1990 Florida gubernatorial election
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 County results Chiles: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% Martinez: 50–60% 60–70% | ||||||||||||||||||||
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| Elections in Florida |
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 Government |
The 1990 Florida gubernatorial election took place on November 6, 1990. Incumbent Republican Governor Bob Martinez ran for a second term in office, but was defeated by Democratic challenger Lawton Chiles, a former U.S. Senator. As of 2022, this remains the last time in which an incumbent Florida Governor lost reelection.
Overview[]
Incumbent Republican Governor Bob Martinez, who was just the second member of his party elected Governor of Florida after Reconstruction, was deeply unpopular. His job approval rating had sunk to around 24% after, in 1989, he called the Florida Legislature into special session in an effort to pass pro-life laws. None of the governor's proposals made it out of committee.
Republican primary[]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Bob Martinez (incumbent) | 460,718 | 69.00 | |
| Republican | Marlene Woodson Howard | 132,565 | 19.80 | |
| Republican | John Davis | 34,720 | 5.20 | |
| Republican | Andy Martin | 28,591 | 4.30 | |
| Republican | Warren H. Folks | 11,587 | 1.70 | |
| Total votes | 668,181 | 100.00 | ||
Democratic primary[]
The Democratic primary was a contest between former U.S. Senator Lawton Chiles and U.S. Representative Bill Nelson.
The 60-year-old Chiles, who retired after three terms from the Senate in 1989 after serious health problems, was challenged by the younger 47-year-old Nelson, who questioned his health in the campaign and presented himself as alternative.
This, however, backfired on Nelson and cost him the election; the elderly population in Florida took great offense to Nelson's attacks and, in turn, voted for Chiles.[2]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Lawton Chiles | 746,325 | 69.5 | |
| Democratic | Bill Nelson | 327,731 | 30.5 | |
| Total votes | 1,074,056 | 100.0 | ||
Campaign finances[]
General election[]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Lawton Chiles | 1,995,206 | 56.51% | +11.07 | |
| Republican | Bob Martinez (incumbent) | 1,535,068 | 43.48% | -11.09 | |
| Write-in | 597 | 0.0% | N/A | ||
| Total votes | 3,530,871 | 100.00% | N/A | ||
| Democratic gain from Republican | |||||
References[]
- ^ "Florida Department of State - Election Results".
- ^ Our Campaigns - FL. Governor - D Primary Race - Sep 04, 1990
- ^ "Florida Department of State - Election Results".
- ^ Our Campaigns - FL Governor Race - Nov 06, 1990
- ^ Our Campaigns - FL Governor Race - Nov 06, 1990
- ^ "Florida Department of State - Election Results".
- Florida gubernatorial elections
- 1990 Florida elections
- 1990 United States gubernatorial elections