1954 Alabama gubernatorial election

For related races, see 1954 United States gubernatorial elections.

The 1954 Alabama gubernatorial election took place on November 2, 1954, to elect the governor of Alabama. Incumbent Democrat Gordon Persons was term-limited, and could not seek a second consecutive term.

1954 Alabama gubernatorial election

November 2, 1954

Nominee Jim Folsom Tom Abernathy Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 244,401 88,688 Percentage 73.37% 26.63%

County results Folsom:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%

Governor before election Gordon Persons Democratic Elected Governor Jim Folsom Democratic

Democratic primary

At the time this election took place, Alabama, as with most other southern states, was solidly Democratic, and the Republican Party had such diminished influence that the Democratic primary was the de facto contest for state offices; after winning the Democratic primary it was a given that the nominee would win the general election.

Candidates

• James Allen, lieutenant governor
• James H. Faulkner, state senator
• Jim Folsom, former governor
• James Gullatte
• J. Bruce Henderson, former state senator and candidate for governor in 1950
• C. C. "Jack" Owen, president of the Public Service Commission
• Henry Sweet

Results

1954 Alabama Democratic gubernatorial primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Jim Folsom	305,394	51.38
	Democratic	James H. Faulkner	151,925	25.56
	Democratic	James Allen	61,530	10.35
	Democratic	J. Bruce Henderson	47,969	8.07
	Democratic	C. C. "Jack" Owen	22,623	3.81
	Democratic	Henry Sweet	2,579	0.43
	Democratic	James Gullatte	2,371	0.40
Total votes			594,391	100.00

Results

1954 Alabama gubernatorial election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Jim Folsom	244,401	73.37
	Republican	Tom Abernathy	88,688	26.63
	Other	Write-ins	1	<0.01
Total votes			333,091	100.00
	Democratic hold