United States House of Representatives elections in Massachusetts, 2008

The 2008 congressional elections in Massachusetts were held on November 4, 2008 to determine who will represent the state of Massachusetts in the United States House of Representatives. Representatives are elected for two-year terms; whoever is elected will serve in the 111th Congress from January 4, 2009 until January 3, 2011. The election coincides with the 2008 U.S. presidential election.

Massachusetts has ten seats in the House, apportioned according to the 2000 United States Census. Its 2007-2008 congressional delegation consisted of ten Democrats. This remains unchanged, and CQ Politics had forecasted all districts safe for its Democratic incumbent.

Overview

United States House of Representatives elections in Massachusetts, 2008
Party		Votes	Percentage	Seats	+/–
	Democratic	2,245,778	86.21%	10	—
	Republican	318,461	12.22%	0	—
	Independents	40,875	1.57%	0	—
Totals		2,605,114	100.00%	10	—

District 1

Massachusetts's 1st congressional district covers roughly the northwest half of the state. It has been represented by Democrat John Olver since June, 1991. CQ Politics forecasted the race as 'Safe Democrat'.

Massachusetts's 1st congressional district election, 2008
Party		Candidate	Votes	Percentage
	Democratic	John Olver (inc.)	215,696	72.85%
	Republican	Nathan A. Bech	80,067	27.04%
	Write-ins		336	0.11%
Totals			296,099	100.00%
	Democratic hold

District 2

Massachusetts's 2nd congressional district lies in the south-central part of the state. It has been represented by Democrat Richard Neal since 1989. CQ Politics forecasted the race as 'Safe Democrat'.

Massachusetts's 2nd congressional district election, 2008
Party		Candidate	Votes	Percentage
	Democratic	Richard Neal (inc.)	234,369	98.47%
	Write-ins		3,631	1.53%
Totals			238,000	100.00%
	Democratic hold

District 3

Massachusetts's 3rd congressional district lies in the central and southeastern part of the state. It has been represented by Democrat Jim McGovern since 1997. CQ Politics forecasted the race as 'Safe Democrat'.

Massachusetts's 3rd congressional district election, 2008
Party		Candidate	Votes	Percentage
	Democratic	Jim McGovern (inc.)	227,619	98.49%
	Write-ins		3,488	1.51%
Totals			231,107	100.00%
	Democratic hold

District 4

Massachusetts's 4th congressional district lies in the southern part of the state, including the South Coast region. It has been represented by Democrat Barney Frank since 1981. CQ Politics forecasted the race as 'Safe Democrat'.

Massachusetts's 4th congressional district election, 2008
Party		Candidate	Votes	Percentage
	Democratic	Barney Frank (inc.)	203,032	67.95%
	Republican	Earl Henry Sholley	75,571	25.29%
	Independent	Susan Allen	19,848	6.64%
	Write-ins		337	0.11%
Totals			298,788	100.00%
	Democratic hold

District 5

Massachusetts's 5th congressional district lies in the north-east part of the state. It has been represented by Democrat Niki Tsongas since October, 2007. CQ Politics forecasted the race as 'Safe Democrat'.

Massachusetts's 5th congressional district election, 2008
Party		Candidate	Votes	Percentage
	Democratic	Niki Tsongas (inc.)	225,947	98.71%
	Write-ins		2,960	1.29%
Totals			228,907	100.00%
	Democratic hold

District 6

Massachusetts's 6th congressional district covers the north-east corner of the state. It has been represented by Democrat John Tierney since 1997. CQ Politics forecasted the race as 'Safe Democrat'.

Massachusetts's 6th congressional district election, 2008
Party		Candidate	Votes	Percentage
	Democratic	John Tierney (inc.)	226,216	70.40%
	Republican	Richard A. Baker	94,845	29.52%
	Write-ins		251	0.08%
Totals			321,312	100.00%
	Democratic hold

District 7

Massachusetts's 7th congressional district lies in the eastern part of the state, including some Boston suburbs. It has been represented by Democrat Edward J. Markey since 1976. CQ Politics forecasted the race as 'Safe Democrat'.

Massachusetts's 7th congressional district election, 2008
Party		Candidate	Votes	Percentage
	Democratic	Ed Markey (inc.)	212,304	75.64%
	Republican	John Cunningham	67,978	24.22%
	Write-ins		400	0.14%
Totals			280,682	100.00%
	Democratic hold

District 8

Massachusetts's 8th congressional district lies in the eastern part of the state, including part of Boston and the immediately adjacent cities of Cambridge, Somerville, and Chelsea. It has been represented by Democrat Mike Capuano since 1999. CQ Politics forecasted the race as 'Safe Democrat'.

Massachusetts's 8th congressional district election, 2008
Party		Candidate	Votes	Percentage
	Democratic	Mike Capuano (inc.)	185,530	98.55%
	Write-ins		2,722	1.45%
Totals			188,252	100.00%
	Democratic hold

District 9

Massachusetts's 9th congressional district lies in the eastern part of the state, including part of Boston and some of its southern suburbs. It has been represented by Democrat Stephen Lynch since October 2001. CQ Politics forecasted the race as 'Safe Democrat'.

Massachusetts's 9th congressional district election, 2008
Party		Candidate	Votes	Percentage
	Democratic	Stephen Lynch (inc.)	242,166	98.72%
	Write-ins		3,128	1.28%
Totals			245,294	100.00%
	Democratic hold

District 10

Massachusetts's 10th congressional district covers the south-east part of the state, including parts of the South Shore and all of Cape Cod and The Islands. It has been represented by Democrat Bill Delahunt since 1997. CQ Politics forecasted the race as 'Safe Democrat'.

Massachusetts's 9th congressional district election, 2008
Party		Candidate	Votes	Percentage
	Democratic	Bill Delahunt (inc.)	272,899	98.64%
	Write-ins		3,774	1.36%
Totals			276,673	100.00%
	Democratic hold

External links

• Elections from the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth
• U.S. Congress candidates for Massachusetts at Project Vote Smart
• Massachusetts U.S. House Races from 2008 Race Tracker
• Campaign contributions for Massachusetts congressional races from OpenSecrets.org

Preceded by 2006 elections

United States House of Representatives elections in Massachusetts 2008

Succeeded by 2010 elections