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1998 United States gubernatorial elections

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1998 United States gubernatorial elections

← 1997 November 3, 1998 1999 →

38 governorships
36 states; 2 territories
  Majority party Minority party
 
Party Republican Democratic
Seats before 32 17
Seats after 31 17
Seat change Decrease 1 Steady
Seats up 24 11
Seats won 23 11

  Third party Fourth party
 
Party Reform Independent
Seats before 0 1
Seats after 1 1
Seat change Increase 1 Steady
Seats up 0 1
Seats won 1 1

1998 Alabama gubernatorial election1998 Alaska gubernatorial election1998 Arizona gubernatorial election1998 Arkansas gubernatorial election1998 California gubernatorial election1998 Colorado gubernatorial election1998 Connecticut gubernatorial election1998 Florida gubernatorial election1998 Georgia gubernatorial election1998 Hawaii gubernatorial election1998 Idaho gubernatorial election1998 Illinois gubernatorial election1998 Iowa gubernatorial election1998 Kansas gubernatorial election1998 Maine gubernatorial election1998 Maryland gubernatorial election1998 Massachusetts gubernatorial election1998 Michigan gubernatorial election1998 Minnesota gubernatorial election1998 Nebraska gubernatorial election1998 Nevada gubernatorial election1998 New Hampshire gubernatorial election1998 New Mexico gubernatorial election1998 New York gubernatorial election1998 Ohio gubernatorial election1998 Oklahoma gubernatorial election1998 Oregon gubernatorial election1998 Pennsylvania gubernatorial election1998 Rhode Island gubernatorial election1998 South Carolina gubernatorial election1998 South Dakota gubernatorial election1998 Tennessee gubernatorial election1998 Texas gubernatorial election1998 Vermont gubernatorial election1998 Wisconsin gubernatorial election1998 Wyoming gubernatorial election1998 Guam gubernatorial election1998 United States Virgin Islands gubernatorial election
Map of the results
     Democratic gain      Republican gain
     Democratic hold      Republican hold
     Reform gain      Independent hold
     No election

United States gubernatorial elections were held on November 3, 1998, in 36 states and two territories. Going into the election cycle, 24 of the seats were held by Republicans, 11 by Democrats, and one by an Independent. The elections changed the national balance of power by the loss of one Republican and the gain of one Independent, although political party dominance was shifted in nine states. Democrats gained open seats in California and Iowa and defeated incumbents Fob James of Alabama and David Beasley of South Carolina, while Republicans won open seats in Colorado, Florida, Nebraska, and Nevada and the Reform Party won an open Republican governorship in Minnesota. By the end of the election, 23 seats were held by Republicans, 11 by Democrats, one by the Reform Party, and one by an Independent.

The elections coincided with the midterm elections for the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. With the exception of two states (New Hampshire and Vermont), the governors elected in this election served four-year terms. New Hampshire and Vermont's governors would serve two-year terms.

As of 2025, this election marked the most recent cycle in which Alabama, Alaska, Georgia, and South Carolina elected Democrats to their respective governorships, and by extension, any even-year gubernatorial election in the Deep South. This is also the last time that someone other than a Democrat or a Republican was elected governor in Maine and Minnesota. This would be the last time a third-party candidate (not an independent) would be elected governor of any state, as well as the last time an independent would be elected governor of a state until the 2010 election in Rhode Island. This was the last midterm election until 2022 in which the non-incumbent political party suffered net losses of governorships.

Election results

[edit]

States

[edit]
State Incumbent Party First
elected
Result Candidates
Alabama Fob James Republican 1978[a]
1982 (retired)
1994
Incumbent lost re-election.
New governor elected.
Democratic gain.
Alaska Tony Knowles Democratic 1994 Incumbent re-elected.
Arizona Jane Dee Hull Republican 1997[b] Incumbent elected to full term.
Arkansas Mike Huckabee Republican 1996[c] Incumbent elected to full term.
  • Green tickY Mike Huckabee (Republican) 59.8%
  • Bill Bristow (Democratic) 38.7%
  • Keith Carle (Reform) 1.6%
California Pete Wilson Republican 1990 Incumbent term-limited.
New governor elected.
Democratic gain.
Colorado Roy Romer Democratic 1986 Incumbent term-limited.
New governor elected.
Republican gain.
Connecticut John G. Rowland Republican 1994 Incumbent re-elected.
Florida Lawton Chiles Democratic 1990 Incumbent term-limited.
New governor elected.
Republican gain.
Georgia Zell Miller Democratic 1990 Incumbent term-limited.
New governor elected.
Democratic hold.
Hawaii Ben Cayetano Democratic 1994 Incumbent re-elected.
Idaho Phil Batt Republican 1994 Incumbent retired.
New governor elected.
Republican hold.
Illinois Jim Edgar Republican 1990 Incumbent retired.
New governor elected.
Republican hold.
Iowa Terry Branstad Republican 1982 Incumbent retired.
New governor elected.
Democratic gain.
Kansas Bill Graves Republican 1994 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Bill Graves (Republican) 73.4%
  • Tom Sawyer (Democratic) 22.6%
  • Kirt Poovey (Constitution) 2.9%
  • Darrel King (Reform) 1.1%
Maine Angus King Independent 1994 Incumbent re-elected.
Maryland Parris Glendening Democratic 1994 Incumbent re-elected.
Massachusetts Paul Cellucci Republican 1997[d] Incumbent elected to full term.
Michigan John Engler Republican 1990 Incumbent re-elected.
Minnesota Arne Carlson Republican 1990 Incumbent retired.
New governor elected.
Reform gain.
Nebraska Ben Nelson Democratic 1990 Incumbent term-limited.
New governor elected.
Republican gain.
  • Green tickY Mike Johanns (Republican) 53.9%
  • Bill Hoppner (Democratic) 46.0%
Nevada Bob Miller Democratic 1989[e] Incumbent term-limited.
New governor elected.
Republican gain.
  • Green tickY Kenny Guinn (Republican) 51.6%
  • Jan Laverty Jones (Democratic) 42.0%
  • Chuck Horne (Independent American) 1.7%
  • Terry C. Savage (Libertarian) 1.7%
New Hampshire Jeanne Shaheen Democratic 1996 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Jeanne Shaheen (Democratic) 66.1%
  • Jay Lucas (Republican) 30.9%
  • Ken Blevens (Libertarian) 2.7%
New Mexico Gary Johnson Republican 1994 Incumbent re-elected.
New York George Pataki Republican 1994 Incumbent re-elected.
Ohio George Voinovich Republican 1990 Incumbent term-limited.
New governor elected.
Republican hold.
  • Green tickY Bob Taft (Republican) 50.0%
  • Lee Fisher (Democratic) 44.7%
  • John R. Mitchel (Reform) 3.3%
  • Zanna Feitler (Natural Law) 1.9%
Oklahoma Frank Keating Republican 1994 Incumbent re-elected.
Oregon John Kitzhaber Democratic 1994 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY John Kitzhaber (Democratic) 64.4%
  • Bill Sizemore (Republican) 30.0%
  • Richard P. Burke (Libertarian) 1.8%
  • Blair Bobier (Pacific Green) 1.4%
Pennsylvania Tom Ridge Republican 1994 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Tom Ridge (Republican) 57.4%
  • Ivan Itkin (Democratic) 31.0%
  • Peg Luksik (Constitution) 10.4%
  • Ken Krawchuk (Libertarian) 1.1%
Rhode Island Lincoln Almond Republican 1994 Incumbent re-elected.
South Carolina David Beasley Republican 1994 Incumbent lost re-election.
New governor elected.
Democratic gain.
South Dakota Bill Janklow Republican 1978
1986 (term-limited)
1994
Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Bill Janklow (Republican) 64.0%
  • Bernie Hunhoff (Democratic) 32.8%
  • Bob Newland (Libertarian) 1.7%
  • Ronald Wieczorek (Independent) 1.4%
Tennessee Don Sundquist Republican 1994 Incumbent re-elected.
Texas George W. Bush Republican 1994 Incumbent re-elected.
Vermont Howard Dean Democratic 1991[f] Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Howard Dean (Democratic) 55.7%
  • Ruth Dwyer (Republican) 41.1%
  • Joel Williams (Grassroots) 1.5%
  • Amy Berkey (Libertarian) 1.0%
Wisconsin Tommy Thompson Republican 1986 Incumbent re-elected.
Wyoming Jim Geringer Republican 1994 Incumbent re-elected.

Territories and federal district

[edit]
Territory Incumbent Party First
elected
Result Candidates
District of Columbia Marion Barry Democratic 1994 Incumbent retired.
New mayor elected.
Democratic hold.
Guam Carl Gutierrez Democratic 1994 Incumbent re-elected.[1]
U.S. Virgin Islands Roy Schneider Independent 1994 Incumbent lost re-election.
New governor elected.[2]
Democratic gain.

Closest races

[edit]

States where the margin of victory was under 1%:

  1. Colorado, 0.6%

States where the margin of victory was under 5%:

  1. Hawaii, 1.3%
  2. Minnesota, 2.7%
  3. Massachusetts, 3.4%
  4. Illinois, 3.5%

States where the margin of victory was under 10%:

  1. Ohio, 5.3%
  2. Iowa, 5.8%
  3. Guam, 6.4%
  4. Nebraska, 7.9%
  5. South Carolina, 8.0%
  6. Georgia, 8.4%
  7. Rhode Island, 8.9%
  8. New Mexico, 9.0%
  9. Nevada, 9.6%

Alabama

[edit]
1998 Alabama gubernatorial election

← 1994 November 3, 1998 2002 →
 
Nominee Don Siegelman Fob James
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 752,087 546,504
Percentage 57.92% 42.08%

County results
Siegelman:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%
James:      50–60%

Governor before election

Fob James
Republican

Elected Governor

Don Siegelman
Democratic

The Alabama gubernatorial election of 1998 was held on November 3, 1998, to select the governor of Alabama. The election saw incumbent Governor Fob James (R) against Lieutenant Governor Don Siegelman (D). The result saw Don Siegelman win a decisive victory over Fob James. This was the second of three consecutive Alabama gubernatorial elections in which the incumbent was defeated. As of 2025, this was the last time that a Democrat was elected governor of Alabama.

Alaska

[edit]
1998 Alaska gubernatorial election

← 1994 November 3, 1998 2002 →
 
Nominee Tony Knowles Robin L. Taylor (write-in)
Party Democratic Republican
Alliance Alaska Republican
Running mate Fran Ulmer none
Popular vote 112,879 40,209
Percentage 51.27% 18.26%

 
Nominee John H. Lindauer Ray Metcalfe
Party Republican Republican Moderate
Running mate Jerry Ward Clyde Baxley
Popular vote 39,331 13,540
Percentage 17.86% 6.15%

Results by state house district
Knowles:      30–40%      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Write-In:[g]      40–50%

Governor before election

Tony Knowles
Democratic

Elected Governor

Tony Knowles
Democratic

The 1998 Alaska gubernatorial general election took place on November 3, 1998. The election resulted in a landslide for the Democratic incumbent, Tony Knowles, who had won the 1994 gubernatorial election by only 536 votes.[3][4] Jim Sykes, founder of the Green Party of Alaska, ran on that party's ticket, but Desa Jacobsson later replaced him on the ballot.

Arizona

[edit]
1998 Arizona gubernatorial election

← 1994 November 3, 1998 2002 →
 
Nominee Jane Dee Hull Paul Johnson
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 620,188 361,552
Percentage 60.9% 35.5%

County results
Hull:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%
Johnson:      50–60%

Governor before election

Jane Dee Hull
Republican

Elected Governor

Jane Dee Hull
Republican

The 1998 Arizona gubernatorial election took place on November 3, 1998, for the post of Governor of Arizona. Jane Dee Hull, the incumbent Republican Governor of Arizona, defeated the Democratic nominee and Mayor of Phoenix, Paul Johnson in a landslide victory. Hull became the first woman to win a gubernatorial election in Arizona, although not the first woman to serve as governor of Arizona, (a distinction held by Democrat Rose Mofford, who ascended to the position in 1988 upon Republican Evan Mecham's impeachment and removal from office, and who served until 1990, declining to run for a full term).

Arkansas

[edit]
1998 Arkansas gubernatorial election

← 1994 November 3, 1998 2002 →
 
Nominee Mike Huckabee Bill Bristow
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 421,989 272,923
Percentage 59.77% 38.66%

County results
Huckabee:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Bristow:      50–60%

Governor before election

Mike Huckabee
Republican

Elected Governor

Mike Huckabee
Republican

The 1998 Arkansas gubernatorial election took place on November 3, 1998 for the post of Governor of Arkansas. Incumbent Republican governor Mike Huckabee defeated Democratic nominee Bill Bristow to win a full term in office.

California

[edit]
1998 California gubernatorial election

← 1994 November 3, 1998 2002 →
Turnout41.43%
 
Nominee Gray Davis Dan Lungren
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 4,860,702 3,218,030
Percentage 57.97% 38.38%

Davis:      40-50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%
Lungren:      40–50%      50–60%

Governor before election

Pete Wilson
Republican

Elected Governor

Gray Davis
Democratic

The 1998 California gubernatorial election was an election that occurred on November 3, 1998, resulting in the election of Lieutenant Governor Gray Davis as the state's first Democratic governor in 16 years. Davis won the general election by an almost 20% margin over his closest opponent, Republican Attorney General Dan Lungren. Davis succeeded Pete Wilson who was term limited. The 1998 California gubernatorial election featured the state's only gubernatorial blanket primary, a practice which was later struck down in United States Supreme Court in California Democratic Party v. Jones in 2000.

Colorado

[edit]
1998 Colorado gubernatorial election

← 1994 November 3, 1998 2002 →
 
Nominee Bill Owens Gail Schoettler
Party Republican Democratic
Running mate Joe Rogers Bernie Buescher
Popular vote 648,202 639,905
Percentage 49.04% 48.42%

County results
Owens:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%
Schoettler:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%

Governor before election

Roy Romer
Democratic

Elected Governor

Bill Owens
Republican

The 1998 Colorado gubernatorial election was held on November 3, 1998 to select the governor of the state of Colorado. Under newly applicable term limits, incumbent Governor Roy Romer, a Democrat, was unable to seek re-election. Lieutenant Governor Gail Schoettler, ran to succeed Romer, and won the Democratic primary; her running mate, Bernie Buescher, won the lieutenant-gubernatorial primary unopposed. In the Republican primary, Bill Owens, the State Treasurer, and his eventual running mate, Joe Rogers, won their respective primaries by wide margins.

In the general election, Owens narrowly defeated Schoettler, aided by a strong performance by Republican U.S. Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell in his re-election campaign. Owens's narrow election meant that he was the first Republican Governor in 24 years, and Rogers's election made him the second Black Lieutenant Governor in the state's history, after George L. Brown, who was elected in 1974. This was also the last election in which Colorado held separate primary elections for governor and lieutenant governor; following a statutory change in 2000, gubernatorial candidates selected their running mates prior to the primary.[5]

Connecticut

[edit]
1998 Connecticut gubernatorial election

← 1994 November 3, 1998 2002 →
 
Nominee John G. Rowland Barbara B. Kennelly
Party Republican Democratic
Running mate Jodi Rell Joe Courtney
Popular vote 628,707 354,187
Percentage 62.9% 35.4%

Rowland:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%
     70–80%      80–90%
Kennelly:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

Governor before election

John G. Rowland
Republican

Elected Governor

John G. Rowland
Republican

The 1998 Connecticut gubernatorial election took place on November 3, 1998, and incumbent Republican Governor John G. Rowland won re-election against Democratic Candidate United States Congresswoman Barbara B. Kennelly. This election was the first time since 1944 that an incumbent Republican Governor of Connecticut was re-elected.

Florida

[edit]
1998 Florida gubernatorial election

← 1994 November 3, 1998 2002 →
Turnout49.5%[6]
 
Nominee Jeb Bush Buddy MacKay
Party Republican Democratic
Running mate Frank Brogan Rick Dantzler
Popular vote 2,191,105 1,773,054
Percentage 55.27% 44.72%

Bush:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%
MacKay:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%
Tie:      40–50%      50%      No votes

Governor before election

Lawton Chiles
Democratic

Elected Governor

Jeb Bush
Republican

The 1998 Florida gubernatorial election was held on November 3, 1998, to determine the Governor for the State of Florida. Two-term Democratic incumbent Governor Lawton Chiles was term-limited and could not run for re-election. John Ellis "Jeb" Bush, who had previously run for governor in 1994 was the Republican nominee, and incumbent Lieutenant Governor Kenneth Hood "Buddy" MacKay was the Democratic nominee. Bush defeated MacKay by nearly 11% of the vote, and won his first of two terms as governor.

Georgia

[edit]
1998 Georgia gubernatorial election

← 1994 November 3, 1998 2002 →
 
Nominee Roy Barnes Guy Millner
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 941,076 790,201
Percentage 52.49% 44.08%

County results
Barnes:      40-50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%
Millner:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%

Governor before election

Zell Miller
Democratic

Elected Governor

Roy Barnes
Democratic

The 1998 Georgia gubernatorial election was held on November 3, 1998. Incumbent Democratic governor Zell Miller was unable to seek re-election due to term limits, therefore creating an open seat. To replace him, State Representative Roy Barnes won the Democratic Party's nomination after a close and highly contested primary election, while businessman Guy Millner, who had run for governor and the United States Senate in the previous four years, won the nomination of the Republican Party.

In the general election, Barnes was able to defeat Millner by a margin of victory larger than Governor Miller's victory over Millner four years prior, which was in part due to the unpopularity and controversy of Mitch Skandalakis, the Republican nominee for Lieutenant Governor of Georgia.

Hawaii

[edit]
1998 Hawaii gubernatorial election

← 1994 November 3, 1998 2002 →
 
Nominee Ben Cayetano Linda Lingle
Party Democratic Republican
Running mate Mazie Hirono Stan Koki
Popular vote 204,206 198,952
Percentage 50.1% 48.8%

County results
Cayetano:      50–60%
Lingle:      40–50%      50–60%

Governor before election

Ben Cayetano
Democratic

Elected Governor

Ben Cayetano
Democratic

The 1998 Hawaii gubernatorial election was held on November 3, 1998. Incumbent Democratic Governor of Hawaii Ben Cayetano ran for re-election to a second and final term, and he was contested by Maui Mayor Linda Lingle. The race between Cayetano and Lingle was close, with Lingle holding a sizable polling advantage.[7] Ultimately, Cayetano narrowly won re-election to a second term in the closest gubernatorial election in Hawaii's history.

Idaho

[edit]
1998 Idaho gubernatorial election

← 1994 November 3, 1998 2002 →
 
Nominee Dirk Kempthorne Robert Huntley
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 258,095 110,815
Percentage 67.7% 29.1%

County results
Kempthorne:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%
Huntley:      50–60%

Governor before election

Phil Batt
Republican

Elected Governor

Dirk Kempthorne
Republican

The 1998 Idaho gubernatorial election was held on November 3, 1998, to elect the Governor of Idaho. Phil Batt, the Republican incumbent, chose not to run for a second term. The Republican nominee, United States Senator Dirk Kempthorne, handily defeated the Democratic nominee, former Idaho Supreme Court justice Robert C. Huntley, to keep the seat in GOP hands.

Illinois

[edit]
1998 Illinois gubernatorial election

← 1994 November 3, 1998 2002 →
Turnout49.72% Decrease 1.05 pp
 
Nominee George Ryan Glenn Poshard
Party Republican Democratic
Running mate Corinne Wood Mary Lou Kearns
Popular vote 1,714,094 1,594,191
Percentage 51.03% 47.46%

Ryan:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Poshard:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%

Governor before election

Jim Edgar
Republican

Elected Governor

George Ryan
Republican

The 1998 Illinois gubernatorial election took place on November 3, 1998. Incumbent Republican Governor Jim Edgar did not run for a third term in office. Republican nominee George Ryan, the Illinois Secretary of State, narrowly won the election against Democratic Congressman Glenn Poshard.

With this election Corinne Wood became the first female lieutenant governor of the state.

Iowa

[edit]
1998 Iowa gubernatorial election

← 1994 November 3, 1998 2002 →
 
Nominee Tom Vilsack Jim Ross Lightfoot
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 500,231 444,787
Percentage 52.3% 46.5%

County results
Vilsack:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%
Lightfoot:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%

Governor before election

Terry Branstad
Republican

Elected Governor

Tom Vilsack
Democratic

The 1998 Iowa gubernatorial election took place on November 3, 1998. Incumbent Republican Governor Terry Branstad did not seek re-election to a fifth consecutive term; he later successfully ran again in 2010 and 2014.

Kansas

[edit]
1998 Kansas gubernatorial election

← 1994 November 3, 1998 2002 →
 
Nominee Bill Graves Tom Sawyer
Party Republican Democratic
Running mate Gary Sherrer Elizabeth Baker
Popular vote 544,882 168,243
Percentage 73.4% 22.7%

County results
Graves:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%

Governor before election

Bill Graves
Republican

Elected Governor

Bill Graves
Republican

The 1998 Kansas gubernatorial election took place on November 3, 1998. Incumbent Republican Governor Bill Graves won re-election in a 50% landslide over his opponent, State Representative Tom Sawyer. Graves also became the first Republican incumbent Governor of Kansas to win reelection since John Anderson Jr.’s reelection victory in 1962.

Maine

[edit]
1998 Maine gubernatorial election

← 1994 November 3, 1998 2002 →
 
Nominee Angus King James B. Longley Jr.
Party Independent Republican
Popular vote 246,772 79,716
Percentage 58.61% 18.93%

 
Nominee Tom Connolly Pat LaMarche
Party Democratic Green
Popular vote 50,506 28,722
Percentage 12.00% 6.82%

King:      30–40%      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%
Longley:      30–40%      40–50%      50–60%      >90%
Connolly:      50–60%
Clarke:      30–40%
Tie:      40–50%      50%

Governor before election

Angus King
Independent

Elected Governor

Angus King
Independent

The 1998 Maine gubernatorial election took place on November 3, 1998 to elect the governor of Maine. Incumbent Independent governor Angus King won re-election to a second term, defeating Republican nominee James B. Longley Jr., Democratic nominee Thomas J. Connolly, Green Independent nominee Pat LaMarche and Taxpayers' Party nominee William P. Clarke Jr.

Maryland

[edit]
1998 Maryland gubernatorial election

← 1994 November 3, 1998 2002 →
Turnout60.59% Decrease 0.08%[8]
 
Nominee Parris Glendening Ellen Sauerbrey
Party Democratic Republican
Running mate Kathleen Kennedy Townsend Richard D. Bennett
Popular vote 846,972 688,357
Percentage 55.14% 44.82%

County results
Glendening:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%
Sauerbrey:      50–60%      60–70%

Governor before election

Parris Glendening
Democratic

Elected Governor

Parris Glendening
Democratic

The 1998 Maryland gubernatorial election was held on November 3, 1998. Incumbent Democratic governor Parris Glendening sought re-election. Governor Glendening emerged victorious from the Democratic primary after defeating several candidates. Former state delegate Ellen Sauerbrey, who was the 1994 Republican nominee for governor, ran again for governor and won her party's nomination. The election between Glendening and Sauerbrey four years prior was extremely contentious, and ended with the Sauerbrey campaign challenging the results.[9] Ultimately, despite the controversial nature of the previous election, Governor Glendening comfortably beat back Sauerbrey's spirited challenge, winning his second and final term as governor.

Massachusetts

[edit]
1998 Massachusetts gubernatorial election

← 1994 November 2, 1998 2002 →
Turnout51.19% Decrease 18.86 [10]
 
Nominee Paul Cellucci Scott Harshbarger
Party Republican Democratic
Running mate Jane Swift Warren Tolman
Popular vote 967,160 901,843
Percentage 49.98% 46.60%

Cellucci:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Harshbarger:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

Governor before election

Paul Cellucci (acting)
Republican

Elected Governor

Paul Cellucci
Republican

The 1998 Massachusetts gubernatorial election was held on November 3, 1998. Acting Governor Paul Cellucci was elected to his first term as Governor of Massachusetts.

Michigan

[edit]
1998 Michigan gubernatorial election

← 1994 November 3, 1998 2002 →
 
Nominee John Engler Geoffrey Fieger
Party Republican Democratic
Running mate Dick Posthumus Jim Agee
Popular vote 1,883,005 1,143,574
Percentage 62.2% 37.8%

County results
Engler:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%
Fieger:      50–60%

Governor before election

John Engler
Republican

Elected Governor

John Engler
Republican

The 1998 Michigan gubernatorial election was held on November 3, 1998, to elect the Governor and Lieutenant Governor of the state of Michigan. Incumbent Governor John Engler, a member of the Republican Party, was re-elected over Democratic Party nominee Geoffrey Fieger, a lawyer who had represented the assisted suicide advocate Jack Kevorkian.[11]

Minnesota

[edit]
1998 Minnesota gubernatorial election

← 1994 November 3, 1998 2002 →
 
Nominee Jesse Ventura Norm Coleman Skip Humphrey
Party Reform Republican Democratic (DFL)
Running mate Mae Schunk Gen Olson Roger Moe
Popular vote 773,713 717,350 587,528
Percentage 36.99% 34.29% 28.09%

Ventura:      30–40%      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%
Coleman:      30–40%      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%
Humphrey:      30–40%      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%
Other:      40–50%      60–70%
Tie:      30–40%      40–50%      50%      No votes

Governor before election

Arne Carlson
Republican

Elected Governor

Jesse Ventura
Reform

The 1998 Minnesota gubernatorial election took place on November 3, 1998. Reform Party candidate Jesse Ventura, the former mayor of Brooklyn Park and a former professional wrestler, won office, defeating Republican St. Paul mayor Norm Coleman and DFL state attorney general Skip Humphrey. He succeeded Republican incumbent Arne Carlson. Ventura's victory as a third-party candidate was considered a historic major upset.[12]

Nebraska

[edit]
1998 Nebraska gubernatorial election

← 1994 November 3, 1998 2002 →
 
Nominee Mike Johanns Bill Hoppner
Party Republican Democratic
Running mate David Maurstad Pam Bataillon
Popular vote 293,910 250,678
Percentage 53.90% 45.98%

County results
Johanns:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Hoppner:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

Governor before election

Ben Nelson
Democratic

Elected Governor

Mike Johanns
Republican

The 1998 Nebraska gubernatorial election was held on November 3, 1998. Term limits prevented incumbent Governor Ben Nelson, a Democrat, from seeking a third term in office. Republican nominee Mike Johanns, Mayor of Lincoln, defeated Democratic nominee, attorney Bill Hoppner. As of 2024, this was the last gubernatorial election in Nebraska in which the margin of victory was within single digits. Johanns later served Nebraska in the United States Senate with Nelson from 2009 to 2013.

Nevada

[edit]
1998 Nevada gubernatorial election

← 1994 November 3, 1998 (1998-11-3) 2002 →
 
Nominee Kenny Guinn Jan Laverty Jones
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 223,892 182,281
Percentage 51.6% 42.0%

County results
Guinn:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Jones:      40–50%

Governor before election

Bob Miller
Democratic

Elected Governor

Kenny Guinn
Republican

The 1998 Nevada gubernatorial election occurred on November 3, 1998. Incumbent Democrat Bob Miller was term limited. Republican nominee Kenny Guinn defeated Democratic nominee Jan Laverty Jones to become Governor of Nevada.

This was the first open seat Nevada gubernatorial election since 1978, with Guinn becoming the first Republican elected as Nevada Governor since Robert List was elected in that same election.

New Hampshire

[edit]
1998 New Hampshire gubernatorial election

← 1996 November 3, 1998 2000 →
 
Nominee Jeanne Shaheen Jay Lucas
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 210,769 98,473
Percentage 66.1% 30.9%

Shaheen:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%
Lucas:      40–50%      50–60%

Governor before election

Jeanne Shaheen
Democratic

Elected Governor

Jeanne Shaheen
Democratic

The 1998 New Hampshire gubernatorial election took place on November 3, 1998. Former Governor Jeanne Shaheen won re-election. She defeated Jay Lucas, who had defeated Jim Rubens and Emile Beaulieu for the Republican nomination.

New Mexico

[edit]
1998 New Mexico gubernatorial election

← 1994 November 3, 1998 2002 →
 
Nominee Gary Johnson Martin Chávez
Party Republican Democratic
Running mate Walter Bradley Diane Denish
Popular vote 271,948 226,755
Percentage 54.53% 45.47%

County results
Johnson:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Chávez:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

Governor before election

Gary Johnson
Republican

Elected Governor

Gary Johnson
Republican

The 1998 New Mexico gubernatorial election was a contest to elect the next governor of New Mexico. The winner of the election would serve a term from January 1, 1999 until January 1, 2003. Incumbent Republican (now Libertarian) Governor Gary Johnson was re-elected to a second term. As of 2025, this is the last time a non-Hispanic was elected governor of New Mexico.

New York

[edit]
1998 New York gubernatorial election

← 1994 November 3, 1998 2002 →
 
Nominee George Pataki Peter Vallone Sr. Tom Golisano
Party Republican Democratic Independence
Alliance Conservative Working Families
Running mate Mary Donohue Sandra Frankel Laureen Oliver
Popular vote 2,571,991 1,570,317 364,056
Percentage 54.32% 33.16% 7.69%

County results
Pataki:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Vallone:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

Governor before election

George Pataki
Republican

Elected Governor

George Pataki
Republican

The 1998 New York gubernatorial election was an election for the state governorship held on November 3, 1998. Incumbent Republican governor George Pataki was re-elected with 54.3% of the vote.[13][14]

Ohio

[edit]
1998 Ohio gubernatorial election

← 1994 November 3, 1998 2002 →
 
Nominee Bob Taft Lee Fisher
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 1,678,721 1,498,956
Percentage 50.0% 44.6%

County results
Taft:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%
Fisher:      40–50%      50–60%

Governor before election

George Voinovich
Republican

Elected Governor

Bob Taft
Republican

The 1998 Ohio gubernatorial election was held on November 3, 1998. Incumbent Republican Governor of Ohio George Voinovich could not seek a third term as Governor due to term limits, and ran for the United States Senate instead. To replace him, former Attorney General of Ohio Lee Fisher and Ohio Secretary of State Bob Taft won the Democratic and Republican primaries, respectively. Taft and Fisher faced off in a highly competitive general election, and in the end, Taft (a great-grandson of U.S. President and Supreme Court Chief Justice William Howard Taft) beat out Fisher by a narrow margin, making this gubernatorial election one of Ohio's closest.

Oklahoma

[edit]
1998 Oklahoma gubernatorial election

← 1994 November 3, 1998 2002 →
 
Nominee Frank Keating Laura Boyd
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 505,498 357,552
Percentage 57.9% 40.9%

County results
Keating:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Boyd:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%

Governor before election

Frank Keating
Republican

Elected Governor

Frank Keating
Republican

The 1998 Oklahoma gubernatorial election was held on November 3, 1998, and was a race for Governor of Oklahoma. Incumbent Republican Frank Keating won re-election in a landslide against Democratic State Representative Laura Boyd. The Reform Party, the first alternative party to be able to run a candidate for governor in the state since 1970, had Hoppy Heidelberg as its candidate.[15] Heidelberg was removed from a gubernatorial debate that he disrupted after not being allowed to be a participant.[16]

Oregon

[edit]
1998 Oregon gubernatorial election

← 1994 November 3, 1998 2002 →
 
Nominee John Kitzhaber Bill Sizemore
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 717,061 334,001
Percentage 64.4% 30.0%

County results
Kitzhaber:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Sizemore:      50–60%

Governor before election

John Kitzhaber
Democratic

Elected Governor

John Kitzhaber
Democratic

The 1998 Oregon gubernatorial election took place on November 3, 1998. Democratic nominee John Kitzhaber easily defeated Republican Bill Sizemore to win a second term. Kitzhaber won 35 out of 36 counties, the only county won by Sizemore was Malheur County. This is the only gubernatorial election since 1982 in Oregon in which the margin of victory was in double digits. It is also the most recent election in which any county in Eastern Oregon or Southern Oregon voted for the Democratic nominee, and the most recent gubernatorial election in which a candidate would win while carrying the majority of the state's counties. Sizemore would run again for governor in the 2022 election, but would lose in the Republican primary.[17]

This election was the first time where an incumbent Democratic Governor of Oregon was re-elected since 1906.

Pennsylvania

[edit]
1998 Pennsylvania gubernatorial election

← 1994 November 3, 1998 (1998-11-3) 2002 →
 
Nominee Tom Ridge Ivan Itkin Peg Luksik
Party Republican Democratic Constitution
Running mate Mark Schweiker Marjorie Margolies-Mezvinsky Jim Clymer
Popular vote 1,736,844 938,745 315,761
Percentage 57.4% 31.0% 10.4%

County results
Ridge:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Itkin:      50–60%

Governor before election

Tom Ridge
Republican

Elected Governor

Tom Ridge
Republican

The 1998 Pennsylvania gubernatorial election was held on November 3, 1998. The candidates were incumbent Republican Tom Ridge, Democrat Ivan Itkin, Constitutionalist Peg Luksik and Libertarian Ken Krawchuk. Ridge, a popular moderate, won with 57 percent of the votes cast.

Rhode Island

[edit]
1998 Rhode Island gubernatorial election

← 1994 November 3, 1998 2002 →
 
Nominee Lincoln Almond Myrth York Robert J. Healey
Party Republican Democratic Cool Moose
Popular vote 156,180 129,105 19,250
Percentage 51.0% 42.1% 6.3%

Almond:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%
York:      40–50%      50–60%

Governor before election

Lincoln Almond
Republican

Elected Governor

Lincoln Almond
Republican

The 1998 Rhode Island gubernatorial election took place on November 3, 1998. Incumbent Republican governor Lincoln Almond defeated Democratic nominee Myrth York in a rematch of the 1994 race.

South Carolina

[edit]
1998 South Carolina gubernatorial election

← 1994 November 3, 1998 2002 →
 
Nominee Jim Hodges David Beasley
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 570,070 484,088
Percentage 53.2% 45.2%

County results
Hodges:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Beasley:      40–50%      50–60%

Governor before election

David Beasley
Republican

Elected Governor

Jim Hodges
Democratic

The 1998 South Carolina gubernatorial election was held on November 3, 1998 to select the governor of the state of South Carolina. Jim Hodges, the Democratic nominee, handily defeated Republican governor David Beasley to become the 114th governor of South Carolina. Beasley was the first incumbent governor to be defeated for reelection since Daniel Henry Chamberlain in the disputed election of 1876. As of 2022, this was the last time that a Democrat was elected Governor of South Carolina.

South Dakota

[edit]
1998 South Dakota gubernatorial election

← 1994 November 3, 1998 2002 →
 
Nominee Bill Janklow Bernie Hunhoff
Party Republican Democratic
Running mate Carole Hillard Elsie Meeks
Popular vote 166,621 85,473
Percentage 64.0% 32.9%

County results
Janklow:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%
Hunhoff:      50–60%      60–70%      80–90%

Governor before election

Bill Janklow
Republican

Elected Governor

Bill Janklow
Republican

The 1998 South Dakota gubernatorial election took place on November 3, 1998, to elect a Governor of South Dakota. Republican incumbent Bill Janklow was re-elected, defeating Democratic nominee Bernie Hunhoff.

Tennessee

[edit]
1998 Tennessee gubernatorial election

← 1994 November 3, 1998 (1998-11-3) 2002 →
Turnout32.53% Decrease[18] 24.09 pp
 
Nominee Don Sundquist John Jay Hooker
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 669,973 287,750
Percentage 68.63% 29.48%

County results
Sundquist:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%
Hooker:      40–50%      60–70%

Governor before election

Don Sundquist
Republican

Elected Governor

Don Sundquist
Republican

The 1998 Tennessee gubernatorial election took place on November 3, 1998, to elect the governor of Tennessee. Incumbent Republican governor Don Sundquist won re-election, defeating Democratic candidate John Jay Hooker.

Sundquist became the first Republican gubernatorial nominee to get over 60% of the vote since Dewitt Clinton Senter did in 1869. Sundquist carried all but two counties (Lake and Van Buren).

Texas

[edit]
1998 Texas gubernatorial election

← 1994 November 3, 1998 2002 →
 
Nominee George W. Bush Garry Mauro
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 2,550,821 1,165,592
Percentage 68.2% 31.2%

County results
Bush:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%
Mauro:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

Governor before election

George W. Bush
Republican

Elected Governor

George W. Bush
Republican

The 1998 Texas gubernatorial election was held on November 3, 1998, to elect the governor of Texas. Incumbent Republican governor George W. Bush was re-elected in a landslide over four-term Democratic Texas Land Commissioner Garry Mauro, winning 68% of the vote to Mauro's 31%. Bush carried 239 counties, while Mauro carried just 15. Exit polls revealed that Bush won 27% of the African-American vote, which was the highest percentage for any Republican statewide candidate, and 49% of the Latino vote. Bush was sworn in for a second term as governor on January 19, 1999.

Vermont

[edit]
1998 Vermont gubernatorial election

← 1996 November 3, 1998 (1998-11-3) 2000 →
 
Nominee Howard Dean Ruth Dwyer
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 121,425 89,726
Percentage 55.7% 41.1%

Dean:      40-50%      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%      80-90%
Dwyer:      40-50%      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%      80-90%      >90%

Governor before election

Howard Dean
Democratic

Elected Governor

Howard Dean
Democratic

The 1998 Vermont gubernatorial election took place on November 3, 1998. Incumbent Democrat Howard Dean ran successfully for re-election to a fourth full term as Governor of Vermont, defeating Republican candidate Ruth Dwyer.

Wisconsin

[edit]
1998 Wisconsin gubernatorial election

← 1994 November 3, 1998 2002 →
 
Nominee Tommy Thompson Ed Garvey
Party Republican Democratic
Running mate Scott McCallum Barbara Lawton
Popular vote 1,047,716 679,553
Percentage 59.66% 38.70%

Thompson:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%
Garvey:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%
Tie:      

Governor before election

Tommy Thompson
Republican

Elected Governor

Tommy Thompson
Republican

The 1998 Wisconsin gubernatorial election was held on November 3, 1998. Incumbent Governor Tommy Thompson won re-election for the third time with nearly 60% of the vote. As of 2022, this is most recent gubernatorial election in which Milwaukee, Rock, Portage, and Iowa counties voted for the Republican candidate, and the most recent where the winner garnered a double digit margin of victory. Gary George unsuccessfully sought the Democratic nomination.

Wyoming

[edit]
1998 Wyoming gubernatorial election

← 1994 November 3, 1998 (1998-11-3) 2002 →
Turnout73.01% Registered Decrease 11.50%
38.56% of Total Population Decrease 5.75%
 
Nominee Jim Geringer John Vinich
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 97,235 70,754
Percentage 55.60% 40.46%

County results
Geringer:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Vinich:      40–50%      50–60%

Governor before election

Jim Geringer
Republican

Elected Governor

Jim Geringer
Republican

The 1998 Wyoming gubernatorial election took place on November 3, 1998. Incumbent Republican Jim Geringer ran successfully for re-election to a second term as Governor of Wyoming, defeating Democratic nominee John Vinich.

Territories and federal district

[edit]

District of Columbia

[edit]
1998 United States gubernatorial elections

← 1994 November 3, 1998 2002 →
Turnout40.2%
 
Nominee Anthony A. Williams Carol Schwartz
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 92,504 42,280
Percentage 66.2% 30.2%


Mayor before election

Marion Barry
Democratic

Elected mayor

Anthony A. Williams
Democratic

On November 3, 1998, Washington, D.C., held an election for its mayor. The Democratic candidate, Anthony A. Williams, defeated Republican candidate Carol Schwartz. The parties' primary elections had been held on September 15, 1998.[19]

Guam

[edit]
1998 United States gubernatorial elections

← 1994 November 3, 1998 2002 →
Gubernatorial election
 
Nominee Carl Gutierrez Joseph Franklin Ada
Party Democratic Republican
Running mate Madeleine Bordallo Felix Perez Camacho
Popular vote 24,250 21,200
Percentage 51.88% 45.35%

Governor before election

Carl Gutierrez
Democratic

Elected Governor

Carl Gutierrez
Democratic

U.S. Virgin Islands

[edit]

On election day, 3 November 1998, Democratic nominee Charles Wesley Turnbull won the election by a margin of 5,804 votes against his opponent Governor Roy Schneider, thereby gaining Democratic control over the governorship. Turnbull was sworn in as the 6th Governor of the United States Virgin Islands on 4 January 1999.[20]

CandidateRunning matePartyVotes%
Charles W. TurnbullGerard Luz JamesDemocratic Party19,79559.09
Roy SchneiderJuan CentenoRepublican Party13,64040.72
Write in640.19
Total33,499100.00
Source: [21]

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ James served as a Democrat for his first term. He had returned to the Republican Party by the time he was elected governor again in 1994.
  2. ^ Hull took office after her predecessor (Fife Symington) resigned.
  3. ^ Huckabee took office after his predecessor (Jim Guy Tucker) resigned.
  4. ^ Cellucci took office after his predecessor (Bill Weld) resigned.
  5. ^ Miller took office after his predecessor (Richard Bryan) resigned. He was subsequently elected in the 1990 Nevada gubernatorial election.
  6. ^ Dean took office after his predecessor (Richard Snelling) died. He was subsequently elected in the 1992 Vermont gubernatorial election.
  7. ^ Since the vast majority of the write-in votes were towards Republican Robin L. Taylor, he likely won the Ketchikan district. However, the original election report does not separate the write-in votes by candidate, so it cannot be known for sure.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Guam Governor Race - Nov 03, 1998". Our Campaigns. May 19, 2011.
  2. ^ "USVI Governor Race - Nov 03, 1998". Our Campaigns. January 19, 2006.
  3. ^ http://www.cnn.com/ALLPOLITICS/1998/08/17/ap/alaska/index.html?eref=sitesearch[dead link]
  4. ^ Pear, Robert (November 4, 1998). "THE 1998 ELECTIONS: STATE BY STATE -- WEST; ALASKA". The New York Times.
  5. ^ Yeargain, T. Quinn (2021). "One Vote, Two Winners: Team-Ticket Gubernatorial Elections and the Need for Further Reform". University of Miami Law Review. 75 (3): 779. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
  6. ^ "November 3, 1998 General Election". Florida Department of State. Retrieved May 15, 2022.
  7. ^ Silver, Nate (November 6, 2014). "Why Polls Missed A Shocker In Virginia's Senate Race". FiveThirtyEight. Retrieved September 26, 2020.
  8. ^ "1998 Gubernatorial Election". elections.maryland.gov. Maryland State Board of Elections. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
  9. ^ "Sauerbrey aides say discrepancies prove vote fraud". Baltimore Sun. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
  10. ^ "Massachusetts gubernatorial election, 1998".
  11. ^ Wald, Matthew L. (November 5, 1998). "The 1998 elections: state by state -- Midwest; Michigan". The New York Times. Retrieved July 31, 2011.
  12. ^ Belluck, Pam (November 5, 1998). "A 'Bad Boy' Wrestler's Unscripted Upset". The New York Times. Archived from the original on January 3, 2024. Retrieved October 7, 2024.
  13. ^ "1998 Election Results | New York State Board of Elections" (PDF). Archived from the original on February 18, 2020. Retrieved March 14, 2021.
  14. ^ "1998 NY Gov election".
  15. ^ "Ex-OC Bombing Juror Hoppy Heidelberg to Run for Governor | Latest Headlines | tulsaworld.com".
  16. ^ Hinton, Mick (October 27, 1998). "Reform Candidate Says He's Banned From OU". The Oklahoman.
  17. ^ "Oregon Primary Election Results". The New York Times. May 17, 2022. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved May 20, 2022.
  18. ^ "Tennessee Voter Turnout in 1998". Tennessee Secretary of State. November 3, 1998. Retrieved April 18, 2023.
  19. ^ "Final and Complete Election Results: November 3, 1998 General Election". District of Columbia Board of Elections. November 13, 1998. Archived from the original on November 17, 2015. Retrieved February 7, 2016.
  20. ^ "USVI Governor". ourcampaigns.com. January 19, 2006. Retrieved December 11, 2023.
  21. ^ "1998 General Election". Election System of the Virgin Islands.
[edit]