Rhode Island — 1988 U.S. Senate election
Recent presidential results
Akashicstate1988 Senate electionRhode Island · U.S. SenateChaffeeR+9.2
How it voted
Share of the 1988 vote
| John H. Chaffee ✓Republican | 54.6% | 217,273 |
|---|---|---|
| Richard A. LichtDemocrat | 45.4% | 180,717 |
1988Senate margin
D+60R+60
5 counties, each filled by 1988 D-vs-R margin. Hover any county for its result.
County-level results (5 counties) — table
| County | Winner | Margin |
|---|---|---|
| BRISTOL, RI | Republican | R+20.9 |
| KENT, RI | Republican | R+17.3 |
| NEWPORT, RI | Republican | R+19.4 |
| PROVIDENCE, RI | Republican | R+0.5 |
| WASHINGTON, RI | Republican | R+26.7 |
presidential baselinePresident 1988D+11.7Senate 1988R+9.2vs. baselineR+20.9
Rhode Island's 1988 Senate race ran 20.9 points more Republican than the presidential race on the same ballot.
Rhode Island's Senate margins
Every comparable D–R contest in our store, 1976–2024
| Year | Margin (D minus R) |
|---|---|
| 1976 | −15.7% |
| 1978 | +50.2% |
| 1982 | −2.4% |
| 1984 | +45.3% |
| 1988 | −9.2% |
| 1990 | +23.7% |
| 1994 | −29.0% |
| 1996 | +28.4% |
| 2000 | −15.7% |
| 2002 | +56.9% |
| 2006 | +7.0% |
| 2008 | +46.8% |
| 2012 | +29.9% |
| 2014 | +41.4% |
| 2018 | +23.2% |
| 2020 | +33.2% |
| 2024 | +20.0% |
Same ballot, 1988RI
Source. MIT Election Data + Science Lab — 1988 US Senate returns, party-classified by literal ballot party · county returns aggregated from precinct-level results. Real returns — nothing estimated.