John C. Stennis Democratic Trent Lott Republican The 1988 United States Senate election in Mississippi was held on November 8, 1988.

Senator John C. Stennis decided to retire instead of seeking a seventh full term.

[2] During the campaign Molpus criticized Dowdy for his low voting attendance of 68 percent, a line of rhetoric which was later used by Republican nominee Trent Lott in the general election.

Robert Goodman, who Bill Minor named Dr. Feelgood for being able to portray candidates positively, was hired by Lott's campaign to create advertisements in anticipation to attacks on his voting record by Dowdy.

[5] Country musician Mel Tillis made radio ads for him targeted at rural areas in northern Mississippi.