1948 Montana gubernatorial election

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.

1948 Montana gubernatorial election

November 2, 1948
 
Nominee John W. Bonner Sam C. Ford
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 124,267 97,792
Percentage 55.73% 43.86%

Governor before election

Sam C. Ford
Republican

Elected Governor

John W. Bonner
Democratic

Democratic primary

Candidates

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. "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.
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