The elder Chafee, however, died a few months later; his son was appointed to fill the remainder of the unexpired term.

The younger Chafee, now the incumbent, sought a full term and won, defeating Democratic U.S. Representative Bob Weygand.

Nonetheless, former Senator John Chafee managed to continually win re-election as a moderate Republican.

In the general election, Republican Chafee won a full term with 57% of the vote to his opponent due to heavy ticket splitting.

Al Gore carried Rhode Island in the concurrent presidential election with 61% of the vote.