1998 Maryland county executive elections

1998 Maryland county executive elections
All 6 of Maryland's county executive seats
Democratic 50–60% 70–80% 100%	Republican 50-60%

The Maryland county executive elections of 1998 took place on November 3, 1998. Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Harford County, Howard County, Montgomery County, and Prince George's County elected county executives.

Anne Arundel County

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

John G. Gary, incumbent county executive^[1]

Results

Republican primary results^[2]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	John G. Gary (incumbent)	19,003	100.0%

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

Janet S. Owens, judge of the Anne Arundel County Orphans' Court^[3]

Eliminated in primary

Diane R. Evans, county councilmember^[4]

Results

Democratic primary results^[2]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Janet S. Owens	20,047	51.3%
	Democratic	Diane R. Evans	19,069	48.7%

General election

Results

Anne Arundel County Executive election, 1998^[5]
	Candidate	Votes	%
Democratic	Janet S. Owens	87,676	57.8%
Republican	John G. Gary (incumbent)	63,879	42.1%
Write-in		226	0.1%
Democratic gain from Republican

Baltimore County

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

Dutch Ruppersberger, incumbent county executive^[6]

Results

Democratic primary results^[7]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Dutch Ruppersberger (incumbent)	55,700	100.0%

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

John J. Bishop, state delegate^[8]

Results

Republican primary results^[7]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	John J. Bishop	22,085	100.0%

General election

Results

Baltimore County Executive election, 1998^[9]
	Candidate	Votes	%
Democratic	Dutch Ruppersberger (incumbent)	166,482	70.5%
Republican	John J. Bishop	69,449	29.4%
Write-in		324	0.1%
Democratic hold

Harford County

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

Art Helton, former state senator^[10]

Eliminated in primary

Robert W. Cos, crane safety consultant^[11]

Results

Democratic primary results^[12]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Art Helton	11,173	66.7%
	Democratic	Robert W. Cos	5,586	33.3%

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

James M. Harkins, state delegate^[13]

Eliminated in primary

David R. Craig, state senator^[14]
Vedell Pace, helicopter engineer^[15]

Results

Republican primary results^[12]
	Candidate	Votes	%
Republican	James M. Harkins	8,522	55.7%
Republican	David R. Craig	6,585	43.0%
Republican	Vedell Pace	192	0.1%

General election

Results

Harford County Executive election, 1998^[16]
	Candidate	Votes	%
Republican	James M. Harkins	37,548	52.2%
Democratic	Art Helton	34,169	47.5%
Write-in		181	0.3%
Republican gain from Democratic

Howard County

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

Dennis R. Schrader, county councilmember^[17]

Eliminated in primary

Charles C. Feaga, county councilmember^[18]

Results

Republican primary results^[19]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Dennis R. Schrader	7,559	52.3%
	Republican	Charles C. Feaga	6,902	47.7%

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

James N. Robey, chief of the Howard County Police Department^[20]

Results

Democratic primary results^[19]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	James N. Robey	14,980	100.0%

General election

Results

Howard County Executive election, 1998^[21]
	Candidate	Votes	%
Democratic	James N. Robey	44,960	55.0%
Republican	Dennis R. Schrader	36,746	44.9%
Write-in		82	0.1%
Democratic gain from Republican

Montgomery County

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

Doug Duncan, incumbent county executive^[22]

Eliminated in primary

Michael K. Brown, postal worker^[23]
Norman Hoffman, urban revitalization consultant and World War II veteran^[23]
Susan C. Rich, animal rights acivist^[23]

Results

Democratic primary results^[24]
	Candidate	Votes	%
Democratic	Doug Duncan (incumbent)	56,233	80.2%
Democratic	Susan C. Rich	9,188	13.1%
Democratic	Michael K. Brown	2,442	3.5%
Democratic	Norman Hoffman	2,262	3.2%

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

James Schneider, real estate agent^[25]

Results

Republican primary results^[24]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	James Schneider	17,829	100.0%

General election

Results

Montgomery County Executive election, 1998^[26]
	Candidate	Votes	%
Democratic	Doug Duncan (incumbent)	192,525	72.4%
Republican	James Schneider	73,038	27.5%
Write-in		460	0.2%
Democratic hold

Prince George's County

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

Wayne Curry, incumbent county executive^[27]

Eliminated in primary

Randy McRae, accountant and personal injury lawyer^[28]

Results

Democratic primary results^[29]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Wayne Curry (incumbent)	43,018	73.7%
	Democratic	Randy McRae	15,361	26.3%

General election

Results

Prince George's County Executive election, 1998^[30]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Wayne Curry (incumbent)	145,544	100.0%
	Democratic hold

References

^ Marsh, Sara (November 11, 1997). "Gary's war chest nears record". The Capital. p. 1. Retrieved March 3, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
^ ^a ^b "Anne Arundel County Primary Election Returns". Maryland Manual On-Line. Maryland State Archives. Retrieved March 3, 2025.
^ Weir, Karessa E. (May 17, 1998). "Owens tosses hat into ring". The Capital. p. 32. Retrieved March 3, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
^ Pelton, Tom (January 8, 1998). "Evans challenges Gary in Arundel for his county executive position". The Baltimore Sun. p. 127. Retrieved March 3, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
^ "Anne Arundel County General Election Returns". Maryland Manual On-Line. Maryland State Archives. Retrieved March 3, 2025.
^ Carson, Larry (February 16, 1998). "Ruppersberger uses teamwork approach as Balto. County leader". The Baltimore Sun. p. 20. Retrieved March 3, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
^ ^a ^b "Baltimore County Primary Election Returns 1998". Maryland Manual On-Line. Maryland State Archives. Retrieved March 3, 2025.
^ Carson, Larry (July 4, 1998). "Bishop filing vexes GOP". The Baltimore Sun. p. 13. Retrieved March 3, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
^ "Baltimore County General Election Returns 1998". Maryland Manual On-Line. Maryland State Archives. Retrieved March 3, 2025.
^ "HELTON: County Executive candidate". The Aegis. May 20, 1998. p. 7. Retrieved March 3, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
^ "Harford election battle shaping up". The Aegis. June 24, 1998. p. 3. Retrieved March 3, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
^ ^a ^b "Harford County Primary Election Returns 1998". Maryland Manual On-Line. Maryland State Archives. Retrieved March 3, 2025.
^ Respers, Lisa (November 5, 1997). "Delegate Harkins announces plans to run for Harford County executive". The Baltimore Sun. p. 22. Retrieved March 3, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
^ "Craig files for Harford County executive". The Aegis. June 17, 1998. p. 13. Retrieved March 3, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
^ "Parade of candidates ends". The Aegis. July 8, 1998. p. 5. Retrieved March 3, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
^ "Harford County General Election Returns 1998". Maryland Manual On-Line. Maryland State Archives. Retrieved March 3, 2025.
^ Timberg, Craig (March 20, 1998). "Schrader announces run for executive". The Baltimore Sun. p. 151. Retrieved March 3, 2025.
^ Timberg, Craig (June 4, 1997). "Feaga enters the GOP race for executive". The Baltimore Sun. p. 123. Retrieved March 3, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
^ ^a ^b "Howard County Primary Election Returns 1998". Maryland Manual On-Line. Maryland State Archives. Retrieved March 3, 2025.
^ Timberg, Craig (December 30, 1997). "Robey hopes to replace Ecker". The Baltimore Sun. p. 13. Retrieved March 3, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
^ "Howard County General Election Returns 1998". Maryland Manual On-Line. Maryland State Archives. Retrieved March 3, 2025.
^ Ruane, Michael E. (June 1, 1998). "Duncan launches campaign in Montgomery". The Washington Post. Retrieved March 3, 2025.
^ ^a ^b ^c Perez-Rivas, Manuel (September 11, 1998). "Unknowns challenge Duncan". The Washington Post. Retrieved March 3, 2025.
^ ^a ^b "Montgomery County Primary Election Returns 1998". Maryland Manual On-Line. Maryland State Archives. Retrieved March 3, 2025.
^ Perez-Rivas, Manuel (September 17, 1998). "Montgomery's Duncan fails to boost council support". The Washington Post. Retrieved March 3, 2025.
^ "Montgomery County General Election Returns 1998". Maryland Manual On-Line. Maryland State Archives. Retrieved March 3, 2025.
^ Spinner, Jackie (June 17, 1998). "Confident Curry seeks 2nd term in Pr. George's". The Washington Post. Retrieved March 3, 2025.
^ Spinner, Jackie (August 27, 1998). "Pr. George's hopeful is 'no angel'". The Washington Post. Retrieved March 3, 2025.
^ "Prince George's County, Maryland - Primary Election Returns 1998". Maryland Manual On-Line. Maryland State Archives. Retrieved March 3, 2025.
^ "Prince George's County General Election Returns 1998". Maryland Manual On-Line. Maryland State Archives. Retrieved March 3, 2025.

[1] Marsh, Sara (November 11, 1997). "Gary's war chest nears record". The Capital. p. 1. Retrieved March 3, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.

[aa-2] "Anne Arundel County Primary Election Returns". Maryland Manual On-Line. Maryland State Archives. Retrieved March 3, 2025.

[3] Weir, Karessa E. (May 17, 1998). "Owens tosses hat into ring". The Capital. p. 32. Retrieved March 3, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.

[4] Pelton, Tom (January 8, 1998). "Evans challenges Gary in Arundel for his county executive position". The Baltimore Sun. p. 127. Retrieved March 3, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.

[5] "Anne Arundel County General Election Returns". Maryland Manual On-Line. Maryland State Archives. Retrieved March 3, 2025.

[6] Carson, Larry (February 16, 1998). "Ruppersberger uses teamwork approach as Balto. County leader". The Baltimore Sun. p. 20. Retrieved March 3, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.

[balt-7] "Baltimore County Primary Election Returns 1998". Maryland Manual On-Line. Maryland State Archives. Retrieved March 3, 2025.

[8] Carson, Larry (July 4, 1998). "Bishop filing vexes GOP". The Baltimore Sun. p. 13. Retrieved March 3, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.

[9] "Baltimore County General Election Returns 1998". Maryland Manual On-Line. Maryland State Archives. Retrieved March 3, 2025.

[10] "HELTON: County Executive candidate". The Aegis. May 20, 1998. p. 7. Retrieved March 3, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.

[11] "Harford election battle shaping up". The Aegis. June 24, 1998. p. 3. Retrieved March 3, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.

[harford-12] "Harford County Primary Election Returns 1998". Maryland Manual On-Line. Maryland State Archives. Retrieved March 3, 2025.

[13] Respers, Lisa (November 5, 1997). "Delegate Harkins announces plans to run for Harford County executive". The Baltimore Sun. p. 22. Retrieved March 3, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.

[14] "Craig files for Harford County executive". The Aegis. June 17, 1998. p. 13. Retrieved March 3, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.

[15] "Parade of candidates ends". The Aegis. July 8, 1998. p. 5. Retrieved March 3, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.

[16] "Harford County General Election Returns 1998". Maryland Manual On-Line. Maryland State Archives. Retrieved March 3, 2025.

[17] Timberg, Craig (March 20, 1998). "Schrader announces run for executive". The Baltimore Sun. p. 151. Retrieved March 3, 2025.

[18] Timberg, Craig (June 4, 1997). "Feaga enters the GOP race for executive". The Baltimore Sun. p. 123. Retrieved March 3, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.

[howard-19] "Howard County Primary Election Returns 1998". Maryland Manual On-Line. Maryland State Archives. Retrieved March 3, 2025.

[20] Timberg, Craig (December 30, 1997). "Robey hopes to replace Ecker". The Baltimore Sun. p. 13. Retrieved March 3, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.

[21] "Howard County General Election Returns 1998". Maryland Manual On-Line. Maryland State Archives. Retrieved March 3, 2025.

[22] Ruane, Michael E. (June 1, 1998). "Duncan launches campaign in Montgomery". The Washington Post. Retrieved March 3, 2025.

[unknowns-23] Perez-Rivas, Manuel (September 11, 1998). "Unknowns challenge Duncan". The Washington Post. Retrieved March 3, 2025.

[moco-24] "Montgomery County Primary Election Returns 1998". Maryland Manual On-Line. Maryland State Archives. Retrieved March 3, 2025.

[25] Perez-Rivas, Manuel (September 17, 1998). "Montgomery's Duncan fails to boost council support". The Washington Post. Retrieved March 3, 2025.

[26] "Montgomery County General Election Returns 1998". Maryland Manual On-Line. Maryland State Archives. Retrieved March 3, 2025.

[27] Spinner, Jackie (June 17, 1998). "Confident Curry seeks 2nd term in Pr. George's". The Washington Post. Retrieved March 3, 2025.

[28] Spinner, Jackie (August 27, 1998). "Pr. George's hopeful is 'no angel'". The Washington Post. Retrieved March 3, 2025.

[29] "Prince George's County, Maryland - Primary Election Returns 1998". Maryland Manual On-Line. Maryland State Archives. Retrieved March 3, 2025.

[30] "Prince George's County General Election Returns 1998". Maryland Manual On-Line. Maryland State Archives. Retrieved March 3, 2025.

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v t e Elections in Maryland
General	1946 1948 1950 1952 1954 1956 1958 1960 1962 1964 1966 1968 1970 1972 1974 1976 1978 1982 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 2020 2022 2024
Governor	1777 1778 1779 1780 1781 1782 1783 1784 1785 1786 1787 1788 1789 1790 1791 1792 1793 1794 1795 1796 1797 1798 1799 1800 1801 1802 1803 1804 1805 1806 1807 1808 1809 (sp) 1809 1810 1811 1812 1813 1814 1815 1816 1817 1818 1819 1820 1821 1822 1823 1824 1826 1827 1828 1829 1830 1831 1832 1833 1834 1835 1836 1837 1838 (Jan.) 1838 (Oct.) 1841 1844 1847 1850 1853 1857 1861 1864 1867 1871 1875 1879 1883 1887 1891 1895 1899 1903 1907 1911 1915 1919 1923 1926 1930 1934 1938 1942 1946 1950 1954 1958 1962 1966 1969 (sp) 1970 1974 1978 1982 1986 1990 1994 1998 2002 2006 2010 2014 2018 2022
State Senate	1982 1986 1990 1994 1998 2002 2006 2010 2014 2018 2022
House of Delegates	1982 1986 1990 1994 1998 2002 2006 2010 2014 2018 2022
U.S. President	1788 1792 1796 1800 1804 1808 1812 1816 1820 1824 1828 1832 1836 1840 1844 1848 1852 1856 1860 1864 1868 1872 1876 1880 1884 1888 1892 1896 1900 1904 1908 1912 1916 1920 1924 1928 1932 1936 1940 1944 1948 1952 1956 1960 1964 1968 1972 1976 1980 1984 1988 1992 1996 2000 2004 2008 2012 2016 2020
U.S. Senate	1788 1790 1791 1793 1793 (sp) 1795 1796 1796 (sp) 1797 (sp) 1800 (sp) 1801 (sp) 1802 1806 1806 (sp) 1808 1809 1813 (sp) 1816 (sp) 1819 1819 (sp) 1821 1822 (sp) 1825 1826 (sp) 1827 1831 1833 1835 (sp) 1836 (sp) 1837 1838 (sp) 1839 1839 (sp) 1841 (sp) 1843 1849 1850 (sp) 1851 1855 1861 1864 (sp) 1865 (sp) 1868 (sp) 1874 1880 1884 1886 1890 1892 1892 (sp) 1896 1898 1902 1904 1908 1908 (sp) 1910 1913 (sp) 1914 1916 1920 1922 1926 1928 1932 1934 1938 1940 1944 1946 1950 1952 1956 1958 1962 1964 1968 1970 1974 1976 1980 1982 1986 1988 1992 1994 1998 2000 2004 2006 2010 2012 2016 2018 2022 2024
U.S. House	1789 1790 1792 1794 1798 1803 1806 1822 1826 1829 1831 1833 1835 1837 1839 1841 1844 1845 1847 1849 1851 1853 1855 1857 1859 1861 1863 1864 1866 1868 1870 1872 1874 1876 1878 1880 1882 1884 1886 1888 1890 1892 1894 1896 1898 1900 1902 1904 1906 1908 1910 1912 1914 1916 1918 1920 1922 1924 1926 1928 1930 1932 1934 1936 1938 1940 1942 1944 1946 1948 1950 1952 1954 1956 1958 1960 1962 1964 1966 1968 1970 1972 1974 1976 1978 1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 2020 2022 2024 2026
Attorney General	1895 1899 1903 1907 1911 1915 1919 1923 1926 1930 1934 1938 1942 1946 1950 1954 1958 1962 1966 1970 1974 1978 1982 1986 1990 1994 1998 2002 2006 2010 2014 2018 2022
Comptroller	1895 1897 1899 1901 1903 1905 1907 1909 1911 1913 1915 1917 1919 1921 1923 1926 1930 1934 1938 1942 1946 1950 1954 1958 1962 1966 1970 1974 1978 1982 1986 1990 1994 1998 2002 2006 2010 2014 2018 2022
County Executive	1974 1978 1982 1986 1990 1994 1998 2002 2006 2010 2014 2018 2022 2025 sp 2026
County offices	2006 2010 2014 2018 2022
See also: Political party strength in Maryland