2008Final results
2008 election for Missouri's 8th District
U.S. House · Missouri
Jo Ann Emerson (R) won with 71.4% of the vote, defeating Joe Allen (D) by 45.3 points.
Jo Ann EmersonRepublican · winner
71.4%198,798
Joe AllenDemocrat
26.2%72,790
Branden C. McCulloughLibertarian
1.6%4,443
Richard L. SmithConstitution
0.8%2,257
278,288 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.
Joe AllenJo Ann Emerson
$63.4K
Raised by the campaign
$1.2M
$62.1K
Spent by the campaign
$1.3M
$185
Cash on hand
$72.3K
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 2008.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 2008
The candidates
Jo Ann Emerson (R)Joe Allen (D)
Also on the ballot: Branden C. McCullough (Libertarian), 1.6%; Richard L. Smith (Constitution), 0.8%