1998 Idaho gubernatorial election

← 1994 November 3, 1998 2002 →

Nominee Dirk Kempthorne Robert Huntley Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 258,095 110,815 Percentage 67.7% 29.1%

County results Kempthorne:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90% Huntley:      50–60%

Governor before election Phil Batt Republican Elected Governor Dirk Kempthorne Republican

The 1998 Idaho gubernatorial election was held on November 3, 1998 to elect the Governor of Idaho. Phil Batt, the Republican incumbent, chose not to run for a second term. The Republican nominee, United States Senator Dirk Kempthorne, handily defeated the Democratic nominee, former Idaho Supreme Court justice Robert C. Huntley, to keep the seat in GOP hands.

Republican primary

Candidates

• Dirk Kempthorne, U.S. Senator
• David W. Sheperd, perennial candidate

Results

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Jack Wayne Chappell
• Robert C. Huntley, former Idaho Supreme Court Justice, former Idaho State Representative, former Pocatello city councilman
• Donald McMurrian
• William Tarnasky

Results

General election

Elections in Idaho
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Boise Mayoral elections 2015 2019 2023
v t e

Given the lack of a high-profile candidate on the Democratic side, throughout the campaign many considered Kempthorne's election a foregone conclusion. Indeed, Huntley's performance was well below that of the 1994 Democratic nominee Larry EchoHawk. In addition, Peter Rickards, a podiatrist and anti-nuclear waste advocate from Twin Falls, siphoned off progressive votes that would have otherwise gone to the Democratic candidate.