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The 1998 United States Senate election in Arkansas was held on November 3, 1998. Incumbent Democratic Senator Dale Bumpers chose to retire instead of running for reelection to a fifth term. Making this was the first open seat with no incumbent held in this seat since the 1884 election. 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. In 2010, Lincoln would lose re-election to a third term by Fay Boozman's brother, John Boozman.
Controversy about pregnancy from rape
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".
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Winston Bryant, Attorney General of Arkansas, former lieutenant governor, former Secretary of State of Arkansas and nominee for the U.S. Senate in 1996
- Nate Coulter, Democratic nominee for Lieutenant Governor in 1993
- Blanche Lincoln, former U.S. Representative
- Scott Ferguson, radiologist and State Representative
Withdrew
- Pat Hays, Mayor of North Little Rock
Results
- 30–40%
- 40–50%
- 50–60%
- 60–70%
- 70–80%
- 20–30%
- 30–40%
- 40–50%
- 50–60%
- 30–40%
- 50–60%
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Blanche Lincoln | 145,009 | 45.5% | |
| Democratic | Winston Bryant | 87,183 | 27.4% | |
| Democratic | Scott Ferguson | 44,761 | 14.0% | |
| Democratic | Nate Coulter | 41,848 | 13.1% | |
| Total votes | 318,801 | 100.00% | ||
Republican primary
Candidates
- Fay Boozman, State Senator
- Tom Prince, Mayor of Little Rock
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Fay Boozman | 128,929 | 78.0% | |
| Republican | Tom Prince | 44,006 | 22.0% | |
| Total votes | 172,035 | 100.00% | ||
General election
Candidates
- Blanche Lincoln (D), former U.S. Representative
- Fay Boozman (R), State Senator
- Charley Heffley (Reform)
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Blanche Lincoln | 385,878 | 55.07% | ||
| Republican | Fay Boozman | 295,870 | 42.23% | ||
| Reform | Charley E. Heffley | 18,896 | 2.70% | ||
| Democratic hold | |||||
See also
- 1998 United States Senate elections
- 2002 United States Senate election in Arkansas
- 2008 United States Senate election in Arkansas
References
- Pruden, William (February 25, 2021). "Fay Boozman (1946–2005)". Encyclopedia of Arkansas. Retrieved February 25, 2021.
- ^ "Politics - Arkansas Senate, Candidates". Washingtonpost.com. September 16, 1998. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
- "Pat Hays political future a source of speculation". Talk Business & Politics. August 23, 2011. Retrieved August 23, 2011.
- "Arkansas". 1998 Senatorial Democratic Primary Election Results. February 15, 2007. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
- "G.O.P. Incumbents Hold Off Challengers in Pennsylvania - The New York Times". The New York Times. May 20, 1998. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
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