District of Columbia Democratic primary, 2008

District of Columbia Democratic Primary, 2008

2004 ← February 12, 2008 (2008-02-12)

Nominee Barack Obama Hillary Rodham Clinton Party Democratic Democratic Home state Illinois New York Popular vote 93,386 29,470 Percentage 75.31% 23.77%

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The District of Columbia Democratic Presidential Primary took place on February 12, 2008, nicknamed the "Potomac Primary" because Maryland and Virginia, which border the Potomac River, also held Democratic primaries that day.^[1] Fifteen delegates were up for grabs in the District of Columbia Democratic Primary, including 10 delegates from the District of Columbia's municipal subdivisions (five delegates for Wards 1-4, and five delegates for Wards 5-8). An additional five delegates were awarded to the at-large winner, Barack Obama. These 15 delegates represented the District of Columbia at the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado. A total of 24 unpledged delegates, known as superdelegates, also attended the convention and cast their votes as well.

Barack Obama received the endorsements of Mayor Adrian Fenty and former Mayor Marion Barry (both African Americans), while he and Hillary Clinton were both endorsed by various members on the District of Columbia City Council.^[2] Barack Obama won the District of Columbia, as he did the other Potomac contests that day. He earned 12 pledged delegates to Clinton's 3.^[3][4]

Polls

Main article: Statewide opinion polling for the February Democratic Party presidential primaries, 2008#District_of_Columbia

Results

See also: Results of the 2008 Democratic Party presidential primaries

District of Columbia Democratic Presidential Primary Results – 2008
Party		Candidate	Votes	Percentage	Delegates
	Democratic	Barack Obama	93,386	75.31%	12
	Democratic	Hillary Rodham Clinton	29,470	23.77%	3
	Democratic	John Edwards	347	0.28%	0
	Democratic	Uncommitted	339	0.27%	0
	Democratic	Dennis Kucinich	193	0.16%	0
	Democratic	Bill Richardson	145	0.12%	0
	Democratic	Write-ins	114	0.09%	0
Totals			123,994	100.00%	15
Voter turnout			%		—

Analysis

The District of Columbia is majority-African American, a voting bloc that consistently backed Barack Obama nationwide. The District also includes highly educated and upper-middle class White professionals who tend to be relatively progressive/liberal, another segment of the population that often backed Obama.

See also

• District of Columbia Republican primary, 2008

References

1. ^ "Up next: the Potomac Primary". Associated Press (MSNBC). 2008-02-06. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23027740/. Retrieved 2008-02-06. 
2. ^ Fisher, Marc (2008-02-07). "Potomac Primary: Barry to Endorse Obama". The Washington Post. http://blog.washingtonpost.com/rawfisher/2008/02/potomac_primary_barry_endorses.html. Retrieved 2008-02-07. 
3. ^ "RESULTS: District of Columbia". CNN. 2008-02-12. http://edition.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/primaries/results/state/#DC. Retrieved 2008-02-12. 
4. ^ "Obama sweeps Clinton in Maryland, Va., D.C.". MSNBC. 2008-02-12. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23123924/.