Georgia Governor Republican Primary Map

The following county map shows the results of the Georgia Governor Republican Primary race between former Representative Nathan Deal and GA Secretary of State Karen Handel which took place on July 20, 2010. Deal narrowly beat Handel with 50.2% against Handel's 49.8%.

As the map shows, it is no surprise that the race was very close. Deal carried most of the rural counties throughout the state; while Handel carried the population centers and suburbs of Atlanta, Savannah, Augusta, and Columbus. Handel was also able to carry many rural counties as well, mostly those near the population centers.

Kentucky Senate Democratic Primary Map

The following county map shows the results of the Kentucky Senate Democratic Primary race between KY Attorney General Jack Conway and KY Lt. Governor Dan Mongiardo which took place on May 18, 2010. Conway barely won with 44% of the vote, to 43% for Mongiardo. The other votes in the contest were for minor candidates, of which they were 3.

As the map shows, Conway was able to win the contest by winning the major population centers of Louisville and Lexington, as well as many of the counties surrounding those areas. Mongiardo's support was primarily located in the southeast and southwest corners of the state.

This primary took place at the same time as the Republican primary which garnered nationwide attention because of the candidacy of Rand Paul, son of Ron Paul (R-TX). Interestingly, the Democratic primary actually garnered more votes than the Republican primary. Mongiardo was the Democratic Senate candidate in 2004, which he lost with 49% of the vote.

Arkansas Senate Democratic Primary Map

The following county map shows the results of the Arkansas Senate Democratic Primary Runoff between incumbent Senator Blanche Lincoln and AR Lt. Governor Bill Halter which took place on June 8, 2010. Lincoln won the runoff with 52% of the vote, to 48% for Halter.

As the map shows, Lincoln was able to beat Halter by winning most of the population centers in AR, as well as many of the rural counties throughout the state. Halter's only stronghold was in the southwest portion of the state; while Lincoln's support was spread throughout most of the state.

This primary runoff became an important test for union groups and liberal activists because they invested millions of dollars into the Halter campaign, hoping that he would beat Lincoln. They were ultimately disappointed by his loss. The result proves that liberal groups should not spend their resources trying to get liberals elected to represent conservative-leaning states like AR.

2008 Campaign Event Map - John McCain/Sarah Palin

The following map highlights the counties that John McCain and/or Sarah Palin held a campaign event during the general election campaign. A campaign event is an event which is open to the public and announced in advance.

McCain/Palin held 267 campaign events in 157 counties, and 28 states. McCain/Palin won 60 out of the 157 counties which they visited (38%).

Note: In Virginia, unlike other states, is organized into both independent cities and counties. In order for campaign visits to be visible, I highlighted the surrounding county around the city which was visited.

2008 Campaign Event Map - Barack Obama/Joe Biden

The following map highlights the counties that Barack Obama and/or Joe Biden held a campaign event during the general election campaign. A campaign event is an event which is open to the public and announced in advance.

Obama/Biden held 262 campaign events in 148 counties and 26 states. Obama/Biden won 106 out of the 148 counties which they visited (72%).

Note: In Virginia, unlike other states, is organized into both independent cities and counties. In order for campaign visits to be visible, I highlighted the surrounding county around the city which was visited.

2008 Campaign Event Map - Sarah Palin

The following map highlights the counties that Sarah Palin held a campaign event during the general election campaign. A campaign event is an event which is open to the public and announced in advance. For example, Sarah Palin making a surprise appearance at a local small business is not counted; a rally, town hall, speech, or other official campaign event is counted.

Palin had 103 campaign events in 92 counties, and 20 states. Palin won 39 out of the 92 counties which she visited (42%).

Note: In Virginia, unlike other states, is organized into both independent cities and counties. In order for campaign visits to be visible, I highlighted the surrounding county around the city which was visited.

2008 Campaign Event Map - John McCain

The following map highlights the counties that John McCain held a campaign event during the general election campaign. A campaign event is an event which is open to the public and announced in advance. For example, John McCain holding a press conference is not counted as a campaign event; a rally, town hall, speech, or other official campaign event is counted.

McCain had 167 campaign events in 107 counties, and 25 states. McCain won 33 out of the 107 counties which he visited (31%).

Note: Note: In Virginia, unlike other states, is organized into both independent cities and counties. In order for campaign visits to be visible, I highlighted the surrounding county around the city which was visited.

2008 Campaign Event Map - Joe Biden

The following map highlights the counties that Joe Biden held a campaign event during the general election campaign. A campaign event is an event which is open to the public and announced in advance. For example, Joe Biden making a surprise visit to a local factory is not counted as a campaign event; a rally, town hall, speech or other official campaign event is counted.

Biden had 96 campaign events in 83 counties, and 20 states. Biden won 58 out of the 83 counties in which he visited (70%).

Note: In Virginia, unlike other states, is organized into both independent cities and counties. In order for campaign visits to be visible, I highlighted the surrounding county around the city which was visited.

2008 Campaign Event Map - Barack Obama

The following map highlights the counties that Barack Obama held a campaign event during the general election campaign. A campaign event is an event which is open to the public and announced in advance. For example, Barack Obama making a surprise visit to a diner is not counted as a campaign event; a rally, town hall, speech or other official campaign event is counted.

Obama had 166 campaign events in 110 counties, and 22 states. Obama won 84 of the 110 counties which he visited (76%).

Note: In Virginia, unlike other states, is organized into both independent cities and counties. In order for campaign visits to be visible, I highlighted the surrounding county around the city which was visited.

2008 Presidential Election Results by County - Margin of Victory Map

The following map shows all of the counties in the United States. Counties colored dark blue were won by Barack Obama by at least a 10% margin. Counties colored light blue were won by Barack Obama by less than 10%. Counties colored dark red were won by John McCain by at least a 10% margin. Counties colored pink were won by John McCain by less than 10%.

Analysis
Several things are notable about this map. One of the most apparent, and least surprising, is that most of the close counties (those colored light blue or pink) were in either rural areas or were suburbs of landslide counties (those colored dark blue or dark red). This is most obvious in the midwest, especially in Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Michigan. In those states there were a lot of rural and suburban counties that either went narrowly to Obama or narrowly to McCain. It is not surprising that suburbs were battlegrounds in this election because they have been battlegrounds in past elections as well. The suburbs of major cities are very important for a candidate to win because of the large number of people that live there. The suburbs of the following cities were battleground areas: Denver, Albuquerque, Portland (Oregon), Minneapolis, Kansas City, St. Louis, Milwaukee, Detroit, Toledo, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Houston, Atlanta, Raleigh, Virginia Beach.

2008 Presidential Election Results by County

The following is a map of all counties in the United States. Counties colored blue were won by Barack Obama and counties colored Red were won by John McCain.

Analysis

There are several notable aspects to this map. One of the most striking is the solid blue that covers all of the northeast, except for one county in Maine. It is also worth mentioning the solid blue along the border between Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Minnesota. This (mostly rural) area was usually divided, rather than all counties going to one party. Republicans made progress in Tennessee, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Kentucky. The black belt (which stretches from the Arkansas border with Mississippi to the Virginia Beach area) remained largely intact for the Democrats.