1998 United States Senate election in Arkansas

The 1998 United States Senate election in Arkansas was held on November 3, 1998. Incumbent Democratic Senator Dale Bumpers chose to retire instead of running for reelection to a fifth term. Making this was the first open seat with no incumbent held in this seat since the 1884 election. Democratic former U.S. Representative Blanche Lincoln won the open seat against Republican State Senator Fay Boozman. At 38, Lincoln was the youngest woman ever elected to the United States Senate.

During the campaign, Boozman caused controversy for his comments about rape, claiming that women rarely became pregnant after being raped due to a hormone he described as "God's little protective shield". In 2010, Lincoln would lose re-election to a third term by Fay Boozman's brother, John Boozman.

Candidates

 * Winston Bryant, Attorney General of Arkansas, former lieutenant governor, former Secretary of State of Arkansas and nominee for the U.S. Senate in 1996
 * Nate Coulter, Democratic nominee for Lieutenant Governor in 1993
 * Blanche Lincoln, former U.S. Representative
 * Scott Ferguson, radiologist and State Representative

Withdrew

 * Pat Hays, Mayor of North Little Rock

Results
[[File:1998 US Senate election in Arkansas Democratic primary.svg|thumb|200px|Primary results by county: {{legend|#8db8e2|Lincoln}}

{{legend|#deedfb|30–40%}}

{{legend|#b4d0ec|40–50%}}

{{legend|#8db8e2|50–60%}}

{{legend|#679fd7|60–70%}}

{{legend|#4187cd|70–80%}} {{legend|#87be51|Bryant}}

{{legend|#eef8e4|20–30%}}

{{legend|#ddf0ca|30–40%}}

{{legend|#b1d68d|40–50%}}

{{legend|#87be51|50–60%}} {{legend|#e66f9e|Ferguson}}

{{legend|#fad6e4|30–40%}}

{{legend|#e66f9e|50–60%}} ]]

Candidates

 * Fay Boozman, State Senator
 * Tom Prince, Mayor of Little Rock

Candidates

 * Blanche Lincoln (D), former U.S. Representative
 * Fay Boozman (R), State Senator
 * Charley Heffley (Reform)