1974 Michigan gubernatorial election

Summary

The 1974 Michigan gubernatorial election was held on November 5, 1974. William Milliken was elected to his second term as Governor of Michigan in a rematch with Sander Levin.[1] This was the last time until 1990 that the state elected a governor of the same party as the sitting president.

1974 Michigan gubernatorial election

← 1970 November 5, 1974 (1974-11-05) 1978 →
Turnout55.52%
 
Nominee William Milliken Sander Levin
Party Republican Democratic
Running mate James Damman Paul Brown
Popular vote 1,356,865 1,242,247
Percentage 51.1% 46.8%

County results
Milliken:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%
Levin:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%

Governor before election

William G. Milliken
Republican

Governor

William G. Milliken
Republican

Primary elections edit

The primary elections occurred on August 6, 1974.[2]

Democratic primary edit

Michigan gubernatorial Democratic primary, 1974[2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Sander M. Levin 445,273 61.29
Democratic James P. Cavanagh 199,361 27.44
Democratic James E. Wells 81,844 11.27
Total votes 726,478 100.00

Republican primary edit

Michigan gubernatorial Republican primary, 1974[2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican William Milliken (incumbent) 326,454 100.00
Total votes 326,454 100.00

General election edit

Candidates edit

  • Eldon K. Andrews (Conservative)[2]
    • Running mate: Al G. Terwilliger[2]
  • Hugh McDermand Davidson (American Independent)[2]
    • Josephine A. Chapman[2]
  • Thomas Dennis (Communist)[2]
    • Running mate: William Allan[2]
  • Zolton Ferency, Michigan State University law professor and 1966 Democratic nominee for governor (Human Rights)
    • Running mate: Regina McNulty[2]
  • James Horvath (Socialist Labor)[2]
    • Running mate: Alfred W. Wegener[2]
  • Sander M. Levin, former State Senator from Berkley and nominee for Governor in 1970 (Democratic)
    • Running mate: Paul Brown[2]
  • William G. Milliken, incumbent Govenror (Republican)[2]
  • Robin Maisel (Socialist Workers)[2]
    • Running mate: Ruth C. Getts[2]
  • Peter Signorelli (U.S. Labor)[2]
    • Running mate: Ronald Wayne Evans[2]

Other running mates

Results edit

Michigan gubernatorial election, 1974
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican William G. Milliken (incumbent) 1,356,865 51.07
Democratic Sander M. Levin 1,242,247 46.75
Human Rights Zolton Ferency 28,675 1.08
American Independent Hugh McDermand Davidson 20,278 0.76
Conservative Eldon K. Andrews 4,117 0.15
Socialist Workers Robin Maisel 1,505 0.06
Socialist Labor James Horvath 1,296 0.06
Communist Thomas Dennis 1,119 0.04
U.S. Labor Peter Signorelli 898 0.03
Total votes 2,657,000 100.0
Republican hold

References edit

  1. ^ 2011–2012 Michigan Manual: Chapter IX—Elections: Summary of Vote for Governor, 1835-2010
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r Michigan (1977). Michigan manual. 1975/1976 – via HathiTrust.