Former Georgia senator and governor Zell Miller dies

Zell Miller, a former Democratic governor and senator of Georgia who often bucked his own party, died on Friday at the age of 86.

Bryan Miller, a grandson and the CEO of the Miller Institute Foundation, said in a statement that his grandfather died peacefully, “surrounded by his family.” Miller had been receiving treatment for Parkinson’s disease.

“The people of Georgia have lost one of our state’s finest public servants,” Bryan Miller said.

{mosads}

“As his grandson, I learned more from Zell Miller both professionally and personally than from anyone else I have encountered,” he added. “He was more than my grandfather. He was my dear friend and mentor. I cherish all the time we spent together. I will never forget the lessons he taught me, his witty sense of humor, or his contagious smile. Our family will miss him terribly.”

Miller served as the governor of Georgia from 1991 until his retirement in 1999. Among the most notable accomplishments of his tenure was the founding of the state’s lottery-funded HOPE Scholarship program.

That retirement, however, was short-lived. He was appointed in 2000 to serve out the last four years of the Senate term of the late Sen. Paul Coverdell (R), who passed away that year.

As a senator, Miller often broke with his party, endorsing former President George W. Bush’s reelection bid in 2004 over former Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.).

Speaking at the Republican National Convention that same year, Miller offered a scathing assessment of the Democratic Party, which he decried for its lack of support for U.S. military action in Afghanistan and Iraq. 

“Motivated more by partisan politics than by national security, today’s Democratic leaders see America as an occupier, not a liberator,” he said.

In that speech, he also took aim at Kerry and former Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.), saying that “no pair has been more wrong, more loudly, more often than the two senators from Massachusetts.”

Current Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal (R) offered his condolences to Miller’s family, saying in a statement on Friday that he had “lost a dear friend.”

“Georgia has lost a favorite son and a true statesman, and I’ve lost a dear friend,” Deal said. “Zell’s legacy is unequaled and his accomplishments in public service are innumerable. Without question, our state and our people are better off because of him.”

Lawmakers, including several from Georgia’s congressional delegation, mourned Miller’s death, taking to Twitter to recall his accomplishments.

Zell Miller touched the lives of many as a teacher, Marine, public servant, and friend. Throughout his career, Zell was a strong advocate for the value of a public education and made it his mission to ensure Georgia students had the opportunity to pursue a college degree. (1/2) https://t.co/H5x7g93Z5p

— David Perdue (@sendavidperdue) March 23, 2018

Because of Zell’s work on the HOPE Scholarship, 1.8M Georgians have been able to attend a public college or university in GA who may not have been able to otherwise. His legacy will live on through them. We’re praying for the Miller family during this very difficult time. (2/2)

— David Perdue (@sendavidperdue) March 23, 2018

Georgia and our nation have lost a true statesman.  Zell Miller served our state as both a Senator and Governor. He was a person of principle whom I admired greatly. May he rest in peace.

— Rep. Karen Handel (@RepKHandel) March 23, 2018

Zell Miller, former Governor and U.S. Senator, served our state and nation with integrity. We thank him and his family for a lifetime of service. Our prayers are with you.

— Barry Loudermilk (@RepLoudermilk) March 23, 2018