1998 Oklahoma gubernatorial election

The 1998 Oklahoma gubernatorial election was held on November 3, 1998, and was a race for Governor of Oklahoma.

1998 Oklahoma gubernatorial election

← 1994 November 3, 1998 2002 →
 
Nominee Frank Keating Laura Boyd
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 505,498 357,552
Percentage 57.9% 40.9%

County results
Keating:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Boyd:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%

Governor before election

Frank Keating
Republican

Elected Governor

Frank Keating
Republican

Incumbent Republican Frank Keating won re-election in a landslide against Democratic State Representative Laura Boyd. The Reform Party, the first alternative party to be able to run a candidate for governor in the state since 1970, had Hoppy Heidelberg as its candidate.[1] Heidelberg was removed from a gubernatorial debate that he disrupted after not being allowed to be a participant.[2]

This was the first occasion since Oklahoma statehood that Bryan County, Carter County, Cotton County, Garvin County, Greer County, Harmon County, Jefferson County, Kiowa County, Love County, Murray County, and Pontotoc County voted for a Republican for Governor, although several of these counties backed Independent candidate Wes Watkins four years earlier.

Candidates

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Republican

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Democrat

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Reform

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Significance

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The election is significant for two reasons:

  • 1. It marked the first time a woman received the nomination for governor from a major party in Oklahoma.
  • 2. It marked the first time a Republican was elected to a consecutive term (Henry Bellmon was the first Republican to serve two terms, though not consecutive).

Democratic primary

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Results

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Democratic primary results[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Laura Boyd 171,121 60.2
Democratic James Hager 112,941 39.8
Total votes 284,062 100.00

General Election Results

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1998 gubernatorial election, Oklahoma [5]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Frank Keating (incumbent) 505,498 57.9% +11.0%
Democratic Laura Boyd 357,552 40.9% +11.3%
Reform Hoppy Heidelberg 10,535 1.2% New
Majority
Turnout
Republican hold Swing

References

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  1. ^ "Ex-OC Bombing Juror Hoppy Heidelberg to Run for Governor | Latest Headlines | tulsaworld.com".
  2. ^ Hinton, Mick (October 27, 1998). "Reform Candidate Says He's Banned From OU". The Oklahoman.
  3. ^ Hinton, Mick; English, Paul (July 15, 1998). "Keating Gets GOP Challenger Vickers Ousted From Race". The Oklahoman.
  4. ^ "Oklahoma State Election Board, Primary Election Results, August 25, 1998" (PDF).
  5. ^ "State of Oklahoma Official Returns, General Election - November 3, 1998" (PDF). Oklahoma State Election Board. p. 2.