Gubernatorial elections
United States elections · 1998 · held
State gubernatorial races held in this midterm year. Each governor is elected separately; there is no combined national percentage.
State races and results map
Each race has its own denominator. Missing counts are blank. The interactive map uses modern state outlines as navigation references.
Alabama — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Don Siegelman | Democratic | 760155 | 57.81% | Elected |
| Forrest H. 'Fob' James, Jr. | Republican | 554746 | 42.19% | — |
Sources & further reading
Alaska — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Erica Jacobsson | Green | 6618 | 3.01% | — |
| Ray Metcalfe | OTH | 13540 | 6.15% | — |
| John Lindauer | Republican | 39331 | 17.86% | — |
| Write-in | 43571 | 19.79% | — | |
| Sylvia Sullivan | AKI | 4238 | 1.92% | — |
| Tony Knowles | Democratic | 112879 | 51.27% | Elected |
Sources & further reading
Arizona — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scott Malcomson | REF | 8371 | 0.82% | — |
| Paul Johnson | Democratic | 361552 | 35.53% | — |
| Katherine Gallant | Libertarian | 27150 | 2.67% | — |
| Jane Hull | Republican | 620188 | 60.95% | Elected |
| D'Herrera Tapia | W | 15 | 0.00% | — |
| Alan A. A. White | W | 328 | 0.03% | — |
| Robert B. Winn | W | 12 | 0.00% | — |
Sources & further reading
Arkansas — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bill Bristow | Democratic | 272923 | 38.66% | — |
| Keith Carle | REF | 11099 | 1.57% | — |
| Mike Huckabee | Republican | 421989 | 59.77% | Elected |
Sources & further reading
California — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harold Bloomfield | NLP | 31208 | 0.37% | — |
| Nathan Johnson | AIP | 37955 | 0.45% | — |
| Gray Davis | Democratic | 4858817 | 57.97% | Elected |
| Dan Hamburg | Green | 104117 | 1.24% | — |
| Steve Kubby | Libertarian | 73823 | 0.88% | — |
| Gloria La Riva | PAF | 59181 | 0.71% | — |
| Dan Lungren | Republican | 3216749 | 38.38% | — |
| Write-in | 21 | 0.00% | — |
Sources & further reading
Colorado — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tim Leonard | Constitution | 10966 | 0.83% | — |
| Gail Schoettler | Democratic | 637655 | 48.42% | — |
| Sandra Johnson | Libertarian | 22150 | 1.68% | — |
| William F. Owens | Republican | 645806 | 49.04% | Elected |
| Write-in | 362 | 0.03% | — |
Sources & further reading
Connecticut — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ned Vare | Libertarian | 5637 | 0.56% | — |
| Roberta Scaglione | TLP | 2212 | 0.22% | — |
| Joseph Zdoneczyk | CNC | 8792 | 0.88% | — |
| Barbara Kennelly | Democratic | 354187 | 35.44% | — |
| John Rowland | Republican | 628707 | 62.90% | Elected |
| Write-in | 2 | 0.00% | — |
Sources & further reading
Florida — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buddy MacKay | Democratic | 1773054 | 44.72% | — |
| Jeb Bush | Republican | 2191105 | 55.27% | Elected |
| L. Nelson McAlexander | W | 282 | 0.01% | — |
Sources & further reading
Georgia — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roy Barnes | Democratic | 941076 | 52.49% | Elected |
| Jack Cashin | Libertarian | 61531 | 3.43% | — |
| Guy Millner | Republican | 790201 | 44.08% | — |
Sources & further reading
Hawaii — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| George Peabody | Libertarian | 4398 | 1.08% | — |
| Linda Lingle | Republican | 198952 | 48.82% | — |
| Benjamin Cayetano | Democratic | 204206 | 50.11% | Elected |
Sources & further reading
Idaho — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Robert Huntley | Democratic | 110815 | 29.07% | — |
| Peter Rickards | Independent | 12338 | 3.24% | — |
| C. Dirk Kempthorne | Republican | 258095 | 67.70% | Elected |
Sources & further reading
Illinois — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glenn Poshard | Democratic | 1594191 | 47.46% | — |
| Lawrence Redmond | REF | 50372 | 1.50% | — |
| George Ryan | Republican | 1714094 | 51.03% | Elected |
| Frances Friedman | W | 33 | 0.00% | — |
| John Studer | W | 6 | 0.00% | — |
| Larry Lichtenberger | W | 3 | 0.00% | — |
| Sarah H. Katz | W | 3 | 0.00% | — |
| Berneta Weathers | W | 2 | 0.00% | — |
| Mary Johnson | W | 1 | 0.00% | — |
Sources & further reading
Iowa — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tom Vilsack | Democratic | 500231 | 52.30% | Elected |
| Jim Schaefer | NLP | 3144 | 0.33% | — |
| Mark Kennis | OTH | 2006 | 0.21% | — |
| Jim Hennager | REF | 5606 | 0.59% | — |
| James Ross Lightfoot | Republican | 444787 | 46.51% | — |
| Write-in | 641 | 0.07% | — |
Sources & further reading
Kansas — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tom Sawyer | Democratic | 168243 | 22.65% | — |
| Darrel King | REF | 7830 | 1.05% | — |
| William Graves | Republican | 544882 | 73.37% | Elected |
| Kirt Poovey | UST | 21710 | 2.92% | — |
Sources & further reading
Maine — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| William Clarke Jr. | Constitution | 15293 | 3.63% | — |
| Thomas Connolly | Democratic | 50506 | 12.00% | — |
| Patricia LaMarche | Green | 28722 | 6.82% | — |
| Angus S. King Jr. | Independent | 246772 | 58.61% | Elected |
| James Longley Jr. | Republican | 79716 | 18.93% | — |
Sources & further reading
Maryland — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jacqueline Crabtree | W | 649 | 0.04% | — |
| Parris Glendening | Democratic | 846972 | 55.14% | Elected |
| Ellen Sauerbrey | Republican | 688357 | 44.82% | — |
Sources & further reading
Massachusetts — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scott Harshbarger | Democratic | 901843 | 47.38% | — |
| Dean Cook | Libertarian | 32184 | 1.69% | — |
| A. Paul Cellucci | Republican | 967160 | 50.81% | Elected |
| Other | 2149 | 0.11% | — |
Sources & further reading
Michigan — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geoffrey Fieger | Democratic | 1143574 | 37.78% | — |
| John Engler | Republican | 1883005 | 62.20% | Elected |
| Vicki Foreback | W | 32 | 0.00% | — |
| Carl Joseph Humphrey | W | 36 | 0.00% | — |
| Robert G. Marek | W | 17 | 0.00% | — |
| Johnni Mary Matthew | W | 9 | 0.00% | — |
| Michael K. Wagonlander | W | 12 | 0.00% | — |
| Marc D. Katz | W | 20 | 0.00% | — |
| Terry P. Link | W | 399 | 0.01% | — |
Sources & further reading
Minnesota — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hubert Humphrey III | Democratic | 587060 | 28.08% | — |
| Ken Pentel | Green | 7034 | 0.34% | — |
| Thomas Christopher Wright | GRT | 1727 | 0.08% | — |
| Frank J. Germann | Libertarian | 1932 | 0.09% | — |
| Fancy Ray McCloney | OTH | 919 | 0.04% | — |
| Jesse Ventura | REF | 773403 | 37.00% | Elected |
| Norm Coleman | Republican | 716880 | 34.29% | — |
| Thomas A. Fiske | SWP | 787 | 0.04% | — |
| Write-in | 776 | 0.04% | — |
Sources & further reading
Nebraska — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bill Hoppner | Democratic | 250678 | 45.98% | — |
| Mike Johanns | Republican | 293910 | 53.90% | Elected |
| Write-in | 650 | 0.12% | — |
Sources & further reading
Nevada — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan Jones | Democratic | 182281 | 41.98% | — |
| A. Chuck Horne | IAP | 7509 | 1.73% | — |
| Terry Savage | Libertarian | 7907 | 1.82% | — |
| Kenny Guinn | Republican | 223892 | 51.56% | Elected |
| None of these candidates | 12641 | 2.91% | — |
Sources & further reading
New Hampshire — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeanne Shaheen | Democratic | 210769 | 66.08% | Elected |
| Ken Blevens | Libertarian | 8655 | 2.71% | — |
| Jay Lucas | Republican | 98473 | 30.88% | — |
| Fred Bramante | W | 291 | 0.09% | — |
| Jim M. Rubens | W | 191 | 0.06% | — |
| Richard P. Bosa | W | 21 | 0.01% | — |
| Scattering | 540 | 0.17% | — |
Sources & further reading
New Mexico — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Martin Chavez | Democratic | 226755 | 45.47% | — |
| Gary Johnson | Republican | 271948 | 54.53% | Elected |
Sources & further reading
New York — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Betsey McCaughey Ross | LBL | 77915 | 1.56% | — |
| Mary Alice France | UTY | 9692 | 0.19% | — |
| Thomas Leighton | MRP | 24788 | 0.50% | — |
| George Pataki | Republican | 2571991 | 51.58% | Elected |
| Peter Vallone | Democratic | 1570317 | 31.49% | — |
| Al Lewis | Green | 52533 | 1.05% | — |
| Thomas Golisano | IDP | 364056 | 7.30% | — |
| Christopher Blaise Garvey | Libertarian | 4722 | 0.09% | — |
| Michael Reynolds | RTL | 56683 | 1.14% | — |
| Alfred Duncan | SWP | 2539 | 0.05% | — |
Sources & further reading
Ohio — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lee Fisher | Democratic | 1498956 | 44.69% | — |
| Bob Taft | Republican | 1678721 | 50.05% | Elected |
| Zanna Feitler | NLP | 65068 | 1.94% | — |
| John Mitchel | REF | 111468 | 3.32% | — |
Sources & further reading
Oklahoma — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laura Boyd | Democratic | 357552 | 40.93% | — |
| Hoppy Heidelberg | REF | 10535 | 1.21% | — |
| Frank Keating | Republican | 505498 | 57.86% | Elected |
Sources & further reading
Oregon — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Kitzhaber | Democratic | 717061 | 64.42% | Elected |
| Richard Burke | Libertarian | 20200 | 1.81% | — |
| Patti Steurer | NLP | 7823 | 0.70% | — |
| Blair Bobier | PG | 15843 | 1.42% | — |
| Roger Weidner | REF | 10144 | 0.91% | — |
| Bill Sizemore | Republican | 334001 | 30.01% | — |
| Trey Smith | SUS | 5772 | 0.52% | — |
| Other | 2254 | 0.20% | — |
Sources & further reading
Pennsylvania — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ivan Itkin | Democratic | 938745 | 31.03% | — |
| Ken Krawchuk | Libertarian | 33591 | 1.11% | — |
| Thomas Ridge | Republican | 1736844 | 57.42% | Elected |
| Peg Luksik | Constitution | 315761 | 10.44% | — |
Sources & further reading
Rhode Island — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bob Healey | OTH | 19250 | 6.28% | — |
| John Patrick Devine | REF | 1848 | 0.60% | — |
| Lincoln Almond | Republican | 156180 | 50.97% | Elected |
| Write-in | 62 | 0.02% | — | |
| Myrth York | Democratic | 129105 | 42.13% | — |
Sources & further reading
South Carolina — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| James H. Hodges | Democratic | 570070 | 53.23% | Elected |
| Bobby Eubanks | Independent | 264 | 0.02% | — |
| Timothy Moultrie | Libertarian | 14894 | 1.39% | — |
| David M. Beasley | Republican | 484088 | 45.21% | — |
| Write-in | 1553 | 0.15% | — |
Sources & further reading
South Dakota — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ronald Wieczorek | Independent | 3704 | 1.42% | — |
| Bernie Hunhoff | Democratic | 85473 | 32.85% | — |
| Bob Newland | Libertarian | 4389 | 1.69% | — |
| William J. Janklow | Republican | 166621 | 64.04% | Elected |
Sources & further reading
Tennessee — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Irwin Gibbs | Independent | 4651 | 0.48% | — |
| George Hamilton Sr. | Independent | 5899 | 0.60% | — |
| Thomas E. Smith | Independent | 1851 | 0.19% | — |
| Karl K. Smithson | Independent | 1841 | 0.19% | — |
| Donald K. Sundquist | Republican | 669973 | 68.63% | Elected |
| John Hooker | Democratic | 287750 | 29.48% | — |
| Lonnie Creech | Independent | 3723 | 0.38% | — |
| Write-in | 548 | 0.06% | — |
Sources & further reading
Texas — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garry Mauro | Democratic | 1165592 | 31.18% | — |
| Lester Turlington Jr. | Libertarian | 20711 | 0.55% | — |
| George W. Bush | Republican | 2550821 | 68.24% | Elected |
| Susan Lee Solar | W | 954 | 0.03% | — |
Sources & further reading
Vermont — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Richard Gottlieb | LBU | 1177 | 0.54% | — |
| Amy Berkey | Libertarian | 2141 | 0.98% | — |
| Ruth Dwyer | Republican | 89726 | 41.14% | — |
| Write-in | 346 | 0.16% | — | |
| Howard Dean | Democratic | 121425 | 55.67% | Elected |
| Joel Williams | GRT | 3305 | 1.52% | — |
Sources & further reading
Wisconsin — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jim Mueller | Libertarian | 11071 | 0.63% | — |
| Tommy Thompson | Republican | 1047716 | 59.66% | Elected |
| Edward Frami | UST | 10269 | 0.58% | — |
| Other | 2420 | 0.14% | — | |
| Ed Garvey | Democratic | 679553 | 38.70% | — |
| Mike Mangan | Independent | 4985 | 0.28% | — |
Sources & further reading
Wyoming — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jim Geringer | Republican | 97235 | 55.60% | Elected |
| Dave Dawson | Libertarian | 6899 | 3.94% | — |
| John Vinich | Democratic | 70754 | 40.46% | — |
Sources & further reading
Results: final · partial coverage · Separate state governor races
This entry covers governor elections held in the midterm year, including available special contests, not off-year elections or every sitting governor. Candidate-specific ideology is used where sourced; election-era party ideology is the fallback. Historical indirect selections and unavailable counts are identified separately. Source summaries may omit minor candidates; blank values do not mean zero votes.