2008Final results
2008 election for Connecticut's 5th District
U.S. House · Connecticut
Christopher Murphy (D) won with 59.3% of the vote, defeating David J. Cappiello (R) by 20.3 points.
Christopher MurphyDemocrat · winner
59.3%179,327
David J. CappielloRepublican
39.0%117,914
Thomas L. WinnIndependent
1.0%3,082
Harold H. Burbank IIGreen
0.8%2,324
302,657 votes
Source: MIT Election Data and Science LabUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:25 AM ET
The seat over time
D − R margin in this seat's races around 2008
Races before and after
Source: MIT Election Data and Science LabUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:25 AM ET
Money in this race
Each line compares the two campaigns on one scale.
Christopher MurphyDavid J. Cappiello
$3.1M
Raised by the campaign
$1.4M
$3.1M
Spent by the campaign
$1.3M
$74.9K
Cash on hand
$26.4K
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 2008.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 2008
The candidates
Christopher Murphy (D)David J. Cappiello (R)
Also on the ballot: Thomas L. Winn (Independent), 1.0%; Harold H. Burbank II (Green), 0.8%