2008 United States Senate election in Idaho

Background

Incumbent Larry Craig announced his intent to resign following an incident where he allegedly solicited another man for gay sex in a public restroom. Craig later decided not to resign but did announce that he would not seek re-election. The filing deadline for the election was March 21, 2008. A total of 13 candidates filed for the seat. Republican and Democratic candidates ran for their respective nominations in the May 27 primary.

Lieutenant Governor Jim Risch defeated a crowded field for the Republican nomination, while former Congressman Larry LaRocco won the Democratic nomination in similar fashion. Conservative independents Rex Rammell and Pro-Life (formerly Marvin Richardson) also qualified for the general election ballot. Former Caldwell city council member Kent Marmon secured the Libertarian nomination. In the general election, Risch defeated LaRocco and the other candidates to keep the seat in Republican hands.

Republican primary

Candidates

• Jim Risch, Lieutenant Governor of Idaho
• Fred Adams
• Brian Hefner
• Bill Hunter
• Richard Phenneger, Businessman
• Hal James Styles
• Scott Syme, Iraq War veteran
• Neal Thompson

Results

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Democratic primary

Candidates

• Larry LaRocco, former U.S. Representative
• David J. Archuleta

Results

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General election

Candidates

• Larry LaRocco, former U.S. Congressman (Democratic)
• Kent A. Marmon, former member of the Caldwell City Council (Libertarian)
• Pro-life (Independent)
• Rex Rammell, veterinarian, elk rancher, and Republican candidate for State House in 2002 and 2004 (Independent)
• Jim Risch, Lieutenant Governor and former Governor (Republican)

Predictions

Polling

Results

Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic

• Latah (largest municipality: Moscow)
• Shoshone (largest municipality: Kellogg)
• Teton (largest municipality: Victor)

References

References

1. [http://www.idsos.state.id.us/elect/eleindex.htm Elections, Campaign Disclosure and Lobbyists] {{webarchive. link. (August 6, 2008 ''Idaho Secretary of State'')
2. "Craig to Announce Resignation Saturday".
3. "LIST OF FEDERAL, STATEWIDE, AND JUDICIAL CANDIDATES".
4. "Iraq vet announces bid in GOP Senate primary".
5. (October 2010). ["LaRocco to run for Senate; Craig mum on future]"](http://www.idahostatesman.com/244/story/78234.html).
6. "2008 Primary Results statewide".
7. "2008 Senate Race ratings for October 23, 2008".
8. link. (October 28, 2010 ''CQ Politics'')
9. "2008 Senate ratings".
10. "2008 RCP Averages & Senate Results". Real Clear Politics.
11. [http://www.surveyusa.com/client/PollReport.aspx?g=37d9ed4d-bfff-4c8e-ac57-96410fa115e7/ Survey USA]
12. [http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2007/12/12/143247/39 Myers Research]
13. [https://web.archive.org/web/20160120123131/http://electionadvantage.blogspot.com/search/label/ID-SEN Robinson Research]
14. {{usurped
15. [http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/7/31/12214/5122/347/560030 Research 2000]
16. [https://web.archive.org/web/20080918170328/http://www.pollster.com/blogs/poll_greg_smith_idaho_81822.php Greg Smith]
17. [https://web.archive.org/web/20080912130000/http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/election_20082/2008_senate_elections/idaho/election_2008_idaho_senate Rasmussen Reports]
18. "Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives".