The 1998 Alabama gubernatorial election was held on November 3, 1998. The election saw incumbent Governor Fob James (R) face off against Lieutenant Governor Don Siegelman (D), resulting in Siegelman winning more than 57% of votes. This was the second of three consecutive Alabama gubernatorial elections where the incumbent was defeated. As of , this was the last time that a Democrat was elected governor of Alabama, and the only time since 1982.

Republican primary The Republican primary took place on June 2 and saw no candidate secure over 50% of the vote, leading to a runoff between Fob James and Winton Blount on June 30. The period leading up to the runoff election was marked by numerous insults and accusations by both candidates against each other. Incumbent Governor Fob James won the runoff 55% to 44%.

Candidates Winton Blount, businessman, candidate for Governor in 1994 and son of former U.S. Postmaster General Winton M. Blount Guy Hunt, former Governor Fob James, incumbent Governor Mac McAllister, businessman Phil Williams Sr., former Director of the Alabama Department of Finance

Results

Debate + 1998 Alabama gubernatorial election republican primary debate Date Host Moderator Link Republican RepublicanKey: Participant  Absent  Not invited  Invited Withdrawn Winton Blount Fob James1 Jun. 25, 1998 WVTM-TV Fran Curry C-SPAN

Democratic primary The Democratic primary took place on June 2 and saw Lieutenant Governor Don Siegelman easily chosen as the Democratic nominee over Birmingham attorney Lenora Pate and Wayne Sowell.

Candidates Lee Lamb Lenora Pate, attorney and former Director of the Alabama Department of Industrial Relations Don Siegelman, Lieutenant Governor of Alabama

Results

General election Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error FobJames (R) DonSiegelman (D) UndecidedSouthern Opinion ResearchOctober 29–31, 1998490 (LV)± 5.0%45%53%12%Mason DixonOctober 29–31, 1998490 (LV)± 5.0%45%53%12%University of Southern AlabamaOctober 26–29, 1998820 (LV)± 3.5%36%52%12%Mason DixonOctober 24–26, 1998808 (LV)± 3.5%43%49%8%Mason DixonOctober 10–12, 1998807 (LV)± 3.5%43%48%9%University of Alabama at BirminghamOctober 7–11, 1998401 (LV)± 5.0%39%46%15%USA Polling GroupOctober 5–7, 1998400 (A)± 5.0%40%52%8%Southern Opinion ResearchOctober 1–2, 1998501 (RV)± 5.0%39%52%9%Southern Opinion ResearchSeptember 3–4, 1998500 (RV)± 4.4%44%48%8%USA Polling GroupSeptember 1–3, 1998405 (A)± 5.0%40%48%12%Southern Opinion ResearchJune 23–26, 19981,019 (RV)± 3.0%41%51%8%Mason DixonJune 22–24, 1998804 (LV)± 3.5%41%46%13%USA Polling GroupJune 8–11, 1998800 (A)± 3.5%35%36%29%

Debate + 1998 Alabama gubernatorial debate Date Host Moderator Link Republican DemocraticKey: Participant  Absent  Not invited  Invited Withdrawn Fob James Don Siegelman1 Oct. 6, 1998 Junior League of Birmingham Malena Cunningham C-SPAN

Results

Notes

Partisan clients

References

External links Recent Alabama gubernatorial election results CNN coverage of election result Official campaign websites (archived) Don Siegelman (D) for Governor Fob James (R) for Governor

See also