1998Final results
1998 election for Tennessee's 2nd District
U.S. House · Tennessee
John J. Duncan, Jr. (R) won with 88.6% of the vote, defeating Robert O. Watson (Ind) by 84.4 points.
John J. Duncan, Jr.Republican · winner
88.6%90,860
Robert O. WatsonIndependent
4.3%4,372
Greg SamplesIndependent
4.2%4,332
George NjezicIndependent
2.8%2,920
102,502 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.
No independentJohn J. Duncan, Jr.
—
Raised by the campaign
$396.6K
—
Spent by the campaign
$288.6K
—
Cash on hand
$639.4K
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1998.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1998
The candidates
John J. Duncan, Jr. (R)Robert O. Watson (I)
Also on the ballot: Greg Samples (Independent), 4.2%; George Njezic (Independent), 2.8%