1998 Wisconsin gubernatorial election
The 1998 Wisconsin gubernatorial election was held on November 3, 1998. Incumbent Governor Tommy Thompson won re-election for his fourth term with 59.66% of the vote. As of 2022, this is most recent gubernatorial election in which Milwaukee, Rock, Portage, and Iowa counties voted for the Republican candidate; the most recent where the winner garnered a double-digit margin of victory; and, as of 2025, the last time a governor in the United States was reelected to a fourth consecutive four-year term.
Primary election
The primary election was held on September 8, 1998. Nominees for Governor and Lieutenant Governor were selected in separate primaries before running on a joint ticket in the general election.Republican party
Governor
Candidates
- Jeffrey A. Hyslop
- Tommy G. Thompson, incumbent governor
Results
Lieutenant Governor
Candidates
- Scott McCallum, incumbent lieutenant governor
Results
Democratic party
Governor
Candidates
- Ed Garvey, former executive director of the NFLPA and candidate for US Senate in 1986
- Gary R. George, member of Wisconsin Senate
Results
Lieutenant Governor
Candidates
- Barbara Lawton, businesswoman
Results
Libertarian party
Governor
Candidates
- Jim Mueller
Results
Lieutenant Governor
Candidates
- James Dean
Results
US Taxpayers' party
Governor
Candidates
- Edward J. Frami
Results
Lieutenant Governor
Candidates
- Thomas R. Rivers
Results
Green party
Governor
Candidates
- Jeffrey Lane Smith
Results
Independent nominations
Governor
Candidates
- Mike Mangan
- A-Ja-mu Muhammad
Results
Lieutenant Governor
Candidates
- Vida Harley Bridges
Results
General election
Candidates
- Ed Garvey & Barbara Lawton, Democrat
- Tommy G. Thompson & Scott McCallum, Republican
- Jim Mueller & James Dean, Libertarian
- Edward J. Frami & Thomas R. Rivers, US Taxpayers'
- Jeffrey Lane Smith, Green
- Mike Mangan, Independent
- A-Ja-mu Muhammad & Vida Harley Bridges, Independent