1990 Idaho gubernatorial election

Summary

The 1990 Idaho gubernatorial election was held on November 6, 1990, to elect the Governor of the state of Idaho. Cecil Andrus, the Democratic incumbent, ran for an unprecedented fourth term.[1] Roger Fairchild, a former state senate majority leader from Fruitland,[2] won the Republican nomination in May,[3][4] but was easily defeated in November by the popular Andrus.[5][6]

1990 Idaho gubernatorial election

← 1986 November 6, 1990 1994 →
 
Nominee Cecil Andrus Roger Fairchild
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 218,673 101,937
Percentage 68.2% 31.8%

County results
Andrus:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%
Fairchild:      50–60%

Governor before election

Cecil Andrus
Democratic

Elected Governor

Cecil Andrus
Democratic

This was the sixth consecutive win for the Democrats, which started with Andrus' first victory twenty years earlier in 1970. As of 2024, this is the last time that a Democrat has been elected Governor of Idaho & the last time that a gubernatorial nominee and a lieutenant gubernatorial nominee of different political parties were elected in Idaho.

Primary elections edit

Primary elections were held on May 22, 1990.[7][8][9]

Democratic primary edit

Candidate edit

Republican primary edit

 
County results for the Republican primary

Candidates edit

Results edit

Republican primary results[12]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Roger Fairchild 37,728 37.09
Republican Rachel Gilbert 33,483 32.92
Republican Milt Erhart 30,514 30.00
Total votes 101,725 100.00

General election edit

Campaign edit

Although Fairchild attempted to capitalize on his business experience and Andrus' veto of a bill passed by the state legislature severely restricting abortion earlier in the year,[13][14] the incumbent's personal popularity in Idaho proved to be too much to overcome.[5][6]

Results edit

Idaho gubernatorial election, 1990[15]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Cecil Andrus (inc.) 218,673 68.21% +18.28%
Republican Roger Fairchild 101,937 31.79% -17.19%
Majority 116,736 36.41% +35.47%
Turnout 320,610
Democratic hold Swing

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ Trillhaase, Marty; Loftus, Bill (March 20, 1990). "Andrus seeks 4th term". Lewiston Morning Tribune. p. 1A.
  2. ^ a b Trillhaase, Marty (May 20, 1990). "Fairchild's on a 1-year-long roller coaster". Lewiston Morning Tribune. p. 1C.
  3. ^ Warbis, Mark (May 23, 1990). "Fairchild grabs governor race". Lewiston Morning Tribune. Associated Press. p. 1A.
  4. ^ "Fairchild will try to unseat Andrus". Idahonian. (Moscow). Associated Press. May 23, 1990. p. 10A.
  5. ^ a b "Andrus' 4th win boosts Democrats". Idahonian. (Moscow). Associated Press. November 7, 1990. p. 3A.
  6. ^ a b "Andrus, Craig record lopsided wins". Spokane Chronicle. (Washington). Associated Press. November 7, 1990. p. B5.
  7. ^ Thompson, Steve (May 18, 1990). "Gov. hopefuls: Andrus spells disaster". Idahonian. (Moscow). p. 12A.
  8. ^ a b "Idaho voters sort out the winners, losers today". Lewiston Morning Tribune. Associated Press. May 22, 1990. p. 1A.
  9. ^ Kenyon, Quayne (May 24, 1990). "Early birds got the election wins". Idahonian. (Moscow). Associated Press. p. 3A.
  10. ^ Trillhaase, Marty (May 20, 1990). "Gilbert insists she's readiest for November". Lewiston Morning Tribune. p. 1C.
  11. ^ Trillhaase, Marty (May 20, 1990). "Erhart brings unusual ideas to campaign". Lewiston Morning Tribune. p. 1C.
  12. ^ "Our Campaigns - ID Governor - R Primary Race - May 22, 1990".
  13. ^ Trillhaase, Marty (March 30, 1990). "Abortion ban vetoed". Lewiston Morning Tribune. p. 1A.
  14. ^ "Andrus vetoes abortion ban". Idahonian. (Moscow). Associated Press. March 31, 1990. p. 1A.
  15. ^ http://www.sos.idaho.gov/elect/abstract/90gnabst.xls 1990 Idaho Statewide totals
Preceded by
1986
Idaho gubernatorial elections Succeeded by
1994