The 1998 Iowa gubernatorial election took place on November 3, 1998. Incumbent Republican Governor Terry Branstad did not seek re-election to a fifth consecutive term; he later successfully ran again in 2010 and 2014.
To replace him, State Senator Tom Vilsack narrowly won the nomination of the Democratic Party while former United States Congressman Jim Ross Lightfoot, who was previously the Republican nominee for the United States Senate in 1996, won his party's nomination. Lightfoot was the odds-on favorite to win and polling consistently showed him in the lead, but Vilsack won the general election in a stunning upset, becoming the first Democrat to serve as governor of Iowa since 1969 and the 5th Democrat to hold the office in the 20th century. Lightfoot never conceded defeat.
Democratic primary Candidates Tom Vilsack, Iowa State Senator Mark McCormick, former Iowa Supreme Court Justice (1972–1986)
Results
Republican primary
Candidates Jim Ross Lightfoot, former United States Representative and nominee for the United States Senate in 1996 David A. Oman, telecommunications executive, chief of staff to Governor Terry Branstad Paul Pate, Iowa Secretary of State
Results
Reform Party primary
Candidates Jim Hennager Edward Moses Jeffrey L. Hughes Sr.
Results
General election Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error JimmLightfoot (R) TomVilsack (D) UndecidedSelzer & Co.October 28–30, 1998800 (LV)± 3.5%47%43%10%Mason-DixonOctober 25–27, 1998803 (LV)± 3.5%47%42%11%Mason-DixonOctober 11–13, 1998809 (LV)± 3.5%53%35%12%Mason-DixonSeptember 12–14, 1998804 (LV)± 3.5%54%32%14%Mason-DixonJuly 18–21, 1998834 (LV)± 3.5%54%31%15%Selzer & Co.June 20–24, 1998581 (LV)± 4.0%53%32%15%Mason-DixonMay 25–27, 1998837 (LV)± 3.5%55%21%24%
Results
See also 1998 United States gubernatorial elections State of Iowa Governors of Iowa
Notes
Partisan clients
References
External links Official campaign websites (archived) Tom Vilsack (D) for Governor Jim Lightfoot (R) for Governor