John Chafee Republican John Chafee Republican The 1988 United States Senate election in Rhode Island was held on November 8, 1988.

Senator John Chafee won re-election to a third term.

Chafee defeated Licht by a wide margin, winning every county in the state with 55% of the vote.

This was despite 56% of Rhode Island voting for Democratic nominee Michael Dukakis in the concurrent presidential election.

Many voters therefore split their tickets.