2008 United States House of Representatives elections in Florida#District 18

{{bar box

| title=Popular vote

| titlebar=#ddd

| width=600px

| barwidth=410px

| bars=

{{bar percent|Republican|{{party color|Republican Party (United States)}}| 49.92}}

{{bar percent|Democratic|{{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}}|47.65}}

{{bar percent|Other|#777777|2.43}}

}}

{{bar box

| title=House seats

| titlebar=#ddd

| width=600px

| barwidth=410px

| bars=

{{bar percent|Republican|{{party color|Republican Party (United States)}}|60}}

{{bar percent|Democratic|{{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}}|40}}

}}

All of the vote totals were copied from the Secretary of State of Florida's Website

{{Infobox election

| election_name = 2008 Florida's 1st congressional district election

| country = Florida

| type = presidential

| ongoing = no

| previous_election = 2006 United States House of Representatives elections in Florida#District 1

| previous_year = 2006

| election_date = November 2, 2010

| next_election = 2010 United States House of Representatives elections in Florida#District 1

| next_year = 2010

| seats_for_election = Florida's 1st congressional district

| image_size = x150px

| image1 = File:Jeff Miller Congress.JPG

| nominee1 = Jeff Miller

| party1 = Republican Party (United States)

| popular_vote1 = 232,559

| percentage1 = 70.18%

| image2 = 3x4.svg

| nominee2 = Jim Bryan

| party2 = Democratic Party (United States)

| popular_vote2 = 98,797

| percentage2 = 29.82%

| map_image = 2008_Florida's_1st_Congressional_Election_by_county.svg

| map_size = 300px

| map_caption = County results
Miller: {{legend0|#e55651|60–70%}} {{legend0|#d02923|70–80%}}

| title = U.S. Representative

| before_election = Jeff Miller

| before_party = Republican Party (United States)

| after_election = Jeff Miller

| after_party = Republican Party (United States)

}}{{see also|Florida's 1st congressional district}}

Republican incumbent Jeff Miller has held this seat since winning a special election in 2001. He was challenged by Democrat Jim Bryan ([https://web.archive.org/web/20101104020623/http://www.bryanforcongress.org/ campaign website]), a Vietnam War veteran. CQ Politics forecasted the race as 'Safe Republican'.

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20081007182944/http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=district-FL-01 Race ranking and details] from CQ Politics
• [http://www.opensecrets.org/races/summary.php?id=FL01&cycle=2008 Campaign contributions] from OpenSecrets

Incumbent Jeff Miller retained his seat with about 70 percent of the vote.

{{Election box begin no change

| title = Florida's 1st congressional district election, 2008{{cite web |url=http://election.dos.state.fl.us/elections/resultsarchive/Index.asp?ElectionDate=11/4/2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090425141943/http://election.dos.state.fl.us/elections/resultsarchive/Index.asp?ElectionDate=11%2F4%2F2008 |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 25, 2009 |title=Florida Department of State Division of Elections - November 4, 2008 General Election |access-date=2009-01-17 |publisher=Secretary of State of Florida }}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Jeff Miller (incumbent)

|votes = 232,559

|percentage = 70.2

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Jim Bryan

|votes = 98,797

|percentage = 29.8

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 331,356

|percentage = 100.00

}}

{{Election box hold with party link without swing

|winner = Republican Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Infobox election

| election_name = 2008 Florida's 2nd congressional district election

| country = Florida

| type = presidential

| ongoing = no

| previous_election = 2006 United States House of Representatives elections in Florida#District 2

| previous_year = 2006

| election_date = November 2, 2010

| next_election = 2010 United States House of Representatives elections in Florida#District 2

| next_year = 2010

| seats_for_election = Florida's 2nd congressional district

| image_size = x150px

| image1 = File:Allen Boyd, official portrait, 111th Congress.jpg

| nominee1 = Allen Boyd

| party1 = Democratic Party (United States)

| popular_vote1 = 216,804

| percentage1 = 62.23%

| image2 = 3x4.svg

| nominee2 = Mark Mulligan

| party2 = Republican Party (United States)

| popular_vote2 = 133,404

| percentage2 = 38.29%

| map_image = 2008_Florida's_2nd_Congressional_District_by_county.svg

| map_size = 325px

| map_caption = County results
Boyd: {{legend0|#8da9e2|50–60%}} {{legend0|#678cd7|60–70%}} {{legend0|#4170cd|70–80%}} {{legend0|#3358a2|80–90%}}
Mulligan: {{legend0|#ed8783|50–60%}} {{legend0|#e55651|60–70%}} {{legend0|#d02923|70–80%}}

| title = U.S. Representative

| before_election = Allen Boyd

| before_party = Democratic Party (United States)

| after_election = Allen Boyd

| after_party = Democratic Party (United States)

}}{{see also|Florida's 2nd congressional district}}

Democratic incumbent Allen Boyd has held this seat since 1997. Other contestants in this race included Republican challenger Mark Mulligan and write-in candidate Robert Ortiz. CQ Politics forecasted the race as 'Safe Democrat'.

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20081127185118/http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=district-FL-02 Race ranking and details] from CQ Politics
• [http://www.opensecrets.org/races/summary.php?id=FL02&cycle=2008 Campaign contributions] from OpenSecrets

Allen Boyd was reelected with slightly under 62 percent of the vote.

{{Election box begin no change

| title = Florida's 2nd congressional district election, 2008

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Allen Boyd (incumbent)

|votes = 216,804

|percentage = 61.9

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Mark Mulligan

|votes = 133,404

|percentage = 38.1

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Independent (politician)

|candidate = Robert Ortiz (write-in)

|votes = 159

|percentage = 0.0

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 348,367

|percentage = 100.00

}}

{{Election box hold with party link without swing

|winner = Democratic Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Infobox election

| election_name = 2008 Florida's 3rd congressional district election

| country = Florida

| type = presidential

| ongoing = no

| previous_election = 2006 United States House of Representatives elections in Florida#District 3

| previous_year = 2006

| next_election = 2006 United States House of Representatives elections in Florida#District 21

| next_year = 2010

| image_size = x150px

| image1 = File:Corrine Brown 113th Congress.jpg

| nominee1 = Corrine Brown

| party1 = Democratic Party (United States)

| popular_vote1 = Unopposed

| percentage1 = N/A

| map_image =

| map_size =

| map_caption =

| title = U.S. Representative

| before_election = Corrine Brown

| before_party = Democratic Party (United States)

| after_election = Corrine Brown

| after_party = Democratic Party (United States)

}}{{see also|Florida's 3rd congressional district}}

Democratic incumbent Corrine Brown has held this seat since 1993 and ran unopposed in this election.

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20081007171943/http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=district-FL-03 Race ranking and details] from CQ Politics
• [http://www.opensecrets.org/races/summary.php?id=FL03&cycle=2008 Campaign contributions] from OpenSecrets

thumb

{{see also|Florida's 4th congressional district}}

Republican incumbent Ander Crenshaw has held this seat since 2001. He was challenged by Democrat Jay McGovern, an Iraq War veteran. CQ Politics forecasts the race as 'Safe Republican'.

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20081007173929/http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=district-FL-04 Race ranking and details] from CQ Politics
• [http://www.opensecrets.org/races/summary.php?id=FL04&cycle=2008 Campaign contributions] from OpenSecrets

Republican Ander Crenshaw was reelected with around 65 percent of the votes.

{{Election box begin no change

| title = Florida's 4th congressional district election, 2008

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Ander Crenshaw (incumbent)

|votes = 224,112

|percentage = 65.3

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Jay McGovern

|votes = 119,330

|percentage = 34.7

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 343,442

|percentage = 100.00

}}

{{Election box hold with party link without swing

|winner = Republican Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box end}}

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{{see also|Florida's 5th congressional district}}

Republican incumbent Ginny Brown-Waite ([https://web.archive.org/web/20061017020001/http://www.ginnybrown-waite.com/ campaign website]), who has held this seat since 2003, was again challenged by Democrat John Russell ([http://www.johnrussellforcongress.com/ campaign website]), who received 40% against Brown-Waite in the 2006 election. CQ Politics forecasted the race as 'Safe Republican'. (CPVI=R+5)

Brown-Waite attracted a serious primary challenger in this sprawling Nature Coast district. As of November, Jim King had already begun a media campaign attacking Brown-Waite from the right and appealing to the conservative Christians who exert a serious influence in the local Republican Party.[http://www.sptimes.com/2007/11/18/news_pf/Hernando/Early_rival_launches_.shtml sptimes.com] While King was a longshot to unseat Brown-Waite, a lengthy and divisive primary campaign of this sort risks draining the incumbent's campaign resources, splintering her support, and causing her to take up more conservative stances that would appeal less to moderate voters in the general election.

Russell is a businessman, acute care nurse practitioner and local activist. He hoped to capitalize on Brown-Waite's difficult primary, her modest fundraising, and the recent demographic changes in this high-growth area.

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20081007182949/http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=district-FL-05 Race ranking and details] from CQ Politics
• [http://www.opensecrets.org/races/summary.php?id=FL05&cycle=2008 Campaign contributions] from OpenSecrets

Ginny Brown-Waite retained her seat. She received around 61 percent of the vote, improving her showing against Russell in the 2006 election by slightly over 1 percentage point.

{{Election box begin no change

| title = Florida's 5th congressional district election, 2008

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Ginny Brown-Waite (incumbent)

|votes = 265,186

|percentage = 61.2

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = John Russell

|votes = 168,446

|percentage = 38.8

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 433,632

|percentage = 100.00

}}

{{Election box hold with party link without swing

|winner = Republican Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box end}}

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{{see also|Florida's 6th congressional district}}

Republican incumbent Cliff Stearns has held this seat since 1989. He faced Democratic challenger Tim Cunha ([http://www.timcunha.com/ campaign website]). CQ Politics forecasts the race as 'Safe Republican'.

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20081007174646/http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=district-FL-06 Race ranking and details] from CQ Politics
• [http://www.opensecrets.org/races/summary.php?id=FL06&cycle=2008 Campaign contributions] from OpenSecrets

Incumbent Cliff Stearns was reelected with just under 61 percent of the votes.

{{Election box begin no change

| title = Florida's 6th congressional district election, 2008

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Cliff Stearns (incumbent)

|votes = 228,302

|percentage = 60.9

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Tim Cunha

|votes = 146,655

|percentage = 39.1

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 374,957

|percentage = 100.00

}}

{{Election box hold with party link without swing

|winner = Republican Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box end}}

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{{see also|Florida's 7th congressional district}}

Republican incumbent John Mica, representing the district since 1993, faced Democratic challenger, Faye Armitage ([http://www.fayeforcongress.com/ campaign website]). CQ Politics forecasted the race as 'Safe Republican'.

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20081127224505/http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=district-FL-07 Race ranking and details] from CQ Politics
• [http://www.opensecrets.org/races/summary.php?id=FL07&cycle=2008 Campaign contributions] from OpenSecrets

Incumbent John Mica held his seat, gaining 62 percent of the votes.

{{Election box begin no change

| title = Florida's 7th congressional district election, 2008

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = John Mica (incumbent)

|votes = 238,721

|percentage = 62.0

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Faye Armitage

|votes = 146,292

|percentage = 38.0

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 385,013

|percentage = 100.00

}}

{{Election box hold with party link without swing

|winner = Republican Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Infobox election

| election_name = 2008 Florida's 8th congressional district election

| country = Florida

| type = presidential

| ongoing = no

| previous_election = 2006 United States House of Representatives elections in Florida#District 8

| previous_year = 2006

| election_date =

| next_election = 2010 United States House of Representatives elections in Florida#District 8

| next_year = 2010

| seats_for_election =

| image_size = x150px

| image1 = File:Alan Grayson.jpg

| nominee1 = Alan Grayson

| party1 = Democratic Party (United States)

| popular_vote1 = 172,854

| percentage1 = 52.0%

| image2 = File:Ric Keller2.jpeg

| nominee2 = Ric Keller

| party2 = Republican Party (United States)

| popular_vote2 = 159,490

| percentage2 = 48.0%

| map_image = File:2008 general election in Florida's 8th congressional district by county.svg

| map_size = 250px

| map_caption = County results
Grayson: {{legend0|#8da9e2|50–60%}}
Keller: {{legend0|#ed8883|50–60%}} {{legend0|#e55751|60–70%}}

| title = U.S. Representative

| before_election = Ric Keller

| before_party = Republican Party (United States)

| after_election = Alan Grayson

| after_party = Democratic Party (United States)

}}thumb

{{see also|Florida's 8th congressional district}}

Democratic nominee Alan Grayson challenged Republican incumbent Ric Keller, who had held the seat since 2001. On October 21, 2008, [http://www.cqpolitics.com/ CQ Politics] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090107013030/http://www.cqpolitics.com/ |date=January 7, 2009 }} switched its outlook on the race from "No Clear Favorite" to "Leans Democratic," citing the fact that there are now more registered Democrats that Republicans in Keller's district.{{Cite web |url=http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=news-000002977499&parm1=5&cpage=2 |title = CQ Politics {{!}} CQ Politics' House Rating Changes Topped by Bachmann Blow-Up |access-date=2008-10-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081031165535/http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=news-000002977499&parm1=5&cpage=2 |archive-date=2008-10-31 |url-status=dead }} George W. Bush had won the district in 2004 with 55% of the vote (CPVI=R+3).

In 2006, Keller, author of the "Cheeseburger Bill", was reelected by less than expected to Orlando businessman Charlie Stuart, who polled 46%. After the November 2006 election, Keller announced that he would break his 2000 pledge to serve only four terms. Todd Long, an Orlando attorney and radio talk show host, then announced he would challenge Keller in the Republican primary, promising to make an issue of the broken term-limits pledge.Rachel Kapochunas, [https://www.nytimes.com/cq/2006/12/05/cq_2009.html "Keller’s Early ‘08 Opponent Focusing on Broken Term Limit Pledge"], New York Times, December 5, 2006 Greg Lewis and retired Marine Corps officer Bob Hering also announced they would challenge Keller in the primary, but they did not meet the qualifying requirements. The Keller-Long primary fight intensified over the summer, with Keller's term limit retraction, as well as his vote against The Surge[https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2008/10/08/gop-stalwart-faces-tight-race-after-pair-of-costly-decisions/ Ric Keller faces tight race after pair of costly decisions] making him increasingly vulnerable to defeat. However, just days before the August 26 primary, Keller sent out a mailer exposing Long's arrest record, a DUI, and another trespass warning.[https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2008/08/05/keller-rival-has-booze-history/ Keller: GOP rival has booze history] Keller squeaked by with a 53%-47% win in the GOP primary,[https://web.archive.org/web/20130224031049/http://voices.washingtonpost.com/capitol-briefing/2008/08/florida_rep_keller_gets_primar.html Florida Rep. Keller Gets Primary Scare] but his reputation took a hit, as many saw the mailer as a political "dirty trick."

Grayson, an attorney who prosecutes war profiteers, had run unsuccessfully in the 2006 Democratic primary. In the 2008 primary, he faced large field, including Charlie Stuart, who had lost to Keller by six percentage points in 2006; Mike Smith, a former state prosecutor and current trial lawyer with Morgan & Morgan; Corbett Kroeler, an environmental activist; Quoc Ba Van, local weight-lifting champion and recent Emory Law School graduate.{{cite news |first=Jason |last=Garcia |title=Keller Draws More Competition |url=http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/news_politics/2007/06/keller_draws_mo.html |work=Orlando Sentinel Central Florida Political Pulse Blog |publisher=Orlando Sentinel |date=June 19, 2007 |access-date=2007-06-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080919011614/http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/news_politics/2007/06/keller_draws_mo.html |archive-date=September 19, 2008 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}Brendan Farrington, [http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20070623/APN/706230504 "Florida will be a congressional battleground again in 2008"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929123046/http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20070623/APN/706230504 |date=September 29, 2007 }}, Herald Tribune, June 23, 2007Scott Maxwell [http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/news_local_namesblog/2007/06/more_keller_com.html "More Keller competition"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080919010324/http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/news_local_namesblog/2007/06/more_keller_com.html |date=2008-09-19 }}, Orlando Sentinel, June 20, 2007

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20081211200102/http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=district-FL-08 Race ranking and details] from CQ Politics
• [http://www.opensecrets.org/races/summary.php?id=FL08&cycle=2008 Campaign contributions] from OpenSecrets

Alan Grayson defeated incumbent Ric Keller, receiving 52 percent of the vote. This was one of two pickups for the Democratic Party in Florida, along with District 24. The general election was heated, with "mudslinging" and attack ads by both sides on television and in mailers.[https://web.archive.org/web/20150513103149/http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2008-10-02/news/elect02_1_ric-keller-grayson-drilling][https://web.archive.org/web/20100807080356/http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2008-10-08/news/kellermail08_1_ric-keller-grayson-mailer] The race gained considerable national attention.

{{Election box begin no change

| title = Florida's 8th congressional district election, 2008

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Alan Grayson

|votes = 172,854

|percentage = 52.0

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Ric Keller (incumbent)

|votes = 159,490

|percentage = 48.0

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 332,244

|percentage = 100.00

}}

{{Election box gain with party link without swing

|winner = Democratic Party (United States)

|loser = Republican Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box end}}

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{{see also|Florida's 9th congressional district}}

Republican freshman incumbent Gus Michael Bilirakis faced several opponents in this race. Challengers included Democrat Bill Mitchell, independents Richard Emmons and John Kalimnios, and write-in candidate Andrew Pasayan. CQ Politics forecasted the race as 'Safe Republican'.

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20080918080737/http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=district-FL-09 Race ranking and details] from CQ Politics
• [http://www.opensecrets.org/races/summary.php?id=FL00&cycle=2008 Campaign contributions] from OpenSecrets

Incumbent Gus Michael Bilirakis retained his seat, receiving around 62 percent of the votes.

{{Election box begin no change

| title = Florida's 9th congressional district election, 2008

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Gus Michael Bilirakis (incumbent)

|votes = 216,591

|percentage = 62.2

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Bill Mitchell

|votes = 126,346

|percentage = 36.3

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Independent (politician)

|candidate = John Kalimnios

|votes = 3,394

|percentage = 1.0

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Independent (politician)

|candidate = Richard Emmons

|votes = 2,042

|percentage = 0.6

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Independent (politician)

|candidate = Andrew Pasayan (write-in)

|votes = 5

|percentage = 0.0

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 348,378

|percentage = 100.00

}}

{{Election box hold with party link without swing

|winner = Republican Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box end}}

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{{see also|Florida's 10th congressional district}}

Republican incumbent Bill Young, who has represented this district since 1971 and is currently the longest-serving Republican in the House, faced Dunedin Mayor Democrat Bob Hackworth and write in candidate Don Callahan. Bob Hackworth won the Democratic primary on August 26, 2008 with 46% of the vote, defeating Samm Simpson and Max Linn.[http://www.baynews9.com/ElectionResults.html?8.26.2008-77841579 Election Results. Baynews9.com. Online. August 26, 2008.]{{Dead link|date=May 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} CQ Politics forecasted the race as 'Safe Republican'.

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20081007182954/http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=district-FL-10 Race ranking and details] from CQ Politics
• [http://www.opensecrets.org/races/summary.php?id=FL10&cycle=2008 Campaign contributions] from OpenSecrets

Bill Young was reelected, receiving around 61 percent of the votes.

{{Election box begin no change

| title = Florida's 10th congressional district election, 2008

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Bill Young (incumbent)

|votes = 182,781

|percentage = 60.7

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Bob Hackworth

|votes = 118,430

|percentage = 39.3

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Independent (politician)

|candidate = Don Callahan (write-in)

|votes = 9

|percentage = 0.0

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 301,220

|percentage = 100.00

}}

{{Election box hold with party link without swing

|winner = Republican Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box end}}

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{{see also|Florida's 11th congressional district}}

Freshman Democratic congresswoman Kathy Castor faced Republican challenger Eddie Adams, Jr. CQ Politics forecasted the race as 'Safe Democrat'.

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20081007172701/http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=district-FL-11 Race ranking and details] from CQ Politics
• [http://www.opensecrets.org/races/summary.php?id=FL11&cycle=2008 Campaign contributions] from OpenSecrets

Kathy Castor easily retained her seat with nearly 72 percent of the votes.

{{Election box begin no change

| title = Florida's 11th congressional district election, 2008

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Kathy Castor (incumbent)

|votes = 184,106

|percentage = 71.7

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Eddie Adams, Jr.

|votes = 72,825

|percentage = 28.3

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 256,931

|percentage = 100.00

}}

{{Election box hold with party link without swing

|winner = Democratic Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box end}}

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{{see also|Florida's 12th congressional district}}

Republican incumbent Adam Putnam, who has held this seat since 2001, was challenged by Democrat and retired U.S. Navy Master Chief Petty Officer Doug Tudor. CQ Politics forecasted the race as 'Safe Republican'.

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20081007171953/http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=district-FL-12 Race ranking and details] from CQ Politics
• [http://www.opensecrets.org/races/summary.php?id=FL12&cycle=2008 Campaign contributions] from OpenSecrets

Adam Putnam was reelected, receiving 57.5 percent of the vote.

{{Election box begin no change

| title = Florida's 12th congressional district election, 2008

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Adam Putnam (incumbent)

|votes = 185,698

|percentage = 57.5

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Doug Tudor

|votes = 137,465

|percentage = 42.5

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 323,163

|percentage = 100.00

}}

{{Election box hold with party link without swing

|winner = Republican Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box end}}

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{{see also|Florida's 13th congressional district}}

Freshman Republican incumbent Vern Buchanan ([http://www.vernbuchananforcongress.com/ campaign website]) was again challenged by Democratic banker Christine Jennings ([https://web.archive.org/web/20070930054915/http://www.christinejennings2008.com/ campaign website]). Former Democratic Congressional candidate Jan Schneider also filed, running as an Independent.{{Cite web |url=http://www.southernpoliticalreport.com/storylink_59_391.aspx |title=southernpoliticalreport.com |access-date=2008-07-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080807162605/http://www.southernpoliticalreport.com/storylink_59_391.aspx |archive-date=2008-08-07 |url-status=dead }} This was expected to be a competitive race in 2008, though Buchanan was far ahead of Jennings in fundraising. CQ Politics forecasted the race as 'Leans Republican'. George W. Bush won 56% of the district's vote in 2004 (CPVI=R+4).

Buchanan was certified as having won in 2006 by a 369-vote margin over Jennings, but Jennings challenged the election in court. Although Buchanan was seated by the House, the House has made no final decision on the matter. In mid-July 2007, Jennings announced she would run again in 2008.Jeremy Wallace,[http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20070720/NEWS/707200305 "Jennings to run for Congress again"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071009150003/http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20070720/NEWS/707200305 |date=October 9, 2007 }}, Herald-Tribune, July 20, 2007

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20080617051447/http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=district-FL-13 Race ranking and details] from CQ Politics
• [http://www.opensecrets.org/races/summary.php?id=FL13&cycle=2008 Campaign contributions] from OpenSecrets
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20080918191222/http://www.pollster.com/polls/fl/08-fl-13-ge-bvj.php Buchanan (R-i) vs Jennings (D)] polls from Pollster.com

Vern Buchanan was reelected to a second term. In contrast to the 2006 election, Buchanan won by a convincing margin, receiving 55.5 percent of the vote.

{{Election box begin no change

| title = Florida's 13th congressional district election, 2008

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Vern Buchanan (incumbent)

|votes = 204,382

|percentage = 55.5

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Christine Jennings

|votes = 137,967

|percentage = 37.5

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Independent (politician)

|candidate = Jan Schneider

|votes = 20,289

|percentage = 5.5

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Independent (politician)

|candidate = Don Baldauf

|votes = 5,358

|percentage = 1.5

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 367,996

|percentage = 100.00

}}

{{Election box hold with party link without swing

|winner = Republican Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box end}}

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{{see also|Florida's 14th congressional district}}

Republican incumbent Connie Mack, holder of this seat since 2005, was challenged by Democrat Robert Neeld ([http://www.neeldforcongress.com/ campaign website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080828060758/http://www.neeldforcongress.com/ |date=August 28, 2008 }}), Independent Jeff George ([http://www.jeffgeorgeforcongress.com/ campaign website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130603061859/http://jeffgeorgeforcongress.com/ |date=June 3, 2013 }}) and Republican State Senator Burt Saunders (who ran as an Independent). CQ Politics forecasted the race as 'Safe Republican'.

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20081007173934/http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=district-FL-14 Race ranking and details] from CQ Politics
• [http://www.opensecrets.org/races/summary.php?id=FL14&cycle=2008 Campaign contributions] from OpenSecrets

Connie Mack was returned to Congress for a third term, receiving over 59 percent of the votes.

{{Election box begin no change

| title = Florida's 14th congressional district election, 2008

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Connie Mack (incumbent)

|votes = 224,602

|percentage = 59.4

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Robert Neeld

|votes = 93,590

|percentage = 24.8

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Independent (politician)

|candidate = Burt Saunders

|votes = 54,750

|percentage = 14.5

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Independent (politician)

|candidate = Jeff George

|votes = 4,949

|percentage = 1.3

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 377,891

|percentage = 100.00

}}

{{Election box hold with party link without swing

|winner = Republican Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box end}}

thumb

{{see also|Florida's 15th congressional district}}

Seven-term Republican incumbent Dave Weldon had easily won re-election contests for a decade, but is retiring in 2008, leaving this Florida's only open House seat. Republican nominee State Senator Bill Posey, who was endorsed by Weldon and the Florida Republican Party, faced Democratic nominee physician Steve Blythe ([http://www.blythe2008.com/ campaign website]). Independent candidates Frank Zilaitis and Trevor Lowing also ran for the seat. Libertarian Jeffrey Bouffard, a computer engineer and army veteran, also filed to run, but did not qualify for the ballot.{{cite web |url=http://election.dos.state.fl.us/candidate/CanList.asp |title=Candidate Listing for 2008 General Election |publisher=Florida Division of Elections |access-date=2009-01-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100831154715/http://election.dos.state.fl.us/candidate/CanList.asp |archive-date=2010-08-31 |url-status=dead }} CQ Politics forecasted the race as 'Republican Favored'. George W. Bush won 57% of the vote here in 2004 (CPVI=R+4).

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20080617051452/http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=district-FL-15 Race ranking and details] from CQ Politics
• [http://www.opensecrets.org/races/summary.php?id=FL15&cycle=2008 Campaign contributions] from OpenSecrets

Bill Posey won the open seat with 53 percent of the vote. As a result, this seat remained under Republican control for the 111th Congress.

{{Election box begin no change

| title = Florida's 15th congressional district election, 2008

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Bill Posey

|votes = 192,151

|percentage = 53.1

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Steve Blythe

|votes = 151,951

|percentage = 42.0

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Independent (politician)

|candidate = Frank Zilaitis

|votes = 14,274

|percentage = 3.9

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Independent (politician)

|candidate = Trevor Lowing

|votes = 3,495

|percentage = 1.0

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 361,871

|percentage = 100.00

}}

{{Election box hold with party link without swing

|winner = Republican Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box end}}

thumb

{{see also|Florida's 16th congressional district}}

Republican nominee Tom Rooney faced Democratic incumbent Tim Mahoney.

This is normally a solidly Republican district, so consensus was that Mahoney's 50% to 48% win in 2006 could be attributed to the Mark Foley scandal. The Republican nominee Joe Negron's 2006 campaign was harmed by the fact that Foley's name remained on the ballot even though he was not a candidate, as his withdrawal from the race came too late to replace him on the ballot under Florida law.{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/10/02/foley.quits/|title=Report: Foley allegedly tried to meet page|date=2006-10-02|access-date=2006-10-02|publisher=CNN}} George W. Bush won this district by a 10-point margin in 2004 (CPVI=R+2).

Attorney Rooney won the Republican primary election against State Rep. Gayle Harrell and Palm Beach Gardens City Councilman Hal Valeche.

On October 12, 2008, it was revealed that Mahoney had an affair with a staffer, and had paid her $121,000 in a settlement to stave off a potential lawsuit. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has called for an ethics inquiry.{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/14/us/politics/14mahoney.html?ref=politics |title=Sex Scandal Shakes Race for Congress in Florida |last=Urbina |first=Ian |date=October 13, 2008 |newspaper=The New York Times |access-date=2008-10-14}} Two days later, CQ Politics changed their forecast on the race from "No Clear Favorite" to "Leans Republican".{{cite news |url=http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=news-000002974717 |title=Scandal Casts Shadow on Democrat Mahoney's Re-Election Bid |last=Kapochunas |first=Rachel |publisher=Congressional Quarterly |date=October 14, 2008 |access-date=2008-10-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081021055554/http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=news-000002974717 |archive-date=October 21, 2008 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20080617193044/http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=district-FL-16 Race ranking and details] from CQ Politics
• [http://www.opensecrets.org/races/summary.php?id=FL16&cycle=2008 Campaign contributions] from OpenSecrets

Republican Tom Rooney, with 60 percent of the votes, defeated incumbent Congressman Tim Mahoney. This was the only district in Florida to switch from Democratic to Republican control in 2008.

{{Election box begin no change

| title = Florida's 16th congressional district election, 2008

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Tom Rooney

|votes = 209,874

|percentage = 60.1

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Tim Mahoney (incumbent)

|votes = 139,373

|percentage = 39.9

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 349,247

|percentage = 100.00

}}

{{Election box gain with party link without swing

|winner = Republican Party (United States)

|loser = Democratic Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box end}}

thumb

{{see also|Florida's 17th congressional district}}

Democratic three-term incumbent Kendrick Meek ran unopposed in this heavily Democratic district (CPVI=D+35).

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20081007182212/http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=district-FL-17 Race ranking and details] from CQ Politics
• [http://www.opensecrets.org/races/summary.php?id=FL17&cycle=2008 Campaign contributions] from OpenSecrets

thumb

{{see also|Florida's 18th congressional district}}

Republican incumbent Ileana Ros-Lehtinen has held this seat since 1989; however, her district has been increasingly trending Democratic in recent elections. The district contains many Miami suburbs and the entire Florida Keys. Founder and CEO of LanguageSpeak and Chair of the Women's Enterprise National Council's Leadership Forum Annette Taddeo was the Democratic nominee and was able to raise a significant sum of money. Nonetheless, polls throughout the campaign showed Ros-Lehtinen in the lead. CQ Politics forecasted the race as 'Republican Favored'.

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20081007182959/http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=district-FL-18 Race ranking and details] from CQ Politics
• [http://www.opensecrets.org/races/summary.php?id=FL18&cycle=2008 Campaign contributions] from OpenSecrets
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20080918191325/http://www.pollster.com/polls/fl/08-fl-18-ge-rlvt.php Ros-Lehtinen (R-i) vs Taddeo (D)] polls from Pollster.com

Ileana Ros-Lehtinen defeated challenger Taddeo, receiving nearly 58 percent of the vote.

{{Election box begin no change

| title = Florida's 18th congressional district election, 2008

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (incumbent)

|votes = 140,617

|percentage = 57.9

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Annette Taddeo

|votes = 102,372

|percentage = 42.1

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 242,989

|percentage = 100.00

}}

{{Election box hold with party link without swing

|winner = Republican Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box end}}

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{{see also|Florida's 19th congressional district}}

Democratic incumbent Robert Wexler, representing this district since 1997, faced Republican Edward J. Lynch and fellow Democrat Ben Graber, who chose to run as an independent candidate rather than compete against Wexler in the Democratic primary.{{cite news |first=George |last=Bennett |title=Aggressive rivals, residency flap muddy Wexler's path to reelection |work=The Palm Beach Post |date=12 October 2008 |access-date=18 January 2009 |url=http://www.palmbeachpost.com/localnews/content/local_news/epaper/2008/10/12/us19_1013.html |archive-date=November 22, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081122072507/http://www.palmbeachpost.com/localnews/content/local_news/epaper/2008/10/12/us19_1013.html |url-status=dead }} Wexler had run opposed in the previous two elections. CQ Politics forecasted the race as 'Safe Democrat'.

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20081007171958/http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=district-FL-19 Race ranking and details] from CQ Politics
• [http://www.opensecrets.org/races/summary.php?id=FL19&cycle=2008 Campaign contributions] from OpenSecrets

Wexler retained his seat, receiving around 66 percent of the vote.

{{Election box begin no change

| title = Florida's 19th congressional district election, 2008

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Robert Wexler (incumbent)

|votes = 202,465

|percentage = 66.2

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Edward J. Lynch

|votes = 83,357

|percentage = 27.2

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Independent (politician)

|candidate = Ben Graber

|votes = 20,214

|percentage = 6.6

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 306,036

|percentage = 100.00

}}

{{Election box hold with party link without swing

|winner = Democratic Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box end}}

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{{see also|Florida's 20th congressional district}}

Democratic incumbent Debbie Wasserman Schultz ([http://www.dwsforcongress.com/ campaign website]) has held this seat since 2005. Challengers Margaret Hostetter, who ran against Wasserman Schultz as a Republican in 2004 but chose to run as an independent in 2008, and Socialist write-in candidate Marc Luzietti ([http://www.luzietti.com/ campaign website]) were not expected to be serious threats to Wasserman Schultz. CQ Politics forecasted the race as 'Safe Democrat'.

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20081007172003/http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=district-FL-20 Race ranking and details] from CQ Politics
• [http://www.opensecrets.org/races/summary.php?id=FL20&cycle=2008 Campaign contributions] from OpenSecrets

As expected, Debbie Wasserman Schultz easily won reelection, receiving over 77 percent of the vote.

{{Election box begin no change

| title = Florida's 20th congressional district election, 2008

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Debbie Wasserman Schultz (incumbent)

|votes = 202,832

|percentage = 77.5

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Independent (politician)

|candidate = Margaret Hostetter

|votes = 58,958

|percentage = 22.5

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Socialist Party USA

|candidate = Marc Luzietti (write-in)

|votes = 9

|percentage = 0.0

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 261,799

|percentage = 100.00

}}

{{Election box hold with party link without swing

|winner = Democratic Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box end}}

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{{see also|Florida's 21st congressional district}}

Republican incumbent Lincoln Diaz-Balart ([http://www.raul2008.com/ campaign website]) had faced little more than token opposition since taking office in 1993. This year, however, the race was expected to be much tougher for Diaz-Balart, as the Democratic nominee, former Hialeah Mayor Raul L. Martinez ([http://www.raul2008.com/ campaign website]), is very well known in the area and could be a formidable challenger.{{Cite web |url=http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/martinez-announces-challenge-to-diaz-balart-2008-01-22.html |title=thehill.com |access-date=July 16, 2008 |archive-date=September 18, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080918093045/http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/martinez-announces-challenge-to-diaz-balart-2008-01-22.html |url-status=dead }} CQ Politics forecasted the race as 'Leans Republican'. Rothenberg rated it as 'Pure Toss-Up.'[http://rothenbergpoliticalreport.blogspot.com/2008/10/2008-house-ratings.html 2008 House Ratings] The Rothenberg Political Report, October 14, 2008 Cook rated it as 'Republican Toss-Up'.[http://www.cookpolitical.com/charts/house/competitive_2008-10-13_14-47-40.php 2008 Competitive House Race Chart]{{dead link|date=July 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} The Cook Political Report, October 13, 2008 Bush won 57% of the vote here in 2004 (CPVI=R+6).

On May 22, 2008, Diaz-Balart did not attend a debate hosted by the South Florida AFL-CIO with Martinez due to scheduling and venue issues.The Miami Herald; Dade GOP incumbents pull out of debates by Lesley Clark, May 22, 2008

A July 7 poll conducted by a noted Democratic polster, Sergio Bendixen, showed Diaz-Balart ahead of Martinez by a four-point margin, 41 to 37 percent, with 22 percent undecided. David Hill, the Diaz-Balart brothers' pollster, said Lincoln's internal polling shows the congressman with a 12-point lead over Martinez and a "double-digit advantage over his opponent in virtually every significant segment of the electorate."{{Cite web |url=http://www.mcclatchydc.com/homepage/story/43384.html |title=Poll: 2 GOP incumbents' leading by single digits in Florida {{!}} Politics {{!}} McClatchy DC |access-date=2008-10-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081006120730/http://www.mcclatchydc.com/homepage/story/43384.html |archive-date=2008-10-06 |url-status=dead }}

On August 1, 2008, a leading Washington analyst, Rothenberg Political Report, reported that they see a "possible re-election trouble for Lincoln Diaz-Balart".Sun-Sentinel, Leading Washington analyst sees possible re-election trouble for Lincoln Diaz-Balart by Anthony Man; August 1, 2008. According to an August 14, 2008 Time article, Lincoln Diaz-Balart faces a competitive race. It also said that "Democratic voter registration in Miami-Dade County, as in other places, is up, and Republican registration is down."{{cite magazine |first=Tim |last=Padgett |title=Big Trouble in Little Havana |magazine=Time |date=14 August 2008}}

On August 25, 2008, Lincoln Diaz-Balart agreed to debate Martinez, at a Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce event at noon on October 8.[http://www.miamiherald.com/news/miami-dade/story/656457.html]{{Dead link|date=May 2019|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}} On August 26, 2008, Martinez challenged Diaz-Balart to an additional debate in Denver, Colorado, which both candidates were visiting during the 2008 Democratic National Convention.The Miami Herald; Diaz-Balart Jabs on Obama Turf by Lesley Clark; August 26, 2008, Page 1B [http://www.miamiherald.com/news/miami-dade/story/657874.html]{{Dead link|date=May 2019|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}

In a SurveyUSA poll sponsored by Roll Call conducted in August 2008, Martinez led Diaz-Balart (48% to 46%) among likely voters.[http://www.surveyusa.com/client/PollReport.aspx?g=ac8793ef-2899-49d0-a960-a1be2ff279b6 SurveyUSA Poll] According to the poll, Diaz-Balart enjoyed 70% support from Cuban-Americans in the district. The poll's demographics (which were chosen by the pollster in 2008) are different from those of the district (based on the US census of 2000.) 51% of those questioned were Hispanic (34% of respondents were Cuban and 17% were non-Cuban). The percentage of Hispanics in the district is higher at 69.7%.{{cite news|url=http://projects.washingtonpost.com/elections/keyraces/census/fl/district-21/|title=Census Data: Florida, District 21 {{!}} Elections|newspaper=Washington Post|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080927024702/http://projects.washingtonpost.com/elections/keyraces/census/fl/district-21/|archive-date=September 27, 2008}} Later polls, however, showed Diaz-Balart back in the lead.

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20080918044828/http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=district-FL-21 Race ranking and details] from CQ Politics
• [http://www.opensecrets.org/races/summary.php?id=FL21&cycle=2008 Campaign contributions] from OpenSecrets
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20080918191817/http://www.pollster.com/polls/fl/08-fl-21-ge-dbvm.php Diaz-Balart (R-i) vs Martinez (D)] polls from Pollster.com

Despite predictions of a close election, Lincoln Diaz-Balart won reelection by a fairly comfortable margin, receiving just under 58 percent of the vote.

{{Election box begin no change

| title = Florida's 21st congressional district election, 2008

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Lincoln Diaz-Balart (incumbent)

|votes = 137,226

|percentage = 57.9

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Raul L. Martinez

|votes = 99,776

|percentage = 42.1

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 237,002

|percentage = 100.00

}}

{{Election box hold with party link without swing

|winner = Republican Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box end}}

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{{see also|Florida's 22nd congressional district}}

First-term Democratic incumbent Ron Klein was challenged by former army officer and Iraq War veteran Allen West. Michael Prysner, an Iraq War veteran, peace activist, and college student, ran as a write-in candidate on the Party for Socialism and Liberation ticket. CQ Politics forecasted the race as 'Democrat Favored'.

Republicans suffered a setback when popular former Boca Raton Mayor Steven Abrams announced he would not run. West and former navy pilot Mark Flagg announced they would run. Neurosurgeon Robert Brodner and 2006 Connecticut U.S. senatorial candidate Alan Schlesinger were also potential candidates.[http://politics1.com/fl.htm politics1.com] This Fort Lauderdale area district barely went to John Kerry in 2004 (CPVI=D+4).

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20080617193049/http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=district-FL-22 Race ranking and details] from CQ Politics
• [http://www.opensecrets.org/races/summary.php?id=FL22&cycle=2008 Campaign contributions] from OpenSecrets

Ron Klein successfully defended his seat, receiving slightly less than 55 percent of the vote.

{{Election box begin no change

| title = Florida's 22nd congressional district election, 2008

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Ron Klein (incumbent)

|votes = 169,041

|percentage = 54.7

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Allen West

|votes = 140,104

|percentage = 45.3

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Independent (politician)

|candidate = Michael Prysner (write-in)

|votes = 6

|percentage = 0.0

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 309,151

|percentage = 100.00

}}

{{Election box hold with party link without swing

|winner = Democratic Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box end}}

thumb

{{see also|Florida's 23rd congressional district}}

Democratic incumbent Alcee Hastings, who has held this seat since 1993, faced Republican Marion Dennis Thorpe Jr. in this heavily Democratic district. CQ Politics forecasted the race as 'Safe Democrat'.

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20081007173939/http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=district-FL-23 Race ranking and details] from CQ Politics
• [http://www.opensecrets.org/races/summary.php?id=FL23&cycle=2008 Campaign contributions] from OpenSecrets

Alcee Hastings easily retained his seat with over 82 percent of the vote.

{{Election box begin no change

| title = Florida's 23rd congressional district election, 2008

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Alcee Hastings (incumbent)

|votes = 172,835

|percentage = 82.2

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Marion Dennis Thorpe Jr.

|votes = 37,431

|percentage = 17.8

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Independent (politician)

|candidate = April Cook (write-in)

|votes = 40

|percentage = 0.0

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 210,306

|percentage = 100.00

}}

{{Election box hold with party link without swing

|winner = Democratic Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Infobox election

| election_name = 2008 Florida's 24th congressional district election

| country = Florida

| type = presidential

| ongoing = no

| previous_election = 2006 United States House of Representatives elections in Florida#District 24

| previous_year = 2006

| election_date =

| next_election = 2010 United States House of Representatives elections in Florida#District 24

| next_year = 2010

| seats_for_election =

| image_size = x150px

| image1 = File:Suzanne Kosmas official photo (cropped).JPG

| nominee1 = Suzanne Kosmas

| party1 = Democratic Party (United States)

| popular_vote1 = 211,284

| percentage1 = 57.2%

| image2 = File:Tom Feeney congressional portrait.jpg

| nominee2 = Tom Feeney

| party2 = Republican Party (United States)

| popular_vote2 = 151,863

| percentage2 = 41.1%

| map_image = File:2008 general election in Florida's 24th congressional district by county.svg

| map_size = 250px

| map_caption = County results
Kosmas: {{legend0|#8da9e2|50–60%}} {{legend0|#678cd7|60–70%}}

| title = U.S. Representative

| before_election = Tom Feeney

| before_party = Republican Party (United States)

| after_election = Suzanne Kosmas

| after_party = Democratic Party (United States)

}}thumb

{{see also|Florida's 24th congressional district}}

Three-term Republican incumbent Tom Feeney ([http://www.tomfeeney.com/ campaign website]) faced Democratic nominee and former State Representative Suzanne Kosmas ([http://www.kosmasforcongress.com/ campaign website]) and independent Gaurav Bhola.{{Cite web |url=http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/news_politics/2007/10/feeney-gets-tou.html |title=orlandosentinel.com |access-date=2008-07-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080617110145/http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/news_politics/2007/10/feeney-gets-tou.html |archive-date=2008-06-17 |url-status=dead }} On October 21, 2008, [http://www.cqpolitics.com/ CQ Politics] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090107013030/http://www.cqpolitics.com/ |date=January 7, 2009 }} switched its outlook on the race from "No Clear Favorite" to "Leans Democratic."

The district includes the Orlando suburbs as well as the Space Coast of Florida. In 2006, Feeney was re-elected by 58% to 42%. Although Feeney reportedly drew the district for himself while serving as speaker of the state house, the district is actually somewhat marginal on paper (CPVI=R+3). Bush took 55 percent of the vote in this district in 2004.

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20080617193054/http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=district-FL-24 Race ranking and details] from CQ Politics
• [http://www.opensecrets.org/races/summary.php?id=FL24&cycle=2008 Campaign contributions] from OpenSecrets
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20080918191632/http://www.pollster.com/polls/fl/08-fl-24-ge-fvk.php Feeney (R-i) vs Kosmas (D)] polls from Pollster.com

Suzanne Kosmas ousted incumbent Tom Feeney, receiving around 57 percent of the vote. This district was one of two in Florida to switch from Republican to Democratic control in 2008, along with District 8.

{{Election box begin no change

| title = Florida's 24th congressional district election, 2008

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Suzanne Kosmas

|votes = 211,284

|percentage = 57.2

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Tom Feeney (incumbent)

|votes = 151,863

|percentage = 41.1

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Independent (politician)

|candidate = Gaurav Bhola

|votes = 6,223

|percentage = 1.7

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 379,370

|percentage = 100.00

}}

{{Election box gain with party link without swing

|winner = Democratic Party (United States)

|loser = Republican Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box end}}

thumb

{{see also|Florida's 25th congressional district}}

Republican three-term incumbent Mario Diaz-Balart faced Miami-Dade County Democratic Party chairman Joe Garcia ([http://joegarcia08.com/ campaign website]), a former executive director of the Cuban American National Foundation (CANF).Luis Rumbaut, [http://www.washingtonindependent.com/view/cuban-americans "Cuban-Americans Ready For Change? Florida House Races Show a New Democratic Alignment Could Emerge"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080517101629/http://www.washingtonindependent.com/view/cuban-americans |date=2008-05-17 }}, Washington Independent, February 9, 2007 CQ Politics forecasted the race as 'Leans Republican'.[http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=ratings-house CQ Politics] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101028234534/http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=ratings-house |date=October 28, 2010 }} The Rothenberg Political Report as 'Toss-Up/Tilt Republican'.[http://rothenbergpoliticalreport.blogspot.com/2008/11/2008-house-ratings.html Rothenberg Political Report] The Rothenberg Political Report, November 2, 2008 The Cook Political Report as 'Republican Toss Up'.[http://www.cookpolitical.com/charts/house/competitive.php Competitive House Race Chart] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080702201312/http://www.cookpolitical.com/charts/house/competitive.php |date=July 2, 2008 }} Cook Political Report Bush won 56% of the vote here in 2004 (CPVI=R+4).

Garcia announced on February 7, 2008, his candidacy for the U.S. House of Representatives in Florida's 25th congressional district.

In March 2008, the Garcia's campaign announced that noted political strategist Joe Trippi, the campaign manager for 2004 presidential candidate and former Vermont governor Howard Dean, was joining the campaign team as Senior Media Adviser.

In April 2008, Garcia held a controversial fundraiser with Representative Charles B. Rangel, who has met repeatedly with Fidel Castro and pushed legislation that would allow U.S. citizens to travel to Cuba and allow American firms to do business there. Garcia said he "has serious disagreements with Rangel on Cuba. But having a relationship with the chairman of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee would help him bring federal money back to the district." Diaz-Balart claimed Garcia had a radical left-wing agenda including supporting higher taxes on working families and appeasing the nation's enemies.{{cite news |last=Reinhard |first=Beth |title=Congressman's help in South Florida race may backfire |url=http://www.miamiherald.com/news/miami_dade/v-print/story/488237.html|page=21 |newspaper=Miami Herald |date=April 9, 2008|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20080409000000/http://www.miamiherald.com/news/miami_dade/v-print/story/488237.html|archivedate= April 9, 2008|url-status=dead}} [https://miamiherald.newspapers.com/newspage/656911099/?match=1&terms=Congressman%27s%20help%20in%20race%20may%20backfire Alt URL]

An August 14, 2008 Time article labeled the race as competitive, pointing out that "Democratic voter registration in Miami-Dade County, as in other places, is up, and Republican registration is down".

According to many commentators, Garcia is Mario Diaz-Balart's most formidable political opponent ever because of the amount of money that he has raised and the national media attention that he has generated Rieff, David [https://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/13/magazine/13CUBANS-t.html Will Little Havana Go Blue?] New York Times, July 13, 2008Miami New Times, Best Politician of 2008: Joe Garcia, May 15, 2008The Sun Sentinel, Garcia, sí! Diaz-Balart, no! by Stephen Goldstein, May 7, 2008The Sun-Sentinel, Miami's Diaz-Balart brothers face strong challenges for congressional seats by Laura Wides-Muñoz, Associated Press, March 21, 2008[http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/7/8/11151/12155 FL-18, 21, 25: South Florida Republicans under pressure] Nonetheless, the Rothenberg Political Report [http://rothenbergpoliticalreport.blogspot.com/2008/07/2008-house-ratings_29.html Rothenberg Political Report], as of 2008-07-29 and CQ Politics rated the seat as "Toss-up/Tilt Republican," the Cook Political Report [http://www.cookpolitical.com/charts/house/competitive.php Cook Political Report] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080702201312/http://www.cookpolitical.com/charts/house/competitive.php |date=July 2, 2008 }}, as of 2008-07-31 rated the district as "Likely Republican," and the Crystal Ball has rated the district as "Safe Republican" [http://www.centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/2008/house Crystal Ball], as of 2008-07-30

A poll of the race, that was conducted June 6 to 22, by noted Democratic pollster, Sergio Bendixen, showed Diaz-Balart ahead of Garcia 44 percent to 39 percent, with 17 percent undecided.

As of August 6, 2008, Garcia has raised $1,001,313 with $789,667 cash on hand for the 2007-2008 cycle. Mario Diaz-Balart, the five-year incumbent, has raised $1,188,193 and has $1,029,556 cash on hand during the same cycle.[https://www.lidodijesolohotel.com/de/sdrdc.html Hotel offers Lido di Jesolo] {{Failed verification|date=August 2024|reason=Not present from earliest addition}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20080918050140/http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=district-FL-25 Race ranking and details] from CQ Politics
• [http://www.opensecrets.org/races/summary.php?id=FL25&cycle=2008 Campaign contributions] from OpenSecrets
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20080918191454/http://www.pollster.com/polls/fl/08-fl-25-ge-dbvg.php Diaz-Balart (R-i) vs Garcia (D)] polls from Pollster.com

Mario Diaz-Balart held off challenger Joe Garcia, receiving slightly more than 53 percent of the vote.

{{Election box begin no change

| title = Florida's 25th congressional district election, 2008

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Mario Diaz-Balart (incumbent)

|votes = 130,891

|percentage = 53.1

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Joe Garcia

|votes = 115,820

|percentage = 46.9

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 246,711

|percentage = 100.00

}}

{{Election box hold with party link without swing

|winner = Republican Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{reflist|30em}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20120227032155/http://election.dos.state.fl.us/ Florida Division of Elections]
• [http://www.votesmart.org/election_congress_state.php?state_id=FL&go33.x=7&go33.y=6 U.S. Congress candidates for Florida] at Project Vote Smart
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20080630022109/http://www.2008racetracker.com/page/Florida Florida U.S. House Races] from 2008 Race Tracker
• [http://www.opensecrets.org/races/election.php?state=FL Campaign contributions for Florida congressional races] from OpenSecrets

{{sequence

| prev= 2006 elections

| list= United States House elections in Florida
2008

| next= 2010 elections

}}

{{2008 United States elections}}

2008

Florida

United States House of Representatives