[PAR] [TLE] United States Senate election in Kentucky, 1998 [SEP] The 1998 United States Senate election in Kentucky took place on November 3, 1998.  It was concurrent with elections to the United States House of Representatives.  Incumbent Democratic U.S Senator Wendell Ford decided to retire, instead of seeking a fifth term.  Republican Representative Jim Bunning won the open seat. [PAR] [TLE] Wendell Ford [SEP] Wendell Hampton Ford (September 8, 1924 – January 22, 2015) was an American politician from the Commonwealth of Kentucky.  He served for twenty-four years in the U.S. Senate and was the 53rd Governor of Kentucky.  He was the first person to be successively elected lieutenant governor, governor and United States senator in Kentucky history.  The Senate Democratic whip from 1991 to 1999, he was considered the leader of the state's Democratic Party from his election to governor in 1971 until his retirement from the Senate in 1999.  At the time of his retirement, he was the longest-serving senator in Kentucky's history, a mark which was then surpassed by Mitch McConnell in 2009.
[PAR] [TLE] United States Senate election in Kentucky , 1998 [ SEP ] The 1998 United States Senate election in Kentucky took place on November 3 , 1998 . It was concurrent with elections to the United States House of Representatives . Incumbent Democratic U.S Senator Wendell Ford decided to retire , instead of seeking a fifth term . Republican Representative Jim Bunning won the open seat . [PAR] [TLE] Wendell Ford [ SEP ] Wendell Hampton Ford ( September 8 , 1924 – January 22 , 2015 ) was an American politician from the Commonwealth of Kentucky . He served for twenty - four years in the U.S. Senate and was the 53rd Governor of Kentucky . He was the first person to be successively elected lieutenant governor , governor and United States senator in Kentucky history . The Senate Democratic whip from 1991 to 1999 , he was considered the leader of the state 's Democratic Party from his election to governor in 1971 until his retirement from the Senate in 1999 . At the time of his retirement , he was the longest - serving senator in Kentucky 's history , a mark which was then surpassed by Mitch McConnell in 2009 .
What number governor of Kentucky was the Kentucky U.S. Senator who retired rather than seeking re-election in 1998?
What number governor of Kentucky was the Kentucky U.S. Senator who retired rather than seeking re - election in 1998 ?
53rd
53rd