November 6, 1990 1994 → 56.5% 43.5% | 1,995,206 1,535,068 | |
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The Florida gubernatorial election of 1990 took place on November 6.
Contents
Overview
Republican incumbent 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.
Democratic primary
The Democratic primary was a contest between former United States Senator Lawton Chiles and United States 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.