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1998 United States Senate election in Arkansas

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. Making this was the first open seat with no incumbent held in this seat since the 1884 election. Democratic former U.S. Representative Blanche Lincoln won the open seat against Republican State Senator Fay Boozman. At 38, Lincoln was the youngest woman ever elected to the United States Senate.

1998 United States Senate election in Arkansas
← 1992 November 3, 1998 2004 →
 
Nominee Blanche Lincoln Fay Boozman
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 385,878 295,870
Percentage 55.07% 42.23%
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

Controversy about pregnancy from rape

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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] In 2010, Lincoln would lose re-election to a third term by Fay Boozman's brother, John Boozman.

Democratic primary

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Candidates

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Withdrew

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Results

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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]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Blanche Lincoln 145,009 45.5%
Democratic Winston Bryant 87,183 27.4%
Democratic Scott Ferguson 44,761 14.0%
Democratic Nate Coulter 41,848 13.1%
Total votes 318,801 100.00%

Republican primary

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Candidates

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Results

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Republican Primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Fay Boozman 128,929 78.0%
Republican Tom Prince 44,006 22.0%
Total votes 172,035 100.00%

General election

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Candidates

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Results

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Arkansas Senate election 1998
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Blanche Lincoln 385,878 55.07%
Republican Fay Boozman 295,870 42.23%
Reform Charley E. Heffley 18,896 2.70%
Democratic hold

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Pruden, William (February 25, 2021). "Fay Boozman (1946–2005)". Encyclopedia of Arkansas. Retrieved February 25, 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d "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.
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