2008Final results
2008 election for U.S. Senate in Illinois
U.S. Senate · Illinois
Richard J. Durbin (D) won with 67.8% of the vote, defeating Steve Sauerberg (R) by 39.3 points.
Richard J. DurbinDemocrat · winner
67.8%3,615,844
Steve SauerbergRepublican
28.5%1,520,621
Kathy CummingsGreen
2.2%119,135
Larry A. StaffordLibertarian
0.9%50,224
Chad KoppieConstitution
0.5%24,059
5,329,884 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.
Richard J. DurbinSteve Sauerberg
$8.1M
Raised by the campaign
$2M
$8M
Spent by the campaign
$12M
$3M
Cash on hand
$7.3K
Other candidates' campaigns: Chad Koppie $20.3K.
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 2008.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 2008
The candidates
Richard J. Durbin (D)Steve Sauerberg (R)
Also on the ballot: Kathy Cummings (Green), 2.2%; Larry A. Stafford (Libertarian), 0.9%; Chad Koppie (Constitution), 0.5%