2008 Missouri gubernatorial election

The 2008 Missouri gubernatorial election was held on November 4, 2008. Incumbent Republican Governor Matt Blunt decided to retire instead of seeking reelection to a second term in office. Despite John McCain narrowly carrying the state in the concurrent presidential election, Democratic nominee Jay Nixon won the open seat, defeating Republican nominee Kenny Hulshof in a landslide.
As of 2024, this remains the last gubernatorial election in which the Democratic Party improved upon its performance from the previous election.

Background

On January 22, 2008, Governor Blunt unexpectedly announced that he would not seek re-election because he had already "achieved virtually everything I set out to accomplish, and more... Because I feel we have changed what I wanted to change in the first term, there is not the same sense of mission for a second."
A November 2007 poll conducted by SurveyUSA showed Blunt with a 44% approval rating. His approval among Republicans polled was 68%, and his rating among Democrats was 23%. On November 10, 2007, Democrat Jay Nixon filed the necessary paperwork with the Missouri Ethics Commission to launch a 2008 campaign for governor.
The gubernatorial and other statewide office primaries were held August 5, 2008. CQ Politics rated the race as 'Leans Democratic'.

Timeline

March 25, 2008 – Filing deadline for Democrats, Republicans and Libertarians
August 5, 2008 – Primary elections
August 19, 2008 – Filing deadline for other third parties and Independents
November 4, 2008 – General election.

General election

Polling

With Steelman

Source	Date	Sarah Steelman	Jay Nixon
Survey USA	July 31, 2008	41%	50%
Rasmussen Reports	July 7, 2008	37%	46%
Rasmussen	June 9, 2008	34%	56%
Survey USA	May 20, 2008	33%	58%
Rasmussen	May 8, 2008	35%	51%
Rasmussen	March 24, 2008	39%	46%
Rasmussen	February 13, 2008	35%	46%

With Blunt

Source	Date	Matt Blunt	Jay Nixon
Rasmussen Reports	December 12, 2007	42%	47%
Research2000	November 24, 2007	42%	51%
Rasmussen	October 10, 2007	44%	43%
Rasmussen	August 23, 2007	43%	46%
SurveyUSA	July 25–27, 2007	38%	57%

Results

On election night, Nixon won easily, even though fellow Democrat Barack Obama lost in Missouri in the concurrent presidential election. Nixon was able to perform well in rural parts of the state. When combined with heavily populated, strong Democratic areas like St. Louis and Kansas City, Hulshof didn't have a chance to come back. Nixon was declared the winner right when the polls closed in Missouri. Hulshof conceded defeat at 9:02 P.M. Central Time.