1940 Delaware gubernatorial election

The 1940 Delaware gubernatorial election was held on November 5, 1940. Incumbent Democratic Governor Richard McMullen originally ran for re-election to a second term, and was renominated by the Democratic Party. However, less than a month before the election, McMullen suffered a heart attack and he dropped out of the race. The state party named Secretary of State Josiah Marvel Jr., as McMullen's replacement on the ballot.^[1] On the Republican side, Wilmington Mayor Walter W. Bacon was nominated by the Republican Party for Governor.^[2]

Quick facts Nominee, Party ...

1940 Delaware gubernatorial election

← 1936 November 5, 1940 1944 →

Nominee Walter W. Bacon Josiah Marvel Jr. Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 70,629 61,237 Percentage 52.39% 45.42%

County results Bacon:      40–50%      50–60%

Governor before election Richard McMullen Democratic Elected Governor Walter W. Bacon Republican

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Ultimately, even as President Franklin D. Roosevelt was handily winning Delaware en route to re-election nationwide, and as Democrat James M. Tunnell was narrowly elected to the Senate, Bacon defeated Marvel by a decisive margin to regain the governorship for the Republican Party. Bacon received 52% of the vote to Marvel's 45%.