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1971 Kentucky gubernatorial election

1971 Kentucky gubernatorial election

← 1967 November 2, 1971 1975 →
 
Nominee Wendell Ford Thomas Emberton
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 470,420 412,653
Percentage 50.56% 44.35%

Ford:      30–40%      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Emberton:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

Governor before election

Louie Nunn
Republican

Elected Governor

Wendell Ford
Democratic

The 1971 Kentucky gubernatorial election was held on November 2, 1971. Incumbent Republican Louie Nunn, was ineligible for a second term due to term limits, a rule that was later repealed in 1992.[1]

In the Democratic primary, Lieutenant Governor Wendell Ford ran against former Governor Bert Combs and 6 other opponents. Ford would win in an easy victory that wasn't expected. In the Republican primary, Thomas Emberton easily won his primary and was endorsed by Governor Nunn.[2]

In the general election, Ford and Emberton were joined by former Governor A. B. "Happy" Chandler, running as an Independent, as well as American Party candidate William Smith. The Republicans had hoped that Chandler would help Emberton's chances, but Ford ultimately won the general election.[3] As of 2022, this is the last time that the Republican candidate has won Jefferson County.

Democratic primary

Kentucky Democratic Party primary, May 25, 1971 [4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Wendell H. Ford 237,815 53.01
Democratic Bert T. Combs 195,678 43.61
Democratic William Shires 3,934 0.88
Democratic John E. Knipper 3,128 0.70
Democratic Earl R. McIntosh 2,496 0.56
Democratic Robert McCreary Johnson 2,049 0.46
Democratic Jesse N. R. Cecil 1,838 0.41
Democratic Wilton Benge Cupp 1,729 0.39

Republican primary

Kentucky Republican Party Primary, May 25, 1971 [5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Thomas Emberton 84,863 84.07
Republican Reid Martin 6,379 6.32
Republican Thurman Jerome Hamlin 5,469 5.42
Republican Samuel Prather 4,234 4.19

Results

General Election November 2, 1971 [6]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Wendell H. Ford 470,420 50.56
Republican Thomas Emberton 412,653 44.35
Independent A. B. Chandler 39,493 4.24
American William Smith 7,924 0.85
Democratic gain from Republican

References

  1. ^ "Kentucky Constitution Section 71". Archived from the original on July 27, 2009. Retrieved June 27, 2012.
  2. ^ "Ford Wins Surprising Victory in Kentucky". Sumter Daily Item. May 25, 1971. Retrieved June 28, 2012.
  3. ^ "Ford Wins In Kentucky, Carries Dem Slate". Williamson Daily News. November 3, 1971. Retrieved June 28, 2012.
  4. ^ "KY Governor - D Runoff". Our Campaign. Retrieved June 16, 2012.
  5. ^ "KY Governor - R Runoff". Our Campaign. Retrieved June 16, 2012.
  6. ^ "KY Governor - General Election". Our Campaign. Retrieved June 16, 2012.

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