 The seat had been held by Northup from 1996 through 2006, when she was defeated by Yarmuth in a year in which Democrats regained control of the house, partially due to the unpopularity of the war in Iraq.On January 28, 2008, Northup announced she would run for her old congressional seat in the 2008 election.She had previously endorsed Louisville lawyer Erwin Roberts, who had planned to run, and helped raised money for him.