1998 United States Senate election in Idaho

The 1998 United States Senate election in Idaho was held November 3, 1998 alongside other elections to the United States Senate in other states as well as elections to the United States House of Representatives and various state and local elections. Incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Dirk Kempthorne decided to retire after one term to run for governor. Republican nominee Mike Crapo won the open seat.

1998 United States Senate election in Idaho

← 1992 November 3, 1998 2004 →

Nominee Mike Crapo Bill Mauk Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 262,966 107,375 Percentage 69.54% 28.39%

County results Crapo:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%

U.S. senator before election Dirk Kempthorne Republican Elected U.S. Senator Mike Crapo Republican

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Bill Mauk, Chairman of the Idaho Democratic Party

Results

Democratic primary results^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Bill Mauk	22,503	100.00%
Total votes			22,503	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

• Mike Crapo, U.S. Representative
• Matt Lambert

Results

Republican primary results^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Mike Crapo	110,205	87.27%
	Republican	Matt Lambert	16,075	12.73%
Total votes			126,280	100.00%

General election

Candidates

• Mike Crapo (R), U.S. Representative
• George Mansfeld (NL)
• Bill Mauk (D), Chairman of the Idaho Democratic Party

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size[a]	Margin of error	Mike Crapo (R)	Bill Mauk (D)	Undecided
Mason Dixon[3]	September 01–03, 1998	1,208 (LV)	± 2.9%	61%	17%	12%

Results

General election results^[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Mike Crapo	262,966	69.54%	+13.01%
	Democratic	Bill Mauk	107,375	28.39%	−15.08%
	Natural Law	George J. Mansfeld	7,833	2.07%	+2.07%
Majority			155,591	41.14%	+28.10%
Turnout			378,174		−20.97%
	Republican hold

See also

• 1998 United States Senate elections

Notes

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