1990 Georgia gubernatorial election

For related races, see 1990 United States gubernatorial elections.

1990 Georgia gubernatorial election

November 6, 1990

Nominee Zell Miller Johnny Isakson Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 766,662 645,625 Percentage 52.89% 44.54%

County results Miller:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Isakson:      50–60%      60–70%

Governor before election Joe Frank Harris Democratic Elected Governor Zell Miller Democratic

The 1990 Georgia gubernatorial election was held on November 6, 1990. Lieutenant Governor Zell Miller ran for governor after incumbent Joe Frank Harris was term-limited, defeating Andrew Young, Roy Barnes, and Lester Maddox for the Democratic nomination, and defeated Johnny Isakson, a member of the Georgia House of Representatives. As of 2022, this is the last time that Dade, Walker, Whitfield, Murray, Gilmer, Fannin, Floyd, Gordon, Pickens, Dawson, Forsyth, Hall, Barrow, Jackson, Madison, White, Walton, Paulding, Carroll, Coweta, Troup, Spalding, Pike, Harris, Glynn, Camden, Bryan, and Effingham counties voted for the Democratic candidate for governor.

Miller later served in the U.S. Senate from 2000 to 2005, and was succeeded by Isakson, who then served until his 2019 resignation.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Advanced to runoff

• Zell Miller, Lieutenant Governor since 1975
• Andrew Young, Mayor of Atlanta

Defeated in primary

• Roy Barnes, State Senator from Marietta
• Lauren 'Bubba' McDonald, Jr., State Representative from Turnerville
• Lester Maddox, former Governor of Georgia and Lieutenant Governor of Georgia

Results

Democratic primary results

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Zell Miller	434,405	41.28
	Democratic	Andrew Young	303,159	28.81
	Democratic	Roy Barnes	219,136	20.82
	Democratic	Lauren 'Bubba' McDonald, Jr.	64,212	6.10
	Democratic	Lester Maddox	31,403	2.98
Total votes			1,052,315	100.0

Runoff Results

Democratic primary runoff results

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Zell Miller	591,166	61.84
	Democratic	Andrew Young	364,861	38.16
Total votes			956,027	100.0

Republican primary

Candidates

• Johnny Isakson, State Representative from Marietta
• Bobby Wood, former chairman of Gwinnett County Board of Education
• Greeley Ellis
• Eli 'Link' Veazey

Results

Republican primary results

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Johnny Isakson	87,795	74.33
	Republican	Bobby Wood	14,496	12.27
	Republican	Greeley Ellis	13,062	11.06
	Republican	Eli "Link" Veazey	2,765	2.34
Total votes			403,280	100.0

Election results

1990 gubernatorial election, Georgia

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Zell Miller	766,662	52.89	−17.62
	Republican	Johnny Isakson	645,625	44.54	+15.05
	Libertarian	Carole Ann Rand	37,367	2.58	+2.58
Majority			121,037	8.35
Turnout			1,449,654
	Democratic hold		Swing

See also

• 1990 United States gubernatorial elections
• State of Georgia
• Governors of Georgia
• Senators from Georgia