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

Although during the same election cycle Indiana voters approved a constitutional amendment allowing the governor to serve in office for eight out of 12 years, incumbent Republican Governor Edgar Whitcomb was term-limited due to having been elected under the prior version of the constitution.[1][2][3]

Republican nominee, Speaker of the Indiana House of Representatives Otis Bowen defeated Democratic nominee Former Governor (1961-1965) Matthew E. Welsh with 56.77% of the vote.

Nominations

Until 1976, all nominations for statewide office in Indiana were made by state conventions.[4][5]

Democratic nomination

Results

Matthew E. Welsh, former Governor def. Larry A. Conrad, Secretary of State[6][7][8]

Republican nomination

Results

Republican nomination results[9][10]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Otis Bowen 1,243 59.70
Republican William Sharp 364 17.48
Republican Phil Gutman 354 17.00
Republican W.W. 'Dub' Hill 108 5.19
N/A 13 0.62
Total votes 2,082 100.00

General election

Results

Governor

1972 Indiana gubernatorial election[11][12][13][14]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Otis Bowen 1,203,903 56.77%
Democratic Matthew E. Welsh 900,489 42.46%
American Independent Berryman S. Hurley 8,525 0.40%
Peace and Freedom Finley C. Campbell 6,278 0.30%
Socialist Labor John M. Morris 1,652 0.08%
Majority 303,414 14.31%
Turnout 2,120,847 100.00%
Republican hold Swing

Lieutenant governor

1972 Indiana lieutenant gubernatorial election[15]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Robert D. Orr 1,149,255 55.34%
Democratic Richard C. Bodine 914,000 44.01%
American Independent Raymond Lee Clark 6,816 0.33%
Peace and Freedom Elizabeth Toohy 4,737 0.23%
Socialist Labor Casimer Kanczuzewski 1,878 0.09%
Majority 235,255 11.33%
Turnout 2,076,686 100.00%
Republican hold Swing

References

  1. ^ "Indiana Governor Term Limits, Amendment 2 (1972)". Ballotpedia. Retrieved November 7, 2020.
  2. ^ "World War II Hero, Former Indiana Governor Edgar Whitcomb Dead At 98". www.wfyi.org. WFYI: Indianapolis' Public Radio, TV & News Station. February 4, 2016. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
  3. ^ Cole, Ryan (February 6, 2016). "A Politician Who Was His Own Man: Edgar Whitcomb, R.I.P." www.nationalreview.com. National Review. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
  4. ^ America Votes 10, p. 123.
  5. ^ Congressional Quarterly 1998, p. 112.
  6. ^ Bowen and Du Bois 2000, p. 164.
  7. ^ Blaemire, Robert (2019). Birch Bayh: Making a Difference. Bloomington, Indiana: Indiana University Press. p. 221. ISBN 9780253039194.
  8. ^ "The 1972 Campaign". The New York Times. New York, NY. June 21, 1972. p. 28. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
  9. ^ Bowen and Du Bois 2000, pp. 103–104.
  10. ^ Dunn, Craig (May 9, 2013). "Gov. Doc Bowen, with 'Kindest personal regards'" (PDF). Howey Politics Indiana. Vol. 18, no. 35. Kokomo, Indiana. p. 9. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
  11. ^ "IN Governor, 1972". Our Campaigns. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
  12. ^ "1972 Gubernatorial General Election Results – Indiana". US Election Atlas. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
  13. ^ Congressional Quarterly 1998, p. 50.
  14. ^ America Votes 10, p. 116.
  15. ^ "1972 Lt. Gubernatorial General Election Results – Indiana". US Election Atlas. Retrieved May 9, 2020.

Bibliography