2008Final results
2008 election for North Carolina's 12th District
U.S. House · North Carolina
Melvin L. Watt (D) won with 71.6% of the vote, defeating Ty Cobb Jr. (R) by 43.1 points.
Melvin L. WattDemocrat · winner
71.6%215,908
Ty Cobb Jr.Republican
28.4%85,814
301,722 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.
Melvin L. WattTy Cobb Jr.
$680.5K
Raised by the campaign
$25.3K
$646.1K
Spent by the campaign
$25.6K
$94K
Cash on hand
$0
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 2008; FEC, through Nov 19, 2008.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 2008