1998 United States Senate election in Kentucky

The 1998 United States Senate election in Kentucky was held November 3, 1998. It was concurrent with elections to the United States House of Representatives. Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Wendell Ford decided to retire, instead of seeking a fifth term. Republican U.S. Representative Jim Bunning narrowly won the open seat, defeating Democratic U.S. Representative Scotty Baesler. By a margin of 0.59%, this election was the second-closest race of the 1998 Senate election cycle, behind only the election in Nevada. Bunning's swearing-in marked the first time since 1973 that Republicans held both United States Senate seats from Kentucky. This was the first open-seat United States Senate election in Kentucky since 1972 and the first open-seat election for this seat since 1968.

Democratic primary Candidates Scotty Baesler, U.S. Representative Jim Brown Steve Henry, Lieutenant Governor Charlie Owen, businessman Ken Buchanan Thompson David L. Williams, member of the Kentucky Senate

Results

Republican primary Candidates Jim Bunning, U.S. Representative Barry Metcalf, State Senator

Results

General election Candidates Scotty Baesler (D), U.S. Representative Jim Bunning (R), U.S. Representative

Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error ScottyBaesler (D) JimBunning (R) UndecidedMason DixonOctober 26–27, 1998823 (LV)± 3.5%46%45%9%The Courier-JournalOctober 20–25, 1998589 (LV)± 3.5%43%44%13%TMR ResearchOctober 15–21, 1998800 (RV)± 3.5%39%44%17%Mason DixonSeptember 28–30, 1998818 (LV)± 3.5%42%44%14%The Courier-JournalSeptember 25–30, 1998575 (LV)± 4.0%37%41%22%Mason DixonAugust 31 – September 1, 1998833 (LV)± 3.5%42%41%17%Mason DixonJuly 9–11, 1998811 (LV)± 3.5%44%38%18%

Results

See also 1998 United States Senate elections

Notes

Partisan clients

References