By Dick Pettys
Associated Press Writer
Tuesday, July 28, 1998; 3:54 p.m. EDT

ATLANTA (AP) — Former state Attorney General Mike Bowers conceded defeat Tuesday and left millionaire businessman Guy Millner the undisputed Republican nominee for governor of Georgia.

Although a recount requested by the one-time front-runner was still underway, only two counties remained unchecked.

"We've gotten in enough results," Bowers said. "There's not going to be a change. It's over."

There was no immediate word from the secretary of state's office on the result of the recount.

Bowers' stock with voters had plunged after he admitted a longtime adulterous affair.

But his stronger-than-expected finish in the July 21 primary gave him hope that a recount would reveal enough mistakes in the vote totals to force an Aug. 11 rematch.

According to unofficial results after the primary, Millner had 209,930 votes to Bowers' 166,974, meaning Millner had only 1,156 voters more than the 50 percent threshold needed to avoid a runoff. Two other candidates split the remaining 10 percent of the vote.

Bowers had repeatedly accused Millner of trying to buy the primary election by spending $3 million of his own money on advertising. He also had questioned Millner's fitness for office because Millner skipped all but two debates with his three GOP opponents.

But Bowers said Tuesday he now will campaign with Millner and try to help him win the Nov. 3 election against Democratic state Rep. Roy Barnes.

"The people have spoken," said Bowers. "They overruled any argument I had."

Millner issued a statement saying he was honored to have Bowers' support.

The winner of the Millner-Barnes contest will succeed popular Democratic Gov. Zell Miller, who is completing his second term and cannot seek a third.

Barnes finished first in his primary last Tuesday but was forced into a runoff with Secretary of State Lewis Massey.

Two days after the Democratic primary, Massey bowed out to avoid a slugfest and to restore party unity. The runoff is still scheduled and Massey's name will be on the ballot, but he endorsed Barnes and does not intend to do any additional campaigning.