POLITICS ’88 : Bentsen Also to Seek Reelection
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AUSTIN, Tex. — Sen. Lloyd Bentsen, selected by Michael S. Dukakis on Tuesday as his Democratic running mate, will also continue his bid for a fourth term in the Senate, a dual campaign made legal in Texas in 1959 to let Lyndon B. Johnson run two races.
It worked for Johnson. After losing the 1960 Democratic presidential nomination to John F. Kennedy, Johnson was elected as Kennedy’s vice president and also won his Senate race.
But Johnson’s victory cost Democrats the Senate seat. Republican John Tower later won a special election for the post, which is still held by the GOP.
If Bentsen wins both races this year, his Senate seat would become vacant in January. Texas Gov. Bill Clements, a Republican, would then appoint a replacement to serve until a special election.
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