1994 Florida Treasurer election

The 1994 Florida Treasurer election took place on November 8, 1994 to elect the Treasurer, Insurance Commissioner, and Fire Marshal of Florida, alongside many other elections in the state and around the country.

1994 Florida Treasurer election
November 8, 1994
 
Nominee Bill Nelson Tim Ireland
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 2,070,604 1,933,570
Percentage 51.7% 48.3%
County results
Ireland:      50–60%      60–70%
Nelson:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Treasurer before election

Tom Gallagher
Republican

 Elected Treasurer

Bill Nelson
Democratic

Incumbent Treasurer Tom Gallagher was term-limited and unable to run again. In his place, Democrat Bill Nelson was elected with 51.7% of the vote, defeating Republican State Rep. Tim Ireland.[1][2]

Candidates

Democratic primary
Democratic primary results[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Bill Nelson 431,623 54.57%
Democratic Karen Gievers 299,916 37.92%
Democratic Fred Westman 59,436 7.51%

Republican primary
Republican primary results[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Tim Ireland 478,760 64.13%
Republican R. K. "Skip" Hunter 267,801 35.87%

General election

Campaign

During the general election, Ireland accused Nelson of trying to intimidate insurance agents and company officials who supported Ireland, calling it "political terrorism." Nelson's spokesman flatly denied the accusation, accusing Ireland of trying to pump up a campaign that trails in money and name recognition. Indeed, Nelson had raised five times the amount of money that Ireland had by early October.[6]

Ireland also accused Nelson of taking $84,000 in illegal campaign funds, allegedly acquired during the week before the September 8 primary, which was prohibited. Nelson campaign manager Brian May claimed that the money was raised before September 1, but computer problems caused the contributions to be reported after the date. Nelson did not return the money.[7]

Results
1994 Florida Treasurer election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Bill Nelson 2,070,604 51.70%
Republican Tim Ireland 1,933,570 48.28%
Democratic gain from Swing

References
  1. "1994 State Treasurer General Election Results - Florida". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved 2023-04-16.
  2. "November 8, 1994 General Election". Florida Departement of State, Division of Elections. Retrieved 2023-04-20.
  3. "FL Treasurer - D Primary". OurCampaigns. Retrieved 11 May 2023.
  4. "Nelson, Ireland Will Duke It Out". South Florida Sun Central. Retrieved 11 May 2023.
  5. "FL Treasurer - R Primary". OurCampaigns. Retrieved 11 May 2023.
  6. "Insurance candidate accused of threats". Tampa Bay Times. 17 October 1994. Retrieved 11 May 2023.
  7. "Ireland tells Nelson to give money back". Tampa Bay Times. 20 October 1994. Retrieved 11 May 2023.
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