1992 United States Senate special election in North Dakota

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1992 United States Senate special election in North Dakota
Flag of North Dakota.svg
←  1988 December 4, 1992 1994  →
  Kent Conrad official portrait.jpg North Dakota Lieutenant Governor Jack Dalrymple (cropped).jpg
Nominee Kent Conrad Jack Dalrymple
Party Democratic–NPL Republican
Popular vote103,24655,194
Percentage63.22%33.80%
1992 United States Senate special election in North Dakota results map by county.svg
County results
Conrad:     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%
Dalrymple:     40–50%     50–60%
U.S. senator before election

Jocelyn Burdick
Democratic–NPL

Elected U.S. Senator

Kent Conrad
Democratic–NPL

The 1992 United States Senate special election in North Dakota was held on December 4, 1992, to fill the United States Senate seat vacated by the late Quentin Burdick. Burdick's widow, Jocelyn Burdick, was appointed as a temporary replacement until the election was held. Democratic-NPL nominee Kent Conrad, who held North Dakota's other senate seat since 1986, had not run for re-election to his own seat, holding himself to a campaign promise pledging to reduce the federal deficit. [1] Conrad won the election against state representative and future Governor of North Dakota Jack Dalrymple.

Contents

Major candidates

Democratic-NPL

Republican

Campaign

In April 1992, in a shock to North Dakota Democrats, Kent Conrad announced he would not seek re-election to his seat, keeping with a campaign promise to not run if the federal deficit was not reduced. [2] However, on September 8, the state's other Senator Quentin Burdick died of heart failure at the age of 84. [3] Burdick's death provided an opportunity for Conrad to return to the Senate on the grounds that it was technically not his seat. On September 21, Conrad announced his intent to seek the now open seat. [4] On October 4, he officially became the Democratic nominee. [5]

His Republican opponent was Jack Dalrymple, a state representative who ran concurrently in this race with his own re-election campaign. [1] Dalrymple saw this as a breach of his promise in spirit if not letter. He contended that Conrad had intended to run for Burdick's seat the whole time, and Conrad was a liar. [6] Among other issues, Dalrymple argued in favor of a plan that would guarantee farmers $5 for a bushel of wheat, a plan which Conrad criticized as unrealistic. [1] Dalrymple also tried to attack Conrad for indicating a willingness to cut Medicare in a debate, though Conrad contended he only intended to reduce costs via reform. [7]

A third candidate was Darold Larson, a reverend who ran an anti-abortion campaign, including airing a graphic ad showing aborted fetuses. [8] Ultimately Conrad's high name recognition approval ratings as Senator carried through and he was seen as the clear favorite to secure victory against Dalrymple. [9] [10] [1] As a result, the biggest concern for both campaigns was getting their supporters to vote due to apathy. [11] Conrad won decisively, albeit with lower turnout statewide, in part due to election fatigue and cold weather. [12] [13]

Debate

Complete video of debate, November 27, 1992

Results

General election results [14]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Democratic–NPL Kent Conrad 103,246 63.22 73.57
Republican Jack Dalrymple 55,19433.80
Independent Darold Larson4,8712.98
Majority
Turnout 163,311
Democratic–NPL hold Swing

See also

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Wetzel, Dale (December 5, 1992). "Democrat Conrad is victor in last U.S. Senate Election". The Madison Courier. pp. B3. Retrieved September 19, 2023.
  2. ↑ "Senator wins another Senate seat". Eugene Register-Guard. Associated Press. December 5, 1992. pp. 8A. Retrieved September 19, 2023.
  3. ↑ "N.D. senator dies". Record-Journal. Associated Press. September 9, 1992. p. 3. Retrieved September 19, 2023.
  4. ↑ "He will run after all". The Vindicator. Associated Press. September 22, 1992. pp. A3. Retrieved September 19, 2023.
  5. ↑ "2 nominated for seat of late N. Dakota senator". The News. Boca Raton, FL. Associated Press. October 5, 1992. pp. 3A. Retrieved September 19, 2023.
  6. ↑ "Democrat Wins Senate Seat in North Dakota - NYTimes.com". The New York Times . May 26, 2015. Archived from the original on May 26, 2015. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
  7. ↑ "Last Senate campaign ends today". The Albany Herald. Associated Press. December 4, 1992. pp. 8A. Retrieved September 19, 2023.
  8. ↑ "Conrad wins nation's last U.S. Senate seat". The Victoria Advocate. The Associated Press. December 6, 1992. pp. 2C. Retrieved September 19, 2023.
  9. ↑ "Our Campaigns - ND US Senate - Special Election Race - Dec 04, 1992". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
  10. ↑ "North Dakota senator favored in special vote". Toledo Blade. Toledo Blade Wire Service. November 30, 1992. p. 3. Retrieved September 19, 2023.
  11. ↑ Wetzel, Dale (December 5, 1992). "Men fight in last Senate race of '92". Moscow-Pullman Daily News. pp. 5B. Retrieved September 19, 2023.
  12. ↑ "14 years ago, Wednesday December 9, 1992". The New Salem Journal. December 6, 2006. p. 2. Retrieved September 19, 2023.
  13. ↑ "Conrad wins special election for another Senate seat - UPI Archives". UPI. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
  14. ↑ Results nd.go
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