United States presidential election in Texas, 2008

United States presidential election in Texas, 2008

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Nominee John McCain Barack Obama Party Republican Democratic Home state Arizona Illinois Running mate Sarah Palin Joe Biden Electoral vote 34 0 Popular vote 4,479,328 3,528,633 Percentage 55.39% 43.63%
County Results   McCain—50-60%   McCain—60-70%   McCain—70-80%   McCain—80-90%   McCain—90-100%   Obama—50-60%   Obama—60-70%   Obama—70-80%   Obama—80-90%
President before election George W. Bush Republican Elected President Barack Obama Democratic

George W. Bush
Republican

Barack Obama
Democratic

The 2008 United States presidential election in Texas took place on November 4, 2008 throughout all 50 states and D.C., which was part of the 2008 United States presidential election. Voters chose 34 representatives, or electors to the Electoral College, who voted for President and Vice President.

Texas was won by Republican nominee John McCain by an 11.8% margin of victory despite "failing to deliver written certification of their nominations" on time to appear on the ballot. Barack Obama, the Democratic Party nominee and eventual President of the United States, made a similar error.

Prior to the election, all 17 news organizations considered this a state McCain would win, or otherwise considered as a safe red state. This is because although the state is very diverse and has a huge Latino population, Latinos in Texas - despite being fairly Democratic - make up only 20% of the electorate. Polling throughout the state showed Republican John McCain consistently and substantially leading Democrat Barack Obama. On Election Day, McCain won the state, although his margin was less than native son George W. Bush in 2000 and 2004. This was the first election since 1996 in which the margin of victory was less than 1 million votes. Obama also received the most votes for a Democrat in Texas. With its 34 electoral votes, Texas was the largest prize for McCain in 2008.