1990 United States Senate special election in Indiana

Background

In 1986, incumbent Senator Dan Quayle sought reelection facing Democratic challenger Jill Long and was reelected in a landslide. During the 1988 presidential election, Republican nominee George H. W. Bush selected Quayle as his running mate. The Bush-Quayle ticket defeated the Dukakis-Bentsen ticket in the general election by a 53% to 46% margin, capturing 40 states and 426 electoral votes. After being elected, Quayle resigned from the Senate. Indiana Governor Robert D. Orr appointed Representative Dan Coats of Indiana's 4th congressional district was to fill the vacancy.

The 1990 election was held as part of the midterm election cycle of Republican President George H. W. Bush's term. Historically, the President's party struggles during the midterms.

Primaries

• Baron Hill (Democrat), State Representative

• Dan Coats (Republican), incumbent U.S. Senator Coats and Hill both won their respective party's nomination unopposed.

General election

Coats used television commercials that raised questions about Hill's consistency in opposing new taxes, and Hill gained notoriety for walking the length of the state to meet voters.

Results

The election was held on November 6, 1990. Coats, like most incumbents in the 1990 United States Senate elections, was able to hold his seat, winning the remainder of Quayle's term.{{Election box begin

Aftermath

On January 3, 1991, Coats was sworn in to the 102nd United States Congress by then–Vice President Quayle alongside his fellow Senator-elect. In the 1992 United States Senate election in Indiana, Coats was elected for a full term.

References

References

1. (December 30, 1986). "Did 1986 election show a trend or just confusion?". [[The Reporter-Times]].
2. Margolis, Jon. (August 18, 1988). "Why Bush Cast Aside VP Tradition". [[Chicago Tribune]].
3. Liep, Dave. "1988 Presidential General Election Results".
4. (December 13, 1988). "State Demos cautiously eye '90 Senate race". [[The Indianapolis Star]].
5. (November 6, 1990). "The Senate Incumbents Win Control Remains with Democrats". [[The Washington Post]].
6. Elving, Ron. (November 13, 2022). "The midterms didn't produce a wave. Here's what that's meant historically". [[NPR]].
7. Richardson, Doug. (May 8, 2025). "Voters return after 18-month absence". [[The Star Press]].
8. (November 7, 1990). "McWherter, Gore coast to victories". [[Bristol Herald Courier]].
9. Espo, David. (November 7, 1990). "Demos win Texas, Florida, four other Governships; Helms wins". [[The Times and Democrat]].
10. (November 6, 1990). "The Senate Incumbents Win Control Remains with Democrats". [[The Washington Post]].
11. O'Neill, John R.. (November 5, 1990). "Old political foes back home to fight for party". [[The Indianapolis Star]].
12. (November 7, 1990). "At a glance". [[The Indianapolis Star]].
13. Dendy, Dallas L.. "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 6, 1990".
14. (January 3, 1991). "Swearing-In of Senate Members". [[C-SPAN]].
15. Leip, Dave. "1992 Senatorial General Election Results - Indiana".