1998 United States Senate election in South Dakota

1998 United States Senate election in South Dakota

←  1992 November 3, 1998 2004  →

Nominee Tom Daschle Ron Schmidt Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 162,884 95,431 Percentage 62.14% 36.41%

County results Daschle:      50–60%     60–70%     70–80% Schmidt:      40–50%     50–60%

U.S. senator before election Tom Daschle Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Tom Daschle Democratic

The 1998 United States Senate election in South Dakota was held November 2, 1998. Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Tom Daschle won re-election to a third term. As of 2025, this was the last time a Democrat won the Class 3 Senate seat from South Dakota.

Republican primary

Candidates

• Alan Aker
• John Sanders
• Ron Schmidt, attorney

Results

Republican primary results ^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Ron Schmidt	26,540	52.01%
	Republican	Alan Aker	19,200	37.62%
	Republican	John M. Sanders	5,292	10.37%
Total votes			51,032	100.00%

General election

Candidates

• Byron Dale (L)
• Tom Daschle (D), incumbent U.S. Senator
• Ron Schmidt (R), attorney

Results

General election results ^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Tom Daschle (incumbent)	162,884	62.14%	−2.76%
	Republican	Ron Schmidt	95,431	36.41%	+3.90%
	Libertarian	Byron Dale	3,796	1.45%	+0.15%
Majority			67,453	25.73%	−6.66%
Turnout			262,111
	Democratic hold		Swing

See also

• 1998 United States Senate elections

References

1. "South Dakota Secretary of State - Election Information 1998". Archived from the original on April 16, 2011. Retrieved May 17, 2011.
2. "Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives".