1998 Kentucky elections
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| Elections in Kentucky |
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 Government |
A general election was held in the U.S. state of Kentucky on November 3, 1998. The primary election for all offices was held on May 26, 1998.
Federal offices
United States Senate
Republican candidate Jim Bunning defeated fellow congressman Scotty Baesler following the retirement of incumbent senator Wendell Ford.
United States House of Representatives
Kentucky has six congressional districts, electing five Republicans and one Democrat.
State offices
Kentucky Senate
The Kentucky Senate consists of 38 members. In 1998, half of the chamber (all even-numbered districts) was up for election.[1] The bipartisan coalition led by Larry Saunders maintained its majority, without gaining or losing any seats.
Kentucky House of Representatives
All 100 seats in the Kentucky House of Representatives were up for election in 1998.[1] Democrats maintained their majority, gaining one seat.
Kentucky Supreme Court
The Kentucky Supreme Court consists of seven justices elected in non-partisan elections to staggered eight-year terms. Districts 1, 2, 4, and 6 were up for election in 1998.[1]
District 1
- 50–60%
- 60–70%
- 50–60%
- 60–70%
- 70–80%
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nonpartisan | William Graves (incumbent) | 50,048 | 51.3 | |
| Nonpartisan | Rick Johnson | 47,587 | 48.7 | |
| Total votes | 97,635 | 100.0 | ||
District 2
- 50–60%
- 60–70%
- 70–80%
- 80–90%
- 50–60%
- 60–70%
- 80–90%
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nonpartisan | William S. Cooper (incumbent) | 61,998 | 60.1 | |
| Nonpartisan | Walter Arnold Baker | 41,191 | 39.9 | |
| Total votes | 103,189 | 100.0 | ||
District 4
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nonpartisan | Martin E. Johnstone (incumbent) | Unopposed | |||
| Total votes | 133,193 | 100.0 | |||
District 6
- 50–60%
- 60–70%
- 70–80%
- 50–60%
- 60–70%
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nonpartisan | Donald C. Wintersheimer (incumbent) | 62,336 | 61.8 | |
| Nonpartisan | Edwin F. Kagin | 38,538 | 38.2 | |
| Total votes | 100,874 | 100.0 | ||
Other judicial elections
All judges of the Kentucky District Courts were elected in non-partisan elections to four-year terms.[1]
Local offices
County officers
All county officials were elected in partisan elections to four-year terms. The offices include the County Judge/Executive, the Fiscal Court (Magistrates and/or Commissioners), County Clerk, County Attorney, Jailer, Coroner, Surveyor, Property Value Administrator, Constables, and Sheriff.[1]
Mayors
Mayors in Kentucky are elected to four-year terms, with cities holding their elections in either presidential or midterm years.[1]
City councils
Each incorporated city elected its council members to a two-year term.[1]
School boards
Local school board members are elected to staggered four-year terms, with half up for election in 1998.[1]
Ballot measures
Amendment 1
Text
Are you in favor of amending the Kentucky Constitution to reduce the General Assembly's organizational session by five days and to allow the General Assembly to meet in interim session in odd-numbered years for twenty five days?
Results
- 50–60%
- 60–70%
- 50–60%
- 60–70%
- 50%
| Choice | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|
 No
|
431,304 | 51.1 |
| Yes | 413,143 | 48.9 |
| Total votes | 844,447 | 100.00 |
Amendment 2
Text
Are you in favor of amending Section 170 of the Constitution of Kentucky to permit the General Assembly to exempt motor vehicles and other class of personal property from the levy of all or any portion of the property tax and to extend the homestead property tax exemption to persons who are classified as totally disabled by any public or private retirement system?
Results
- 50–60%
- 60–70%
- 70–80%
- 80–90%
- 90–100%
| Choice | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|
 Yes
|
678,141 | 78.7 |
| No | 183,806 | 21.3 |
| Total votes | 861,947 | 100.00 |
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Kentucky Election Schedule" (PDF). Kentucky Secretary of State. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
- ^ "Official 1998 General Election Results: Supreme Court District 1" (PDF). Kentucky State Board of Elections.
- ^ "Official 1998 General Election Results: Supreme Court District 2" (PDF). Kentucky State Board of Elections.
- ^ "Official 1998 General Election Results: Supreme Court District 4" (PDF). Kentucky State Board of Elections.
- ^ "Official 1998 General Election Results: Supreme Court District 6" (PDF). Kentucky State Board of Elections.
- ^ a b "Official 1998 General Election Results: Constitutional Amendments". Kentucky State Board of Elections.
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