The 1998 Nebraska gubernatorial election was held on November 3, 1998. Term limits prevented incumbent Governor Ben Nelson, a Democrat, from seeking a third term in office. Republican nominee Mike Johanns, Mayor of Lincoln, defeated Democratic nominee, attorney Bill Hoppner. As of 2026, this was the last gubernatorial election in Nebraska in which the margin of victory was within single digits. Johanns later served Nebraska in the United States Senate with Nelson from 2009 to 2013.
Democratic primary
Governor
Candidates
- Bill Hoppner, attorney, Chief of Staff to former Governor James Exon and Senator Bob Kerrey and gubernatorial candidate in 1990
- James D. McFarland, state senator
- Robb Nimic, perennial candidate
- Luis R. Calvillo
Lieutenant governor
Candidates
Pam Bataillon ran unopposed for the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor. She was the vice president of the Visiting Nurse Association from Omaha, Nebraska. She is the wife of Joseph Bataillon, a federal judge who was prevented from participating in her campaign due to judicial ethics requirements.
Republican primary
Governor
Candidates
- Mike Johanns, Mayor of Lincoln
- John Breslow, Nebraska State Auditor
- Jon Christensen, U.S. Congressman
- Barry Richards, perennial candidate
- Lavern Bartels
Lieutenant governor
Candidates
- Matt Butler, businessman and CEO of Butler Holdings Inc., which owned Happy Cab and Hunt Transportation, from Omaha, Nebraska
- John DeCamp, attorney, lobbyist, former member of the Nebraska Legislature in District 40 from 1971 to 1987 from Clatonia, Nebraska, and unsuccessful candidate for the Republican nomination for governor in 1994
- Kevin Fry, president of Fry Brothers Fertilizer and Chemical Inc. from Ewing, Nebraska
- David Maurstad, president and owner of Maurstad Insurance Services Inc., former mayor of Beatrice, Nebraska, and member of the Nebraska Legislature in District 30 since 1995 from Beatrice, Nebraska
- Elliott L. Rustad, dermatologist from Lincoln, Nebraska, and a political newcomer