<P> Going into these elections , the Senate consisted of 49 Democrats , 49 Republicans , and two Independents who caucused with the Democrats , giving the Democratic caucus the slightest 51 - 49 majority . Of the seats up for election in 2008 , 23 were held by Republicans and 12 by Democrats . The Republicans , who openly conceded early on that they would n't be able to regain the majority in 2008 , lost eight seats . This election was the second cycle in a row in which no seats switched from Democratic to Republican . In addition , this was the largest Democratic Senate gain since 1986 , when they also won eight seats . These elections marked the first time since 1964 in which a Democratic presidential candidate won the White House with Senate coattails . Finally , 2008 was the first presidential election year since 1948 in which Senate Class 2 saw net gains for the winning presidential candidate 's party . </P>
<P> Going into these elections , the Senate consisted of 49 Democrats , 49 Republicans , and two Independents who caucused with the Democrats , giving the Democratic caucus the slightest 51 - 49 majority . Of the seats up for election in 2008 , 23 were held by Republicans and 12 by Democrats . The Republicans , who openly conceded early on that they would n't be able to regain the majority in 2008 , lost eight seats . This election was the second cycle in a row in which no seats switched from Democratic to Republican . In addition , this was the largest Democratic Senate gain since 1986 , when they also won eight seats . These elections marked the first time since 1964 in which a Democratic presidential candidate won the White House with Senate coattails . Finally , 2008 was the first presidential election year since 1948 in which Senate Class 2 saw net gains for the winning presidential candidate 's party . </P>
who had control of the senate in 2008
who had control of the senate in 2008
Democrats
Democrats