1988 United States Senate elections

Summary of the 1988 United States Senate election results

Parties							Total
		Democratic	Republican	Libertarian	Conservative	Other
Last elections (1986)		55	45	0	0	0	100
Before these elections		54	46	0	0	0	100
Not up		36	31	—	—	—	67
Up Class 1 (1982→1988)		18	15	—	—	—	33
Incumbent retired		3	3	—	—	—	6
	Held by same party	1	2	—	—	—	3
	Replaced by other party	1 Republican replaced by 1 Democrat 2 Democrats replaced by 2 Republicans		—	—	—	3
	Result	2	4	—	—	—	6
Incumbent ran		15	12[b]	—	—	—	27
	Won re-election	14	9	—	—	—	23
	Lost re-election	3 Republicans replaced by 3 Democrats 1 Democrat replaced by 1 Republican		—	—	—	4
	Lost renomination, but held by same party	0	0	—	—	—	0
	Result	17	10	—	—	—	27
Total elected		19	14	—	—	—	33
Net gain/loss		1	1				1
Nationwide vote		35,137,786	31,151,251	268,053	189,226	677,928	67,424,244
	Share	52.11%	46.20%	0.40%	0.28%	1.01%	100%
Result		55	45	0	0	0	100

Source: Clerk of the United States House of Representatives. "Statistics of the Presidential and Congressional Election of November 8, 1988" (PDF). U.S. Government Printing Office. Retrieved July 2, 2014.

Three Republicans and three Democrats retired instead of seeking re-election.

Three Republicans and one Democrat sought re-election but lost in the general election.

One Republican resigned on January 3, 1989, while one Democrat died on May 16, 1990. Initially, they were replaced by appointees.

1. Connecticut: Democratic attorney general Joe Lieberman narrowly defeated incumbent Lowell P. Weicker Jr. (R) in his bid for a fourth term. A liberal in an increasingly conservative party, Weicker found himself at odds with his fellow Republicans. This rift would lead many conservatives (such as National Review editor William F. Buckley Jr.) to endorse Lieberman, a moderate Democrat.
2. Nebraska: Incumbent David Karnes (R) lost by a large margin to former governor Bob Kerrey (D). Karnes had been appointed to the Senate following the death of Sen. Edward Zorinsky (D) and, though he survived a tough primary challenge from Rep. Hal Daub (R), he proved no match for the popular Kerrey in the general election.
3. Nevada: Incumbent Chic Hecht (R) was narrowly defeated by Governor Richard Bryan (D). Hecht had been considered vulnerable for his undistinguished record and a series of verbal gaffes.
4. Virginia: Incumbent Paul S. Trible Jr. (R) retired rather than run a contentious re-election race against former governor Chuck Robb (D). Robb would instead face Republican Maurice Dawkins, a black minister, and defeat him in a landslide.
5. Florida: Incumbent Lawton Chiles (D) retired rather than run for a fourth term. Congressman Connie Mack III (R) overcame some concerns about his very conservative House record to defeat Rep. Buddy MacKay (D).
6. Mississippi: Incumbent and Senate President pro tempore John C. Stennis (D) retired after 41 years in the Senate. House Minority Whip Trent Lott (R) defeated Congressman Wayne Dowdy by a comfortable margin in the increasingly Republican Mississippi.
7. Montana: Incumbent John Melcher (D) was defeated by Republican Conrad Burns. A political novice, Burns would score an upset victory riding on the coattails of Bush's modest Montana victory.
8. Wisconsin: Former state Democratic Party Chairman Herb Kohl defeated Republican state senator Susan Engeleiter for the seat of retiring incumbent William Proxmire (D). Kohl capitalized on his popularity in the state as the heir to the department stores that bear his family's name and as owner of the Milwaukee Bucks NBA team.
9. Washington: Former Sen. Slade Gorton (R) defeated Rep. Mike Lowry (D) for the seat of incumbent Daniel J. Evans (R). Gorton won the tight race despite having been voted out of the state's other Senate seat two years earlier.

There were no special elections in 1988.

In these general elections, the winners were elected for the term beginning January 3, 1989; ordered by state.

All of the elections involved the Class 1 seats.

In eleven races the margin of victory was under 10%.

Ohio was the tipping point state with a margin of 13.8%.

Arizona election

← 1982 1994 →

Nominee Dennis DeConcini Keith DeGreen Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 660,403 478,060 Percentage 56.7% 41.1%

County results DeConcini:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

U.S. senator before election Dennis DeConcini Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Dennis DeConcini Democratic

Incumbent Democrat Dennis DeConcini was reelected to a third term over Republican Keith DeGreen, Marine veteran and financial advisor.

California election

← 1982 1992 (special) →

Nominee Pete Wilson Leo T. McCarthy Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 5,143,409 4,287,253 Percentage 52.8% 44.0%

County results Wilson:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70% McCarthy:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election Pete Wilson Republican Elected U.S. Senator Pete Wilson Republican

Incumbent Republican Pete Wilson won re-election to a second term over Democrat Leo T. McCarthy, Lieutenant Governor of California and former Speaker of the California State Assembly. As of 2020, this is the last Senate election in California won by a Republican.

Connecticut election

← 1982 1994 →

Nominee Joe Lieberman Lowell Weicker Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 688,499 677,903 Percentage 49.8% 49.0%

County results Municipality results Lieberman:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70% Weicker:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70% Tie:      40–50%

U.S. senator before election Lowell P. Weicker Jr. Republican Elected U.S. Senator Joe Lieberman Democratic

Incumbent Republican Lowell P. Weicker Jr. ran for re-election to a fourth term, but was defeated by Democratic candidate Joe Lieberman, the Connecticut Attorney General and eventual 2000 nominee for Vice President of the United States, who would remain in office until his retirement in 2013.

Delaware election

← 1982 1994 →

Nominee William Roth Shien Biau Woo Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 151,115 92,378 Percentage 62.1% 37.9%

County results Roth:      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election William V. Roth Republican Elected U.S. Senator William V. Roth Republican

Incumbent Republican William Roth won re-election to a fourth term, beating Democrat Shien Biau Woo, Lieutenant Governor of Delaware

Florida election

← 1982 1994 →

Nominee Connie Mack III Buddy MacKay Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 2,051,071 2,016,553 Percentage 50.4% 49.6%

County results Mack:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% MacKay:      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election Lawton Chiles Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Connie Mack III Republican

Incumbent Democrat Lawton Chiles decided to retire instead of seeking a fourth term. Republican U.S. Representative Connie Mack III won the open seat over Democratic Congressman Buddy Mackay.^[1]

This senate election was heavily targeted by both parties. U.S. Representative Mack announced his candidacy back in October 1987.^[5] President Ronald Reagan endorsed Mack in June 1988^[6] to allow Mack to focus on the general election, and easily won the September 6 Republican primary against U.S. Attorney Robert Merkle.^[7] In May 1988, then-Congressman MacKay announced he would run for the open seat,^[8] and defeated Insurance Commissioner Bill Gunter in a close October 4 runoff election.^[9]

The general election soon became nasty, with Mackay portraying Mack as "extremist."^[10] Mack also attacked his opponent in television ads by connecting him to liberal Massachusetts Governor and Democratic presidential nominee Michael Dukakis.^[11] Mack had help from vice presidential candidate Dan Quayle.^[12] The election was so close there was a recount until Mackay conceded eight days after election day.^[13]

Hawaii election

← 1982 1990 (special) →

Nominee Spark Matsunaga Maria Hustace Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 247,941 66,987 Percentage 76.6% 20.7%

County results Matsunaga:      70–80%      80–90%

U.S. senator before election Spark Matsunaga Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Spark Matsunaga Democratic

Incumbent Democrat Spark Matsunaga won re-election to a third term, beating Republican cattle rancher Maria Hustace.^[16][17]

Indiana election

← 1982 1994 →

Nominee Richard Lugar Jack Wickes Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 1,430,525 668,778 Percentage 68.1% 31.9%

County results Lugar:      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%      80-90% Wickes:      50–60%

U.S. senator before election Richard Lugar Republican Elected U.S. Senator Richard Lugar Republican

Incumbent Republican Richard Lugar was re-elected to a third term over Democratic attorney Jack Wickes.^[19][20]

Lugar, a popular incumbent, had token opposition in this election. An April 1988 poll showed that Lugar lead 65% to 23%. By June, Lugar raised over $2 million, while Wickes raised just over $100,000.^[21] Lugar agreed to debate Wickes on September 10, 1988.^[22]

Lugar won overall with two-thirds of the vote and won 91 of Indiana's 92 counties, Wickes won only the Democratic stronghold of Lake County.

Maine election

← 1982 1994 →

Nominee George Mitchell Jasper Wyman Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 452,581 104,164 Percentage 81.3% 18.7%

County results Mitchell:      70–80%      80–90%

U.S. senator before election George J. Mitchell Democratic Elected U.S. Senator George J. Mitchell Democratic

Incumbent Democrat George J. Mitchell won re-election to a second full term over Republican Jasper Wyman, leader of Maine Christian Civic League and businessman.^[24] As of 2020, this is the last Senate election in Maine won by a Democrat.

Maryland election

← 1982 1994 →

Nominee Paul Sarbanes Alan Keyes Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 999,166 617,537 Percentage 61.8% 38.2%

County results Sarbanes:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Keyes:      50–60%

U.S. senator before election Paul S. Sarbanes Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Paul S. Sarbanes Democratic

Incumbent Democratic Paul Sarbanes was reelected to a third term over Republican Alan Keyes, former Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs.

Massachusetts election

← 1982 1994 →

Nominee Ted Kennedy Joseph D. Malone Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 1,693,344 884,267 Percentage 65.0% 33.9%

County Results Municipality Results County results Kennedy:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      90–100% Malone:      40–50%      50–60% Tie:      40–50%

U.S. senator before election Ted Kennedy Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy Democratic

Incumbent Democrat Ted Kennedy won re-election to his sixth (his fifth full) term over Republican Joseph D. Malone.

Michigan election

← 1982 1994 →

Nominee Don Riegle James Whitney Dunn Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 2,116,865 1,348,216 Percentage 60.4% 38.5%

County results Riegle:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Dunn:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election Don Riegle Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Don Riegle Democratic

Incumbent Democrat Don Riegle won re-election to a third term over Republican U.S. Congressman James Whitney Dunn.

Minnesota election

← 1982 1994 →

Nominee David Durenberger Skip Humphrey Party Ind.-Republican Democratic (DFL) Popular vote 1,176,210 856,694 Percentage 56.2% 40.9%

County results Durenberger:      50–60%      60–70% Humphrey:      50–60%

U.S. senator before election David Durenberger Ind.-Republican Elected U.S. Senator David Durenberger Ind.-Republican

Incumbent Republican David Durenberger won re-election to his second full term, beating Democrat Skip Humphrey, the Minnesota Attorney General and former state senator.

Mississippi election

← 1982 1994 →

Nominee Trent Lott Wayne Dowdy Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 510,380 436,339 Percentage 53.9% 46.1%

County results Lott:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Dowdy:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%

U.S. senator before election John C. Stennis Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Trent Lott Republican

Incumbent Democrat John C. Stennis decided to retire instead of seeking an eighth term (and his seventh full term). Republican Trent Lott won the open seat, beating Democrat Wayne Dowdy, U.S. Congressman from the 4th district.

Missouri election

← 1982 1994 →

Nominee John Danforth Jay Nixon Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 1,407,416 660,045 Percentage 67.7% 31.8%

County results Danforth:      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%      80-90% Nixon:      50–60%

U.S. senator before election John Danforth Republican Elected U.S. Senator John Danforth Republican

Incumbent Republican John Danforth won re-election over Democratic state senator and future Governor Jay Nixon.^[30]

Montana election

← 1982 1994 →

Nominee Conrad Burns John Melcher Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 189,445 175,809 Percentage 51.9% 48.1%

County results Burns:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Melcher:      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election John Melcher Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Conrad Burns Republican

Incumbent John Melcher, who was first elected to the Senate in 1976 and was re-elected in 1982, ran for re-election. After winning the Democratic primary, he faced Yellowstone County Commissioner Conrad Burns in the general election, and in the general election a grueling campaign followed. Ultimately, Melcher was narrowly defeated in his bid for re-election by Burns.

Nebraska election

← 1982 1994 →

Nominee Bob Kerrey David Karnes Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 378,717 278,250 Percentage 56.71% 41.66%

County results Kerrey:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Karnes:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Tie:      40–50%

U.S. senator before election David Karnes Republican Elected U.S. Senator Bob Kerrey Democratic

Republican David Karnes decided to seek election to his first complete term after being appointed to the seat of the late Edward Zorinsky in March 1987, but was soundly defeated by Democratic former governor Bob Kerrey in the November general election.^[32]

Nevada election

← 1982 1994 →

Nominee Richard Bryan Chic Hecht Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 175,548 161,336 Percentage 50.2% 46.1%

County results Bryan:      40–50%      50–60% Hecht:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

U.S. senator before election Chic Hecht Republican Elected U.S. Senator Richard Bryan Democratic

Incumbent Republican Chic Hecht ran for re-election to a second term, but lost to Democratic governor Richard Bryan.

New Jersey election

← 1982 1994 →

Nominee Frank Lautenberg Pete Dawkins Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 1,599,905 1,349,937 Percentage 53.55% 45.18%

Lautenberg:      50–60%      60–70% Dawkins:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election Frank Lautenberg Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Frank Lautenberg Democratic

Incumbent Democrat Frank Lautenberg won re-election to a second term with a margin of 8.37% over Republican Pete Dawkins, military veteran and CEO of Primerica Financial Services, Inc.

The campaign was full of political mudslinging, with Lautenberg accusing Dawkins of being a carpetbagger, noting his very brief residency in the state,^[34] and also accusing Dawkins' campaign of lying about his war record.^[35] Dawkins accused Lautenberg of running a smear campaign against, called him a "swamp dog",^[36] and criticized him for saying he voted eight times against a senatorial pay raise without mentioning the fact that he did vote once for the pay raise.^[35]

New Mexico election

← 1982 1994 →

Nominee Jeff Bingaman Bill Valentine Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 321,983 186,579 Percentage 63.3% 36.7%

County results Bingaman:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90% Valentine:      50–60%

U.S. senator before election Jeff Bingaman Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman Democratic

Incumbent Democrat Jeff Bingaman won re-election to a second term, beating Republican New Mexico State Senator Bill Valentine.

New York election

← 1982 1994 →

Nominee Pat Moynihan Robert McMillan Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 4,048,649 1,875,784 Percentage 67.0% 31.1%

County results Moynihan:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90% McMillan:      50–60%

U.S. senator before election Pat Moynihan Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Pat Moynihan Democratic

Incumbent Democrat Daniel Patrick Moynihan won re-election to a third term, over Republican Robert R. McMillan, business executive of Avon Products and Reagan Administration advisor.^[38]

North Dakota election

← 1982 1992 (special) →

Nominee Quentin Burdick Earl Strinden Party Democratic–NPL Republican Popular vote 171,899 112,937 Percentage 59.45% 39.06%

County results Burdick:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Strinden:      40–50%      50–60%

U.S. Senator before election Quentin Burdick Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Quentin Burdick Democratic

The incumbent, Quentin Burdick of the North Dakota Democratic NPL Party, sought and received re-election to his sixth term, defeating Republican candidate Earl Strinden.^[1]

Only Burdick filed as a Dem-NPLer, and the endorsed Republican candidate was Earl Strinden of Grand Forks, North Dakota, who was President of the University of North Dakota Alumni Association. As in the Burdick's previous re-election campaign, the senator's age became an issue for voters as he was 80 years old during the campaign. However, challenger Strinden commented that he did not want to raise the age issue. Burdick and Strinden won the primary elections for their respective parties.

The Burdick campaign hired high-profile Washington, D.C. campaign consultant Bob Squire of Squire Eskew Communications. To counter the potential age issue, Burdick successfully focused the message on the "clout" he had earned over decades in the Senate, as well as his Chairmanship of Senate Agricultural Appropriations sub-committee and his Chairmanship of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.

One independent candidate, Kenneth C. Gardner, also filed before the deadline, officially calling himself a libertarian. Gardner had previously run for North Dakota's other United States Senate seat an independent in 1974, challenging Milton Young. He only received 853 votes in that election.

Ohio election

← 1982 1994 →

Nominee Howard Metzenbaum George Voinovich Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 2,480,038 1,872,716 Percentage 56.97% 42.31%

County results Metzenbaum:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Voinovich:      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election Howard Metzenbaum Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Howard Metzenbaum Democratic

Incumbent Democrat Howard Metzenbaum won re-election over George Voinovich, Mayor of Cleveland and former Lieutenant Governor of Ohio.^[40]

Pennsylvania election

← 1982 1991 (special) →

Nominee John Heinz Joseph Vignola Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 2,901,715 1,416,764 Percentage 66.5% 32.5%

County results Heinz:      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%      80-90% Vignola:      70–80%

U.S. senator before election H. John Heinz III Republican Elected U.S. Senator H. John Heinz III Republican

Incumbent Republican H. John Heinz III successfully sought re-election to another term, defeating Democratic nominee Joe Vignola, Philadelphia City Controller.

Joe Vignola was not expected by Democratic Party leaders to have a substantial chance at defeating the popular incumbent John Heinz, even predicting that Vignola would become "Heinz's 58th variety,"^[41] referring to an advertising slogan of the H. J. Heinz Company. Heinz, knowing this, ran a low-profile re-election campaign and was safely ahead in polling. Vignola traveled across Pennsylvania promoting an increase in domestic spending, including education and healthcare, while decreasing the defense budget to compensate. Vignola ran a positive campaign, in contrast with Cyril Wecht six years previously, although many Democratic ward leaders and committee members had given up on the campaign and had stopped campaigning for Vignola.^[41]

Heinz easily defeated Vignola to win the election and another term in the Senate, carrying every Pennsylvania county except Philadelphia, Vignola's home town, and by a comfortable 1.49 million vote margin. Heinz performed well in suburban areas, as well as the central, southwestern and northeastern portions of the state. Outside of Philadelphia, Vignola's best county-wide showing was in Mercer County, where he won 36% of the vote, and his poorest county-wide performance was in Snyder County, where he won 12% of the vote. Although Heinz's landslide victory was largely expected among Democratic leaders, Heinz won by a wide margin despite the Democrats' 551,000-voter registration advantage statewide.^[41]

Heinz died in an airplane crash on April 4, 1991, in Lower Merion Township, Pennsylvania.^[42] Democrat Harris Wofford was appointed on May 8 to fill the vacancy caused by Heinz's death, and subsequently won a special election in November 1991. In the 1994 election, however, Wofford was defeated by Republican Rick Santorum.^[43][44]

Rhode Island election

← 1982 1994 →

Nominee John Chafee Richard Licht Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 217,273 180,717 Percentage 55% 45%

County results Municipality results Chafee:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Licht:      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election John Chafee Republican Elected U.S. Senator John Chafee Republican

Incumbent Republican John Chafee won re-election to a third term, beating Democratic lieutenant governor and former state senator Richard Licht.

Tennessee election

← 1982 1994 →

Nominee Jim Sasser Bill Anderson Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 1,020,061 541,033 Percentage 65.09% 34.52%

County results Sasser:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90% Andersen:      50–60%

U.S. senator before election Jim Sasser Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Jim Sasser Democratic

Incumbent Democrat Jim Sasser won re-election to a third term over Republican Bill Anderson.

Texas election

← 1982 1993 (special) →

Nominee Lloyd Bentsen Beau Boulter Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 3,149,806 2,129,228 Percentage 59.2% 40.0%

Bentsen:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90% Boulter:      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election Lloyd Bentsen Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Lloyd Bentsen Democratic

Incumbent Democrat Lloyd Bentsen won re-election to a fourth term defeating Republican Representative Beau Boulter.

Bentsen easily won the Democratic nomination for another term, while Boulter came through a run-off in the Republican primary defeating Wes Gilbreath. After being nominated for the senate Bentsen was chosen by Michael Dukakis as his vice-presidential running mate and therefore ran for both the Senate and the vice-presidency at the same time. Bentsen was always the favorite for the senate election and won with 59.2% of the vote, compared to 40% for Boulter.

As of 2020, this was the last time a Democrat won a United States Senate election in Texas.^[45][46]

In the Democratic primary Democratic senator Lloyd Bentsen defeated the same opponent he had beaten in 1982, Joe Sullivan, a psychology professor from San Antonio.^[47]

Bentsen had been senator from Texas since first winning election in 1970 and had been re-elected in 1976 and 1982. He was also Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee and the clear favourite for re-election in 1988.^[48] Sullivan stood on a platform calling for reduced spending by the federal government, but had been easily defeated by Bentsen in the 1982 Democratic primary.^[48] This was repeated in 1988 with Bentsen winning the primary with over 80% of the vote.^[47]

Four candidates competed for the Republican nomination; U.S. representative Beau Boulter, former state representative Milton Fox, millionaire Houston businessman Wes Gilbreath and businessman Ned Snead.^[50] Boulter was a two-term representative for the 13th district, while Gilbreath was competing in his first election, but spent $500,000 on the primary.^[51]

Wes Gilbreath led in the March primary with 36.7%, but as no candidate won a majority, went into a run-off election against Beau Boulter who came second with 30.5%.^[49]