1998 Ohio Attorney General election

1998 Ohio Attorney General election

←  1994 November 3, 1998 (1998-11-03) 2002  →

Nominee Betty Montgomery Richard Cordray Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 2,037,864 1,240,102 Percentage 62.17% 37.83%

County results Montgomery:     50–60%     60–70%     70–80% Cordray:     50–60%

Attorney General before election Betty Montgomery Republican Elected Attorney General Betty Montgomery Republican

The 1998 Ohio Attorney General election was held on November 3, 1998, to elect the Ohio Attorney General. Republican incumbent Ohio Attorney General Betty Montgomery defeated Democratic challenger Solicitor General of Ohio Richard Cordray in a landslide, securing 62.17% of the vote.

Republican primary

Candidates

• Betty Montgomery, incumbent Ohio Attorney General (1995–2003)

Campaign

The Republican primary was held on May 3, 1998. Montgomery won renomination without opposition.

Results

Republican primary results ^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Betty Montgomery	650,176	100%
Total votes			650,176	100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Richard Cordray, Solicitor General of Ohio (1993–1995)

Campaign

The Democratic primary was held on May 3, 1998. Cordray won the Democratic nomination unopposed.

Results

Democratic primary results ^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Richard Cordray	596,239	100%
Total votes			596,239	100.00%

General election

Candidates

• Betty Montgomery, incumbent Ohio Attorney General (1995–2003) (Republican)
• Richard Cordray, Solicitor General of Ohio (1993–1995) (Democratic)

Results

1998 Ohio Attorney General election results ^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Betty Montgomery	2,037,864	62.17%	+10.81%
	Democratic	Richard Cordray	1,240,102	37.83%	−10.8%
Total votes			3,277,966	100.00%
	Republican hold		Swing

References

1. "Republican Overview: May 3, 1998 - Ohio Secretary of State". Ohio Secretary of State. Archived from the original on September 25, 2021.
2. "Democratic Overview: May 3, 1998 - Ohio Secretary of State". Ohio Secretary of State. Archived from the original on September 25, 2021.
3. "Attorney General and State Auditor: November 3, 1998 - Ohio Secretary of State". Ohio Secretary of State. Archived from the original on September 25, 2021. Retrieved October 15, 2025.