The 1998 United States Senate election in New York was held November 3, 1998, along with elections to the United States Senate in other states, as well as elections to the United States House of Representatives and various state and local elections. Incumbent Republican Senator Al D'Amato lost his bid for a fourth term to Democrat Chuck Schumer in what was considered by many to be the "high[est] profile and nastiest" contest of the year. This was the first time since 1950 that Democrats won the Class 3 United States Senate seat from New York, and the last time an incumbent U.S. Senator from New York lost a general election. Schumer's swearing in marked the first time since 1947 that Democrats held both of New York's U.S. Senate seats.

Democratic primary

Candidates Geraldine Ferraro, former U.S. Representative, and nominee for vice president in 1984 Mark Green, New York City Public Advocate, and nominee in 1986 Eric Ruano-Melendez, perennial candidate Chuck Schumer, U.S. Representative

Campaign Ferraro 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. Green 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 fund-raising, 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; indeed, December and January polls had her 25 percentage points ahead of Green in the race, and even further ahead of Schumer. p. 17. Unlike her previous campaigns, Ferraro's family finances never became an issue in 1998. However, she lost ground during the summer, with Schumer catching her in the polls by early August, and then soon passing her.Schumer, Positively American, p. 31. Schumer, a tireless fund-raiser, outspent her by a five-to-one margin, and Ferraro failed to establish a political image current with the times.Schumer, Positively American, pp. 18, 30. In the September 15, 1998, primary, she was beaten soundly by Schumer, with a 51 percent to 26 percent margin. 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.Schumer, Positively American, pp. 33, 39.

Polling Source Date Mark Green Geraldine Ferraro Chuck Schumer Quinnipiac September 25, 1997 25% 48% 15% Quinnipiac December 11, 1997 25% 48% 12% Quinnipiac February 26, 1998 19% 46% 18% Quinnipiac March 26, 1998 20% 50% 15% Quinnipiac June 18, 1998 23% 46% 19% Quinnipiac July 16, 1998 24% 39% 28%

Results

The primaries were held on September 15, 1998.

Source: OurCampaigns.com, NY US Senate - D Primary

Republican primary Polling Source Date Alfonse D'Amato Betsy McCaughey Ross Quinnipiac September 25, 1997 55% 26%

Other primaries

Independence

Source: OurCampaigns.com, NY US Senate - IDP Primary

Right to Life

Source: OurCampaigns.com, NY US Senate - RTL Primary

General election

Candidates

Major Chuck Schumer (Democratic), U.S. Representative Al D'Amato (Republican), incumbent U.S. Senator

Minor Rose Ana Berbeo (Socialist Workers Party) Corinne Kurtz (Marijuana Reform Party) Joel Kovel (Green Party) William McMillen (Libertarian Party)

Campaign During the campaign, D'Amato attempted to brand Schumer as a die-hard 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.

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"). He later apologized for the comment.

In the last days of the campaign, D'Amato campaigned with popular Governor George Pataki, who was also running for reelection, and was also supported by New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani and former Mayor Ed Koch (a Democrat).

Vice President Al Gore and First Lady Hillary Clinton personally campaigned for Schumer, as D'Amato was a prominent critic of President Bill Clinton who led the investigation into Whitewater. 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.

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. Also, Schumer was a tenacious fundraiser, and was aggressive in his attacks. The candidates spent $30 million during the race.

Polling Source Date AlD'Amato (R) ChuckSchumer (D) Quinnipiac September 25, 1997 40% 43% Quinnipiac December 11, 1997 45% 40% Quinnipiac February 26, 1998 45% 41% Quinnipiac March 26, 1998 45% 41% Quinnipiac June 18, 1998 49% 37% Quinnipiac September 24, 1998 43% 47% Quinnipiac October 14, 1998 45% 46% Quinnipiac October 27, 1998 44% 48% Quinnipiac November 2, 1998 42% 50%

with Ferraro Source Date AlD'Amato (R) GeraldineFerraro (D) Quinnipiac July 23, 1997 32% 55% Quinnipiac September 25, 1997 36% 54% Quinnipiac December 11, 1997 38% 52% Quinnipiac February 26, 1998 38% 50% Quinnipiac March 26, 1998 37% 53%

with Ferraro and Schumer Source Date AlD'Amato (R) GeraldineFerraro (D) ChuckSchumer (L) Quinnipiac June 18, 1998 41% 38% 12%

with Green Source Date AlD'Amato (R) MarkGreen (D) Quinnipiac September 25, 1997 39% 47% Quinnipiac December 11, 1997 41% 46% Quinnipiac February 26, 1998 43% 43% Quinnipiac March 26, 1998 44% 44%

with Green and Schumer Source Date AlD'Amato (R) MarkGreen (D) ChuckSchumer (L) Quinnipiac June 18, 1998 44% 28% 14%

Results 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. Schumer was sworn in on January 3, 1999.

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 and Conservative Party for D'Amato.

See also 1998 United States Senate elections

References

External links Official campaign websites (archived) Chuck Schumer (D) for Senate Al D'Amato (R) for Senate