Florida gubernatorial election, 1994
Encyclopedia
The 1994 Florida Gubernatorial Election was held on November 8, 1994. Governor Lawton Chiles
(D) survived a strong challenge from businessman Jeb Bush
(R) to win re-election. This race was the second closest gubernatorial election in Florida history since Reconstruction due to the strong Republican wave of 1994
. However, Democrats would still maintain the Governor's mansion until 1999
.
and second-place candidate James C. Smith
because no candidate received a majority of the vote. However, Smith dropped out of the race a few days later, leaving Bush as the Republican nominee for Governor.
Lawton Chiles
Lawton Mainor Chiles, Jr. was an American politician from the US state of Florida. In a career spanning four decades, Chiles, a Democrat who never lost an election, served in the Florida House of Representatives , the Florida State Senate , the United States Senate , and as the 41st Governor of...
(D) survived a strong challenge from businessman Jeb Bush
Jeb Bush
John Ellis "Jeb" Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd Governor of Florida from 1999 to 2007. He is a prominent member of the Bush family: the second son of former President George H. W. Bush and former First Lady Barbara Bush; the younger brother of former President George W...
(R) to win re-election. This race was the second closest gubernatorial election in Florida history since Reconstruction due to the strong Republican wave of 1994
Republican Revolution
The Republican Revolution or Revolution of '94 is what the media dubbed Republican Party success in the 1994 U.S. midterm elections, which resulted in a net gain of 54 seats in the House of Representatives, and a pickup of eight seats in the Senate...
. However, Democrats would still maintain the Governor's mansion until 1999
Florida gubernatorial election, 1998
The 1998 Florida Gubernatorial Election was held on November 3, 1998. Governor Lawton Chiles was term-limited and could not run for re-election. Republican Jeb Bush, who had previously run for Governor in 1994 as the Republican nominee, defeated Democratic nominee Buddy MacKay in the general election...
.
Democratic
- Lawton ChilesLawton ChilesLawton Mainor Chiles, Jr. was an American politician from the US state of Florida. In a career spanning four decades, Chiles, a Democrat who never lost an election, served in the Florida House of Representatives , the Florida State Senate , the United States Senate , and as the 41st Governor of...
, incumbent Governor of Florida - Jack GarganJack GarganJack Gargan is a retired financial planner in the United States who became the second chairman of the Reform Party started by Ross Perot...
, retired financial planner
Republican
- Jeb BushJeb BushJohn Ellis "Jeb" Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd Governor of Florida from 1999 to 2007. He is a prominent member of the Bush family: the second son of former President George H. W. Bush and former First Lady Barbara Bush; the younger brother of former President George W...
, former Florida Secretary of Commerce, businessman - James C. SmithJames C. SmithJames Cloudis Smith is an American lawyer. He served as Florida Attorney General, Florida Secretary of State, and is current the Chairman of the Florida State University Board of Trustees.-Early years:Smith received his B.S...
, Florida Secretary of State, former Attorney General of Florida - Tom GallagherTom GallagherTom Gallagher is an American politician from the U.S. state of Florida and a member of the Republican Party. Gallagher, a three-time candidate for Governor of Florida, holds the distinction of having served more years as an elected state official than any other individual in Florida history.-Early...
, Treasurer of Florida - Ander CrenshawAnder CrenshawAnder Crenshaw is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2001. He is a member of the Republican Party.-Early life, education and career:...
, State Senator - Kenneth L. Connor
- Josephine A. Arnold
- Bob Bell
Democratic primary
Republican primary
A run-off primary election was scheduled to be held between leading candidate Jeb BushJeb Bush
John Ellis "Jeb" Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd Governor of Florida from 1999 to 2007. He is a prominent member of the Bush family: the second son of former President George H. W. Bush and former First Lady Barbara Bush; the younger brother of former President George W...
and second-place candidate James C. Smith
James C. Smith
James Cloudis Smith is an American lawyer. He served as Florida Attorney General, Florida Secretary of State, and is current the Chairman of the Florida State University Board of Trustees.-Early years:Smith received his B.S...
because no candidate received a majority of the vote. However, Smith dropped out of the race a few days later, leaving Bush as the Republican nominee for Governor.
Polling
| Source | Date | Chiles (D) | Bush (R) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mason-Dixon | Nov. 1-3, 1994 | 48% | 45% |
| Orlando Sentinel Orlando Sentinel The Orlando Sentinel is the primary newspaper of the Orlando, Florida region. It was founded in 1876. The Sentinel is owned by Tribune Company and is overseen by the Chicago Tribune. As of 2005, the Sentinel’s president and publisher was Kathleen Waltz; she announced her resignation in February 2008... |
Nov. 1, 1994 | 48% | 45% |
| Associated Industries of Florida | Oct. 30, 1994 | 45% | 45% |
| St. Petersburg Times St. Petersburg Times The St. Petersburg Times is a United States newspaper. It is one of two major publications serving the Tampa Bay Area, the other being The Tampa Tribune, which the Times tops in both circulation and readership. Based in St... |
Oct. 16, 1994 | 39% | 49% |
| Mason-Dixon | Oct. 7, 1994 | 43% | 48% |
| Mason-Dixon | Sep. 1-3, 1994 | 43% | 48% |
| Mason-Dixon | Aug. 1-3, 1994 | 44% | 41% |
| Mason-Dixon | July. 1-3, 1994 | 46% | 35% |
| Mason-Dixon | Feb. 1-3, 1994 | 42% | 38% |
| Mason-Dixon | Oct. 1-3, 1993 | 41% | 32% |