Former Georgia Gov. Zell Miller to replace Coverdell in Senate

From staff and wire reports

July 24, 2000
Web posted at: 3:18 p.m. EDT (1918 GMT)

ATLANTA (CNN) -- Former Georgia Gov. Zell Miller has been tapped to fill the U.S. Senate seat of the late Paul Coverdell until voters can choose a permanent successor in November, Democratic officials told CNN on Monday.

Former Georgia Gov. Zell Miller

Coverdell, a two-term Republican, died last week at age 61 after a cerebral hemorrhage. Democratic Party officials said Miller had accepted the appointment made by Georgia Gov. Roy Barnes, a Democrat, and would stand for election to the remainder of Coverdell's term in November.

The appointment, which was officially expected by Monday evening, would reduce the Republican majority in the Senate to 54-46.

While governor, Miller established the HOPE college scholarship program that made him one of the state's most popular governors. Paid for by the Georgia state lottery, it provides scholarships to any high school student with a "B" average or better.

Georgia's constitution limited him to two terms, and party officials urged him to challenge Coverdell for the Senate seat in 1998. But Miller declined and has been in semi-retirement since his term ended in 1999, though he is on the faculty at Emory University and the University of Georgia.

His popularity made him the Democrats' first choice for the seat. Several members of the state's Republican congressional delegation have voiced interest in seeking Coverdell's seat in November as well.

"I think he'll be an excellent candidate and an excellent senator," Georgia state Rep. Larry Walker, a leading Democrat, told The Associated Press. "He'll be in the Sam Nunn-Richard Russell mold," he added in a reference to the state's previous Democratic Senators.

His appointment is likely to keep other Democrats from seeking the office in the November special election.