The 2008 United States Senate election in South Carolina was held on November 4, 2008 to elect a member of the
United States Senate to represent the
State of South Carolina. Incumbent
Republican U.S. Senator
The United States Senate is the upper chamber of the United States Congress, with the House of Representatives being the lower chamber. Together they compose the national bicameral legislature of the United States.
The composition and powe ...
Lindsey Graham won election to a second term.
Democratic primary
Candidates
* Bob Conley, pilot
* Michael Cone, attorney
Campaign
Conley, a conservative Democrat, supported ending
illegal immigration
Illegal immigration is the migration of people into a country in violation of the immigration laws of that country or the continued residence without the legal right to live in that country. Illegal immigration tends to be financially upwar ...
, "protecting American workers," bringing American troops home from the
Iraq War, increasing veterans' benefits, reducing
American dependence on foreign oil, tougher regulations on Wall Street (bringing back Glass-Steagall), ending Wall Street bailouts, repealing the
Patriot Act, "cutting spending," and "fidelity to the Constitution."
He also opposed
same-sex marriage.
Michael Cone, Conley's primary opponent, criticized Conley for being too conservative, that "We've nominated a Republican in a Democratic primary." Conley was a Republican but left the party due to frustration over immigration, trade, and the
Iraq War. Some compared him to Republican Congressman
Ron Paul
Ronald Ernest Paul (born August 20, 1935) is an American author, activist, physician and retired politician who served as the U.S. representative for Texas's 22nd congressional district from 1976 to 1977 and again from 1979 to 1985, as well ...
, as Conley supported Paul in
his presidential campaign.
[
]
Results
Conley defeated Cone in the primary election
Primary elections, or direct primary are a voting process by which voters can indicate their preference for their party's candidate, or a candidate in general, in an upcoming general election, local election, or by-election. Depending on the ...
on June 16, following a recount, by a margin of 1,058 votes.
Republican primary
Candidates
* Lindsey Graham, incumbent U.S. Senator
* Buddy Witherspoon, former National Committeeman of the South Carolina Republican Party
Polling
Results
General election
Candidates
* Bob Conley (D), pilot
* Lindsey Graham (R), incumbent U.S. Senator
Campaign
Conley, who had switched to the Democratic Party from the Republican Party, was opposed by much of the Democratic establishment because of his controversial positions such as his vocal opposition to immigration reform and same-sex marriage and his support of Ron Paul
Ronald Ernest Paul (born August 20, 1935) is an American author, activist, physician and retired politician who served as the U.S. representative for Texas's 22nd congressional district from 1976 to 1977 and again from 1979 to 1985, as well ...
's presidential bid. A number of prominent Democratic figures in the state, including U.S. Congressman James Clyburn, supported Lindsey Graham over Conley in the general election. Political scientist Bill Moore claimed "The bottom line is, by not paying attention to this race, they ended up embarrassed by what has transpired: a Republican getting the Democratic Party's nomination for U.S. Senate and a Republican who comes across as even more conservative than Lindsey Graham."
Graham had $3.8 million. In fact, he spent more time on the campaign trail for John McCain
John Sidney McCain III (August 29, 1936 – August 25, 2018) was an American politician and United States Navy officer who served as a United States senator from Arizona from 1987 until his death in 2018. He previously served two terms ...
than he has defending his own seat. Conley only raised $23,628 during the campaign. Conley was so unknown that even Graham admitted "Almost no one knows my opponent. The Democrats really didn't field a — make a serious challenge — in terms of trying to find an opponent for me."Republican Graham aims to turn aside Dem challenge , SCNOW
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Despite Conley’s landslide defeat, he is the last Democrat to carry McCormick County
McCormick County is a county located in the U.S. state of South Carolina. As of the 2020 census, its population was 9,526, making it the second least-populous county in South Carolina. Its county seat is McCormick. The county was formed in 191 ...
in a Senate election as of 2021.
Predictions
Polling
Results
See also
* 2008 United States Senate elections
The 2008 United States Senate elections were held on November 4, 2008, with 35 of the 100 seats in the Senate being contested. Thirty-three seats were up for regular elections; the winners were eligible to serve six-year terms from January 3, 200 ...
* 2008 United States House of Representatives elections in South Carolina
References
External links
South Carolina State Election Commission
U.S. Congress candidates for South Carolina
at Project Vote Smart
South Carolina, U.S. Senate
from CQ Politics
South Carolina U.S. Senate
from ''OurCampaigns.com''
Campaign contributions
from OpenSecrets
Graham (R-i) vs Conley (D)
graph of multiple polls from Pollster.com
* ''Official campaign websites'' (Archived)
*
Lindsey Graham
*
Bob Conley
*
John J. Cina
{{2008 United States elections
2008
File:2008 Events Collage.png, From left, clockwise: Lehman Brothers went bankrupt following the Subprime mortgage crisis; Cyclone Nargis killed more than 138,000 in Myanmar; A scene from the opening ceremony of the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing; ...
South Carolina
United States Senate