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. Republican primary Governor 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. Lieutenant Governor Candidates Janet E. Jeghelian, radio host (running with Malone) Jane M. Swift, Secretary of Consumer Affairs (running with Cellucci) Declined Charlie Baker, Secretary of Administration and Finance Ralph C. Martin II, Suffolk County District Attorney Results Democratic primary Governor 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 Results Lieutenant Governor Candidates Dorothy Kelly Gay, Governor's Councilor from Somerville Warren Tolman, State Senator from Watertown Results General election 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. Results by county See also Massachusetts general election, 1998 1997–1998 Massachusetts legislature References Gubernatorial 1998 1998 United States gubernatorial elections