The 1998 United States Senate election in Arkansas was held on November 3, 1998. Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Dale Bumpers chose to retire instead of running for reelection to a fifth term. Democratic former U.S. Representative Blanche Lincoln won the open seat against Republican State Senator Fay Boozman. At 38, Lincoln was the youngest woman ever elected to the United States Senate and the first woman to be elected in the Senate statewide since Hattie Carraway in 1938. In 2010, Lincoln would lose re-election to a third term by Fay Boozman's brother, John Boozman.
Democratic primary
Candidates Winston Bryant, attorney general of Arkansas, former lieutenant governor and secretary of state Nate Coulter, Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor in 1993 Blanche Lincoln, former U.S. representative Scott Ferguson, state representative
Withdrew Pat Hays, mayor of North Little Rock
Results
Republican primary
Candidates Fay Boozman, state senator Tom Prince, mayor of Little Rock
Results
General election
Background During the campaign, Boozman caused controversy for his comments about rape, claiming that women rarely became pregnant after being raped due to a hormone he described as "God's little protective shield".
Candidates Blanche Lincoln (D), former U.S. representative Fay Boozman (R), state senator Charley Heffley (Reform)
Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error BlancheLincoln (D) FayBoozman (R) CharleyHeffley (Rf) UndecidedMason DixonOctober 23–25, 1998810 (LV)± 3.5%56%36%–8%Mason DixonOctober 5–7, 1998838 (LV)± 3.5%52%39%–9%Mason DixonSeptember 8–9, 1998811 (LV)± 3.5%52%36%1%11%Mason DixonJune 1–3, 1998805 (LV)± 3.5%51%33%1%15%
Results
See also 1998 United States Senate elections 2002 United States Senate election in Arkansas 2008 United States Senate election in Arkansas
Notes
References