1998 Nebraska gubernatorial election

The 1998 Nebraska gubernatorial election was held on November 3, 1998. Term limits prevented incumbent Governor Ben Nelson, a Democrat, from seeking a third term in office. Republican nominee Mike Johanns, Mayor of Lincoln, defeated Democratic nominee, attorney Bill Hoppner. As of 2024^[update], this was the last gubernatorial election in Nebraska in which the margin of victory was within single digits. Johanns later served Nebraska in the United States Senate with Nelson from 2009 to 2013.

1998 Nebraska gubernatorial election

← 1994 November 3, 1998 2002 →

Nominee Mike Johanns Bill Hoppner Party Republican Democratic Running mate David Maurstad Pam Bataillon Popular vote 293,910 250,678 Percentage 53.90% 45.98%

County results Johanns:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Hoppner:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

Governor before election Ben Nelson Democratic Elected Governor Mike Johanns Republican

Democratic primary

Governor

Candidates

• Bill Hoppner, attorney, Chief of Staff to former Governor James Exon and Senator Bob Kerrey and gubernatorial candidate in 1990
• James D. McFarland, state senator
• Robb Nimic, perennial candidate
• Luis R. Calvillo

Results

Democratic gubernatorial primary results^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Bill Hoppner	72,887	65.39
	Democratic	James D. McFarland	33,890	30.41
	Democratic	Robb Nimic	1,621	1.45
	Democratic	Write-ins	1,606	1.44
	Democratic	Luis R. Calvillo	1,455	1.31
Total votes			111,459	100.00

Lieutenant governor

Candidates

Pam Bataillon ran unopposed for the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor.^[2] She was the vice president of the Visiting Nurse Association from Omaha, Nebraska.^[3] She is the wife of Joseph Bataillon, a federal judge who was prevented from participating in her campaign due to judicial ethics requirements.^[2]

Results

Democratic lieutenant gubernatorial primary results^[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Pam Bataillon	87,971	98.61
	Democratic	Write-ins	1,237	1.39
Total votes			89,208	100.00

Republican primary

Governor

Candidates

• Mike Johanns, Mayor of Lincoln
• John Breslow, Nebraska State Auditor
• Jon Christensen, U.S. Congressman
• Barry Richards, perennial candidate
• Lavern Bartels

Results

Republican gubernatorial primary results^[5]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Mike Johanns	88,173	40.02
	Republican	John Breslow	65,806	29.87
	Republican	Jon Christensen	62,107	28.19
	Republican	Barry Richards	2,036	0.92
	Republican	Lavern Bartels	1,908	0.87
	Republican	Write-ins	285	0.13
Total votes			220,315	100.00

Lieutenant governor

Candidates

• Matt Butler, businessman and CEO of Butler Holdings Inc., which owned Happy Cab and Hunt Transportation,^[6] from Omaha, Nebraska^[7]
• John DeCamp, attorney, lobbyist, former member of the Nebraska Legislature in District 40 from 1971 to 1987 from Clatonia, Nebraska,^[8] and unsuccessful candidate for the Republican nomination for governor in 1994^[7]
• Kevin Fry, president of Fry Brothers Fertilizer and Chemical Inc. from Ewing, Nebraska^[7]
• David Maurstad, president and owner of Maurstad Insurance Services Inc., former mayor of Beatrice, Nebraska, and member of the Nebraska Legislature in District 30 since 1995 from Beatrice, Nebraska^[8][7]
• Elliott L. Rustad, dermatologist from Lincoln, Nebraska, and a political newcomer^[7]

Results

Republican lieutenant gubernatorial primary results^[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	David Maurstad	61,778	31.18
	Republican	Elliott L. Rustad	54,580	27.55
	Republican	Matt Butler	35,133	17.73
	Republican	John DeCamp	24,057	12.14
	Republican	Kevin Fry	22,252	11.23
	Republican	Write-ins	304	0.15
Total votes			198,104	100.00

General election

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size[a]	Margin of error	Bill Hoppner (D)	Mike Johanns (R)	Undecided
Mason Dixon[9]	October 26–28, 1998	807 (LV)	± 3.5%	39%	54%	7%
Mason Dixon[9]	October 13–14, 1998	828 (LV)	± 3.5%	34%	54%	12%
Mason Dixon[9]	May 4–5, 1998	812 (RV)	± 3.4%	32%	46%	22%

Results

Nebraska gubernatorial election, 1998^[10]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Mike Johanns	293,910	53.90%	+28.33%
	Democratic	Bill Hoppner	250,678	45.98%	−27.06%
	Write-ins		650	0.12%
Majority			43,232	7.93%	−39.53%
Turnout			545,238
	Republican gain from Democratic		Swing

Notes

1. Key:
   A – all adults
   RV – registered voters
   LV – likely voters
   V – unclear