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The 1972 Iowa gubernatorial election was held on November 7, 1972. Incumbent Republican Robert D. Ray defeated Democratic nominee Paul Franzenburg with 58.43% of the vote.

This was the last gubernatorial election in Iowa in which either party won every county. It was also the last election for a two-year term, with Iowa (alongside Arkansas, Kansas, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Texas and, as of date, Vermont and New Hampshire) being one of the last states to maintain two-year, as opposed to four-year gubernatorial terms.

General election

Candidates

Major party candidates

  • Robert D. Ray, Republican
  • Paul Franzenburg, Democratic

Other candidates

  • Robert Dilley, American Independent

Results

1972 Iowa gubernatorial election[1]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Robert D. Ray (incumbent) 707,177 58.43% +7.45%
Democratic Paul Franzenburg 487,282 40.26% -6.36%
American Independent Robert Dilley 15,715 1.30% -1.09%
Write-ins 48 0.00%
Majority 219,895 18.17%
Turnout 1,210,222
Republican hold Swing

References