1998 Michigan gubernatorial election explained

Election Name:1998 Michigan gubernatorial election
Country:Michigan
Type:presidential
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:1994 Michigan gubernatorial election
Previous Year:1994
Next Election:2002 Michigan gubernatorial election
Next Year:2002
Election Date:November 3, 1998
Image1:File:Vern Ehlers and John Engler (cropped).jpeg
Nominee1:John Engler
Party1:Republican Party (United States)
Running Mate1:Dick Posthumus
Popular Vote1:1,883,005
Percentage1:62.2%
Nominee2:Geoffrey Fieger
Party2:Democratic Party (United States)
Running Mate2:Jim Agee
Popular Vote2:1,143,574
Percentage2:37.8%
Map Size:300px
Governor
Before Election:John Engler
Before Party:Republican Party (United States)
After Election:John Engler
After Party:Republican Party (United States)

The 1998 Michigan gubernatorial election was held on November 3, 1998, to elect the Governor and Lieutenant Governor of the state of Michigan. Incumbent Governor John Engler, a member of the Republican Party, was re-elected over Democratic Party nominee Geoffrey Fieger, a lawyer who had represented the assisted suicide advocate Jack Kevorkian.[1] As of, this was the last time Genesee County and Washtenaw County voted for the Republican gubernatorial candidate.

Republican primary

Candidates

Engler, a two-term incumbent, faced token opposition in the Republican primary, winning re-nomination with 90 percent of the vote. Following Lt. Gov. Connie Binsfeld's decision to not seek a third term, State Senate Majority Leader Dick Posthumus received the GOP nomination for lieutenant governor.[2]

Results

Democratic primary

Candidates

Early in the race, Owen was considered the front runner.[3] But due to Fieger's notoriety and personal wealth, he surpassed his opponents. He ended spending almost $6 million of his own money in the race.[4] Fieger won a close race, taking 41 percent of the vote.[5] State Rep. Jim Agee, after securing the support from the Michigan Education Association was picked by Fieger to be his running mate, over Fieger's initial preferred choice state Rep. Candace Curtis.[6]

Results

Results

Results by county

CountyEnglerVotesFiegerVotesOthersVotes
Alcona69.2%2,95130.8%1,3120.0%0
Alger56.9%1,79443.1%1,3580.0%0
Allegan77.8%24,12122.2%6,8960.0%4
Alpena65.8%7,26734.2%3,7850.0%1
Antrim68.5%5,74831.5%2,6410.0%0
Arenac59.0%3,17941.0%2,2100.0%1
Baraga53.6%1,33846.4%1,1570.0%0
Barry71.4%13,14828.6%5,2590.0%0
Bay60.8%23,34339.2%15,0170.0%12
Benzie62.8%3,72637.2%2,2060.0%0
Berrien73.5%30,38026.5%10,9710.0%0
Branch70.3%7,62329.7%3,2160.0%1
Calhoun67.2%25,95532.8%12,6610.0%5
Cass72.7%9,17727.3%3,4380.0%0
Charlevoix69.3%6,29030.7%2,7920.0%0
Cheboygan67.7%6,03632.3%2,8750.0%0
Chippewa61.3%6,61338.7%4,1800.0%0
Clare61.3%5,64938.7%3,5610.0%0
Clinton73.8%17,69626.0%6,2220.2%56
Crawford62.5%3,05137.5%1,8310.0%0
Delta59.3%7,41040.7%5,0800.0%0
Dickinson63.0%6,18337.0%3,6380.0%0
Eaton68.4%24,77831.6%11,4360.0%8
Emmet73.8%7,76526.2%2,7580.0%0
Genesee51.2%69,79948.8%66,6080.0%10
Gladwin63.7%5,57336.3%3,1770.0%0
Gogebic51.0%3,02049.0%2,9050.0%0
Grand Traverse71.6%20,46228.4%8,1010.0%2
Gratiot71.1%7,99828.9%3,2450.0%0
Hillsdale73.1%9,02726.9%3,3250.0%5
Houghton60.9%6,44339.1%4,1310.0%2
Huron76.1%9,26423.9%2,9020.0%1
Ingham60.1%53,90539.7%35,5840.2%151
Ionia71.2%12,32428.8%4,9960.0%0
Iosco66.5%6,45733.5%3,2520.0%2
Iron54.3%2,71545.7%2,2820.0%0
Isabella63.7%9,42336.3%5,3610.0%0
Jackson67.3%31,33032.7%15,2290.0%2
Kalamazoo67.6%46,44332.4%22,2750.0%6
Kalkaska63.1%3,15536.9%1,8440.0%0
Kent76.6%133,12023.4%40,7090.0%8
Keweenaw56.3%56643.7%4400.0%0
Lake53.5%1,83246.5%1,5930.0%0
Lapeer65.6%17,38234.4%9,1060.0%1
Leelanau70.9%6,57729.1%2,7050.0%0
Lenawee63.3%18,13736.7%10,4940.0%0
Livingston73.8%37,45826.2%13,2830.0%2
Luce58.0%1,13042.0%8190.0%0
Mackinac64.7%3,05435.3%1,6660.0%0
Macomb67.5%166,92032.5%80,4380.0%18
Manistee62.8%5,49337.2%3,2470.0%0
Marquette51.6%11,15748.4%10,4600.0%0
Mason66.1%6,39133.9%3,2770.0%0
Mecosta67.2%7,06532.8%3,4460.0%1
Menominee65.7%4,57934.3%2,3910.0%0
Midland73.6%20,73726.4%7,4450.0%0
Missaukee72.8%3,62927.2%1,3460.0%0
Monroe65.0%26,69035.0%14,4010.0%0
Montcalm68.6%11,06931.4%5,0580.0%0
Montmorency65.0%2,49935.0%1,3460.0%0
Muskegon60.5%29,66039.5%19,3310.0%2
Newaygo69.0%9,77631.0%4,3920.0%0
Oakland66.3%264,55133.7%134,2150.0%120
Oceana67.5%5,23132.5%2,5200.0%0
Ogemaw62.3%4,79637.7%2,8990.0%0
Ontonagon51.8%1,55348.2%1,4420.0%1
Osceola66.5%4,91833.5%2,4820.0%0
Oscoda64.9%2,01735.1%1,0910.0%0
Otsego71.6%5,52528.4%2,1950.0%0
Ottawa85.4%67,05414.6%11,4510.0%9
Presque Isle67.1%3,87132.9%1,8990.0%0
Roscommon63.7%6,32036.3%3,6080.0%0
Saginaw63.4%43,76636.6%25,2130.0%9
St. Clair64.1%32,29935.9%18,0250.0%0
St. Joseph74.9%11,02625.1%3,7030.0%0
Sanilac71.1%9,94128.8%4,0230.1%8
Schoolcraft55.5%1,59444.5%1,2770.0%0
Shiawassee66.3%16,46533.6%8,3470.1%18
Tuscola66.7%12,07433.3%6,0270.0%0
Van Buren67.8%13,71532.2%6,4990.0%0
Washtenaw57.0%53,22743.0%40,0780.0%32
Wayne42.9%243,23557.1%324,3510.0%17
Wexford67.1%6,34732.8%3,1080.1%10

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The 1998 elections: state by state -- Midwest; Michigan. November 5, 1998. July 31, 2011. The New York Times. Matthew L.. Wald.
  2. Web site: DECISION '98: A LOOK AT KEY ELECTIONS . Crains Detroit . October 16, 1998 . October 12, 2017.
  3. Web site: Larry Owen . Our Campaigns . March 16, 2013 . October 12, 2017.
  4. Web site: Geoffrey Fieger considering a return to politics with run for governor . Kathleen Gray . Detroit Free Press . May 12, 2017 . October 12, 2017.
  5. Web site: Kevorkian's Lawyer Wins Gubernatorial Primary in Michigan . Los Angeles Times . August 6, 1998 . October 12, 2017 . Associated Press.
  6. Web site: Teachers Pleased By Fieger Running Mate . August 29, 1998. October 12, 2017 . Chicago Tribune . By From Tribune News Services.