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 elected to a second term. As of, this is the last time a non-Hispanic was elected governor of New Mexico.
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. Fielding a strong Hispanic candidate in a 40% Hispanic state, the Democrats were expected to oust Johnson, but Johnson won by a margin of 55% to 45%. 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. Johnson made the promotion of a school voucher system a "hallmark issue" of his second term.
This election is the first time since 1968 that an incumbent Republican Governor of New Mexico was re-elected or won re-election.
Primary election
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
Republican Party
Candidates
- Gary Johnson, incumbent Governor of New Mexico