1998 New Mexico gubernatorial election

The 1998 New Mexico gubernatorial election was a contest to elect the next Governor of New Mexico. The winner of the election would serve a term from January 1, 1999 until January 1, 2003. Incumbent Republican Governor Gary Johnson was re-elected to a second term. As of 2019, this is the last time a non-Hispanic was elected Governor of New Mexico.

1998 New Mexico gubernatorial election

November 3, 1998

Nominee Gary Johnson Martin Chávez Party Republican Democratic Running mate Walter Bradley Diane Denish Popular vote 271,948 226,755 Percentage 54.5% 45.5%

Election results by county Johnson:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Chávez:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

Governor before election Gary Johnson Republican Elected Governor Gary Johnson Republican

In his campaign, Johnson promised to continue the policies of his first term: improving schools; cutting state spending, taxes, and bureaucracy; and frequent use of his veto and line-item veto power.[1] Fielding a strong Hispanic candidate in a 40% Hispanic state, the Democrats were expected to oust Johnson,[2] but Johnson won by a margin of 55% to 45%.[3] This made him the first governor of New Mexico to serve two successive four-year terms after term limits were expanded to two terms in 1991.[4] Johnson made the promotion of a school voucher system a "hallmark issue" of his second term.[5]

Democratic Party

Candidates

• Martin Chávez, Mayor of Albuquerque
• Gary K. King, State Representative and son of former Governor Bruce King
• Jerry Apodaca, former Governor of New Mexico and former Chairman of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports
• Robert E. Vigil, incumbent New Mexico State Auditor
• Reese P. Fullerton, attorney
• Ben Chavez, 1994 New Mexico House of Representatives District 2 candidate

Primary Results

June 2, 1998 Democratic primary results[6]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Martin J. Chávez	82,147	48.11
	Democratic	Gary K. King	51,847	30.36
	Democratic	Jerry Apodaca	16,303	9.55
	Democratic	Robert E. Vigil	10,483	6.14
	Democratic	Reese P. Fullerton	5,800	3.40
	Democratic	Ben Chavez	4,127	2.42
	Democratic	Frances Salas (write-in)	29	0.02
Total votes			170,736	100

Republican Party

Candidates

• Gary Johnson, incumbent Governor of New Mexico

Primary Results

June 2, 1998 Republican primary results[7]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Gary Johnson	64,669	100
Total votes			64,669	100

Campaign

In his campaign, Johnson promised to continue the policies of his first term: improving schools; cutting state spending, taxes, and bureaucracy; and frequent use of his veto and line-item veto power.[1] Fielding a strong Hispanic candidate in a 40% Hispanic state, the Democrats were expected to oust Johnson,[2] but Johnson won by a margin of 55% to 45%.[3] This made him the first governor of New Mexico to serve two successive four-year terms after term limits were expanded to two terms in 1991.[4] Johnson made the promotion of a school voucher system a "hallmark issue" of his second term.[5]

Election results

New Mexico gubernatorial election, 1998[8]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Gary Johnson (inc.)	271,948	54.53%	+4.72%
	Democratic	Martin Chávez	226,755	45.47%	+5.55%
Majority			45,193	9.06%	-0.83%
Turnout			498,703
	Republican hold		Swing

References

1. Ayres, B. Drummond, Jr. (October 23, 1998). "Democrats Renew Push in New Mexico". The New York Times. Retrieved September 18, 2018.
2. "America's boldest governor". The Economist. April 15, 1999. Retrieved September 14, 2018.
3. "CNN election results 1998". Retrieved July 2, 2012.
4. Lynch, Michael W. (January 2001). "America's Most Dangerous Politician – Republican Governor of New Mexico Gary E. Johnson". Reason. Retrieved February 7, 2011.
5. Janofsky, Michael (January 31, 2000). "Parents Lead Way as States Debate School Vouchers". The New York Times. Retrieved September 18, 2018.
6. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-02-21. Retrieved 2019-01-12.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
7. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-02-21. Retrieved 2019-01-12.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
8. http://www.sos.state.nm.us/Main/Elections/1998/98General/rsult001.HTM

See also