1998Final results
1998 election for West Virginia's 3rd District
U.S. House · West Virginia
Nick J. Rahall II (D) won with 86.6% of the vote, defeating Joe Whelan (Lib) by 73.2 points.
Nick J. Rahall IIDemocrat · winner
86.6%78,814
Joe WhelanLibertarian
13.4%12,196
91,010 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.
Nick J. Rahall IINo Republican
$534.4K
Raised by the campaign
—
$377.3K
Spent by the campaign
—
$1.1M
Cash on hand
—
Other candidates' campaigns: Joe Whelan $21.3K.
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1998.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1998