United States Senate election in New York, 1998
Encyclopedia
The 1998 United States Senate election in New York took place on November 3, 1998 along with elections to the United States Senate
in other states as well as elections to the United States House of Representatives
and various state and local elections. Incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Al D'Amato
was running for re-election to a fourth term, but lost to Chuck Schumer in what was considered by many to be the "high(est) profile and nastiest" contest of the year.
and had also run but lost in the Democratic primary in the 1992 U.S. Senate election in New York
. Green had been the Democratic nominee in the 1986 election
, but lost in the general election to D'Amato.
At the start of 1998, Ferraro had done no fundraising, out of fear of conflict of interest with her job hosting the CNN
program Crossfire
, but was nonetheless perceived as the front-runner by virtue of her name recognition; indeed, December and January polls had her 25 percentage points ahead of Green in the race and even further ahead of Schumer. Unlike her previous campaigns, Ferraro's family finances never became an issue in 1998. However, she lost ground during the summer, with Schumer catching her in the polls by early August and then soon passing her. Schumer, a tireless fundraiser, outspent her by a five-to-one margin, and Ferraro failed to establish a political image current with the times. In the September 15, 1998 primary, she was beaten soundly by Schumer with a 51 percent to 26 percent margin. Unlike the bitter 1992 Democratic senatorial primary, this contest was not divisive, and Ferraro and third-place finisher Green endorsed Schumer at a unity breakfast the following day.
Late in the campaign, D'Amato called Schumer a "putzhead" in a private meeting with Jewish supporters ("putz" is Yiddish for penis
, and can be slang for "fool"). The senator later apologized.
In the last days of the campaign, D'Amato campaigned with popular Governor
George Pataki
, who was also running for re-election, and was also supported by New York City Mayor
Rudy Giuliani
and former Mayor Ed Koch
(a Democrat) Vice President
Al Gore
and First Lady
Hillary Clinton personally campaigned for Schumer, as D'Amato was a prominent critic of President
Bill Clinton
who led the investigation into Whitewater
. Though the Republican party is well organized, the Democratic party benefited from robocalls from President Clinton and mobilization from two big unions, United Federation of Teachers
and 1199.
Though D'Amato was effective in obtaining federal government funds for New York State projects during his Senate career, he failed to capitalize on this in the election. Also, Schumer was a tenacious fund-raiser and was aggressive in his attacks. The candidates spent $30 million during the race.
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
in other states as well as elections to the United States House of Representatives
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
and various state and local elections. Incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Al D'Amato
Al D'Amato
Alfonse Marcello "Al" D'Amato is an American lawyer and former New York politician. A Republican, he served as United States Senator from New York from 1981 to 1999.-Early life and family:...
was running for re-election to a fourth term, but lost to Chuck Schumer in what was considered by many to be the "high(est) profile and nastiest" contest of the year.
Candidates
- Geraldine FerraroGeraldine FerraroGeraldine Anne Ferraro was an American attorney, a Democratic Party politician, and a member of the United States House of Representatives. She was the first female Vice Presidential candidate representing a major American political party....
, former U.S. Congresswoman and Vice Presidential candidate - Mark GreenMark J. GreenMark J. Green is an author, public interest lawyer and a Democratic politician who lives in New York City. He worked with Ralph Nader from 1970-1980, eventually as director of Public Citizen's Congress Watch, and is also the former president of Air America Radio .He was New York City Consumer...
, New York City Public Advocate - Eric Ruano-Melendez, perennial candidate
- Chuck Schumer, U.S. Congressman
Campaign
Ferraro was well-known for having been the 1984 Democratic vice presidential nomineeUnited States presidential election, 1984
The United States presidential election of 1984 was a contest between the incumbent President Ronald Reagan, the Republican candidate, and former Vice President Walter Mondale, the Democratic candidate. Reagan was helped by a strong economic recovery from the deep recession of 1981–1982...
and had also run but lost in the Democratic primary in the 1992 U.S. Senate election in New York
United States Senate election in New York, 1992
The 1992 United States Senate election in New York took place on November 3, 1992 alongside other elections to the United States Senate in other states as well as elections to the United States House of Representatives and various state and local elections. Incumbent Republican U.S...
. Green had been the Democratic nominee in the 1986 election
United States Senate election in New York, 1986
The 1986 United States Senate election in New York took place on November 3, 1986 alongside other elections to the United States Senate in other states as well as elections to the United States House of Representatives and various state and local elections. Incumbent Republican U.S...
, but lost in the general election to D'Amato.
At the start of 1998, Ferraro had done no fundraising, out of fear of conflict of interest with her job hosting the CNN
CNN
Cable News Network is a U.S. cable news channel founded in 1980 by Ted Turner. Upon its launch, CNN was the first channel to provide 24-hour television news coverage, and the first all-news television channel in the United States...
program Crossfire
Crossfire (TV series)
Crossfire was a current events debate television program that aired from 1982 to 2005 on CNN. Its format was designed to present and challenge the opinions of a politically liberal pundit and a conservative pundit.-Format:...
, but was nonetheless perceived as the front-runner by virtue of her name recognition; indeed, December and January polls had her 25 percentage points ahead of Green in the race and even further ahead of Schumer. Unlike her previous campaigns, Ferraro's family finances never became an issue in 1998. However, she lost ground during the summer, with Schumer catching her in the polls by early August and then soon passing her. Schumer, a tireless fundraiser, outspent her by a five-to-one margin, and Ferraro failed to establish a political image current with the times. In the September 15, 1998 primary, she was beaten soundly by Schumer with a 51 percent to 26 percent margin. Unlike the bitter 1992 Democratic senatorial primary, this contest was not divisive, and Ferraro and third-place finisher Green endorsed Schumer at a unity breakfast the following day.
Polling
| Poll Source | Dates administered | Chuck Schumer | Geraldine Ferraro | Mark Green | Eric Ruano-Melendez |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quinnipiac University | July 7–13, 1998 | 28% | 39% | 24% | 0% |
| Quinnipiac University | March 1998 | 15% | 50% | 20% | 0% |
Results
The primaries were held on September 15, 1998.Independence
Right to life
Minor
- Rose Ana Berbeo (Socialist Workers Party)
- Corinne Kurtz (Marijuana Reform Party)
- Joel KovelJoel KovelJoel Kovel is an American politician, academic, writer, and eco-socialist. A practicing psychiatrist and psychoanalyst until the mid-1980s, he has lectured in psychiatry, anthropology, political science and communication studies. He has published many books on his work in psychiatry,...
(Green Party) - William McMillen (Libertarian Party)
Campaign
During the campaign, D'Amato attempted to brand Schumer as a diehard liberal, while Schumer accused D'Amato of being a liar. When D'Amato's first strategy didn't work, D'Amato attacked his opponent's attendance record as a member of Congress, which Schumer refuted.Late in the campaign, D'Amato called Schumer a "putzhead" in a private meeting with Jewish supporters ("putz" is Yiddish for penis
Penis
The penis is a biological feature of male animals including both vertebrates and invertebrates...
, and can be slang for "fool"). The senator later apologized.
In the last days of the campaign, D'Amato campaigned with popular Governor
Governor of New York
The Governor of the State of New York is the chief executive of the State of New York. The governor is the head of the executive branch of New York's state government and the commander-in-chief of the state's military and naval forces. The officeholder is afforded the courtesy title of His/Her...
George Pataki
George Pataki
George Elmer Pataki is an American politician who was the 53rd Governor of New York. A member of the Republican Party, Pataki served three consecutive four-year terms from January 1, 1995 until December 31, 2006.- Early life :...
, who was also running for re-election, and was also supported by New York City Mayor
Mayor of New York City
The Mayor of the City of New York is head of the executive branch of New York City's government. The mayor's office administers all city services, public property, police and fire protection, most public agencies, and enforces all city and state laws within New York City.The budget overseen by the...
Rudy Giuliani
Rudy Giuliani
Rudolph William Louis "Rudy" Giuliani KBE is an American lawyer, businessman, and politician from New York. He served as Mayor of New York City from 1994 to 2001....
and former Mayor Ed Koch
Ed Koch
Edward Irving "Ed" Koch is an American lawyer, politician, and political commentator. He served in the United States House of Representatives from 1969 to 1977 and three terms as mayor of New York City from 1978 to 1989...
(a Democrat) Vice President
Vice President of the United States
The Vice President of the United States is the holder of a public office created by the United States Constitution. The Vice President, together with the President of the United States, is indirectly elected by the people, through the Electoral College, to a four-year term...
Al Gore
Al Gore
Albert Arnold "Al" Gore, Jr. served as the 45th Vice President of the United States , under President Bill Clinton. He was the Democratic Party's nominee for President in the 2000 U.S. presidential election....
and First Lady
First Lady of the United States
First Lady of the United States is the title of the hostess of the White House. Because this position is traditionally filled by the wife of the president of the United States, the title is most often applied to the wife of a sitting president. The current first lady is Michelle Obama.-Current:The...
Hillary Clinton personally campaigned for Schumer, as D'Amato was a prominent critic of President
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
Bill Clinton
Bill Clinton
William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton is an American politician who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Inaugurated at age 46, he was the third-youngest president. He took office at the end of the Cold War, and was the first president of the baby boomer generation...
who led the investigation into Whitewater
Whitewater controversy
The Whitewater controversy was an American politics controversy that began with the real estate investments of Bill and Hillary Clinton and their associates, Jim and Susan McDougal in the Whitewater Development Corporation, a failed business venture in the 1970s and 1980s.A New York...
. Though the Republican party is well organized, the Democratic party benefited from robocalls from President Clinton and mobilization from two big unions, United Federation of Teachers
United Federation of Teachers
The United Federation of Teachers is the labor union that represents most educators in New York City public schools. , there were about 118,000 in-service educators and 17,000 paraprofessionals in the union, as well as about 54,000 retired members...
and 1199.
Though D'Amato was effective in obtaining federal government funds for New York State projects during his Senate career, he failed to capitalize on this in the election. Also, Schumer was a tenacious fund-raiser and was aggressive in his attacks. The candidates spent $30 million during the race.
Polling
| Poll Source | Dates administered | Chuck Schumer (D) | Al D'Amato (R) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zogby International | October 27–28, 1998 | 42% | 37% |
| Marist Institute | October 26–27, 1998 | 48% | 44% |
Results
- Per New York State law, Schumer and D'Amato totals include minor party line votes: Independence PartyIndependence Party of New YorkThe Independence Party is an affiliate in the U.S. state of New York of the Independence Party of America. The party was founded in 1991 by Dr. Gordon Black, Tom Golisano, and Laureen Oliver from Rochester, New York, and acquired ballot status in 1994...
and Liberal PartyLiberal Party of New YorkThe Liberal Party of New York is a minor American political party that has been active only in the state of New York. Its platform supports a standard set of social liberal policies: it supports right to abortion, increased spending on education, and universal health care.As of 2007, the Liberal...
for Schumer, Right to Life PartyNew York State Right to Life PartyThe New York State Right to Life Party was founded to oppose the legalization of abortion in New York in 1970. The party first made the state ballot in the 1978 gubernatorial election, where its candidate Mary Jane Tobin won 130,000 votes...
for D'Amato.