In the 2008 election, Brown faced Democratic nominee Linda Ketner. Brown has been endorsed by the Humane Society of the United States, National Rifle Association, Nations Right to Life Campaign PAC, Veterans of Foreign Wars PAC, Focus on the Family, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, The National Federation of Independent Business and South Carolina Seafood Alliance. The district had been considered unwinnable for a Democrat since the 1990s round of redistricting shifted most of Charleston's black voters to the majority-black 6th District. However, polls from the summer of 2008 onward showed a closer-than-expected race; indeed, many polls showed the race in single digits. Ultimately, Brown barely held onto his seat, winning only 52 percent of the vote to Ketner's 48 percent—the closest race in the district in 22 years. Brown lost badly in Charleston County largely due to Barack Obama winning it with 54 percent of the vote—only the second time a Democratic presidential candidate has carried the county since 1956. However, Brown crushed Ketner in Berkeley and Dorchester counties, enabling him to secure a fifth term. He was also likely helped by John McCain carrying the district with 56 percent of the vote; aside from Jimmy Carter in 1976, the district has supported a Republican for president in every election since 1956. He announced on January 4, 2010, that he would retire from the House and not seek re-election.