The 1974 Florida gubernatorial election took place on November 5, 1974. Incumbent Democratic Governor Reubin Askew won re-election to a second term.
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 County results
Askew: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% Thomas: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% | ||||||||||||||||||||
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This was just the second time after 1956, and the first that the Governor of Florida was re-elected for the second four-year term. This was also the first time a candidate got over one million votes in a Florida governor election.
Primary elections
editPrimary elections were held on September 10, 1974.
Democratic primary
editIncumbent Reubin O'Donovan Askew faced little opposition in the Democratic Party primary. Despite a challenge from his own Lieutenant Governor Thomas Burton Adams, Jr., Askew, a popular member of the "New Southerner" political generation, was renominated easily.
13.4% of the voting age population participated in the Democratic primary.[1]
Candidates
edit- Thomas Burton Adams Jr., incumbent Lieutenant Governor[2]
- Reubin Askew, incumbent Governor
- Ben Hill Griffin Jr., citrus magnate[2]
- Norman Bie, lawyer[2]
Results
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Reubin Askew (incumbent) | 579,137 | 68.83 | |
| Democratic | Ben Hill Griffin Jr. | 137,008 | 16.28 | |
| Democratic | Thomas Burton Adams Jr. | 85,557 | 10.17 | |
| Democratic | Norman Bie | 39,758 | 4.72 | |
| Total votes | 841,460 | |||
J. H. Williams became Askew's running mate for second term.
Republican primary
editCandidate
edit- Jerry Thomas, former President of the Florida Senate, banker[2]
Results
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Jerry Thomas | unopposed | ||
General election
editResults
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Reubin Askew (incumbent) | 1,118,954 | 61.20 | |
| Republican | Jerry Thomas | 709,438 | 38.80 | |
| Majority | 409,516 | 22.40 | ||
| Turnout | 1,828,392 | |||
| Democratic hold | ||||
Williams, as he ran on the joint ticket, replaced Adams as Lieutenant Governor.
References
edit- ^ Steed, Moreland & Baker 1980, p. 26.
- ^ a b c d Waldron, Martin (September 11, 1974). "Gov. Askew Sweeps Primary in Florida; Millionaire Wins in G.O.P. Senate Race". New York Times. New York, N.Y. p. 34. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
- ^ a b Congressional Quarterly 1998, p. 106.
- ^ "FL Governor, 1974 - D Primary". Our Campaigns. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
- ^ Florida Handbook 2013-2014 2014, p. 344.
- ^ Florida Handbook 2013-2014 2014, p. 346.
- ^ Congressional Quarterly 1998, p. 47.
- ^ "FL Governor, 1974". OurCampaigns. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
- ^ Florida Handbook 2013-2014 2014, p. 340.
Works cited
edit- Congressional Elections, 1946-1996. Washington, D.C.: Congressional Quarterly Inc. 1998. ISBN 1-56802-248-4.
- Morris, Allen; Perry Morris, Joan (2014). The Florida Handbook 2013-2014 (PDF). Tallahassee, Florida: Florida House of Representatives.
- Steed, Robert; Moreland, Laurence; Baker, Tod, eds. (1980). Party Politics in the South. Praeger Publishers. ISBN 0030565863.