Battle of Backbone Mountain

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The 1970 Wyoming gubernatorial election took place on November 3, 1970. Incumbent Republican Governor Stanley Hathaway ran for re-election to a second term. He faced Democratic nominee John J. Rooney, a State Representative and the former Chairman of the Wyoming Democratic Party. Despite Democratic Senator Gale W. McGee's strong performance in the U.S. Senate race, Hathaway's popularity proved an insurmountable obstacle for Rooney to overcome, and the Governor won a second term in a landslide.

After this race, no Republican would be elected Governor of Wyoming until 1994. This was the first time since 1930 that an incumbent Republican Governor of Wyoming was re-elected or won re-election.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Results

Democratic primary[2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic John J. Rooney 33,914 100.00%
Total votes 33,914 100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

Results

Republican primary[2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Stanley Hathaway (inc.) 44,284 100.00%
Total votes 44,284 100.00%

Results

1970 Wyoming gubernatorial election[2]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Stanley Hathaway (inc.) 74,249 62.79% +8.49%
Democratic John J. Rooney 44,008 37.21% -8.49%
Majority 30,241 25.57% +16.99%
Turnout 118,257
Republican hold

References

  1. ^ "It's Official: Rooney Files for Nomination". Casper Star-Tribune. Casper, Wyo. June 16, 1970. p. 2.
  2. ^ a b c Thomson, Thyra (1971). 1971 Wyoming Official Directory and 1970 Election Returns. pp. 87–90.