Florida gubernatorial election, 1990

The Florida gubernatorial election of 1990 took place on November 6.

Overview

Republican incumbent Bob Martinez, who was just a 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 anti-abortion laws. None of the governor's proposals made it out of committee.

Republican nomination

Despite his poor support among voters, Martinez easily won the Republican renomination [ [http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=66015 Our Campaigns - FL Governor - R Primary Race - Sep 04, 1990 ] ] .

* Governor Bob Martinez - 60,718 (68.95%)
* State Senator Marlene Howard - 132,565 (19.84%)
* John Davis - 34,720 (5.20%)
* Activist Andy Martin - 28,591 (4.28%)
* Warren H. Folks - 11,587 (1.73%)

Because Lieutenant Governor Bobby Brantley decided against seeking reelection, the primary contest for the second spot was open [ [http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=356667 Our Campaigns - FL Lt. Governor- R Primary Race - Sep 04, 1990 ] ] .

* J. Allison DeFoor - 460,718 (68.95%)
* Eric H. Wieler - 132,565 (19.84%)
* Walter D. Murray - 34,720 (5.20%)
* Barbara Lindsey - 28,591 (4.28%)
* Charles McDonald - 11,587 (1.73%)

Democratic nomination

The Democratic primary was a contest between former United States Senator Lawton Chiles and United States Representative Bill Nelson (now state's Senior Senator, representing the same seat as Chiles did).

60-year old Chiles, who retried after three terms from Senate in 1989 after serious health problems was challenged by younger 42-year old Nelson, who questioned his health in campaign, presenting himself as alternative.

This, however, backfired badly on Nelson, because a large part of state's population are retried seniors, who, outraged, voted for Chiles [ [http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=41087 Our Campaigns - FL. Governor - D Primary Race - Sep 04, 1990 ] ] .

* Chiles - 746,325 (69.49%)
* Nelson - 327,731 (30.51%)

Former U.S. Representative and 1989 Senatorial nominee Buddy MacKay eaisly won nomination for Lieutenant Governor over State Representative Tom Gustafson [ [http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=356666 Our Campaigns - FL Lt. Governor- D Primary Race - Sep 04, 1990 ] ] .

* MacKay - 746,325 (69.49%)
* Gustafson - 327,731 (30.51%)

Campaign finances

* Chiles/MacKay - $5,244,170.00 [ [http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=7575 Our Campaigns - FL Governor Race - Nov 06, 1990 ] ] .
* Martinez/DeFoor - $10,625,793.00 [ [http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=7575 Our Campaigns - FL Governor Race - Nov 06, 1990 ] ] .

General election

The Democratic ticket won the election with over 12% margin [ [http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=7575 Our Campaigns - FL Governor Race - Nov 06, 1990 ] ] .

* Lawton Chiles/Buddy MacKay (D) - 1,995,206 (56.51%)
* Bob Martinez/J. Allison DeFoor (R) - 1,535,068 (43.48%)
* Rose Floyd (Socialist Workers; write-in) - 597 (0.02%)

References