1988Final results
1988 election for U.S. Senate in Massachusetts
U.S. Senate · Massachusetts
Edward Kennedy (D) won with 65.0% of the vote, defeating Joseph D. Malone (R) by 31.0 points.
Edward KennedyDemocrat · winner
65.0%1,693,344
Joseph D. MaloneRepublican
33.9%884,267
Mary FridleyOther party
0.6%15,208
Freda Lee NasonLibertarian
0.5%13,199
2,606,225 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
Money in this race
Each line compares the two campaigns on one scale.
Edward KennedyJoseph D. Malone
$3.3M
Raised by the campaign
$617.8K
$2.7M
Spent by the campaign
$587.3K
$735.4K
Cash on hand
$30.5K
Other candidates' campaigns: Freda Lee Nason $5.2K.
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1988.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1988
The candidates
Edward Kennedy (D)Joseph D. Malone (R)
Also on the ballot: Mary Fridley (Other party), 0.6%; Freda Lee Nason (Libertarian), 0.5%