1998Final results
1998 election for Missouri's 2nd District
U.S. House · Missouri
James Talent (R) won with 70.0% of the vote, defeating John Ross (D) by 41.7 points.
James TalentRepublican · winner
70.0%142,313
John RossDemocrat
28.3%57,565
Brian K. LundyLibertarian
1.6%3,331
203,259 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 1998
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.
John RossJames Talent
$3.5K
Raised by the campaign
$1.2M
$0
Spent by the campaign
$926.4K
$4.3K
Cash on hand
$472.9K
Campaign money: FEC, through Oct 14, 1998; FEC, through Dec 31, 1998.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1998