1998 United States Senate election in Kentucky

The 1998 United States Senate election in Kentucky was held November 3, 1998. It was concurrent with elections to the United States House of Representatives. Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Wendell Ford decided to retire, instead of seeking a fifth term. Republican U.S. Representative Jim Bunning narrowly won the open seat, defeating Democratic U.S. Representative Scotty Baesler. This was the first open Senate seat since 1972. By a margin of 0.59%, this election was the second-closest race of the 1998 Senate election cycle, behind only the election in Nevada.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Scotty Baesler, U.S. Representative

Jim Brown

Steve Henry, Lieutenant Governor

Charlie Owen, businessman

Ken Buchanan Thompson

David L. Williams, member of the Kentucky Senate

Results

Republican primary

Candidates

Jim Bunning, U.S. Representative

Barry Metcalf, State Senator

Results

General election

Candidates

Scotty Baesler (D), U.S. Representative

Jim Bunning (R), U.S. Representative

Results

See also

1998 United States Senate elections

References

United States Senate

Kentucky

1998