Political Outlook

2008 NFIB SAFE Trust Endorsed Candidates: Election Results and Highlights

As of Dec. 9, 2008

Arrow Black Download an easy-to-print PDF of the list of endorsed candidates and their race results (136 KB, PDF) NFIB SAFE Trust Endorsed Candidates

After a record turnout on Nov. 4, voters chose a new Congress and president. The 111th Congress has its work cut out for it, and NFIB looks forward to working with the members—both new and incumbent—in finding solutions to the top small business problems.

NFIB worked throughout the cycle to highlight the power of the small business voting bloc and the profound consequences that these elections would have for the future of all small businesses. Endorsements were made in 237 federal races.

2008 Federally Endorsed Candidates
Office Endorsements Wins Losses Undecided Winning Percentage
U.S. House 208 174 33 1 84
U.S. Senate 22 17 4 1 77
Governors 7 4 3 0 57
Overall 237 195 40 2 82

Current Congress After Election Day
110th Congress 111th Congress
U.S. House U.S. Senate U.S. House U.S. Senate
Republicans - 199 Republicans - 49 Republicans - 178 Republicans - 41
Democrats - 236 (including one independent) Democrats - 51 (including two independents) Democrats - 256 Democrats - 58 (including two independents)
One seat undecided as of Dec. 9, 2008 One seat undecided as of Dec. 3, 2008

Key races
NFIB made an unprecedented investment and effort in the 2008 Maine and Minnesota U.S. Senate races with an integrated media, direct mail and advertising campaign focused on key small business issues such as card-check and taxes. NFIB fought for pro-small business champions Sen. Susan Collins (Maine) and Sen. Norm Coleman (Minn.) in two of the most competitive races of the 2008 election season. In fact, as of Nov. 11, the outcome of the Minnesota race is still to be determined as it heads to a recount.

Arrow BlackReview NFIB's efforts in the key Senate races: Maine | Minnesota

Additionally, small business owners continued to face numerous pressing issues throughout the election season--issues like taxes, healthcare and rising energy costs--and NFIB strived to educate voters about where the candidates stood.

Arrow BlackView NFIB's targeted issue advocacy campaign

Arrow BlackListen to a radio ad for Sen. Mitch McConnell (Ky. Senate; 1.8 MB, mp3)

Arrow BlackListen to a radio ad for Sen. Roger Wicker (Miss. Senate; 1.8 MB, mp3)

Endorsed candidates
Below is a list of federal candidates who sought election or re-election and were endorsed by the NFIB SAFE (Save America's Free Enterprise) Trust. NFIB's political support is based on each candidate's position and record on small business issues, and the endorsements bring the considerable grassroots support of America's small business owners to these campaigns. Candidates listed in bold were the winners in their races.

Alabama
U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions Incumbent Legislative information
AL-01 Jo Bonner Incumbent Legislative information
AL-02 Jay Love Open
AL-03 Mike Rogers Incumbent Legislative information
AL-04 Robert Aderholt Incumbent Legislative information
AL-05 Wayne Parker Open
AL-06 Spencer Bachus Incumbent Legislative information
Arizona
AZ-01 Sydney Hay Open
AZ-02 Trent Franks Incumbent Legislative information
AZ-03 John Shadegg Incumbent Legislative information
Arkansas
U.S. Sen. Mark Pryor Incumbent Legislative information
AR-03 John Boozman Incumbent Legislative information
California
CA-02 Wally Herger Incumbent Legislative information
CA-03 Dan Lungren Incumbent Legislative information
CA-04 Tom McClintock  Open
CA-11 Dean Andal Challenger
CA-18 Dennis Cardoza Incumbent Legislative information
CA-19 George Radanovich Incumbent Legislative information
CA-20 Jim Costa Incumbent Legislative information
CA-21 Devin Nunes Incumbent Legislative information
CA-22 Kevin McCarthy Incumbent Legislative information
CA-24 Elton Gallegly Incumbent Legislative information
CA-25 Buck McKeon Incumbent Legislative information
CA-26 David Dreier Incumbent Legislative information
CA-40 Ed Royce Incumbent Legislative information
CA-41 Jerry Lewis Incumbent Legislative information
CA-42 Gary Miller Incumbent Legislative information
CA-44 Ken Calvert Incumbent Legislative information
CA-45 Mary Bono Mack Incumbent Legislative information
CA-48 John Campbell Incumbent Legislative information
CA-49 Darrell Issa Incumbent Legislative information
CA-50 Brian Bilbray Incumbent Legislative information
CA-52 Duncan D. Hunter Open
Colorado
CO-04 Marilyn Musgrave Incumbent Legislative information
CO-05 Doug Lamborn Incumbent Legislative information
CO-06 Mike Coffman Open
Connecticut
CT-05 David Cappiello Challenger
Delaware
DE-AL Mike Castle Incumbent Legislative information
Florida
FL-01 Jeff Miller Incumbent Legislative information
FL-02 Allen Boyd Incumbent Legislative information
FL-04 Ander Crenshaw Incumbent Legislative information
FL-05 Ginny Brown-Waite Incumbent Legislative information
FL-06 Cliff Stearns Incumbent Legislative information
FL-07 John Mica Incumbent Legislative information
FL-08 Ric Keller Incumbent Legislative information
FL-09 Gus Bilirakis Incumbent Legislative information
FL-10 Bill Young Incumbent Legislative information
FL-12 Adam Putnam Incumbent Legislative information
FL-13 Vern Buchanan Incumbent Legislative information
FL-14 Connie Mack Incumbent Legislative information
FL-15 Bill Posey Open
FL-18 Ileana Ros-Lehtinen Incumbent Legislative information
FL-21 Lincoln Diaz-Balart Incumbent Legislative information
FL-24 Tom Feeney Incumbent Legislative information
FL-25 Mario Diaz-Balart Incumbent Legislative information
Georgia
U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss Incumbent Legislative information
GA-01 Jack Kingston Incumbent Legislative information
GA-03 Lynn Westmoreland Incumbent Legislative information
GA-06 Tom Price Incumbent Legislative information
GA-07 John Linder Incumbent Legislative information
GA-09 Nathan Deal Incumbent Legislative information
GA-10 Paul Broun Incumbent Legislative information
GA-11 Phil Gingrey Incumbent Legislative information
GA-12 John Barrow Incumbent
Idaho
U.S. Sen. Jim Risch Open
ID-01 Bill Sali Incumbent Legislative information
ID-02 Mike Simpson Incumbent Legislative information
Illinois
IL-06 Peter Roskam Incumbent Legislative information
IL-10 Mark Kirk Incumbent Legislative information
IL-13 Judy Biggert Incumbent Legislative information
IL-15 Tim Johnson Incumbent Legislative information
IL-16 Don Manzullo Incumbent Legislative information
IL-18 Aaron Schock Open
IL-19 John Shimkus Incumbent Legislative information
Indiana
Governor Mitch Daniels Incumbent Legislative information
IN-03 Mark Souder Incumbent Legislative information
IN-04 Steve Buyer Incumbent Legislative information
IN-05 Dan Burton Incumbent Legislative information
IN-06 Mike Pence Incumbent Legislative information
Iowa
IA-04 Tom Latham Incumbent Legislative information
IA-05 Steve King Incumbent Legislative information
Kansas
U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts Incumbent Legislative information
KS-01 Jerry Moran Incumbent Legislative information
KS-02 Nancy Boyda Incumbent Legislative information
KS-04 Todd Tiahrt Incumbent Legislative information
Kentucky
U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell Incumbent Legislative information
KY-01 Ed Whitfield Incumbent Legislative information
KY-03 Anne Northup Challenger
KY-04 Geoff Davis Incumbent Legislative information
KY-05 Hal Rogers Incumbent Legislative information
Louisiana
LA-04 John Fleming Open
LA-05 Rodney Alexander Incumbent Legislative information
LA-07 Charles Boustany Incumbent Legislative information
Maine
U.S. Sen. Susan Collins Incumbent Legislative information
ME-01 Charlie Summers Open
Maryland
MD-01 Andy Harris Open
MD-06 Roscoe Bartlett Incumbent Legislative information
Michigan
MI-02 Pete Hoekstra Incumbent Legislative information
MI-03 Vernon Ehlers Incumbent Legislative information
MI-04 Dave Camp Incumbent Legislative information
MI-06 Fred Upton Incumbent Legislative information
MI-07 Tim Walberg Incumbent Legislative information
MI-08 Mike Rogers Incumbent Legislative information
MI-09 Joe Knollenberg Incumbent Legislative information
MI-10 Candice Miller Incumbent Legislative information
MI-11 Thad McCotter Incumbent Legislative information
Minnesota
U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman (race still undecided) Incumbent Legislative information
MN-01 Brian Davis Challenger
MN-02 John Kline Incumbent Legislative information
MN-03 Erik Paulsen Open
MN-06 Michele Bachmann Incumbent Legislative information
Mississippi
U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran Incumbent Legislative information
U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker Incumbent Legislative information
MS-03 Gregg Harper Open
Missouri
Governor Kenny Hulshof Open
MO-02 Todd Akin Incumbent Legislative information
MO-06 Sam Graves Incumbent Legislative information
MO-07 Roy Blunt Incumbent Legislative information
MO-08 Jo Ann Emerson Incumbent Legislative information
MO-09 Blaine Luetkemeyer Open
Montana
U.S. Sen. Max Baucus Incumbent Legislative information
MT-AL Denny Rehberg Incumbent Legislative information
Nebraska
U.S. Sen. Mike Johanns Open
NE-01 Jeff Fortenberry Incumbent Legislative information
NE-02 Lee Terry Incumbent Legislative information
NE-03 Adrian Smith Incumbent Legislative information
Nevada
NV-02 Dean Heller Incumbent Legislative information
NV-03 Jon Porter Incumbent Legislative information
New Hampshire
U.S. Sen. John Sununu Incumbent Legislative information
NH-01 Jeb Bradley Challenger
New Jersey
NJ-03 Chris Myers Open
NJ-04 Chris Smith Incumbent Legislative information
NJ-05 Scott Garrett Incumbent Legislative information
NJ-07 Leonard Lance Open
NJ-11 Rodney Frelinghuysen Incumbent Legislative information
New Mexico
U.S. Sen. Steve Pearce Open
NM-01 Darren White Open
NM-02 Ed Tinsley Open
New York
NY-03 Peter King Incumbent Legislative information
NY-21 Jim Buhrmaster Open
NY-23 John McHugh Incumbent Legislative information
NY-25 Dale Sweetland Open
NY-26 Chris Lee Open
NY-29 Randy Kuhl Incumbent Legislative information
North Carolina
Governor Pat McCrory Open
U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole Incumbent Legislative information
NC-03 Walter Jones Incumbent Legislative information
NC-05 Virginia Foxx Incumbent Legislative information
NC-06 Howard Coble Incumbent Legislative information
NC-08 Robin Hayes Incumbent Legislative information
NC-09 Sue Myrick Incumbent Legislative information
NC-10 Patrick McHenry Incumbent Legislative information
NC-11 Heath Shuler Incumbent Legislative information
North Dakota
Governor John Hoeven Incumbent
Ohio
OH-01 Steve Chabot Incumbent Legislative information
OH-02 Jean Schmidt Incumbent Legislative information
OH-03 Mike Turner Incumbent Legislative information
OH-04 Jim Jordan Incumbent Legislative information
OH-05 Bob Latta Incumbent Legislative information
OH-07 Steve Austria Open
OH-08 John Boehner Incumbent Legislative information
OH-12 Pat Tiberi Incumbent Legislative information
OH-14 Steve LaTourette Incumbent Legislative information
OH-15 Steve Stivers  Open
OH-16 Kirk Schuring Open
Oklahoma
U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe Incumbent Legislative information
OK-01 John Sulllivan Incumbent Legislative information
OK-02 Dan Boren Incumbent Legislative information
OK-03 Frank Lucas Incumbent Legislative information
OK-04 Tom Cole Incumbent Legislative information
OK-05 Mary Fallin Incumbent Legislative information
Oregon
U.S. Sen. Gordon Smith Incumbent Legislative information
OR-02 Greg Walden Incumbent Legislative information
Pennsylvania
PA-03 Phil English Incumbent Legislative information
PA-05 Glenn Thompson Open
PA-06 Jim Gerlach Incumbent Legislative information
PA-09 Bill Shuster Incumbent Legislative information
PA-11 Lou Barletta Challenger
PA-15 Charlie Dent Incumbent Legislative information
PA-16 Joe Pitts Incumbent Legislative information
PA-18 Tim Murphy Incumbent Legislative information
PA-19 Todd Platts Incumbent Legislative information
South Carolina
U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham Incumbent Legislative information
SC-01 Henry Brown Incumbent Legislative information
SC-02 Joe Wilson Incumbent Legislative information
SC-03 Gresham Barrett Incumbent Legislative information
SC-04 Bob Inglis Incumbent Legislative information
Tennessee
U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander Incumbent Legislative information
TN-02 Jimmy Duncan Incumbent Legislative information
TN-03 Zach Wamp Incumbent Legislative information
TN-04 Lincoln Davis Incumbent Legislative information
TN-07 Marsha Blackburn Incumbent Legislative information
Texas
U.S. Sen. John Cornyn Incumbent Legislative information
TX-01 Louie Gohmert Incumbent Legislative information
TX-03 Sam Johnson Incumbent Legislative information
TX-04 Ralph Hall Incumbent Legislative information
TX-05 Jeb Hensarling Incumbent Legislative information
TX-06 Joe Barton Incumbent Legislative information
TX-07 John Culberson Incumbent Legislative information
TX-08 Kevin Brady Incumbent Legislative information
TX-10 Mike McCaul Incumbent Legislative information
TX-11 Mike Conaway Incumbent Legislative information
TX-12 Kay Granger Incumbent Legislative information
TX-13 Mac Thornberry Incumbent Legislative information
TX-19 Randy Neugebauer Incumbent Legislative information
TX-21 Lamar Smith Incumbent Legislative information
TX-24 Kenny Marchant Incumbent Legislative information
TX-26 Mike Burgess Incumbent Legislative information
TX-28 Henry Cuellar Incumbent Legislative information
TX-31 John Carter Incumbent Legislative information
TX-32 Pete Sessions Incumbent Legislative information
Utah
Governor Jon Huntsman Incumbent Legislative information
UT-01 Rob Bishop Incumbent Legislative information
UT-02 Jim Matheson Incumbent Legislative information
UT-03 Jason Chaffetz Open
Vermont
Governor Jim Douglas Incumbent Legislative information
Virginia
VA-01 Rob Wittman Incumbent Legislative information
VA-02 Thelma Drake Incumbent Legislative information
VA-04 Randy Forbes Incumbent Legislative information
VA-05 Virgil Goode (race still undecided) Incumbent Legislative information
VA-06 Bob Goodlatte Incumbent Legislative information
VA-07 Eric Cantor Incumbent Legislative information
VA-10 Frank Wolf Incumbent Legislative information
VA-11 Keith Fimian Open
Washington
Governor Dino Rossi Challenger
WA-04 Doc Hastings Incumbent Legislative information
WA-05 Cathy McMorris Rodgers Incumbent Legislative information
WA-08 Dave Reichert Incumbent Legislative information
West Virginia
WV-02 Shelley Moore Capito Incumbent Legislative information
Wisconsin
WI-01 Paul Ryan Incumbent Legislative information
WI-03 Ron Kind Incumbent Legislative information
WI-05 Jim Sensenbrenner Incumbent Legislative information
WI-06 Tom Petri Incumbent Legislative information
WI-08 John Gard Challenger
Wyoming
U.S. Sen. John Barrasso Incumbent Legislative information
U.S. Sen. Mike Enzi Incumbent Legislative information
WY-AL Cynthia Lummis Open