1972 United States presidential election in Oklahoma

Last updated

1972 United States presidential election in Oklahoma
Flag of Oklahoma (1941-1988).svg
  1968 November 7, 1972 1976  
  Richard Nixon presidential portrait (1).jpg George McGovern (D-SD) (3x4-1).jpg
Nominee Richard Nixon George McGovern
Party Republican Democratic
Home state California South Dakota
Running mate Spiro Agnew Sargent Shriver
Electoral vote80
Popular vote759,025247,147
Percentage73.70%24.00%

Oklahoma Presidential Election Results 1972.svg
County results
Nixon
  60–70%
  70–80%
  80–90%

The 1972 United States presidential election in Oklahoma was held on November 7, 1972, as part of the 1972 United States presidential election. Voters chose eight electors, or representatives to the Electoral College, who voted for president and vice president.

Contents

Oklahoma voted in a landslide for incumbent Republican President Richard Nixon over his Democratic challenger George McGovern. Nixon's winning margin of 49.70 percentage points made Oklahoma his third-strongest state, behind Mississippi and Georgia, [1] and 26.55 percentage points more Republican than the nation at-large. Although in the twenty-first century Oklahoma has rivaled Wyoming, Utah, Idaho and increasingly West Virginia as the most Republican state in the nation, no presidential candidate in Oklahoma has ever equaled Nixon's margin of victory. Indeed, in the eleven presidential elections since this one, only twice has any state been carried by a larger percentage margin – both by Ronald Reagan in Utah, as part of the 1980 and 1984 elections.

Nixon carried with over sixty percent of the vote all seventy-seven counties in the state, four years after he had won Oklahoma despite finishing behind both Democrat Hubert Humphrey and American Independent George Wallace in Atoka, Choctaw, Love, McCurtain and Pushmataha counties. [2] American Independent John G. Schmitz was the only other candidate on the ballot, and he received 2.30 percent of the vote, although managing over eleven percent in the Panhandle county of Cimarron. Nixon's feat of winning every county in Oklahoma would not be achieved by any presidential candidate again until George W. Bush did so in 2004, since when every county has stayed in the GOP column in presidential elections. This was the last time until 2004 that Hughes County and Haskell County voted Republican in a presidential election. Carter, Cotton, Harmon, Jackson, Jefferson, Murray, and Tillman counties voted Republican for the first time since 1928; Bryan, Choctaw, Coal, Johnston, McCurtain, and Love counties for the first time ever; and Latimer and Pittsburg counties since 1920.

In archconservative Oklahoma, McGovern was uniformly viewed as a left-wing extremist because of his support for busing and civil rights, plus his opposition to the Vietnam War, support for granting amnesty to draft dodgers [3] and support for a thousand-dollar giveaway to each American as a solution to poverty. [4] Many, especially Republican campaigners, also believed McGovern would legalise abortion and illicit drugs if he were elected [5] – despite the fact that his running mate Sargent Shriver was firmly anti-abortion.

Consequently, even the most loyal Southern Democrats from the southeastern part of the state almost completely deserted their traditional party for Nixon: Bryan, Coal, Johnston, and the above-mentioned Choctaw, Love and McCurtain counties deserted their traditional Democratic Party for the first time ever. [6] Nixon also almost completely captured the twenty percent of Oklahoman voters who had supported Wallace in 1968: [7] exit polls suggested he won them over McGovern by a ratio of ten to one, and in the two Wallace counties of Pushmataha and Atoka Nixon totaled over seventy percent of the vote which increased from around thirty percent in 1968.

Results

1972 United States presidential election in Oklahoma [8]
PartyCandidateVotesPercentageElectoral votes
Republican Richard Nixon (incumbent)759,02573.70%8
Democratic George McGovern 247,14724.00%0
American Independent John G. Schmitz 23,7282.30%0
Totals1,029,900100.00%9
Voter turnout

Results by county

CountyRichard Nixon
Republican
George McGovern
Democratic
John G. Schmitz
American Independent
MarginTotal votes cast
# %# %# %# %
Adair 4,72073.12%1,60124.80%1342.08%3,11948.32%6,455
Alfalfa 3,20881.48%64116.28%882.24%2,56765.20%3,937
Atoka 2,90572.86%99324.91%892.23%1,91247.95%3,987
Beaver 2,56280.41%52216.38%1023.20%2,04064.03%3,186
Beckham 4,47271.72%1,60825.79%1552.49%2,86445.93%6,235
Blaine 3,95877.73%96318.91%1713.36%2,99558.82%5,092
Bryan 5,39761.91%3,14436.06%1772.03%2,25325.85%8,718
Caddo 7,68370.41%2,92126.77%3082.82%4,76243.64%10,912
Canadian 11,40078.28%2,75118.89%4132.84%8,64959.39%14,564
Carter 9,36866.41%4,57732.45%1611.14%4,79133.96%14,106
Cherokee 7,08069.37%2,89928.40%2272.22%4,18140.97%10,206
Choctaw 3,39964.40%1,79834.07%811.53%1,60130.33%5,278
Cimarron 1,35071.62%32317.14%21211.25%1,02754.48%1,885
Cleveland 25,77768.71%11,12629.66%6151.64%14,65139.05%37,518
Coal 1,46167.05%68031.21%381.74%78135.84%2,179
Comanche 19,75979.85%4,55918.42%4271.73%15,20061.43%24,745
Cotton 2,05070.23%79827.34%712.43%1,25242.89%2,919
Craig 4,16370.36%1,64227.75%1121.89%2,52142.61%5,917
Creek 12,39675.11%3,70522.45%4022.44%8,69152.66%16,503
Custer 7,26774.30%2,29823.50%2152.20%4,96950.80%9,780
Delaware 5,47670.30%2,13527.41%1782.29%3,34142.89%7,789
Dewey 2,10674.79%62622.23%842.98%1,48052.56%2,816
Ellis 2,05977.76%47317.86%1164.38%1,58659.90%2,648
Garfield 19,34879.07%4,55718.62%5642.30%14,79160.45%24,469
Garvin 7,24570.72%2,68526.21%3153.07%4,56044.51%10,245
Grady 7,76267.50%3,44029.92%2972.58%4,32237.58%11,499
Grant 2,82975.34%80521.44%1213.22%2,02453.90%3,755
Greer 2,15466.40%1,00430.95%862.65%1,15035.45%3,244
Harmon 1,31968.38%56829.45%422.18%75138.93%1,929
Harper 1,97679.84%38515.56%1144.61%1,59164.28%2,475
Haskell 2,81563.12%1,40831.57%2375.31%1,40731.55%4,460
Hughes 3,49764.86%1,78733.14%1082.00%1,71031.72%5,392
Jackson 5,51971.61%2,05426.65%1341.74%3,46544.96%7,707
Jefferson 1,70962.12%96935.22%732.65%74026.90%2,751
Johnston 2,20567.72%98330.19%682.09%1,22237.53%3,256
Kay 17,24478.44%4,24619.31%4942.25%12,99859.13%21,984
Kingfisher 4,86181.90%91215.37%1622.73%3,94966.53%5,935
Kiowa 3,71169.81%1,49528.12%1102.07%2,21641.69%5,316
Latimer 2,52064.80%1,23931.86%1303.34%1,28132.94%3,889
LeFlore 7,93267.45%3,43329.19%3943.35%4,49938.26%11,759
Lincoln 6,51274.98%1,91922.10%2542.92%4,59352.88%8,685
Logan 6,54368.85%2,76029.04%2002.10%3,78339.81%9,503
Love 1,40766.75%67131.83%301.42%73634.92%2,108
McClain 4,24173.16%1,35023.29%2063.55%2,89149.87%5,797
McCurtain 6,44170.20%2,56827.99%1661.81%3,87342.21%9,175
McIntosh 3,21663.89%1,68633.49%1322.62%1,53030.40%5,034
Major 3,20383.89%51213.41%1032.70%2,69170.48%3,818
Marshall 2,27365.37%1,11332.01%912.62%1,16033.36%3,477
Mayes 7,53572.08%2,65625.41%2632.52%4,87946.67%10,454
Murray 2,98368.23%1,29429.60%952.17%1,68938.63%4,372
Muskogee 15,16165.65%7,38031.96%5512.39%7,78133.69%23,092
Noble 4,08578.38%99919.17%1282.46%3,08659.21%5,212
Nowata 3,29372.61%1,09624.17%1463.22%2,19748.44%4,535
Okfuskee 2,86266.73%1,32830.96%992.31%1,53435.77%4,289
Oklahoma 156,43775.24%46,98622.60%4,5022.17%109,45152.64%207,925
Okmulgee 8,70663.82%4,49432.94%4423.24%4,21230.88%13,642
Osage 9,28873.77%2,96823.57%3352.66%6,32050.20%12,591
Ottawa 8,34868.63%3,65730.07%1581.30%4,69138.56%12,163
Pawnee 4,28077.30%1,13520.50%1222.20%3,14556.80%5,537
Payne 17,01973.77%5,64424.46%4071.76%11,37549.31%23,070
Pittsburg 9,98966.42%4,74831.57%3032.01%5,24134.85%15,040
Pontotoc 8,76272.04%3,16025.98%2401.97%5,60246.06%12,162
Pottawatomie 13,30871.30%4,82225.84%5342.86%8,48645.46%18,664
Pushmataha 2,45668.24%1,01628.23%1273.53%1,44040.01%3,599
Roger Mills 1,69678.16%42019.35%542.49%1,27658.81%2,170
Rogers 9,69776.19%2,60720.48%4243.33%7,09055.71%12,728
Seminole 6,87970.02%2,74627.95%1992.03%4,13342.07%9,824
Sequoyah 6,84271.64%2,51926.37%1901.99%4,32345.27%9,551
Stephens 10,30971.61%3,62325.17%4643.22%6,68646.44%14,396
Texas 5,72682.54%92413.32%2874.14%4,80269.22%6,937
Tillman 3,33170.92%1,25626.74%1102.34%2,07544.18%4,697
Tulsa 125,27877.75%32,77920.34%3,0691.90%92,49957.41%161,126
Wagoner 6,56972.13%2,25724.78%2813.09%4,31247.35%9,107
Washington 16,34779.74%3,65817.84%4952.41%12,68961.90%20,500
Washita 3,57871.45%1,30526.06%1252.50%2,27345.39%5,008
Woods 4,41376.23%1,23421.32%1422.45%3,17954.91%5,789
Woodward 5,35080.05%1,10416.52%2293.43%4,24663.53%6,683
Totals759,02573.70%247,14724.00%23,7282.30%511,87849.70%1,029,900

Counties that flipped American Independent to Republican

Counties that flipped Democratic to Republican

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oklahoma's 2nd congressional district</span> U.S. House district for Oklahoma

Oklahoma's 2nd congressional district is one of five United States congressional districts in Oklahoma and covers approximately one-fourth of the state in the east. The district borders Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, and Texas and includes a total of 24 counties. With a Cook Partisan Voting Index rating of R+29, it is the most Republican district in Oklahoma, a state with an all-Republican congressional delegation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2010 Oklahoma gubernatorial election</span> Election for the governorship of Oklahoma

The 2010 Oklahoma gubernatorial election was held on November 2, 2010, to elect the next governor of Oklahoma. Due to term limits established by the Oklahoma Constitution, incumbent Democratic Governor Brad Henry could not seek re-election. The race had been hotly contested by both political parties, with several well-known Oklahomans announcing their candidacy up to two years before the election. This was the first time a woman challenged another woman for Governor of Oklahoma.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National Register of Historic Places listings in Choctaw County, Oklahoma</span>

This is a list of the National Register of Historic Places listings in Choctaw County, Oklahoma.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National Register of Historic Places listings in Cleveland County, Oklahoma</span>

This is a list of the National Register of Historic Places listings in Cleveland County, Oklahoma.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National Register of Historic Places listings in Garvin County, Oklahoma</span>

This is a list of the National Register of Historic Places listings in Garvin County, Oklahoma.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National Register of Historic Places listings in Harper County, Oklahoma</span>

This is a list of the National Register of Historic Places listings in Harper County, Oklahoma.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National Register of Historic Places listings in Kay County, Oklahoma</span>

This is a list of the National Register of Historic Places listings in Kay County, Oklahoma.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National Register of Historic Places listings in Pittsburg County, Oklahoma</span>

This is a list of the National Register of Historic Places listings in Pittsburg County, Oklahoma.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National Register of Historic Places listings in Texas County, Oklahoma</span>

This is a list of the National Register of Historic Places listings in Texas County, Oklahoma.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National Register of Historic Places listings in Jackson County, Oklahoma</span>

This is a list of the National Register of Historic Places listings in Jackson County, Oklahoma.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National Register of Historic Places listings in McClain County, Oklahoma</span>

This is a list of the National Register of Historic Places listings in McClain County, Oklahoma.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National Register of Historic Places listings in Payne County, Oklahoma</span>

This is a list of the National Register of Historic Places listings in Payne County, Oklahoma.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National Register of Historic Places listings in Pontotoc County, Oklahoma</span>

This is a list of the National Register of Historic Places listings in Pontotoc County, Oklahoma.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National Register of Historic Places listings in Stephens County, Oklahoma</span>

This is a list of the National Register of Historic Places listings in Stephens County, Oklahoma.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2000 United States presidential election in Oklahoma</span> Election in Oklahoma

The 2000 United States presidential election in Oklahoma took place on November 7, 2000, and was part of the 2000 United States presidential election. Voters chose eight representatives, or electors to the Electoral College, who voted for president and vice president.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1988 United States presidential election in Oklahoma</span> Election in Oklahoma

The 1988 United States presidential election in Oklahoma took place on November 8, 1988. All fifty states and the District of Columbia, were part of the 1988 United States presidential election. Oklahoma voters chose eight electors to the Electoral College, which selected the president and vice president.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1996 United States presidential election in Oklahoma</span> Election in Oklahoma

The 1996 United States presidential election in Oklahoma took place on November 5, 1996. All fifty states and the District of Columbia, were part of the 1996 United States presidential election. Voters chose eight electors to the Electoral College, which selected the president and vice president. Oklahoma was won by Kansas Senator Bob Dole, who was running against incumbent United States President Bill Clinton of Arkansas. Clinton ran a second time with former Tennessee Senator Al Gore as Vice President, and Dole ran with former New York Congressman Jack Kemp.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1984 United States presidential election in Oklahoma</span> Election in Oklahoma

The 1984 United States presidential election in Oklahoma took place on November 6, 1984. All 50 states and the District of Columbia, were part of the 1984 United States presidential election. Voters chose eight electors to the Electoral College, which selected the president and vice president of the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1976 United States presidential election in Oklahoma</span> Election in Oklahoma

The 1976 United States presidential election in Oklahoma took place on November 2, 1976, as part of the 1976 United States presidential election. All fifty states and the District of Columbia participated in the election. Oklahoma voters chose eight electors to the Electoral College, who voted for president and vice president.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1968 United States presidential election in Oklahoma</span> Election in Oklahoma

The 1968 United States presidential election in Oklahoma took place on November 5, 1968. All fifty states and the District of Columbia were part of the 1968 United States presidential election. Voters chose eight electors to the Electoral College, which selected the president and vice president of the United States.

References

  1. "1972 Presidential Election Statistics". Dave Leip’s Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections. Retrieved March 5, 2018.
  2. Dave Leip’s Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections; 1968 Presidential General Election Results – Oklahoma
  3. Perry, James Moorhead; Us and Them: How the Press Covered the 1972 Election, p. 136 ISBN   0517505525.
  4. Grantham, Dewey W.; The Life and Death of the Solid South: A Political History, p. 179 ISBN   0813148723.
  5. Davis, Lanny; Scandal: How "Gotcha" Politics Is Destroying America, pp. 65–66 ISBN   1466892803.
  6. Menendez Albert J.; The Geography of Presidential Elections in the United States, pp. 99, 282–283 ISBN   0786422173.
  7. See Judis, John B., and Teixeira, Ruy; The Emerging Democratic Majority, p. 19 ISBN   0743254783.
  8. "1972 Presidential General Election Results – Oklahoma". Dave Leip’s U.S. Election Atlas. Retrieved February 9, 2016.