November 4, 2008 2012 → 57.8% 40.1% | 1,563,885 1,082,463 | |
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The Indiana gubernatorial election of 2008 was held on November 4, 2008. Incumbent Republican nominee Mitch Daniels (Lt. Gov. nominee Becky Skillman) was challenged by Democratic nominee Jill Long Thompson (Lt. Gov. nominee Dennie Oxley) and Libertarian nominee Andy Horning (Lt. Gov. nominee Lisa Kelly). Governor Daniels easily won reelection and defeated the Democratic candidate by over 17 points.
Contents
Timeline
May 6, 2008 – Democratic and Republican Primary elections.
October 6, 2008 – Deadline for voter registration for the General election.
November 4, 2008 – General election.
Democratic
On the Democratic side, Indianapolis businessman Jim Schellinger and former U.S. Rep. Jill Long Thompson had announced their candidacies. Indiana Senate Minority Leader Richard Young also ran early, but he dropped out of the race well before the primary. Schellinger, with support of key Democratic officials such as former Indiana House Speaker John R. Gregg, former Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson and the late U.S. Rep. Julia Carson, had raised over $1 million in campaign funds. Long Thompson's support came from Democrats such as popular former U.S. Rep. Andrew Jacobs, Jr. and former Indiana First Lady Maggie Kernan.
On June 16, Long Thompson announced that her running mate and the Democratic nominee for Lieutenant Governor would be longtime State Representative Dennie Oxley.
Republican
On June 16, 2007, Incumbent Governor Mitch Daniels announced he was running for re-election with his Lieutenant Governor Becky Skillman. He was unopposed in the Republican primary.
Libertarian
Andy Horning, engineer, Libertarian Party activist and frequent candidate, ran unopposed for his party's nomination. He appeared on the November ballot with Lisa Kelly for Lt. Governor.
Debates
Three debates organized by the Indiana Debate Commission were held:
Polling
Polling had shown that largely Mitch Daniels had repeatedly led slightly against both Jill Long Thompson and Jim Schellinger. Long Thompson, the Democratic Party of Indiana's gubernatorial candidate, recently has slipped further behind Daniels in most proposed polls.
In the last opinion polling before the election, conducted by Public Policy Polling (November 2, 2008), Mitch Daniels lead Jill Long Thompson 60% to 37%.
County Results
Daniels won 79 of Indiana's counties compared to 13 for Long Thompson.