1998 Georgia gubernatorial election

For related races, see 1998 United States gubernatorial elections.

The 1998 Georgia gubernatorial election was held on November 3, 1998. Incumbent Democratic governor Zell Miller was unable to seek re-election due to term limits, therefore creating an open seat. To replace him, State Representative Roy Barnes won the Democratic Party's nomination after a close and highly contested primary election, while businessman Guy Millner, who had run for governor and the United States Senate in the previous four years, won the nomination of the Republican Party.

1998 Georgia gubernatorial election

November 3, 1998

Nominee Roy Barnes Guy Millner Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 941,076 790,201 Percentage 52.49% 44.08%

County results Barnes:      40-50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90% Millner:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%

Governor before election Zell Miller Democratic Elected Governor Roy Barnes Democratic

In the general election, Barnes was able to defeat Millner by a margin of victory larger than Governor Miller's victory over Millner four years prior, which was in part due to the unpopularity and controversy of Mitch Skandalakis, the Republican nominee for Lieutenant Governor of Georgia. As of 2024, this is the most recent time a Democrat was elected Governor of Georgia.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Roy Barnes, State Representative from Marietta
• Lewis A. Massey, Georgia Secretary of State
• David Poythress, Georgia Commissioner of Labor
• Steve Langford, Georgia state senator from LaGrange
• Morris James
• Carlton Myers, Pine Mountain veterinarian and candidate for Senate in 1974

Results

Primary results by county:

  Barnes

•   Barnes—30–40%
•   Barnes—40–50%
•   Barnes—50–60%
•   Barnes—>60%

  Massey

•   Massey—30–40%
•   Massey—40–50%
•   Massey—50–60%
•   Massey—>60%

  Lanford

•   Langford—>30%

Democratic primary results

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Roy Barnes	239,517	49.20
	Democratic	Lewis A. Massey	135,920	27.92
	Democratic	David Poythress	65,860	13.53
	Democratic	Steve Langford	31,543	6.48
	Democratic	Morris James	9,148	1.88
	Democratic	Carlton Myers	4,853	1.00
Total votes			486,841	100.00

Runoff results

Runoff results by county:

  Barnes

•   Barnes—60%–70%
•   Barnes—70%–80%
•   Barnes—80%–90%
•   Barnes—>90%

Democratic primary runoff results

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Roy Barnes	221,651	82.90
	Democratic	Lewis A. Massey	45,735	17.10
Total votes			267,386	100.00

Republican primary

Candidates

• Guy Millner, 1996 Republican nominee for the United States Senate, 1994 Republican nominee for Governor of Georgia, businessman
• Mike Bowers, Attorney General of Georgia
• Nancy Schaefer, 1994 Republican nominee for Lieutenant Governor of Georgia
• Bruce Hatfield

Campaign

Bowers's campaign was derailed when he admitted to a fifteen-year extramarital affair with Anne Davis, his secretary and a former Playboy Club waitress. Davis publicly stated that the romance had been active as recently as April 1997, six weeks prior to Bowers' June 5 announcement.

Results

Primary results by county:

  Millner

•   Millner—40–50%
•   Millner—50–60%
•   Millner—60–70%
•   Millner—>70%

  Bowers

•   Bowers—40–50%
•   Bowers—>50%

  Tie

•   Tie between Bowers and Millner–40–50%
•   Tie between Bowers, Millner, and Hatfield–33%

Millner narrowly avoided a run-off by just 1,573 votes. However, Bowers conceded before a recount finalized the result, admitting that all indications pointed to a victory for Millner.

Republican primary results

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Guy Millner	210,845	50.38
	Republican	Mike Bowers	167,074	39.92
	Republican	Nancy Schaefer	32,315	7.72
	Republican	Bruce Hatfield	8,308	1.98
Total votes			418,542	100.00

General election

Results

1998 Georgia gubernatorial election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Roy Barnes	941,076	52.49%	+1.44%
	Republican	Guy Millner	790,201	44.08%	−4.87%
	Libertarian	Jack Cashin	61,531	3.43%
Majority			150,875	8.42%	+6.31%
Turnout			1,792,808
	Democratic hold		Swing