Former Gov. accepts Coverdell’s Senate seat

A T L A N T A, July 24, 2000 -- Georgia’s Democratic former Gov. Zell Millerwas appointed today to the late Republican Paul Coverdell’s Senateseat and said he will run for the remaining four years of the termin November.

Gov. Roy Barnes, a Democrat, officially announced theappointment tonight, saying Miller, 68, was thebest-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 theUnited States Senate. Now it takes stature. And Zell Miller has thestature it takes to get things done.”

President Clinton also praised the choice.

“In every job he has ever held — as a U.S. Marine,college professor, lieutenant governor and governor — ZellMiller has put the interest of hard working families first.I believe he will be a great United States Senator, and I lookforward to working with him,” the president said.

Senate Democrats Gain One

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

Coverdell, 61, died of a stroke last week. In 1998, he becamethe first Georgia Republican since Reconstruction to be re-electedto the U.S. Senate.

“I accept this mission with a heavy heart and a profound senseof duty,” Miller said. “The state we love lost one if its finestcitizens.”

Miller left office as one of the most popular governors inGeorgia history. The Georgia Constitution prevented Miller fromrunning for a third term in 1998. His approval rating soared above85 percent, thanks mostly to his lottery-funded program that gavecollege scholarships to any high school students with a “B”average or better. Some Democrats had suggested he run againstCoverdell for Senate, but Miller instead retired and began teachingcollege courses.

Praise for Coverdell

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

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

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

“I’m excited,” Georgia Democratic Sen. Max Cleland said.“Georgians are fortunate to have someone of the quality andcaliber of Zell Miller to step in. I can’t wait to help Gov. Millergain a foot hold up here.”

GOP Looks for November ChallengerRepublican officials were attempting to unite behind onecandidate, probably one of Georgia’s eight Republican congressmen.

“I think (Miller’s appointment) probably sends the strongestsignal I know that we need to be focused and united behind acandidate in this race,” state Republican Party Chairman ChuckClay said.

Miller was elected lieutenant governor — the No. 2 office in thestate — in 1974 and served for 16 years. He was elected governor in1990 — beating Andrew Young and Barnes, among others, in theDemocratic primary.

As promised, Miller gave Georgians a chance to vote on a statelottery, which passed. The lottery funds several popular educationprograms, including HOPE Scholarships, a plan copied by severalother governors and Clinton, a longtime friend of Miller.

Miller campaigned for Clinton in 1992 and pushed up the Georgiapresidential primary in 1992 to help his fellow Democraticgovernor. Miller also introduced Clinton to campaign strategistJames Carville.

“I think he’ll be an excellent candidate and an excellentsenator,” said state Rep. Larry Walker, the House Democraticleader. “He’ll be in the Sam Nunn, Richard Russell mold.”