1968 Iowa gubernatorial election

1968 Iowa gubernatorial election

←  1966 November 5, 1968 1970  →

Nominee Robert D. Ray Paul Franzenburg Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 614,328 521,216 Percentage 54.06% 45.86%

County results Ray:     50–60%     60–70%     70–80% Franzenburg:     50–60%

Governor before election Harold Hughes Democratic Elected Governor Robert D. Ray Republican

The 1968 Iowa gubernatorial election was held on November 5, 1968. Republican nominee Robert D. Ray defeated Democratic nominee Paul Franzenburg with 54.06% of the vote. No Democrat would be elected Governor of Iowa until 1998.

Primary elections

Primary elections were held on September 3, 1968. ^[1]

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Paul Franzenburg, Treasurer of Iowa

Results

Democratic primary results ^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Paul Franzenburg	101,274	100.00
Total votes			101,274	100.00

Republican primary

Candidates

• Robert D. Ray, former Chair of the Iowa Republican Party
• Donald E. Johnson, former Commander of the American Legion
• Robert K. Beck, former State Representative

Results

Republican primary results ^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Robert D. Ray	108,744	43.17
	Republican	Donald E. Johnson	77,716	30.85
	Republican	Robert K. Beck	65,439	25.98
Total votes			251,899	100.00

General election

Candidates

Major party candidates

• Robert D. Ray, Republican
• Paul Franzenburg, Democratic

Other candidates

• Harry Miller, Prohibition

Results

1968 Iowa gubernatorial election ^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Robert D. Ray	614,328	54.06%
	Democratic	Paul Franzenburg	521,216	45.86%
	Prohibition	Harry Miller	938	0.08%
Majority			92,611
Turnout			1,135,988
	Republican gain from Democratic		Swing

References

1. "Summary of Official Canvass of Votes Cast in Iowa Primary Election" (PDF). Secretary of State of Iowa. 1968. Retrieved July 8, 2019.
2. "Summary of Official Canvass of Votes Cast in Iowa General Election" (PDF). Secretary of State of Iowa. 1968. Retrieved July 8, 2019.