2008 United States House of Representatives election in South Dakota

The 2008 United States House of Representatives election in South Dakota took place on Tuesday, November 4, 2008. Voters selected a representative for their single At-Large district, who ran on a statewide ballot.

2008 United States House of Representatives election in South Dakota

← 2006 November 4, 2008 2010 →

Nominee Stephanie Herseth Sandlin Chris Lein Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 256,041 122,966 Percentage 67.56% 32.44%

County results Precinct results Herseth Sandlin:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90% Lein:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Tie:      50%

U.S. Representative before election Stephanie Herseth Sandlin Democratic Elected U.S. Representative Stephanie Herseth Sandlin Democratic

Democratic incumbent Stephanie Herseth Sandlin was challenged by the Republican nominee, businessman and attorney Chris Lien. Neither candidate was opposed in the June 3, 2008 primary.^[1] CQ Politics forecasted this race as 'Safe Democrat'.^[2] George W. Bush won in this district 60% to 38% for John Kerry in 2004.

As of 2025, this election, along with the simultaneous Senate race, is the last time a Democrat won a statewide election in South Dakota. This also the last time either party won every county in the state in a contested race.

General election

Predictions

Source	Ranking	As of
The Cook Political Report[3]	Safe D	November 6, 2008
Rothenberg[4]	Safe D	November 2, 2008
Sabato's Crystal Ball[5]	Safe D	November 6, 2008
Real Clear Politics[6]	Safe D	November 7, 2008
CQ Politics[7]	Safe D	November 6, 2008

Results

South Dakota's at-large congressional district election, 2008^[8]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (incumbent)	256,041	67.56%
	Republican	Chris Lien	122,966	32.44%
Total votes			379,007	100.00%
	Democratic hold

Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic

• Douglas (largest city: Armour)

See also

• South Dakota's at-large congressional district