1934 Tennessee gubernatorial election

The 1934 Tennessee gubernatorial election was held on November 6, 1934. Incumbent Democratic governor Hill McAlister won re-election to a second term, defeating Independent nominee Lewis S. Pope in a rematch with 61.8% of the vote.

Quick facts Nominee, Party ...

1934 Tennessee gubernatorial election

← 1932 November 6, 1934 1936 â†’

Nominee Hill McAlister Lewis S. Pope Party Democratic Independent Popular vote 198,743 122,965 Percentage 61.78% 38.22%

County results McAlister:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90% Pope:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

Governor before election Hill McAlister Democratic Elected Governor Hill McAlister Democratic

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Lewis S. Pope again challenged McAlister for the Democratic nomination, but came up short, winning just 137,253 votes to McAlister's 191,460.^[1][2]

In the general election, Pope once again ran as an independent, and tried to form a fusion ticket with former Republican governor Ben W. Hooper who was running for Senate. Hooper called on Republicans to support Pope in the gubernatorial election, while Pope called on independent Democrats to support Hooper in his Senate campaign against Kenneth McKellar. The plan failed, however, with Pope losing to McAlister in the general election, and McKellar soundly defeating Hooper in the Senate race.^[1][3]