The 1998 Hawaii gubernatorial election was held on November 3, 1998. Incumbent Democratic Governor of Hawaii Ben Cayetano ran for re-election to a second and final term, and he was contested by Maui Mayor Linda Lingle. The race between Cayetano and Lingle was close, with Lingle holding a sizable polling advantage. Ultimately, Cayetano narrowly won re-election to a second term in the closest gubernatorial election in Hawaii's history.
This, alongside the 1966 elections, is the only time a Democrat was elected governor without sweeping every county in the state. Lingle later won Hawaii's governorship in 2002 when Cayetano was term-limited; she was re-elected in 2006.
Democratic primary
Candidates Ben Cayetano, incumbent Governor of Hawaii Jim Brewer, perennial candidate Richard C. S. Ho, former Hawaii State Representative Fred K. Tamura Raymond N. Onaga Miles F. Shiratori, perennial candidate
Results
Republican primary
Candidates Linda Lingle, Mayor of Maui Frank Fasi, former Mayor of Honolulu and narrowly unsuccessful Independent candidate for governor in 1994
Results
General election
Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error BenCayetano (D) LindaLingle (R) UndecidedMason-DixonOctober 28–29, 1998406 (LV)± 5.0%52%41%7%Mason-DixonOctober 16–19, 1998425 (LV)± 5.0%52%37%11%Ward ResearchSeptember 9–13, 1998800 (LV)± 3.5%34%48%18%Ward ResearchJuly 24–28, 1998600 (LV)± 4.0%31%51%18%
Results
By county County Ben CayetanoDemocratic Linda LingleRepublican George PeabodyLibertarian Margin Total votes cast # % # % # % # % Hawaii 23,826 45.0% 28,326 53.4% 848 1.6% -4,500 -8.4% 53,000 Honolulu 145,839 50.7% 139,171 48.3% 2,849 1.0% 6,668 2.4% 287,859 Kauaʻi 13,764 57.5% 10,065 42.0% 129 0.5% 3,699 15.5% 23,958 Maui 20,777 48.6% 21,390 50.0% 572 1.3% -613 -1.4% 42,739Totals204,20650.1%198,95248.8%4,3981.1%5,2541.3%407,556 Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican Hawaii Kalawao Maui
Notes
References