1988 United States Senate election in Mississippi

The 1988 United States Senate election in Mississippi was held on November 8, 1988. Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator John C. Stennis decided to retire instead of seeking an eighth term. Republican Trent Lott won the open seat.

1988 United States Senate election in Mississippi

November 8, 1988

Nominee Trent Lott Wayne Dowdy Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 510,380 436,339 Percentage 53.9% 46.1%

County Results Lott:      50-60%      60-70%      70-80% Dowdy:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%

U.S. senator before election John C. Stennis Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Trent Lott Republican

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Wayne Dowdy, U.S. Congressman from the 4th district since 1981
• Dick Molpus, Secretary of State of Mississippi
• Gilbert Fountain, Pipefitter from Biloxi

Results

Democratic primary results[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Wayne Dowdy	189,954	53.46%
	Democratic	Dick Molpus	152,126	42.81%
	Democratic	Gilbert Fountain	13,276	3.74%
Total votes			355,356	100%

Republican primary

Candidates

• Trent Lott, U.S. Congressman from the 5th district since 1973, House Minority Whip since 1981

Results

General election results[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Trent Lott	510,380	53.9%
	Democratic	Wayne Dowdy	436,339	46.1%
Total votes			946,719	100.0%
	Republican gain from Democratic

See also

• 1988 United States Senate elections

References

1. "MS US Senate - D Primary". Our Campaigns. Retrieved July 12, 2018.
2. "MS US Senate". Our Campaigns. Retrieved May 17, 2019.