2008 Iowa Senate election
{{Short description|none}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2023}}
{{Infobox election
| election_name = Iowa State Senate elections, 2008
| country = Iowa
| flag_image = Flag of Iowa (variant).svg
| type = legislative
| ongoing = no
| previous_election = 2006 Iowa Senate election
| previous_year = 2006
| next_election = 2010 Iowa Senate election
| next_year = 2010
| seats_for_election = 25 out of 50 seats in the Iowa State Senate
| majority_seats = 26
| election_date = November 4, 2008
| image_size = 160x180px
| image1 = John P. (Jack) Kibbie - Official Portrait - 84th GA.jpg
| leader1 = Jack Kibbie
| party1 = Democratic
| leaders_seat1 = [https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/publications/DMP/924817.pdf 4th]
| last_election1 = 30
| seats_before1 = 30
| seat_change1 = {{increase}}2
| seats_after1 = 32
| popular_vote1 =
| percentage1 =
| swing1 =
| image2 = Ron Wieck - Official Portrait - 83rd GA.jpg
| leader2 = Ron Wieck
| party2 = Republican
| leaders_seat2 = [https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/publications/DMP/924863.pdf 27th]
| last_election2 = 20
| seats_before2 = 20
| seat_change2 = {{decrease}}2
| seats_after2 = 18
| popular_vote2 =
| percentage2 =
| swing2 =
| map_image = 2008 Iowa senate election.svg
| map_size = 350px
| map_caption = Results of the elections:
{{legend0|#0671B0|Democratic gain}} {{legend0|#CA0120|Republican gain}}
{{legend0|#92C5DE|Democratic hold}} {{legend0|#F48882|Republican hold}}
{{legend0|#D3D3D3|No election}}
| title = President of the Senate
| before_election = Jack Kibbie
| before_party = Democratic
| after_election = Jack Kibbie
| after_party = Democratic
}}
{{ElectionsIA}}
The 2008 Iowa Senate election were held on November 4, 2008. The Senate seats for the twenty-five even-numbered districts were up for election. Senate terms are staggered such that half the membership is elected every two years, with each Senators serving a four-year term. Prior to the election, the Democrats were in the majority - marking the first time in 42 years that the Democrats had controlled both branches of the Iowa General Assembly and the Governor's Office.{{cite web|title=State of Iowa - Senate Journal - Monday, January 8, 2007|url=http://www.legis.state.ia.us/pubs/startDownload.asp?File=E%3A%5Cwwwroot%5CLegislature%5CPubs%5Csjweb%5CPDF2%5C01%2D08%2D2007%2Epdf&Name=01%2D08%2D2007%2Epdf&Size=289985|date=2007-01-07|access-date=2007-07-05|publisher=State of Iowa|pages=1}}{{Dead link|date=August 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} They expanded this majority by two seats in the 2008 elections.
{{TOClimit|limit=2}}
Predictions
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
!Source !Ranking !As of |
| align=left | Stateline{{Cite web |last=Jacobson |first=Louis |date=October 15, 2008 |title=Legislative races tilting Dems' way in '08 |url=http://www.stateline.org/live/details/story?contentId=348037 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081106082124/http://www.stateline.org/live/details/story?contentId=348037 |archive-date=November 6, 2008 |access-date=August 1, 2024 |website=Stateline}}
| {{USRaceRating|Likely|D}} | October 15, 2008 |
Overview
| class="wikitable" |
| colspan="2" rowspan="1" align="center" valign="top" | Iowa Senate: pre-election
| style="vertical-align:top;" | Seats |
| style="background-color:{{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}}" |
| Democratic-held | 30 |
| style="background-color:{{party color|Republican Party (United States)}}" |
| Republican-held | 20 |
| colspan="2" rowspan="1" | Total | 50 |
| class="wikitable" |
| colspan="2" rowspan="1" align="center" | 2006 Elections |
| style="background-color:{{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}}" |
| Democratic held and uncontested | 19 |
| style="background-color:{{party color|Independent Party (United States)}}" |
| Contested | 20 |
| style="background-color:{{party color|Republican Party (United States)}}" |
| Republican held and uncontested | 11 |
| colspan="2" rowspan="1" | Total | 50 |
| class="wikitable" |
| colspan="2" rowspan="1" align="center" valign="top" | Iowa Senate: post-election
| style="vertical-align:top;" | Seats |
| style="background-color:{{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}}" |
| Democratic-held | 32 |
| style="background-color:{{party color|Republican Party (United States)}}" |
| Republican-held | 18 |
| colspan="2" rowspan="1" | Total | 50 |
{{cite web|title=Candidate Listing by Office|url=http://www.sos.state.ia.us/pdfs/Gencandlist2008.pdf|date=2008-09-08|access-date=2008-10-14|publisher=Iowa Secretary of State|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081022210457/http://www.sos.state.ia.us/pdfs/Gencandlist2008.pdf|archive-date=2008-10-22|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|title=Official Results Report - Statewide |url=http://www.sos.state.ia.us/pdfs/GenOffResults.pdf |date=2006-11-21 |access-date=2007-07-04 |publisher=Iowa Secretary of State |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070715101939/http://www.sos.state.ia.us/pdfs/GenOffResults.pdf |archive-date=2007-07-15 }} from the Iowa Secretary of State.
General election
{{Election box inline begin no change
| type = District
}}
{{Election box inline incumbent
| race = 2
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| incumbent = Dave MulderIncumbent listing from {{cite web|title=Members of the Iowa Senate: Eighty-Second General Assembly|url=http://www3.legis.state.ia.us/ga/legislators.do?ch=s&1=d&ga=82|access-date=2008-10-15|publisher=Iowa General Assembly|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120214155557/http://www3.legis.state.ia.us/ga/legislators.do?ch=s&1=d&ga=82|archive-date=2012-02-14|url-status=dead}}
| status =
| candidates = 1
}}
{{Election box inline candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = Randy Feenstra
|votes = 24,595
|percentage =
}}
{{Election box inline incumbent
| race = 4
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| incumbent = John P. Kibbie
| status = Won re-election.
| candidates = 2
}}
{{Election box inline candidate with party link no change
|party = Democratic Party (United States)
|candidate = John P. Kibbie
|votes = 18,059
|percentage =
}}
{{Election box inline candidate no change
|party = Grassroots For Life
|candidate = Ken Vaske
|votes = 7,258
|percentage =
}}
{{Election box inline incumbent
| race = 6
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| incumbent = E. Thurman Gaskill
| status =
| candidates = 3
}}
{{Election box inline candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = Merlin Bartz
|votes = 14,299
|percentage =
}}
{{Election box inline candidate with party link no change
|party = Democratic Party (United States)
|candidate = Doug Thompson
|votes = 12,496
|percentage =
}}
{{Election box inline candidate with party link no change
|party = Independent (politician)
|candidate = Kenneth J. Abrams
|votes = 2,241
|percentage =
}}
{{Election box inline incumbent
| race = 8
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| incumbent = Mark Zieman
| status = Lost re-election.
| candidates = 2
}}
{{Election box inline candidate with party link no change
|party = Democratic Party (United States)
|candidate = Mary Jo Wilhelm
|votes = 14,862
|percentage =
}}
{{Election box inline candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = Mark Zieman
|votes = 13,836
|percentage =
}}
{{Election box inline incumbent
| race = 10
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| incumbent = Jeff Danielson
| status = Won Re-election.
| candidates = 2
}}
{{Election box inline candidate with party link no change
|party = Democratic Party (United States)
|candidate = Jeff Danielson
|votes = 16,103
|percentage =
}}
{{Election box inline candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = Walt Rogers
|votes = 16,081
|percentage =
}}
{{Election box inline incumbent
| race = 12
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| incumbent = Brian Schoenjahn
| status = Won re-election.
| candidates = 2
}}
{{Election box inline candidate with party link no change
|party = Democratic Party (United States)
|candidate = Brian Schoenjahn
|votes = 17,402
|percentage =
}}
{{Election box inline candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = Rebecca Wearmouth
|votes = 9,641
|percentage =
}}
{{Election box inline incumbent
| race = 14
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| incumbent = Michael Connolly
| status =
| candidates = 2
}}
{{Election box inline candidate with party link no change
|party = Democratic Party (United States)
|candidate = Pam Jochum
|votes = 19,443
|percentage =
}}
{{Election box inline candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = John Hulsizer, Jr.
|votes = 8,428
|percentage =
}}
{{Election box inline incumbent
| race = 16
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| incumbent = Tom Hancock
| status = Won re-election.
| candidates = 2
}}
{{Election box inline candidate with party link no change
|party = Democratic Party (United States)
|candidate = Tom Hancock
|votes = 17,129
|percentage =
}}
{{Election box inline candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = Dave McLaughlin
|votes = 13,660
|percentage =
}}
{{Election box inline incumbent
| race = 18
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| incumbent = Mary Lundby
| status =
| candidates = 2
}}
{{Election box inline candidate with party link no change
|party = Democratic Party (United States)
|candidate = Swati A. Dandekar
|votes = 20,667
|percentage =
}}
{{Election box inline candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = Joe Childers
|votes = 17,367
|percentage =
}}
{{Election box inline incumbent
| race = 20
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| incumbent = John Putney
| status =
| candidates = 2
}}
{{Election box inline candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = Tim L. Kapucian
|votes = 15,527
|percentage =
}}
{{Election box inline candidate with party link no change
|party = Democratic Party (United States)
|candidate = Randy L. Braden
|votes = 13,916
|percentage =
}}
{{Election box inline incumbent
| race = 22
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| incumbent = Larry McKibben
| status =
| candidates = 2
}}
{{Election box inline candidate with party link no change
|party = Democratic Party (United States)
|candidate = Steve Sodders
|votes = 14,837
|percentage =
}}
{{Election box inline candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = Jarret P. Heil
|votes = 11,846
|percentage =
}}
{{Election box inline incumbent
| race = 24
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| incumbent = Jerry Behn
| status = Won re-election.
| candidates = 2
}}
{{Election box inline candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = Jerry Behn
|votes = 22,970
|percentage =
}}
{{Election box inline candidate with party link no change
|party = Democratic Party (United States)
|candidate = Albert Sorensen
|votes = 16,233
|percentage =
}}
{{Election box inline incumbent
| race = 26
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| incumbent = Steve Kettering
| status = Won re-election.
| candidates = 1
}}
{{Election box inline candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = Steve Kettering
|votes = 22,853
|percentage =
}}
{{Election box inline incumbent
| race = 28
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| incumbent = James A. Seymour
| status = Won re-election.
| candidates = 1
}}
{{Election box inline candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = James A. Seymour
|votes = 17,188
|percentage =
}}
{{Election box inline incumbent
| race = 30
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| incumbent = Pat Ward
| status = Won re-election.
| candidates = 1
}}
{{Election box inline candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = Pat Ward
|votes = 21,842
|percentage =
}}
{{Election box inline incumbent
| race = 32
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| incumbent = Brad Zaun
| status = Won re-election.
| candidates = 1
}}
{{Election box inline candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = Brad Zaun
|votes = 23,190
|percentage =
}}
{{Election box inline incumbent
| race = 34
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| incumbent = Dick L. Dearden
| status = Won re-election.
| candidates = 2
}}
{{Election box inline candidate with party link no change
|party = Democratic Party (United States)
|candidate = Dick L. Dearden
|votes = 17,705
|percentage =
}}
{{Election box inline candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = Scott Strosahl
|votes = 9,617
|percentage =
}}
{{Election box inline incumbent
| race = 36
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| incumbent = Paul McKinley
| status = Won re-election.
| candidates = 2
}}
{{Election box inline candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = Paul McKinley
|votes = 18,236
|percentage =
}}
{{Election box inline candidate with party link no change
|party = Democratic Party (United States)
|candidate = Deb Ballalatak
|votes = 10,579
|percentage =
}}
{{Election box inline incumbent
| race = 38
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| incumbent = Thomas J. Rielly
| status = Won re-election.
| candidates = 2
}}
{{Election box inline candidate with party link no change
|party = Democratic Party (United States)
|candidate = Thomas J. Rielly
|votes = 16,332
|percentage =
}}
{{Election box inline candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = Michael C. Hadley
|votes = 12,393
|percentage =
}}
{{Election box inline incumbent
| race = 40
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| incumbent = James F. Hahn
| status = Won re-election.
| candidates = 2
}}
{{Election box inline candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = James F. Hahn
|votes = 14,134
|percentage =
}}
{{Election box inline candidate with party link no change
|party = Democratic Party (United States)
|candidate = Sharon Savage
|votes = 12,939
|percentage =
}}
{{Election box inline incumbent
| race = 42
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| incumbent = Frank B. Wood
| status = Lost re-election.
| candidates = 2
}}
{{Election box inline candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = Shawn Hamerlinck
|votes = 16,447
|percentage =
}}
{{Election box inline candidate with party link no change
|party = Democratic Party (United States)
|candidate = Frank B. Wood
|votes = 16,063
|percentage =
}}
{{Election box inline incumbent
| race = 44
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| incumbent = Thomas G. Courtney
| status = Won re-election.
| candidates = 2
}}
{{Election box inline candidate with party link no change
|party = Democratic Party (United States)
|candidate = Thomas G. Courtney
|votes = 15,601
|percentage =
}}
{{Election box inline candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = David Kerr
|votes = 10,536
|percentage =
}}
{{Election box inline incumbent
| race = 46
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| incumbent = Eugene Fraise
| status = Won re-election.
| candidates = 2
}}
{{Election box inline candidate with party link no change
|party = Democratic Party (United States)
|candidate = Eugene Fraise
|votes = 14,668
|percentage =
}}
{{Election box inline candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = Doug P. Abolt
|votes = 11,088
|percentage =
}}
{{Election box inline incumbent
| race = 48
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| incumbent = Jeff Angelo
| status =
| candidates = 3
}}
{{Election box inline candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = Kim Reynolds
|votes = 14,274
|percentage =
}}
{{Election box inline candidate with party link no change
|party = Democratic Party (United States)
|candidate = Ruth Smith
|votes = 11,653
|percentage =
}}
{{Election box inline candidate with party link no change
|party = Independent (politician)
|candidate = Rodney Schmidt
|votes = 1,021
|percentage =
}}
{{Election box inline incumbent
| race = 50
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| incumbent = Michael E. Gronstal
| status = Won re-election.
| candidates = 2
}}
{{Election box inline candidate with party link no change
|party = Democratic Party (United States)
|candidate = Michael E. Gronstal
|votes = 13,375
|percentage =
}}
{{Election box inline candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = Mark A. Brandenburg
|votes = 9,740
|percentage =
}}
{{election box inline end}}