1984 Montana gubernatorial election

For related races, see 1984 United States gubernatorial elections.

1984 Montana gubernatorial election

←  1980 November 6, 1984 1988  →
Turnout	75.00%0.10 [1]
Nominee Ted Schwinden Pat M. Goodover Party Democratic Republican Running mate George Turman Don Allen Popular vote 266,578 100,070 Percentage 70.34% 26.41%
County results Congressional district results Schwinden:      50–60%     60–70%     70–80%     80–90%
Governor before election Ted Schwinden Democratic Elected Governor Ted Schwinden Democratic

The 1984 Montana gubernatorial election took place on November 6, 1984. Incumbent Governor of Montana Ted Schwinden, who was first elected in 1980, ran for re-election. Schwinden won the Democratic primary against a perennial candidate, and moved on to the general election, where he faced Pat M. Goodover, a State Senator and the Republican nominee. Although then-President Ronald Reagan won the state in a landslide that year in the presidential election, Schwinden defeated Goodover with over 70% of the vote to win his second and final term as governor. This was the last time that Democrats won a gubernatorial election in Montana until 2004.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Ted Schwinden, incumbent Governor of Montana
• Bob Kelleher, perennial candidate

Results

Democratic Party primary results ^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Ted Schwinden (incumbent)	80,633	81.40
	Democratic	Bob Kelleher	18,423	18.60
Total votes			99,056	100.00

Republican primary

Candidates

• Pat M. Goodover, State Senator

Results

Republican Primary results ^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Pat M. Goodover	56,199	100.00
Total votes			56,199	100.00

General election

Results

Montana gubernatorial election, 1984 ^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Ted Schwinden (incumbent)	266,578	70.34%	+14.98%
	Republican	Pat M. Goodover	100,070	26.41%	−18.23%
	Libertarian	Larry Dodge	12,322	3.25%
Majority			166,508	43.94%	+33.21%
Turnout			378,970
	Democratic hold		Swing

By congressional district

Schwinden won both congressional districts, including one that elected a Republican. ^[4]

District	Schwinden	Goodover	Representative
1st	71%	26%	Pat Williams
2nd	70%	27%	Ron Marlenee

References

1. "Montana Voter Turnout". Montana Secretary of State. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
2. "Report of the Official Canvass of the Votes Cast at the Primary Election Held in the State of Montana, June 5, 1984" (PDF). Montana Secretary of State. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 15, 2013. Retrieved July 5, 2014.
3. "Report of the Official Canvass by County of the Votes Cast at the General Election Held in the State of Montana, November 6, 1984" (PDF). Montana Secretary of State. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 15, 2013. Retrieved July 5, 2014.
4. "1984 General Elections" (PDF).