1934 Tennessee gubernatorial election

For related races, see 1934 United States gubernatorial elections.

1934 Tennessee gubernatorial election

←  1932 November 6, 1934 1936  →

Nominee Hill McAlister Lewis S. Pope Party Democratic Independent Popular vote 198,743 122,965 Percentage 61.78% 38.22%

County results McAlister:      40–50%     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%      80–90%     >90% Pope:      50–60%     60–70%     70–80%

Governor before election Hill McAlister Democratic Elected Governor Hill McAlister Democratic

The 1934 Tennessee gubernatorial election was held on November 6, 1934. Incumbent Democratic governor Hill McAlister won re-election to a second term, defeating Independent nominee Lewis S. Pope in a rematch with 61.8% of the vote.

Lewis S. Pope again challenged McAlister for the Democratic nomination, but came up short, winning just 137,253 votes to McAlister's 191,460. ^{[1] [2]}

In the general election, Pope once again ran as an independent, and tried to form a fusion ticket with former Republican governor Ben W. Hooper who was running for Senate. Hooper called on Republicans to support Pope in the gubernatorial election, while Pope called on independent Democrats to support Hooper in his Senate campaign against Kenneth McKellar. The plan failed, however, with Pope losing to McAlister in the general election, and McKellar soundly defeating Hooper in the Senate race. ^{[1] [3]}

Primary elections

Primary elections were held on August 2, 1934. ^[4]

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Hill McAlister, incumbent governor
• Lewis S. Pope

Results

Democratic primary results ^[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Hill McAlister (incumbent)	191,460	58.25
	Democratic	Lewis S. Pope	137,253	41.76
Total votes			328,713	100.00

General election

Candidates

• Hill McAlister, Democratic
• Lewis S. Pope, Independent

Results

1934 Tennessee gubernatorial election ^[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Hill McAlister (incumbent)	198,743	61.78%	+19.03%
	Independent	Lewis S. Pope	122,965	38.22%	+11.17%
Majority			75,778
Turnout
	Democratic hold		Swing

See also

• 1934 United States Senate election in Tennessee

References

1. Phillip Langsdon, Tennessee: A Political History (Franklin, Tenn.: Hillsboro Press, 2000), pp. 305-309, 319-325.
2. Our Campaigns - TN Governor, 1934. Retrieved: 11 December 2012.
3. Our Campaigns - TN Governor, 1934. Retrieved: 11 December 2012.
4. Guide to U.S. elections - CQ Press, Congressional Quarterly, inc. CQ Press. 2005. ISBN   9781568029818 . Retrieved May 29, 2020.