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The 1972 Arkansas gubernatorial election was held on November 7, 1972.

Incumbent Democratic Governor Dale Bumpers defeated Republican nominee Len E. Blaylock with 75.44% of the vote, despite Democratic nominee George McGovern losing the state in a landslide in the concurrent presidential election.

Primary elections

Primary elections were held on May 30, 1972.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Results

Bumpers avoided a run-off (which would have been held 13 June) by winning with more than 50% of the vote.

Democratic primary results[2][3][4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Dale Bumpers (incumbent) 330,088 66.71
Democratic Q. Byrum Hurst 81,239 16.42
Democratic Mack Harbour 55,172 11.15
Democratic George W. Davis 22,284 4.50
Democratic Les Gibbs 6,068 1.23
Total votes 494,851 100.00

Republican primary

Candidates

Results

Republican primary results[6][4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Len E. Blaylock unopposed

General election

Candidates

  • Dale Bumpers, Democratic
  • Len E. Blaylock, Republican

Results

1972 Arkansas gubernatorial election[7][8][9][10]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Dale Bumpers (incumbent) 488,892 75.44% +13.78%
Republican Len E. Blaylock 159,177 24.56% -7.85%
Majority 329,715 50.88%
Turnout 648,069 100.00%
Democratic hold Swing

References

  1. ^ Dumas, Ernest. "Quincy Byrum Hurst (1918–2006)". Encyclopedia of Arkansas. Retrieved May 2, 2020.
  2. ^ "AR Governor, 1972 - D Primary". Our Campaigns. Retrieved May 2, 2020.
  3. ^ Congressional Quarterly 1998, p. 101.
  4. ^ a b America Votes 10, p. 48.
  5. ^ "Obituary for Len Evette Blaylock, Perryville, AR".
  6. ^ Congressional Quarterly 1998, p. 100.
  7. ^ "AR Governor, 1972". Our Campaigns. Retrieved May 2, 2020.
  8. ^ Glashan 1979, pp. 22–23.
  9. ^ Congressional Quarterly 1998, p. 42.
  10. ^ America Votes 10, p. 39.

Bibliography