The 1998 Georgia gubernatorial election was held on November 3, 1998. Democratic incumbent Zell Miller was unable to seek re-election due to term limits. In the open race to succeed him, Democratic state representative Roy Barnes defeated Republican businessman Guy Millner.
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.
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. This was the last time a Democrat was elected Governor of Georgia until 2026.
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Roy Barnes, state representative from Marietta
- Lewis A. Massey, Georgia secretary of state
- David Poythress, Georgia commissioner of labor
- Steve Langford, state senator from LaGrange
- Morris James
- Carlton Myers, Pine Mountain veterinarian and 1974 candidate for Senate
Republican primary
Candidates
- Mike Bowers, Georgia attorney general
- Guy Millner, businessman, 1996 nominee for U.S. Senate, and 1994 nominee for governor
- Nancy Schaefer, 1994 nominee for lieutenant governor
- 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
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.
General election
Candidates
- Roy Barnes, state representative from Marietta (Democratic)
- Jack Cashin (Libertarian)
- Guy Millner, businessman, 1996 nominee for U.S. Senate, and 1994 nominee for governor (Republican)