1988 United States Senate election in Virginia

The 1988 United States Senate election in Virginia was held on November 8, 1988. Democratic former governor Chuck Robb succeeded Republican Senator Paul Trible, who opted not to run for re-election. As of 2024, this is the last time a Democratic Senatorial candidate won every county and independent city in Virginia.

1988 United States Senate election in Virginia

← 1982 November 8, 1988 1994 →
Turnout49.8% (voting eligible)[1]
 
Nominee Chuck Robb Maurice A. Dawkins
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 1,474,086 593,652
Percentage 71.25% 28.69%

Robb:      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%      80-90%      >90%
Dawkins:      50-60%      60-70%
     No votes

U.S. senator before election

Paul Trible
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Chuck Robb
Democratic

Background

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Paul Trible announced that he would not seek reelection in September 1987, citing frustration with the legislative process and wanting to spend more time with his family.[2]

Republican nomination

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Maurice Dawkins, a Baptist minister, defeated Andrew Wahlquist, a former assistant to U.S. Senator John Warner, on the first ballot of the Republican convention. Dawkins was the first black person nominated for a senatorial election in the state by a major party.[2]

Democratic nomination

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Chuck Robb won the Democratic nomination without opposition at the convention held between June 3 to 4.[2]

General election

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Candidates

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Campaign

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Robb's campaign raised $3.2 million and spent $2.8 million during the campaign. Dawkins spent $300,000 during the campaign which was less than every incumbent running with opposition in the concurrent U.S. House of Representatives elections.[3]

Results

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Robb placed first in all of Virginia's congressional districts. The third, fifth, and seventh congressional districts were the only districts that Dawkins received more than 30% of the vote in.[4] Robb received around 70% of the white vote while the overall composition of his voters were 78% white and 12% black compared to Dawkin's 94% white and 6% black. Robb is one of the few Democrats to have won a majority of the white vote after 1969.[5]

Robb's victory was the best performance for a Democratic senatorial candidate in Virginia since A. Willis Robertson in 1960.

United States Senate election in Virginia, 1988[6]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Chuck Robb 1,474,086 71.25% +22.45%
Republican Maurice A. Dawkins 593,652 28.69% −22.51%
Write-ins 1,159 0.06%
Majority 880,434 42.56% +40.18%
Turnout 2,068,897
Democratic gain from Republican Swing

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Dr. Michael McDonald (March 25, 2013). "Turnout 1980-2012". George Mason University. Archived from the original on October 30, 2012. Retrieved April 3, 2013.
  2. ^ a b c Moreland, Steed & Baker 1991, p. 237.
  3. ^ Moreland, Steed & Baker 1991, p. 237-238.
  4. ^ Moreland, Steed & Baker 1991, p. 239.
  5. ^ Moreland, Steed & Baker 1991, p. 244.
  6. ^ "1988 Senatorial General Election Results - Virginia". US Election Atlas.

Works cited

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