1998 Massachusetts gubernatorial election

The 1998 Massachusetts gubernatorial election was held on November 3, 1998. Acting Governor Paul Cellucci was elected to his first term as Governor of Massachusetts.

Candidates

 * Paul Cellucci, acting Governor
 * Joe Malone, Massachusetts Treasurer and Receiver-General

Campaign
The race between Cellucci and Malone was acrimonious, with each candidate accusing the other of committing ethical violations.

Results
On September 16, Cellucci defeated Malone to win his party's nomination.



Candidates

 * Janet E. Jeghelian, radio host (running with Malone)
 * Jane Swift, Secretary of Consumer Affairs (running with Cellucci)

Declined

 * Charlie Baker, Secretary of Administration and Finance
 * Ralph C. Martin II, Suffolk County District Attorney

Candidates

 * Brian J. Donnelly, former U.S. Representative and United States Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago
 * Scott Harshbarger, Massachusetts Attorney General
 * Patricia McGovern, State Senator from Lawrence

Withdrew

 * Joseph Kennedy II, U.S. Representative for Massachusetts's 8th congressional district

Candidates

 * Dorothy Kelly Gay, Governor's Councilor from Somerville
 * Warren Tolman, State Senator from Watertown

Campaign
After Harshbarger's primary victory, many moderate Democrats who had voted for McGovern or Donnelly, chose to support the socially liberal, fiscally moderate Cellucci instead of the more liberal Harshbarger.

Polling
In a January opinion poll, Cellucci lead Harshbarger 50%-30%. By August, Harshbarger had taken a 37%-35% lead over Cellucci.

Results
On November 3, Cellucci defeated Harshbarger by 65,317 votes.