1994 Tennessee gubernatorial election

For related races, see 1994 United States gubernatorial elections.

The 1994 Tennessee gubernatorial election took place on November 8, 1994 to elect the next governor of Tennessee. Incumbent Democratic governor Ned McWherter was term-limited, leaving the governorship an open seat. Republican congressman Don Sundquist was elected Governor of Tennessee, defeating Democratic nominee Phil Bredesen, the mayor of Nashville, who later won Tennessee's governorship in 2002 & 2006.

1994 Tennessee gubernatorial election

← 1990 November 8, 1994 (1994-11-08) 1998 →
Turnout	56.62%[1]
Nominee Don Sundquist Phil Bredesen Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 807,104 664,252 Percentage 54.27% 44.67%
County results Sundquist:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Bredesen:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%
Governor before election Ned McWherter Democratic Elected Governor Don Sundquist Republican

David Y. Copeland III unsuccessfully sought the Republican nomination, while Bill Morris and Steve Cohen unsuccessfully sought the Democratic nomination.

General election

Tennessee gubernatorial election, 1994^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Don Sundquist	807,104	54.27%	+17.66%
	Democratic	Phil Bredesen	664,252	44.67%	−16.16%
	Independent	Stephanie E. Holt	9,981	0.67%	N/A
	Independent	Will Smith	3,365	0.23%	N/A
	Independent	Charlie Moffett	2,347	0.16%	N/A
	N/A	Write-ins	81	0.01%	N/A
Total votes			1,487,130	100.00%
	Republican gain from Democratic		Swing

See also

• 1994 United States Senate election in Tennessee
• 1994 United States Senate special election in Tennessee
• 1994 United States House of Representatives elections in Tennessee