2008 United States House of Representatives election in Vermont

2008 United States House of Representatives election in Vermont's at-large district

November 4, 2008

Nominee Peter Welch Mike Bethel Party Democratic Independent Alliance Republican Popular vote 243,203 14,349 Percentage 83.3% 4.81%

Welch:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%

U.S. Representative before election Peter Welch Democratic Elected U.S. Representative Peter Welch Democratic

The 2008 United States House of Representatives election in Vermont was held on November 4, 2008, and determined who represents the state of Vermont in the United States House of Representatives. Democratic Congressman Peter Welch decided to run for a second term in Congress. In an aberration for a freshman member of Congress, Welch encountered no major-party opposition and received the Republican nomination based on write-in votes in their primary. Welch defeated a series of independent candidates with ease and represented Vermont in the 111th Congress.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Peter Welch, incumbent United States Congressman
• Craig Hill, perennial candidate and advocate of Vermont secession

Results

Democratic primary results

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Peter Welch (incumbent)	19,566	87.74
	Democratic	Craig Hill	2,635	11.82
	Democratic	Write-ins	98	0.44
Total votes			22,299	100.00

Independent candidates

• Mike Bethel
• Cris Ericson, marijuana activist, perennial candidate
• Jerry Trudell, renewable energy activist, pilot, independent candidate for U.S. House in 2006

General election

Results

Vermont's At-large congressional district election, 2008

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Peter Welch (incumbent)	243,203	83.25
	Independent	Mike Bethel	14,349	4.81
	Independent	Jerry Trudell	10,818	3.63
	Progressive	Thomas James Hermann	9,081	3.05
	Independent	Cris Ericson	7,841	2.63
	Liberty Union	Jane Newton	5,307	1.78
	Write-ins		2,552	0.86
Total votes			298,151	100.00
	Democratic hold

Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic

• Rutland (largest municipality: Rutland)
• Grand Isle (largest municipality: Alburgh)
• Caledonia (largest municipality: St. Johnsbury)
• Orleans (largest municipality: Derby)
• Essex (Largest city: Lunenburg)
• Franklin (Largest city: St. Albans)