1998 Connecticut gubernatorial election

For related races, see 1998 United States gubernatorial elections.

1998 Connecticut gubernatorial election

←  1994 November 3, 1998 2002  →
Turnout	56.59% [1]
Nominee John G. Rowland Barbara B. Kennelly Party Republican Democratic Running mate Jodi Rell Joe Courtney Popular vote 628,707 354,187 Percentage 62.9% 35.4%
County results Municipality results Congressional district results Rowland:     40–50%     50–60%     60–70%      70–80%     80–90% Kennelly:     40–50%     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%
Governor before election John G. Rowland Republican Elected Governor John G. Rowland Republican

The 1998 Connecticut gubernatorial election took place on November 3, 1998, and incumbent Republican Governor John G. Rowland won re-election against Democratic Candidate United States Congresswoman Barbara B. Kennelly. This election was the first time since 1944 that an incumbent Republican Governor of Connecticut was re-elected.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Barbara B. Kennelly, U.S. Representative from the CT-01

Results

Kennelly was unopposed in the Democratic primary.

Republican primary

Candidates

• John G. Rowland, incumbent Governor of Connecticut

Results

Rowland was unopposed in the Republican primary.

General election

Candidates

Democratic

• Barbara B. Kennelly, U.S. Representative from the CT-01
  • Running mate: Joe Courtney, Member of Connecticut House of Representatives

Republican

• John G. Rowland, incumbent Governor of Connecticut
  • Running mate: Jodi Rell, incumbent Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size [a]	Margin of error	John Rowland (R)	Barbara Kennelly (D)	Undecided
Mason Dixon [2]	October 26–27, 1998	633 (LV)	± 4.0%	58%	33%	9%
Quinnipiac University Polling Institute [2]	October 13–19, 1998	683 (LV)	± 3.8%	72%	24%	4%
Mason Dixon [2]	October 9–12, 1998	629 (LV)	± 4.0%	60%	28%	12%
University of Connecticut [2]	September 12–16, 1998	505 (A)	± 5.0%	60%	23%	17%
Quinnipiac University Polling Institute [2]	June 16–22, 1998	1,088 (RV)	± 3.0%	56%	32%	12%
Quinnipiac University Polling Institute [2]	February 10–16, 1998	1,303 (RV)	± 3.0%	52%	35%	23%
Quinnipiac University Polling Institute [2]	November 11–17, 1997	1,120 (RV)	± 3.0%	43%	44%	13%

Results

1998 Connecticut gubernatorial election ^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	John G. Rowland (incumbent)	628,707	62.90%	+26.70%
	Democratic	Barbara B. Kennelly	354,187	35.44%	+2.73%
	Concerned Citizens	Joseph A. Zdonczyk	8,792	0.88%	+0.01%
	Libertarian	Ned Vare	5,637	0.56%	N/A
	Term Limits	Roberta Scaglione	2,212	0.22%	N/A
Total votes			999,535	100.00%	N/A
	Republican hold

By congressional district

Rowland won all six congressional districts, including four that elected Democrats. ^[4]

District	Rowland	Kennelly	Representative
1st	56%	42%	Barbara Kennelly (105th Congress)
			John Larson (106th Congress)
2nd	58%	40%	Sam Gejdenson
3rd	60%	38%	Rosa DeLauro
4th	63%	35%	Chris Shays
5th	71%	27%	James Maloney
6th	68%	30%	Nancy Johnson

Notes

1. Key:
   A – all adults
   RV – registered voters
   LV – likely voters
   V – unclear

Partisan clients

References

1. "Connecticut State Register and Manual, 1999". CT State Library.
2. "CNN AllPolitics Election '98 - Connecticut 1998 Polls". CNN. Archived from the original on June 17, 2025. Retrieved June 17, 2025.
3. ct.gov
4. "Statement of Vote" (PDF). Secretary of the State of Connecticut . Archived (PDF) from the original on March 20, 2025. Retrieved August 26, 2025.