1948 Montana gubernatorial election

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1948 Montana gubernatorial election
Flag of Montana (1905-1981).svg
  1944 November 2, 1948 1952  
Turnout81.90%Increase2.svg2.50 [1]
  John W. Bonner.jpg Sam C. Ford.jpg
Nominee John W. Bonner Sam C. Ford
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote124,26797,792
Percentage55.73%43.86%

1948 Montana gubernatorial election results map by county.svg
County results
Bonner:      50–60%     60–70%     70–80%
Ford:      50–60%     60–70%

Governor before election

Sam C. Ford
Republican

Elected Governor

John W. Bonner
Democratic

The 1948 Montana gubernatorial election took place on November 2, 1948. Incumbent Governor of Montana Sam C. Ford, who was first elected Governor in 1940 and was re-elected in 1944, ran for re-election. He won the Republican primary and advanced to the general election, where he faced John W. Bonner, the former Attorney General of Montana and the Democratic nominee. Ultimately, Bonner defeated Ford handily in his bid for re-election, winning his first and only term as governor.

Contents

Democratic primary

Candidates

Results

Democratic Party primary results [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic John W. Bonner 29,514 37.32
Democratic Arthur F. Lamey23,21429.36
Democratic Leif Erickson18,47823.37
Democratic Vernon Hoven3,9905.05
Democratic George M. Melton3,8794.91
Total votes79,075 100.00

Republican primary

Candidates

Results

Republican Primary results [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Sam C. Ford (incumbent) 41,493 72.38
Republican Leonard C. Young11,02319.23
Republican Mike Kuchera4,8118.39
Total votes57,327 100.00

General election

Results

Montana gubernatorial election, 1948 [3]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Democratic John W. Bonner 124,267 55.73% +12.56%
Republican Sam C. Ford (incumbent)97,79243.86%-12.50%
Socialist Leverne Hamilton9050.41%
Majority26,47511.87%-1.31%
Turnout 222,964
Democratic gain from Republican Swing

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References

  1. "Montana Voter Turnout". Montana Secretary of State. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  2. 1 2 "Report of the Official Canvass of the Vote Cast at the Primary Election Held in the State of Montana, July 20, 1948" (PDF). Montana Secretary of State. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 28, 2013. Retrieved July 5, 2014.
  3. "Official Montana General Election Returns, November 2, 1948" (PDF). Montana Secretary of State. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 28, 2013. Retrieved July 5, 2014.