2008 United States Senate special election in Wyoming

The 2008 United States Senate special election in Wyoming took place on November 4, 2008, at the same time as the regular election to the United States Senate in Wyoming. The special election occurred to complete the term of Republican incumbent Craig L. Thomas, who won reelection in 2006, but died in June 2007. Despite being a Democrat, Governor Dave Freudenthal was obliged by state law to appoint a Republican, and selected state senator John Barrasso. Barrasso was unopposed in the Republican primary, and went on to win the general election to fill the remainder of the term until January 3, 2013.[1]

2008 United States Senate special election in Wyoming
November 4, 2008
 
Nominee John Barrasso Nick Carter
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 183,063 66,202
Percentage 73.4% 26.5%
County results
Barrasso:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%
U.S. senator before election

John Barrasso
Republican

 Elected U.S. Senator

John Barrasso
Republican

Elections in Wyoming

Background

Wyoming law dictates that when a U.S. Senate seat becomes vacant, the departing senator's state party must create a list of three finalists, with the governor to select one of those candidates to fill the seat.[2] Speculation about potential Republican challengers had included the other finalists to succeed Thomas, Cynthia Lummis and Tom Sansonetti; as well as former state House Speaker Randall Luthi, and former U.S. Attorney Matt Mead.[3]

Democratic primary

Candidates
  • Nick Carter, attorney
  • Keith Goodenough, Casper city councilman and former Wyoming State Senator
  • Joseph Parker, political activist

Results
Democratic primary results[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Nick Carter 12,316 50.67
Democratic Keith Goodenough 11,984 49.31
Total votes 22,799 100.00

Republican primary

Candidates

Results
Republican primary results[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican John Barrasso (incumbent) 68,194 100.00
Total votes 68,194 100.00

General election

Candidates
  • John Barrasso (R), incumbent U.S. Senator
  • Nick Carter (D), attorney

Polling
Poll Source Dates administered Nick
Carter (D)		 John
Barrasso (R)
Research 2000/Daily Kos September 22–24, 2008 34% 58%

Results
United States Senate special election in Wyoming, 2008[6]
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Republican John Barrasso (incumbent) 183,063 73.35% +3.37%
Democratic Nick Carter 66,202 26.53% -3.33%
Write-ins 293 0.12%
Majority 116,861 46.83% +6.70%
Turnout 249,558
Republican hold Swing

References
  1. Gruver, Mead (May 16, 2008). "Barrasso plans Monday kickoff". trib.com. Associated Press. Retrieved May 17, 2008.
  2. https://trib.com/news/top_story/gov-outlines-process-for-interviews/article_1f33109a-02fd-5afa-a5d4-a7068e7137d5.html
  3. Jared Miller and Barbara Nordby (June 23, 2007). "Barrasso ready to pick up where Thomas left off". Casper Star-Tribune. Retrieved June 23, 2007.
  4. http://soswy.state.wy.us/Elections/Docs/2008/08Results/D-SWCand.pdf
  5. http://soswy.state.wy.us/Elections/Docs/2008/08Results/R-SWCand.pdf
  6. http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/2008/2008Stat.htm#stateWY
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