1973 Virginia gubernatorial election

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1973 Virginia gubernatorial election
Flag of Virginia.svg
  1969 November 6, 1973 1977  
  Mills Godwin 1974.jpg Henry Howell 1972.jpg
Nominee Mills Godwin Henry Howell
Party Republican Independent
Popular vote525,075510,103
Percentage50.7%49.3%

1973 Virginia gubernatorial election results map by county.svg
County and independent city results
Godwin:     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%
Howell:     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%

Governor before election

Linwood Holton
Republican

Elected Governor

Mills Godwin
Republican

In the 1973 Virginia gubernatorial election, incumbent Governor A. Linwood Holton, Jr., a Republican, was unable to seek re-election due to term limits. Mills E. Godwin, Jr., former Democratic Governor of Virginia, was nominated by the Republican Party to run against Independent Lieutenant Governor of Virginia Henry Howell. The Democrats did not field a candidate, mostly choosing to support Howell's candidacy.

Contents

This was the last time until 2013 in which a member of the incumbent President's party was elected Governor of Virginia. It was also the last time a non-Democrat won the city of Alexandria.

General election

Candidates

Results

1973 Virginia gubernatorial election [1]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Mills Godwin 525,075 50.71% Decrease2.svg 1.80
Independent Henry Howell 510,10349.26%N/A
Write-ins3170.03%
Majority14,9721.45%−5.67%
Turnout 1,035,495
Republican hold Swing

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