Georgia Senate Seat Goes to Ex-Gov. Miller

Georgia’s Democratic former Gov. Zell Miller was appointed Monday to the late Republican Paul Coverdell’s Senate seat and said he will run for the remaining four years of the term in November.

Gov. Roy Barnes, a Democrat, officially announced the appointment Monday evening, saying Miller, 68, is the best-qualified person from either party.

“The one who didn’t want it was the one who had to take it,” he said. “It used to take seniority to get things done in the United States Senate. Now it takes stature. And Zell Miller has the stature it takes to get things done.”

Miller said he accepted the job “with a heavy heart and a profound sense of duty,” adding, “the state we love lost one if its finest citizens.”

The appointment of Miller increases the number of Democrats in the Senate to 46. There are 54 Republicans.

Coverdell, 61, died of a stroke last week. In 1998, he became the first Georgia Republican since Reconstruction to be reelected to the Senate.

Miller left office as one of the most popular governors in Georgia history. The Georgia Constitution prevented Miller from running for a third term in 1998. His approval rating soared above 85%, thanks mostly to his lottery-funded program that gave college scholarships to any high school students with a B average or better. Some Democrats had suggested he run against Coverdell for Senate, but Miller instead retired and began teaching college courses.

Miller praised Coverdell for his ability to build consensus between the two parties and said he would do the same when he gets to Washington.

On Nov. 7, any candidate who pays the $4,101 qualifying fee can take part in a nonpartisan election for the remaining four years of the term. If no candidate gets more than half the vote, the top two will meet in a runoff.

Miller’s popularity with voters is expected to scare off any other serious Democratic candidates.

“I’m excited,” said Sen. Max Cleland (D-Ga.). “Georgians are fortunate to have someone of the quality and caliber of Zell Miller to step in. I can’t wait to help Gov. Miller gain a foothold up here.”

Republican officials were attempting to unite behind one candidate, probably one of Georgia’s eight Republican congressmen.

“I think [Miller’s appointment] probably sends the strongest signal I know that we need to be focused and united behind a candidate in this race,” state Republican Party Chairman Chuck Clay said.

Miller was elected lieutenant governor--the No. 2 office in the state--in 1974 and served for 16 years. He was elected governor in 1990, beating Andrew Young and Barnes, among others, in the Democratic primary.

As promised, Miller gave Georgians a chance to vote on a state lottery, which passed. The lottery funds several popular education programs, including HOPE Scholarships, a plan copied by several other governors and President Clinton, a longtime friend of Miller.

Miller campaigned for Clinton in 1992 and pushed up the Georgia presidential primary in 1992 to help his fellow Democratic governor. Miller also introduced Clinton to campaign strategist James Carville.

Clinton praised Miller’s accomplishments in education, economic development and crime prevention.

“In every job he has ever held--as a U.S. Marine, college professor, lieutenant governor and governor--Zell Miller has put the interest of hard-working families first,” Clinton said in a statement Monday.

The Rev. Jesse Jackson said Barnes missed an opportunity to make history by appointing a black. Several black Democrats, including Atty. Gen. Thurbert E. Baker, had been mentioned as contenders.

But one of the state’s most powerful blacks, state Sen. Charles W. Walker of Augusta, said he “concurs 100%” with the decision.