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1998 United States Senate elections

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1998 United States Senate elections

← 1996 November 3, 1998 2000 →

34 of the 100 seats in the United States Senate
51 seats needed for a majority
  Majority party Minority party
 
Leader Trent Lott Tom Daschle
Party Republican Democratic
Leader since June 12, 1996 January 3, 1995
Leader's seat Mississippi South Dakota
Seats before 55 45
Seats after 55 45
Seat change Steady Steady
Popular vote 25,346,613 26,768,699
Percentage 46.8% 49.5%
Swing Decrease 2.7% Increase 1.6%
Seats up 16 18
Races won 16 18

1998 United States Senate election in Alabama1998 United States Senate election in Alaska1998 United States Senate election in Arizona1998 United States Senate election in Arkansas1998 United States Senate election in California1998 United States Senate election in Colorado1998 United States Senate election in Connecticut1998 United States Senate election in Florida1998 United States Senate election in Georgia1998 United States Senate election in Hawaii1998 United States Senate election in Idaho1998 United States Senate election in Illinois1998 United States Senate election in Indiana1998 United States Senate election in Iowa1998 United States Senate election in Kansas1998 United States Senate election in Kentucky1998 United States Senate election in Louisiana1998 United States Senate election in Maryland1998 United States Senate election in Missouri1998 United States Senate election in Nevada1998 United States Senate election in New Hampshire1998 United States Senate election in New York1998 United States Senate election in North Carolina1998 United States Senate election in North Dakota1998 United States Senate election in Ohio1998 United States Senate election in Oklahoma1998 United States Senate election in Oregon1998 United States Senate election in Pennsylvania1998 United States Senate election in South Carolina1998 United States Senate election in South Dakota1998 United States Senate election in Utah1998 United States Senate election in Vermont1998 United States Senate election in Washington1998 United States Senate election in Wisconsin
Results of the elections:
     Democratic gain      Democratic hold
     Republican gain      Republican hold
     No election

Majority leader before election

Trent Lott
Republican

Elected Majority leader

Trent Lott
Republican

The 1998 United States Senate elections were held on November 3, 1998, with the 34 seats of Class 3 contested in regular elections. This was seen as an even contest between the Republican Party and Democratic Party. While the Democrats had to defend more seats up for election, Republican attacks on the morality of President Bill Clinton failed to connect with voters and anticipated Republican gains did not materialize. The Republicans picked open seats up in Ohio and Kentucky and narrowly defeated Democratic incumbent Carol Moseley Braun (Illinois), but these were cancelled out by the Democrats' gain of an open seat in Indiana and defeats of Republican Senators Al D'Amato (New York) and Lauch Faircloth (North Carolina). The balance of the Senate remained unchanged at 55–45 in favor of the Republicans.

With Democrats gaining five seats in the House of Representatives, this marked the first time since 1934 that the party not in control of the White House failed to gain congressional seats in mid-term election cycles, which would also happen in 2002. These are the last Senate elections that resulted in no net change in the balance of power, the last time Democrats won a U.S. Senate race in South Carolina, and the last time both major parties were on the general election ballot in every race.

Results summary

45 55
Democratic Republican
Parties Total
Democratic Republican Libertarian Other
Last elections (1996)
Before the elections
45 55 0 0 100
Not up 27 39 66
Up
Class 3 (1992→1998)
18 16 34
Incumbent retired 3 2 5
Held by same party 1 1 2
Replaced by other party Decrease1 Republican replaced by Increase1 Democrat
Decrease2 Democrats replaced by Increase2 Republicans
3
Result 2 3 5
Incumbent ran 15 14 29
Won re-election 14 12 26
Lost re-election Decrease2 Republicans replaced by Increase2 Democrats
Decrease1 Democrat replaced by Increase1 Republican
3
Lost renomination,
but held by same party
0 0 0
Result 16 13 29
Total elected 18 16 0 0 34
Net gain/loss Steady Steady Steady Steady 0
Nationwide vote 26,768,699 25,346,613 419,452 1,580,287 54,115,051
Share 49.47% 46.84% 0.78% 2.92% 100%
Result 45 55 100

Source: Office of the Clerk[1]

Gains, losses, and holds

Retirements

Two Republicans and three Democrats retired instead of seeking re-election.

State Senator Replaced by
Arkansas Dale Bumpers Blanche Lincoln
Idaho Dirk Kempthorne Mike Crapo
Indiana Dan Coats Evan Bayh
Kentucky Wendell Ford Jim Bunning
Ohio John Glenn George Voinovich

Defeats

One Democrat and two Republicans sought re-election but lost in the general election.

State Senator Replaced by
Illinois Carol Moseley Braun Peter Fitzgerald
New York Al D'Amato Chuck Schumer
North Carolina Lauch Faircloth John Edwards

Post-election changes

Two Republicans died during the 106th Congress, and initially were all replaced by appointees.

State Senator Replaced by
Georgia
(Class 3)
Paul Coverdell Zell Miller
Rhode Island
(Class 1)
John Chafee Lincoln Chafee

Change in composition

Before the elections

D1 D2 D3 D4 D5 D6 D7 D8 D9 D10
D20 D19 D18 D17 D16 D15 D14 D13 D12 D11
D21 D22 D23 D24 D25 D26 D27 D28
Ark.
Retired
D29
Calif.
Ran
D30
Conn.
Ran
D40
Ore.
Ran
D39
Ohio
Retired
D38
N.D.
Ran
D37
Nev.
Ran
D36
Md.
Ran
D35
La.
Ran
D34
Ky.
Retired
D33
Ill.
Ran
D32
Hawaii
Ran
D31
Fla.
Ran
D41
S.C.
Ran
D42
S.D.
Ran
D43
Vt.
Ran
D44
Wash.
Ran
D45
Wisc.
Ran
R55
Utah
Ran
R54
Pa.
Ran
R53
Okla.
Ran
R52
N.C.
Ran
R51
N.Y.
Ran
Majority →
R41
Alaska
Ran
R42
Ariz.
Ran
R43
Colo.
Ran
R44
Ga.
Ran
R45
Idaho
Retired
R46
Ind.
Retired
R47
Iowa
Ran
R48
Kans.
Ran
R49
Mo.
Ran
R50
N.H.
Ran
R40
Ala.
Ran
R39 R38 R37 R36 R35 R34 R33 R32 R31
R21 R22 R23 R24 R25 R26 R27 R28 R29 R30
R20 R19 R18 R17 R16 R15 R14 R13 R12 R11
R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8 R9 R10

After the elections

D1 D2 D3 D4 D5 D6 D7 D8 D9 D10
D20 D19 D18 D17 D16 D15 D14 D13 D12 D11
D21 D22 D23 D24 D25 D26 D27 D28
Ark.
Hold
D29
Calif.
Re-elected
D30
Conn.
Re-elected
D40
Vt.
Re-elected
D39
S.D.
Re-elected
D38
S.C.
Re-elected
D37
Ore.
Re-elected
D36
N.D.
Re-elected
D35
Nev.
Re-elected
D34
Md.
Re-elected
D33
La.
Re-elected
D32
Hawaii
Re-elected
D31
Fla.
Re-elected
D41
Wash.
Re-elected
D42
Wisc.
Re-elected
D43
Ind.
Gain
D44
N.Y.
Gain
D45
N.C.
Gain
R55
Ohio
Gain
R54
Ky.
Gain
R53
Ill.
Gain
R52
Utah
Re-elected
R51
Pa.
Re-elected
Majority →
R41
Alaska
Re-elected
R42
Ariz.
Re-elected
R43
Colo.
Re-elected
R44
Ga.
Re-elected
R45
Idaho
Hold
R46
Iowa
Re-elected
R47
Kans.
Re-elected
R48
Mo.
Re-elected
R49
N.H.
Re-elected
R50
Okla.
Re-elected
R40
Ala.
Re-elected
R39 R38 R37 R36 R35 R34 R33 R32 R31
R21 R22 R23 R24 R25 R26 R27 R28 R29 R30
R20 R19 R18 R17 R16 R15 R14 R13 R12 R11
R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8 R9 R10
Key
D# Democratic
R# Republican

Race summary

Special elections during the 105th Congress

There were no special elections in 1998.

Elections leading to the next Congress

In these general elections, the winners were elected for the term beginning January 3, 1999; ordered by state.

All of the elections involved the Class 3 seats.

State
(linked to
summaries below)
Incumbent Results Candidates
Senator Party Electoral history
Alabama Richard Shelby Republican 1986[a]
1992
Incumbent re-elected.
Alaska Frank Murkowski Republican 1980
1986
1992
Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Frank Murkowski (Republican) 74.5%
  • Joe Sonneman (Democratic) 19.7%
  • Jeffrey Gottlieb (Green) 3.2%
  • Scott Kohlhaas (Libertarian) 2.3%
Arizona John McCain Republican 1986
1992
Incumbent re-elected.
Others
  • John C. Zajac (Libertarian) 2.3%
  • Bob Park (Reform) 1.8%
Arkansas Dale Bumpers Democratic 1974
1980
1986
1992
Incumbent retired.
Democratic hold.
  • Green tickY Blanche Lincoln (Democratic) 55.1%
  • Fay Boozman (Republican) 42.2%
  • Charley E. Heffley (Reform) 2.7%
California Barbara Boxer Democratic 1992 Incumbent re-elected.
Others
  • Ted Brown (Libertarian) 1.1%
  • Timothy R. Erich (Reform) 1%
  • H. Joseph Perrin, Sr. (American Independent) 0.7%
  • Ophie C. Beltran (Peace and Freedom) 0.6%
  • Brian M. Rees (Natural Law) 0.6%
Colorado Ben Nighthorse Campbell Republican 1992[b] Incumbent re-elected.
Others
  • David S. Segal (Libertarian) 1.0%
  • Kevin Swanson (American Constitution) 0.7%
  • Jeff Peckman (Natural Law) 0.3%
  • John Heckman (Concerns of People) 0.2%
  • Gary Swing (Pacifist) 0.1%
Connecticut Chris Dodd Democratic 1980
1986
1992
Incumbent re-elected.
Others
  • William Kozak (Concerned Citizens) 1.3%
  • Lois A. Grasso (Term Limits) 0.7%
  • Wildey Moore (Libertarian) 0.5%
Florida Bob Graham Democratic 1986
1992
Incumbent re-elected.
Georgia Paul Coverdell Republican 1992 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Paul Coverdell (Republican) 52.3%
  • Michael Coles (Democratic) 45.3%
  • Bertil Armin Loftman (Libertarian) 2.5%
Hawaii Daniel Inouye Democratic 1962
1968
1974
1980
1986
1992
Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Daniel Inouye (Democratic) 79.2%
  • Crystal Young (Republican) 17.8%
  • Lloyd Mallan (Libertarian) 3%
Idaho Dirk Kempthorne Republican 1992 Incumbent retired to run for Governor of Idaho.
Republican hold.
  • Green tickY Mike Crapo (Republican) 69.5%
  • Bill Mauk (Democratic) 28.4%
  • George J. Mansfeld (Natural Law) 2%
Illinois Carol Moseley Braun Democratic 1992 Incumbent lost re-election.
Republican gain.
Others
  • Don A. Torgersen (Reform) 2.2%
  • Raymond W. Stalker (U.S. Taxpayers) 0.01%
Indiana Dan Coats Republican 1989 (appointed)
1990 (special)
1992
Incumbent retired.
Democratic gain.
  • Green tickY Evan Bayh (Democratic) 63.7%
  • Paul Helmke (Republican) 34.8%
  • Rebecca Sink-Burris (Libertarian) 1.5%
Iowa Chuck Grassley Republican 1980
1986
1992
Incumbent re-elected.
Others
  • Susan Marcus (Natural Law) 0.8%
  • Margaret Trowe (Socialist Workers) 0.3%
Kansas Sam Brownback Republican 1996 (special) Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Sam Brownback (Republican) 65.3%
  • Paul Feleciano Jr. (Democratic) 31.6%
Others
  • Tom Oyler (Libertarian) 1.6%
  • Alvin Bauman (Reform) 1.5%
Kentucky Wendell Ford Democratic 1974
1974 (appointed)
1980
1986
1992
Incumbent retired.
Republican gain.
Louisiana John Breaux Democratic 1986
1992
Incumbent re-elected.
Maryland Barbara Mikulski Democratic 1986
1992
Incumbent re-elected.
Missouri Kit Bond Republican 1986
1992
Incumbent re-elected.
Others
  • Tamara Millay (Libertarian) 2.0%
  • Curtis Frazier (U.S. Taxpayers) 1.0%
  • James F. Newport (Reform) 0.5%
Nevada Harry Reid Democratic 1986
1992
Incumbent re-elected.
Others
New Hampshire Judd Gregg Republican 1992 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Judd Gregg (Republican) 67.8%
  • George Condodemetraky (Democratic) 28.2%
Others
  • Brian Christeson (Libertarian) 2.4%
  • Roy Kendel (Independent) 1.5%
New York Al D'Amato Republican 1980
1986
1992
Incumbent lost re-election.
Democratic gain.
Others
  • Corinne E. Kurtz (Marijuana Reform) 0.7%
  • Joel Kovel (Green) 0.3%
  • William P. McMillen (Libertarian) 0.2%
  • Rose Ana Berbeo (Socialist Workers) 0.1%
North Carolina Lauch Faircloth Republican 1992 Incumbent lost re-election.
Democratic gain.
North Dakota Byron Dorgan Democratic-NPL 1992 Incumbent re-elected.
Ohio John Glenn Democratic 1974
1974 (appointed)
1980
1986
1992
Incumbent retired.
Republican gain.
Oklahoma Don Nickles Republican 1980
1986
1992
Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Don Nickles (Republican) 66.4%
  • Don Carroll (Democratic) 31.3%
Others
  • Mike Morris (Independent) 1.8%
  • Argus W. Yandell, Jr. (Independent) 0.5%
Oregon Ron Wyden Democratic 1996 (special) Incumbent re-elected.
Others
  • Karen Moskowitz (Green) 2.0%
  • Jim Brewster (Libertarian) 1.6%
  • Michael A. Campbell (Natural Law) 0.8%
  • Dean M. Braa (Socialist) 0.7%
Pennsylvania Arlen Specter Republican 1980
1986
1992
Incumbent re-elected.
Others
  • Dean Snyder (Constitution) 2.3%
  • Jack Iannantuono (Libertarian) 1.6%
South Carolina Fritz Hollings Democratic 1966 (special)
1968
1974
1980
1986
1992
Incumbent re-elected.
South Dakota Tom Daschle Democratic 1986
1992
Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Tom Daschle (Democratic) 62.1%
  • Ron Schmidt (Republican) 36.4%
  • Byron Dale (Libertarian) 1.4%
Utah Bob Bennett Republican 1992 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Bob Bennett (Republican) 64%
  • Scott Leckman (Democratic) 33%
  • Gary R. Van Horn (Independent American) 3%
Vermont Patrick Leahy Democratic 1974
1980
1986
1992
Incumbent re-elected.
Others
  • Hugh Douglas (Libertarian) 2.0%
  • Barry M. Nelson (Independent) 1.4%
  • Bob Melamede (Vermont Grassroots) 1.2%
  • Jerry Levy (Liberty Union) 0.6%
Washington Patty Murray Democratic 1992 Incumbent re-elected.
Wisconsin Russ Feingold Democratic 1992 Incumbent re-elected.
Others
  • Robert R. Raymond (U.S. Taxpayers) 0.5%
  • Tom Ender (Libertarian) 0.3%
  • Eugene A. Hem (Independent) 0.2%

Closest races

Eight races had a margin of less than 10%:

State Party of winner Margin
Nevada Democratic 0.09%
Kentucky Republican (flip) 0.59%
Wisconsin Democratic 2.1%
Illinois Republican (flip) 2.9%
North Carolina Democratic (flip) 4.1%
South Carolina Democratic 7.0%
Georgia Republican 7.2%
Missouri Republican 8.9%

Ohio was the tipping point state with a margin of 13%.

Alabama

Alabama election

← 1992
2004 →
 
Nominee Richard Shelby Clayton Suddith
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 817,973 474,568
Percentage 63.2% 36.7%

County results
Shelby:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%
Suddith:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

U.S. senator before election

Richard Shelby
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Richard Shelby
Republican

Incumbent Republican Richard Shelby won re-election to a third term. Shelby had been elected in 1986 and 1992 as a Democrat, but switched to the Republican party in 1994, making this the first election he competed in as a Republican. He beat Democrat Clayton Suddith, an army veteran and former Franklin County Commissioner.[2]

1998 United States Senate election in Alabama[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Richard Shelby (Incumbent) 817,973 63.2%
Democratic Clayton Suddith 474,568 36.7%
Independent Write-ins 864 0.1%
Majority 343,405 26.5%
Turnout 1,293,405 100.0%
Republican hold

Alaska

Alaska election

← 1992
2004 →
 
Nominee Frank Murkowski Joseph Sonneman
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 165,227 43,743
Percentage 74.5% 19.7%

Results by state house district
Murkowski:      40–50%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%

U.S. senator before election

Frank Murkowski
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Frank Murkowski
Republican

Incumbent Republican Frank Murkowski easily won re-election to a fourth term against Democratic nominee Joseph Sonneman, a perennial candidate, earning nearly 75% of the vote.

Open primary[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Frank Murkowski (Incumbent) 76,649 71.76%
Democratic Joseph Sonneman 10,721 10.04%
Democratic Frank Vondersaar 6,342 5.94%
Republican William L. Hale 6,313 5.91%
Green Jeffrey Gottlieb 4,796 4.49%
Libertarian Scott A. Kohlhaas 1,987 1.86%
Total votes 106,808 100.00%
Republican hold
1998 United States Senate election in Alaska[4]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Frank Murkowski (Incumbent) 165,227 74.49% +21.44%
Democratic Joe Sonneman 43,743 19.72% −18.68%
Green Jeffrey Gottlieb 7,126 3.21% −5.14%
Libertarian Scott A. Kohlhaas 5,046 2.27%
Write-ins 665 0.30%
Majority 121,484 54.77% +40.13%
Turnout 221,807
Republican hold

Arizona

Arizona election

← 1992
2004 →
 
Nominee John McCain Ed Ranger
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 696,577 275,224
Percentage 68.7% 27.2%

County results
McCain:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

U.S. senator before election

John McCain
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

John McCain
Republican

Incumbent Republican John McCain won re-election to a third term over Democratic attorney Ed Ranger.[5]

General election result[4]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican John McCain (Incumbent) 696,577 68.74% +12.93%
Democratic Ed Ranger 275,224 27.16% −4.41%
Libertarian John C. Zajac 23,004 2.27% +0.63%
Reform Bob Park 18,288 1.80%
Write-ins 187 0.02%
Majority 421,353 41.58% +17.34%
Turnout 1,013,280
Republican hold

Arkansas

Arkansas election

← 1992
2004 →
 
Nominee Blanche Lincoln Fay Boozman
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 385,878 295,870
Percentage 55.1% 42.4%

County results
Lincoln:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%
Boozman:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election

Dale Bumpers
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Blanche Lincoln
Democratic

Incumbent Dale Bumpers retired. U.S. Representative Blanche Lincoln won the open seat.

Democratic primary[6]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Blanche Lincoln 145,009 45.5%
Democratic Winston Bryant 87,183 27.4%
Democratic Scott Ferguson 44,761 14.0%
Democratic Nate Coulter 41,848 13.1%
Total votes 318,801 100.00%
Republican primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Fay Boozman 128,929 78.0%
Republican Tom Prince 44,006 22.0%
Total votes 172,035 100.00%
Arkansas Senate election 1998
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Blanche Lincoln 385,878 55.1%
Republican Fay Boozman 295,870 42.2%
Reform Charley E. Heffley 18,896 2.7%
Majority 90,008 12.9%
Turnout 700,644 100.0%
Democratic hold

California

California election

← 1992
2004 →
 
Nominee Barbara Boxer Matt Fong
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 4,411,705 3,576,351
Percentage 53.1% 43.0%

County results
Boxer:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Fong:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election

Barbara Boxer
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Barbara Boxer
Democratic

Incumbent Democrat Barbara Boxer won re-election to a second term.

1998 United States Senate Democratic primary, California
Candidate Votes %
Barbara Boxer (Incumbent) 2,574,264 92.15%
John Pinkerton 219,250 7.85%
Total votes 2,793,514 100.00%
1998 United States Senate Republican primary, California
Candidate Votes %
Matt Fong 1,292,662 45.28%
Darrell Issa 1,142,567 40.02%
Frank Riggs 295,886 10.36%
John M. Brown 48,941 1.71%
Mark Raus 45,480 1.59%
Linh Dao 29,241 1.02%
Total votes 2,854,777 100.00%
1998 United States Senate primary, California (Others)
Party Candidate Votes %
Libertarian Ted Brown 67,408 100.00%
Peace and Freedom Ophie C. Beltran 52,306 100.00%
Reform Timothy R. Erich 45,601 100.00%
American Independent Joseph Perrin, Sr. 24,026 100.00%
Natural Law Brian M. Rees 23,945 100.00%

Although the race was predicted[by whom?] to be fairly close, Boxer still defeated Fong by a ten-point margin. Boxer as expected did very well in Los Angeles County, and the San Francisco Bay Area.

1998 United States Senate election, California[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Barbara Boxer (Incumbent) 4,410,056 53.06%
Republican Matt Fong 3,575,078 43.01%
Libertarian Ted Brown 93,926 1.13%
Reform Timothy R. Erich 82,918 1.00%
American Independent Joseph Perrin, Sr. 54,699 0.66%
Peace and Freedom Ophie C. Beltran 48,685 0.56%
Natural Law Brian M. Rees 46,543 0.59%
Total votes 8,311,905 100.00%
Turnout  
Democratic hold

Colorado

Colorado election

← 1992
2004 →
 
Nominee Ben Nighthorse Campbell Dottie Lamm
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 829,370 464,754
Percentage 62.5% 35.0%

County results
Nighthorse Campbell:
     50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%
Lamm:      50–60%

U.S. senator before election

Ben Nighthorse Campbell
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Ben Nighthorse Campbell
Republican

Incumbent Republican Ben Nighthorse Campbell won re-election to a second term.

Colorado Democratic primary[7]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Dottie Lamm 84,929 57.98%
Democratic Gil Romero 61,548 42.02%
Total votes 146,477 100.00%
Colorado Republican primary[7]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Ben Nighthorse Campbell (Incumbent) 154,702 70.62%
Republican Bill Eggert 64,347 29.38%
Total votes 219,049 100.00%

Campbell, who was elected in 1992 as a Democrat, switched parties after the 1994 Republican Revolution. He faced a primary challenger, but won with over 70% of the vote. In the general election, Democratic nominee Dottie Lamm criticized Campbell of flip flopping from being a moderate liberal to moderate conservative.[8][9] In fact, throughout the entire campaign, Lamm mostly sent out negative attack advertisements about Campbell.[10]

General election[4]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Ben Nighthorse Campbell (Incumbent) 829,370 62.49% +19.78%
Democratic Dottie Lamm 464,754 35.02% −16.76%
Libertarian David S. Segal 14,024 1.06% +1.06%
Constitution Kevin Swanson 9,775 0.74%
Natural Law Jeffrey Peckham 4,101 0.31%
Independent John Heckman 3,230 0.24%
Independent Gary Swing 1,981 0.15%
Majority 364,616 27.47% +18.40%
Turnout 1,327,235
Republican hold Swing

Connecticut

Connecticut election

← 1992
2004 →
 
Nominee Chris Dodd Gary A. Franks
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 628,306 312,177
Percentage 65.2% 32.4%

Dodd:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%
Franks:      40–50%      50–60%

U.S. senator before election

Chris Dodd
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Chris Dodd
Democratic

Incumbent Democrat Chris Dodd won re-election for a fourth term against former Republican U.S. Congressman Gary A. Franks.

Connecticut Senate election 1998[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Chris Dodd (Incumbent) 628,306 65.2%
Republican Gary A. Franks 312,177 32.4%
Concerned Citizens William Kozak 12,261 1.3%
Independent Lois A. Grasso 6,517 0.7%
Libertarian Wildey J. Moore 5,196 0.5%
Majority 316,129 32.8%
Turnout 964,457 100.0%
Democratic hold

Florida

Florida election

← 1992
2004 →
 
Nominee Bob Graham Charlie Crist
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 2,436,407 1,463,755
Percentage 62.5% 37.5%

Graham:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%
Crist:      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election

Bob Graham
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Bob Graham
Democratic

Incumbent Democrat Bob Graham won re-election to a third term.

Democratic primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Bob Graham (Incumbent) 909,349 100.00%
Republican primary[11]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Charlie Crist 365,894 66.40%
Republican Andy Martin 184,739 33.60%
Total votes 550,633 100.00%

Graham defeated Crist in a landslide, as Crist won just four counties in the state. There were no third party or independent candidates.

General election[4]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Daniel Robert Graham (incumbent) 2,436,407 62.47% −2.93%
Republican Charles Joseph Crist, Jr. 1,463,755 37.53% +2.94%
Majority 972,652 24.94% −5.87%
Turnout 3,900,162 46.84%
Total votes 3,900,162 100.00%
Democratic hold

Georgia

Georgia election

 
Nominee Paul Coverdell Michael Coles
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 918,540 791,904
Percentage 52.37% 45.15%

County results
Coverdell:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Coles:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

U.S. senator before election

Paul Coverdell
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Paul Coverdell
Republican

Incumbent Republican Paul Coverdell won re-election to a second term.[4]

1998 Georgia United States Senate election
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Paul Coverdell (Incumbent) 918,540 52.37%
Democratic Michael Coles 791,904 45.15%
Libertarian Bert Loftman 43,467 2.48%
Socialist Workers Daniel Fein (write-in) 42 0.00%
Majority 126,636 7.22%
Turnout 1,753,953
Republican hold

Hawaii

Hawaii election

← 1992
2004 →
 
Nominee Daniel Inouye Crystal Young
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 315,252 70,964
Percentage 79.2% 17.8%

County results
Inouye:      70–80%

U.S. senator before election

Daniel Inouye
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Daniel Inouye
Democratic

Incumbent Democrat Daniel Inouye won re-election to a seventh term over Republican legislative aide Crystal Young.[12]

General election[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Daniel Inouye (Incumbent) 315,252 79.2%
Republican Crystal Young 70,964 17.8%
Libertarian Lloyd Jeffrey Mallan 11,908 3.0%
Majority 244,288 61.4%
Turnout 398,124 100.0%
Democratic hold

Idaho

Idaho election

← 1992
2004 →
 
Nominee Mike Crapo Bill Mauk
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 262,966 107,375
Percentage 69.5% 28.4%

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

U.S. senator before election

Dirk Kempthorne
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Mike Crapo
Republican

Incumbent Republican Dirk Kempthorne decided to retire after one term to run for governor. Republican nominee Mike Crapo won the open seat.

Democratic primary[13]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Bill Mauk 22,503 100.00%
Total votes 22,503 100.00%
Republican primary[13]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Mike Crapo 110,205 87.27%
Republican Matt Lambert 16,075 12.73%
Total votes 126,280 100.00%
General election[4]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Mike Crapo 262,966 69.54% +13.01%
Democratic Bill Mauk 107,375 28.39% −15.08%
Natural Law George J. Mansfeld 7,833 2.07%
Majority 155,591 41.14% +28.10%
Turnout 378,174
Republican hold

Illinois

Illinois election

← 1992
2004 →
 
Nominee Peter Fitzgerald Carol Moseley Braun
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 1,709,042 1,610,496
Percentage 50.4% 47.4%

County results
Fitzgerald:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Braun:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election

Carol Moseley Braun
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Peter Fitzgerald
Republican

Incumbent Democrat Carol Moseley Braun decided to run for re-election, despite the number of controversies that she had in her first term. Republican State Senator Peter Fitzgerald won his party's primary with a slim margin of victory.

He ended up defeating the incumbent, with a margin of victory of approximately 3%. Peter Fitzgerald won all but five counties.

During Moseley Braun's term as U.S. Senator, she was plagued by several major controversies. Moseley Braun was the subject of a 1993 Federal Elections Commission investigation over $249,000 in unaccounted-for campaign funds. The agency found some small violations, but took no action against Moseley Braun, citing a lack of resources. Moseley Braun only admitted to bookkeeping errors. The Justice Department turned down two requests for investigations from the IRS.[14]

In 1996, Moseley Braun made a private trip to Nigeria, where she met with dictator Sani Abacha. Despite U.S. sanctions against that country, due to Abacha's actions, the Senator did not notify, nor register her trip with, the State Department. She subsequently defended Abacha's human rights records in Congress.[15]

Peter Fitzgerald, a State Senator, won the Republican primary, defeating Illinois Comptroller Loleta Didrickson with 51.8% of the vote, to Didrickson's 48.2%.[16] Fitzgerald spent nearly $7 million in the Republican primary.[17] He had a major financial advantage, as he was a multimillionaire. He ended up spending $12 million in his election victory.[18]

In September, Moseley Braun created controversy again by using the word "nigger" to describe how she claims to be a victim of racism.[18]

Most polls over the first few months showed Moseley Braun trailing badly. However, after she was helped in the final month by notable Democrats such as First Lady Hillary Clinton and U.S. Congressman Luis V. Gutierrez, three polls published in the last week showed her within the margin of error, and, in one poll, running even with Fitzgerald.[19]

Moseley Braun was narrowly defeated by Republican Peter Fitzgerald. Moseley Braun only won five of Illinois's 102 counties. Despite this, the race was kept close by Moseley running up massive margins in Cook County, home of Chicago. However, it was not quite enough to win.

1998 Illinois United States Senate election[20]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Peter Fitzgerald 1,709,041[21] 50.35%[21] +7.4%
Democratic Carol Moseley Braun (Incumbent) 1,610,496[21] 47.44%[21] −5.6%
Reform Don Torgersen 74,704[21] 2.20%[21] 0.00%
US Taxpayers Raymond Stalker 280[21] 0.01%[21] 0.00%
Majority 98,545 2.91% 0.00%
Turnout 3,394,521
Republican gain from Democratic Swing

Indiana

Indiana election

← 1992
2004 →
 
Nominee Evan Bayh Paul Helmke
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 1,012,244 552,732
Percentage 63.7% 34.8%

County results
Bayh:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80-90%
Helmke:      40–50%

U.S. senator before election

Dan Coats
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Evan Bayh
Democratic

Incumbent Republican Dan Coats decided to retire instead of seeking a second full term. Democratic nominee, former Governor Evan Bayh won the open seat his father once held.

General election[4]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Evan Bayh 1,012,244 63.7%
Republican Paul Helmke 552,732 34.8%
Libertarian Rebecca Sink-Burris 23,641 1.5%
Majority 459,512
Turnout 1,588,617
Democratic gain from Republican Swing

Iowa

Iowa election

← 1992
2004 →
 
Nominee Chuck Grassley David Osterberg
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 648,480 289,049
Percentage 68.41% 30.49%

County results
Grassley:      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%      80-90%      >90%

U.S. senator before election

Chuck Grassley
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Chuck Grassley
Republican

Incumbent Republican Chuck Grassley sought re-election to a fourth term in the United States Senate, facing off against former State Representative David Osterberg, who won the Democratic nomination unopposed. Grassley had not faced a competitive election since 1980; this year proved no different, and Grassley crushed Osterberg to win a fourth term.

Democratic primary[22]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic David Osterberg 86,064 99.45%
Democratic Write-ins 476 0.55%
Total votes 86,540 100.00%
Republican primary[22]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Chuck Grassley (Incumbent) 149,943 99.72%
Republican Write-ins 419 0.28%
Total votes 150,362 100.00%
1998 United States Senate election in Iowa[4]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Chuck Grassley (Incumbent) 648,480 68.41% −1.20%
Democratic David Osterberg 289,049 30.49% +3.29%
Natural Law Susan Marcus 7,561 0.80% −0.47%
Socialist Workers Margaret Trowe 2,542 0.27% +0.16%
Write-ins 275 0.03%
Majority 359,431 37.92% −4.50%
Turnout 947,907
Republican hold

Kansas

Kansas election

← 1996
2004 →
 
Nominee Sam Brownback Paul Feleciano
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 474,639 229,718
Percentage 65.3% 31.6%

County results

Brownback:      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%      80-90%

Feleciano:      50–60%

U.S. senator before election

Sam Brownback
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Sam Brownback
Republican

Incumbent Republican Sam Brownback won re-election to his first full term. Brownback was first elected in a special election held in 1996, when then-Senator Bob Dole resigned to campaign for U.S. President, after 27 years in the Senate. This would've been Dole's seventh term in office had he remained in his seat.

Democratic primary[23]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Paul Feleciano, Jr. 58,097 58.73%
Democratic Todd Covault 40,825 41.27%
Total votes 98,922 100.00%
Republican Party primary[23]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Sam Brownback (Incumbent) 255,747 100.00%
Total votes 255,747 100.00%
General election[24]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Sam Brownback (Incumbent) 474,639 65.27% +11.35%
Democratic Paul Feleciano, Jr. 229,718 31.59% −11.74%
Libertarian Tom Oyler 11,545 1.59%
Reform Alvin Bauman 11,334 1.56% −1.20%
Majority 244,921 33.68% +23.10%
Turnout 727,236
Republican hold

Kentucky

Kentucky election

← 1992
2004 →
 
Nominee Jim Bunning Scotty Baesler
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 569,817 563,051
Percentage 49.8% 49.2%

County results
Bunning:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Baesler:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

U.S. senator before election

Wendell Ford
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Jim Bunning
Republican

Incumbent Democratic U.S Senator Wendell Ford decided to retire, instead of seeking a fifth term. Republican Representative Jim Bunning won the open seat.

Democratic primary[25]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Scotty Baesler 194,125 34.16%
Democratic Charlie Owen 166,472 29.29%
Democratic Steve Henry 156,576 27.55%
Democratic Jim Brown 19,975 3.51%
Democratic David L. Williams 16,366 2.88%
Democratic Ken Buchanan Thompson 14,778 2.60%
Total votes 568,292 100.00%
Republican primary[25]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Jim Bunning 152,493 74.28%
Republican Barry Metcalf 52,798 25.72%
Total votes 205,291 100.00%
General election[26]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Jim Bunning 569,817 49.75% +13.94%
Democratic Scotty Baesler 563,051 49.16% −13.73%
Reform Charles R. Arbegust 12,546 1.10%
Majority 6,766 0.59% −26.48%
Total votes 1,145,414 100.00%
Republican gain from Democratic Swing

Louisiana

Louisiana election

← 1992
2004 →
 
Nominee John Breaux Jim Donelon
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 620,502 306,616
Percentage 64.0% 31.6%

Parish results
Breaux:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%
     70–80%
Donelon:      50–60%

U.S. senator before election

John Breaux
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

John Breaux
Democratic

Incumbent Democrat John Breaux won re-election to a third term. As of 2022, this is the last time the Democrats have won the Class 3 Senate Seat from Louisiana.

1998 Louisiana United States Senate election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic John Breaux (Incumbent) 620,502 64.0%
Republican Jim Donelon 306,616 31.6%
Independent Raymond Brown 12,203 1.3%
Independent Sam Houston Melton 9,893 1.0%
Independent Darryl Paul Ward 7,964 0.8%
Independent L. D. Knox 6,366 0.7%
Independent Jeffrey H. Diket 3,227 0.3%
Independent Martin A. Rosenthal 2,398 0.3%
Majority 313,886 32.4%
Turnout 969,169 100.0%
Democratic hold

Maryland

Maryland election

← 1992
2004 →
 
Nominee Barbara Mikulski Ross Pierpont
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 1,062,810 444,637
Percentage 70.5% 29.5%

County results
Mikulski:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%
Pierpont:      50–60%

U.S. senator before election

Barbara Mikulski
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Barbara Mikulski
Democratic

Incumbent Democrat Barbara Mikulski won re-election to a third term.

Democratic primary[27]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Barbara A. Mikulski (Incumbent) 349,382 84.36%
Democratic Ann L. Mallory 43,120 10.41%
Democratic Kauko H. Kokkonen 21,658 5.23%
Total votes 414,160 100.00%
Republican primary[27]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Ross Z. Pierpont 32,691 18.40%
Republican John Taylor 22,855 12.87%
Republican Michael Gloth 19,926 11.22%
Republican Kenneth Wayman 16,505 9.29%
Republican Bradlyn McClanahan 16,439 9.25%
Republican Howard David Greyber 16,177 9.11%
Republican John Stafford 15,031 8.46%
Republican George Liebmann 14,440 8.13%
Republican Barry Steve Asbury 11,881 6.69%
Republican Thomas Scott 11,707 6.59%
Total votes 177,652 100.00%
1998 United States Senate election in Maryland[4]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Barbara A. Mikulski (Incumbent) 1,062,810 70.50% −0.51%
Republican Ross Z. Pierpont 444,637 29.50% +0.51%
Majority 618,173 41.01% −1.02%
Total votes 1,507,447 100.00%
Democratic hold

Missouri

Missouri election

← 1992
2004 →
 
Nominee Kit Bond Jay Nixon
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 830,625 690,208
Percentage 52.7% 43.8%

County results

Bond:      40-50%      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%

Nixon:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election

Kit Bond
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Kit Bond
Republican

Incumbent Republican Kit Bond won re-election to a third term.[4]

General election results
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Kit Bond (Incumbent) 830,625 52.68%
Democratic Jay Nixon 690,208 43.77%
Libertarian Tamara Millay 31,876 2.02%
Constitution Curtis Frazier 15,368 0.98%
Reform James Newport 8,780 0.56%
Majority 140,417 8.90%
Turnout 1,576,857
Republican hold

Nevada

Nevada election

← 1992
2004 →
 
Nominee Harry Reid John Ensign
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 208,621 208,220
Percentage 47.9% 47.8%

County results
Reid:      50–60%
Ensign:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

U.S. senator before election

Harry Reid
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Harry Reid
Democratic

Incumbent Democrat Harry Reid won re-election to a third term.

Republican primary[28]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican John Ensign 105,263 80.57%
Republican Ralph W. Stephens 13,679 10.47%
Republican None of these candidates 11,704 8.96%
Total votes 130,646 100.00%

Reid won in a close election by 401 votes—even closer than Tim Johnson's Senate run in South Dakota in 2002, when he narrowly defeated Congressman John Thune by 524 votes. Ensign did not contest the results, and Reid won the race.

General election[1]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Harry Reid (Incumbent) 208,621 47.86% −3.19%
Republican John Ensign 208,220 47.77% +7.56%
Libertarian Michael Cloud 8,129 1.87% +0.41%
None of These Candidates 8,113 1.86% -0.79%
Natural Law Michael E. Williams 2,781 0.64% −0.83%
Majority 401 0.09% −10.74%
Turnout 435,864
Democratic hold

New Hampshire

New Hampshire election

← 1992
2004 →
 
Nominee Judd Gregg George Condodemetraky
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 213,477 88,883
Percentage 67.8% 28.2%

Gregg:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%
Condodemetraky:      50–60%

U.S. senator before election

Judd Gregg
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Judd Gregg
Republican

Incumbent Republican Judd Gregg won re-election to his second term.

General election[29]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Judd Gregg (Incumbent) 213,477 67.8%
Democratic George Condodemetraky 88,883 28.2%
Libertarian Brian Christeson 7,603 2.4%
Independent American Roy Kendel 4,733 1.5%
Majority 124,594 39.6%
Turnout 314,696 100.0%
Republican hold

New York

New York election

← 1992
2004 →
 
Nominee Chuck Schumer Al D'Amato
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 2,551,065 2,058,988
Percentage 54.6% 44.1%

County results
Schumer:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%
D'Amato:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

U.S. senator before election

Al D'Amato
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Chuck Schumer
Democratic

Incumbent Republican Al D'Amato was running for re-election to a fourth term, but lost to Chuck Schumer in what was considered by many to be the "high[est] profile and nastiest" contest of the year.[30]

Geraldine Ferraro, former U.S. Representative and nominee for Vice President in 1984, was well known for having been the 1984 Democratic vice presidential nominee and had also run but lost in the Democratic primary in the 1992 U.S. Senate election in New York. Mark Green, New York City Public Advocate, had been the Democratic nominee in the 1986 election, but lost in the general election to D'Amato.

At the start of 1998, Ferraro had done no fundraising, out of fear of conflict of interest with her job hosting the CNN program Crossfire, but was nonetheless perceived as the front-runner by virtue of her name recognition;[31] indeed, December and January polls had her 25 percentage points ahead of Green in the race and even further ahead of Schumer.[32][33] Unlike her previous campaigns, Ferraro's family finances never became an issue in 1998.[32] However, she lost ground during the summer, with Schumer catching her in the polls by early August and then soon passing her.[34] Schumer, a tireless fundraiser, outspent her by a five-to-one margin, and Ferraro failed to establish a political image current with the times.[32][35] In the September 15, 1998, primary, she was beaten soundly by Schumer with a 51 percent to 26 percent margin.[32] Unlike the bitter 1992 Democratic senatorial primary, this contest was not divisive, and Ferraro and third-place finisher Green endorsed Schumer at a unity breakfast the following day.[36]

The primaries were held on September 15, 1998.

Democratic primary for the 1998 United States Senate election in New York[37]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Chuck Schumer 388,701 50.84%
Democratic Geraldine Ferraro 201,625 26.37%
Democratic Mark Green 145,819 19.07%
Democratic Eric Ruano-Melendez 28,493 3.73%
Independence Party primary for the 1998 United States Senate election in New York[38]
Party Candidate Votes %
Independence Chuck Schumer 2,562 58.04%
Independence Mark Green 1,852 41.96%
Right to Life Party primary for the 1998 United States Senate election in New York[39]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Right to Life Al D'Amato 3,798 63.07%
Right to Life Thomas Drolesky 2,224 36.93%

During the general campaign, D'Amato attempted to brand Schumer as a diehard liberal, while Schumer accused D'Amato of being a liar. When D'Amato's first strategy failed, D'Amato attacked his opponent's attendance record as a member of Congress, which Schumer refuted.[40][41]

Late in the campaign, D'Amato called Schumer a "putzhead" in a private meeting with Jewish supporters ("putz" is Yiddish for penis, and can be slang for "fool").[42] The senator later apologized.[30]

In the last days of the campaign, D'Amato campaigned with popular Governor George Pataki, who was also running for re-election, and was also supported by New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani and former Mayor Ed Koch (a Democrat)[42] Vice President Al Gore and First Lady Hillary Clinton personally campaigned for Schumer, as D'Amato was a prominent critic of President Bill Clinton[40] who led the investigation into Whitewater.[43] Though the Republican party was well organized, the Democratic party benefited from robocalls from President Clinton and mobilization from two big unions, United Federation of Teachers and 1199.[40]

Though D'Amato was effective in obtaining federal government funds for New York State projects during his Senate career, he failed to capitalize on this in the election.[40] Also, Schumer was a tenacious fund-raiser and was aggressive in his attacks.[43] The candidates spent $30 million during the race.[40]

The race was not close with Schumer defeating the incumbent D'Amato by just over 10%. D'Amato did win a majority of New York's counties, but his wins were in less populated areas. Schumer's win is attributed to strong performance in New York City. Schumer also performed well in heavily populated upstate cities, like Buffalo, Syracuse, Rochester, and Albany.

1998 United States Senate election in New York[44]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Chuck Schumer 2,386,314
Independence Chuck Schumer 109,027
Liberal Chuck Schumer 55,724
Total Chuck Schumer 2,551,065 54.62%
Republican Al D'Amato 1,680,203
Conservative Al D'Amato 274,220
Right to Life Party (New York) Al D'Amato 104,565
Total Al D'Amato (Incumbent) 2,058,988 44.08%
Marijuana Reform Party Corinne Kurtz 34,281 0.73%
Green Joel Kovel 14,735 0.32%
Libertarian William McMillen 8,223 0.18%
Socialist Workers Rose Ana Berbeo 3,513 0.08%
Majority
Turnout
Democratic gain from Republican
Per New York State law, Schumer and D'Amato totals include minor party line votes: Independence Party and Liberal Party for Schumer, Right to Life Party for D'Amato.

North Carolina

North Carolina election

← 1992
2004 →
 
Nominee John Edwards Lauch Faircloth
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 1,029,237 945,943
Percentage 51.15% 47.01%

County results
Edwards:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Faircloth:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election

Lauch Faircloth
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

John Edwards
Democratic

Incumbent Republican Lauch Faircloth decided to seek re-election to a second term, but was unseated by Democrat John Edwards.[4]

In the Democratic primary, Edwards defeated D. G. Martin, Ella Scarborough, and several minor candidates. In the Republican primary, Faircloth easily defeated two minor candidates.[45]

1998 North Carolina United States Senate election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic John Edwards 1,029,237 51.15%
Republican Lauch Faircloth (Incumbent) 945,943 47.01%
Libertarian Barbara Howe 36,963 1.84%
Majority 83,294 4.14%
Turnout 2,012,143
Democratic gain from Republican

North Dakota

North Dakota election

← 1992
2004 →
 
Nominee Byron Dorgan Donna Nalewaja
Party Democratic–NPL Republican
Popular vote 134,747 75,013
Percentage 63.2% 35.2%

County results
Dorgan:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%
Tie:      40–50%

U.S. senator before election

Byron Dorgan
Democratic–NPL

Elected U.S. Senator

Byron Dorgan
Democratic–NPL

Incumbent NPL–Democrat Byron Dorgan won re-election to a second term.[46]

Republican Donna Nalewaja, State Senator's campaign focused on the suggestion that Dorgan had served in the United States Congress for nearly 20 years, and had accomplished relatively little. Dorgan and Nalewaja won the primary elections for their respective parties. McLain had previously run for North Dakota's other Senate seat in 1980 against Mark Andrews.

1998 United States Senate election, North Dakota
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic–NPL Byron Dorgan (Incumbent) 134,747 63.16%
Republican Donna Nalewaja 75,013 35.16%
Reform Harley McLain 3,598 1.69%
Majority
Turnout 213,358
Democratic hold

Ohio

Ohio election

← 1992
2004 →
 
Nominee George Voinovich Mary Boyle
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 1,922,087 1,482,054
Percentage 56.5% 43.5%

County results

Voinovich:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

Boyle:      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election

John Glenn
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

George Voinovich
Republican

Incumbent Democratic U.S Senator John Glenn decided to retire, instead of seeking a fifth term. Republican Governor George Voinovich won the open seat.

General election[47]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican George V. Voinovich 1,922,087 56.5%
Democratic Mary Boyle 1,482,054 43.5%
Majority 440,033 13.0%
Turnout 3,404,141 100.0%
Republican hold

Oklahoma

Oklahoma election

← 1992
2004 →
 
Nominee Don Nickles Don Carroll
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 570,682 268,898
Percentage 66.4% 31.3%

County results
Nickles:      40-50%      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%      80-90%
Carroll:      50–60%

U.S. senator before election

Don Nickles
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Don Nickles
Republican

Incumbent Republican Don Nickles won re-election to his fourth term.

OK U.S. Senate Election, 1998[48]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Don Nickles (Incumbent) 570,682 66.4%
Democratic Don Carroll 268,898 31.3%
Independent Mike Morris 15,516 1.8%
Independent Argus W. Jr. Yandell 4,617 0.4%
Majority 301,784 35.1%
Turnout 859,713 100.0%
Republican hold

Oregon

Oregon election

 
Nominee Ron Wyden John Lim
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 682,425 377,739
Percentage 61.1% 33.8%

County results

Wyden:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

Lim:      50–60%

U.S. senator before election

Ron Wyden
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Ron Wyden
Democratic

Incumbent Democratic Ron Wyden won re-election to his first full term, defeating Republican nominee John Lim, a state senator.

General election[49]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Ron Wyden (Incumbent) 682,425 61.05% +13.27%
Republican John Lim 377,739 33.79% −12.47%
Pacific Green Karyn Moskowitz 22,024 1.97% +1.37%
Libertarian Jim Brewster 18,221 1.63% +0.32%
Natural Law Michael A. Campbell 8,372 0.75% +0.75%
Socialist Dean M. Braa 7,553 0.68% +.02%
Write-In Misc. 1,413 0.13% −1.12%
Majority 304,686 27.26% +25.74
Turnout 1,117,747
Democratic hold

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania election

← 1992
2004 →
 
Nominee Arlen Specter Bill Lloyd
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 1,814,180 1,028,839
Percentage 61.3% 34.8%

County results

Specter:      40-50%      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%

Lloyd:      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election

Arlen Specter
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Arlen Specter
Republican

Incumbent Republican Arlen Specter won re-election to a fourth term.

Leading up to this campaign, the state Democratic Party was in dire straits, as it was plagued by prior corruption allegations of several key legislators and by a lack of fund-raising. Just as in the accompanying gubernatorial race, the party had difficulty in finding a credible candidate. State Representative Bill Lloyd, State Representative,[50] who was a well-respected party leader but who had almost zero statewide name recognition, was considered[by whom?] to be a sacrificial lamb candidate. Specter ran a straightforward campaign and attempted to avoid mistakes, while Lloyd's bid was so underfunded that he was unable to air a single commercial until two weeks before the election. Lloyd's strategy was to portray Republicans as hyper-partisan in wake of their attempt to impeach President Bill Clinton, but he was unable to gain any traction with his message. On Election Day, Specter's win was by the second-largest margin in the history of Senate elections in Pennsylvania. Lloyd won in two counties: almost uniformly Democratic Philadelphia and his home county, rural and typically Republican Somerset County.[51]

General election[4]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Arlen Specter (Incumbent) 1,814,180 61.3%
Democratic Bill Lloyd 1,028,839 34.8%
Constitution Dean Snyder 68,377 2.3%
Libertarian Jack Iannantuono 46,103 1.6%
Majority 785,341 26.5%
Turnout 2,957,499 100.0%
Republican hold

South Carolina

South Carolina election

← 1992
2004 →
 
Nominee Ernest Hollings Bob Inglis
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 563,377 488,238
Percentage 52.70% 45.67%

County results
Hollings:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Inglis:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election

Ernest Hollings
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Ernest Hollings
Democratic

Incumbent Democrat Fritz Hollings won re-election to his sixth full term. As of 2023, this is the last time Democrats won a U.S. Senate election in South Carolina.

South Carolina U.S. Senate Election Primary, 1998
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Bob Inglis 115,029 74.6%
Republican Stephen Brown 33,530 21.7%
Republican Elton Legrand 5,634 3.7%

The race between Hollings and Bob Inglis, U.S. Representative gave the voters a choice of two very different visions of and for South Carolina. Hollings was from the Lowcountry, a face of the Old New South, and secured a large amount of federal funds for the state. On the other hand, Inglis came from the Upstate, was a face of the New South, and opposed to pork barrel spending. Hollings viciously attacked Inglis on the campaign trail as a "goddamn skunk" and when Inglis requested that Hollings sign a pledge for campaign courtesy, Hollings replied that Inglis could "kiss his fanny." Inglis tried to tie Hollings to President Clinton, who had been tainted by the Lewinsky scandal.

Ultimately, Hollings won the race for four crucial reasons. First, Inglis refused to accept PAC donations which allowed Hollings to enjoy a huge financial advantage and blanket the state with his television advertisements. Secondly, Inglis came from the Upstate which already provided GOP majorities whereas Hollings came from the Lowcountry which was a key tossup region in the state. Thirdly, the voters two years prior in the 1996 Senate election had rewarded Strom Thurmond for his long service to the state and it was unlikely that they would then deny re-election to Hollings. Finally, the 1998 South Carolina GOP ticket was dragged down with unpopular Governor David Beasley at the top of the ticket who would go on to lose his re-election campaign to Jim Hodges.

South Carolina U.S. Senate Election, 1998[1]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Fritz Hollings (Incumbent) 563,377 52.7% +2.6%
Republican Bob Inglis 488,238 45.7% −1.2%
Libertarian Richard T. Quillian 16,991 1.6% −0.3%
No party Write-Ins 457 0.0% −0.1%
Majority 75,139 7.0% +3.8%
Turnout 1,069,063 52.8%
Democratic hold

South Dakota

South Dakota election

← 1992
2004 →
 
Nominee Tom Daschle Ron Schmidt
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 162,884 95,431
Percentage 62.1% 36.4%

County results
Daschle:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Schmidt:      40–50%      50–60%

U.S. senator before election

Tom Daschle
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Tom Daschle
Democratic

Incumbent Democrat Tom Daschle won re-election to a third term. As of 2023, this was the last time the Democrats have won the Class 3 Senate Seat from South Dakota.

Republican primary[52]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Ron Schmidt 26,540 52.01%
Republican Alan Aker 19,200 37.62%
Republican John M. Sanders 5,292 10.37%
Total votes 51,032 100.00%
General election[53]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Tom Daschle (Incumbent) 162,884 62.14% −2.76%
Republican Ron Schmidt 95,431 36.41% +3.90%
Libertarian Byron Dale 3,796 1.45% +0.15%
Majority 67,453 25.73% −6.66%
Turnout 262,111
Democratic hold

Utah

Utah election

← 1992
2004 →
 
Nominee Bob Bennett Scott Leckman
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 316,652 177,459
Percentage 64.0% 33.0%

County results

Bennett:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%

Leckman:      50–60%

U.S. senator before election

Bob Bennett
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Bob Bennett
Republican

Incumbent Republican Bob Bennett won re-election to a second term.

General election[54]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Bob Bennett (Incumbent) 316,652 63.98% +8.60%
Democratic Scott Leckman 163,172 32.97% −6.74%
Independent American Gary Van Horn 15,073 3.05%
Write-ins 12 0.00%
Majority 153,480 31.01% +15.34%
Turnout 494,909
Republican hold

Vermont

Vermont election

← 1992
2004 →
 
Nominee Patrick Leahy Fred Tuttle
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 154,567 48,051
Percentage 72.2% 22.5%

Leahy:      40-50%      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%      80-90%
Tuttle:      40-50%      50-60%

U.S. senator before election

Patrick Leahy
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Patrick Leahy
Democratic

Incumbent Democrat Patrick Leahy won re-election to a fifth term.[55]

Notably, the Republican nominee, dairy farmer and actor Fred Tuttle, withdrew from the race and endorsed Leahy, asking Vermonters to vote for his Democratic opponent because he hated Washington DC and he was, as his wife had previously said publicly, unqualified to serve as a United States Senator. His campaign, which had been conducted primarily from his front porch in Tunbridge, VT, spent only $251 during the election season and featured the slogans "Spread Fred!" and "Why Not?" In spite of this, Tuttle still received 48,051 votes, or 22% of the total.[56]

Democratic primary[57]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Patrick Leahy (Incumbent) 18,643 96.65%
Democratic Write-ins 647 3.35%
Total votes 19,290 100.00%
Grassroots Party primary[57]
Party Candidate Votes %
Grassroots Bob Melamede 137 59.57%
Grassroots Write-ins 93 40.43%
Total votes 230 100.00%
Republican primary[57]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Fred Tuttle 28,355 53.69%
Republican Jack McMullen 23,321 44.16%
Republican Write-ins 1,137 2.15%
Total votes 52,813 100.00%
General election[58]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Patrick Leahy (Incumbent) 154,567 72.22% +18.05%
Republican Fred Tuttle 48,051 22.45% −20.90%
Libertarian Hugh Douglas 4,199 1.96%
Independent Barry Nelson 2,893 1.35%
Grassroots Robert Melamede 2,459 1.15%
Liberty Union Jerry Levy 1,238 0.58% −1.21%
Write-ins 629 0.29%
Majority 106,516 49.77% +38.95%
Turnout 214,036
Democratic hold

Washington

Washington election

← 1992
2004 →
 
Nominee Patty Murray Linda Smith
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 1,103,184 785,377
Percentage 58.4% 41.6%

County results

Murray:      50–60%      60–70%

Smith:      50–60%

U.S. senator before election

Patty Murray
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Patty Murray
Democratic

Incumbent Democrat Patty Murray won re-election to a second term.

General election[59]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Patty Murray (Incumbent) 1,103,184 58.4%
Republican Linda Smith 785,377 41.6%
Total votes 1,888,561 100.00%
Turnout
Democratic hold

Wisconsin

Wisconsin election

← 1992
2004 →
 
Nominee Russ Feingold Mark Neumann
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 890,059 852,272
Percentage 50.5% 48.4%

Feingold:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%
Neumann:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election

Russ Feingold
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Russ Feingold
Democratic

Incumbent Democrat Russ Feingold won re-election to a second term. In September 1997, Mark Neumann, a Republican U.S. Representative, announced his candidacy for the United States Senate against Russell Feingold. Both candidates had similar views on the budget surplus, although Neumann was for banning partial-birth abortion while Feingold was against a ban. Both candidates limited themselves to $3.8 million in campaign spending ($1 for every citizen of Wisconsin), although outside groups spent more than $2 million on Neumann; Feingold refused to have outside groups spend their own 'soft money' on his behalf.[60][61] Feingold defeated Neumann by a slim 2% margin in the election. According to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, Neumann had a 30,000 vote margin outside Milwaukee County, but was overwhelmed by a 68,000 vote margin in Milwaukee County.[62]

General election results
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Russ Feingold (Incumbent) 890,059 50.55%
Republican Mark Neumann 852,272 48.40%
U.S. Taxpayers Robert R. Raymond 7,942 0.45%
Libertarian Tom Ender 5,591 0.32%
Independent Eugene A. Hem 4,266 0.24%
Write-in votes 706 0.04%
Majority 37,787 2.15%
Turnout 1,760,836
Democratic hold

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Shelby was first elected in 1986 and re-elected in 1992 as a Democrat. He switched parties in 1994.
  2. ^ Campbell was first elected as a Democrat. He switched parties in March 3, 1995.

References

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