1998 Nebraska gubernatorial election

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1998 Nebraska gubernatorial election
Flag of Nebraska.svg
  1994 November 3, 1998 2002  
  Mike Johanns (cropped).jpg 3x4.svg
Nominee Mike Johanns Bill Hoppner
Party Republican Democratic
Running mate David Maurstad Pam Bataillon
Popular vote293,910250,678
Percentage53.90%45.98%

1998 Nebraska gubernatorial election results map by county.svg
County results
Johanns:      50–60%     60–70%     70–80%
Hoppner:      50–60%     60–70%     70–80%

Governor before election

Ben Nelson
Democratic

Elected Governor

Mike Johanns
Republican

The 1998 Nebraska gubernatorial election was held on November 3, 1998. Term limits prevented incumbent Governor Ben Nelson, a Democrat, from seeking a third term in office. Republican nominee Mike Johanns, Mayor of Lincoln, defeated Democratic nominee, attorney Bill Hoppner. As of 2024, this was the last gubernatorial election in Nebraska in which the margin of victory was within single digits. Johanns later served Nebraska in the United States Senate with Nelson from 2009 to 2013.

Contents

Democratic primary

Governor

Candidates

Results

Democratic gubernatorial primary results [1]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Bill Hoppner 72,887 65.39
Democratic James D. McFarland33,89030.41
Democratic Robb Nimic1,6211.45
Democratic Write-ins1,6061.44
Democratic Luis R. Calvillo1,4551.31
Total votes111,459 100.00

Lieutenant governor

Candidates

Pam Bataillon ran unopposed for the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor. [2] She was the vice president of the Visiting Nurse Association from Omaha, Nebraska. [3] She is the wife of Joseph Bataillon, a federal judge who was prevented from participating in her campaign due to judicial ethics requirements. [2]

Results

Democratic lieutenant gubernatorial primary results [4]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Pam Bataillon 87,971 98.61
Democratic Write-ins1,2371.39
Total votes89,208 100.00

Republican primary

Governor

Candidates

Results

Republican gubernatorial primary results [5]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Mike Johanns 88,173 40.02
Republican John Breslow65,80629.87
Republican Jon Christensen62,10728.19
Republican Barry Richards2,0360.92
Republican Lavern Bartels1,9080.87
Republican Write-ins2850.13
Total votes220,315 100.00

Lieutenant governor

Candidates

Results

Republican lieutenant gubernatorial primary results [4]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican David Maurstad 61,778 31.18
Republican Elliott L. Rustad54,58027.55
Republican Matt Butler35,13317.73
Republican John DeCamp 24,05712.14
Republican Kevin Fry22,25211.23
Republican Write-ins3040.15
Total votes198,104 100.00

General election

Polling

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered
Sample
size [a]
Margin
of error
Bill
Hoppner (D)
Mike
Johanns (R)
Undecided
Mason Dixon [9] October 26–28, 1998807 (LV)± 3.5%39%54%7%
Mason Dixon [9] October 13–14, 1998828 (LV)± 3.5%34%54%12%
Mason Dixon [9] May 4–5, 1998812 (RV)± 3.4%32%46%22%

Results

Nebraska gubernatorial election, 1998 [10]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Mike Johanns 293,910 53.90% +28.33%
Democratic Bill Hoppner250,67845.98%−27.06%
Write-ins6500.12%
Majority 43,2327.93%−39.53%
Turnout 545,238
Republican gain from Democratic Swing

Notes

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

References

  1. "Our Campaigns - NE Governor- D Primary Race - May 12, 1998". Archived from the original on February 15, 2022. Retrieved May 9, 2011.
  2. 1 2 "Pam Bataillon Campaigns". Omaha World-Herald. May 8, 1998. p. 22. Archived from the original on June 22, 2023. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  3. "Pam Bataillon Entering Race". Omaha World-Herald. February 23, 1998. p. 9. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  4. 1 2 Scott Moore (1998). "Official Report of the Board of Canvassers of the State of Nebraska" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on June 22, 2023. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  5. "Our Campaigns - NE Governor- R Primary Race - May 12, 1998". Archived from the original on February 15, 2022. Retrieved May 9, 2011.
  6. "Lt. governor candidate calls for justice reform". Columbus Telegram. February 19, 1998. p. 8. Archived from the original on June 22, 2023. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 "Maurstad wins nod for GOP's No. 2 spot". Lincoln Journal Star. May 13, 1998. p. 9. Archived from the original on June 22, 2023. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  8. 1 2 State of Nebraska, 2020-21 Nebraska Blue Book (PDF), pp. 317–378, retrieved June 22, 2023
  9. 1 2 3 "CNN AllPolitics Election '98 - Nebraska 1998 Polls". CNN. Archived from the original on June 27, 2025. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
  10. State of Nebraska. Secretary of State of Nebraska. Official Report of the Board of State Canvassers. Comp. Scott Moore. Lincoln, Nebraska, 1998. A1. PDF file