The 1998 United States Senate election in New York was held 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 Senator Al D'Amato lost his bid for a fourth term to Democrat Chuck Schumer in what was considered by many to be the "high[est] profile and nastiest" contest of the year.[1] This was the first time since 1950 that Democrats won the Class 3 United States Senate seat from New York, and the last time an incumbent U.S. Senator from New York lost a general election. Schumer’s swearing in marked the first time since 1947 that Democrats held both of New York’s U.S. Senate seats.
At the start of 1998, Ferraro had done no fund-raising, 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;[2] indeed, December and January polls had her 25 percentage points ahead of Green in the race, and even further ahead of Schumer.[3][4] Unlike her previous campaigns, Ferraro's family finances never became an issue in 1998.[3] However, she lost ground during the summer, with Schumer catching her in the polls by early August, and then soon passing her.[5] Schumer, a tireless fund-raiser, outspent her by a five-to-one margin, and Ferraro failed to establish a political image current with the times.[3][6] In the September 15, 1998, primary, she was beaten soundly by Schumer, with a 51 percent to 26 percent margin.[3] 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.[7]
During the campaign, D'Amato attempted to brand Schumer as a die-hard liberal, while Schumer accused D'Amato of being a liar. When D'Amato's first strategy failed, D'Amato attacked his opponent's attendance record as a member of Congress, which Schumer refuted.[8][9]
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").[10] He later apologized for the comment.[1]
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.[8] Also, Schumer was a tenacious fundraiser, and was aggressive in his attacks.[11] The candidates spent $30 million during the race.[8]
Polling
Source
Date
Al D'Amato (R)
Chuck Schumer (D)
Quinnipiac
September 25, 1997
40%
43%
Quinnipiac
December 11, 1997
45%
40%
Quinnipiac
February 26, 1998
45%
41%
Quinnipiac
March 26, 1998
45%
41%
Quinnipiac
June 18, 1998
49%
37%
Quinnipiac
September 24, 1998
43%
47%
Quinnipiac
October 14, 1998
45%
46%
Quinnipiac
October 27, 1998
44%
48%
Quinnipiac
November 2, 1998
42%
50%
Hypothetical polling
with Ferraro
Source
Date
Al D'Amato (R)
Geraldine Ferraro (D)
Quinnipiac
July 23, 1997
32%
55%
Quinnipiac
September 25, 1997
36%
54%
Quinnipiac
December 11, 1997
38%
52%
Quinnipiac
February 26, 1998
38%
50%
Quinnipiac
March 26, 1998
37%
53%
with Ferraro and Schumer
Source
Date
Al D'Amato (R)
Geraldine Ferraro (D)
Chuck Schumer (L)
Quinnipiac
June 18, 1998
41%
38%
12%
with Green
Source
Date
Al D'Amato (R)
Mark Green (D)
Quinnipiac
September 25, 1997
39%
47%
Quinnipiac
December 11, 1997
41%
46%
Quinnipiac
February 26, 1998
43%
43%
Quinnipiac
March 26, 1998
44%
44%
with Green and Schumer
Source
Date
Al D'Amato (R)
Mark Green (D)
Chuck Schumer (L)
Quinnipiac
June 18, 1998
44%
28%
14%
Results
The race was not close, with Schumer defeating the incumbent D'Amato by just over 10%.[12] D'Amato did win a majority of New York's counties, but his wins were in less populated areas. Schumer's win is attributed to strong performance in New York City. Schumer also performed well in heavily populated upstate cities, like Buffalo, Syracuse, Rochester, and Albany. Schumer was sworn in on January 3, 1999.
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