1990 Idaho gubernatorial election

For related races, see 1990 United States gubernatorial elections.

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^[update], this is the last time that a Democrat has been elected Governor of 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

County results for the Republican primary

Candidates

• Roger Fairchild, Fruitland executive, former state senator (majority leader)^[2]
• Rachel Gilbert, Boise, state senator^[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

See also

• Governor of Idaho
• List of governors of Idaho
• Idaho gubernatorial elections