1954 Idaho gubernatorial election

For related races, see 1954 United States gubernatorial elections.

1954 Idaho gubernatorial election

←  1950 November 2, 1954 1958  →

Nominee Robert E. Smylie Clark Hamilton Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 124,038 104,647 Percentage 54.24% 45.76%

County results Smylie:     50–60%     60–70%     >90 Hamilton:     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%

Governor before election Leonard B. Jordan Republican Elected Governor Robert E. Smylie Republican

The 1954 Idaho gubernatorial election was held on November 2. Republican nominee Robert E. Smylie defeated Democratic nominee Clark Hamilton with 54.24% of the vote.

The incumbent governor was not allowed to run for a second four-year term until 1958.

Primary elections

Primary elections were held on August 10, 1954. ^{[1] [2] [3]}

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Clark Hamilton, Weiser state senator
• Charles Gossett, Nampa, former governor and senator
• Cantril Nielsen, Pocatello, former county commissioner
• Joseph McNew, Boise

Republican primary

Candidates

• Robert E. Smylie, attorney general
• John Sanborn, Hagerman, former congressman
• Larry Gardner, Coeur d'Alene mayor

General election

Candidates

• Robert E. Smylie, Republican
• Clark Hamilton, Democratic

Results

1954 Idaho gubernatorial election ^[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Robert E. Smylie	124,038	54.24%
	Democratic	Clark Hamilton	104,647	45.76%
Majority			19,391
Turnout			228,685
	Republican hold		Swing

References

1. Aden, Tom (August 8, 1954). "Dull primary drags to close". Lewiston Morning Tribune. Associated Press. p. 5.
2. Aden, Tom (August 11, 1954). "Taylor, Hamilton, Smylie cling to narrow leads". Lewiston Morning Tribune. Associated Press. p. 1.
3. "Returns confirm polls victories of Taylor, Smylie, Hamilton". Lewiston Morning Tribune. Associated Press. August 12, 1954. p. 1.
4. Cook, Rhodes (November 5, 2013). America Votes 30: 2011-2012, Election Returns by State - Rhodes Cook. ISBN   9781452290171 . Retrieved April 16, 2020.