1920 Delaware gubernatorial election

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1920 Delaware gubernatorial election
Flag of Delaware.svg
  1916 November 2, 1920 1924  
  William duHamel Denney.png
Nominee William D. Denney Andrew J. Lynch
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote52,20040,823
Percentage55.50%43.41%

1920 Delaware gubernatorial election results map by county.svg
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]

Contents

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]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican William D. Denney 52,200 55.50% +3.42%
Democratic Andrew J. Lynch40,82343.41%−3.56%
Socialist William H. Conner1,0241.09%+0.13%
Majority11,37712.10%+6.98%
Turnout 94,047100.00%
Republican hold

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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