United States Senate election in Texas, 2008

The 2008 United States Senate election in Texas was held on November 4, 2008. Incumbent Republican U.S. Senator John Cornyn won re-election to a second term.

Background

Texas has not elected a Democrat to statewide office since 1994. Texas' senior senator is Republican Kay Bailey Hutchison, who was re-elected with 62% of the vote in the 2006 midterm elections. Texas Governor Rick Perry, also of the GOP, won re-election with 39% of the vote in 2006, in a five way race.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Gene Kelly, U.S. Air Force veteran and 2000 U.S. Senate nominee
• Ray McMurrey, teacher at Mary Carroll High School
• Rick Noriega, State Representative
• Rhett Smith, U.S. Navy veteran and auditor at the Texas Department of Human Services

Results

Republican primary

Candidates

• John Cornyn, incumbent U.S. Senator
• Larry Kilgore, conservative/Secessionist activist

Results

General election

Candidates

• John Cornyn (R), incumbent U.S. Senator
• Rick Noriega (D), State Representative
• Yvonne Adams Schick (L), real estate entrepreneur

Campaign

Cornyn, a popular incumbent, had a 42% approval rating with a 43% disapproval rating in June 2007. Texas is a very red......
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