For related races, see 1948 United States gubernatorial elections.
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| Turnout | 81.90% 2.50 | ||||||||||||||||
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 County resultsBonner: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% Ford: 50–60% 60–70% | |||||||||||||||||
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The 1948 Montana gubernatorial election took place on November 2, 1948. Incumbent Governor of Montana Sam C. Ford, who was first elected Governor in 1940 and was re-elected in 1944, ran for re-election. He won the Republican primary and advanced to the general election, where he faced John W. Bonner, the former Attorney General of Montana and the Democratic nominee. Ultimately, Bonner defeated Ford handily in his bid for re-election, winning his first and only term as governor.
Democratic primary
Candidates
- John W. Bonner, former Attorney General of Montana
- Arthur F. Lamey, former chairman of the Montana Democratic Party
- Leif Erickson, former Chief Justice of the Montana Supreme Court, 1946 Democratic nominee for the United States Senate, 1944 Democratic nominee for Governor of Montana
- Vernon Hoven
- George M. Melton
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | John W. Bonner | 29,514 | 37.32 | |
| Democratic | Arthur F. Lamey | 23,214 | 29.36 | |
| Democratic | Leif Erickson | 18,478 | 23.37 | |
| Democratic | Vernon Hoven | 3,990 | 5.05 | |
| Democratic | George M. Melton | 3,879 | 4.91 | |
| Total votes | 79,075 | 100.00 | ||
Republican primary
Candidates
- Sam C. Ford, incumbent Governor of Montana
- Leonard C. Young
- Mike Kuchera, furniture dealer
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Sam C. Ford (incumbent) | 41,493 | 72.38 | |
| Republican | Leonard C. Young | 11,023 | 19.23 | |
| Republican | Mike Kuchera | 4,811 | 8.39 | |
| Total votes | 57,327 | 100.00 | ||
General election
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | John W. Bonner | 124,267 | 55.73% | +12.56% | |
| Republican | Sam C. Ford (incumbent) | 97,792 | 43.86% | −12.50% | |
| Socialist | Leverne Hamilton | 905 | 0.41% | ||
| Majority | 26,475 | 11.87% | −1.31% | ||
| Turnout | 222,964 | ||||
| Democratic gain from Republican | Swing | ||||
References
- "Montana Voter Turnout". Montana Secretary of State. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
- ^ "Report of the Official Canvass of the Vote Cast at the Primary Election Held in the State of Montana, July 20, 1948" (PDF). Montana Secretary of State. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 28, 2013. Retrieved July 5, 2014.
- "Official Montana General Election Returns, November 2, 1948" (PDF). Montana Secretary of State. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 28, 2013. Retrieved July 5, 2014.
| (1947←) 1948 United States elections (→1949) | |
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