1998 Nebraska gubernatorial election
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 County results Johanns: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% Hoppner: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% | ||||||||||||||||||||
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| Elections in Nebraska |
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 Government |
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[update], 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.
Democratic primary
[edit]Governor
[edit]Candidates
[edit]- Bill Hoppner, attorney, Chief of Staff to former Governor James Exon and Senator Bob Kerrey and gubernatorial candidate in 1990
- James D. McFarland, state senator
- Robb Nimic, perennial candidate
- Luis R. Calvillo
Results
[edit]| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Bill Hoppner | 72,887 | 65.39 | |
| Democratic | James D. McFarland | 33,890 | 30.41 | |
| Democratic | Robb Nimic | 1,621 | 1.45 | |
| Democratic | Write-ins | 1,606 | 1.44 | |
| Democratic | Luis R. Calvillo | 1,455 | 1.31 | |
| Total votes | 111,459 | 100.00 | ||
Lieutenant governor
[edit]Candidates
[edit]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
[edit]| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Pam Bataillon | 87,971 | 98.61 | |
| Democratic | Write-ins | 1,237 | 1.39 | |
| Total votes | 89,208 | 100.00 | ||
Republican primary
[edit]Governor
[edit]Candidates
[edit]- Mike Johanns, Mayor of Lincoln
- John Breslow, Nebraska State Auditor
- Jon Christensen, U.S. Congressman
- Barry Richards, perennial candidate
- Lavern Bartels
Results
[edit]| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Mike Johanns | 88,173 | 40.02 | |
| Republican | John Breslow | 65,806 | 29.87 | |
| Republican | Jon Christensen | 62,107 | 28.19 | |
| Republican | Barry Richards | 2,036 | 0.92 | |
| Republican | Lavern Bartels | 1,908 | 0.87 | |
| Republican | Write-ins | 285 | 0.13 | |
| Total votes | 220,315 | 100.00 | ||
Lieutenant governor
[edit]Candidates
[edit]- Matt Butler, businessman and CEO of Butler Holdings Inc., which owned Happy Cab and Hunt Transportation,[6] from Omaha, Nebraska[7]
- John DeCamp, attorney, lobbyist, former member of the Nebraska Legislature in District 40 from 1971 to 1987 from Clatonia, Nebraska,[8] and unsuccessful candidate for the Republican nomination for governor in 1994[7]
- Kevin Fry, president of Fry Brothers Fertilizer and Chemical Inc. from Ewing, Nebraska[7]
- David Maurstad, president and owner of Maurstad Insurance Services Inc., former mayor of Beatrice, Nebraska, and member of the Nebraska Legislature in District 30 since 1995 from Beatrice, Nebraska[8][7]
- Elliott L. Rustad, dermatologist from Lincoln, Nebraska, and a political newcomer[7]
Results
[edit]| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | David Maurstad | 61,778 | 31.18 | |
| Republican | Elliott L. Rustad | 54,580 | 27.55 | |
| Republican | Matt Butler | 35,133 | 17.73 | |
| Republican | John DeCamp | 24,057 | 12.14 | |
| Republican | Kevin Fry | 22,252 | 11.23 | |
| Republican | Write-ins | 304 | 0.15 | |
| Total votes | 198,104 | 100.00 | ||
General election
[edit]Polling
[edit]| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[a] |
Margin of error |
Bill Hoppner (D) |
Mike Johanns (R) |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mason Dixon[9] | October 26–28, 1998 | 807 (LV) | ± 3.5% | 39% | 54% | 7% |
| Mason Dixon[9] | October 13–14, 1998 | 828 (LV) | ± 3.5% | 34% | 54% | 12% |
| Mason Dixon[9] | May 4–5, 1998 | 812 (RV) | ± 3.4% | 32% | 46% | 22% |
Results
[edit]| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Mike Johanns | 293,910 | 53.90% | +28.33% | |
| Democratic | Bill Hoppner | 250,678 | 45.98% | −27.06% | |
| Write-ins | 650 | 0.12% | |||
| Majority | 43,232 | 7.93% | −39.53% | ||
| Turnout | 545,238 | ||||
| Republican gain from Democratic | Swing | ||||
Notes
[edit]- ^ Key:
A – all adults
RV – registered voters
LV – likely voters
V – unclear
References
[edit]- ^ "Our Campaigns - NE Governor- D Primary Race - May 12, 1998". Archived from the original on February 15, 2022. Retrieved May 9, 2011.
- ^ a b "Pam Bataillon Campaigns". Omaha World-Herald. May 8, 1998. p. 22. Archived from the original on June 22, 2023. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
- ^ "Pam Bataillon Entering Race". Omaha World-Herald. February 23, 1998. p. 9. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
- ^ a b 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.
- ^ "Our Campaigns - NE Governor- R Primary Race - May 12, 1998". Archived from the original on February 15, 2022. Retrieved May 9, 2011.
- ^ "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.
- ^ a b c d e "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.
- ^ a b State of Nebraska, 2020-21 Nebraska Blue Book (PDF), pp. 317–378, retrieved June 22, 2023
- ^ a b c "CNN AllPolitics Election '98 - Nebraska 1998 Polls". CNN. Archived from the original on June 27, 2025. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
- ^ 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
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