By John E. Yang
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, August 11, 1997; Page A06

The 1998 Georgia governor's race, rocked earlier this year by the disclosure by then front-runner Mike Bowers (R) that he had an adulterous affair with a former employee for more than a decade, was shaken up again last week – this time on the Democratic side.

On Wednesday, the leading candidate for the Democratic nomination, Lt. Gov. Pierre Howard, dropped out, saying the race was putting too great a strain on his young family. Howard said he would finish his second term as lieutenant governor and then work for a leading Atlanta law firm. He said he had begun returning more than $1 million in campaign contributions.

State Rep. Roy Barnes, a conservative Democrat, jumped into the race the afternoon of Howard's announcement. Barnes, the only elected Democratic official in Cobb County, which is represented by House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R), had earlier chosen to seek the lieutenant governor's job, saying Howard was unbeatable for the gubernatorial nomination.

Others are eyeing the race now, and state Labor Commissioner David Poythress, until Wednesday the only other announced candidate beside Howard, vowed to stay in the contest.

Howard's departure and the likelihood of a crowded Democratic primary also could lead more Republicans to jump into the race. Since the admission of adultery by former attorney general Bowers, millionaire businessman Guy Millner, who narrowly lost gubernatorial and Senate races in the last four years, has been the front-runner for the GOP nomination.

Meanwhile, Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.) said last week he would not challenge Sen. Paul Coverdell (R) next year and would instead seek reelection to a seventh House term. Lewis had opened the door to a Senate candidacy last month. Among those considering a run is George "Buddy" Darden, a conservative Democrat who represented Cobb County in the House from 1983 until his defeat in the 1994 GOP tide.