Capital Scene

IN 1990, Democrat Zell Miller, Georgia’s 16-year lieutenant governor, won the governor’s mansion by racking up huge margins in metropolitan Atlanta and in the rural parts of the state, including northern Georgia, where he had grown up. But by the end of his first term Miller had lost support in his home territory and seemed increasingly vulnerable. He had unsuccessfully pushed to alter the state flag, which was modeled on the Confederate Battle Flag. He had raised the price of hunting and fishing licenses. And he was closely associated with an unpopular President Clinton. When Republican Guy Millner challenged Miller in 1994, Millner ran strong in rural areas, which should have spelled Miller’s doom.

But Miller made up ground in the Republican suburbs of Atlanta, where he picked up about ten points. Miller’s efforts in gaining passage of welfare reform and a “two strikes” law made GOP voters more comfortable with him, while his program of HOPE scholarships-essentially free college education, funded by a state lottery—proved hugely popular with suburban parents. By election day, the state had awarded roughly 80,000 scholarships, a number that has swollen to more than 240,000. “When you’re handing out free college education,” says Miller’s director of communications, Rick Dent, “that’s a very popular thing to do.”

About the Author

Rich Lowry

Rich Lowry is the editor in chief of National Review.

Featured Tags

IN 1990, Democrat Zell Miller, Georgia’s 16-year lieutenant governor, won the governor’s mansion by racking up huge margins in metropolitan Atlanta and in the rural parts of the state, including northern Georgia, where he had grown up. But by the end of his first term Miller had lost support in his home territory and seemed increasingly vulnerable. He had unsuccessfully pushed to alter the state flag, which was modeled on the Confederate Battle Flag. He had raised the price of hunting and fishing licenses. And he was closely associated with an unpopular President Clinton. When Republican Guy Millner challenged Miller in 1994, Millner ran strong in rural areas, which should have spelled Miller’s doom.

But Miller made up ground in the Republican suburbs of Atlanta, where he picked up about ten points. Miller’s efforts in gaining passage of welfare reform and a “two strikes” law made GOP voters more comfortable with him, while his program of HOPE scholarships-essentially free college education, funded by a state lottery—proved hugely popular with suburban parents. By election day, the state had awarded roughly 80,000 scholarships, a number that has swollen to more than 240,000. “When you’re handing out free college education,” says Miller’s director of communications, Rick Dent, “that’s a very popular thing to do.”