1954 Arizona gubernatorial election

The 1954 Arizona gubernatorial election took place on November 2, 1954. Incumbent Governor John Howard Pyle, the first Republican elected to the office in two decades, ran for reelection for a third term.

1954 Arizona gubernatorial election

November 2, 1954
 
Nominee Ernest McFarland John Howard Pyle
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 128,104 115,866
Percentage 52.5% 47.5%

County results
McFarland:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Pyle:      50–60%

Governor before election

John Howard Pyle
Republican

Elected Governor

Ernest McFarland
Democratic

Former U.S. Senator Ernest McFarland defeated Governor John Howard Pyle by a narrow margin. McFarland had lost his bid for reelection to the United States Senate to Barry Goldwater in 1952, with McFarland subsequently deciding to run for the office of governor.

Republican primary

Candidates

Democratic primary

The Democratic primary took place on September 7, 1954. Due to the Republican Party tidal wave led by Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1952, incumbent U.S. Senator Ernest McFarland lost his bid for reelection to the United States Senate to Barry Goldwater. He subsequently decided to run for the office of Governor of Arizona and challenge incumbent Republican Governor John Howard Pyle, the first Republican to hold the office for more than two decades. McFarland was challenged in the primary by State Senator William F. Kimball, but McFarland easily won.

Candidates

Results

Democratic primary results[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Ernest W. McFarland 89,190 74.24%
Democratic William F. Kimball 30,954 25.76%
Total votes 120,144 100.00

General election

Results

Arizona gubernatorial election, 1954[2]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Ernest W. McFarland 128,104 52.51% +12.67%
Republican John Howard Pyle (incumbent) 115,866 47.49% -12.67%
Majority 12,238 5.02%
Turnout 243,970
Democratic gain from Republican Swing

References

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