Incumbent Democratic Governor Rose Mofford declined to run for a full term.

Republican Fife Symington defeated the Democratic nominee and Mayor of Phoenix Terry Goddard.

Because no candidate received a majority of votes, a runoff election was held later on February 26, 1991, which Symington also won.

Evan Mecham, a former governor who was removed from office in 1988 upon being convicted in his impeachment trial, unsuccessfully ran for another term.

Prior to 1992, the Arizona State Constitution required a runoff election for the office of governor if no candidate received a majority of the votes.