2008Final results
2008 election for U.S. Senate in Tennessee
U.S. Senate · Tennessee
Lamar Alexander (R) won with 65.1% of the vote, defeating Robert D. Tuke (D) by 33.5 points.
Lamar AlexanderRepublican · winner
65.1%1,579,477
Robert D. TukeDemocrat
31.6%767,236
Edward L. BuckIndependent
1.3%31,631
Christopher G. FennerIndependent
0.5%11,073
Daniel Towers LewisIndependent
0.4%9,367
Chris LugoIndependent
0.4%9,170
Ed LawhornIndependent
0.4%8,986
David GatchellIndependent
0.3%7,645
2,424,585 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.
Robert D. TukeLamar Alexander
$825.8K
Raised by the campaign
$5.8M
$846.4K
Spent by the campaign
$4.6M
$253
Cash on hand
$1.5M
Other candidates' campaigns: Chris Lugo $5.2K.
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 2008.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 2008
The candidates
Lamar Alexander (R)Robert D. Tuke (D)
Also on the ballot: Edward L. Buck (Independent), 1.3%; Christopher G. Fenner (Independent), 0.5%; Daniel Towers Lewis (Independent), 0.4%; Chris Lugo (Independent), 0.4%; Ed Lawhorn (Independent), 0.4%; David Gatchell (Independent), 0.3%