1988 United States Senate election in Virginia explained

Election Name:1988 United States Senate election in Virginia
Country:Virginia
Type:presidential
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:1982 United States Senate election in Virginia
Previous Year:1982
Next Election:1994 United States Senate election in Virginia
Next Year:1994
Election Date:November 8, 1988
Turnout:49.8% (voting eligible)[1]
Image1:Charles Robb 1980.jpg
Image1 Size:150x150px
Nominee1:Chuck Robb
Party1:Democratic Party (United States)
Popular Vote1:1,474,086
Percentage1:71.25%
Image2 Size:150x150px
Nominee2:Maurice A. Dawkins
Party2:Republican Party (United States)
Popular Vote2:593,652
Percentage2:28.69%
U.S. Senator
Before Election:Paul Trible
Before Party:Republican Party (United States)
After Election:Chuck Robb
After Party:Democratic Party (United States)

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., this is the last time a Democratic Senatorial candidate won every county and independent city in Virginia.

Background

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.

Republican nomination

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.

Democratic nomination

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

General election

Candidates

Campaign

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.

Results

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. 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.

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

See also

Works cited

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Turnout 1980-2012 . . Dr. Michael McDonald . March 25, 2013 . April 3, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121030100426/http://elections.gmu.edu/Turnout%201980-2012.xls . October 30, 2012 . dead . mdy-all .