1972 Iowa Democratic presidential caucuses

Main article: 1972 Democratic Party presidential primaries

1972 Iowa Democratic presidential caucuses

January 24, 1972 (1972-01-24) 1976  →

Candidate Uncommitted Edmund Muskie George McGovern Home state n/a Maine South Dakota Percentage 35.8% 35.5% 22.6%

The 1972 Iowa Democratic presidential caucuses were held on January 24, 1972, as the first step in determining the Democratic nominee for the 1972 election. ^[1] Maine Senator Edmund Muskie received the most committed votes with 35.5%, while South Dakota Senator George McGovern, who had been trailing in most polls, came in a surprise second with 22.6%. ^[2]

Candidates

• Shirley Chisolm, U.S. Representative from NY-12
• Hubert Humphrey, 38th Vice President of the United States
• Henry M. Jackson, U.S Senator from Washington
• Eugene McCarthy, U.S. Senator from Minnesota
• George McGovern, U.S Senator from South Dakota
• Edmund Muskie, U.S. Senator from Maine

Results

Caucus results

Caucus date: January 24, 1972

National pledged delegates determined: 0 (of 46)

1972 Iowa Democratic Presidential Caucus Results
Candidate	Votes (State Delegate Equivalents)	Percentage	Pledged National Delegates (expected on January 24)
Uncommitted	3,580	35.80%	18
Edmund Muskie	3,550	35.50%	18
George McGovern	2,260	22.60%	10
Hubert Humphrey	160	1.60%	0
Eugene McCarthy	140	1.40%	0
Shirley Chisolm	130	1.30%	0
Henry M. Jackson	110	1.10%	0
Other	70	.70%	0
	10,000	100.00%	46

County convention results

County convention date: February 26, 1972

National pledged delegates determined: 0 (of 46)

1972 Iowa Democratic Presidential County Convention Results
Candidate	Votes (State Delegate Equivalents)	Percentage	Pledged National Delegates (expected on February 26)
Edmund Muskie	1,439	38.50%	18
Uncommitted	1,126	30.12%	14
George McGovern	1,092	29.21%	14
Shirley Chisholm	39	1.04%	0
John Lindsay	19	.51%	0
Hubert Humphrey	16	.43%	0
Henry M. Jackson	6	.16%	0
Ted Kennedy	1	.03%	0
	3,738	100.00%	46

District convention results

District convention date: March 26, 1972

National pledged delegates determined: 34 (of 46)

1972 Iowa Democratic Presidential Congressional District Results
Candidate	Percentage	Pledged District Delegates (expected per March 26)	Pledged National Delegates (expected on March 26)
Edmund Muskie	41.18%	14	19
George McGovern	35.29%	12	16
Uncommitted	23.53%	8	11
	100.00%	34	46

References

1. Sanders, Sam (January 29, 2016). "Why Does Iowa Vote First, Anyway". NPR . Retrieved October 2, 2022.
2. Apple, Johnny (January 26, 1972). "Muskie Is Victor In Iowa Caucuses". The New York Times . Retrieved October 1, 2022.