1998 Nebraska gubernatorial election

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.

1998 Nebraska gubernatorial election

← 1994 November 3, 1998 2002 →
 
Nominee Mike Johanns Bill Hoppner
Party Republican Democratic
Running mate David Maurstad Pam Bataillon
Popular vote 293,910 250,678
Percentage 53.90% 45.98%

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

Democratic primary

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Governor

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Candidates

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Results

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Democratic gubernatorial primary results[1]
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

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Candidates

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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

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Democratic lieutenant gubernatorial primary results[4]
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

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Governor

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Candidates

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Results

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Republican gubernatorial primary results[5]
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

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Candidates

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Results

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Republican lieutenant gubernatorial primary results[4]
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

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Results

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Nebraska gubernatorial election, 1998[9]
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

References

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  1. ^ "Our Campaigns - NE Governor- D Primary Race - May 12, 1998".
  2. ^ a b "Pam Bataillon Campaigns". Omaha World-Herald. May 8, 1998. p. 22. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  3. ^ "Pam Bataillon Entering Race". Omaha World-Herald. February 23, 1998. p. 9. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  4. ^ a b Scott Moore (1998). "Official Report of the Board of Canvassers of the State of Nebraska" (PDF). Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  5. ^ "Our Campaigns - NE Governor- R Primary Race - May 12, 1998".
  6. ^ "Lt. governor candidate calls for justice reform". Columbus Telegram. February 19, 1998. p. 8. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  7. ^ a b c d e "Maurstad wins nod for GOP's No. 2 spot". Lincoln Journal Star. May 13, 1998. p. 9. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  8. ^ a b State of Nebraska, 2020-21 Nebraska Blue Book (PDF), pp. 317–378, retrieved June 22, 2023
  9. ^ 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