1920 Arkansas gubernatorial election

1920 Arkansas gubernatorial election
	County results; McRae: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90%; Townsend: 50–60%
Governor before election; Charles Hillman Brough ; Democratic	Elected Governor; Thomas Chipman McRae ; Democratic

Last updated December 05, 2025

The 1920 Arkansas gubernatorial election was held on November 2, 1920, in order to elect the Governor of Arkansas. Democratic nominee and former member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Arkansas's 3rd district Thomas Chipman McRae defeated Republican nominee Wallace Townsend.^[1]

Democratic primary

The Democratic primary election was held on August 10, 1920. Former member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Arkansas's 3rd district Thomas Chipman McRae received a majority of the votes (26.93%), and was thus elected as the nominee for the general election on November 2, 1920.

Results

1920 Democratic gubernatorial primary^[2]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Thomas Chipman McRae	41,907	26.93%
	Democratic	Smead Powell	32,263	20.73%
	Democratic	Tom Terral	29,303	18.83%
	Democratic	John C. Floyd	21,596	13.88%
	Democratic	G. R. Haynie	16,747	10.76%
	Democratic	Harry E. Walsh	5,771	3.71%
	Democratic	John J. Riggs	4,017	2.58%
	Democratic	Henry Stroupe	2,083	1.34%
	Democratic	Frank W. Wells	1,922	1.24%
Total votes			155,609	100.00%

General election

On election day, November 2, 1920, Democratic nominee Thomas Chipman McRae won the election by a margin of 77,287 votes against his foremost opponent Republican nominee Wallace Townsend, along with School Superintendent Josiah Blount, running on the third party "Black-and-Tan" Republican line. Blount's candidacy was in opposition to the state party's leadership moving to a "lily-white" posture. thereby retaining Democratic control over the office of Governor. McRae was sworn in as the 26th Governor of Arkansas on January 12, 1921.^[3]

Results

1920 Arkansas gubernatorial election
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Thomas Chipman McRae	123,637	65.02
	Republican	Wallace Townsend	46,350	24.38
	Negro Independent	Josiah H. Blount	15,627	8.22
	Socialist	Sam Butler	4,534	2.38
Total votes			190,148	100.00
	Democratic hold

References

↑ "Thomas Chipman McRae (1851–1929)". Derek Allen Clements, The Central Arkansas Library System - EncyclopediaOfArkansas.net. February 5, 2016. Retrieved 2023-11-30.
↑ "AR Governor - D Primary". ourcampaigns.com. September 23, 2023. Retrieved 2023-11-30.
↑ "AR Governor". ourcampaigns.com. September 30, 2007. Retrieved 2023-11-30.

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[1] "Thomas Chipman McRae (1851–1929)". Derek Allen Clements, The Central Arkansas Library System - EncyclopediaOfArkansas.net. February 5, 2016. Retrieved 2023-11-30.

[GLM-2] "AR Governor - D Primary". ourcampaigns.com. September 23, 2023. Retrieved 2023-11-30.

[GBN-3] "AR Governor". ourcampaigns.com. September 30, 2007. Retrieved 2023-11-30.

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[2]

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'S,' denotes special election; 'U,' denotes election under Federal (Union) military occupation See also: Political party strength in Arkansas

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1920 Arkansas gubernatorial election

Contents

Democratic primary

Results

General election

Results

References