1994 Florida gubernatorial election
The 1994 Florida gubernatorial election was held on November 8, 1994. Incumbent Democratic governor Lawton Chiles won re-election over Republican Jeb Bush, who later won Florida’s governorship in 1998 when Chiles was term-limited. This race was the second-closest gubernatorial election in Florida history since Reconstruction, due to the strong Republican wave of 1994. As of 2024, this is the last time a Democrat was elected Governor of Florida.
Image: Lawton Chiles Governor portrait (cropped)
Image: Color Portrait of Florida Governor elect Jeb Bush
Lawton Mainor Chiles Jr. was an American politician and military officer. A member of the Democratic Party, he served as a United States senator from Florida from 1971 to 1989 and as the 41st governor of Florida from 1991 until his death in 1998.
Lawton Chiles
Pair of Lawton Chiles' walking shoes on display at the Florida State Capitol.
Chiles' official portrait as Governor
Rhea Chiles embracing her son Bud during the funeral of Lawton Chiles, on December 15, 1998