The 2014 Georgia gubernatorial election took place on November 4, 2014, to elect the governor of Georgia, concurrently with the election to Georgia's Class II U.S. Senate seat, as well as other elections to the United States Senate in other states and elections to the United States House of Representatives and various state and local elections.
Incumbent Republican Governor Nathan Deal was elected to a second term in office by a margin of 7.8%. He defeated two primary challengers and in the general election, defeated Democratic state senator Jason Carter and Libertarian nominee businessman and engineer Andrew Hunt, who were unopposed in their respective primaries. As of 2022, this is the last time that Cobb and Gwinnett counties voted for the Republican candidate for governor; and the last time that Burke, Chattahoochee, Dooly, Quitman, Twiggs, Washington, and Wilkinson counties voted for the Democratic candidate. As of , this is the last time the Democratic nominee was not a black woman.
Republican primary
Candidates
Declared John Barge, State School Superintendent Nathan Deal, incumbent governor David Pennington, Mayor of Dalton
Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror NathanDeal JohnBarge DavidPennington UndecidedInsiderAdvantageInsiderAdvantage May 18, 2014 852 ±3.36% 62.1% 5.1% 9.9% 22.9%SurveyUSASurveyUSA May 8–12, 2014 634 ± 4% 63% 10% 15% 12%SurveyUSASurveyUSA April 24–27, 2014 501 ± 4.3% 64% 10% 11% 16%InsiderAdvantage April 13–15, 2014 804 ±3.4% 61% 4% 7% 28%Landmark/RosettaLandmark/Rosetta March 23–24, 2014 600 ± 4% 58% 8% 7% 27%SurveyUSASurveyUSA March 16–18, 2014 508 ± 4.2% 65% 7% 11% 17%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling August 2–5, 2013 260 ± 6.1% 71% 8% — 21% 71% — 11% 19%20/20 Insight, LLC20/20 Insight, LLC May 7–9, 2013 ? ± ? 53% — 18% 29%
Results
Democratic primary
Candidates
Declared Jason Carter, state senator and grandson of former U.S. president and former governor Jimmy Carter
Withdrew Connie Stokes, former DeKalb County Commissioner, former state senator and candidate for GA-04 in 2004 and 2010 (running for Lieutenant Governor)
Declined Stacey Abrams, Minority Leader of the Georgia House of Representatives Roy Barnes, former governor and nominee for governor in 2010 Shirley Franklin, former mayor of Atlanta Scott Holcomb, state representative Kasim Reed, Mayor of Atlanta
Results
Libertarian primary
Candidates
Declared Andrew Hunt, businessman and engineer
General election Debates Complete video of debate, October 19, 2014 - C-SPAN Complete video of debate, October 26, 2014 - C-SPAN
Predictions Source Ranking As of The Cook Political Report November 3, 2014 Sabato's Crystal Ball November 3, 2014 Rothenberg Political Report November 3, 2014 Real Clear Politics November 3, 2014
Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror NathanDeal (R) JasonCarter (D) AndrewHunt (L) Other UndecidedPublic Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling November 1–3, 2014 975 ± 3.1% 47% 43% 4% — 6% 49% 45% — — 6%Landmark CommunicationsLandmark Communications November 2, 2014 1,500 ± 2.5% 51% 45% 3% — 2%Insider AdvantageInsider Advantage November 2, 2014 1,463 ± 3% 47% 44% 5% — 4%SurveyUSASurveyUSA October 30 – November 2, 2014 591 ± 4.1% 47% 42% 5% — 5%YouGovYouGov October 25–31, 2014 1,743 ± 3.2% 45% 41% 1% 1% 12%NBC News/MaristNBC News/Marist October 26–30, 2014 603 LV ± 4% 48% 43% 3% 1% 5% 875 RV ± 3.3% 46% 42% 4% 1% 7%Landmark CommunicationsLandmark Communications October 29, 2014 1,500 ± 2.5% 48% 46% 4% — 3%Vox Populi Polling October 28, 2014 602 ± 4% 49% 42% 3% — 7%MonmouthMonmouth October 26–28, 2014 436 ± 4.7% 48% 42% 5% — 5%Rasmussen ReportsRasmussen Reports October 25–27, 2014 977 ± 3% 49% 43% — 2% 6%SurveyUSASurveyUSA October 24–27, 2014 611 ± 4% 46% 44% 3% — 6%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling October 23–24, 2014 771 ± ?% 48% 45% 4% — 3%CBS News/NYT/YouGovCBS News/NYT/YouGov October 16–23, 2014 1,774 ± 4% 47% 43% 2% 0% 8%Atlanta Journal-ConstitutionAtlanta Journal-Constitution October 16–23, 2014 1,170 ± 3.6% 46% 41% 6% — 7%Insider AdvantageInsider Advantage October 21–22, 2014 704 ± 3.7% 44% 44% 5% — 8%CNN/ORC InternationalCNN/ORC International October 19–22, 2014 565 ± 4% 46% 48% 6% — —Landmark CommunicationsLandmark Communications October 20–21, 2014 1,000 ± 2.75% 48% 45% 5% — 2%SurveyUSASurveyUSA October 17–20, 2014 606 ± 4.1% 45% 43% 4% — 8%GaPundit.comGaPundit.com October 13–14, 2014 1,543 ± 2.49% 44% 44% 6% — 5%SurveyUSASurveyUSA October 10–13, 2014 563 ± 4.2% 46% 46% 4% — 4%Landmark CommunicationsLandmark Communications October 7–9, 2014 1,000 ± 3.1% 45% 45% 5% — 5%SurveyUSASurveyUSA October 2–6, 2014 566 ± 4.2% 46% 44% 4% — 7%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling October 2–5, 2014 895 ± 3.3% 46% 41% 4% — 9% 50% 45% — — 5%Hickman AnalyticsHickman Analytics September 26 – October 5, 2014 500 ± 4.4% 44% 36% 9% — 13%Rasmussen Reports September 30 – October 1, 2014 1,000 ± 4% 49% 43% — 2% 6%Insider Advantage September 29 – October 1, 2014 947 ± 3.2% 44% 43% 4% — 9%CBS News/NYT/YouGovCBS News/NYT/YouGov September 20 – October 1, 2014 1,851 ± 3% 48% 43% 1% 0% 7%SurveyUSA September 19–22, 2014 550 ± 4.3% 44% 45% 4% — 7%Rasmussen Reports September 15–16, 2014 750 ± 4% 45% 44% — 3% 8%Insider AdvantageInsider Advantage September 10–11, 2014 1,167 ± 2.9% 44% 40% 7% — 9%Landmark CommunicationsLandmark Communications September 9–11, 2014 1,109 ± 2.9% 44% 47% 4% — 5%Atlanta Journal-ConstitutionAtlanta Journal-Constitution September 8–11, 2014 884 ± 4% 43% 42% 7% — 8%SurveyUSA September 5–8, 2014 558 ± 4.2% 45% 44% 4% — 6%CBS News/NYT/YouGovCBS News/NYT/YouGov August 18 – September 2, 2014 1,900 ± 3% 47% 39% 4% 1% 9%GaPundit.comGaPundit.com August 24–25, 2014 1,578 ± 2.47% 44% 42% 7% — 8%Landmark CommunicationsLandmark Communications August 20–21, 2014 600 ± 4% 40% 44% — — 16%SurveyUSASurveyUSA August 14–17, 2014 560 ± 4.2% 48% 39% 4% — 8%InsiderAdvantage August 12–13, 2014 719 ± 3.7% 43% 39% 7% — 11%Hicks Evaluation GroupHicks Evaluation Group August 8–10, 2014 788 ± 3.48% 45% 45% — — 9%Landmark CommunicationsLandmark Communications July 25, 2014 750 ± 3.8% 40% 47% 5% — 9%Rasmussen Reports July 23–24, 2014 750 ± 4% 44% 45% — 3% 8%CBS News/NYT/YouGovCBS News/NYT/YouGov July 5–24, 2014 2,568 ± 3.4% 50% 41% — 1% 8%Landmark CommunicationsLandmark Communications July 15, 2014 750 ± 4 41% 49% 4% — 6%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling July 11–13, 2014 664 ± ? 41% 40% 8% — 11%Insider AdvantageInsider Advantage June 24–25, 2014 1,349 ± 2.7% 47% 40% — 3% 10%SurveyUSASurveyUSA June 3–5, 2014 999 ± 3.2% 44% 38% 7% — 11%Rasmussen Reports May 21–22, 2014 750 ± 4% 41% 48% — 3% 7%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling May 21–22, 2014 803 ± ?% 43% 43% 7% — 7%SurveyUSA May 8–12, 2014 1,380 ± 2.7% 43% 37% 7% — 14%Atlanta Journal-ConstitutionAtlanta Journal-Constitution May 5–8, 2014 1,012 ± 4% 48% 44% — — 8%Saint LeoSaint Leo May 5–6, 2014 1,000 ± 3% 38% 35% 11% — 16%NBC News/MaristNBC News/Marist April 30 – May 5, 2014 2,196 ± 2.1% 50% 40% — 1% 10%SurveyUSA April 24–27, 2014 1,567 ± 2.5% 41% 37% 9% — 13%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling April 1–3, 2014 628 ± 4% 42% 43% — — 15%Landmark/Rosetta StoneLandmark/Rosetta Stone March 30, 2014 575 ± 4% 43% 39% — — 18%Insider AdvantageInsider Advantage March 13, 2014 486 ± 4.3% 38% 41% — — 21%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling February 19–20, 2014 833 ± 4% 45% 42% — — 12%Atlanta Journal-ConstitutionAtlanta Journal-Constitution January 6–9, 2014 802 ± 4% 47% 38% — — 15%Insider AdvantageInsider Advantage January 6, 2014 529 ± 4.6% 44% 22% — — 34%Anzalone Liszt GroveAnzalone Liszt Grove October 14–20, 2013 600 ± 4% 44% 36% — — 20%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling October 7–8, 2013 602 ± 4.1% 44% 40% — — 16%Public Policy Polling August 2–5, 2013 520 ± 4.3% 48% 33% — — 19%20/20 Insight, LLC May 7–9, 2013 1,483 ± 2.5% 42% 45% — — 13%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling February 15–18, 2013 602 ± 4% 46% 38% — — 16%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling November 30–December 2, 2012 729 ± 3.6% 46% 38% — — 17%
Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror NathanDeal (R) StaceyAbrams (D) UndecidedPublic Policy Polling August 2–5, 2013 520 ± 4.3% 47% 34% 19%20/20 Insight, LLC May 7–9, 2013 1,483 ± 2.5% 45% 39% 17%
Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror NathanDeal (R) JohnBarrow (D) UndecidedPublic Policy Polling February 15–18, 2013 602 ± 4% 48% 38% 14%Public Policy Polling November 30 – December 2, 2012 729 ± 3.6% 44% 40% 16%
Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror NathanDeal (R) ScottHolcomb (D) UndecidedPublic Policy Polling August 2–5, 2013 520 ± 4.3% 48% 28% 24%20/20 Insight, LLC May 7–9, 2013 1,483 ± 2.5% 41% 41% 18%
Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror NathanDeal (R) KasimReed (D) UndecidedPublic Policy Polling February 15–18, 2013 602 ± 4% 48% 38% 14%Public Policy Polling November 30 – December 2, 2012 729 ± 3.6% 47% 40% 13%
Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror NathanDeal (R) JasonCarter (D) Other UndecidedNBC News/Marist October 26–30, 2014 603 LV ± 4% 50% 46% <1% 4% 875 RV ± 3.3% 48% 45% 1% 6%
Results
Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic Douglas (largest town: Douglasville) Henry (largest city: Stockbridge) Newton (largest town: Covington)
Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican Baker (largest city: Newton) Brooks (largest city: Quitman) Clinch (Largest city: Homerville) Early (largest city: Blakely) McIntosh (largest municipality: Darien) Mitchell (largest municipality: Camilla) Peach (largest municipality: Fort Valley) Webster (largest town: Preston)
References
External links Georgia gubernatorial election, 2014 at Ballotpedia
Official campaign websites (Archived) Nathan Deal for Governor Jason Carter for Governor David Pennington for Governor John Barge for Governor Andrew Hunt for Governor