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The 2008 United States Senate election in South Carolina was held on November 4, 2008, to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the State of South Carolina. Incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham won election to a second term.[1][2]
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  Graham: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% >90%
Conley: 40-50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% >90% | |||||||||||||||||
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| Source | Date | Graham | Witherspoon |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling[3] | January 17, 2008 | 52% | 5% |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Lindsey Graham (incumbent) | 187,736 | 66.8% | ||
| Republican | Buddy Witherspoon | 93,125 | 33.2% | ||
| Turnout | 280,861 | ||||
Conley, a conservative Democrat, supported ending illegal immigration, "protecting American workers," bringing American troops home from the Iraq War, increasing veterans' benefits, reducing American dependence on foreign oil, tougher regulations on Wall Street (bringing back Glass-Steagall), ending Wall Street bailouts, repealing the Patriot Act, "cutting spending," and "fidelity to the Constitution."[4] He also opposed same-sex marriage.[5]
Michael Cone, Conley's primary opponent, criticized Conley for being too conservative, that "We've nominated a Republican in a Democratic primary." Conley was a Republican but left the party due to frustration over immigration, trade, and the Iraq War. Some compared him to Republican Congressman Ron Paul, as Conley supported Paul in his presidential campaign.[4][6]
Conley defeated Cone in the primary election on June 16, following a recount, by a margin of 1,058 votes.[7]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Bob Conley | 74,125 | 50.3% | ||
| Democratic | Michael Cone | 73,127 | 49.7% | ||
| Turnout | 147,252 | ||||
Conley, who had switched to the Democratic Party from the Republican Party,[8] was opposed by much of the Democratic establishment because of his controversial positions such as his vocal opposition to immigration reform and same-sex marriage and his support of Ron Paul's presidential bid. A number of prominent Democratic figures in the state, including U.S. Congressman Jim Clyburn, supported Lindsey Graham over Conley in the general election.[9] Political scientist Bill Moore claimed "The bottom line is, by not paying attention to this race, they ended up embarrassed by what has transpired: a Republican getting the Democratic Party's nomination for U.S. Senate and a Republican who comes across as even more conservative than Lindsey Graham."
Graham had $3.8 million. In fact, he spent more time on the campaign trail for John McCain than he has defending his own seat. Conley only raised $23,628 during the campaign. Conley was so unknown that even Graham admitted "Almost no one knows my opponent. The Democrats really didn't field a — make a serious challenge — in terms of trying to find an opponent for me."[10]
Despite Conley's landslide defeat, he is the last Democrat to carry McCormick County in a Senate election as of 2023.
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| The Cook Political Report[11] | Safe R | October 23, 2008 |
| CQ Politics[12] | Safe R | October 31, 2008 |
| Rothenberg Political Report[13] | Safe R | November 2, 2008 |
| Real Clear Politics[14] | Safe R | November 4, 2008 |
| Poll Source | Dates administered | Conley | Graham |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling[15] | July 9–11, 2008 | 32% | 54% |
| Rasmussen Reports[16] | September 18, 2008 | 41% | 50% |
| Survey USA[17] | September 21–22, 2008 | 40% | 54% |
| Survey USA[18] | October 12–13, 2008 | 40% | 56% |
| Survey USA[19] | October 28–29, 2008 | 39% | 58% |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Lindsey Graham (incumbent) | 1,076,534 | 57.52% | +3.1% | |
| Democratic | Bob Conley | 790,621 | 42.25% | −1.9% | |
| Write-ins | 4,276 | 0.23% | +0.1% | ||
| Majority | 285,913 | 15.27% | |||
| Turnout | 1,871,431 | ||||
| Republican hold | Swing | ||||
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