1974 Florida gubernatorial election

Summary

The 1974 Florida gubernatorial election took place on November 5, 1974. Incumbent Democratic Governor Reubin Askew won re-election to a second term.

1974 Florida gubernatorial election

← 1970 November 5, 1974 1978 →
 
Nominee Reubin Askew Jerry Thomas
Party Democratic Republican
Running mate J. H. Williams Mike Thompson
Popular vote 1,118,954 709,438
Percentage 61.2% 38.8%

County results

Askew:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

Thomas:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

Governor before election

Reubin Askew
Democratic

Elected Governor

Reubin Askew
Democratic

This was just the second time after 1956, and the first that the Governor of Florida was re-elected for the second four-year term. This was also the first time a candidate got over one million votes in a Florida governor election.

Primary elections edit

Primary elections were held on September 10, 1974.

Democratic primary edit

Incumbent Reubin O'Donovan Askew faced little opposition in the Democratic Party primary. Despite a challenge from his own Lieutenant Governor Thomas Burton Adams, Jr., Askew, a popular member of the New Southerner political generation, was renominated easily.

Candidates edit

Results edit

Democratic primary results[2][3][4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Reubin Askew (incumbent) 579,137 68.83
Democratic Ben Hill Griffin Jr. 137,008 16.28
Democratic Thomas Burton Adams Jr. 85,557 10.17
Democratic Norman Bie 39,758 4.72
Total votes 841,460

J. H. Williams became Askew's running mate for second term.

Republican primary edit

Candidate edit

Results edit

Republican primary results[2][5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Jerry Thomas unopposed

General election edit

Results edit

1974 Florida gubernatorial election results[6][7][8]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Reubin Askew (incumbent) 1,118,954 61.20
Republican Jerry Thomas 709,438 38.80
Majority 409,516 22.40
Turnout 1,828,392
Democratic hold

Williams, as he ran on the joint ticket, replaced Adams as Lieutenant Governor.

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d Waldron, Martin (September 11, 1974). "Gov. Askew Sweeps Primary in Florida; Millionaire Wins in G.O.P. Senate Race". New York Times. New York, N.Y. p. 34. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
  2. ^ a b Congressional Quarterly 1998, p. 106.
  3. ^ "FL Governor, 1974 - D Primary". Our Campaigns. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
  4. ^ Florida Handbook 2013-2014 2014, p. 344.
  5. ^ Florida Handbook 2013-2014 2014, p. 346.
  6. ^ Congressional Quarterly 1998, p. 47.
  7. ^ "FL Governor, 1974". OurCampaigns. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
  8. ^ Florida Handbook 2013-2014 2014, p. 340.

Bibliography edit

  • Congressional Elections, 1946-1996. Washington, D.C.: Congressional Quarterly Inc. 1998. ISBN 1-56802-248-4.
  • Morris, Allen; Perry Morris, Joan (2014). The Florida Handbook 2013-2014 (PDF). Tallahassee, Florida: Florida House of Representatives.