1954 Idaho gubernatorial election
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The 1954 Idaho gubernatorial election was held on November 2. Republican nominee Robert E. Smylie defeated Democratic nominee Clark Hamilton with 54.24% of the vote.
 | |||||||||||||||||
November 2, 1954
| |||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||
 County results Smylie: 50–60% 60–70% >90 Hamilton: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% | |||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||
The incumbent governor was not allowed to run for a second four-year term until 1958.
Primary elections
Primary elections were held on August 10, 1954.[1][2][3]
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Clark Hamilton, Weiser state senator
- Charles Gossett, Nampa, former governor and senator
- Cantril Nielsen, Pocatello, former county commissioner
- Joseph McNew, Boise
Republican primary
Candidates
- Robert E. Smylie, attorney general
- John Sanborn, Hagerman, former congressman
- Larry Gardner, Coeur d'Alene mayor
General election
Candidates
- Robert E. Smylie, Republican
- Clark Hamilton, Democratic
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Robert E. Smylie | 124,038 | 54.24% | ||
| Democratic | Clark Hamilton | 104,647 | 45.76% | ||
| Majority | 19,391 | ||||
| Turnout | 228,685 | ||||
| Republican hold | Swing | ||||
