1988Final results
1988 election for President in Massachusetts
President · Massachusetts
Michael Dukakis (D) won with 53.2% of the vote, defeating George H.w. Bush (R) by 7.9 points.
Michael DukakisDemocrat · winner
53.2%1,401,415
George H.w. BushRepublican
45.4%1,194,635
Ronald ""ron"" PaulLibertarian
0.9%24,251
Lenora FulaniOther party
0.4%9,561
2,632,801 votes
Source: MIT Election Data and Science LabUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:25 AM ET
The seat over time
D − R margin in this seat's races around 1988
Races before and after
Source: MIT Election Data and Science LabUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:25 AM ET
The candidates
Michael Dukakis (D)George H.w. Bush (R)
Also on the ballot: Ronald ""ron"" Paul (Libertarian), 0.9%; Lenora Fulani (Other party), 0.4%