# 2008 United States House of Representatives elections in New York

Elections in New York State :
Federal government
Presidential elections
1792
1796
1800
1804
1808
1812
1816
1820
1824
1828
1832
1836
1840
1844
1848
1852
1856
1860
1864
1868
1872
1876
1880
1884
1888
1892
1896
1900
1904
1908
1912
1916
1920
1924
1928
1932
1936
1940
1944
1948
1952
1956
1960
1964
1968
1972
1976
1980
1984
1988
1992
1996
2000
Dem
2004
Dem
2008
Dem
GOP
2012
2016
Dem
GOP
2020
Dem
2024
Dem
GOP
U.S. Senate
1789
1791
1795
1796 sp
1797
Jan 1798 sp
Aug 1798 sp
Apr 1800 sp
Nov 1800 sp
1801
1802 sp
1803
Feb 1804 sp
Nov 1804 sp
1807
1809
1813
1815
1819–20
1821
1825–26
1827
1829 sp
1831
1833
1833 sp
1837
1839–40
1843
1845 sp
1849
1851
1855
1857
1861
1863
1867
1869
1873
1875
1879
1881
1881 sp
1885
1887
1891
1893
1897
1899
1903
1905
1909
1911
1914
1916
1920
1922
1926
1928
1932
1934
1938
1938 sp
1940
1944
1946
1949 sp
1950
1952
1956
1958
1962
1964
1968
1970
1974
1976
1980
1982
1986
1988
1992
1994
1998
2000
2004
2006
2010
2010 sp
2012
2016
2018
2022
2024
U.S. House
1789
1790
1791
1st sp
1793
1794
1796
1798
1799
1st sp
1800
1801
5th sp
1801
6th sp
1802
1803
6th sp
1803
7th sp
1804
1st sp
2nd and 3rd sp
1805
2nd and 3rd sp
1806
1808
12th sp
1810
2nd sp
1812
6th sp
1813
15th sp
1813
2nd sp
1814
1815
6th sp
1815
12th sp
1816
20th sp
21st sp
1817
4th sp
1818
1821
6th sp
1821
9th sp
1822
1823
28th sp
1824
1826
1827
29th sp
1828
5th sp
1830
6th sp
20th sp
1832
1834
1836
17th sp
30th sp
1838
1840
1841
26th May sp
26th Nov sp
1842
1844
1846
12th sp
1848
1850
1852
1854
12th sp
1856
1858
1859
4th sp
1860
31st sp
1862
1863
14th sp
1864
1866
1868
1870
1872
1874
1876
1878
1879
12th sp
1880
32nd sp
1881
9th sp
11th sp
22nd sp
1881
27th sp
1882
1884
1885
8th sp
1886
15th sp
1888
1889
6th sp
9th sp
27th sp
1890
1891
2nd sp
10th sp
1891
12th sp
22nd sp
1892
1894
14th sp
15th sp
1895
10th sp
1896
1897
3rd sp
1898
1899
34th sp
1900
1902
26th sp
1904
12th sp
1906
8th sp
1908
3rd sp
1910
1912
26th sp
1913
13th sp
20th sp
1914
1915
31st sp
1916
1917
15th sp
1918
7th sp
8th sp
21st sp
22nd sp
1920
14th sp
26th sp
1922
1923
11th sp
16th sp
19th sp
24th sp
32nd sp
1924
1926
1927
35th sp
1928
32nd sp
1929
21st sp
1930
18th sp
1931
7th sp
9th sp
1932
1933
34th sp
1934
1935
2nd sp
22nd sp
1936
1937
27th sp
17th sp
25th sp
1938
1939
34th sp
1940
14th sp
22nd sp
31st sp
1941
14th sp
17th sp
1942
1944
4th sp
11th sp
21st sp
1946
19th sp
1947
14th sp
1948
24th sp
1949
7th sp
10th sp
20th sp
1950
1952
5th sp
32nd sp
1954
1956
22nd sp
1958
1959
43rd sp
1960
23rd sp
1962
6th sp
1964
1966
17th sp
1968
13th sp
1970
1972
1974
1976
1978
18th sp
21st sp
1980
1982
1983
7th sp
1984
1986
6th sp
1988
1990
14th sp
18th sp
1992
17th sp
1994
1996
1997
13th sp
1998
6th sp
2000
2002
2004
2006
2008
2009
20th sp
23rd sp
2010
29th sp
2011
9th sp
26th sp
2012
2014
2015
11th sp
2016
2018
14th
25th sp
2020
22nd
27th sp
2022
19th sp
23rd sp
2024
3rd sp
26th sp
2025
21st sp :
State government
New York gubernatorial elections
1777
1780
1783
1786
1789
1792
1795
1798
1801
1804
1807
1810
1813
1816
1817
1820
1822
1824
1826
1828
1830
1832
1834
1836
1838
1840
1842
1844
1846
1848
1850
1852
1854
1856
1858
1860
1862
1864
1866
1868
1870
1872
1874
1876
1879
1882
1885
1888
1891
1894
1896
1898
1900
1902
1904
1906
1908
1910
1912
1914
1916
1918
1920
1922
1924
1926
1928
1930
1932
1934
1936
1938
1942
1946
1950
1954
1958
1962
1966
1970
1974
1978
1982
1986
1990
1994
1998
2002
2006
2010
2014
2018
2022
Attorney General elections
1982
1986
1990
1994
1998
2002
2006
2010
2014
2018
2022
State Comptroller elections
1986
1990
1994
1998
2002
2006
2010
2014
2018
2022
State Senate elections
2008
2010
2012
2014
2016
2018
2020
2022
2024
State Assembly elections
99th district, 2006
2008
2016
2018
2020
2022
2024
State elections by year
1811-LtGSE
1844
1846
1847-JSE
1847
1848
1849
1850
1851
1852
1853
1854
1855
1856
1857
1858
1859
1860
1861
1862
1863
1864
1865
1866
1867
1868
1869
1870
1870–JSE
1871
1872
1873
1874
1875
1876
1877
1878
1879
1880
1881
1882
1883
1884
1885
1886
1887
1888
1889
1890
1891
1892
1893
1894
1895
1896
1897
1898
1900
1902
1903
1904
1906
1907
1908
1910
1912
1913
1914
1916
1917
1918
1919
1920
1921
1922
1923
1924
1926
1927
1928
1930
1932
1933
1934
1936
1937
1938
1939
1940
1942
1943
1944
1946
1949
1950
1952
1953
1954
1956
1958
1959
1960
1962
1963
1964
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1972
1973
1974
2002
2006
2008
2009
2010
2012
2016
2018
2020
2021
2022
2024 :
New York City
Mayoral elections
Pre-consolidation:
1850
1854
1856
1857
1886
1888
1890
1892
1894
Post-consolidation:
1897
1901
1903
1905
1909
1913
1917
1921
1925
1929
1932
1933
1937
1941
1945
1950
1953
1957
1961
1965
1969
1973
1977
1981
1985
1989
1993
1997
2001
2005
2009
2013
2017
2021
2025
City Council elections
Pre-consolidation:
1808
Post-consolidation:
1897
1899
1901
1903
1905
1907
1909
1911
1913
1915
1917
1919
1921
1923
1925
1927
1929
1931
1933
1935
1937
1939
1941
1943
1945
1949
1953
1957
1961
1965
1969
1973
1977
1981
1985
1989
1993
1997
2001
2005
2009
2013
2017
2021
2023
2025
Public Advocate elections
1897
1901
1905
1909
1913
1917
1921
1925
1929
1933
1937
1941
1945
1949
1953
1957
1961
1965
1969
1973
1977
1981
1985
1989
1993
1997
2001
2005
2009
2013
2017
2019 (special)
2019
2021
2025
Comptroller elections
1897
1901
1905
1909
1913
1917
1921
1925
1929
1933
1937
1941
1945
1949
1953
1957
1961
1965
1969
1973
1977
1981
1985
1989
1993
1997
2001
2005
2009
2013
2017
2021
2025
Borough president elections
1897
1901
1905
1909
1913
1917
1921
1925
1929
1933
1937
1941
1945
1949
1953
1957
1961
1965
1969
1973
1977
1981
1985
1989
1993
1997
2001
2005
2009
2013
2017
2021
2025
The Bronx
Brooklyn
Manhattan
Queens
Staten Island :
Albany
Mayoral elections
2005
2009
2013
2017
2021 :
Buffalo
Mayoral elections
1881
1977
1981
1985
1989
1993
1997
2001
2005
2009
2013
2017
2021
2025 :
Rochester
Mayoral elections
1997
2001
2005
2009
2011 sp
2013
2017
2021 :
Syracuse
Mayoral elections
2009
2013
2017
2021
2025 :
vte :
The 2008 United States House of Representatives elections in New York were held on November 4, 2008, to elect the 29 U.S. representatives from the State of New York, one from each of the state's 29 congressional districts. state of New York in the United States House of Representatives. New York has 29 seats in the House, apportioned according to the 2000 United States census. 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 in which Democrat Barack Obama defeated Republican John McCain by a wide margin.
The districts with congressional races not forecast as "safe" for the incumbent party were New York's congressional districts 13, 19, 20, 24, 25, 26 and 29.
The Democratic Party gained three seats in New York's congressional delegation in the 2008 elections. In New York's 13th congressional district, Democrat Michael McMahon defeated Robert Straniere to win the seat vacated by Republican Rep. Vito Fossella. In New York's 25th congressional district, Democrat Dan Maffei defeated Republican Dale Sweetland to win the seat vacated by Republican Rep. Jim Walsh. In New York's 29th congressional district, Democrat Eric Massa defeated incumbent Republican Rep. Randy Kuhl. Beginning in 2009, New York's congressional delegation consisted of a lopsided 26 Democrats and 3 Republicans. In the history of New York state politics, this represents the best performance by any one party, as a proportion of total seats, in state history. Republicans suffered in the fallout of the financial crisis, but regained seats in the following elections.

## Overview
### Votes by district

Candidates on multiple ballot lines are marked as the party they caucus with.
| District | Democratic | Democratic | Republican | Republican | Others | Others | Total | Result |
| District | Votes | % | Votes | % | Votes | % | Votes | Result |
| District 1 | 162,083 | 58.38% | 115,545 | 41.62% | 0 | 0.00% | 277,628 | Democratic Hold |
| District 2 | 161,279 | 66.94% | 79,641 | 33.06% | 0 | 0.00% | 240,920 | Democratic Hold |
| District 3 | 97,525 | 36.08% | 172,774 | 63.92% | 0 | 0.00% | 270,299 | Republican Hold |
| District 4 | 164,028 | 64.01% | 92,242 | 35.99% | 0 | 0.00% | 256,270 | Democratic Hold |
| District 5 | 112,724 | 71.00% | 43,039 | 27.11% | 3,010 | 1.90% | 158,773 | Democratic Hold |
| District 6 | 141,180 | 100.00% | 0 | 0.00% | 0 | 0.00% | 141,180 | Democratic Hold |
| District 7 | 118,459 | 84.65% | 21,477 | 15.35% | 0 | 0.00% | 139,936 | Democratic Hold |
| District 8 | 160,775 | 80.45% | 39,062 | 19.55% | 0 | 0.00% | 199,837 | Democratic Hold |
| District 9 | 112,205 | 93.05% | 8,378 | 6.95% | 0 | 0.00% | 120,583 | Democratic Hold |
| District 10 | 155,090 | 94.19% | 9,565 | 5.81% | 0 | 0.00% | 164,655 | Democratic Hold |
| District 11 | 168,562 | 92.76% | 11,644 | 6.41% | 1,517 | 0.83% | 181,723 | Democratic Hold |
| District 12 | 123,053 | 89.95% | 13,748 | 10.05% | 0 | 0.00% | 136,801 | Democratic Hold |
| District 13 | 114,219 | 60.95% | 62,441 | 33.32% | 10,746 | 5.73% | 187,406 | Democratic Gain |
| District 14 | 183,239 | 79.92% | 43,385 | 18.92% | 2,659 | 1.16% | 229,283 | Democratic Hold |
| District 15 | 177,151 | 89.17% | 15,676 | 7.89% | 5,849 | 2.94% | 198,676 | Democratic Hold |
| District 16 | 127,179 | 96.59% | 4,488 | 3.41% | 0 | 0.00% | 131,667 | Democratic Hold |
| District 17 | 161,594 | 79.88% | 40,707 | 20.12% | 0 | 0.00% | 202,301 | Democratic Hold |
| District 18 | 174,791 | 68.47% | 80,498 | 31.53% | 0 | 0.00% | 255,289 | Democratic Hold |
| District 19 | 164,859 | 58.67% | 116,120 | 41.33% | 0 | 0.00% | 280,979 | Democratic Hold |
| District 20 | 193,651 | 62.13% | 118,031 | 37.87% | 0 | 0.00% | 311,682 | Democratic Hold |
| District 21 | 171,286 | 62.09% | 96,599 | 35.02% | 7,965 | 2.89% | 275,850 | Democratic Hold |
| District 22 | 168,558 | 66.44% | 85,126 | 33.56% | 0 | 0.00% | 253,684 | Democratic Hold |
| District 23 | 75,871 | 34.66% | 143,029 | 65.34% | 0 | 0.00% | 218,900 | Republican Hold |
| District 24 | 130,799 | 51.91% | 120,880 | 48.03% | 0 | 0.00% | 251,679 | Democratic Hold |
| District 25 | 157,375 | 54.82% | 120,217 | 41.88% | 9,483 | 3.30% | 287,075 | Democratic Gain |
| District 26 | 109,615 | 40.55% | 148,607 | 54.97% | 12,104 | 4.48% | 270,326 | Republican Hold |
| District 27 | 185,713 | 74.42% | 56,354 | 22.58% | 7,478 | 3.00% | 249,545 | Democratic Hold |
| District 28 | 172,655 | 78.00% | 48,690 | 22.00% | 0 | 0.00% | 221,345 | Democratic Hold |
| District 29 | 140,529 | 50.97% | 135,199 | 49.03% | 0 | 0.00% | 275,728 | Democratic Gain |
| Total | 4,286,047 | 67.07% | 2,043,162 | 31.97% | 60,811 | 0.95% | 6,390,020 | |

### Seat allocation

Votes are marked under party the candidate caucuses with, regardless of ballot line.
Popular vote
Democratic
67.07%
Republican
31.97%
Other
0.96% :
House seats
Democratic
89.66%
Republican
10.34% :

## District 1

The 1st district is based on the eastern end and North Shore of Long Island, including the Hamptons, the North Fork, Riverhead, Port Jefferson, Smithtown, and Brookhaven, all in Suffolk County. Due to redistricting, the district lost minimal territory, instead picking up more territory around the towns of King's Park and Smithtown from the 2nd district. The 1st district has a PVI of R+3 but voted for Barack Obama by 4 points in the concurring presidential election. The incumbent is Democrat Tim Bishop, who was reelected with 62.23% of the vote in 2006. On election day, Bishop defeated Republican nominee Lee Zeldin who would then defeat him in a rematch six years later.

### Republican/Conservative nominee

* Lee Zeldin, practicing lawyer in Smithtown, New York

### Democratic/Independence/Working Families nominee

* Tim Bishop, incumbent U.S. Representative since 2003 and former Provost of Southampton College

### General election
#### Predictions

| Source | Ranking | As of |
| The Cook Political Report | Safe D | November 4, 2008 |
| Inside Elections | Safe D | November 2, 2008 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball | Safe D | November 3, 2008 |
| RCP | Safe D | November 4, 2008 |

#### Results

New York's 1st congressional district, 2008 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Tim Bishop | 141,727 | 51.05% |
| | Independence | Tim Bishop | 12,919 | 4.65% |
| | Working Families | Tim Bishop | 7,437 | 2.68% |
| | Total | Tim Bishop (incumbent) | 162,083 | 58.38% |
| | Republican | Lee Zeldin | 100,036 | 36.03% |
| | Conservative | Lee Zeldin | 15,509 | 5.59% |
| | Total | Lee Zeldin | 115,545 | 41.62% |
| | Write-in | Write-in | 13 | 0.01% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 277,641 | 100% |

## District 2

The 2nd district is based on the western end and North Shore of Long Island, including Huntington, Northport, Islandia, Half Hollow, West Hills, and parts of Islip, all in Suffolk and Nassau Counties. Due to redistricting, the district lost substantial territory, losing most of Lindenhurst, Islip, and portions of the South Shore to the 3rd district while gaining more territory on the North Shore around Huntington and portions of Nassau County. The 2nd district has a PVI of R+3 but voted for Barack Obama by 3 points in the concurring presidential election. The incumbent is Democrat Steve Israel, who was reelected with 70.42% of the vote in 2006. On election day Israel defeated Republican nominee Frank Stalzer.

### Republican/Conservative nominee

* Frank Stalzer, businessman

### Democratic/Independence/Working Families nominee

* Steve Israel, incumbent U.S. Representative since 2001, former member of the Huntington Town Council, and former staff member for U.S. Representative Richard Ottinger

### General election
#### Predictions

| Source | Ranking | As of |
| The Cook Political Report | Safe D | November 4, 2008 |
| Inside Elections | Safe D | November 2, 2008 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball | Safe D | November 3, 2008 |
| RCP | Safe D | November 4, 2008 |

#### Results

New York's 2nd congressional district, 2008 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Steve Israel | 143,759 | 59.67% |
| | Independence | Steve Israel | 11,900 | 4.94% |
| | Working Families | Steve Israel | 5,620 | 2.33% |
| | Total | Steve Israel (incumbent) | 161,279 | 66.94% |
| | Republican | Frank Stalzer | 70,145 | 29.11% |
| | Conservative | Frank Stalzer | 9,496 | 3.94% |
| | Total | Frank Stalzer | 79,641 | 33.06% |
| | Write-in | Write-in | 12 | 0.01% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 240,932 | 100% |

## District 3

The 3rd district is based on the Gold Coast and Jones Beach portion of Long Island, including Glen Cove, Oyster Bay, Long Beach, Massapequa, Brookville, and parts of Islip, all in Suffolk and Nassau Counties. Due to redistricting, the district gained a large amount of territory, gaining in the southern portion of Nassau County around East Rockaway as well as a new portion of the district in Suffolk County, gaining Lindenhurst, Babylon, and portions of Islip, but lost areas around Interstate 495 in Plainview. The 3rd district has a PVI of D+2 but voted for Barack Obama by 8 points in the concurring presidential election. The incumbent is Republican Peter King, who was reelected with 56.04% of the vote in 2006. On election day King defeated Democratic nominee Graham Long.

### Republican/Independence/Conservative nominee

* Peter King, incumbent U.S. Representative since 1993

### Democratic/Working Families nominee

* Graham Long, Economic Development Advisor for Nassau County

### General election
#### Predictions

| Source | Ranking | As of |
| The Cook Political Report | Safe R | November 4, 2008 |
| Inside Elections | Safe R | November 2, 2008 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball | Safe R | November 3, 2008 |
| RCP | Safe R | November 4, 2008 |

#### Results

New York's 3rd congressional district, 2008 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Peter King | 149,344 | 55.25% |
| | Conservative | Peter King | 12,983 | 4.80% |
| | Independence | Peter King | 10,447 | 3.87% |
| | Total | Peter King (incumbent) | 172,774 | 63.92% |
| | Democratic | Graham Long | 93,481 | 34.58% |
| | Working Families | Graham Long | 4,044 | 1.50% |
| | Total | Graham Long | 97,525 | 36.08% |
| | Write-in | Write-in | 4 | 0.00% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 240,932 | 100% |

## District 4

The 4th district is based on the Nassau South Shore and central Nassau portion of Long Island, including Mineola, Garden City, East Rockaway, Valley Stream, Freeport, and parts of Long Beach, all in Nassau County. Due to redistricting, the district gained a small amount of territory in the southern portion of Nassau County around East Rockaway and Freeport but lost areas around Levittown. The 3rd district has a PVI of D+5 but voted for Barack Obama by 11 points in the concurring presidential election. The incumbent is Democrat Carolyn McCarthy, who was reelected with 64.92% of the vote in 2006. On election day McCarthy defeated Republican nominee Jack Martins.

### Republican/Conservative nominee

* Jack Martins, Mayor of Mineola since 2003

### Democratic/Independence/Working Families nominee

* Carolyn McCarthy, incumbent U.S. Representative since 1997

### General election
#### Predictions

| Source | Ranking | As of |
| The Cook Political Report | Safe D | November 4, 2008 |
| Inside Elections | Safe D | November 2, 2008 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball | Safe D | November 3, 2008 |
| RCP | Safe D | November 4, 2008 |

#### Results

New York's 4th congressional district, 2008 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Carolyn McCarthy | 151,792 | 59.23% |
| | Independence | Carolyn McCarthy | 7,318 | 2.86% |
| | Working Families | Carolyn McCarthy | 4,918 | 1.92% |
| | Total | Carolyn McCarthy (incumbent) | 164,028 | 64.01% |
| | Republican | Jack Martins | 84,444 | 32.95% |
| | Conservative | Jack Martins | 4,044 | 3.04% |
| | Total | Jack Martins | 92,242 | 35.99% |
| | Write-in | Write-in | 1 | 0.00% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 256,271 | 100% |

## District 5

The 5th district is based on the Nassau North Shore and Flushing portion of Queens County, including Manhorhaven, Kings Point, Great Neck, East Hills, Corona, and parts of Jamaica, in Nassau and Queens counties. Due to redistricting, the district was compacted and shifted towards Queens, losing most of its territory on the North Shore, including portions of the cities of Smithtown and Huntington as well as territory in the surrounding communities. The 5th district has a PVI of D+30 but voted for Barack Obama by 27 points in the concurring presidential election. The incumbent is Democrat Gary Ackerman, who was reelected with 100.00% of the vote in 2006. On election day Ackerman defeated Republican nominee Elizabeth Berney.

### Republican nominee

* Elizabeth Berney

### Democratic/Independence/Working Families nominee

* Gary Ackerman, incumbent U.S. Representative since 1983

### General election
#### Predictions

| Source | Ranking | As of |
| The Cook Political Report | Safe D | November 4, 2008 |
| Inside Elections | Safe D | November 2, 2008 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball | Safe D | November 3, 2008 |
| RCP | Safe D | November 4, 2008 |

#### Results

New York's 5th congressional district, 2008 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Gary Ackerman | 105,836 | 59.23% |
| | Independence | Gary Ackerman | 4,084 | 2.86% |
| | Working Families | Gary Ackerman | 2,804 | 1.92% |
| | Total | Carolyn McCarthy (incumbent) | 164,028 | 64.01% |
| | Republican | Elizabeth Berny | 41,721 | 27.44% |
| | Total | Jack Martins | 41,721 | 27.44% |
| | Conservative | Gonzalo "Jun" Policarpio | 2,896 | 1.91% |
| | Write-in | Write-in | 5 | 0.00% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 256,271 | 100% |

## District 6

Incumbent Gregory Meeks has served in Congress since 1998, representing heavily Democratic Queens. He was easily re-elected unopposed.

## District 7

Incumbent Joe Crowley had served in Congress since 1999 representing heavily Democratic areas of the Bronx and Queens. He was easily re-elected against token opposition.

## District 8

Incumbent Jerry Nadler had served in Congress since 1992 representing heavily Democratic areas of Manhattan. He was easily re-elected against token opposition.

## District 9

Incumbent Anthony Weiner was originally elected in 1998 in this heavily Democratic district representing parts of Brooklyn and Queens. He was easily re-elected against no Republican opposition.

## District 10

Incumbent Edolphus Downs originally was elected to Congress in 1982, representing Brooklyn. He was easily re-elected over token opposition.

## District 11

Incumbent Yvette Clarke was originally elected in 2006 and ran for re-election. She was easily re-elected in this heavily Democratic district.

## District 12

Incumbent Nydia Velazquez was re-elected in a landslide over Republican Allan Romaguera.

## District 13

Republican incumbent Vito Fossella announced his retirement on May 20, 2008, leaving this an open seat. Democratic City Councilman Michael McMahon, endorsed by the Staten Island Democratic Party won the primary against Steve Harrison, who lost to Fossella in 2006. Republican Robert Straniere defeated Dr. Jamshad Wyne in the Republican primary. CQ Politics forecasted the race as 'Democrat Favored'. McMahon defeated Straniere in the general election.
* Race ranking and details from CQ Politics
* Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets

## District 19

Democratic incumbent John Hall was challenged by Republican Kieran Lalor. CQ Politics forecasted the race as 'Democrat Favored'. Hall won the election with 59% of the vote.
* Race ranking and details from CQ Politics
* Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets

## District 20

Democratic incumbent Kirsten Gillibrand was challenged by Republican Sandy Treadwell. CQ Politics forecast race as 'Leans Democratic.' Gillibrand won easily.
* Race ranking and details from CQ Politics
* Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets
This was incumbent Democrat Kirsten Gillibrand's first run for re-election, and was one of the most expensive House races in the nation, with both campaigns spending a total of more than $9 million. Gillibrand had defeated Republican Congressman John Sweeney in an upset in 2006.
Representative Gillibrand faced businessmen Morris Guller in the Democratic primary due, it was said, to her support for a supplemental appropriation for the Iraq conflict. Gilibrand won the primary by a wide margin.
Those who would have run in the 2008 Republican primary to face Gillibrand had there been one:
* Lt. Colonel Michael Rocque, US Army (retired)
* Sandy Treadwell, former New York Republican State Committee chairman
* John Wallace, New York State Police (retired)
Treadwell, with the backing of the State Conservative Party and the GOP, filed Requests for Judicial Intervention to disqualify Wallace and Rocque from the primary. He succeeded, and became the sole opponent of Kirsten Gillibrand.
Gillibrand faced Republican Sandy Treadwell, former Secretary of State for New York. On October 10, 2008, the Cook Report listed the 20th District as "Likely Democratic". Gillibrand won the November 4, 2008, election with 62% of the vote to Treadwell's 38%.
2008 New York's 20th congressional district election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Kirsten Gillibrand | 178,996 | |
| | Working Families | Kirsten Gillibrand | 14,655 | |
| | Total | Kirsten Gillibrand | 193,651 | 62.13 |
| | Republican | Sandy Treadwell | 99,930 | |
| | Conservative | Sandy Treadwell | 10,077 | |
| | Independence | Sandy Treadwell | 8,024 | |
| | Total | Sandy Treadwell | 118,031 | 37.87 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 75,620 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 311,682 | |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Swing | |

## District 21

The 21st district is based in the Capital Region, including Albany, Troy, Schenectady, Guilderland, Johnstown, Amsterdam, Colonie, Cohoes, and Waterford. It includes all of Albany, Schenectady, Schoharie, Montgomery counties, and parts of Rensselaer, Saratoga, and Fulton Counties. Due to redistricting, the district gained a large amount of territory, gaining the entirety of Schoharie and Montgomery Counties, as well as the cities of Johnstown and Gloversville, and territory in southern Rensselaer County around East Greenbush and Castleton-On-The-Hudson. The 21st district has a PVI of R+9 but voted for Barack Obama by 18 points in the concurring presidential election. The incumbent is Democrat Michael McNulty, who was reelected with 78.19% of the vote in 2006. He is retiring. On election day, Tonko defeated Republican nominee Jim Buhrmaster.

### Republican/Conservative nominee

* Jim Buhrmaster, Member of the Schenectady County Legislature from District 3

#### Eliminated in primary

* Steven Vasquez, Ron Paul supporter

#### Primary results

Republican primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Jim Buhrmaster | 8,589 | 70.44 |
| | Republican | Steven Vasquez | 3,605 | 29.56 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 12,194 | 100.0 |

### Democratic/Working Families nominee

* Paul D. Tonko, Member of the New York State Assembly from the 105th State Assembly district since 1983

#### Eliminated in primary

* M. Tracey Brooks, Democratic nominee for 108th State Assembly district in 2002
* Phillip G. Steck, Member of the Albany County Legislature for the 15th district since 1999 and Colonie Town Democratic chairman
* Darius Shahinfar
* Joseph P. Sullivan, perennial candidate

#### Declined

* Neil Breslin, Member of the New York State Senate from the 46th State Senate district since 1997

#### Endorsements

Individuals
* Gerald D. Jennings, Mayor of Albany since 1994 and former Member of the Albany Common Council from the 11th Ward
Individuals
* Rob Reilly, Member of the New York State Assembly from the 109th State Assembly district since 2005
Organizations
* Independence Party of New York
* Democracy for America, Hudson/Mohawk Chapter
* Albany County Democratic Committee

#### Primary results

Democratic primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Paul D. Tonko | 15,932 | 39.50 |
| | Democratic | M. Tracey Brooks | 12,166 | 30.16 |
| | Democratic | Phillip G. Steck | 7,498 | 18.59 |
| | Democratic | Darius Shahinfar | 4,002 | 9.92 |
| | Democratic | Joseph P. Sullivan | 738 | 1.83 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 40,336 | 100.0 |

### General election
#### Predictions

| Source | Ranking | As of |
| The Cook Political Report | Safe D | November 4, 2008 |
| Inside Elections | Safe D | November 2, 2008 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball | Safe D | November 3, 2008 |
| RCP | Safe D | November 4, 2008 |
| Congressional Quarterly | Safe D | December 30, 2007 |

#### Results

New York's 21st congressional district, 2008 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Paul Tonko | 159,849 | 57.94% |
| | Working Families | Paul Tonko | 11,437 | 4.15% |
| | Total | Paul Tonko (incumbent) | 171,286 | 62.09% |
| | Republican | Jim Buhrmaster | 85,267 | 30.91% |
| | Conservative | Jim Buhrmaster | 11,332 | 4.11% |
| | Total | Jim Buhrmaster | 96,599 | 35.02% |
| | Independence | Phil Steck | 7,965 | 2.89% |
| | Write-in | Write-in | 22 | 0.01% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 275,872 | 100% |

## District 23

The 23rd district is based in the North Country and the Adirondack Mountains, including Plattsburgh, Potsdam, Fort Drum, Watertown, Oswego, and parts of Saranac Lake. It includes all of Clinton, Franklin, St. Lawrence, Hamilton, Lewis, Jefferson, Oswego, and Madison counties and parts of Fulton, Oneida, and Essex counties. Due to redistricting, the district was renumbered from the 24th to the 23rd and changed a small amount of territory, gaining in portions of Essex County around the Adirondack Mountains as well as a new portion of the district in Oneida County, gaining the towns around the cities of Rome and Utica, and gained the entirety of Madison County, but lost its portion of Herkimer County entirely and the cities of Gloversville and Amsterdam in Fulton County. The 23rd district has a PVI of R+2 but voted for Barack Obama by 1 point in the concurring presidential election. The incumbent is Republican John McHugh, who was reelected with 63.15% of the vote in 2006. On election day, McHugh defeated Democratic nominee Michael Oot.

### Republican nominee

* John McHugh, incumbent U.S. Representative since 1993

### Democratic nominee

* Michael Oot, Attorney

### General election
#### Predictions

| Source | Ranking | As of |
| Inside Elections | Safe R | November 2, 2008 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball | Safe R | November 3, 2008 |
| RCP | Safe R | November 4, 2008 |

#### Results

New York's 23rd congressional district, 2008 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | John McHugh | 143,028 | 65.33% |
| | Total | John McHugh (incumbent) | 143,028 | 65.33% |
| | Democratic | Michael Oot | 75,871 | 34.66% |
| | Total | Michael Oot | 75,871 | 34.66% |
| | Write-in | Write-in | 25 | 0.01% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 218,924 | 100% |

## District 24

The 24th district is based in central New York and parts of the Finger Lakes region, including Rome, Utica, Oneonta, Norwich, Auburn, and parts of Binghamton. It includes all of Herkimer, Cortland, Chenango, and Seneca counties and parts of Tompkins, Tioga, Broome, Ontario, Otsego, and Oneida counties. Due to redistricting, the district was renumbered from the 23rd to the 24th and changed large amounts of territory, gaining the entirety of Cortland, Herkimer, and Seneca Counties. The district lost all of its territory in Schoharie, Delaware, and Montgomery counties and lost portions of Oneida county north of the city of Rome. The district now has territory stretching into western New York, gaining portions of Cayuga, Tioga, Tompkins, and Ontario counties. The 24th district has a PVI of R+11 but voted for Barack Obama by 3 points in the concurring presidential election. The incumbent is Democrat Michael Arcuri, who was elected with 53.95% of the vote in 2006. On election day, Arcuri defeated Republican nominee Richard Hanna.

### Republican/Conservative/Independence nominee

* Richard Hanna, CEO of Hanna Construction

### Democratic/Working Families nominee

* Michael Arcuri, incumbent U.S. Representative since 2007

### General election
#### Predictions

| Source | Ranking | As of |
| The Cook Political Report | Likely D | November 4, 2008 |
| Inside Elections | Safe D | November 2, 2008 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball | Likely D | November 3, 2008 |
| RCP | Safe D | November 4, 2008 |

#### Results

New York's 24th congressional district, 2008 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Michael Arcuri | 130,799 | 51.97% |
| | Total | Michael Arcuri (incumbent) | 130,799 | 51.97% |
| | Republican | Richard Hanna | 120,880 | 48.03% |
| | Total | Richard Hanna | 120,880 | 48.03% |
| | Write-in | Write-in | 13 | 0.01% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 251,692 | 100% |

## District 25

Republican incumbent James T. Walsh retired, leaving this an open seat. Democrat Dan Maffei ran against Republican Dale Sweetland who won in a crowded primary race, and frequent candidate Howie Hawkins (who used the "Green Populist" label). CQ Politics forecasted the race as 'Leans Democratic'. Maffei won the election.
* Race ranking and details from CQ Politics
* Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets
The New York 25th congressional district election for the 111th Congress was held on November 4, 2008. The race featured Democratic Party nominee Dan Maffei, who narrowly lost to incumbent Jim Walsh for the same seat in 2006, Republican Party nominee Dale Sweetland, former Chairman of the Onondaga County Legislature, and Green Party nominee Howie Hawkins, Green Party founder and frequent political candidate.
Maffei defeated Sweetland decisively, 55% to 42%, becoming the first Democrat to represent the district since 1981.
On January 24, 2008, Republican incumbent Jim Walsh announced he would not be running for an eleventh term. Walsh's 2006 Democratic challenger Dan Maffei had already announced his candidacy to challenge the seat in 2008, and had mounted a strong campaign. In March 2008, after Democratic Syracuse Mayor Matt Driscoll announced he would not be running for the seat, Maffei was virtually assured of the Democratic nomination, and ran unopposed in the Democratic primary on September 9. After it appeared he might run unopposed in the general election, on April 2 Republican Dale Sweetland, coming off a narrowly unsuccessful September 2007 bid for Onondaga County Executive, announced he'd oppose Maffei. Other Republicans followed suit, but Sweetland won the crowded primary and received the party nomination in May 2008.
Maffei was heavily favored to win the seat, and lead heavily in campaign contributions. In addition to rating the district as "Leans Democratic", RealClearPolitics ranked this as the third most likely Congressional district to switch parties. Going into the election, other pundits from CQ Politics, The Cook Report, and the Rothenberg Report are also ranking it as "Lean Democrat" to "Democrat Favored". In May 2008, and again on June 20, 2008, The Washington Post's Chris Cillizza, author of "The Fix", ranked the race as the #1 Congressional race to turn over from a "Red" seat to a "Blue" seat 2008. Although Walsh had held it without serious difficulty before his near-defeat in 2006, the 25th had swung heavily to the Democrats at most other levels since the 1990s. The last Republican presidential candidate to carry the district was George H. W. Bush in 1988.
On November 4 Maffei defeated Sweetland, 55% to 42%. He will be the first Democrat to represent the area since 1981 (when it was the 32nd District).
2008 US House election: New York District 25, 99.2% reporting :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Dan Maffei | 146,411 | 54.5 | +5.3 |
| | Republican | Dale Sweetland | 113,358 | 42.2 | +42.2 |
| | Green | Howie Hawkins | 8,855 | 3.3 | +3.3 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 33,053 | 12.3 | +10.7 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 268,624 | 100 | +23.4 |

## District 26

Republican incumbent Thomas M. Reynolds retired, leaving this an open seat. In an upset victory, Amherst environmental lawyer Alice Kryzan won the Democratic primary against Iraq War veteran Jonathan Powers and maverick millionaire Jack Davis. The Republican nominee was businessman Christopher Lee. CQ Politics forecasted the race as 'Leans Republican'. Lee prevailed.
Republican businessman Christopher J. Lee (R) won the seat running against Democratic lawyer Alice Kryzan (148,607 to 109,615), even though several analysts rated the race as a toss-up or leaning Democratic.
Alice Kryzan, an environmental attorney, won the Democratic party primary election on Tuesday, September 9, 2008. She ran against Jon Powers, an Iraq war vet and the endorsed Democratic candidate, as well as wealthy industrialist Jack Davis. The primary was notable for its large negative ad content, most heavily by self-financed Davis against Powers. Kryzan upset the conventional wisdom with a surprise win, partially on the strength of a last-minute TV ad characterizing the other two candidates as squabbling. A major selling point Kryzan used was that both of her primary rivals were former Republicans. Powers remained on the Working Families Party ballot line despite endorsing Kryzan and attempting to get himself removed after having moved out of state. The Republican party brought a lawsuit to prevent the line from being given to Kryzan. However, the presence of Powers on the ballot made no difference to the outcome of the race as the number of votes his ballot line received was much smaller than the margin of victory for Lee.
Republican Chris Lee was the only candidate running for the party nomination and was endorsed by incumbent Representative Tom Reynolds. Operatives within the party also reportedly tried to recruit several other high-profile candidates, including WIVB-TV anchor Don Postles, a registered independent, which led to Postles having to issue an on-air rejection of their efforts.
2008 US House election: New York District 26 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Chris Lee | 148,607 | ≈55 |
| | Democratic | Alice Kryzan | 109,615 | ≈40 |
| | Working Families | Jon Powers | | ≈5 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 38,992 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | | 100 |

## District 27

Democrat Brian Higgins easily defeated Independence Party candidate Dan Humiston. The Republicans did not put forth a candidate, instead cross-endorsing Humiston. Higgins won the general election.

## District 29

Democratic nominee Eric Massa defeated Republican incumbent Randy Kuhl, following his unsuccessful 2006 run against Kuhl.
Two-term incumbent Randy Kuhl (R) had been elected to Congress with 52% of the popular vote over Democratic candidate Eric Massa in a two-way race in 2006. In March 2006, citing his frustration with actions at the in-patient mental health care hospital at the Canandaigua VA center, former Democratic candidate, and a long-time friend of 2004 presidential candidate General Wesley Clark, Eric J.J. Massa filed to run as the Democratic candidate again in 2008. In May 2007, Pittsford businessman David Nachbar, a senior vice-president of Bausch & Lomb, also announced his candidacy as a Democratic candidate for the same seat. As of a post on April 18, 2007, from Massa on DailyKos, the DCCC placed a requirement on their support for any candidate relied upon that candidate having $300K cash-on-hand by the end of the second quarter 2007 (June 30). In August 2007, Nachbar announced that he was withdrawing from the race, with news reports stating that a letter to supporters suggest his role as Senior VP of Human Resources for Bausch & Lomb during a buyout via hedge fund Warburg Pinkus rendered him unable to campaign effectively. Prior to Nachbar's announcement, Massa's campaign announced in a press release, that he had received all of the County endorsements of the 29th District and all of the townships in Monroe County, but had yet to secure the Monroe Democratic Committee endorsement.
A native of the 29th District, Congressman Randy Kuhl has lived in the area all of his life. The son of a doctor and a nurse/teacher, Randy was born in Bath, picked grapes and worked inside the wineries on the shores of Keuka Lake, attended school in Hammondsport, had summer jobs in construction and on several different farms during his college years. He owned and operated a business in Bath, became Steuben County attorney, then successfully ran for the New York State Assembly in 1980, the New York State Senate in 1986, and the U.S. House of Representatives in 2004 where he now serves and represents the people of the 29th District. Randy Kuhl is a graduate of Hammondsport Central School, and earned a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Union College (1966), and in 1969 received his Juris Doctor from Syracuse University College of Law. He is a communicant of St. James Episcopal Church and has been active in the Hammondsport Rotary Club and BPOE 1547 in Bath. He is a member of the Advisory Committee of the Five Rivers Council of the Boy Scouts of America, the Branchport Rod and Gun Club, and the executive committee of the Steuben County Republican Committee. He is President of the Board of Directors of the Reginald Wood Scouting Memorial and an immediate past member of the Board of Directors of the Alliance for Manufacturing and Technology. Randy Kuhl currently lives in Hammondsport and is the father of three sons.
Eric Massa was the Democratic nominee in 2006. He attended the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis and went on to serve in the Navy for 24 years. He eventually served as aide to former NATO Supreme Allied Commander, General Wesley Clark. Near the end of his Navy career he was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a disease he was able to survive. A former Republican, he claims he left his party over the issue of the Iraq War and campaigned in New Hampshire during the campaign of his former-boss, Wesley Clark's, failed presidential bid. During the 2006 campaign, Massa positioned himself as strongly opposed to the Iraq war and unrestricted "free trade," favoring instead "fair trade". Other issues in his platform included expanding farm aid programs, as well as bringing homeland security money to the 29th District. Massa is also active in Band of Brothers/Veterans for a Secure America whose goal is to help veterans who are running for Congress as Democrats. Massa has recently worked as a "business consultant" for Strategic Insight, a defense consulting firm in Alexandra, Virginia. Massa, during a press conference in June, 2007, stated that he has since "curtailed all other activities in April (2007) when he became an active candidate". Massa lives in Corning, New York, with his wife Beverly, daughter Alexandra and son Justin. His eldest son Richard lives in California.
David Nachbar is Bausch & Lomb's senior vice president for Human Resources. He was named to this post in October 2002. Nachbar joined Bausch & Lomb from The St. Paul Companies, Inc., where he was senior vice president for Human Resources. Previously, he was vice president for Human Resources and chief of staff for Asia for Citibank. He also held Human Resources posts with PepsiCo and Time Warner. In 1996, Nachbar ran for New York State Senate as a Democrat and was unsuccessful. Nachbar received a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial and Labor Relations from Cornell University in 1984.
On August 21, 2008, Massa attended a Kuhl press conference in the Corning City Hall. After the press conference ended, the two candidates spoke for a minute in the hallway. Massa challenged Kuhl to schedule debates and criticized him for not having accepted debate invitations from community leaders. After Massa left, Kuhl said he had not had time to schedule a debate. Kuhl later issued a press release which criticized Massa for being "disrespectful" at the event, which Kuhl said "was not campaign related". Councilman Dane Kane, a Democrat who also attended the press conference, joined in Massa's criticism, saying, "Kuhl has stopped his town hall meetings, won't take questions from the public, and refuses to respond to invitations to debate the issues of the day."