1948 Montana gubernatorial election

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For related races, see 1948 United States gubernatorial elections.
1948 Montana gubernatorial election
← 1944 November 2, 1948 1952 →
  John W. Bonner.jpg Sam C. Ford.jpg
Nominee John W. Bonner Sam C. Ford
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 124,267 97,792
Percentage 55.73% 43.86%
1948 Montana gubernatorial election results map by county.svg
County results
Bonner:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Ford:      50–60%      60–70%
Governor before election

Sam C. Ford
Republican

Elected Governor

John W. Bonner
Democratic

Elections in Montana
Federal government
Presidential elections
Presidential primaries
Democratic
2004
2008
2016
2020
Republican
2008
2012
2016
2020
U. S. Senate elections
U. S. House elections
Special elections
Senate
1895
1901
1934
House
2nd 1945
2nd 1969
AL 2017
State government
General elections
Gubernatorial elections
Secretary of State elections
Attorney General elections
State Senate elections
State House elections
Ballot measures
2004
Initiative 96
2012
Referendum 121
2016
Initiative 182
2020
Initiative 190
  • v
  • t

The 1948 Montana gubernatorial election took place on November 2, 1948. Incumbent Governor of Montana Sam C. Ford, who was first elected Governor in 1940 and was re-elected in 1944, ran for re-election. He won the Republican primary and advanced to the general election, where he faced John W. Bonner, the former Attorney General of Montana and the Democratic nominee. Ultimately, Bonner defeated Ford handily in his bid for re-election, winning his first and only term as governor.

Democratic primary[]

Candidates[]

  • John W. Bonner, former Attorney General of Montana
  • Arthur F. Lamey, former chairman of the Montana Democratic Party
  • Leif Erickson, former Chief Justice of the Montana Supreme Court, 1946 Democratic nominee for the United States Senate, 1944 Democratic nominee for Governor of Montana
  • Vernon Hoven
  • George M. Melton

Results[]

Democratic Party primary results[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic John W. Bonner 29,514 37.32
Democratic Arthur F. Lamey 23,214 29.36
Democratic Leif Erickson 18,478 23.37
Democratic Vernon Hoven 3,990 5.05
Democratic George M. Melton 3,879 4.91
Total votes 79,075 100.00

Republican primary[]

Candidates[]

  • Sam C. Ford, incumbent Governor of Montana
  • Leonard C. Young
  • Mike Kuchera, furniture dealer

Results[]

Republican Primary results[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Sam C. Ford (incumbent) 41,493 72.38
Republican Leonard C. Young 11,023 19.23
Republican Mike Kuchera 4,811 8.39
Total votes 57,327 100.00

General election[]

Results[]

Montana gubernatorial election, 1948[2]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic John W. Bonner 124,267 55.73% +12.56%
Republican Sam C. Ford (incumbent) 97,792 43.86% -12.50%
Socialist Leverne Hamilton 905 0.41%
Majority 26,475 11.87% -1.31%
Turnout 222,964
Democratic gain from Republican Swing

References[]

  1. ^ a b "Report of the Official Canvass of the Vote Cast at the Primary Election Held in the State of Montana, July 20, 1948" (PDF). Montana Secretary of State. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-05-28. Retrieved July 5, 2014.
  2. ^ "Official Montana General Election Returns, November 2, 1948" (PDF). Montana Secretary of State. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 28, 2013. Retrieved July 5, 2014.
Retrieved from ""