1998 Idaho gubernatorial election

The 1998 Idaho gubernatorial election was held on November 3, 1998 to elect the Governor of Idaho. Phil Batt, the Republican incumbent, chose not to run for a second term. The Republican nominee, United States Senator Dirk Kempthorne, handily defeated the Democratic nominee, former Idaho Supreme Court justice Robert C. Huntley, to keep the seat in GOP hands.

1998 Idaho gubernatorial election

November 3, 1998
 
Nominee Dirk Kempthorne Robert Huntley
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 258,095 110,815
Percentage 67.7% 29.1%

County results
Kempthorne:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%
Huntley:      50–60%

Governor before election

Phil Batt
Republican

Elected Governor

Dirk Kempthorne
Republican

County results

Republican primary

Candidates

Results

Republican primary results[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Dirk Kempthorne 111,658 87.24
Republican David W. Sheperd 16,332 12.76
Total votes 127,990 100.00

Democratic primary

Candidates

Results

County results
Democratic Primary results[2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Robert C. Huntley 14,638 54.27
Democratic William Tarnasky 4,769 17.68
Democratic Jack Wayne Chappell 4,666 17.30
Democratic Donald McMurrian 2,900 10.75
Total votes 26,973 100.00

General election

Given the lack of a high-profile candidate on the Democratic side, throughout the campaign many considered Kempthorne's election a foregone conclusion. Indeed, Huntley's performance was well below that of the 1994 Democratic nominee Larry EchoHawk. In addition, Peter Rickards, a podiatrist and anti-nuclear waste advocate from Twin Falls, siphoned off progressive votes that would have otherwise gone to the Democratic candidate.

Idaho gubernatorial election, 1998[3]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Dirk Kempthorne 258,095 67.70 +15.41
Democratic Robert C. Huntley 110,815 29.07 -14.81
Independent Peter Rickards 12,338 3.24
Majority 147,280 38.63 +30.22
Turnout 381,248
Republican hold Swing

See also

References

Preceded by
1994
Idaho gubernatorial elections Succeeded by
2002
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