The 2008 congressional elections in Washington was held on November 4, 2008, to determine who will represent the state of Washington in the United States House of Representatives . Representatives are elected for two-year terms; those elected will serve in the 111th Congress from January 4, 2009, until January 3, 2011. The election coincided with the 2008 U.S. presidential election . Nonpartisan blanket primary elections were held on August 19, 2008.[ 1]
2008 United States House of Representatives elections in Washington
Majority party
Minority party
Party
Democratic Republican
Last election
6 3
Seats won
6 3
Seat change
Popular vote
1,725,316 1,189,147
Percentage
59.20% 40.80%
Swing
District results County results
Democratic
50–60%
60–70%
70–80%
80–90%
Republican
50–60%
60–70%
70–80%
80–90%
Washington has nine seats in the House, apportioned according to the 2000 United States census . Its 2007-2008 congressional delegation consisted of six Democrats and three Republicans . All of the incumbents were re-elected, with only the 8th district race being considered competitive.
Popular vote
Democratic
59.20%
Republican
40.80%
House seats
Democratic
66.67%
Republican
33.33%
Incumbent Democrat Jay Inslee has represented the 1st district in Congress since 1999. Inslee won in the 2006 election with 68% of the vote. He was opposed by Republican candidate Larry Ishmael.
Washington's 1st congressional district primary election, August 19, 2008[ 3]
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Democratic Jay Inslee 104,342 66.44%
Republican Larry Ishmael 52,700 33.56%
Total votes
157,042 100.00%
2008 Washington's 1st congressional district election[ 9]
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Democratic Jay Inslee 233,780 67.76%
Republican Larry Ishmael
111,240
32.24%
Total votes
345,020 100.00%
County results County[ 10]
Jay Inslee
Democratic
Larry Ishmael
Republican
Margin
Total votes
#
%
#
%
#
%
King (part)85,283 69.71% 37,062
30.29%
48,221
39.41%
122,345
Kitsap (part)41,602 66.15% 21,284
33.85%
20,318
32.31%
62,886
Snohomish (part)106,895 66.90% 52,894
33.10%
54,001
33.80%
159,789
Totals
233,780
67.76%
111,240
32.24%
122,540
35.52%
345,020
Incumbent Democrat Rick Larsen has represented the 2nd district in Congress since 2001. Larsen won in the 2006 election with 64% of the vote. He was opposed by Republican candidate Rick Bart. Two other Democrats challenged the two in the primary election, Doug Schaffer and Glen Johnson.
Washington's 2nd congressional district primary election, August 19, 2008[ 11]
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Democratic Rick Larsen 98,304 54.33%
Republican Rick Bart 68,189 37.69%
Democratic Doug Schaffer
8,857
4.89%
Democratic Glen Johnson
5,590
3.09%
Total votes
180,940 100.00%
2008 Washington's 2nd congressional district election[ 12]
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Democratic Rick Larsen 217,416 62.39%
Republican Rick Bart
131,051
37.61%
Total votes
348,467 100.00%
County[ 13]
Rick Larsen
Rick Bart
Margin
Total votes cast
#
%
#
%
#
%
Island 24,948
61.70%
15,489
38.30%
9,459
23.39%
40,437
King (part)198
66.89%
98
33.11%
100
33.78%
296
San Juan 7,308
72.44%
2,781
27.56%
4,527
44.87%
10,089
Skagit 34,641
64.52%
19,051
35.48%
15,590
29.04%
53,692
Snohomish (part)87,457
59.00%
60,784
41.00%
26,673
17.99%
148,241
Whatcom 62,864
65.68%
32,848
34.32%
30,016
31.36%
95,712
Totals 217,416 62.39% 131,051 37.61% 86,365 24.78% 348,467
2008 Washington's 3rd congressional district election
County resultsBaird: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80%
Incumbent Democrat Brian Baird has represented the 3rd district in Congress since 1999. Baird won in the 2006 election with 63% of the vote. He was opposed by Republican candidate Michael Delavar. Democrat Cheryl Crist and Republican Christine Webb also entered the primary.
Washington's 3rd congressional district primary election, August 19, 2008[ 14]
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Democratic Brian Baird 83,409 50.59%
Republican Michael Delavar 32,372 19.63%
Republican Christine Webb
27,738
16.82%
Democratic Cheryl Crist
21,356
12.95%
Total votes
164,875 100.00%
2008 Washington's 3rd congressional district election[ 15]
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Democratic Brian Baird 216,701 64.01%
Republican Michael Delavar
121,828
35.99%
Total votes
338,529 100.00%
County results County[ 16]
Brian Baird
Democratic
Michael Delavar
Republican
Margin
Total votes
#
%
#
%
#
%
Clark 106,878 61.21% 67,733
38.79%
39,145
22.42%
174,611
Cowlitz 29,102 66.71% 14,523
33.29%
14,579
33.42%
43,625
Lewis 19,745 59.03% 13,705
40.97%
6,040
18.06%
33,450
Pacific 7,706 72.57% 2,913
27.43%
4,793
45.14%
10,619
Skamania (part)2,309 60.19% 1,527
39.81%
782
20.39%
3,836
Thurston (part)49,456 70.50% 20,699
29.50%
28,757
40.99%
70,155
Wahkiakum 1,505 67.40% 728
32.60%
777
34.80%
2,233
Totals
216,701
64.01%
121,828
35.99%
94,873
28.03%
338,529
Incumbent Republican Doc Hastings has represented the 4th district in Congress since 1995. Hastings won in the 2006 election with 60% of the vote. He was opposed by Democratic candidate George Fearing. Republican Gordon Allen Pross was eliminated in the primary.
Washington's 4th congressional district primary election, August 19, 2008[ 17]
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Republican Doc Hastings 93,241 62.19%
Democratic George Fearing 49,841 33.24%
Republican Gordon Allen Pross
6,842
4.56%
Total votes
149,924 100.00%
2008 Washington's 4th congressional district election[ 18]
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Republican Doc Hastings 169,940 63.09%
Democratic George Fearing
99,430
36.91%
Total votes
269,370 100.00%
County results County[ 19]
Doc Hastings
Republican
George Fearing
Democratic
Margin
Total votes
#
%
#
%
#
%
Adams (part)1,522 67.08% 747
32.92%
775
34.16%
2,269
Benton 46,603 65.23% 24,838
34.77%
21,765
30.47%
71,441
Chelan 20,270 65.49% 10,681
34.51%
9,589
30.98%
30,951
Douglas 10,108 68.52% 4,644
31.48%
5,464
37.04%
14,752
Franklin 12,408 64.06% 6,960
35.94%
5,448
28.13%
19,368
Grant 18,460 69.17% 8,227
30.83%
10,233
38.34%
26,687
Kittitas 10,095 58.57% 7,142
41.43%
2,953
17.13%
17,237
Klickitat 5,603 57.25% 4,184
42.75%
1,419
14.50%
9,787
Skamania (part)717 52.11% 659
47.89%
58
4.22%
1,376
Yakima 44,154 58.48% 31,348
41.52%
12,806
16.96%
75,502
Totals
169,940
63.09%
99,430
36.91%
70,510
26.18%
269,370
Incumbent Republican Cathy McMorris Rodgers has represented the 2nd district in Congress since 2005. Rodgers was elected in 2006 with 56% of the vote. She was opposed by Democratic candidate Mark Mays. Barbara Lampert of the Democratic party, Republican Kurt Erickson, Libertarian John Beck and Constitution candidate Randall Yearout were eliminated in the primary.
Washington's 5th congressional district primary election, August 19, 2008[ 20]
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Republican Cathy McMorris Rodgers 96,584 56.29%
Democratic Mark Mays 34,251 19.96%
Democratic Barbara Lampert
19,645
11.45%
Republican Kurt Erickson
12,155
7.08%
Constitution Randall Yearout
5,268
3.07%
Libertarian John H. Beck
3,673
2.14%
Total votes
171,576 100.00%
2008 Washington's 5th congressional district election[ 21]
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Republican Cathy McMorris Rodgers 211,305 65.28%
Democratic Mark Mays
112,382
34.72%
Total votes
323,687 100.00%
County results County[ 22]
Cathy McMorris Rodgers
Republican
Mark Mays
Democratic
Margin
Total votes
#
%
#
%
#
%
Adams (part)1,964 82.45% 418
17.55%
1,546
64.90%
2,382
Asotin 6,422 67.96% 3,028
32.04%
3,394
35.92%
9,450
Columbia 1,795 81.78% 400
18.22%
1,395
63.55%
2,195
Ferry 2,448 71.60% 971
28.40%
1,477
43.20%
3,419
Garfield 1,081 80.91% 255
19.09%
826
61.83%
1,336
Lincoln 4,586 78.10% 1,286
21.90%
3,300
56.20%
5,872
Okanogan 11,082 67.37% 5,367
32.63%
5,715
34.74%
16,449
Pend Oreille 4,426 69.62% 1,931
30.38%
2,495
39.25%
6,357
Spokane 134,228 62.79% 79,531
37.21%
54,697
25.59%
213,759
Stevens 16,068 73.14% 5,902
26.86%
10,166
46.27%
21,970
Walla Walla 16,713 70.62% 6,954
29.38%
9,759
41.23%
23,667
Whitman 10,492 62.34% 6,339
37.66%
4,153
24.67%
16,831
Totals
211,305
65.28%
112,382
34.72%
98,923
30.56%
323,687
Incumbent Democrat Norm Dicks has represented the 6th district in Congress since 1977. Dicks won in the 2006 election with 71% of the vote. He was opposed by Republican candidate Doug Cloud. Green candidate Gary Murrell and Democrat Paul Richmond also entered the primary.
Washington's 6th congressional district primary election, August 19, 2008[ 23]
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Democratic Norm Dicks 96,862 57.26%
Republican Doug Cloud 51,300 30.33%
Democratic Paul Richmond
14,983
8.86%
Green Glen Johnson
6,014
3.56%
Total votes
169,159 100.00%
2008 Washington's 6th congressional district election[ 24]
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Democratic Norm Dicks 205,991 66.86%
Republican Doug Cloud
102,081
33.14%
Total votes
308,072 100.00%
County results County[ 25]
Norm Dicks
Democratic
Doug Cloud
Republican
Margin
Total votes
#
%
#
%
#
%
Clallam 20,745 55.72% 16,489
44.28%
4,256
11.43%
37,234
Grays Harbor 18,783 66.64% 9,403
33.36%
9,380
33.28%
28,186
Jefferson 13,462 70.23% 5,706
29.77%
7,756
40.46%
19,168
Kitsap (part)39,404 67.77% 18,736
32.23%
20,668
35.55%
58,140
Mason 17,710 64.11% 9,915
35.89%
7,795
28.22%
27,625
Pierce (part)95,887 69.63% 41,832
30.37%
54,055
39.25%
137,719
Totals
205,991
66.86%
102,081
33.14%
103,910
33.73%
308,072
Incumbent Democrat Jim McDermott has represented the 7th district in Congress since 1989. McDermott won in the 2006 election with 79% of the vote in the most Democratic district in the state. He was opposed by Republican candidate Steve Beren. Democrats Donovan Rivers and Goodspaceguy entered the primary, as well as independents Mark Goldman and Al Schaefer.
Washington's 7th congressional district primary election, August 19, 2008[ 26]
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Democratic Jim McDermott 95,344 73.82%
Republican Steve Beren 19,307 14.95%
Democratic Donovan Rivers
6,685
5.18%
Independent Mark A. Goldman
3,410
2.64%
Democratic Goodspaceguy Nelson
3,199
2.48%
Independent Al Schaefer
1,216
0.94%
Total votes
129,161 100.00%
2008 Washington's 7th congressional district election[ 27]
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Democratic Jim McDermott 291,963 83.65%
Republican Steve Beren
57,054
16.35%
Total votes
349,017 100.00%
County results County[ 28]
Jim McDermott
Democratic
Steve Beren
Republican
Margin
Total votes
#
%
#
%
#
%
King (part)291,963 83.65% 57,054
16.35%
234,909
67.31%
349,017
Totals
291,963
83.65%
57,054
16.35%
234,909
67.31%
349,017
Incumbent Republican Dave Reichert has represented the 8th district in Congress since 2005. Reichert won in the 2006 election with 51.5% of the vote. He was opposed by Democratic candidate Darcy Burner . The primary also included Democrats James Vaughn and Keith Arnold, and Independents Richard Todd and Boleslaw Orlinski.
The District 8 race was considered competitive: it voted for Obama by a large margin and had a Cook PVI of D+2. It was rated "toss up" by Cook, "no clear favorite" by CQ Politics and "toss up/tilt Republican" by Rothenberg.[ 29] [ 30] [ 31]
Washington's 8th congressional district primary election, August 19, 2008[ 32]
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Republican Dave Reichert 74,140 48.54%
Democratic Darcy Burner 68,010 44.53%
Democratic James E. Vaughn
5,051
3.31%
Independent Richard Todd
2,116
1.39%
Democratic Keith Arnold
1,886
1.23%
Independent Boleslaw Orlinski
1,523
1.00%
Total votes
152,726 100.00%
2008 Washington's 8th congressional district election[ 33]
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Republican Dave Reichert 191,568 52.78%
Democratic Darcy Burner
171,358
47.22%
Total votes
362,926 100.00%
County results County[ 34]
Dave Reichert
Republican
Darcy Burner
Democratic
Margin
Total votes
#
%
#
%
#
%
King (part)147,170 51.22% 140,165
48.78%
7,005
2.44%
287,335
Pierce (part)44,398 58.73% 31,193
41.27%
13,205
17.47%
75,591
Totals
191,568
52.78%
171,358
47.22%
20,210
5.57%
362,926
Incumbent Democrat Adam Smith has represented the 9th district in Congress since 1997. Smith won in the 2006 election with 66% of the vote. He was opposed by Republican candidate James Postma.
Washington's 9th congressional district primary election, August 19, 2008[ 35]
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Democratic Adam Smith 81,503 64.70%
Republican James Postma 44,472 35.30%
Total votes
125,975 100.00%
2008 Washington's 9th congressional district election[ 36]
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Democratic Adam Smith 176,295 65.45%
Republican James Postma
93,080
34.55%
Total votes
269,375 100.00%
County results County[ 37]
Adam Smith
Democratic
James Postma
Republican
Margin
Total votes
#
%
#
%
#
%
King (part)82,368 69.66% 35,877
30.34%
46,491
39.32%
118,245
Pierce (part)62,448 60.81% 40,254
39.19%
22,194
21.61%
102,702
Thurston (part)31,479 65.00% 16,949
35.00%
14,530
30.00%
48,428
Totals
176,295
65.45%
93,080
34.55%
83,215
30.89%
269,375
↑ Top 2 Primary: FAQs for Voters Washington Secretary of State ↑ Reed, Sam (November 4, 2008). "Federal - All Results" . Secretary of State of Washington Archived from the original on November 14, 2020. Retrieved April 24, 2026 .↑ Reed, Sam (August 19, 2008). "U.S. Congressional District 1 - Representative" . Secretary of State of Washington . Retrieved October 21, 2025 .1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "2008 Competitive House Race Chart" . House: Race Ratings . The Cook Political Report . November 6, 2006. Archived from the original on November 6, 2008. Retrieved November 20, 2023 .1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "2008 House Ratings" . House Ratings . The Rothenberg Political Report. November 2, 2006. Archived from the original on November 6, 2008. Retrieved November 20, 2023 .1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "2008 House" . Sabato's Crystal Ball. November 6, 2008. Archived from the original on November 6, 2008. Retrieved November 20, 2023 .1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Battle for the House of Representatives" . realclearpolitics.com . Real Clear Politics. November 7, 2008. Archived from the original on December 17, 2008. Retrieved December 9, 2023 .1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Race Ratings Chart: House" . cqpolitics.com . Congressional Quarterly Inc. Archived from the original on November 6, 2008. Retrieved November 20, 2023 .↑ Reed, Sam (November 4, 2008). "U.S. Congressional District 1 - Representative" . Secretary of State of Washington Archived from the original on November 14, 2020. Retrieved October 18, 2025 .↑ Reed, Sam (November 4, 2008). "U.S. Congressional District 1 - Representative - County Results" . Secretary of State of Washington Archived from the original on July 25, 2015. Retrieved August 12, 2025 .↑ Reed, Sam (August 19, 2008). "U.S. Congressional District 2 - Representative" . Secretary of State of Washington . Retrieved October 21, 2025 .↑ Reed, Sam (November 4, 2008). "U.S. Congressional District 2 - Representative" . Secretary of State of Washington Archived from the original on March 24, 2025. Retrieved October 18, 2025 .↑ Reed, Sam (November 4, 2008). "U.S. Congressional District 2 - Representative - County Results" . Secretary of State of Washington Archived from the original on July 25, 2015. Retrieved August 12, 2025 .↑ Reed, Sam (August 19, 2008). "U.S. Congressional District 3 - Representative" . Secretary of State of Washington Archived from the original on May 16, 2025. Retrieved October 21, 2025 .↑ Reed, Sam (November 4, 2008). "U.S. Congressional District 3 - Representative" . Secretary of State of Washington Archived from the original on May 2, 2025. Retrieved October 18, 2025 .↑ Reed, Sam (November 4, 2008). "U.S. Congressional District 3 - Representative - County Results" . Secretary of State of Washington Archived from the original on May 1, 2025. Retrieved August 12, 2025 .↑ Reed, Sam (August 19, 2008). "U.S. Congressional District 4 - Representative" . Secretary of State of Washington Archived from the original on April 2, 2025. Retrieved October 21, 2025 .↑ Reed, Sam (November 4, 2008). "U.S. Congressional District 4 - Representative" . Secretary of State of Washington Archived from the original on April 3, 2025. Retrieved October 18, 2025 .↑ Reed, Sam (November 4, 2008). "U.S. Congressional District 4 - Representative - County Results" . Secretary of State of Washington Archived from the original on July 25, 2015. Retrieved August 12, 2025 .↑ Reed, Sam (August 19, 2008). "U.S. Congressional District 5 - Representative" . Secretary of State of Washington Archived from the original on February 21, 2025. Retrieved October 21, 2025 .↑ Reed, Sam (November 4, 2008). "U.S. Congressional District 5 - Representative" . Secretary of State of Washington Archived from the original on October 8, 2025. Retrieved October 18, 2025 .↑ Reed, Sam (November 4, 2008). "U.S. Congressional District 5 - Representative - County Results" . Secretary of State of Washington Archived from the original on December 8, 2021. Retrieved August 12, 2025 .↑ Reed, Sam (August 19, 2008). "U.S. Congressional District 6 - Representative" . Secretary of State of Washington Archived from the original on March 5, 2025. Retrieved October 21, 2025 .↑ Reed, Sam (November 4, 2008). "U.S. Congressional District 6 - Representative" . Secretary of State of Washington Archived from the original on April 20, 2025. Retrieved October 18, 2025 .↑ Reed, Sam (November 4, 2008). "U.S. Congressional District 6 - Representative - County Results" . Secretary of State of Washington Archived from the original on July 25, 2015. Retrieved August 12, 2025 .↑ Reed, Sam (August 19, 2008). "U.S. Congressional District 7 - Representative" . Secretary of State of Washington . Retrieved October 21, 2025 .↑ Reed, Sam (November 4, 2008). "U.S. Congressional District 7 - Representative" . Secretary of State of Washington . Retrieved October 18, 2025 .↑ Reed, Sam (November 4, 2008). "U.S. Congressional District 7 - Representative - County Results" . Secretary of State of Washington Archived from the original on July 25, 2015. Retrieved August 12, 2025 .↑ House Archived 2010-10-05 at the Wayback Machine The Cook Political Report ↑ U.S. House, Washington - 8th District Archived 2008-06-17 at the Wayback Machine CQ Politics ↑ 2008 House Ratings from The Rotherberg Political Report , July 4, 2008↑ Reed, Sam (August 19, 2008). "U.S. Congressional District 8 - Representative" . Secretary of State of Washington . Retrieved October 21, 2025 .↑ Reed, Sam (November 4, 2008). "U.S. Congressional District 8 - Representative" . Secretary of State of Washington . Retrieved October 18, 2025 .↑ Reed, Sam (November 4, 2008). "U.S. Congressional District 8 - Representative - County Results" . Secretary of State of Washington Archived from the original on July 25, 2015. Retrieved August 12, 2025 .↑ Reed, Sam (August 19, 2008). "U.S. Congressional District 9 - Representative" . Secretary of State of Washington . Retrieved October 21, 2025 .↑ Reed, Sam (November 4, 2008). "U.S. Congressional District 9 - Representative" . Secretary of State of Washington Archived from the original on November 14, 2020. Retrieved October 18, 2025 .↑ Reed, Sam (November 4, 2008). "U.S. Congressional District 9 - Representative - County Results" . Secretary of State of Washington Archived from the original on June 7, 2025. Retrieved August 12, 2025 . 
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