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.
Republican primary
Candidates Dirk Kempthorne, U.S. Senator David W. Sheperd, perennial candidate
Results
Democratic primary
Candidates Jack Wayne Chappell Robert C. Huntley, former Idaho Supreme Court Justice, former Idaho State Representative, former Pocatello city councilman Donald McMurrian William Tarnasky
Results
General election
Debate + 1998 Idaho gubernatorial debate Date Host Moderator Link Republican Democratic IndependentKey: Participant Absent Not invited Invited Withdrawn Dirk Kempthorne Robert C. Huntley Peter Rickards1 Oct. 22, 1998 Idaho Press ClubIdaho Public TelevisionLeague of Women Voters of Idaho Joan Cartan-Hansen PBS
Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error DirkKempthorne (R) RobertHuntley (D) UndecidedMason DixonSeptember 1–3, 19981,208 (LV)± 2.9%66%14%20%
Results Given the lack of a high-profile candidate on the Democratic side, throughout the campaign many considered Kempthorne's election a foregone conclusion. Indeed, Huntley's performance was well below that of the 1994 Democratic nominee Larry EchoHawk. In addition, Peter Rickards, a podiatrist and anti-nuclear waste advocate from Twin Falls, won over some progressive votes that may have otherwise gone to the Democratic candidate.
See also Governor of Idaho List of governors of Idaho Idaho gubernatorial elections
Notes
References
External links Idaho General Election Results November 3, 1998