1998 Massachusetts gubernatorial election

The 1998 Massachusetts gubernatorial election was held on November 3, 1998. Acting Governor Paul Cellucci was elected to his first term as Governor of Massachusetts.

1998 Massachusetts gubernatorial election
November 2, 1998
Turnout51.19% 18.86 [1]
 
Nominee Paul Cellucci Scott Harshbarger
Party Republican Democratic
Running mate Jane Swift Warren Tolman
Popular vote 967,160 901,843
Percentage 50.81% 47.38%
Municipal Results
Governor before election

Paul Cellucci
Republican

 Elected Governor

Paul Cellucci
Republican

Elections in Massachusetts

Republican primary

Governor

Candidates
Declared

Campaign

The race between Cellucci and Malone was acrimonious, with each candidate accusing the other of committing ethical violations.[2]

Results

On September 16, Cellucci defeated Malone to win his party's nomination.[3]

Republican primary results by municipality
Massachusetts Republican gubernatorial primary, 1998 [3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Paul Cellucci 136,258 58.57%
Republican Joe Malone 95,963 41.25%
Write-in All others 442 0.19%
Total votes 232,663 100.00%

Lieutenant Governor

Candidates
Declared
  • Janet E. Jeghelian, radio host (running with Malone)
  • Jane M. Swift, Secretary of Consumer Affairs (running with Cellucci)
Declined
  • Charlie Baker, Secretary of Administration and Finance
  • Ralph C. Martin II, Suffolk County District Attorney

Results
Massachusetts Republican Lt. gubernatorial primary, 1998 [4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Jane M. Swift 116,476 54.38%
Republican Janet E. Jeghelian 97,411 45.48%
Write-in All others 323 0.15%
Total votes 214,210 100.00%

Democratic primary

Governor

Candidates
Declared
Withdrew

Results
Democratic primary results by municipality
Massachusetts Democratic gubernatorial primary, 1998 [6]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Scott Harshbarger 296,212 51.35%
Democratic Patricia McGovern 180,429 31.28%
Democratic Brian J. Donnelly 98,774 17.12%
Write-in All others 1,484 0.26%
Total votes 576,899 100.00%

Lieutenant Governor

Candidates
Declared

Results
Massachusetts Democratic Lt. gubernatorial primary, 1998 [7]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Warren Tolman 270,791 53.75%
Democratic Dorothy Kelly Gay 232,250 46.10%
Write-in All others 768 0.15%
Total votes 503,809 100.00%

General election

Campaign

After Harshbarger's primary victory, many moderate Democrats who had voted for McGovern or Donnelly, chose to support the socially liberal, fiscally moderate Cellucci instead of the more liberal Harshbarger.[8][9]

Polling

In a January opinion poll, Cellucci lead Harshbarger 50%-30%. By August, Harshbarger had taken a 37%-35% lead over Cellucci.[10]

Results

On November 3, Cellucci defeated Harshbarger by 65,317 votes.[11]

Massachusetts gubernatorial election, 1998
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Republican Paul Cellucci 967,160 50.81
Democratic Scott Harshbarger 901,843 47.38
Libertarian Dean Cook 32,184 1.69
Write-in 2,149 0.11
Turnout 1,903,336 51.19%
Republican hold Swing

See also
  • Massachusetts general election, 1998

References
  1. "Massachusetts gubernatorial election, 1998".
  2. Jill Zuckman and Frank Phillips (September 10, 1998). "Malone, Cellucci trade blows on ethics". Boston Globe. Retrieved 2010-07-26.
  3. "Our Campaigns - MA Governor - R Primary Race - Sep 15, 1998". www.ourcampaigns.com.
  4. "Our Campaigns - MA Lt. Governor - R Primary Race - Sep 15, 1998". www.ourcampaigns.com.
  5. Harden, Blaine (1997-08-29). "Joseph Kennedy Ends Gubernatorial Bid". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2009-08-27.
  6. "Our Campaigns - MA Governor - D Primary Race - Sep 15, 1998". www.ourcampaigns.com.
  7. "Our Campaigns - MA Lt. Governor - D Primary Race - Sep 15, 1998". www.ourcampaigns.com.
  8. Adrian Walker (September 19, 1998). "Democratic Dissidents Back Cellucci". Boston Globe. Retrieved 2010-07-26.
  9. Scot Lehigh (October 6, 1998). "Cellucci Seen Seizing Initiative from Harshbarger". Boston Globe. Retrieved 2010-07-26.
  10. Brian C. Mooney (August 15, 1998). "Surplus Stumble Illustrates Why Cellucci's Falling". Boston Globe. Retrieved 2010-07-26.
  11. "Our Campaigns - MA Governor Race - Nov 03, 1998". www.ourcampaigns.com.
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