1998 United States Senate election in Arkansas

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1998 United States Senate election in Arkansas
Flag of Arkansas (1924-2011).svg
←  1992 November 3, 1998 2004  →
  Blanche Lincoln portrait crop.jpg 3x4.svg
Nominee Blanche Lincoln Fay Boozman
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote385,878295,870
Percentage55.07%42.23%
1998 United States Senate election in Arkansas results map by county.svg
County results
Lincoln:     40–50%     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%     80–90%
Boozman:     40–50%     50–60%     60–70%
U.S. senator before election

Dale Bumpers
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Blanche Lincoln
Democratic

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. Democratic former U.S. representative Blanche Lincoln won the open seat against Republican state senator Fay Boozman. Lincoln did not seek re-election to Congress in 1996 because she wanted prioritize her family having welcomed twin boys in mid 1996, thus, she took 2 years off before re-entering the political arena as a Senate candidate. 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.

Contents

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". [1]

Democratic primary

Candidates

Withdrew

Results

Primary results by county: .mw-parser-output .legend{page-break-inside:avoid;break-inside:avoid-column}.mw-parser-output .legend-color{display:inline-block;min-width:1.25em;height:1.25em;line-height:1.25;margin:1px 0;text-align:center;border:1px solid black;background-color:transparent;color:black}.mw-parser-output .legend-text{} Lincoln 30-40% 40-50% 50-60% 60-70% 70-80% Bryant 20-30% 30-40% 40-50% 50-60% Ferguson 30-40% 50-60% 1998 US Senate election in Arkansas Democratic primary.svg
Primary results by county:
  Lincoln
  •   30–40%
  •   40–50%
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
  •   70–80%
  Bryant
  •   20–30%
  •   30–40%
  •   40–50%
  •   50–60%
  Ferguson
  •   30–40%
  •   50–60%
Democratic Primary results [4]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Blanche Lincoln 145,009 45.5%
Democratic Winston Bryant 87,18327.4%
Democratic Scott Ferguson44,76114.0%
Democratic Nate Coulter41,84813.1%
Total votes318,801 100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

Results

Republican Primary results
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Fay Boozman 128,929 78.0%
Republican Tom Prince44,00622.0%
Total votes172,035 100.00%

General election

Candidates

Polling

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		Sample
size [a] 		Margin
of error		Blance
Lincoln (D)		Fay
Boozman (R)		Charley
Heffley (Rf)		Undecided
Mason Dixon [6] October 23–25, 1998810 (LV)± 3.5%56%36%–8%
Mason Dixon [6] October 5–7, 1998838 (LV)± 3.5%52%39%–9%
Mason Dixon [6] September 8–9, 1998811 (LV)± 3.5%52%36%1%11%
Mason Dixon [6] June 1–3, 1998805 (LV)± 3.5%51%33%1%15%

Results

Arkansas Senate election 1998
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Blanche Lincoln 385,878 55.07%
Republican Fay Boozman 295,87042.23%
Reform Charley E. Heffley18,8962.70%
Democratic hold

Notes

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

See also

References

  1. ↑ Pruden, William (February 25, 2021). "Fay Boozman (1946–2005)". Encyclopedia of Arkansas. Retrieved February 25, 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Politics - Arkansas Senate, Candidates". Washingtonpost.com. September 16, 1998. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
  3. ↑ "Pat Hays political future a source of speculation". Talk Business & Politics. August 23, 2011. Retrieved August 23, 2011.
  4. ↑ "Arkansas". 1998 Senatorial Democratic Primary Election Results. February 15, 2007. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
  5. ↑ "G.O.P. Incumbents Hold Off Challengers in Pennsylvania - The New York Times". The New York Times . May 20, 1998. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
  6. 1 2 3 4 "CNN AllPolitics Election '98 - Arkansas 1998 Polls". CNN. Archived from the original on June 14, 2025. Retrieved June 14, 2025.
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