1990 Idaho gubernatorial election

1990 Idaho gubernatorial election
	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

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]

This was the sixth consecutive win for the Democrats, which started with Andrus' first victory twenty years earlier in 1970. As of 2024^[update], 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

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

Democratic primary

Candidate

Cecil Andrus, incumbent governor (unopposed)^[8]

Republican primary

Candidates

Roger Fairchild, Fruitland executive, former state senator (majority leader)^[2]
Rachel Gilbert, Boise, state senator, anti-wilderness activist^[10]
Milt Erhart, Boise stockbroker^[11]

Results

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

Campaign

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

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

References

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

Preceded by 1986	Idaho gubernatorial elections	Succeeded by 1994

[ask4tt-1] Trillhaase, Marty; Loftus, Bill (March 20, 1990). "Andrus seeks 4th term". Lewiston Morning Tribune. p. 1A.

[rllrcoa-2] Trillhaase, Marty (May 20, 1990). "Fairchild's on a 1-year-long roller coaster". Lewiston Morning Tribune. p. 1C.

[fchggr-3] Warbis, Mark (May 23, 1990). "Fairchild grabs governor race". Lewiston Morning Tribune. Associated Press. p. 1A.

[unstan-4] "Fairchild will try to unseat Andrus". Idahonian. (Moscow). Associated Press. May 23, 1990. p. 10A.

[awinbu-5] "Andrus' 4th win boosts Democrats". Idahonian. (Moscow). Associated Press. November 7, 1990. p. 3A.

[acrlwins-6] "Andrus, Craig record lopsided wins". Spokane Chronicle. (Washington). Associated Press. November 7, 1990. p. B5.

[adspdis-7] Thompson, Steve (May 18, 1990). "Gov. hopefuls: Andrus spells disaster". Idahonian. (Moscow). p. 12A.

[winlos-8] "Idaho voters sort out the winners, losers today". Lewiston Morning Tribune. Associated Press. May 22, 1990. p. 1A.

[earlb-9] Kenyon, Quayne (May 24, 1990). "Early birds got the election wins". Idahonian. (Moscow). Associated Press. p. 3A.

[readiest-10] Trillhaase, Marty (May 20, 1990). "Gilbert insists she's readiest for November". Lewiston Morning Tribune. p. 1C.

[unucam-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".

[abbvet-13] Trillhaase, Marty (March 30, 1990). "Abortion ban vetoed". Lewiston Morning Tribune. p. 1A.

[advetap-14] "Andrus vetoes abortion ban". Idahonian. (Moscow). Associated Press. March 31, 1990. p. 1A.

[15] ttp://www.sos.idaho.gov/elect/abstract/90gnabst.xls 1990 Idaho Statewide totals

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Primary elections

Democratic primary

Candidate

Republican primary

Candidates

Results

General election

Campaign

Results

See also

References