United States gubernatorial elections, 1998

United States Gubernatorial elections, 1998

1997 ← November 3, 1998 → 1999

38 governorships 36 states; 2 territories   Majority party Minority party Third party   Party Republican Democratic Reform Last election 32 governorships 17 governorships 0 governorships Seats before 32 17 0 Seats after 31 17 1 Seat change 1 0 1

Republican holds   Republican pickups   Democratic holds   Democratic pickups   Reform pickups   Independent hold

United States gubernatorial elections were held on November 3, 1998 in 36 states and two territories. Going into the election 24 of the seats were held by Republicans, 11 by Democrats, and one by an Independent. The elections changed the national balance of power by the loss of one Republican and the gain of one Independent, although it shifted in nine states. Democrats gained open seats in California and Iowa and defeated incumbents Fob James of Alabama and David Beasley of South Carolina while Republicans won open seats in Colorado, Florida, Nebraska, and Nevada and the Reform Party won an open Republican governorship in Minnesota. By the end of the election, 23 seats were held by Republicans, 11 by Democrats, one by the Reform Party, and one by an Independent.

The elections coincided with the mid-term elections for the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives.