1920 Delaware gubernatorial election

For related races, see 1920 United States gubernatorial elections.

1920 Delaware gubernatorial election

←  1916 November 2, 1920 1924  →

Nominee William D. Denney Andrew J. Lynch Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 52,200 40,823 Percentage 55.50% 43.41%

County results Denney:     60–70% Lynch:     50–60%

Governor before election John G. Townsend Jr. Republican Elected Governor William D. Denney Republican

The 1920 Delaware gubernatorial election was held on November 2, 1920. Incumbent Republican Governor John G. Townsend Jr. declined to seek re-election. At the Republican convention, former State Representative William D. Denney, the frontrunner for the nomination, ^[1] received the Party's endorsement for Governor without difficulty ^[2] —though some opposition to his candidacy arose before the convention. ^[3]

The Democratic contest was more lively, with several prospective candidates in the mix. Attorney Andrew J. Lynch received the endorsement of the Sussex County delegation over Willard F. Deputy, ^[4] a lumber merchant. ^[5] At the convention, Lynch was nominated unanimously. ^[6]

In the general election, Denney ended up defeating Lynch by a wide margin, largely mirroring the margin in the presidential election, winning 56% of the vote to Lynch's 43%.

General election

1920 Delaware gubernatorial election ^[7]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	William D. Denney	52,200	55.50%	+3.42%
	Democratic	Andrew J. Lynch	40,823	43.41%	−3.56%
	Socialist	William H. Conner	1,024	1.09%	+0.13%
Majority			11,377	12.10%	+6.98%
Turnout			94,047	100.00%
	Republican hold

References

1. "Republicans Get Ready to Name Ticket". Evening Journal. Wilmington, Del. August 21, 1920. p. 1. Retrieved June 19, 2021.
2. "Col. William D. Denney Named for Governor". Evening Journal. Wilmington, Del. August 24, 1920. p. 1. Retrieved June 19, 2021.
3. "Kent Opposition to Col. Denney for Governor". News Journal. Wilmington, Del. August 18, 1920. p. 1. Retrieved June 19, 2021.
4. "Andrew J. Lynch Named as Choice of Sussex for Nomination for Governor". News Journal. Wilmington, Del. September 14, 1920. p. 1. Retrieved June 19, 2021.
5. "Willard F. Deputy for Governorship". News Journal. Wilmington, Del. February 7, 1920. p. 1. Retrieved June 19, 2021.
6. "Andrew J. Lynch Named by Democrats of Delaware as Nominee for Governor". News Journal. Wilmington, Del. September 15, 1920. p. 1. Retrieved June 19, 2021.
7. 1921 House Journal, p. 89-90

Bibliography

• Delaware House Journal, 98th General Assembly, 1st Reg. Sess. (1921).