision	December 12, 2007	57%	27%
Rasmussen Report	November 13, 2007	55%	32%
Rasmussen Report	September 23, 2007	53%	28%
Strategic Vision	June 24, 2007	55%	31%
Rasmussen Report	September 23, 2007	53%	28%
Strategic Vision	June 24, 2007	55%	31%
Insider Advantage	May 23, 2007	48%	31%
Strategic Vision	April 7, 2007	57%	29%

Results

As no candidate reached a majority on November 4, a runoff election was held on December 2, which Chambliss won.

Runoff election

Candidates

Chambliss (R)
Martin (D)

Campaign

Both qualifying candidates' runoff campaigns began in earnest on November 10, when election returns made it clear that a runoff would be required. With an election date of December 2, candidates were given only 3 weeks for additional campaigning.

The Libertarian nominee did not endorse either candidate in the run-off, though both campaigns reportedly inquired about getting Buckley's endorsement. Major political figures such as former President Bill Clinton, Republican Senator and 2008 presidential nominee John McCain and his former running mate Sarah Palin campaigned in Georgia, because of the election's potential to determine whether the Democratic Party could block filibusters in the United States Senate. Historically, run-off elections in Georgia have had significantly lower turnout than have general elections.

Chambliss's campaign verified that former Republican presidential candidates John McCain and Mike Huckabee would be campaigning in Georgia on the Senator's behalf, and former Democratic Governor and former U.S. Senator Zell Miller endorsed Chambliss. Former President Bill Clinton campaigned on Martin's behalf. Sarah Palin campaigned for the Chambliss campaign on December 1, the eve of the run-off election. President-elect Barack Obama had also been invited by the Democratic campaign but decided against making a stop.

The results of the runoff election were of particular interest to both parties. Subsequent to the November 4 general elections, Democrats had captured 58 seats in the Senate, two shy of a filibuster-proof supermajority. The result of Georgia's runoff election, as well as the results of an extremely close race and recount in Minnesota, would determine whether or not the required majority of 60 seats would be met. Although the Democratic nominee lost the runoff, the party would still obtain a supermajority after Pennsylvania Senator Arlen Specter switched from the Republican party to the Democratic party in April 2009 and Democrat Al Franken won in Minnesota after several recounts in June 2009.

Polling

Source	Date	Martin (D)
Rasmussen Reports	November 18, 2008	50%	46%
Public Policy Polling	November 23, 2008	52%	46%
Public Policy Polling	November 30, 2008	53%	46%

Results

Douglas, Rockdale, Newton, McIntosh, Merriwether, Chattahoochee, Webster, and Marion counties were won by Chambliss in the runoff, after he lost them in the general. Additionally, Mitchell County went from tied to Chambliss, and Early County switched from Chambliss to Martin.

Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican

Ben Hill (Largest city: Fitzgerald)
Brooks (Largest city: Quitman)
Decatur (Largest city: Bainbridge)
Elbert (Largest city: Elberton)
Grady (Largest city: Cairo)
Marion (Largest city: Buena Vista)
Seminole (Largest city: Donalsonville)
Taylor (Largest city: Butler)
Chattahoochee (largest municipality: Cusseta)
McIntosh (largest municipality: Darien)
Meriwether (largest municipality: Manchester)
Mitchell (largest municipality: Camilla)
Hart (Largest city: Hartwell)
Long (Largest city: Ludowici)
Wilkes (Largest city: Washington)
Webster (largest town: Preston)

Notes

References

(December 2, 2008). "gop Senate win in Georgia means Democrats can't halt filibusters".
(December 2, 2008). "GOP's Chambliss wins Ga. Senate runoff".
[http://sos.georgia.gov/Elections/ Elections Division] {{Webarchive. link. (November 12, 2008 Georgia Secretary of State)
[https://web.archive.org/web/20080716190652/http://sos.georgia.gov/elections/election_results/2008_0715/ Unofficial And Incomplete Results of the Tuesday, July 15, 2008 General Primary Election] ''Georgia Secretary of State''
(August 5, 2008). "Martin Wins Georgia Dem Runoff, Will Challenge Sen. Chambliss : Roll Call".
"Says Cardwell: Chambliss is 'a borrow-and-spend pawn of the special interests'".
[https://web.archive.org/web/20080705212448/http://www.strategicvision.biz/political/georgia_poll_060208.htm Strategic Vision (R)]
[https://web.archive.org/web/20080919122408/http://www.wsbtv.com/politics/16843551/detail.html Insider Advantage]
[https://web.archive.org/web/20080606223006/http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/shared-blogs/ajc/politicalinsider/entries/2008/06/05/jim_martin_says_hes_likeable_a.html Mellman Group (D)]
[https://web.archive.org/web/20080716202337/http://sos.georgia.gov/elections/election_results/2008_0715/swfed.htm 7/15/2008 - Federal and Statewide]
Jones, Walter C.. "Candidates differ on prescriptions for health".
"94 CONGRESSIONAL ELECTION STATISTICS".
"96 PRESIDENTIAL and CONGRESSIONAL ELECTION STATISTICS".
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(21 June 2001). "Statistics of the Presidential and Congressional Election of November 7, 2000".
"Saxby Chambliss".
Wasson, Erik. (2010-12-21). "Deficit panel's ideas to be resurrected in bipartisan Senate bill".
"2008 Senate Race ratings for October 23, 2008".
link. (October 28, 2010 ''CQ Politics'')
"2008 Senate ratings".
"2008 RCP Averages & Senate Results". Real Clear Politics.
[https://web.archive.org/web/20080702140040/http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/election_20082/2008_senate_elections/georgia/election_2008_georgia_senate Rasmussen Reports]
[https://web.archive.org/web/20080705212448/http://www.strategicvision.biz/political/georgia_poll_060208.htm Strategic Vision]
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[http://www.surveyusa.com/client/PollReport.aspx?g=5438dd8b-22f4-4691-beba-1c4cceeaf37f Survey USA]
[http://www.surveyusa.com/client/PollReport.aspx?g=d5a7a783-7aaa-4e2e-bd61-89885fbe2d75/ Survey USA]
"GA-Sen: Holy crap, it is tied!".
[https://web.archive.org/web/20081028223602/http://www.southernpoliticalreport.com/downloads/uploaded/70_Georgia%20Senate%20Oct%209.pdf Insider Advantage]
[http://www.surveyusa.com/client/PollReport.aspx?g=4f064878-b9e8-424a-b2f6-80f7663c2183/ Survey USA]
[http://www.surveyusa.com/client/PollReport.aspx?g=17ed02a6-5175-4b8a-9a8c-402ce5ea7c6e/ Survey USA]
[https://web.archive.org/web/20090203183611/http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/PPP_Release_Georgia_1103532.pdf Public Policy Polling]
[https://web.archive.org/web/20071216011100/http://www.strategicvision.biz/political/georgia_poll_121207.htm Strategic Vision]
[https://web.archive.org/web/20071115173039/http://rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/election_2008__1/2008_senate_elections/georgia_senate Rasmussen Report]
[https://web.archive.org/web/20070812060141/http://strategicvision.biz/political/georgia_poll_062707.htm Strategic Vision]
[https://web.archive.org/web/20070930033428/http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/shared-blogs/ajc/politicalinsider/entries/2007/05/25/an_ia_dream_match_chambliss_at.html Insider Advantage]
[https://web.archive.org/web/20071015095029/http://strategicvision.biz/political/georgia_poll_041107.htm Strategic Vision]
(November 10, 2008). "Georgia Election Results: United States Senator". Georgia Secretary of State.
"Georgia 2008 General Election". The Green Papers.
(2008-12-18). "Libertarian Allen Buckley Speaks Out on Georgia Senate Run-Off".
(2008-12-03). "Democrats denied 'super majority' in US Senate". ABC News.
"A Brief History of Georgia Runoffs, and Why This Time May Be Different".
"Palin Heads Back to Campaign Trail -- Political Wire".
Tharpe, Jim. (November 11, 2008). "Senate runoff fast and furious". [[Atlanta Journal-Constitution]].
(2008-12-04). "Republican win in Georgia denies Obama total control of Senate". The Guardian.
Britt, Russ. (November 6, 2008). "Democrats still have shot at filibuster-proof Senate". Market Watch.
[https://web.archive.org/web/20081207035325/http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/election_20082/2008_senate_elections/georgia/election_2008_georgia_senate/ Rasmussen Reports]
[https://web.archive.org/web/20090203183606/http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/PPP_Release_Georgia_11241.pdf Public Policy Polling]
[https://web.archive.org/web/20090203030126/http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/PPP_Release_Georgia_1201.pdf Public Policy Polling]
(December 2, 2008). "Georgia Election Results". State of Georgia Secretary of State.

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