2008 United States Senate election in Oklahoma

Republican primary

Candidates

• Jim Inhofe, incumbent U.S. Senator
• Dennis Lopez
• Evelyn Rogers
• Ted Ryals

Results

Democratic primary

Background

Rice officially filed as a candidate for the United States Senate from Oklahoma on Monday, June 2, 2008. He won the Democratic primary against Jim Rogers, a retired schoolteacher who stressed campaign finance reform. As in earlier campaigns, Rogers refused to accept money to avoid any question of his allegiances. State Senator Kenneth Corn had earlier expressed interest in the race.

Candidates

• Andrew Rice, State Senator
• Jim Rogers

Results

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General election

Candidates

• Jim Inhofe (R), incumbent U.S. Senator
• Andrew Rice (D), State Senator
• Stephen Wallace (I), businessman

Campaign

Inhofe, who in August 2008 had a 61% approval rating, emphasized his conservative record and tried to label Rice as a "committed liberal." In the debates, Rice tried to connect Inhofe to George W. Bush saying "An era allowed this to happen. George Bush came into office eight years ago with a Republican majority and ... an agenda of radical deregulation." Rice also believed in climate change, something Inhofe is known for denying. In the election, Inhofe had over $5 million in the bank. Rice had $3.8 million.

Endorsements

• Wesley Clark, General, 2004 Democratic presidential candidate}}

Predictions

Polling

Results

Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican

• Atoka (Largest city: Atoka)
• Coal (Largest city: Coalgate)
• Bryan (Largest city: Durant)
• Johnston (Largest city: Tishomingo)
• Ottawa (Largest city: Miami)
• Harmon (Largest city: Hollis)
• Kiowa (Largest city: Hobart)
• Jefferson (Largest city: Waurika)
• Love (Largest city: Marietta)
• Murray (Largest city: Sulphur)
• Pushmataha (Largest city: Antlers)
• Choctaw (Largest city: Hugo)
• Le Flore (Largest city: Poteau)
• McCurtain (Largest city: Idabel)
• Hughes (Largest city: Holdenville)
• Seminole (Largest city: Seminole)
• Okfuskee (Largest city: Okemah)
• Latimer (Largest city: Wilburton)
• Pittsburg (Largest city: McAlester)
• Sequoyah (Largest city: Sallisaw)
• Haskell (Largest city: Stigler)

References

References

1. [http://www.ok.gov/~elections/cflist08.html Candidates for Federal, State and Legislative Offices] ''Oklahoma State Election Board'', June 2–4, 2008
2. link. (September 27, 2007 , ''Associated Press'', August 3, 2007)
3. (July 29, 2008). "Oklahoma State Election Board - Primary Election 2008". Ok.gov.
4. "Wallace".
5. "RealClearPolitics - Politics Nation - OK: Inhofe +22".
6. "Rice, Inhofe spar over economy | Tulsa World".
7. (8 January 2008). "An interview with Andrew Rice, the Democrat challenging GOP Sen. James Inhofe".
8. "Politics Home Page : Roll Call".
9. (4 November 2006). "Patty Wetterling (MN-6) | WesPAC".
10. "2008 Senate Race ratings for October 23, 2008".
11. link. (October 28, 2010 ''CQ Politics'')
12. "2008 Senate ratings".
13. "2008 RCP Averages & Senate Results". Real Clear Politics.
14. [http://www.realclearpolitics.com/politics_nation/2007/12/inhofe_fine_shape.html Benenson Strategy Group]
15. [http://www.usaelectionpolls.com/2008/congress/oklahoma.html Tulsa World/KOTV/SoonerPoll]
16. [http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/6/12/152922/022/138/534814 Research 2000/Daily Kos]
17. [https://web.archive.org/web/20080826095246/http://www.kswo.com/Global/story.asp?S=8859297 KSWO]
18. [http://www.surveyusa.com/client/PollReport.aspx?g=e272bd8d-bbcd-4dd1-9823-0d5aeffc5898/ Survey USA]
19. [https://web.archive.org/web/20080920145947/http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/election_20082/2008_senate_elections/oklahoma/election_2008_oklahoma_senate_election Rasmussen Reports]
20. [http://www.surveyusa.com/client/PollReport.aspx?g=25ce8c76-b36e-45bf-a884-8b68945d565d/ Survey USA]
21. [http://www.surveyusa.com/client/PollReport.aspx?g=a5336b29-ae22-4dcf-a690-3fd12a61cd91/ Survey USA]
22. [http://www.surveyusa.com/client/PollReport.aspx?g=01d06f45-204c-4b0a-9100-8ccdf258fcd1/ Survey USA]
23. "2008 Election Statistics". Clerk.house.gov.