1972 Delaware gubernatorial election

The 1972 Delaware gubernatorial election was held on November 7, 1972. Democratic nominee Sherman W. Tribbitt defeated incumbent Republican Governor Russell W. Peterson with 51.27% of the vote. This was the last time a Democrat won statewide office in Delaware until 1992, when Tom Carper (future U.S. Senator) won the gubernatorial election over Republican B. Gary Scott.

1972 Delaware gubernatorial election

November 7, 1972
 
Nominee Sherman W. Tribbitt Russell W. Peterson
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 117,274 109,583
Percentage 51.27% 47.91%

County results

Tribbitt:      50–60%      60–70%

Peterson:      50–60%

Governor before election

Russell W. Peterson
Republican

Elected Governor

Sherman W. Tribbitt
Democratic

Nominations

From 1972 to 1992 Delaware used a system of “challenge” primaries, in which a candidate for statewide office who received at least 35 percent of the convention vote could challenge the endorsed candidate in a primary. Democratic nominee Tribbitt avoided such a primary in 1972.[1][2]

Candidates

Results

Republican primary results[3][2][1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Russell W. Peterson (incumbent) 23,929 54.30
Republican David P. Buckson 20,138 45.70
Total votes 44,077 100.00

General election

Candidates

Results

1972 Delaware gubernatorial election[4][5][6][7][8]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Sherman W. Tribbitt 117,274 51.27%
Republican Russell W. Peterson (incumbent) 109,583 47.91%
American Virginia M. Lyndall 1,468 0.64%
Prohibition Harry H. Conner 397 0.17%
Majority 7,691 3.36%
Turnout 228,722 100.00%
Democratic gain from Republican Swing

References

  1. America Votes 10, p. 73.
  2. Congressional Quarterly 1998, p. 104.
  3. "IL Governor, 1974 - R Primary". Our Campaigns. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
  4. "DE Governor, 1972". Our Campaigns. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
  5. Delaware Official Results 1972, p. 2.
  6. America Votes 10, p. 71.
  7. Glashan 1979, pp. 52–53.
  8. Congressional Quarterly 1998, p. 46.

Bibliography

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