2008 United States Senate election in Maine
November 4, 2008
 
Nominee Susan Collins Tom Allen
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 444,300 279,510
Percentage 61.33% 38.58%
Collins:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%
Allen:      50–60%      60–70%
U.S. senator before election

Susan Collins
Republican

 Elected U.S. Senator

Susan Collins
Republican

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.

Democratic primary

Candidates

  • Tom Allen, U.S. Representative
  • Thomas Ledue, educator

Results

Democratic primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Tom Allen 69,932 85.6%
Democratic Tom Ledue 11,795 14.4%
Total votes 81,727 100.0%

General election

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

Source Ranking As of
The Cook Political Report[2] Likely R October 23, 2008
CQ Politics[3] Lean R October 31, 2008
Rothenberg Political Report[4] Likely R November 2, 2008
Real Clear Politics[5] Likely R November 1, 2008

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

General election 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

  1. ↑ Lieberman Backs Susan Collins, Gives $5K To Her Re-election Campaign - CBS News
  2. ↑ "2008 Senate Race ratings for October 23, 2008". The Cook Political Report. Retrieved April 1, 2021.
  3. ↑ Race Ratings Chart: Senate Archived October 28, 2010, at the Wayback Machine CQ Politics
  4. ↑ "2008 Senate ratings". Inside Elections. Retrieved April 1, 2021.
  5. ↑ "2008 RCP Averages & Senate Results". Real Clear Politics. Retrieved August 31, 2021.
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