1970 United States gubernatorial elections
3 November 1970
37 governorships
35 states; 2 territories
  Majority party Minority party
 
Party Democratic Republican
Seats before 18 32
Seats after 29 21
Seat change Increase11 Decrease11
Seats up 11 24
Seats won 22 13
  Republican hold
  Republican gain
  Democratic hold
  Democratic gain

United States gubernatorial elections were held on 3 November 1970, in 35 states and two territories.

During this election, the Democrats won a number of the governorships up for re-election via many ways, such as retirement of an incumbent, term limits, or the defeat of incumbent.

In 1970, Arizona, New Mexico and Wisconsin elected their governors to four-year terms for the first time, having previously elected them to two-year terms.

This election coincided with the Senate and the House elections.

Alabama

In Alabama, Governor Albert Brewer (who succeeded to the governorship upon Lurleen Wallace's death in 1968) had to endure a very nasty Democratic primary against former Governor George Wallace.[1] In addition, there were no Republicans in the race for governor. Wallace won the Democratic primary and in November the election.

Alaska

In Alaska, then-Lt. Gov. Keith Miller had gotten the job of governor in 1969 after Walter Hickel resigned to be part of President Nixon's Cabinet.[2][3] He lost in 1970 to former Governor William Egan.

Arizona

In Arizona, governors were elected to serve two-year terms until 1970, when Jack Richard Williams was the first governor to be elected to a four-year term.[4][5] Previously, Williams had been elected governor twice to two-year terms in 1966[6] and in 1968.[7] Arizona made the switch official from a two-year term to a four-year term in 1968 with an amendment.[8]

Arkansas

In Arkansas, Winthrop Rockefeller was the first Republican governor in Arkansas since the Reconstruction period.[9] He was defeated in his bid for a third term, by the Democratic challenger Dale Bumpers.

California

Incumbent Republican Governor and future President Ronald Reagan was elected to a second term as governor with about 53% of the vote over Speaker of the State Assembly Jesse Unruh.

Connecticut

Incumbent John Dempsey, a Democrat, did not seek re-election. Sixth District Congressman Thomas Joseph Meskill (Republican) defeated First District Congressman Emilio Q. Daddario (Democratic) 53.76% to 46.23%.

Colorado

In Colorado, John Arthur Love won re-election. He served until 1973, when he would resign to become the first head of Energy Policy under President Nixon.[10]

Florida

Florida's Claude R. Kirk Jr. was another 'first Republican governor since Reconstruction' as well (he switched from Democrat to Republican early on),[11] and was defeated by the Democrat Reubin Askew.

Georgia

In Georgia, governors would be limited to one term until George Busbee was allowed to serve two, and was the first governor to serve two consecutive terms.[12] Future president Jimmy Carter won the election.

Hawaii

In Hawaii, Burns won another term in 1970, but in 1973, Burns had health problems and his Lt. Governor George Ariyoshi, took over-as acting governor, and in 1974, with Burns' retirement, won a term in his own right.[13] Burns died in 1975.[14]

Iowa

Iowa also had its governors serving two-year terms until Robert D. Ray won a four-year term in 1974.[15] Previously, Ray had won a two-year term in 1968,[16] a two-year term this year (1970),[17] and would win another two-year term in 1972.[18] Iowa made the four-year term switch official with an amendment to the state's constitution in 1972.[19]

Kansas

Like Arizona and Iowa, Kansas also had its governors serving two-year terms until 1974, when a constitutional amendment was added, creating a four-year term system for governors.[20] Docking was elected governor in 1966,[21] 1968,[22] 1970,[23] and would get elected in 1972.[24] The first governor to get a four-year term was Robert Frederick Bennett in 1974.[25]

Maine

Beginning with the 1962 governor's race, Maine switched from a two-year term system to a four-year term system for the governors.[26] John H. Reed was the first Maine governor to be elected to a four-year term.[27] Kenneth Curtis was re-elected.

Maryland

In Maryland, Mandel first won the governorship in 1969 in a special election when Agnew resigned in order to become vice president.[28]

In 1970, Mandel ran for a full term and won.[29]

Massachusetts

In 1966, Massachusetts switched from a two-year to four-year terms for governors, and John A. Volpe was the first Massachusetts governor to be elected to a four-year term. He had previously been elected to two-year terms in 1960 and in 1964. Volpe resigned in 1969 to become President Nixon's Secretary of Transportation. Francis W. Sargent then became acting governor. In 1970, Sargent got a term in his own right.[30][31]

Michigan

In 1963, Michigan changed governors' terms from two years to four years.[32] George W. Romney had won two-year terms in 1962[33] and 1964,[34] and a four-year term in 1966.[35] He resigned in 1969 to become President Nixon's Housing and Urban Development Secretary.[35] William Milliken became governor,[36] and got a full term in 1970.[37]

Nebraska

In 1962, voters in Nebraska approved of an amendment, effective with the 1966 governor's race, that switched from two-year to four-year terms for governors. In 1966, the "two consecutive terms" rule was established.[38] Norbert Tiemann was the first Nebraskan to get a four-year term with the 1966 governor's race.[39] J. James Exon was elected governor.

New Mexico

New Mexico also had a two-year term for governors until 1970, when the state constitution was changed to a four-year term for governors-without being allowed to have two consecutive terms.[40] As for the "no two consecutive terms" rule, that was still on the books until 1991, when thanks to a change in the state's constitution, Bruce King was eligible for two consecutive terms.[41] King was elected to the first of three non-consecutive terms.

New York

In New York, Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller won re-election to a fourth term. Rockefeller served until 1973, when he resigned.[42]

Pennsylvania

In Pennsylvania, although the constitution was changed to allow governors to have two consecutive terms, the rule didn't apply to then current Gov. Raymond P. Shafer.[43] The election was won by Milton Shapp.

South Carolina

Governors in South Carolina weren't allowed two consecutive terms until 1980, when an amendment to the constitution was added. Richard Riley was the first South Carolina governor to have two consecutive terms with his 1982 re-election.[44] John C. West won election.

South Dakota

South Dakota also had governors on two-year terms until 1972, when a constitutional amendment allowed the governor to have a four-year term.[45][46] Richard F. Kneip would be the first governor to be elected to a four-year term, though he resigned to accept an appointment.[47] Kneip, elected governor for a two-year term this year (1970), would be re-elected for another two-year term in 1972.[48][49]

Tennessee

In 1978, Tennessee changed its constitution to allow the governors to serve two consecutive terms.[50][51] Winfield Dunn was elected this (1970) year.

Wisconsin

In 1968, Wisconsin changed its constitution from a two-year term for governor to a four-year term.[52] Upon his election this year, Patrick Lucey would become the first governor to serve a four-year term (see Wisconsin gubernatorial elections).

Wyoming

Governor Stanley K. Hathaway won re-election to a second four-year term.

United States gubernatorial elections 1970 chart

States

StateIncumbentPartyStatusOpposing candidates
AlabamaAlbert BrewerDemocraticDefeated in runoff primary,[53][54] Democratic victoryGeorge Wallace (Democratic) 74.51%
John L. Cashin Jr. (National Democratic Party of Alabama) 14.68%
A. C. Shelton (Independent) 8.85%
Jerome B. Couch (Prohibition) 1.14%
Menter G. Walker (Independent) 0.41%
John Watts (Whig) 0.41%[55]
AlaskaKeith MillerRepublicanDefeated, 46.13%, Democratic victoryWilliam A. Egan (Democratic) 52.38%
Ralph M. Anderson (American Independent) 1.49%[56]
ArizonaJack WilliamsRepublicanRe-elected, 50.89%Raúl Héctor Castro (Democratic) 49.11%[57]
ArkansasWinthrop RockefellerRepublicanDefeated, 32.41%, Democratic victoryDale Bumpers (Democratic) 61.66%
Walter L. Carruth (American) 5.93%[58]
CaliforniaRonald ReaganRepublicanRe-elected, 52.84%Jesse M. Unruh (Democratic) 45.14%
Ricardo Romo (Peace & Freedom) 1.01%
William K. Shearer (American Independent) 1.01%[59]
ColoradoJohn Arthur LoveRepublicanRe-elected, 52.46%Mark Anthony Hogan (Democratic) 45.24%
Albert Gurule (La Raza Unida) 1.82%
Walter R. Plankinton (American Independent) 0.31%
James Lauderdale (Socialist Workers) 0.17%[60]
ConnecticutJohn N. DempseyDemocraticRetired,[61] Republican victoryThomas Meskill (Republican) 53.76%
Emilio Q. Daddario (Democratic) 46.23%[62]
FloridaClaude R. Kirk Jr.RepublicanDefeated, 43.12%Reubin Askew (Democratic) 56.88%[63]
GeorgiaLester MaddoxDemocraticTerm-limited, Democratic victoryJimmy Carter (Democratic) 59.28%
Hal Suit (Republican) 40.60%
Write-ins 0.12%[64]
HawaiiJohn A. BurnsDemocraticRe-elected, 57.65%Samuel Pailthorpe King (Republican) 42.35%[65]
IdahoDon SamuelsonRepublicanDefeated, 47.78%Cecil Andrus (Democratic) 52.22%[66]
IowaRobert D. RayRepublicanRe-elected, 50.98%Robert D. Fulton (Democratic) 46.62%
Robert Dilley (American Independent) 2.39%[17]
KansasRobert DockingDemocraticRe-elected, 54.30%Kent Frizzell (Republican) 44.72%
P. Everett Sperry (Conservative) 0.58%
Marshall Uncapher (Prohibition) 0.41%[23]
MaineKenneth M. CurtisDemocraticRe-elected, 50.14%James S. Erwin (Republican) 49.86%[67]
MarylandMarvin MandelDemocraticElected to a full term, 65.73%Charles Stanley Blair (Republican) 32.40%
Robert Woods Merkle, Sr. (American) 1.97%[29]
MassachusettsFrancis SargentRepublicanElected to a full term, 56.67%Kevin White (Democratic) 42.79%
Henning A. Blomen (Socialist Labor) 0.36%
John C. Hedges (Prohibition) 0.17%[68]
MichiganWilliam MillikenRepublicanElected to a full term, 50.41%Sander Levin (Democratic) 48.74%
James L. McCormick (American Independent) 0.68%
George Bouse (Socialist Workers) 0.08%
James Horvath (Socialist Labor) 0.08%[37]
MinnesotaHarold LeVanderRepublicanRetired, Democratic victoryWendell R. Anderson (Democratic–Farmer–Labor) 54.04%
Douglas M. Head (Republican) 45.54%
Karl H. Heck (Industrial Government) 0.35%
Write in Jack O. Kirkham (Independent) 0.07%[69]
NebraskaNorbert TiemannRepublicanDefeated, 43.76%, Democratic victoryJ. James Exon (Democratic) 53.84%
Albert C. Walsh (American) 2.36%[70]
NevadaPaul LaxaltRepublicanRetired, Democratic victoryMike O'Callaghan (Democratic) 48.10%
Edward Fike (Republican) 43.81%
Charles E. Springer (Independent) 4.41%
Daniel M. Hansen (Independent American) 3.68%[71]
New HampshireWalter R. Peterson Jr.RepublicanRe-elected, 45.99%Roger J. Crowley (Democratic) 44.10%
Meldrim Thomson Jr. (American) 9.91%
Write ins 0.01%[72]
New MexicoDavid CargoRepublicanTerm-limited, Democratic victoryBruce King (Democratic) 51.26%
Pete Domenici (Republican) 46.37%
John A. Salazar (Independent New Mexican) 1.60%
Wilfredo Sedillo (People's Constitutional) 0.77%[73]
New YorkNelson RockefellerRepublicanRe-elected, 52.41%Arthur Goldberg (Democratic) 40.27%
Paul Adams (Conservative) 7.03%
Rasheed Storey (Communist) 0.13%
Clifton DeBerry (Socialist Workers) 0.10%
Stephen Emery (Socialist Labor) 0.07%[42]
OhioJim RhodesRepublicanTerm-limited,[74] Democratic victoryJohn J. Gilligan (Democratic) 54.19%
Roger Cloud (Republican) 43.42%
Edward T. Lawton (American Independent) 1.93%
Joseph Pirincin (Socialist Labor) 0.44%
Write in John A. Crites (Independent) 0.01%[75]
OklahomaDewey F. BartlettRepublicanDefeated, 48.11%, Democratic victoryDavid Hall (Democratic) 48.42%
Reuel Little (American) 3.48%[76]
OregonTom McCallRepublicanRe-elected, 55.60%Robert W. Straub (Democratic) 44.17%
Write in Doug Yeager (Independent) 0.23%[77]
PennsylvaniaRaymond P. ShaferRepublicanTerm-limited, Democratic victoryMilton Shapp (Democratic) 55.22%
Raymond J. Broderick (Republican) 41.70%
Andrew J. Watson (Constitutional) 2.25%
Francis McGeever (American Independent) 0.59%
George S. Taylor (Socialist Labor) 0.10%
Clarissa Cain (Consumer) 0.08%
Pearl Chertov (Socialist Workers) 0.07%[78]
Rhode IslandFrank LichtDemocraticRe-elected, 50.07%Herbert F. DeSimone (Republican) 49.53%
John E. Powers (Socialist Workers) 0.40%[79]
South CarolinaRobert Evander McNairDemocraticTerm-limited, Democratic victoryJohn C. West (Democratic) 51.68%
Albert Watson (Republican) 45.63%
A.W. "Red" Bethea (Independent) 2.01%
Write in Thomas D. Broadwater (United Citizens) 0.68%[80]
South DakotaFrank FarrarRepublicanDefeated, 45.15%Richard F. Kneip (Democratic) 54.85%[48]
TennesseeBuford EllingtonDemocraticTerm-limited, Republican victoryWinfield Dunn (Republican) 51.95%
John Jay Hooker (Democratic) 45.98%
Douglas L. Heinsohn (American) 2.07%[81]
TexasPreston SmithDemocraticRe-elected, 53.43%Paul Eggers (Republican) 46.55%
Others 0.02%[82]
VermontDeane C. DavisRepublicanRe-elected, 56.97%Leo O'Brien Jr. (Democratic) 43.01%
Others 0.03%[83]
WisconsinWarren P. KnowlesRepublicanRetired, Democratic victoryPatrick Lucey (Democratic) 54.24%
Jack B. Olson (Republican) 44.88%
Leo James McDonald (American) 0.67%
Georgia Cozzini (Independent) 0.10%
Samuel K. Hunt (Independent) 0.07%
Myrtle Kastner (Independent) 0.05%[84]
WyomingStanley K. HathawayRepublicanRe-elected, 62.79%John J. Rooney (Democratic) 37.21%[85]

Territories

TerritoryIncumbentPartyStatusOpposing candidates
GuamNew territoryRepublican victoryCarlos Camacho (Republican) 55.80%
Ricardo Bordallo (Democratic) 44.20%
[86]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Kerwin Swint (2006). Mudslingers The Twenty-Five Dirtiest Political Campaigns of All Time. New York: Union Square Press/Sterling Publishing Co. p. 223. ISBN 978-1-4027-5736-5.
  2. ↑ "Alaska Governor Walter J. Hickel". Retrieved 4 September 2012.
  3. ↑ "Alaska Governor Keith H. Miller". Retrieved 4 September 2012.
  4. ↑ "AZ Governor". Retrieved 4 September 2012.
  5. ↑ "Arizona Governor John "Jack" R. Williams". Retrieved 4 September 2012.
  6. ↑ "AZ Governor". Retrieved 4 September 2012.
  7. ↑ "Az Governor". Retrieved 4 September 2012.
  8. ↑ David R. Berman (1998). Arizona Politics and Government: The Quest for Autonomy, Democracy, and Development. University of Nebraska Press. p. 112. ISBN 9780803261464. Retrieved September 3, 2012.
  9. ↑ "Former Governors' Bios". Retrieved 4 September 2012.
  10. ↑ "New Page 3". Retrieved 4 September 2012.
  11. ↑ "Former Governors' Bios". Retrieved 4 September 2012.
  12. ↑ "George Busbee". Retrieved 4 September 2012.
  13. ↑ "George Ryoichi Ariyoshi". Archived from the original on 10 June 2012. Retrieved 5 September 2012.
  14. ↑ "John Anthony Burns". Retrieved 5 September 2012.
  15. ↑ "IA Governor". Retrieved 5 September 2012.
  16. ↑ "IA Governor". Retrieved 5 September 2012.
  17. 1 2 "IA Governor". Retrieved 5 September 2012.
  18. ↑ "IA Governor". Retrieved 5 September 2012.
  19. ↑ "Amendments to the Constitution of Iowa". Retrieved 5 September 2012.
  20. ↑ H. Edward Flentje; Joseph Aistrup (2010). Kansas Politics and Government: The Clash of Political Cultures (Google eBook). University of Nebraska Press. p. 109. ISBN 9780803269194. Retrieved September 3, 2012.
  21. ↑ "KS Governor". Retrieved 5 September 2012.
  22. ↑ "KS Governor". Retrieved 5 September 2012.
  23. 1 2 "KS Governor". Retrieved 5 September 2012.
  24. ↑ "KS Governor". Retrieved 5 September 2012.
  25. ↑ "KS Governor". Retrieved 5 September 2012.
  26. ↑ Kenneth T. Palmer; G. Thomas Taylor; Jean E. Lavigne; Marcus A. LiBrizzi (2009). Maine Politics and Government, Second Edition. University of Nebraska Press. p. 83. ISBN 9780803287853. Retrieved September 5, 2012.
  27. ↑ "ME Governor". Retrieved 5 September 2012.
  28. ↑ "MD Governor". Retrieved 5 September 2012.
  29. 1 2 "MD Governor". Retrieved 5 September 2012.
  30. ↑ "John Anthony Volpe (1908-1994)". Retrieved 5 September 2012.
  31. ↑ "Francis W. Sargent (1915-1998)". Retrieved 5 September 2012.
  32. ↑ William P. Browne; Kenneth VerBurg (1995). Michigan Politics and Government: Facing Change in a Complex State. University of Nebraska Press. pp. 60–61. ISBN 9780803260887. Retrieved September 3, 2012.
  33. ↑ "MI Governor". Retrieved 5 September 2012.
  34. ↑ "MI Governor". Retrieved 5 September 2012.
  35. 1 2 "MI Governor". Retrieved 5 September 2012.
  36. ↑ "MI Governor". Retrieved 5 September 2012.
  37. 1 2 "MI Governor". Retrieved 5 September 2012.
  38. ↑ Gordon Morris Bakken (2011). The World of the American West. Taylor & Francis. p. 472. ISBN 9780415989954. Retrieved September 5, 2012.
  39. ↑ "NE Governor". Retrieved 5 September 2012.
  40. ↑ Maurilio E. Vigil; Michael Olsen; Roy Lujan (1990). New Mexico Government and Politics. University Press of America. p. 60. ISBN 9780819177902. Retrieved September 5, 2012.
  41. ↑ Marie Marmo Mullaney (1994). Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States, 1988–1994. Greenwood Publishing Group. p. 278. ISBN 9780313283123. Retrieved September 5, 2012. new mexico four year governor.
  42. 1 2 "NY Governor Race". Retrieved 5 September 2012.
  43. ↑ "Article 4 Constitution of Pennsylvania". Retrieved 5 September 2012.
  44. ↑ "The South Carolina Governor". Archived from the original on 4 February 2012. Retrieved 5 September 2012.
  45. ↑ "Google Searching for when S.D. Changed to a Four Year Term". Retrieved 6 September 2012.
  46. ↑ Public affairs, Issues 52-108. February 1973. Retrieved 6 September 2012.
  47. ↑ "SD Governor". Retrieved 6 September 2012.
  48. 1 2 "SD Governor". Retrieved 6 September 2012.
  49. ↑ "SD Governor". Retrieved 6 September 2012.
  50. ↑ "Google Search tennessee "two consecutive terms" amendment". Retrieved 6 September 2012.
  51. ↑ McNair, Sylvia (1990). Tennessee. ISBN 9780516004884. Retrieved 6 September 2012.
  52. ↑ James K. Conant (2006). Wisconsin Politics and Government: America's Laboratory of Democracy. University of Nebraska Press. p. 96. ISBN 9780803264564. Retrieved September 6, 2012.
  53. ↑ "AL Governor – D Primary". Retrieved 4 September 2012.
  54. ↑ "AL Governor – D Runoff". Retrieved 4 September 2012.
  55. ↑ "AL Governor". Retrieved 4 September 2012.
  56. ↑ "AK Governor Race". Retrieved 4 September 2012.
  57. ↑ "AZ Governor". Retrieved 4 September 2012.
  58. ↑ "AR Governor". Retrieved 4 September 2012.
  59. ↑ "CA Governor". Retrieved 4 September 2012.
  60. ↑ "CO Governor". Retrieved 4 September 2012.
  61. ↑ Kirk Johnson (17 July 1989). "Former Gov. John Dempsey, 74; Led Connecticut During the 60's". New York Times. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
  62. ↑ "CT Governor". Retrieved 4 September 2012.
  63. ↑ "FL Governor". Retrieved 4 September 2012.
  64. ↑ "GA Governor". Retrieved 4 September 2012.
  65. ↑ "HI Governor". Retrieved 5 September 2012.
  66. ↑ "ID Governor". Retrieved 5 September 2012.
  67. ↑ "ME Governor". Retrieved 5 September 2012.
  68. ↑ "MA Governor". Retrieved 5 September 2012.
  69. ↑ "MN Governor". Retrieved 5 September 2012.
  70. ↑ "NE Governor". Retrieved 5 September 2012.
  71. ↑ "NV Governor". Retrieved 5 September 2012.
  72. ↑ "NH Governor". Retrieved 5 September 2012.
  73. ↑ "NM Governor". Retrieved 5 September 2012.
  74. ↑ "James A. Rhodes". Retrieved 5 September 2012.
  75. ↑ "OH Governor". Retrieved 5 September 2012.
  76. ↑ "OK Governor". Retrieved 5 September 2012.
  77. ↑ "OR Governor". Retrieved 5 September 2012.
  78. ↑ "PA Governor". Retrieved 5 September 2012.
  79. ↑ "RI Governor". Retrieved 5 September 2012.
  80. ↑ "SC Governor". Retrieved 5 September 2012.
  81. ↑ "TN Governor". Retrieved 6 September 2012.
  82. ↑ "TX Governor". Retrieved 6 September 2012.
  83. ↑ "VT Governor". Retrieved 6 September 2012.
  84. ↑ "WI Governor". Retrieved 6 September 2012.
  85. ↑ "WY Governor Race". Retrieved 6 September 2012.
  86. ↑ "Guam Governor, 1970". Our Campaigns. October 4, 2017.
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