1998 United States Senate election in North Carolina

United States Senate election in North Carolina, 1998

November 3, 1998

Nominee John Edwards Lauch Faircloth Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 1,029,237 945,943 Percentage 51.15% 47.01%

County results Edwards:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Faircloth:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election Lauch Faircloth Republican Elected U.S. Senator John Edwards Democratic

The 1998 United States Senate election in North Carolina was held November 3, 1998. Incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Lauch Faircloth decided to seek re-election to a second term, but was unseated by Democrat John Edwards. As of 2024, this is the last time a Democrat won the Class 3 Senate Seat from North Carolina.

Major candidates

Democratic

• John Edwards, attorney

Republican

• Lauch Faircloth, incumbent U.S. Senator

Campaign

In the Democratic primary, Edwards defeated D.G. Martin, Ella Scarborough, and several minor candidates. In the Republican primary, Faircloth easily defeated two minor candidates.

Results

North Carolina United States Senate election, 1998

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	John Edwards	1,029,237	51.15%
	Republican	Lauch Faircloth (Incumbent)	945,943	47.01%
	Libertarian	Barbara Howe	36,963	1.84%
Majority			83,294	4.14%
Turnout			2,012,143

See also

• United States Senate elections, 1998